Northern Ireland Assembly, 8 September 2014

376 contributions from 76 members. The official report.

Speaker's Business

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Order. Before we proceed to today's business, I welcome Members back after the recess.

Executive Committee Business

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

I wish to inform the House that the Budget (No. 2) Bill (Northern Ireland) received Royal Assent on Wednesday 16 July 2014. It will be known as the Budget (No. 2) Act (Northern Ireland) 2014.

Assembly Business

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Members will have been saddened to learn of the passing of Sam Foster, a former Assembly Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and Minister of the Environment in the first mandate. Sam was one of life’s true gentlemen and had a history of public service rooted in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. He was dedicated to the community that he served and attracted a huge amount of respect as a Member of this House. The culmination of his career saw him appointed as Minister of the Environment — a position that he held with great honour and pride. I take this opportunity to extend my personal condolences to his family circle and to all his party colleagues on their sad loss.

As we have done in the past on these occasions, I will call a representative of each party to speak for up to three minutes to pay tribute to our late friend and colleague. I will allow 30 minutes for tributes, and, if there is sufficient time remaining after all parties have spoken, I may be able to call other Members who rise in their places to say a few words. The House will now pay its own respects.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. In a previous life, I sometimes offered media training, and I would show worst case/best case examples from TV. I often favoured the launch of an anti-drink-driving Christmas campaign that Sam Foster was in charge of during his time as Environment Minister because his sound bite in that report was absolutely perfect. It was perfect because it was genuine. Sam Foster spoke good sense, and he spoke it from the heart. I think that that will be many people's abiding memory of Sam Foster.

Like many Members of the House, I attended his funeral in St Macartin's Cathedral in Enniskillen, which was a huge affair befitting a man with a long lifetime of public service. Like Sir John Gorman, whom we lost earlier in the year, Sam was elected to this House in 1998, and both came to politics with experience of successful careers in other areas. At Sam's funeral, it was striking how many different interest groups were there: groups that shared nothing but mutual respect for Sam Foster.

Sam served his country as a Reserve police officer and then a major in the Ulster Defence Regiment. So he was not only a public servant, he was a brave one, unafraid to put himself in harm's way to defend his family, community and country from terrorist threat . He was present at the IRA attack on the cenotaph in Enniskillen in 1987; indeed, with his bare hands, he helped rescue people from the rubble. Sam was the embodiment of a decent human being. He was also a loyal Ulster Unionist who served his country and party faithfully for many decades. He was a huge figure in Fermanagh unionism. He may have risen to high office but he never forgot his roots and remained, at heart, a Fermanagh man.

I was not fortunate enough to sit on these Benches beside Sam, but, when I joined the Ulster Unionist Party, I was amazed and sometimes perplexed by his unwavering support. However the reason why was quite simple: if he was on board, he was on board 100%.

The House supports diversity, so it would probably be wrong to suggest that we need 108 Sam Fosters, but entirely right to say that we need 108 MLAs with Sam Foster's values. I am proud to have known such a great unionist and Ulsterman. My deepest sympathies and condolences go to his wife, Dorothy, and his family circle. He will, indeed, be sadly missed.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I, too, rise to pay my respects and to say a few words about the late Sam Foster. I do so on behalf of my party and myself. I knew Sam Foster for quite a number of years. I think that my first direct acquaintance with him was probably in the old Northern Ireland Forum, and that goes back a little. However, I always heard of Sam Foster. His name was synonymous with Fermanagh. He served on Fermanagh District Council for a long period of years. He was also a man who went, as I call it, the second mile. He was also a member of the security forces, and, living in Fermanagh, that was no mean achievement, particularly in those times.

As his party leader said, he was also caught up in that awful situation of the Enniskillen bombing on Poppy Day. Sam Foster came through all of that with great fortitude and dignity. He was highly regarded and respected, not only by his colleagues who had an affinity with him, but by those of us in other parties. We had a respect and regard for Sam Foster, because I always believed that, when Sam Foster spoke, he meant what he said and he said what he meant. He was quite determined and resolute in the things that he believed in and the direction that he was going. He was never a man who set out purposely to cause offence. He was an individual who wanted to the best for his constituents and the people he represented.

