Northern Ireland Assembly, 29 April 2014

329 contributions from 59 members. The official report.

Assembly Business

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Yesterday, I missed posing a topical question on the Floor due to being unfortunately and inevitably delayed in my constituency. So, I was not in the Assembly on time to ask the question. My apologies to you and the House for not being here for that.

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

I also have to make an apology. I understand that I was last on the list for topical questions. I had a meeting of the Historical Enquiries Team working group here in Parliament Buildings. So, I was in the Building, but I was not aware of how quickly time had moved on. I apologise to you and the House.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

First of all, I wish to say a word of thanks to Mr McGlone and Mrs Kelly for coming to the House this morning and apologising. A number of other Members were missing yesterday. I said yesterday that I know that minds may be somewhere else at this time, and that is understandable, but I would like to think that other Members who were missing yesterday will follow the example of the two Members and come to apologise to the House. Quite a number of Members do not turn up at Question Time when they are down on the list for a question to a Minister, and they do not come to the House to apologise and do not believe that they should give any reason to apologise and more or less treat the House with total contempt. So, we are mindful of those Members, and we are just waiting to see whether those Members come to the House and follow the example of the two Members who have apologised this morning.

Executive Committee Business

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I wish to inform the House that the Financial Provisions Bill received Royal Assent on 28 April 2014. It will be known as the Financial Provisions Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Carrier Bags Bill received Royal Assent on 28 April 2014. It will be known as the Carrier Bags Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

Private Members' Business

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The first item of business is a motion on the Giro d'Italia 2014. The Business Committee has agreed to allow up to one hour and 30 minutes for the debate. The proposer of the motion will have 10 minutes to propose and 10 minutes to make a winding-up speech. One amendment has been selected and published on the Marshalled List. The proposer of the amendment will have 10 minutes to propose and five minutes to make a winding-up speech. All other Members who wish to speak will have five minutes. The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment is unable to be here for the start of the debate. However, she hopes to arrive in time to respond to it, and I understand that Mr Ross is taking notes on behalf of the Minister.

If that is clear, we shall proceed.

Sammy Douglas (DUP, Belfast East)

I beg to move

That this Assembly recognises that the Giro d’Italia is one of the biggest events in the international sporting calendar; warmly welcomes it to Northern Ireland; acknowledges the significance and magnitude of being chosen to host the Grande Partenza; understands the benefits to be obtained in terms of the economy, tourism, cultural exchange and education, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and worldwide publicity for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Executive to take all necessary steps to maximise the potential to be gained through such a prestigious event.

As chairman of the all-party group on cycling, I propose the motion in my name and that of my North Down colleague Peter Weir. I note that the Alliance Party amendment is within the spirit of the motion, so we are happy to support it.

Next week, the Stormont estate will be buzzing when up to 30,000 people will gather to witness one of the biggest sporting events ever to hit these shores. The Grande Partenza, or Big Start, of the Giro d'Italia will be a spectacular event happening outside this very Building. As we came into Stormont this morning, I am sure that we all noticed the decorated lamps on Prince of Wales Avenue, which is testimony to the pink revolution that is taking place as Northern Ireland hosts the opening stages of the 2014 Giro d'Italia and welcomes 200 of the world's top cyclists.

The Giro's choice to hold this iconic event in the Province is historic because it will be the first time that it has ever been held outside continental Europe. The Giro event was first organised in 1909 to promote the 'Gazzetta dello Sport' newspaper and gained prominence to become one of the world's largest sporting events. We have all seen the impressive figures on television of the potential global audience of millions, and I am sure that others will speak about some of those figures later. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest opportunities that Northern Ireland will ever have to sell itself and to showcase the Province on the world stage. What an opportunity to show all that is good and creative about our Province. What an opportunity to promote tourism, increase healthier lifestyles, improve the environment and encourage voluntary effort.

We should be proud that the organisers of the Giro d'Italia, one of the world's most iconic and famous cycling events, second only to the Tour de France, have chosen Northern Ireland for the Big Start. On their visits here, the organisers will have noted that we have not rested on our laurels after successfully hosting world-class events such as the MTV Europe music awards in 2011, the Titanic centenary event just two years ago and the most successful and peaceful G8 summit ever in — I am sorry that the Minister is not here to hear me say this — beautiful Fermanagh. Who can forget the wonderful World Police and Fire Games or the hugely impressive UK City of Culture celebrations? That all points to the fact that Northern Ireland is making outstanding progress in establishing itself to stage world-class events that require first-class organisational skills to host them.

I pay tribute to the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) for its work to date, particularly Susie McCullough and her Giro team, who have done a magnificent job in coordinating the work of the various Departments — we all know what it is like trying to coordinate work between Departments — and other working groups. There has also been work with councils across Northern Ireland, and I pay tribute to the PSNI for its work to date. It has stepped up to the plate to make sure that we will have a first-class, enjoyable and safe Giro event.

I have been told that the Giro team has visited here a number of times and has been hugely impressed on each occasion with the event management. It is a great testament to the skills of our people and bodies such as the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. One of those organisers, who I think was from Italy, was even heard to say, "If Carlsberg did Grande Partenzas, they would probably be like this".

I would like to acknowledge the many schools, businesses, community and church groups and, yes, MLAs, who have caught the vision. Some MLAs here this morning are in their pink. I pay tribute to them, particularly my colleague Gordon Dunne who is wearing a pink tie. Next week, Minister Edwin Poots and I will be participating in a smashing event — a Royal National Institute for the Blind tandem cycling event from Lisburn to Newtownabbey. That event involves dozens of blind and partially sighted participants; the Giro is for everybody.

I was on the excellent Northern Ireland Greenway's website last night. It reckons that over 20 MLAs are into cycling. Last Saturday afternoon, three of those MLAs — me, the First Minister, Peter Robinson, and junior Minister Jonathan Bell — went on a 25-mile cycle. Sadly, Jonathan Bell fell at Becher's Brook — [Laughter.] Sorry, he fell at the harbour estate, but he is OK now. I am sure that people witnessed some of the grizzly photographs that he posted on Twitter.

I was struck by a comment on the Northern Ireland Greenway's site, which we need to take on board. It states:

"The Northern Ireland government needs to seize the chance to use the Giro d'Italia Grande Partenza 2014 for more than cycling sport promotion and a fleeting tourism boost."

I agree with that sentiment. While we know that the eyes of the world will be watching, we need to make sure that Northern Ireland utilises this unique opportunity to bring an increase in cycling and a lasting legacy for young and old alike. Northern Ireland has the potential to become a hotspot — indeed, a major European destination — for cycling if we can maximise this unique opportunity. This debate is about how we can maximise the opportunities.

The Giro can be a wonderful showcase and an inspiration to a new generation of cyclists. Hosting such a high-profile event will definitely encourage cycling, but it also highlights the need for good infrastructure for everyday cycling to schools, work and, dare I say, shops. Part of that legacy is the need to encourage more children to take up cycling. Just this morning, when I was coming up to Stormont, I noticed a number of cars outside a school. I have been one of those people in the past who have taken the kids to school. Yet, when we look at Amsterdam and Utrecht in the Netherlands, we see that 50% of kids travel to school on bicycles. Let us expand schemes such as the excellent Sustrans active school travel programme, safe routes to school.

Mr Speaker, I have a word of caution: the giro legacy, or the Giro legacy must be for all.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

The giro. [Laughter.]

Sammy Douglas (DUP, Belfast East)

That was a Freudian slip when you hear what I have to say. The Giro legacy must be for all.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

We do not want any more drops like that.

Sammy Douglas (DUP, Belfast East)

Any chance. The Giro legacy must be for all, not just a cycling elite. We must ensure that benefits are not lost in our communities. A couple of miles from here, the Ballybeen improvement group is doing great work with parents and children. Local men have established a cycle hub in the estate, with excellent support from Sustrans Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agency. We need more of those community-led schemes. Let us be clear: social inclusion must be a major focus of any legacy or cycling revolution. Let us not forget the Ballymacarrett, the Ballymurphy, the Ballysillan or the Ballycolman estates.

To conclude, Mr Speaker, to host an event of this kind is a real for coup for Northern Ireland — for the economy, tourism, health and cycling, to name but a few. The three-day event next week is set to ignite interest in cycling around the country. Cycling in Northern Ireland will never be the same again. A cycling unit has been set up, we are looking at a strategy, and we are looking forward to major changes and progressive developments for cycling in Northern Ireland. As our motion states, we call on the Executive to take all necessary steps to maximise the potential that is to be gained through such a prestigious event. I commend the motion to the House.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

I beg to move the following amendment:

At end insert:

"and to allocate adequate resources for the delivery of a suitable Giro legacy plan to include improved provision and infrastructure for schools, commuting, leisure, tourist and sporting cycling in Northern Ireland.".

As chair of the all-party group on cycling and on behalf of the Alliance Party, I am delighted to support the motion and propose the amendment. I congratulate those who tabled the motion. It is only right that the Assembly recognises the significance of the Giro d'Italia coming to Northern Ireland to our economy, tourism, cultural exchange, education, health and worldwide publicity for Northern Ireland. It is important, however, that the Assembly recognises and notes the unique opportunity that this is to allocate adequate resources and deliver a robust legacy plan for cycling in Northern Ireland.

On 9 to 11 May, Northern Ireland will host the opening stages of the Giro d'Italia. Around 22 teams containing 200 of the world's best cyclists from over 30 countries will be here for the Grande Partenza, or Big Start, of the race. We will, therefore, be on a truly global stage that weekend. It is a fantastic opportunity to highlight all that is positive about Northern Ireland to a huge audience. It is important to recognise the excellent work of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Discover Northern Ireland and the excellent set of videos presented by our very own Graham Little. The videos showcase the infrastructure, the sights, the countryside, our city and the glories of east Belfast and the Stormont estate on the World Wide Web and the world stage. They also contain really interesting interviews with Giro winner Stephen Roche and are a fantastic promotion for the pink revolution that is coming to Northern Ireland.

I agree with the proposer of the motion that the benefits of hosting such an event are many. There is huge potential to be gained from the event on many different levels. With the amendment, I wanted to emphasise that there is an opportunity to ignite a spark that will lead to more investment in and commitment to cycling in the region. I also wanted to propose to the Executive that there be an increased allocation of resources for the delivery of a robust legacy plan to include and address provision for cycling: in infrastructure, schools provision, commuting, leisure, tourism and the sport in Northern Ireland.

As chair of the all-party group on cycling, I liaise with cycling organisations. As a novice cyclist, I am increasingly aware of the benefits of the pursuit, and they should be covered in any legacy plan. Although provision and infrastructure for cycling in Northern Ireland is improving, it still falls significantly behind other areas. In the past decade, there has been a major rise in cycle commuters in Northern Ireland, with an estimated 60% increase in Belfast alone. A 2012 DRD Northern Ireland travel survey found that the average person makes seven journeys by bike each year as opposed to five journeys by train. That said, the Executive spend in the same year was £1 million on cycling but £44 million on the railways. That is a total spend of 58p on cycling per head of population in Northern Ireland, whereas, in the Netherlands, for example, the spend is around £24 per head of population, which has helped to produce first-class cycling provision.

A 2013 TomTom survey named Belfast as the most congested city in the UK and revealed that, every time you drive during peak periods in the city, you could face significant delays. Drivers who make a half-hour daily commute to work spend significant time in traffic. One way of tackling that problem would be to increase cycling provision and to use this unique opportunity to promote that. A recent QUB study for the Connswater Community Greenway project found that there was also an issue of people thinking it too dangerous to participate in cycling. This event will show just how enjoyable and safe it is as a pursuit. The recent DOE advertising campaign also displayed the challenges facing cyclists in the region, but, hopefully, it will go some way to increasing the safety and awareness of cyclists on our roads.

Educating young cyclists and getting more children cycling will be another vital element of any plan. We have the lowest numbers of children cycling to school in the UK. It pales in comparison with other European countries. Further, cycling training in our schools is often seen as in need of modernisation, although I would like to recognise the excellent work of Sustrans in that regard. I know that the Department of the Environment has conducted a review of the active school travel programme. It would definitely be welcome if that could be increased and rolled out to a level 2 standard, which would include road travel training qualifications, in our schools to build on the momentum behind the Giro, produce future generations of cyclists in Northern Ireland and, indeed, encourage more children to cycle to school.

Access to bicycles is another barrier to cycling reaching its full potential in the region. Over 60% of households do not own a bicycle. There also appears to be a gender imbalance, with around seven males for every one female cycling to work here. Establishing and promoting social inclusion programmes alongside well-promoted schemes and initiatives, such as the cycle-to-work scheme, are going to be crucial to removing any such barriers and should form part of a Giro legacy plan.

Expansions and upgrades of our cycle networks and greenways — we have the excellent Comber greenway that goes through my constituency of East Belfast — should help to attract more cyclists in the region. Improved upkeep of these networks, with measures such as regular gritting, maintenance and lighting, would also help us see more cyclists using these routes. It is essential that we have improved information about the routes and the cycling opportunities that exist in Northern Ireland through adequate provision of mapping. Good advertising to promote them could achieve that aim. Improvements on this note would also be beneficial in promoting our cycling product to tourists. That has been displayed in examples such as the Great Western Greenway in Mayo, which opened in 2011 and has won a European Destinations of Excellence award. It is also crucial, of course, that the Giro promotes the sport of cycling in the region and that cycling clubs and events receive relevant support further to it so that they can benefit fully from this event coming to Northern Ireland.

I hope that Members will be able to support the amendment — I welcome that that is the case for the proposer of the motion — and that this House will unite around the unique opportunity that hosting this event here in Northern Ireland is going to give us.

Bike Week will take place from 14 to 22 June this year. The all-party group on cycling hopes to use that event to engage with cycling in Belfast city centre and across the region. Hopefully, we can get even more MLAs out on their bikes to experience the commute in and around our city. More information about that will come forward.

I echo the sentiments of the proposer of the motion and encourage everyone in Northern Ireland, elected representatives and members of the public alike, to think pink; to get onto the Discover Northern Ireland website to get as much information about this fantastic event as possible; and to embrace the Giro d'Italia as it comes to Northern Ireland. It is going to pass through many amazing locations in Northern Ireland, including right here in the Stormont estate and east Belfast. I agree with the proposer that we hope that this event will provide a launch pad for the cycling revolution that the Minister for Regional Development has committed to delivering here in Northern Ireland. An essential aspect of that will be having in place a real, meaningful and robust legacy plan for the Giro.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I support the motion and the amendment. The Giro will be an event on a scale that we have not seen in Ireland since the Tour de France way back in 1998, and, of course, it did not even come North at that time. On this occasion, from Ballycastle and all the way to Dublin, we can make a great success of this event. Of course, the legacy is absolutely crucial. In north Antrim, everything is going pink, from the cupcakes in Pappy's Bakery in Dunloy to Seamus McShane's Massey Ferguson in Ballintoy. We have a high concentration of cycling clubs in Dunloy, Ballymoney, Ballymena, Ballycastle, Loughguile and, indeed, Portglenone, all of which will be providing volunteers on day 2 to support stage 2 of the Giro through County Antrim.