So, on behalf of my party, I extend to his wife and family our sincere and heartfelt sympathy. He will be a great loss. Ulster Unionists will miss him most, but Ulster, in general, will miss Sam Foster. To put it in a few words: he was a good man in every respect.

Alex Maskey (Sinn Féin, Belfast South)

On behalf of Sinn Féin, I express my party's deepest regrets and condolences to Dorothy and all Sam's family. I had the pleasure of working with Sam here in the first Assembly and in the negotiations in the run-up to the Good Friday Agreement. I would hesitate to call him a political opponent because I always remember that Sam — notwithstanding the fact that he was an Ulster Unionist — worked to try to make the Good Friday Agreement and these institutions work. My recollection is that he always treated each and every one of us with the utmost respect.

A mark of his character is that, even when he was appointed Minister, I had the pleasure of being in a lift with him — I will not use his exact words — and he expressed some surprise at being appointed to the position. He was, of course, honoured to do that and he was in no doubt about the challenges that he would face in the time ahead. He certainly embraced the challenges, and I think that he embraced them in the spirit of the time in 1998, 1999 and thereafter. Therefore, in calling Sam a political opponent, I would be very generous and use the term advisedly. As I said, a tremendous mark of respect to Sam Foster is that he spent a long time in public life. He never ever, in my experience or presence, had any airs or graces about him. He was obviously a man of the people, and he was very well respected in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and in the wider community. I have no doubt that he will be missed in the Ulster Unionist family. Of course, he will be missed by his own family. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I express our condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Sam Foster.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I, like others, express my sympathy and condolences and those of my colleagues and our party, the SDLP, to the family and friends of Sam Foster. Sam was a thoroughly decent man, as others said. He was a Christian man. He was a great public representative and a good Minister. I valued Sam as a friend. Indeed, he was a good friend to all whom he came into contact with. It was unfortunate that ill health forced Sam to retire from here, but, after his retirement, I renewed my friendship with him on occasions when I visited Enniskillen. He was still the same kind, generous Sam.

Sam spent his life working for the betterment of others. When he was here with us, he gave the Assembly all his energies and attention. I hope that, today, Sam has his just reward and that he is in a happier place.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I appreciate the opportunity to add a few words from my colleagues. There is absolutely no doubt that Sam Foster's life was marked by public service in a whole range of spheres: first, his main career in social work and the education welfare field, where he undoubtedly contributed to the welfare of many families in Fermanagh; his role as a special constable and as an officer in the Ulster Defence Regiment; his time on Fermanagh District Council, which others have spoken about so favourably; and then his election to the first Assembly. There is no doubt that he came here with his unionist principles. He did not come here having changed his mind but he was determined to make this place work for the good of all of us in Northern Ireland. It is no surprise that, in that context, he was given a ministerial post. Even if, supposedly, he was surprised, it was clearly a reward for the good job that he had done in bringing members of his party into this place. Where I got to know him most was in my role as a member of the Environment Committee while he was Minister. He was certainly an interesting person to deal with in the details of that, and he clearly had a commitment not just to being a Minister but to doing that job. It is rather unfortunate that the suspension of the Assembly in 2002 meant that three significant pieces of legislation were not his but merely became Orders in Council in Westminster, because we would have seen that legislation as the epitaph to his ministerial service had that Assembly survived.

There is no doubt that he was a gentlemen in all his dealings, including to those of us on the Committee who did not always make life easy for him. He was straightforward and honest. He was an example of public service that we should all seek to live up to. On behalf of my colleagues, I extend our sympathy to his wife, children, family and friends.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

My political career did not much coincide with that of Mr Foster, but, observing him from afar, it was very clear that — in the words of Lord Morrow — Sam Foster's interests were synonymous with those of Fermanagh. He was seen always to be a very proud son of Fermanagh and as someone who valiantly fought for its interests. I know that, in unionism in Fermanagh, he was a towering figure. I associate myself with the condolences offered to his wife and family on his passing.

Certainly, his political perspective in latter years would have been quite different from mine. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Belfast Agreement and an implementer of it. On that, we would have disagreed, but one could not doubt the sincerity of the view that he held in that regard. There was more integrity to his view of the Belfast Agreement than there was to the views of those who initially lambasted him for having that view and then ended up implementing the same agreement. There was a certain sincerity and integrity about Sam Foster that we would do well to have more of in politics.

Steven Agnew (Green, North Down)

My political career was only in its very earliest beginnings when Sam Foster retired from politics due to illness. The thing that strikes me, looking back over his political career, was his commitment to the victims of the Enniskillen bombing and the work that he did in the aftermath of that atrocity. That gave me a sense of the nature of the man's character.

Mr Allister alluded to Sam Foster's work in implementing the Good Friday Agreement and in embedding these political structures. Perhaps the best that he could do to serve victims of the many atrocities in Northern Ireland was to help to create stable political institutions and work across communities and across the parties for peace in Northern Ireland.

He served as Environment Minister, and I can only wish that I had had the opportunity to hold him to account in the way that I have tried to hold to account our current Environment Minister and all Environment Ministers who have been in post since I was elected. I have no doubt that he would have been more than able to stand up to that scrutiny.

He showed himself to be a very able and, as we can see today, very respected politician, and I offer my condolences and those of the Green Party in Northern Ireland to his family, his party and his very wide circle of friends and respected colleagues.

David McNarry (UKIP, Strangford)

Sam Foster was the master of the short, concise statement, which, if you were on the receiving end of it, either stood you up or knocked you back. You always knew, after talking to Sam, where you stood. There are many good 'uns who have come out of Fermanagh, and, in my humble opinion, Sam is right up there with the best of them.

This is a fitting tribute to Sam, a former colleague, which I am proud and pleased to be associated with. I thank the House for enabling us to say so.

Basil McCrea (NI21, Lagan Valley)

I did not know Sam personally, but my family has deep roots in Fermanagh and would know his family very well and went to school with them. On that basis, I offer my condolences to his family.

Having listened to all the kind words being passed about Sam, perhaps the only thing worth adding is that it does make a difference if you make a difference. Mr Allister mentioned his own opposition to the Belfast Agreement, but it was one of Sam's finest stands, and I thank him and his family for the line he took on that occasion.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

As we have a little time left of the allocated period, I will call Members who have indicated that they wish to speak by rising in their seats.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I, too, thank you and the House for allowing us to pay this tribute to Sam, who was, as we have heard, a great and honourable colleague to many of us, whether that was in the Assembly or as a party colleague.

Almost all of Sam's life was dedicated to the community.

He was a school attendance officer, and I know of some people — I include people as close as my wife — saying that he had methods that might now be classified as unorthodox to get people to attend school and get the best from their education. Anyway, that was the style of what Sam did.

He then went into social work, as Mr Ford said. I still meet people who Sam worked with as a social worker and who have nothing but the highest regard for him. During that time, he served in the Ulster Special Constabulary and the Ulster Defence Regiment, and he was not, as we have heard, afraid to put his life at risk to serve others.

He was prominent in the Orange Institution and Royal Black Preceptory and, of course, in the political world as a councillor, where he served for a number of years on Fermanagh District Council and, indeed, was chairman of the council. Many of us also knew him as a Member of this Assembly and Minister of the Environment.

When you look at that record, it is fair to say that all the choices that Sam made in life were not easy choices. He did not always take the easy route and sometimes felt that it was his right to take maybe a more difficult route for the best of society. The Enniskillen bomb, I think, had a profound effect on Sam Foster and, indeed, maybe changed some of his views as to how Northern Ireland should move forward.