Of course, there will be a huge tourism benefit, and we need to realise the longer term potential for sports, events, tourism and cycling. We need to invest to realise that potential. Millions will be watching, and I think that the general public have perhaps not realised the scale of the event that we are holding and the amount of people who will come from across Europe and the world to watch it. As has been flagged up by NITB in a number of presentations, it is a great marketing opportunity.

It is interesting that a number of cycling developments seem to be dovetailing at this time. The Sam Thompson Bridge was opened recently, which, I should point out, was made in Rasharkin. The Belfast bike hire scheme will be introduced shortly, and there is the Giro. There is a greater political focus on the issue of cycling, and the impact so far of the cycle-to-work scheme should not be underestimated.

I am sure that no one has failed to realise that there has been a huge increase in the number of cyclists on the road. If every person who would like to cycle to work did so, our obesity levels would plummet. We would have fewer mental health problems, and there would be big savings for the health service and better outcomes in health and well-being. However, the fact is that people will not do that because they feel that the roads are not safe enough and that the current infrastructure is totally inadequate. There is a culture of "car first" in road design and in Roads Service that we need to tackle. Many politicians, including us, and many stakeholders are still very car centric when it comes to transport. We do not recognise as much as we should and as much as many European mainland politicians the potential health impacts of better road and transport design.

Sinn Féin wants to see investment in cycling increase from the 58p to which the chairperson of the all-party group referred to £10 per person each year. We want to ensure that cyclists are properly accommodated on public transport, including bus and rail. We want to see the proper enforcement of cycle lanes. There are many cycle lanes throughout this city and the North, and many a lick of new paint has gone down, but if they are not enforced and you have many different vehicles parking in them and blocking them, what is the point of them? There needs to be consideration by the roads Minister of how that can be more greatly enforced. We also support the 20's Plenty campaign and recognise that more 20 mph zones will increase the amount of walking and cycling.

If you look south to Dublin, you will see that the infrastructure is not great there either. The Dublinbikes scheme has been introduced, but the most recent figures have shown that the number of people using bikes will soon surpass the number using the Luas in the city. That should flag up the fact that a great proportion of transport users are using bicycles, but they are not getting the same level of investment as people using the Luas, the buses or the trains. If we invest and put £10 per person into cycling infrastructure, we will get more than double that back from potential health impacts and the reduction in congestion. Cyclists take up much less room than motor vehicles, so cycling leads to less congestion in our towns and cities. That improves everyone's lot, not just that of cyclists.

The legacy of the Giro will be reliant on political leadership on cycling. Although I have praised the Minister for some of the decisions that have been made, they have been easy decisions.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I ask the Member to bring his remarks to a close.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

If we are serious about public health, obesity and relieving stress on the health service, we need to get serious about cycling.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá mise sásta tacaíocht a thabhairt don rún agus don leasú. I support the motion and the amendment. I welcome the opportunity to add my congratulations to all who have been involved in attracting and hosting the Giro d'Italia Grande Partenza, which kicks off in Belfast and travels through County Antrim and, via County Armagh, to Dublin.

On day three, the Giro will travel through some of the most beautiful countryside that we have, starting at Armagh City, and then through the south Armagh villages of Newtownhamilton, Belleeks and Lislea, through the beautiful Ring of Gullion, on to Forkhill and across the border. We very much welcome the Giro in County Armagh. It is an excellent opportunity to showcase the beauty of the countryside.

Many roadshows, public meetings and community gatherings have already been held in the area to inform people about the event, encourage as many as possible to get involved, and present the Giro toolkit. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has the support and backup of Armagh City and District Council and Newry and Mourne District Council in dressing the Giro route in our area. That will help to maximise the impact for Northern Ireland as a whole.

The councils are actively promoting the event, and information flyers, posters, outdoor banners and adverts have been distributed throughout the area to raise awareness. There is tremendous enthusiasm for the event and the public are very much looking forward to it. Newry and Mourne District Council has purchased extra bunting and is working with groups along the route in dressing and decorating various areas. The council is keen to support the Tourist Board to present the best possible image of our area to the approximately 800 million television viewers.

The council is keen that the Tourist Board helps it as much as possible in dressing the route. I think it has been in touch with the Tourist Board to ask for extra help to ensure that all the route is properly dressed. I am interested to hear from the Minister the response of the Tourist Board to that request. There is great enthusiasm for the event in the area and the councils in Armagh and Newry are doing all possible to ensure the greatest possible tourism impact for the area as a result of the event.

Two hundred-plus professional cyclists will participate in the first three stages, of the gruelling 21 stages of the race, that will take place here. The race will finish in Trieste, in Italy, on 1 June after 2,141 miles. That is a huge distance by any measure. It is a coup for Northern Ireland to have this event here. Tourism is extremely important to us, supporting 40,000 jobs. The tourism strategy for Northern Ireland 2020 is ambitious and plans to increase visitor numbers to 4·5 million and earnings from tourism to £1 billion by 2020. Those targets will be achieved only if all of us as individuals recognise opportunities such as the Giro and give such events every possible support.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I ask the Member to bring his remarks to a close.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

I very much welcome this event and wish all those involved success.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

It is a pleasure to speak on one of the most uncontentious motions that I have ever seen in the Chamber. It is fair to say that, on this occasion, everyone in the Chamber will be embracing the pink revolution.

Few of us, apart from avid fans of cycling, would have been aware of the Giro d'Italia a year ago. Most of us could have named the Tour de France, but that was where our knowledge of bicycle road races started and finished. Now, less than a fortnight away from the start of the three stages, the Grande Partenza, it is fair to say that Northern Ireland has gone Giro mad, in a good way of course.

It is now the world's second largest cycle race, ranking behind only the Tour de France in prestige. The Giro d'Italia is one of the highlights of the racing calendar. The riders love it, I understand, because it is more relaxed than the Tour and because the tifosi, the Italian fans, are passionately enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Last year's Giro was broadcast in 165 countries, with an estimated global audience of 775 million people. What is also exciting about the Giro d'Italia is the level of community events that are running in tandem with the race itself in and around the route of the Giro. I see great parallels with the community events that surrounded the Olympic torch run and the Queen's jubilee two summers ago. That, along with having our very own home-grown successful cyclists, such as Wendy Houvenaghel from Upperlands in County Londonderry, works to highlight and increase Northern Ireland's interest in all things cycling.

The aim is for there to be a great party atmosphere during the weekend of the event as Ulster gears up for what is set to be one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. As a keen but fair-weather cyclist myself, I and my family certainly look forward to the Giro. The party Giro d'Italia atmosphere is certainly catching right across Northern Ireland. I was at Glenariff forest park at the weekend, and, from there all the way up to the north coast, I saw pink everywhere, from lamp posts to shop windows, bus shelters and even garden ornaments, leading right up to Bushmills, where my colleague and friend councillor Sandra Hunter has even dyed her sheep pink.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

Absolutely. Towns, villages and community and sporting organisations are all getting involved. The event is truly bringing an infectious smile to Northern Ireland, a bit like our friend the late David McClarty, to whom we all paid tribute yesterday but we will remember today, as he would also have been very keen to join in this sporting event.

At a local mid-Ulster level, despite the fact that the event does not visit my constituency, I am particularly delighted to see Cicli Sport, a cycle firm from Moneymore in the heart of mid-Ulster, with almost 40 years in the business, being so much involved in the preparations of the Giro d'Italia events. The recent Giro hall of fame celebration event at the Giant's Causeway, which saw Stephen Roche inducted to the roll of honour, follows Cicli's involvement in the Giro d'Italia launch last year. Cicli has been asked to supply a number of Pinarello bicycles for the launch and associated events, and it has brought its rich heritage in cycling to the build up to the historic race. Cicli Sport, which takes its name from Italian roots and brings three generations of cycling tradition to mid-Ulster, will tie the best of Northern Irish cycling with the world class sporting event. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate that local business on its success and contribution to cycling.

In terms of a legacy, of course we hope to benefit from an increase in tourism, but, more than that, as legislators we should really tap into the current enthusiasm for all things bike related by kick-starting a cycling revolution. My colleague the Regional Development Minister, Danny Kennedy, has already signalled where we should be going. As he said in March:

"We need to create an environment which invites people to walk and cycle as much as possible. That is my vision for Northern Ireland and I am committed to making it happen."

The Minister has created a dedicated cycling unit in his Department to develop infrastructure plans, working closely with organisations such as Sustrans, as well as other cycling stakeholders such as the national cycling charity. I have no doubt that the all-party group on cycling will keep a close eye on how things develop in the months to come.

I would like to add my congratulations to those who successfully brought the Giro d'Italia to Northern Ireland for promoting the event within Northern Ireland and across the world. I look forward to hearing about the results and the successes for the economy. I will conclude by saying that —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member's time is almost gone.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

Let us all commit to creating a cycling revolution in Northern Ireland as a fitting legacy to the Giro d'Italia in 2014.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

I am very happy to rise in support of the motion and the amendment that has been brought forward in the name of Mr Lyttle. I do so as chair of the all-party group on tourism and also as a representative of the most beautiful constituency in Northern Ireland, North Antrim, which benefits very well from the route of the Giro d'Italia. I certainly look forward, at a constituency level, to seeing the benefits that will come to the area from that route.

Perhaps a year ago, as Miss Overend mentioned, other than avid cycling fans, very few people knew much about the Giro d'Italia. However, I think that many of us are now feeling the excitement build towards 9 May and are looking forward to seeing the race get under way. We are also looking forward to seeing all the hard work that the promoters, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Department put in yield the results that we all want to see. It is estimated that 100,000 spectators will be on the streets watching the race go by and cheering it on. That cannot fail to benefit our local businesses, as the spectators will avail themselves of the services that will be provided in many of our towns and villages. An estimated £10 million of revenue will come as a result of the event. That is an exceptional return for the amount that has been put in; the estimate is that around £3 million of investment will receive a £10 million return. I think that that is a good news story for anyone in the Assembly.

Twenty two teams are due to take part, with 200 cyclists. The event will be broadcast in 165 countries, and I gather that that number has now increased slightly. That is the type of publicity that money simply cannot buy. Watched in 165 countries, the event will give an estimated 775 million viewers the opportunity to see what I believe to be the picture-perfect postcard view of Northern Ireland as the cyclists go around our north coast and then back down into Armagh at the end of the stage.

The one thing that I have to say is this: I feel that this is probably one of the most positive motions brought to the Assembly in recent days. It is regrettable that, unfortunately, it is not the one that will most likely grab the headlines today. For those who make the argument that, because of positions that are taken on certain issues, Northern Ireland can be viewed as a laughing stock, I say this: Northern Ireland has hosted the World Police and Fire Games; it has hosted world-leading golf tournaments; it is now the most economically developing region of the United Kingdom among the devolved regions; we had the UK City of Culture in Londonderry; we had the Turner Prize; we have weekly announcements — at times daily announcements — of foreign investment from companies creating jobs and wealth in Northern Ireland; we hosted the G8; and we are now hosting the Giro d'Italia. This country is no laughing stock. This country is the envy of the world.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin seo agus ar son an leasaithe. I am in favour of the motion and the amendment. I agree with the comments of the previous Member who spoke that this is a positive motion. It is one of those motions that, if people cared to tune in and listen to the debate, they would know how it impacts on the ground.

Given that everybody is plugging all the other areas, I want to talk about the best part of the North of Ireland, which is Armagh city and district and into Newry and Mourne. A key element for me is that, over the past weeks, I have met a number of community groups and have seen the way that they have embraced the event. I have to mention my own town. Last June, myself, Conor Murphy MP and Councillor Roy McCartney took the opportunity to engage with and meet members of the organising committee. I commend Stephen Gallagher and Darach McQuaid. People may or may not know Stephen Gallagher. Stephen was a professional cyclist from Richhill, and he played a big part in bringing the event to the North of the island. We took the opportunity to meet him, and when I asked him when he was coming to Armagh city and district, I suggested that he visit my own town of Keady and maybe travel up through Keady mountain, on up to Newtownhamilton and into Slieve Gullion. Thankfully, that is going to happen, and the people of Keady have embraced it. A number of groups, including the community festival group, have, thankfully, got funding through the council to decorate the town and so forth.

I congratulate the groups that are playing their part, because it is about the community. I will talk about the legacy in a few minutes, but I want to commend all the groups that have embraced it. I also thank the Minister for Social Development and the local councils. Money is available to decorate all those towns. A number of dilapidated buildings now have a beautiful frontage; however, there is a storey behind the facade of those buildings. I do not want to be too negative, but I congratulate the councils for giving the money to clean up the towns.

This race will pass through our towns and villages for a couple of days and it will be away. However, it gives us a massive opportunity to grow and to build on. Armagh has a huge tourist potential with its cathedrals, Navan Fort, the observatory and the planetarium. Whilst I have said on a number of occasions that we have only the public sector — thankfully, the public sector — jobs in Armagh, there is an opportunity for tourism potential through the likes of this. I know that the Minister has done a lot of good work. I welcome the Minister at any time to Armagh City and District Council, and she has been down a few times. A lot of good work has been done, but there are great opportunities for tourism as a result of this.

I want to speak about health as well. If we give people the idea of getting on bicycles and getting fit, it will have a long-term impact on the health budget, and we will be able to redirect money to other things. However, this is the starting point, and I certainly welcome it.

In closing, I also want to thank all the schools that got involved. It has been absolutely incredible. I can speak only from Armagh city and district and Newry and Mourne's point of view, but the number of people who will be out on that day and the thousands of people who will flock to our part of the country to see it will be absolutely fantastic, and we look forward to it.

Obviously there is the legacy issue; other people have mentioned different things, and I do not propose to go into every single thing that other Members have said. I certainly do support it: I will be a good day. This is a good motion and it should be looked on positively. With regard to what the previous Member said, it is up to the media's portrayal of the motion as to whether anything will come out of this. However, I hope that they can see the significance and the potential of the Giro d’Italia.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I, too, am happy to support the motion brought by my keen cyclist friend Sammy Douglas. There seems to be something about east Belfast; people seem to have really got on their bikes and made an effort. I had the privilege of the First Minister coming down to my constituency in North Down by bike during the summer holiday, accompanied by his colleague Sammy Douglas. Unfortunately, I was not there; I was away on holiday. Fortunately, the office was open for business, and they were assured that business was being done within the constituency — no doubt.

This is a very prestigious event to be brought to Northern Ireland, and we should put on record our thanks to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Arlene Foster — as we probably would do, over on this side of the House — for heading up this project. It is a very exciting event and another of the major flagship events that have come to Northern Ireland and that will come in the future.

The support of the Executive is very important, along with that of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, as has been mentioned, and the various councils that have got involved. Of course Tourism Ireland, to be fair, has also put in sponsorship. Without that sponsorship and support, these events would not happen. It is important that we recognise that and put it on record.

Of course, there are also the volunteers, the marshals, the club officials and the enthusiasts who get involved. Without enthusiasts, these things would not happen. The people who have the ideas, the drive and determination to bring forward these projects and who have a keen interest and commit to give of their time voluntarily are the people who make these sort of events happen, and it is important that we record that.