It was quite good to have a political debate with Sam because there was one thing that I could always say, and I had as many political debates with Sam as maybe most others here: there was never any grudge held the next day, and you were friends again.

Not only would Sam have regular debates about political things but in the Foster household, I can tell you, there were huge debates around football because he was a keen football fan and his sons usually supported a different team. I had the pleasure of bringing Sam and company to many matches at Ballinamallard United Football Club, and I am pleased to say that when he told me back in April that he had never owned a club tie, we were able to present him with one.

I and this House have lost a true friend and colleague. My sympathies are with his wife Dorothy, children Mervyn, Helen and David, and the wider family circle.

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

As one of the original 26 remaining in this Assembly, I felt that I should say something in addition to what my party leader said.

I imagine that there will never be any pressure on me to write my memoirs but if there was, I would have to include Sam Foster in them because in those days there were people who came to this Assembly to make it work and there were those who came to make it extremely difficult. Sam was most certainly one who not only changed attitudes but did it by example. My lasting memory of Sam was as Minister of the Environment. Here was a man who was not overtaken by the graces of the ministerial car, briefcase and special advisers. He remained a humble man who you could go to in his office and talk to on matters of road safety and other things.

I imagine his family at this time will take comfort from the fact that Sam will be remembered not just as an Orangeman or whatever else he was in the unionist community but as somebody who won respect and admiration across the Floor. Perhaps there are not too many who have achieved that. That is a lasting memory for his wife Dorothy, family and friends: that Sam Foster was a changer of people's views and helped to put down enough foundations for this Assembly to survive and be here today.

Matters of the Day

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Leave —

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

On a point of order, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Sorry, just let me finish this particular item. Leave has been given to make a statement on the death of former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, which fulfils the criteria set out in Standing Order 24. If Members wish to be called, they should so indicate by rising in their places and continuing to do so. All Members called will have up to three minutes to speak on the subject. I remind Members that I will not take any points of order on this or any other matter until the item of business has finished.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Go raibh maith agat, Principal Deputy Speaker. First, it is a great honour to stand here today to say a few words about the massive contribution that Albert Reynolds, as Taoiseach, made to peace in this country. I was on holiday with my family in Sligo when I learned of his sad passing, and I decided to break the holiday to attend his funeral in Dublin.

Albert Reynolds was one of those people who recognised that, to resolve conflict, dialogue and communication were very important. He broke with tradition in that he authorised his principal adviser on the North, Martin Mansergh, to open up discussions with Sinn Féin against the backdrop of the dialogue that was taking place at the behest of Gerry Adams, John Hume and Father Alec Reid. The meetings that Albert authorised were mainly between Martin Mansergh, his principal political adviser on the North, and myself. Martin and I were involved in many meetings in advance of the IRA ceasefire in 1994.

Albert was the person who coined the phrase, "Who is afraid of peace?", and that represented a real challenge to everyone. He was someone who I believe had a very intimate knowledge of the North of Ireland and a very intimate knowledge of every section of the community that lived in the North of Ireland. He was very proud of his contacts with many people in the business community who came from the unionist community and also was very much in contact with many people right across the political and business spectrum. So, he was someone who understood the problem and understood when he came into the role of Taoiseach that he had a huge responsibility to try to assist in bringing that conflict to an end against a backdrop of, I think, a fairly wide recognition on behalf of all of the combatants that there could be no military victory for anyone. So, there was an imperative to create the conditions that would pave the way for a peace process and for an inclusive political negotiation that would bring the end of conflict and violence in this country.

So, I believe that the people of Ireland owe a great debt of gratitude to Albert Reynolds for the courage that he showed, for his acceptance that communication and dialogue were absolutely vital in moving forward and for the work that he, at a very early stage, was involved in, as I said, with Gerry Adams, John Hume and Father Alec Reid. Then, of course, there was the involvement with Irish America, and the entering into the process of President Bill Clinton clearly provided a great opportunity for all of us to move forward in a way that has dramatically improved the lives of the people who all of us here represent.