No doubt, this event will bring great excitement across most of Northern Ireland. Such events will bring a real boost to tourism. This is a great opportunity for first-time visitors to Northern Ireland. We have a lot to be thankful for in that things have moved on in this country and that such events happen. When people come here and meet the people and sample the food, the hospitality and the warmth, they come back.

A great example of that over the Easter period was the Circuit of Ireland rally — I suppose that that is my hobby horse — and it was a great success. The event is part of the European Rally Championship, and this was the second time that we managed to get it, again with the support of various Departments. The competitors who came here from some 16 European countries were most impressed by what they saw. Fortunately, the weather was brilliant, as were the crowds that turned out to see it and the enthusiasm. In Newtownards alone, which, unfortunately, is not in my constituency but just outside it, 20,000 people watched the rally on a summer evening.

The most positive part of the event was the television coverage on Eurosport, which was beamed throughout the world. Just today, the organiser Bobby Willis, who is the enthusiast behind it, said that the head of Eurosport was blown away by the pictures of Northern Ireland's scenery. That scenery consisted of the Titanic Quarter, where part of the rally was based; Scrabo Tower; the Ards peninsula; and the Mourne mountains. South Down got quite a bit of coverage in the whole thing. It is a good news story.

These sorts of events have great potential, and I think that we as an Assembly and through the Executive should do all that we can to encourage them. It is positive news that promotes a very positive image of this country. As for the airtime that the rally got on television, two 35-minute programmes went out on Eurosport during the week, which were repeated in another hour-long programme. The television coverage, the footage and the scenery were mind-boggling. It is great, positive news. I believe that we should grasp and promote such events. When people get a taste of this country and the people here, they are bound to come back.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom labhairt ar son an rúin agus an leasaithe. I support the motion and the amendment.

Cosúil le gach duine eile, tá áthas an domhain orm a fheiceáil go bhfuil an Giro d’Italia ag teacht go hÉirinn ar an tseachtain seo chugainn, nuair a thitfidh na chéad chéimeanna amach i mBéal Feirste, in Aontroim agus in Ard Mhacha, roimh bhogadh ó dheas go Baile Átha Cliath. Like everyone else, I am delighted that the Giro d'Italia will come to Ireland next week, when its opening stages will take place in Belfast, Antrim and Armagh before moving south to Dublin. As a Belfast woman, I am very happy to see the cyclists coming to my city. Like everybody else, I am more than happy to wear pink to show my support. This is a huge event, and it is a great boost for us that the Big Start, or the Tús Mór, will happen here in Belfast. Is ócáid mhór í seo atá ina neartú iontach dúinn go mbeidh An Tús Mór ag tarlú anseo i mBéal Feirste.

I have to admit that I did not know much about the Giro, but I have learned a lot over recent weeks. It has been running for over 100 years and will involve upwards of 200 professional cyclists from all over the world. While three days of the event will be held here in the North of Ireland, it is primarily an Italian long-distance road bicycle stage race held annually over a three-week period in May and June.

We can expect a major influx of cyclists and cycling enthusiasts for the event. For tourism, it is a fantastic opportunity to capitalise on having so many foreign visitors and to showcase all that we have to be proud of. We want to impress people who have maybe never thought of coming here before but are coming now because of the Giro. It is important that we ensure that those visitors have a great experience beyond the cycling and see it as a place that they will come back to visit again. Tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanfaimid cinnte de go mbeidh eispéireas iontach ag cuairteoirí amach ó rothaíocht agus go bhfeicfeadh siad an tír seo mar áit ar mhaith leo teacht ar ais ann.

The world will be watching us between 9 and 11 May, because, as we are told, the Giro will attract a potential global audience of 800 million. In 2012, the opening stages of the Giro were held in Demark, and the reports show that it was an extremely successful event. Up to half a million spectators were in attendance, generating an economic turnover of around €14·5 million, with €5·4 million coming from international tourists, so, clearly, we can reap economic benefits from the event.

Although, for here, the event will be over this time two weeks, we need to ensure that there will be a legacy that will last far beyond that. We hope that it will prove to be an inspiration to many, who, as a result, will take up cycling as a sport, pastime, or, more importantly, just as a way of keeping healthy. It would be wrong to miss this opportunity to encourage our community to think about adopting healthier approaches. Bheadh sé mícheart má chaillimid an deis seo ár bpobal a spreagadh maidir le cur chuige níos sláintiúla.

We already know about the trend towards people being overweight and having increasing levels of heart disease, diabetes and mental health issues and the absolute importance of looking at ways of improving our lifestyles. None of us needs to be told any more that we need to eat healthier and take more exercise if we are to increase our chances of living a long, active life. So if the Giro d'Italia can inspire any of us to take up cycling or any other way of keeping fit, that will be a worthwhile legacy.

If we are to encourage people to get on their bikes, we need to enable them to do so by increasing the number of cycle lanes and making cycling a safe activity. In that regard, of course, the Cycle to Work opportunity is also a positive message. We know as well that the DRD cycling unit is working on developing a clear and aspirational vision for cycling that will be articulated through a long-term bicycle strategy for the North, which will take into account factors such as the wider, long-term economic, social and environmental benefits. Those are all positive developments.

The pink spectacle of the Giro d'Italia will last here for three days of its total three weeks. Like everyone else, I am sure that it will be a great event. However, I hope that its legacy will be even greater, with long-lasting positive outcomes in increased tourism, economic benefits and healthier lifestyles.

Mar fhocal scoir, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas agus buíochas a ghabháil le gach duine, grúpa agus eagraíocht atá páirteach san ócáid seo. On a final note, I congratulate and thank every person, group and organisation involved in this great event.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis na daoine a mhol an rún agus, ar ndóigh, leo sin a chuir an leasú os ár gcomhair. I thank the proposers of the motion and of the amendment, which is very helpful indeed.

Along with the Tour de France and La Vuelta a Espaňa, the Giro d'Italia is one of cycling's three Grand Tours — marathon events that take place over three weeks. They are the test for professional cyclists. Being chosen to hold the Grande Partenza is a huge honour for this small part of Ireland. It is also recognition of the growth in popularity of cycling as a sport, not just in Ireland but across these islands. No one can have failed to notice the increased and increasing numbers of cyclists, in particular cycle club races, on our roads.

The popularity of cycling in these islands will also see this year's Tour de France begin in Yorkshire. The rise in popularity has no doubt been helped by the success on Europe's roads of British riders such as Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and the Manx missile, Mark Cavendish. Irish cycling is also in good health, with Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin winning Grand Tour stages in recent years. Of course success on the roads has been matched by success in the velodrome. I highlight the recent track record of Newtownards rider Martyn Irvine, who is undoubtedly an inspiration to many young cyclists. Unfortunately, Wiggins, Froome and Cavendish have opted out of the Giro this year; Yorkshire and the Tour de France are too close.

I am sure, however, that the riders who come here to compete will provide the spectacle that cycling fans are used to from the Giro. The Causeway and Antrim coast will certainly provide a stunning backdrop for the action on the road. I am sure that the organisers are hoping some for some crosswinds on the day for teams to negotiate.

The Executive have a responsibility to ensure that the tourism potential of the Giro is not just maximised in the here and now but that a legacy remains when the Giro leaves the island. At this stage, so close to the start of the Giro, I fully expect the tourism Minister to be able to recite — I am sure that she is — a list of promotional events and other measures geared towards maximising an immediate boost in visitor numbers and encouraging returning visitors in the future. I also expect there to be a concerted cross-departmental drive to ensure the smooth running of the Giro d'Italia 2014. On policing, transport, roads and accommodation, Ministers will be doing all they can to make sure that the Giro d'Italia is a great success.

My party colleague the Environment Minister would, I am sure, want me to mention his contribution in banning election posters from the route. Let us hope that all political parties can remember what they have agreed not to do.

It is disappointing, however, that, on the eve of the Giro d'Italia 2014, a major section of the national cycle network line is to close to walkers and cyclists for two years while Belfast City Council builds a £29·5 million extension to the Waterfront Hall. Surely, a somewhat better solution could have been found to that particular problem.

Executive Ministers have been concentrating on the immediate issue of making the Giro d'Italia 2014 a success, but it is also important that we build on the opportunity that we have been presented with. We need a legacy plan. That is what the motion and, in particular, the amendment, call on the Executive to do: to plan now for the moment that the Giro leaves the island and to create a legacy for future generations. That legacy should be for cycling, sport, health, education, transport, tourism and the economy. We need to provide the necessary resources to deliver that legacy.

The SDLP wants the arrival of the Giro d'Italia 2014 to be a landmark moment for Northern Irish sport. We also want it to be the foundation of a greater future for cycling on this island. I support the motion and the amendment.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate today, and I support the motion and the amendment. Many Members have mentioned the scale of the Giro d'Italia, and I am delighted to see that the Estate here is already gearing up for the event.

The SDLP feels that the amendment tabled to the motion is very fitting, as, for us, it is the legacy of the Giro that will arguably be the most important part of its effect on Northern Ireland. In the short term, the tourism boost offered by it will be sizeable. We are hearing that 140,000 tourists are expected, and it will offer a chance for Northern Ireland to market its unique selling points to a worldwide audience, including its beautiful coastlines and the hospitality of its people. The real challenge now, however, is that legacy. We cannot allow it to become a fleeting showpiece; rather, it must kick-start a firm and sustainable cycling tradition here in the North.

We cannot underestimate the effect that cycling promotion and success can have on the economy. Look at Olympic cycling and the achievements of Team Sky. The UK cycle tourism market was worth £635 million in 1997, and that has now grown to an estimated £1 billion. That is staggering growth in anybody's money. Who is to say that we cannot replicate the successes of Team Sky and its riders, such as Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome, when we possess talents such as Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin and the marketing opportunity that is Giro d'Italia? We must have the ambition to grow our cycling market and build on the success of our riders.

Look how Scotland, as was mentioned, has utilised leisure cycling. That may, too, be instructive in how we could do the same. The emphasis that the Scottish Government placed on the brand of Scottish cycling and the use of theme has generated sizeable benefit, way beyond just cycling and revenue. However, the combined revenue from Scottish cycling in a single year, taking into account the additional benefits such as health, employment and cycling infrastructure, is up to £350 million. It is right to ask where our plans are.

The SDLP believes that too much of our health focus is on treating ill health and not sufficiently promoting active health lifestyles. The Scottish example is further proof that preventative health works economically, and, if Northern Ireland can build a cycling legacy, we, too, could see that economic and health benefit.

The Giro d'Italia originated in Italy and now receives worldwide affection when it comes to other countries. We have other two-wheel pedigrees: where is our ambition to promote our proficiency on two wheels in, for example, motorbike racing? How have we built on the legacy of people such as Joey Dunlop and can we do more?

In 2012, the Giro started in Denmark. They measured its effect, stating that it was a tremendous success in enhancing local tourism and expanding its international market. It has been done before, and it can be done again. Northern Ireland has been trying to achieve foreign direct investment and the recent troubles over the flag protests have harmed that. The international marketing improvements that Denmark has experienced would no doubt have great effect on the marketability of Northern Ireland and the vitality of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector in exports.

It has been said a number of times here that the Giro is a magnificent coup, and those involved must be congratulated for bringing it here. The SDLP has no doubt that it will be a success and encourages everyone to become involved and experience it first hand.

It is particularly pleasing that, at this point, as my colleague said, there is broad consensus about the removal of election posters from the Giro route. However, to reiterate: this Government must work to ensure that the Giro is not a fleeting tourism spectacle.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the Member for giving way. Bringing the Giro to Northern Ireland is a very positive thing, and we heard about the other countries that it has been in. Although he does not represent Fermanagh, I am sure that, as a native of the county, he would be very pleased if it came as far as Fermanagh which, unfortunately, is missing out on this occasion. Maybe that will happen next time, but I am sure he would be interested in having it in the county.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member has an added minute to his time.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Of course I would be absolutely thrilled if it was in every county, but the point I am trying to arrive at is not so much that we look within but that we use the experience of the Italians. They took a small annual event and broadened it out, and they now export the Grande Partenza. That is what we need to do: have vision and ambition similar to that which the Italians had with this project. They are sharing that project with us, and we are allowed to grow as a result. Is that not what part of our vision and ambition for this should be?

You are absolutely right, Mr Elliott: of course Fermanagh, Down, Armagh, Tyrone, Derry and Antrim should all have a share of this, but let us see if we can have a vision and ambition to share this out further. What unique products of ours can we share with other parts of the world?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Grazie, Mr Speaker, thank you very much. It is very welcome and, indeed, timely that Members have had the opportunity to debate this motion, because, in just a few days, we will be hosting the Grande Partenza of the 2014 Giro d’Italia, and we will be firmly in the international spotlight. The Executive, my Department, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and others have all worked very hard and have committed significant resources to secure this historic and, we hope, spectacular event for Northern Ireland.

The World Police and Fire Games, which was the major sporting event of last year, generated a real sense of public ownership, involvement and celebration. Now, through the Giro, there is a growing excitement and anticipation right across Northern Ireland. I know that Members wanted to make comments about their own constituencies, but, as I travel around, I know that all of Northern Ireland is very excited about the fact that we are hosting this great sporting occasion.

Pink mania is spreading across Northern Ireland with talk of shops, restaurants, landmark buildings and even livestock going pink to welcome the Giro spectacle, and I have seen pink sheep on the north Antrim coast. Just today, Royal Mail announced that it has created a special commemorative postmark to mark the Giro d'Italia coming to Northern Ireland. Such postmarks are issued only when there are major or historic events in the United Kingdom, and it is the very first time that we are going to have a commemorative postmark for a Northern Ireland event. We should all welcome that initiative by Royal Mail.

Bringing the Giro to Northern Ireland has the potential to contribute significantly to the economy by attracting additional visitors and generating additional tourism revenue. Up to 140,000 visitors — 42,000 of whom, we estimate, will come from out of state — are expected to attend the event, generating a festival atmosphere, boosting business and generating tourism opportunities in cities, towns and villages. Our tourism industry will be in full swing during the event, and hotels, pubs, restaurants, cafes and food producers can all expect to benefit.

It was very interesting to hear Mrs Overend say that a business in her constituency has benefited from the Giro d'Italia because people sometimes miss the fact that there are businesses here in Northern Ireland benefiting from the Giro coming. Yesterday, I visited John McQuillan (Contracts) Ltd, which put down the hard standing at the Titanic Quarter and which has benefited from supplying that facility to the Giro d'Italia, working with Titanic Quarter Belfast. We must not lose sight of the fact that many other local businesses are benefiting from the Giro d'Italia.

However, an event of this size and scope — one of the biggest events in the international sporting calendar — goes much wider than the economy and tourism, very significant though those are. I think a lot of Members have recognised that through references to health and the fact that we are trying to generate interest among young people in getting involved in fitness and, essentially, getting on their bike. That should all be welcomed as well.

It is expected that the Giro will generate some £10 million worth of worldwide publicity for Northern Ireland, as well as promoting and encouraging, as I said, sporting and cultural exchanges, educational opportunities and a healthy lifestyle. It is worth reflecting on the fact that the Giro goes out to 174 countries around the world. It has a daily audience of 1·7 million and a total TV audience reach of some 800 million. Approximately two million people stream the event live, and it gets a million page views per day on the Giro website during the event, as well as 100,000 followers on Twitter and 120,000 app downloads. That gives you a sense of the scale of what we are going to be involved in next week.

This represents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland, our people and some of our best tourism assets and scenic landscapes to millions of cycling enthusiasts and general holidaymakers around the world. It will build on our international reputation, already enhanced and primed by the successful hosting of last year's G8 summit in Fermanagh, the World Police and Fire Games, Derry/Londonderry's tenure as the first UK City of Culture and the highly successful ni2012 campaign the previous year.

Preparations to ensure that our Big Start is one of the Giro's best ever are now well advanced. The key stakeholders and partners in Northern Ireland are working closely with the race organisers, RCS Sport. My Department, through the Tourist Board, has set up a number of working groups specifically designed to address all aspects of the Giro d'Italia. Those working groups were exclusively created to discuss how local councils can capitalise on the Giro and the opportunities it brings to their areas.

Through the NITB, the Department has already committed £3 million to secure the event for Northern Ireland, and over £300,000 has now been utilised by NITB on event dressing to ensure that the route and surrounding areas are appropriately dressed. On Mr Bradley's issue around that and Newry and Mourne council, the Tourist Board has purchased very significant dressing and has given Newry and Mourne council the full dressing pack. It was waiting for the council to come through with potential dressing sites, but it has just received those, and the dressing plan has been agreed with both Armagh and Newry and Mourne councils. That is happening as we speak.

Of course, the dressing is very important to show the world, especially global event organisers, not only that we are capable and competent at hosting world-class events, but that we go the extra mile and really want to welcome people to Northern Ireland. In that respect, both my Department and NITB very much welcome the Environment Minister's temporary ban on election posters. I think that most parties had indicated their willingness to comply with that in any event, but it is good to have the ban in place. It is important that we are viewed in the most positive light while hosting this magnificent event.

We have a full programme of marketing activity to ensure that the benefits of hosting the event are fully maximised. We have put out a full suite of messages welcoming the Giro d'Italia to Northern Ireland at key points of entry into Northern Ireland, including Belfast International Airport, Belfast City Airport, Stena Line, P&O, Belfast Central station and Great Victoria Street station. Also, I am sure that everyone has received their Giro d'Italia guide, which was delivered to every household in Northern Ireland last week.

To promote the Giro to potential visitors, the Tourist Board is rolling out a fully integrated domestic marketing campaign to raise awareness of the event and to educate and encourage participation in the many festivals and events surrounding it. That campaign activity is being underpinned by extensive PR, social media and activation activity, and integration with our own Discover Northern Ireland consumer website.

Also, we are reaching out into the Republic of Ireland, to 600,000 homes in Dublin, Kildare and Donegal, encouraging people to book short breaks in Northern Ireland around the Giro festivities. Everyone knows by now that we have secured the services of the legendary cyclist and former Giro d’Italia winner, Stephen Roche, to market and promote tourism in the lead up to Giro, and he has done a magnificent job in his ambassadorial role for the event.

Mr Dunne mentioned the amount of coverage that the Circuit of Ireland rally received on Eurosport. I was delighted to hear what he had to say in relation to that. We supported the Circuit of Ireland through our events fund. I was also delighted that there was good weather for that event this year. Television coverage will play a huge role for us with the Giro as well. We want to reach out to overseas markets and it is very important that we do so through all media.

We have been focusing on the event itself, but today Members have obviously wanted to talk about legacy issues as well. Indeed, the amendment refers to that. I am responsible for tourism and economic development; other Ministers have responsibility for schools, sporting cycling and all those things. My Department has invested in off-road cycling, as you know, in Castlewellan, Rostrevor, Blessingbourne in County Tyrone and Fivemiletown. The whole ethos of cycling and outdoor activities very much forms part of our tourism offering in Northern Ireland at present. I understand that my colleague the Health Minister has also been very much involved in promoting cycling as a way of keeping fit, and the Public Health Agency promotes the uptake of cycling through a range of initiatives as well.

In short, the 2014 Giro d’Italia will be a very significant event for Northern Ireland. Part of its legacy will include footage and imagery of an iconic cycling event travelling through our city streets, tourism landmarks and stunning landscapes. Everything is in place and we can only hope that the weather will be similar to what it was over the Easter period so that we can show off our best assets in the best way.

We have a legacy plan for the event itself. The Giro d'Italia's legacy is the Gran Fondo. I have already talked to a number of MLAs who are not hosting the Grande Partenza but who would like to host the Gran Fondo, and that is something that I continue to talk to them about. They want to be positive about the event and welcome the legacy event to their area. I continue to talk to those people.

As well as that, other cycling races have developed as a result of the Giro coming here. Indeed, in Fermanagh, Curadmir, a cycling event, is happening over the May period as well. So, we will see a roll-on event from the Giro d'Italia coming to Northern Ireland.

In conclusion, Mr Boylan's point about the community embracing this event has been very much part of what we in the Department and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board have been trying to do throughout our events. We want people who live here to have a sense of civic pride about the events we bring to Northern Ireland. I am very pleased to say that, so far —

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

Will the Minister give way?

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Yes, I will indeed.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

Could we also include that, about a week later, the North West 200 motorcycle race takes place on the north coast? There is also the Milk Cup competition as well, which attracts quite a big audience to our towns, cities and the country in general. I commend the Minister for the great work that she has done in trying to host all those events.

Arlene Foster (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Indeed, May is a very busy month. We started off with the Circuit of Ireland; we have the Giro d'Italia; and, of course, we have the very important North West 200 and the Milk Cup as well. The Milk Cup continues to be called that; despite the fact that it has changed its sponsor, it is still very much the Milk Cup. I look forward to those events growing as well. We have a real desire to see our home-grown events grow and be sustainable. We will work with our local promoters and we want to bring events in as well.

Northern Ireland has now placed itself very much in the area where we are seen to be a home for events. That is something that we should be very proud of.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

I welcome the unanimous support and positivity that we have had for the motion and amendment and, indeed, the encouragement that the Assembly is giving to everybody in Northern Ireland to join the Giro d'Italia pink revolution between 9 May and 11 May. It is truly a world-class and iconic sporting and cycling event, and our businesses, restaurants, shops, hotels, visitor attractions, community organisations, volunteers and clubs are all ready to provide first-class hospitality to the world. As the Minister rightly said, we have inspirational locations, stunning landscapes and the friendliest people to offer that welcome. The excitement and drama that will hopefully be provided by the time trials really will be a spectacle for everyone to behold.

All Members who spoke rightly referred to their respective "best" constituencies in Northern Ireland that will be part of this fantastic event, from Titanic Belfast to the Causeway coastal route, the glens and the historic city of Armagh. Of course, I would encourage people to particularly take in day 1 stage 1 in east Belfast from Titanic Belfast and the Titanic Quarter along the Newtownards Road. The Holywood Arches area has been dressed fantastically with Freddie Forte by the Tourist Board, the council and everyone involved. On the Upper Newtownards Road, Dave Kane Cycles and Ballyhackamore Business Association have done fantastic work to ensure that everyone who visits that part of the route will get a really warm welcome.

However, all Members have rightly acknowledged that we want the ambition of the Northern Ireland Executive for the legacy of the Giro d'Italia to be broad and high. We hope that the debate initiates a real and meaningful discussion and action plan for cycling in Northern Ireland to deliver the cycling revolution and legacy that the Minister for Regional Development has committed to. We hope that that includes greater investment, better road and transport design, increased school cycling and active travel education for our young people, enforcement of our cycle lanes and information about and enhancement of the dedicated cycle network that we have in Northern Ireland. That will take political leadership and Members to step up to the calls they made today.

I would like to echo the huge positivity that there is around the event. I also want to congratulate everyone involved in bringing the Giro d'Italia to Northern Ireland, including the work of the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the fantastic work of the Tourist Board and Discover Northern Ireland. I encourage everyone — all members of the public — to visit the Discover Northern Ireland website for the Giro d'Italia. It is a fantastic website. It has some really interesting videos and a fantastic social hub in which people from all organisations and backgrounds are contributing to the excitement around the event with information on the routes. I encourage everyone to be part of the start and to make this a landmark moment for Northern Ireland.

Peter Weir (DUP, North Down)

I welcome the very positive contributions from all parts of the Chamber that have embraced the motion. I suspect that we may soon be moving into slightly more contentious territory, but it is good that the Assembly has spoken very much with one voice in this debate. Indeed, the closest that we came to any degree of contention was when the proposer of the motion inadvertently referred to the event as the giro rather than the Giro. For one awful second, I thought that we were going to be dragged back to welfare reform. What has also been significant is that a number of MLAs from different parties across the Chamber have a strong commitment to cycling issues.

As mentioned by a number of the Members who spoke, there has been a sense that the community in Northern Ireland as a whole has embraced the Giro. That has been important as well. From the hard work of the volunteers to the pink sheep in north Antrim, as, I think, Sandra Overend indicated, it shows a spirit of embracing the Giro. I see that one of the Members for North Antrim was very confused at that sight. From that point of view, I think that it is important that we pay tribute to the Enterprise Minister and all those involved who have helped to bring this iconic event to Northern Ireland.

Many of us have not fully grasped the sheer scale of the event. Patsy McGlone and others mentioned that it is one of the triple crown events and one of the most significant world sporting events in existence. Sandra Overend referred to the 775 million viewers, and I think that Rosaleen McCorley added an extra 25 million to that. David McIlveen referred to the fact that the event will be shown in 165 countries, and the Minister referred to the one million hits on the website every day. That is an indication of the sheer implications for Northern Ireland.

I welcome the Minister's remarks about the range of proactive activities that have taken place promoting the event. The principal initial focus is obviously on tourism. Mention has been made of the direct benefits of £10 million of direct revenue. The most significant element, which, unsurprisingly, various Members around the Chamber have been making everyone aware of, is the tour of Northern Ireland that we will go on. Whether it is East Belfast, North Antrim, South Down, Newry and Armagh or a range of other areas, Member after Member expressed the beauty of their own constituency. Mrs Overend and Mr Elliott even took the opportunity to say how beautiful their constituencies are, even though the Giro will not go through them. As a Member for North Down, which, unfortunately, the Giro is also missing, I have to add that it is a pity that it is not going through the beautiful scenery of North Down. If anything, that is the one regret for some of us, but, inevitably, any route will not be able to encompass everywhere.

However, there is a very serious point. It is natural that Members will highlight the beauty of their own constituency, but I have to say that it is something that, at times, we get a bit blasé about in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a magnificent place with its built heritage, natural environment and scenery. It is a place of great beauty, and, at times, those of us who live here simply take that for granted.

From a tourism point of view, this is an opportunity to highlight that across the world. The Member who moved the motion and others highlighted that this is not simply a one-off coup for us to have obtained this event and that it is not simply an action in isolation but that it is part of a series of events that have taken place that have been able to highlight Northern Ireland to the world. Those events include the G8, the World Police and Fire Games, the City of Culture and annual events. Indeed, mention was made of the North West 200, the Milk Cup and the Circuit of Ireland rally. All those things contribute to a wider tourism strategy.

I mentioned that the House is united, and I am glad to say that, where the amendment is concerned, Mr Lyttle and I have been able to cycle in tandem on the issue. From that point of view, it is an issue of legacy, and I think that legacy can be seen in a number of different ways. It can be the inspiration that is produced for a new generation. For instance, during the London Olympics, so many gold medals were won, particularly by British cyclists, and it was very noticeable to anybody going about the country during that period that a number of people were inspired to dust off a bike that had not been used for quite a while and get out there. I hope that there will be a similar level of inspiration with this event.

Legacy is also vital for the long-term position. We often look at things in the here and now, but, in the context of infrastructure and long-term development, I can see that, in my constituency, the legacy from the Olympics is the Aurora swimming and leisure complex, where we have been able to provide 50-metre swimming facilities. That is a long-standing legacy, and it is vital that that legacy is built on.

A number of Members have mentioned the need for investment, particularly in infrastructure. That is a key point about legacy. Indeed, the proposer of the amendment rightly said that we need to be aware of the barriers that need to be overcome if we are to transform into that cycling revolution that has been mentioned by the Minister for Regional Development. We should embrace good practice from various parts of the world and look at where it is being done.

It is also important, as highlighted by the proposer and others, that, in looking at the issues of legacy, we also ensure that we have social inclusion. It should not be seen simply as something that is to benefit a few people; it should be built into communities.

There is no doubt that, for the past number of years, there has been a growing cycling revolution from the grass roots upwards. The very fine work of Northern Ireland Greenways, Sustrans and a whole host of community groups around the country has been mentioned, and individual cycling activists have been pushing a cycling agenda. That is very welcome. We are starting to see at government level — the establishment of the cycling unit in DRD is a good example of it — the green shoots appearing in the Executive to embrace that. However, it is important that it is all-embracing, because the benefits of cycling will impact on a wide range of Departments and require action from a number of Departments.

A couple of Members rightly praised the work of DSD on the presentational efforts that it has made in towns. DOE's good work has been mentioned, but cycling will have a range of impacts. It will have an impact on transport and infrastructure and will have a major impact on education and sport. Indeed, given the increasing pressures on the health budget, we should embrace a healthier environment and one in which more and more of our people are taking exercise and perhaps helping to avoid illness and problems.

Rarely would I quote him, but I saw a very apposite retweet this morning from Eamonn Mallie — sort of the éminence grise of the press — of a slogan that said:

"You are not stuck in traffic. You are traffic. Get a bike."

That is a very positive message and a very positive way of doing it.

There is cycling revolution going on in this country that is operating from the grass roots. It requires leadership from all of us in the Assembly to be able to embrace that, and I think the Executive are up to that. However, for once, let us unite today with a very positive message that we welcome the Giro, we see the enormous benefits for Northern Ireland and there is a collective determination to build upon the benefits of the Giro and create a legacy that will permeate generations as a result of this magnificent coup for Northern Ireland. I urge people to support the motion and the amendment.

Question, That the amendment be made, put and agreed to.

Main Question, as amended, accordingly agreed to.

Resolved:

That this Assembly recognises that the Giro d’Italia is one of the biggest events in the international sporting calendar; warmly welcomes it to Northern Ireland; acknowledges the significance and magnitude of being chosen to host the Grande Partenza; understands the benefits to be obtained in terms of the economy, tourism, cultural exchange and education, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and worldwide publicity for Northern Ireland; and calls on the Executive to take all necessary steps to maximise the potential to be gained through such a prestigious event and to allocate adequate resources for the delivery of a suitable Giro legacy plan to include improved provision and infrastructure for schools, commuting, leisure, tourist and sporting cycling in Northern Ireland.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Business Committee has agreed to allow up to one hour and 30 minutes for the debate. The proposer of the motion will have 10 minutes to propose and 10 minutes in which to make a winding-up speech. All other Members who are called to speak will have five minutes. As a valid petition of concern was presented on Monday 28 April in relation to the motion, the vote will be on a cross-community basis.

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

I beg to move

That this Assembly notes that other jurisdictions on these islands have moved forward with equal marriage rights for same-sex couples; believes that all couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, should have the same legal entitlement to marry and to the protections, rights, obligations and benefits afforded by the legal institution of marriage; supports freedom of religion by allowing religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs, granting them the freedom whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages; calls on the Minister of Finance and Personnel to introduce legislation to guarantee that couples of any sex or gender identity receive equal benefit; and further calls on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ensure that all legislation adheres to the Executive’s commitments to protect equality for all.

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Molann Sinn Féin an Ceart um Chomhionannas Sóisialta, Gnéis agus Cultúrtha. Sinn Féin advocates the right to social, economic, gender and cultural equality. That encompasses equality for all irrespective of race, age, marital or family status, sexual orientation, physical or mental capacities, ethnicity, social origin and political or religious affiliations. Creating the conditions for establishing an equal society means recognising the many diverse groups and sections of Irish society that need protection from the state.

We must tackle the trend to blame a person or group for their exclusion from society. Irish republicans are only too aware of what it means to be treated as second-class citizens. Our politics are the result of decades of resistance to marginalisation and discrimination.

Last night, demonstrations were held in Belfast and Derry, organised by the National Union of Students–Union of Students in Ireland. I was at the Belfast event. It is fitting that it was held at the City Hall, home of the first council in Ireland to pass a motion in favour of equal marriage. That motion was proposed by Sinn Féin councillor Mary Ellen Campbell. I pay tribute to the National Union of Students–Union of Students in Ireland, Rainbow, Cara–Friend, Amnesty International, the Equality Commission and the Human Rights Commission for their very strong stand on this important issue. They all deserve credit because, to stand up for your rights, loudly and proudly, is a brave thing to do. What struck me about last night was the number of young people who speak out on this important issue. Maith sibh — well done — for leading from the front. Those young people come from all communities, all political and religious beliefs and all affiliations, but what unites them is a strong belief that enough is enough. They instinctively understand the damaging effects of gay-bashing and the effect that inequality and discrimination have on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGB and T) community.

Attitudes are changing all over Ireland, all over England, all over Scotland, all over Wales, all over Europe and throughout the world. In some ways, it reminds me of how attitudes on unplanned pregnancy changed in a very short time. Women and girls who became pregnant were expected to hide, give their babies up for adoption, travel abroad and, in many cases, never come back to this country. They were traumatised, and, in some cases, they searched the globe, across a lifetime, for their children. However, a previous generation of women and men, led by feminists, was not willing to allow the criminalisation of women and those little babies to continue.

It takes courage for our LGB and T communities, because, in the past, the North was synonymous with the "never, never, never" brigade embodied by the DUP. The DUP was against the decriminalisation of homosexuality and against civil partnership. It is now against equal marriage, gay people adopting and people from the gay community donating blood. It is against, against, against. What is it for?

It takes courage for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community because fear of rejection by your family is probably the biggest fear of all. It takes courage from them because a gay couple knows only too well how scary it is in the dark of night, when a brick might come in through the window. It takes courage because hate crime is on the rise. I urge every politician in the House to ensure that their words and actions do not fan the flames of hate crime. Do not wring your hands and say that you are against violence if your words are the words ringing in the ears of the person throwing the brick through the window, because you are as guilty as they are.

Let us examine some of the arguments that are used against marriage equality. It is said that we should not be wasting public money debating the issue; it is a gimmick; we should not be threatening family values; we should not be redefining marriage; they have civil partnerships, why do they want marriage; it denies the right to religious belief; Sinn Féin is using it to gain votes; and Sinn Féin will lose votes because it is bringing it forward. We then have the wild nonsense peddled about incest and polygamy. I note that the person saying that is not in the House today.

I want to take each of those arguments in turn and respond to them. This debate, and the earlier two debates that we had in the Assembly during this term, are not a waste of time or money. Equality is a matter of public interest. The mental and physical health issues of the LGB and T community, discriminating against a community and constantly bombarding them with negative messages takes its toll. Despite the strength, resilience and courage shown by that community, it impacts on them. That is why there are higher rates of suicide and self-harm. Is anyone telling me that suicide and self-harm is not an issue of public interest?

The no-men are using the gimmick argument to try to stop the debate. They are not so worried about wasting public money. Their Minister Mr Poots has no problem with wasting public money: £48,149 to date appealing against decisions about adoption in the High Court and Supreme Court, and £37,112 on the lifetime ban on blood donations. I expect those costs to rise.

What about threatening family values? The same arguments were used to justify the laundries — women were packed away to the laundries so that family values would not be threatened — and adoption practices in the past. What threatens family values is discrimination against some members of and children in families. What about threatening the institution of marriage? Where did we hear that before? It was in the apartheid regime, to justify why white and black could not marry. Enough said. Some say, "They have civil partnerships. Now they want more". Yes; the LGB and T community are entitled to full equality. It is the state's duty to legislate for that.

What about the argument that it denies the right to religious belief?

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Will the Member give way?

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

I will.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Member is seeking marriage equality for the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. How is she going to achieve marriage equality for bisexuals in Northern Ireland?

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

What we need is equality for the LGB and T communities.

The Sinn Féin motion states that it:

"supports freedom of religion by allowing religious institutions to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs, granting them the freedom whether or not to conduct same-sex marriages".

We are not here to legislate according to our consciences; we are here to legislate on the basis of equality. I thank the Catholic and Presbyterian Churches for sending letters that lobbied us to vote against the motion, as is their right to do. I encourage them to engage with us and the LGB and T community on this important issue. I am not even going to waste time dealing with the offensive claims made by a Member in the media yesterday about polygamy and incest. It was well and truly fanning the flames.

We now have marriage equality in South Africa, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, some parts of Mexico and the United States of America, Uruguay, Canada, New Zealand, England and Wales. We will soon have it in the South of Ireland. We will also have it here in the North of Ireland. The best way would be for the House to legislate for it. Failing that, I have no doubt that the LGB and T communities will continue to legally challenge discriminatory decisions in local and international courts. Why wouldn't they? Leanaigí ar aghaidh.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

There are many pressing issues facing Northern Ireland that impact on all our families and communities. It is, yet again, unfortunate that those issues are not being addressed in the House today. Rather, we are returning to an issue that has been rejected. On each previous occasion, the House has rejected same-sex legislation. I am confident that the outcome of the debate today will be the same. I am sure that that will not stop the parties opposite subjecting us to further similar motions in the months to come, but the answer will still be the same.

Marriage has only one definition. It is the lifelong commitment between one man and one woman. That has been the accepted position since the dawn of creation. It is a creation institution. As the Evangelical Alliance in England has said:

"Marriage is now a fluid, gender-neutral institution defined by consumer demands and political expediency and it is likely that pressure for further changes to it will follow."

The Archbishop of Canterbury stated:

"Marriage is abolished, redefined and recreated, being different and unequal for different categories."

This is a reminder of the seriousness of the issue that faces us as a society. The traditional value of a family unit is the bedrock of any stable society. It has been undermined in many ways in the past number of years, and we all reap the consequences in our communities.

The redefinition of marriage would represent a change of monumental significance. It must not happen in Northern Ireland. I know that I speak for a large number of people across the community divide. When we come to the House, we are often challenged about being in the sectarian camp. On this issue, Members, many Protestants, Roman Catholics, people of other persuasions or of none want no change to the definition of marriage. Many in the Roman Catholic community feel let down and indeed betrayed by their political representatives. They are turning to this party as the only major party in this Assembly that takes a clear and unambiguous stand on the issue. This is not an issue for trivial dismissals. This is not an issue for political bantering. This is an issue of the utmost seriousness that this House needs to respect today.

As we have heard, Sinn Féin is always very keen to portray itself as the champion of equality and human rights, but today's motion has nothing to do with equality or human rights. The European Court and other legislators have ruled that same-sex marriage is not a human rights issue. That is a fact. I know that it is difficult for some to accept, but that is how it is. During the campaign for civil partnerships, we were told that those partnerships would ensure equal rights in law for same-sex couples and that there would never be any campaign for full marriage. Here we are today —

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Will the Member give way?

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I will give way.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Does the Member agree that it causes people real concern that this is the thin end of the wedge? We see people who have already been tried in court in England and who have been sacked from jobs for expressing a viewpoint. It is an issue of major and real concern that people will be forced to do things against their will. No matter what goodwill parties may have, they have no control over how the courts interpret things thereafter. Consequently, this is a freedom of conscience issue.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member will have a minute added to his time.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I concur with the comments of my colleague. They lead me onto the broader point that the LGB agenda is part of a much broader campaign to bring about a social revolution. Pressure for further change will undoubtedly come. This is the beginning of a process that will undoubtedly continue. If we follow the spurious argument that it is all about equality, human rights, love and so on, the logical outworking of that can go in many ways. If a man says that he loves his sister or brother and wants to marry them, surely that is his human right. If a group of people of whatever gender decide that they love each other and want to get married, why not? Those are just a few of the possible scenarios.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

Will the Member bring his remarks to a close?

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I will quote what the apostle Paul said in Ephesians chapter 4, verse 15:

"speaking the truth in love" —

I want this quote to be placed on record so that we dispense the issue of homophobic —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member's time has gone.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

— actions.

"Loveless truth is brutal. Truthless love is hypocrisy. Love in truth is necessary."

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm an seans a bheith agam chun labhairt ar an rún tábhachtach seo. Is rún tábhachtach atá faoi bhraid an Tionóil inniu mar go mbaineann sé le cearta tábhachtacha do dhaoine. Sílim go bhfuil cothromas áirithe sa rún seo sa mhéid go n-aithníonn sé cearta an lucht creidimh agus cearta na ndaoine sin atá ag éileamh a gceart.

I thank the Members who brought the motion to the Floor of the House. I think that it is a balanced motion in so far as it seeks to uphold the rights of all concerned. I pay tribute to the late P A Maglochlainn, a member of the SDLP who was a pioneering crusader for LGBT rights in Northern Ireland. Yes, this is a debate about rights and equal rights. It is also a debate about freedom: freedom from discrimination and freedom from stigmatisation. It is about legal protections, responsibilities, rights, obligations and benefits afforded by the legal institution of marriage, but it is also —

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Will the Member give way?

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Yes.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

The Member referred to the fact that the debate is about rights. Does he agree that it might be worthwhile to reflect on a number of the rights that we are talking about? I will highlight one or two of them. There is the right to time off work to care for a spouse and the right to be considered next of kin for emergency medical decisions. One more among a range of others is that unmarried surviving partners do not automatically inherit property should their loved one die without a will. These are the types of rights that we are talking about in this debate. Does the Member agree?

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member has an added minute to his time.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for that intervention, and I do agree. There are further rights that the Member could have mentioned. As I said, it is a debate about rights, but it is also a debate about real people. It is about sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, uncles and aunts. It is about people who want to live in a loving, secure, stable and permanent relationship protected by the legal institution of marriage. It is about parents who want to see their children in a loving, secure, stable and permanent relationship protected by the legal institution of marriage. It is about parents who do not want to see their children marginalised, stigmatised or wondering what the future may hold for them. Their love for each other and their commitment to their relationship should be afforded the very same protections and benefits that the rest of us derive from marriage. In this case, it refers to civil marriage.

As I said before in this House, the LGBT community is not asking for more, as some suggest. It is simply asking for the same. Extending the rights to those who are denied them should not be seen as a threat to anyone or to those who already have those rights or to their faith, belief or right to hold a different view. The motion makes a clear distinction between the civil and religious aspects of the issue. It states:

"all couples, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, should have the same ... entitlement to marry".

However, it also states that religious institutions ought to continue to have the right:

"to define, observe and practise marriage according to their beliefs".

The SDLP is strongly in favour of that right being enshrined in legislation so that there is absolutely no doubt about that question.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the Member for giving way. Will he not recognise that, in relation to the recent Tony Barlow case, the first surrogate parents said:

"I want to go into my church and marry my husband … The only way forward for us now is to make a challenge in the courts against the church."

That is where this is going to lead.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

If the Member had been listening to me, he would have heard me say that the rights of Churches and faith communities should be enshrined in legislation. There is no desire for any religious denomination or celebrant to be compelled to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies against their beliefs or their faith. The SDLP strongly believes that that should be the case, and the motion indicates that. Those who propose equal marriage in Northern Ireland are also committed to the protection of the rights of religious denominations and celebrants who do not wish to conduct same-sex weddings.

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

I ask the Member to draw his remarks to a close.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

The motion recognises that the state does not have any role in dictating to religious groups which ceremonies they can and cannot conduct. I support the motion. I realise that there is a petition of concern —

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member's time is up.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

— but, eventually, this motion will prevail.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I will be opposing the motion. This is the third debate on this issue in approximately 18 months. It is clear to everyone that the decision of this House will not change. I say to the proposer and her party that those who tabled this motion are guilty of engaging in a highly cynical political exercise — perhaps an electoral exercise — that has no benefit for any section of our community, not least the LGBT community, from which, presumably, Sinn Féin and others expect support.

I choose to speak not as a Minister or on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party. The House will know that my party believes that issues of this nature are matters of personal conscience. Therefore, although called as an Ulster Unionist, I speak in a personal capacity. It is a matter of regret that members of all political parties are not allowed the liberty to speak freely to their conscience on this issue.

In the previous debate on this matter, I made clear my opposition to any change in the current legislation in order to allow for same-sex marriage. That remains my position. It is a position based on my religious beliefs and is consistent with the teaching of my Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the publicly expressed views of other Churches, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland. Finally, it is a position that is fundamentally consistent with the teaching of Holy Scripture.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

Will the Member give way?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I will give way.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

I ask the Member whether he believes in religious freedom and, if so, although it is his belief that same-sex couples marrying is outside his religious views, whether he agrees that religious institutions that wish to have the freedom to bless civil partnerships or, should we get it, marriages of same-sex couples, should have the religious freedom to do so?

William Hay (Speaker, Foyle)

The Member has a minute added to his time.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his intervention. My position is that the most fundamental position is the teaching not of any Church but the teaching of Holy Scripture itself. It is clear to me that that teaches that there should be no change in the current situation.

I ask Members who support the motion to consider this point, which I made in the previous debate: the law of the land is something that it is necessary for all of us to obey. Indeed, as public representatives, we have an obligation to do so. However, I contrast that with obeying the teaching of the Church — not a church; the Church. That is an entirely personal and voluntary decision, based on individual free will. The historical separation of Church and state therefore becomes of extreme importance. The Church should never be the slave of the state and, consequently, the state has no right to dictate the terms of religious marriage to the Church. The state has created the mechanisms under which same-sex civil partnerships can be enacted with protections under the law, which, in most cases, are equivalent to the rights enjoyed by married heterosexual couples. In my view, it is neither sensible nor desirable to allow the state to interfere in the religious institution of marriage simply for political convenience.

Redefining marriage would have far-reaching consequences for our entire society. Furthermore, I do not believe that there is widespread public support in Northern Ireland for such a proposal. In holding my view, I do not believe that I should be regarded as homophobic. Indeed, any suggestion would offend and abhor me. I do not disparage the LGBT community, many of whom I count as personal friends, neither is it my role or practice to be judgmental. However, although I remain tolerant of the views and lifestyles of others, the same cannot always be said of all those who want to promote change of that nature to Christians, whose personal convictions put them at odds on an issue such as same-sex marriage.

For the reasons I have set out, personal and deeply held convictions that I cannot and will not set aside, I remain opposed to the proposal.

The debate stood suspended.

The sitting was suspended at 12.32 pm.

On resuming (Mr Principal Deputy Speaker [Mr Mitchel McLaughlin] in the Chair) —

Oral Answers to Questions

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

1. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she plans to transfer the thousands of unclassified archaeological artefacts, currently stored by private companies, to a more appropriate storage facility with an adequate curative process to enable long-term preservation and public access. (AQO 6020/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Member for his question. The Department of the Environment and the NIEA hold responsibility for policy and licensing in the matter but are urgently considering the issue, with input being provided by my officials and museums in an advisory capacity. On 2 July 2012, an Assembly debate was held on the management of artefacts that have been generated since the introduction of planning policy statement (PPS) 6 in 1999. At that debate, Alex Attwood, who was then Environment Minister, gave a commitment to present an Executive paper setting out the need for a strategic shift in resources, policy and law related to the protection of our heritage. Since then, officials from DOE, NIEA, museums and DCAL have sought to identify the full range of issues and possible solutions.

John Dallat (Social Democratic and Labour Party, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for that very positive answer. Does she agree with me that every town and village has its secrets? Kilrea, for example, has its arrowheads and stone hatchets and so forth that came from the River Bann when it was excavated. Does the Minister agree with me that there has to be a better way in which local communities can share their heritage and past and, in doing so, perhaps come to a better understanding of where we are today?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I certainly do agree with the Member. In his constituency, Mount Sandal is earmarked as one of the first settlements. He will, I am sure, agree that the success of the Broighter hoard, which was brought to Limavady, is an example of a treasure of such stature being brought to a local facility. I look forward to the process being concluded so that we can ascertain what artefacts there are and what status they have. Given the nature of some of the history and heritage in our surrounding towns and villages, some of which the Member pointed some out, there is nothing to say that artefacts cannot be brought to a local art gallery, museum or school to be exhibited. Local people want to see big government working locally.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Is the Minister concerned that some valuable materials and artefacts have potentially been lost because of the storage and archiving system that has or has not been in place to date?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. In fairness to him, I think that that is a concern across the board and one that has been brought to my attention from both the professional and community sectors. I note that the Member used the word "potential". That will always be there until we ascertain what we have. Many collections have been discovered by private companies in the process of developing certain works. When the findings of the joint working group come before the Executive, which they will do in an Executive paper, they will map out not only the process but the way forward and the implicated cost. Once that happens, we will be able to engage in a process that will very quickly ascertain what we have. If there are occasions where treasures or findings of significant importance have been uncovered, we will do our best to make sure that they are not lost and, in response to his colleague John Dallat, we will do our best to make sure that they are preserved and exhibited.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Pat Ramsey is not in his place. I call Sandra Overend.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

3. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline any discussions that have taken place between her Department and local cycling clubs to ensure that a new generation of cyclists is a legacy of the Giro d'Italia 2014. (AQO 6022/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

My Department and Sport NI are working with a variety of cycling bodies, including local clubs, to ensure that a new generation of cyclists is a legacy of the Giro d'Italia. That activity is set out in the Giro legacy plan, which is led by NITB and includes contributions from key stakeholders.

Sport NI continues to support Cycling Ulster as it takes forward a number of strategies to develop cycling here and, in particular, its youth strategy, which aims to increase participation in cycling in local clubs, communities and schools. Sport NI is providing specific courses for local cycling clubs, which will see more leaders and coaches trained to promote cycling from grass-roots groups to high-performance levels. The giro legacy plan also includes a schools engagement programme, and Sport NI is working closely with schools to offer competitions and activities to promote the event and the benefits of cycling to ensure that we can maximise the legacy outcomes.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

I thank the Minister for that response. It would be good to get further details of the work that is ongoing with the young people and trying to get them involved, whether that is through schools or youth organisations. Will the Minister provide some specific information about what is happening in my constituency of Mid Ulster?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am certainly happy to write to the Member with the details of what is happening in her own constituency, but I can give her some broad headlines. Through her own inquiries and contacts with local schools, she can ascertain how that impacts on the mid-Ulster area. For example, as I outlined, work is under way with Sport NI and some of the local schools to look at a youth strategy. It also involves Sport NI, in conjunction with Cycling Ireland, looking at performances.

Clubs, communities and schools are also involved, and 71 schools have been involved in cycling opportunities and designing banners and bags around the giro and cycling. Indeed, they have been involved in cycling charities. The VC Glendale club received £10,000 as a result of the World Police and Fire Games legacy to try to promote and enhance cycling in the Shankill and Colin areas. However, as I said, I am happy to write to the Member with details specific to her constituency.

David Hilditch (DUP, East Antrim)

To follow on from that, it is good to hear of the coaching, the projects and the programmes involved. However, Minister, will it take us any closer to the much-needed facilities for cycling?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member may be aware, through his participation in the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, that Sport NI and DCAL have been working very closely with Cycling Ulster and Cycling Ireland. It is really important to identify gaps in facilities, even though we know where they are in our constituencies. At times, we probably know them more acutely than some of the governing bodies. However, work is well under way to look at gaps, feasibility studies and business cases, more so in the preparation for a velodrome, but not exclusively for that.

It is also about how we can work existing coaching programmes with emerging sports, and cycling is one of the sports that is not just emerging but growing. Therefore, I am happy, through the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure and through direct correspondence, to keep the Member up to date on that. It is very important, particularly at community level and grass-roots level, to see the gaps in facilities and to encourage better participation.

Daithí McKay (Sinn Féin, North Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. During the past three or four years, we have already seen the new generation of cyclists coming through, especially in a sporting and competitive sense. In my constituency of North Antrim, we have no fewer than seven cycling clubs at present, and that was not the case five years ago. In that context, and given the increased competition in the sport of cycling, can the Minister update the House on the business case for a velodrome? A velodrome is not present on the entire island of Ireland, and it would be a crucial piece of infrastructure to try to develop cyclists to a more professional standing.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I touched on this very briefly in answering David Hilditch's question. DCAL and Sport NI have been working very closely with Cycling Ireland and Cycling Ulster. At this stage, we are looking at the governing body, with support of officials from DCAL, bringing forward the business case for a velodrome.

Cycling has taken off quite well over the past couple of years, and the Member's constituency is one example of where numerous clubs have been looking at getting more people involved and looking at elite performance. Certainly, the business case for a velodrome did not stack up a few years ago, but my understanding is that that has changed.

The process has started and is well under way. When the process has been completed, I will need to find out exactly what the figures are. If the numbers are there, and if it has the support of the governing bodies, we need to take it forward in the future. However, it is very, very early days. To give the Member some good news, the process has started and it is very encouraging.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

4. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on her work to ensure the legacy of the UK City of Culture. (AQO 6023/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. In November 2013, I announced that I would set up a DCAL north-west office and a company limited by guarantee to deliver City of Culture legacy programmes and activities. The north-west office is now in place. I met the Minister of Finance and Personnel on 31 March to discuss my proposals for the north-west. DCAL officials are progressing plans to set up a company, subject to a funding bid being agreed by the Executive.

In the interim period, I have continued to support a number of legacy projects in collaboration with Derry City Council, with over £2 million being invested since January 2014 in projects such as Other Voices, the Walled City Tattoo and the iconic 'Armoured Pram for Derry' artwork. I have also allocated £2 million capital funding towards the Daisyfield/Showgrounds project, which will contribute to the regeneration of one of the most-deprived areas in the city.

Next month, I will host an all-Ireland creative industries conference in the city, which will highlight Derry as a regional driver for the creative industries.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I thank the Minister for that information. In her keynote legacy speech at the Gasyard in Londonderry last November, she referred to developing modern sports facilities, including complexes in Derry, Dungiven and Coleraine. I would appreciate being given a knowledge of what those are and the timeline for their completion.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I mentioned the Foyle valley gateway, which is looking at the Daisyfield/Showgrounds project. That is primarily about sport in the city of Derry. A total of £2·5 million has been identified, through Limavady Borough Council, for a new sports complex in Dungiven and £1·5 million for Coleraine Showgrounds. Indeed, some capital moneys will be put into boxing as well. Needless to say, I have absolutely no doubt that Strabane and other surrounding towns and villages will come forward. I am sure that the Member agrees that there has been underinvestment in that geographical area for some time now. This is a good start, but we are not done yet.

We will make sure that we put money into collaboration and partnership working with projects that have already started and are under way and that we do that on the basis of identified need. That will ensure that, when there are a couple of funders and a cocktail of funding, projects will happen, that there is better economic sustainability and that there is buy-in from as many people as possible in the community.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

The Minister will be aware that, for the year and a half before the City of Culture year, issues arose about trying to make sure that the year was celebrated in an all-inclusive way in Londonderry. That was dealt with fairly early on in the year, thankfully, at some considerable length. Now that the legacy is being built on and that a considerable amount of public expense is quite rightly going into the legacy project, what steps will she take to ensure that that inclusivity is deepened and broadened throughout not only Londonderry but the entire north-west?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question and for his support in making sure that there is investment not only in his constituency but in the broader north-west. A lot of work has been under way, and there have been a lot of mature discussions. Many people, despite some of their differences, have put their shoulder to the wheel and moved this forward. That is continuing.

At the weekend, there was a Pan Celtic Festival in the city and elsewhere. I was in Dungiven for one of the sports elements. The festival is also about music, and it involves the Bands Forum, the Walled City Tattoo and all the people who participated in the fleadh. It is growing.

Those conversations have happened and are continuing and growing. We need to make sure that all that good work, all that pain and all that maturity are sustained now and into the future. I am encouraged by some contributions from political representatives for the area who have said that, in the here and now, they will support the groups making those mature decisions as well as supporting their journey in the future.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. She mentioned the £2 million for the Daisyfield development. When is that likely to be allocated, and when are we likely to see work on the ground?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member should be aware that that money has been allocated, and we are working with Derry City Council and other partners, including Ilex and DSD. As the Member will be aware, the Foyle valley gateway has more than one funder, which is the way that it should be. Moneys were made available, and I bid for that in the October monitoring round last year. The work, albeit preliminary, has started. I am happy with the progress that has been made.

As for what is needed in the future for other facilities in that area, work has already started to try to secure funds not only for the Brandywell stadium but for other projects in the city of Derry to make sure that there is a lasting legacy from the City of Culture.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

5. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline any engagement her Department, or its arm's-length bodies, have had with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to develop bidding plans for major sporting and cultural events. (AQO 6024/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

In 2010, the Executive agreed that responsibility for events would transfer from DCAL to DETI. My Department and its arm's-length bodies work closely with DETI to bring internationally recognised sporting and cultural events here.

With regard to sporting events, DCAL and Sport NI have key roles in the Giro d’Italia Big Start, which includes participation on the local steering committee, the activation committee and the groups dealing with the cycling legacy, as well as promotion in schools and volunteering. Sport NI is also providing technical expertise to the race committee. My Department is also working with DETI, the NITB and other key stakeholders, to see how we can bring the Rugby World Cup to Ireland in 2023.

With regard to cultural events, my Department has engaged with NITB to secure events such as 2012: Our Time Our Place, the City of Culture, the World Police and Fire Games and the forthcoming 'Game of Thrones' exhibition.

Looking ahead, collaborative work between DCAL and DETI will continue, thus helping to ensure that we continue to benefit from hosting major sporting and cultural events.

Michelle McIlveen (DUP, Strangford)

The Minister has highlighted a number of events where the Department is a minor partner. However, last year, we saw the success of the UK City of Culture and the World Police and Fire Games, which demonstrated that Northern Ireland has the capacity to deliver key cultural and sporting events. The lack, to date, of a DCAL-led strategy to attract similar-scale events is disappointing. Would the Minister not agree that that perhaps demonstrates a lack of innovation in her Department?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member will be aware that on her colleague's watch, the events, for reasons that will be known to the Assembly fairly soon, had to be transferred. So, poor governance and poor performance under the DUP watch meant that the events had to be transferred to another DUP Minister to mop up their mess. I have brought the City of Culture and the World Police and Fire Games, in partnership with my Executive colleagues. I am happy to do that and to work in whatever role that I can in future to make sure that we have events that we can all, rightfully, claim as ours.

I do not think it helpful that people score cheap political points over something that you know is beyond my control. However, I look forward to seeing the result of the inquiry into what happened in the events and to sharing it not just with the Member, as Chair of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, but with other Members of the Assembly. That is because we need to learn what happened and what mistakes we can avoid for the future. We need to have a reputation that does not put people off coming here for big events in the future.

We are lucky that we have plenty of sporting and cultural champions who help to attract people to our shores. We need to focus on that: rather than look back we need to look forward.

Michael McGimpsey (UUP, Belfast South)

Minister, we are not just looking for events coming in, which is all well and good, and we have a number of notable successes in that. However, we also have home-grown events that do much for our image. I am talking about the North West 200, the Ulster Grand Prix and, indeed, the Milk Cup, for example. The Milk Cup has been described by Alex Ferguson as the finest youth soccer tournament anywhere in the world. It has challenges as far as its sponsorship is concerned. Will the Minister outline what steps she is taking, individually or with colleagues, to ensure that this vital tournament gets the support that it requires?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. Rather than wait for one Department to pass the buck to another, I lifted the Milk Cup and the Foyle Cup last year and funded them directly from DCAL, simply because I totally agree with the Member, irrespective of the view that Alex Ferguson, or anybody else, holds, although that is important in giving a status to a competition that has an international status. It also attracts many children and young people to aspire to play on those pitches and to be part of that competition. To that end, rather than wait for someone coming back and making a decision at the last minute, I made an intervention for both. I will do it again if I have to, because I think that it is money well spent.

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

6. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure how many local people have been employed as film extras in the projects developed by her Department and Northern Ireland Screen in the past two years. (AQO 6025/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

As sponsor Department for NI Screen, my Department’s role is to support the organisation to meet its business objectives across all its activities. NI Screen does not develop projects but instead provides funding for a variety of film and television productions.

Local extras for individual productions are supplied by an external agency and, according to the figures from that agency, almost 2,000 positions for extras from the North were created by NI Screen-funded productions in 2012-13, rising to over 3,000 in 2013-14. In addition, a total of 246 extras from the South of Ireland were employed during the same periods. The film extras have worked on a range of productions, with the majority having appeared in large-scale productions such as 'Game of Thrones', 'Dracula Untold' and 'The Fall'.

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

I am grateful to the Minister for her comprehensive answer. Looking around here at the moment, I think that we could do with some extras to fill the empty spaces, which may make my supplementary a bit more interesting. The Minister mentioned the numbers, but I wonder whether she is in a position to indicate what sort of pay rates a film extra could expect to earn and how much additional money has been introduced to the local economy through that type of employment. Can she possibly relate any specific examples?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I do not have information on the pay rates, but I am happy to raise that on the Member's behalf, and —

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

If I was wondering what we earn in here —

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Order.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I am not sure, but, when we find out exactly what the pay rates are, perhaps people can make a decision about whether they want to moonlight part-time, although most of us should not have any spare time at all if we are as busy as we say we are.

Local film and television production has provided nearly £40 million to the local economy. That is certainly not to be sniffed at by anyone. The creative industries are not just accruing money through their own productions but are providing employment for local people, not just extras but those involved in hospitality, accountancy and trades. Hotels, B&Bs and guest houses have certainly benefited. As the Member might be aware, for example, 'Game of Thrones' has travelled to a couple of different locations and has therefore invested in those local towns and villages at times. That is the sort of economy that we need to see grow. The local, small businesses depend on us to bring those opportunities.

I am happy to get the information about pay scales to the Member.

Fearghal McKinney (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

What potential benefits will Northern Ireland Screen's Opening Doors fund bring to the local community?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

As the Member will know, the Opening Doors fund has created a lot of employment and support in the local film and television industry. The strategy aims to help the screen industry in this part of the island. We are looking at high-end television and drama tax credits; further incentives; budgets; and showcasing sets and scenery that other areas and regions cannot offer. The Opening Doors strategy is not just about making this area an attractive option for marketing but about what we do in investing in those companies. The strategy ends this year, and NI Screen is well on board with its targets if it is not exceeding them, which is good news for us all.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

7. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, in light of the gold medal success of Bangor Paralympian, Kelly Gallagher, what further action her Department can take to support and promote sporting participation by people with disabilities. (AQO 6026/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I believe that Kelly Gallagher’s gold medal success at the Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi will inspire more people to get involved in sport, particularly women and those with disabilities. Kelly was quick to acknowledge the support she received from Sport NI and particularly the Sports Institute in her preparations and at events.

My Department’s strategy for sport aims to realise a 6% increase in participation rates among people with a disability by 2019. There are indications that we are making good progress towards meeting that target. However, to help achieve it, we need to work with other Departments, councils and sporting bodies. Disability Sports NI (DSNI) has outlined to me its plans to maximise the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The plans suggest new a disability active partnership across local authorities and Departments. I have written to my Executive colleagues to explore opportunities for interdepartmental support, including funding to take forward the DSNI proposals.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for her reply. Minister, you obviously share my view that, given the inspiration of Kelly and our Paralympians in London, we really need a legacy that we can build upon. I am glad to hear that you have started work on that but, for that legacy to be developed, we need immediate plans. You mentioned one partnership, but are there any other specific plans in place to develop this issue?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I met Disability Sport NI in February and I have regular meetings with that organisation, as perhaps the Member will be aware. It has looked at the targets that have been identified in the Sport Matters strategy and has set additional targets. As I mentioned in my original answer, I have written to Executive colleagues and I aim to follow that up with meetings. I am not just writing to them to tick a box; I am going to follow that up by having meetings and I am going to be very proactive.

I know that Sport NI has also been very proactive, particularly in looking at the role of the sports institute. It is not just about working with some of the governing bodies on disability but with youth clubs and schools. Our Active8 programme, other programmes that resulted from the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games and, indeed, last year's World Police and Fire Games are all going to be brought into that.

I want to assure the Member that I will not be sitting still and resting on this; I am going to try to push it forward to get the maximum possible, because these people do not just deserve our support; it is our duty to make sure that they have it.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answers so far. What other actions are taking place to improve participation in sport among those with disabilities and special needs?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. I do not want to repeat my answer to the previous question, but I will elaborate on it. The Active Communities programme, the Awards for Sport programme and other programmes resulting from the Paralympic and Olympic Games in 2012 are being brought forward. The Sports Forum and Disability Sports have come to us in a very proactive way to raise the profile of disability sport. We have done that, not only in the Department but through working with some of the governing bodies.

District councils have been very good, and with the encouragement and support of their chief officers, they have been involved in the Active Communities programmes. They have been looking at countryside access and activities and working with schools to make sure that those with disabilities and special needs are not missing out on opportunities to participate in sport. As I said to Mr Cree, I will not just write to each of the Departments but I will follow up with meetings and persist until we get a better, joined-up way of working with people who, up to now, feel that they have not received the investment and support that they are entitled to.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

8. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the progress of the Irish language strategy. (AQO 6027/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for his question. The Irish language strategy has been revised and strengthened following a comprehensive public consultation exercise and has also been informed by engagement with other Executive Ministers. The crucial role of Irish language stakeholders and the community has been more fully reflected in the strategy.

The strategy sets out a framework for the next 20 years in areas such as public services, education, the home and community, the media and economic life to enhance, protect and develop the Irish language. A strategy delivery group will progress the strategy by agreeing detailed action plans with each Department. In line with the 2011-15 Programme for Government, my intention is to shortly publish a strategy to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language and a strategy to enhance and develop the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture.

Dominic Bradley (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh míle maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra. Dúirt an tAire go bhfuil sí ar tí an straitéis a fhoilsiú. Arbh fhéidir liom a fhiafraí di an dtig léi bheith níos beaichte faoi dháta an fhoilsithe? I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she be more precise about the publication date of the strategy?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I do not have a date here, but I assure the Member that I intend to do this before the summer recess commences. As I am sure he will appreciate, I am still waiting for some responses from Departments, but if the Departments do not respond by a certain time, I am going to publish the strategy anyway. A lot of work has been put into both strategies by the Ulster-Scots Agency and by many groups in the Irish language sector. They have taken a lot of time to respond to the consultation document. In my view, that consultation is all the better for those responses, so in fairness to them I am going to give Executive colleagues time to respond. If they do not do so, I am going to publish it before the summer recess.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

That brings us to the end of the period for questions for oral answer. We will now move on to topical questions.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

1. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she has talked to other relevant Ministers to see how we can have a strategic approach to promoting our museums in Northern Ireland, given that, even though the Minister and the Executive have continually talked about stimulating the economy by promoting the creative industries and tourism, National Museums Northern Ireland has seen a £6·6 million reduction in its funding over the past few years and, as I understand it, a drop in visitors of 200,000 last year. (AQT 1041/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I thank the Member for her question. I am not too sure where she got her facts, but they are wrong. In fairness to the Member, she needs to go back, because, whatever information she has been given, she has not been given the full picture. I give the Member the assurance that I will go and check the information she has asked me for and give it back to her, but let me say this: museums, sports and arts received a slight reduction in their budgets in order to keep libraries open. That is something that I was happy to do. It was to make sure not only that libraries stayed open but that people, particularly in rural areas and from deprived communities, had the opportunity to avail themselves of libraries. Even within that, museums received an uplift in budget, and told me that the numbers have increased, so I am concerned by what the Member has said in relation to the numbers dropping.

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

I thank the Minister for her answer. The 200,000 drop was told to me by the chief executive of National Museums Northern Ireland. I had a meeting with him just about two or three weeks ago, so I think those are up-to-date figures. I think we should all be concerned about a drop, particularly as this is the year we mark the 50th anniversary of the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Can we have a question, please?

Anna Lo (Alliance, Belfast South)

Yes. The question is, in relation to this, the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum is going to have a massive programme promoting the anniversary, and is the Minister going to attend? Is the Minister going to help with funding for the various programmes?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member will be aware that I have visited, and will continue to visit, all the different branches of the museums, including the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. I appreciate the Member clarifying where she received the information from, which is quite helpful. I will be able to go back to museums and chase that up. I understand that museums and arts and all the members of the DCAL family have a role to play in promoting tourism, and not only that but certainly the decade of centenaries and many other opportunities that we have, particularly with our ongoing programmes around reconciliation. It is vital that we have good public services to help assist those processes. But again, as I said in reply to the Member's primary question, I will write to her with that information.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

2. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to confirm that Gaelscoileanna could provide effective collaboration with Altram in the North and to state whether there have been any discussions with both groups about a possible merger. (AQT 1042/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The Member will be aware that the new core funding arrangements will commence on 1 July. Up until this morning — and I ask this on a daily basis — Altram has refused to engage with Gaelscoileanna around any potential mergers. I am concerned about this. I am concerned about the staff who are working in the organisation, the duty of care to those staff, and indeed the work to ensure that the skills and expertise, particularly in early years, are protected.

Cathal Ó hOisín (Sinn Féin, East Londonderry)

Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I am shocked to learn that Altram has not engaged in any discussion on the way forward. Notwithstanding that, can she assure us that the door still remains open for any discussion of a possible merger?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I assure the Member, and other Members, that the door is open and will remain firmly open, because we believe that, particularly around early-years intervention, which is key to a child's development in education, the support is there. Altram has a duty of care to not just its staff but to all the other services that rely on its excellent expertise and support. The door is open, and I encourage it to walk through that door.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

3. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline what discussions her Department has had with NI Water on Portavoe reservoir. (AQT 1043/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

In response to the Member and to other Members who have written to me on this issue, I can say that we have had ongoing discussions with the owners of Portavoe reservoir and, indeed, with NI Water, about trying to keep the reservoir open. It had to undergo major repair works last year, and, as a result, I was not able to stock the reservoir, which is a popular angling location in the area. Discussions about restocking the reservoir once the work has been completed are ongoing and will be concluded fairly soon. [Interruption.] I am sorry, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, I cannot hear.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I heard you make the point; I did not mean to interrupt you. There is far too much noise from my right.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

They are like oul dolls at bingo. [Interruption.]

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

Maybe a syringe is required.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Mr Hazzard —

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

On a point of order — On a point of order — I just want to raise an issue. It is very offensive — [Interruption.]

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

No points of order in Question Time.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

We do not take a point of order during Question Time. I have already made the point. Let us listen to the questions and to the answers.

Christopher Hazzard (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer thus far. Given NI Water's refusal to extend the lease of fishing rights to DCAL, can she outline NI Water's plans for the future?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

It is regrettable that NI Water has refused to give a longer lease to DCAL to prepare the waterway for angling. The waterway is very popular in that area, as well as among people visiting and looking for angling opportunities. We are having ongoing discussions with NI Water about the reservoir. So far, we have been told that the lease will be extended only on an annual basis, not on a five-year basis, as it was previously. Let me assure the Member that I will continue with those discussions until they are concluded. However, because the reservoir is not within the DCAL estate, there is little I can do other than what I am doing at the minute.

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

4. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline why she has not signed off the 2013 budgets. (AQT 1044/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I assume that the Member is asking about the 2013 budgets for the Irish and Ulster-Scots language bodies. They have not been signed off because I refuse to implement cuts. The Irish Government are insisting on an additional 5% cut on top of what they asked both Finance Departments to agree. That would result in a cut of almost 10%, which I am refusing to implement. From 2013, and even for this year, both bodies — the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge — have received indicative budgets. It is regrettable that that is the position, but I am not installing cuts on behalf of the Irish Government or anyone else to two bodies that do very valuable work.

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an bhfreagra sin. I thank the Minister for that response. I commend her for the action that she is taking, and I ask that she continues to desist and to ensure that the language bodies' budgets are not cut. I also ask that she continues to liaise with the Irish Government.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I will continue to liaise with the Irish Government. I intend to raise the matter before the full meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council. I also intend to raise it at that meeting if the discussions that were mentioned previously are not concluded. Let me assure the Member and other Members who have an interest in this that I will not agree to cuts to Foras na Gaeilge or to the Ulster-Scots Agency. I did not do it in 2013, and I will not in 2014, 2015 or 2016.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

5. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for details of the nature of the contracts between her Department and the Department for Regional Development, which is responsible for the use of reservoirs by anglers. (AQT 1045/11-15)

It is nice to speak to the Minister again. She has touched on the question that I wanted to ask, but my question is broader in its approach.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I have no details of the contract, other than that it is a leasing arrangement. I have no details of the actual wording of the lease. The Member and other Members have raised this on the basis that, wherever angling occurs in that constituency, it is very popular and is a sport that many people have been involved in and that many continue to engage in across generations.

I will have ongoing discussions, not just with DRD — although this is with NI Water rather than DRD — to have those lease arrangements concluded, not just for Portavoe but other reservoirs that may be affected.

Leslie Cree (UUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for that. Bearing in mind that many of the reservoirs are not in use and, in fact, may be sold off, do you feel that that will have any direct effect on angling and the issuing of permits by your Department?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Not every reservoir has fishing rights. For those that have and that are not up for sale or for renewal of lease or that we do not stock — really there could be many out there that I am unaware of. I am only dealing with the reservoirs that I am going into a lease or contractual agreement with to stock with fish and work with angling clubs and sometimes local councils and other community stakeholders.

I can assure the Member that angling is one of the sports that has grown in popularity over the years among people of all abilities and across the generations. It is a good example of where you can make a small investment on an interdepartmental basis with other councils and communities to make sure that you have a good legacy for sport and physical activity. So, I am really keen to ensure that what we have we hold and that we certainly try to increase and advance future potential and opportunities.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

6. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to join with him in congratulating Cliftonville Football Club on its historic first back-to-back league title success and David Jeffrey on a phenomenally successful career as Linfield manager. (AQT 1046/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Absolutely. David Jeffrey has given a lifetime to sport. I released a statement to congratulate David on his achievements, and I have written to him to thank him for his personal contribution to sport.

Cliftonville won back-to-back, two years in a row; my local team, in my constituency. I think that they have done very well. Again, when you see sport of that nature on television, you see young girls and young lads out kicking footballs, jumpers on the ground and people getting involved in soccer. That is a good thing. That is a good side of Irish League football that we need more of and certainly need to celebrate more of, particularly in the House.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I call Mr Nesbitt for his complimentary supplementary.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

Let me think about that, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister. Does she have any plans to host a reception at Stormont, perhaps jointly for Cliftonville and David Jeffrey and Linfield?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

I have certainly written to David Jeffrey and would like to have a meeting with him to thank him for what he has done for sport. You are about the third person between yesterday and today who has asked me about a reception, and I am certainly looking at opportunities to hold another reception for Cliftonville Football Club. Certainly the contribution that David Jeffrey has made to sport needs to be recognised and the contribution that Cliftonville has made, including all the staff and everybody involved, also needs to be recognised. Everybody needs to have an opportunity to get involved in that, too.

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

7. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what discussions she has had with the Finance Minister to release the £36·2 million for Irish League clubs to upgrade their grounds. (AQT 1047/11-15)

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The discussions I have had with the Finance Minister have primarily been about the regional stadia developments. However, he is certainly well aware that once we get Windsor Park under way we will have an opportunity to start the subregional programme. I have the skills and capability in DCAL to do that, so there is a seamless link for that. Once we get Windsor Park and Casement Park up and running, the subregional programme for football will be the next step, and the subregional programmes for Gaelic games and rugby will come soon after that. So, the discussions I have had with the Finance Minister were just about the budgets for this mandate. However, I have certainly flagged up potential for the next mandate.

Alex Easton (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for her answer. Does she agree that the sooner we can get that money down to local clubs, such as Bangor Football Club, which came second in the Championship at the weekend, the sooner we can upgrade their grounds and encourage more people to watch the matches?

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

The sooner we can get the subregional programme started the better. I could not comment on facilities for Bangor, but I take the opportunity to wish them well.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Time is up.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Questions 1 and 3 have been withdrawn.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

2. asked the Minister of Education to outline the impact the removal of £30 million from his budget, because of the failure to implement Welfare Reform, will have on the delivery of education. (AQO 6035/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The Executive have not yet come to on an agreed position on welfare reform, neither have they agreed to remove £30 million from the education budget.

Trevor Clarke (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for that very short answer. It has been well publicised and anticipated that the Minister of Finance is suggesting that £30 million could be removed from the education budget. Given the circumstances in which that might happen, has the Minister had any thoughts about what parts of education will suffer the loss of £30 million?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I think that our energies would be much better used in dealing with the British Government and relaying to the them the detrimental impact that welfare reform will have on our society and community than anticipating or speculating on figures that may or may not come out of my budget or any other departmental budget. I assure the Member that I will continue to manage my budget efficiently and effectively and will deliver education services across the board. Along with my colleagues, I will continue to resist the current welfare reforms and to ensure that we get a fairer deal for the most vulnerable people in our society.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Given the clear link between disadvantage and poor educational outcomes, will he comment on the potential impact of the proposed Welfare Reform Bill on our young people?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

It has been widely reported that the proposals under welfare reform will have a major impact, particularly on the most vulnerable in our society and those on the lowest income levels. That includes the working poor and those who are not working for a variety of reasons.

A number of surveys have been carried out, including by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It concluded that, by 2020-21, as a result of the tax and benefit changes that include those proposed under the welfare reform agenda, relative and absolute child poverty here are projected to rise by 7·5% and 10·4 percentage points respectively. That in itself will have an impact on the educational well-being of young people in our society and the educational outcomes for our entire society. It is only right and proper that serious concerns are being raised about welfare reform, not only its immediate impact but its long-term impact on our young people.

Dolores Kelly (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Upper Bann)

I welcome the Minister's comments to date. You referred to our most marginalised people and to those in receipt of unemployment benefit. I am sure that you will also acknowledge the fact that there are rising levels of poverty among the working poor. Will you continue your efforts to ensure that funding is secured so that schools not only provide education but help with the well-being of their young people and help with affordable childcare through breakfast clubs and after-school clubs?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I referred to poverty and deprivation, and a growing number of people are working and unable to pay many of the bills that are bearing down on them. I have lowered the level required for entitlement to free school meals. I will continue to examine other ways to assist not only those who are unemployed but those who are on benefits such as family tax credits to ensure that they access greater support from our schools. Many of our schools are benefiting from programmes such as the extended schools programme. Many run breakfast clubs, after-school clubs, and so on, and my recent changes to the common funding scheme will allow schools, particularly in socially deprived areas, to increase those programmes of work.

Michael Copeland (UUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Will he assure us that, should the predictions of doom emanating from some of his Executive colleagues prove to be correct, the most disadvantaged pupils in our education system will not end up paying the price?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

It is quite clear that, even from the report that I read out, the most disadvantaged in our society will suffer if we introduce the current welfare reform legislation. That is the reality of the situation. Those are independent figures, and anyone who wishes to examine what is happening in England as a result of welfare reform will know only too well what the detrimental impact will be. My view is, instead of speculating on what may or may not be taken from budgets, that we approach the British Government as an Executive, in a united form, and press them to alleviate the most damaging parts of the Welfare Reform Bill, therefore ensuring that our society has a secure basis on which to move forward.

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

4. asked the Minister of Education what assessment his Department has made of the numbers of young people withdrawing from years 13 and 14 of post-primary education. (AQO 6037/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The proportion of pupils who leave year 14 without completing their courses or exams is small. In 2012-13, 231, which is 1·7%, of the 13,766 pupils who were studying post-16 qualifications withdrew from school during year 14. Year 13 comprises a range of pupils, including those who are completing GCSEs or equivalent qualifications and those who are in the first year of their post-16 qualifications. It is not currently possible for the Department to identify the numbers of young people who begin and then withdraw from a course of study during year 13. Work is under way to develop new data sources that will provide that information in future. Available data shows that over half of those — 57% — leaving school at the end of year 13 take up places in further education (FE) colleges with a further 27% moving on to training or employment.

Young people who see their time in education as relevant to their future and who have access to courses that interest and motivate them are more likely to remain engaged with their education and achieve their full potential. That is why I have introduced the requirements of the entitlement framework. Effective and timely careers guidance is also important. When they are supported by timely, high-quality careers education, information, advice and guidance, young people are more likely to make informed choices. When they can see exactly where their courses can take them and lead to, that will help them to decide on and commit to finishing courses.

Paul Givan (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I thank the Minister for that response and encourage him to expedite the data sources to give him the information about the number of pupils who leave or withdraw during year 13. I have spoken to my further education college, and the evidence is that it is having to pick up a number of pupils who leave during year 13. Given that there seems to be an issue, what consideration is being given to provide additional support to schools so that, once they complete their GCSEs, children are properly placed in the right academic work that they wish to continue with.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I thank the Member for that question. From speaking to the further and higher education sector, I am also aware of anecdotal evidence on children — they are young adults at that stage — dropping out of year 13. I assure him that we are working towards gathering that data in a more uniform manner. The key is to ensure that the proper careers advice is being given at the correct time in a young person's educational pathway.

Recently, the Minister for Employment and Learning and I launched a careers review to assist us in ensuring that we have the right advice at the right time for young people so that they choose the right career pathway, whether academic or otherwise, and know where their courses will lead. That will ensure that we retain more and more young people in our education system and ensure that they qualify in future.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

The Minister has more or less answered my question. I will just develop that. I believe that there needs to be a robust system of scrutiny to track why year 13s especially and year 14s are withdrawing from education. Does the Minister agree that work needs to be done in earlier school years to try to bring forward the idea of where the young people need to go and how education can help them to develop their career?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I agree with you. Careers advice should not be a one-off event. It should be part of a young person's educational pathway and development as they progress through post-primary school and choices are coming up for them, particularly as they advance towards GCSEs and decide what subjects to study. The careers review that we launched along with Minister Farry is independent and has a wide remit. I hope that it comes back to us with imaginative suggestions and that it learns from best practice, whether here or in other jurisdictions, to ensure that young people are given the correct advice at the correct time during their educational pathway.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

5. asked the Minister of Education for his assessment of the educational attainment gaps identified recently in the Community Relations Council third peace monitoring report. (AQO 6038/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I have said many times that our education system continues to fail too many young people. The attainment gaps are simply unacceptable, and I am working hard to tackle that inequality. In 2011-12, a total of 1,151 Protestant young people entitled to free school meals left our schools. Of those, 853 did not attain the benchmark of five or more GCSEs at grade A* to C or equivalent, including English and maths. That represents 74·1% of that cohort.

A total of 2,524 Catholic young people with free school meals entitlement left in 2011-12. Of those, 1,552 left without the benchmark. That represents 61·5% of that cohort.

The evidence shows that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds have greater obstacles to overcome. Their schools need additional resources to help them do that, and, last month, I announced changes to the way in which schools are funded in order to target additional resources at schools serving high proportions of disadvantaged pupils.

I have kept a clear focus on improving outcomes. I have continued to implement policies and provide funding for a range of additional interventions, with a focus on improving standards and tackling educational underachievement. Despite improving outcomes at all stages, the gap between those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds and other pupils remains.

The message from international evidence is clear: a socially balanced education system enables all pupils to perform better. While some of our schools persist in the use of academic selection, we will be unable to eradicate this social division.

Inequality in outcomes is a societal issue and one that education authorities and schools cannot tackle on their own. The challenge of tackling inequalities, be they educational, health or economic, is one that we all face, and success will depend on all stakeholders working together in order to achieve greater equity in society.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his response. Can the Minister give the House an idea of specific interventions that he is bringing forward to tackle economic and cultural barriers to higher education achievement, particularly amongst Protestant working-class boys? Is he willing to meet the east Belfast education working group, which is endeavouring to bring principals, parents, the community and voluntary sector and elected representatives together to coordinate a better approach to education in the area?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

In my response, I mentioned one of the most significant interventions I have made, and that is changing the common funding formula and diverting more money towards those schools in socially disadvantaged areas than is being diverted to schools that are not in socially disadvantaged areas. The Member may recall the lack of support in the House for that measure and the fierce resistance I met with from certain political parties and individuals on that matter. Indeed, I was threatened by the DUP with being brought to court if I proceeded with the process.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

You might still be.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The Member pre-empts me. I am aware that it may still be considering bringing me to court for diverting more money — [Laughter.] — as we stop the laughter and joking from the other side as we talk about social disadvantage in Protestant communities.

It may still be contemplating bringing me to court to prevent more money going to socially deprived schools. So, square that circle. How do I as Education Minister move forward in ensuring that policies that are required to eradicate barriers to good education in socially deprived communities can be moved forward in those circumstances?

On the other measures I have put in place, I have ensured that the entitlement framework is brought to the fore within our schools. The entitlement framework allows children from all abilities and backgrounds to access relevant courses that they will enjoy, which they can contribute to and from which they can see a career pathways outcome. As I mentioned in response to a previous question on extended schools funding, I have also ensured that extended schools funding continues. No one event will solve this problem. It has to be multidimensional and multifunctional, and we require the support of parents, pupils —

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I remind the Minister of the two-minute rule.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

— teachers and communities to eradicate educational underachievement.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

I thank the Minister for his answers so far. I make no apologies for opposing the common funding formula on the basis of the number of schools that were going to be disadvantaged through it. He knows that that opposition did not come from just the DUP Benches; other political parties opposed it. My question is this: how much money are you going to invest to address this problem, which is a problem that has been identified in report after report after report and, indeed, requires an answer on specific investment?

You also made a comment about how the entitlement framework —

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

You must be brief.

Robin Newton (DUP, Belfast East)

— was part of your solution. Is it not the case that you are actually going to reduce the amount of money available under the entitlement framework?

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Members must be brief with their supplementaries. I do not wish to repeat that.

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

Where does the Member suggest I get the money? I have a global budget that I have to use to the best of my ability and direct where I believe is necessary. I could use the money to continue the status quo, as the Member's party suggested, even though it would result in greater disadvantage in socially deprived communities, or I could change how I use the money and redirect funds towards schools that most need it. That is what I did. I carried out a consultation. The Member's constituency of East Belfast benefited from the common funding formula. Schools significantly benefited in your constituency as a result of the changes that I made and you opposed. I made the changes and you opposed them. Schools in your constituency benefited.

The entitlement framework was also opposed by the DUP. However, the entitlement framework is seen as key in ensuring that all young people have access to a wide range of courses that meet and challenge their abilities. The entitlement framework is key, especially to young people who are not academically gifted but gifted in other ways. If I had followed the DUP's advice on that, I would not have introduced the entitlement framework, but I did. Schools and communities that you serve are benefiting from it.

I face a very difficult budget. I have committed funding of £4·5 million to the entitlement framework in the time ahead. I will continue to review my budget. If I can secure funding for the entitlement framework, I will.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answers so far. He slightly ducked the question from Mr Lyttle. What multidimensional approaches are there? Is the Minister looking at any pilot schemes to put into areas in which education is particularly struggling? Is he liaising with OFMDFM on any projects that it might be doing on the same?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I do not accept that I dodged Mr Lyttle's question, although I did not respond to the point about meeting the east Belfast partnership. I am more than happy to meet the east Belfast partnership on that matter. Community involvement in education is vital if we are to succeed. I have no difficulty in doing that whatsoever.

As for pilot projects, OFMDFM is funding a number of programmes along with the Department of Education. We have the nurture unit project, for instance, in primary schools. Somewhere in the region of 300 newly qualified teachers have been injected into our schools as a result of collaboration between the Department of Education and OFMDFM. That is a sign that, when the Executive work well together, they work well for our society. That might be a wee lesson for the Executive.

There is no secret to success. What you need to do is known. We need strong leadership in our schools, and we need to support that. That includes boards of governors and senior management teams. We need good teachers in the classroom. We need to allow good community and parental involvement in schools. We also need to eradicate academic selection. It is socially divisive. It separates young people on the basis of a very iffy educational basis, if there is any educational basis whatsoever. It is more of a socio-economic basis on which our children are separated. Successful education systems around the world have all done away with academic selection. Why did they do that? They recognised that schools with a socio-economic mix and an all-ability mix do much better than selective schools anywhere. [Interruption.]

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Order.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

6. asked the Minister of Education to outline the impact that the minimum enrolment threshold is having on rural primary schools. (AQO 6039/11-15)

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

The minimum enrolment threshold outlined in the sustainable schools policy is just one of six criteria used to assess a school's sustainability. Sustainability is based on quality educational experience; stable enrolment trends; strong financial position; strong leadership and management; accessibility; and strong links with the community. Therefore, the minimum enrolment threshold alone does not have an impact on rural primary schools. The enrolment of a school is not a trigger for automatic closure but rather for review of the school's sustainability. The sustainable schools policy recognises the particular needs of rural communities. This is reflected in the minimum enrolment threshold of 105 pupils for rural primary schools and in the accessibility criterion that provides guidance on home-to-school travel times.

The focus of the area planning process that is under way is to develop a network of viable and sustainable schools capable of delivering high quality education to our children and young people. The focus is not, as often asserted, to close rural primary schools. I have repeatedly said that I will not close schools just because they fall below the minimum enrolment threshold.

Patsy McGlone (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an bhfreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his response. Can he be specific and respond by advising whether he will introduce a small schools policy that will help address the needs of some of our smaller rural communities?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

I will keep the matter under review, but I am of the view that the sustainable schools policy is protection for small rural schools moving forward. It sets out clearly specific criteria for rural primary schools that urban primary schools do not enjoy. It is worth noting that the definition of "rural" in the sustainable schools policy is everything outside Belfast City Council area and Derry City Council area. So, the definition of rural communities is very wide.

The Member may want to avoid having to make decisions about schools in the future. He may want to avoid having to make a decision that sees a school that is unsustainable and that cannot deliver educational well-being to the young people close down. It is never a nice decision to have to make, but it is the right decision to make. Surely the Member agrees that young people in rural communities should have the same right to high quality education as young people in urban communities. Whatever policy you come up with to enshrine educational quality, you have to set criteria on the basis of which school is sustainable moving forward. The only basis upon which a policy should be set is that it is there to enshrine high quality education. Where a school falls below the ability to deliver high quality education, the only right and proper thing to do is to close that school.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Could the Minister tell us what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the needs of rural communities are fully met from within its remit?

John O'Dowd (Sinn Féin, Upper Bann)

As regards rural proofing, DE consulted with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in developing the sustainable schools policy. The policy was also assessed against the Rural Development Council's rural-proofing checklist that was set out in its 'Striking the Balance' report. No adverse impact was identified. Staff in DE's area planning team attended a rural-proofing training course in December 2013 to help further inform the consideration of decisions about rural schools in relation to area plans and their outworkings. I have no policy to close rural primary schools. I have a policy to ensure that high quality education provision is delivered to rural and urban communities.

Mervyn Storey (DUP, North Antrim)

One could be convinced that the Education Minister wants to blame everybody else and is ducking the issue. When will he tell the House how many rural schools have been closed under his watch and how many he plans to close in the next number of months, particularly in light of the review of his transport policy, which is based on distance to school and not on educational quality? Will the Minister come clean and tell that to the many rural schools that are sitting worried about the future of the small schools factor in the common funding formula, the small schools policy and their long-term viability rather than ducking and diving and trying to blame others?