I think that it is also fair to say that, without Albert Reynolds's visionary approach at a very early stage of this process, it is hardly likely that any one of us would be in this arena today. He was someone who really was not, during his lifetime, given the credit that he was due for the contribution that he made, and it is very interesting to see that the credit that came basically came after his passing, and that, I think, is very, very sad.

So, it was very important to go to the funeral to extend my condolences and those of everybody, I think, in the North to Kathleen, his wife, and to his children on the enormous contribution that Albert made to improving all of the lives and the lives of all of the children who have benefited from peace over the last 20 years.

It was also quite interesting that Albert died in the week that ran into the twentieth anniversary of the ceasefire, which undoubtedly set in train a process that challenges everyone who, even still, believe, in their deluded world, that violence and conflict offer the best way forward.

Albert's message is as true today as it was 20 years ago, and it is this: who is afraid of peace? Those out there who wish to plunge us back to the past need to recognise that the vision showed by Albert Reynolds and other political leaders — they were joined, it has to be said, in fairness, by many unionist leaders during the course of building the peace process — of a conflict-free Ireland is the one that all of us in this room and, I believe, in the whole of Ireland, want to live in. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the vision showed by Albert Reynolds.

Jonathan Bell (DUP, Strangford)

I rise to offer the sympathy and condolences of the Democratic Unionist Party to the family and family circle of the former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. I extend our sympathy, care and love to them. They are in our prayers. There is no doubt that Albert Reynolds contributed to helping to find an exclusively peaceful way forward for Northern Ireland. He had numerous skills as a businessman, as a leader and, from what I read, as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. It is a wonderful legacy to be known as having made an undoubted contribution to helping to find that exclusively peaceful way forward for Northern Ireland. That is significant in itself.

The Democratic Unionist Party differed with the Taoiseach on many occasions. We did not share the same political outlook. We differed on many grounds, but I can say that, as a devoted unionist, I respect the fact that Albert Reynolds was the first Irish Prime Minister who understood and supported the principle of consent in relation to Northern Ireland. He had a profound understanding of the relationship between the Republic of Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. He also, and this is what I admire him most for, was a person who eschewed all forms of violence and who would not accept any caveats to ceasefires. It had to be, in his view — the correct view — exclusively peaceful, without caveat and without question.

Today, as the House gathers to remember him, we remember him as somebody who was committed to seeking peace. While we may be critical of his political outlook — that is the nature of political discourse — we hugely admire somebody who sought peace and has left a legacy of peace in Northern Ireland. Our sympathy and love are with his family circle.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

I am glad and, indeed, privileged to be able to rise here and have an opportunity to pay tribute to Albert Reynolds, who died recently. Albert Reynolds coined the phrase, as quoted earlier, "Who is afraid of peace?" It is a very poignant question and one that we would all do well to answer for ourselves and keep answering for ourselves as we go forward.

Albert was a self-made businessman before he came into politics and perhaps that gave him the foundation for much of his political career and the wisdom that he brought to that political career. We here in the Chamber, and, indeed, in Northern Ireland, owe Albert a great debt of gratitude for his endless efforts to bring peace and stability to Northern Ireland. His contribution was enormous. We also owe him a debt of gratitude for the way he changed the relationship with the British Prime Minister. The robust working relationship that he forged with Sir John Major was the hinge on which much good came. The tribute, warmth, rapport and congratulations that John Major got at Albert's funeral were very significant.

It was a tragedy that events conspired to have Albert retire as Taoiseach before the full fruits of his dialogue with Sir John and all the other leaders came to a harvest point in the Good Friday Agreement.

I was privileged to attend Albert's state funeral, where he was paid many tributes, which were long overdue, and, as I said, Sir John was commended for the contribution that he made. I have spoken to Kathleen and the family, but I welcome the opportunity here again, on behalf of myself and the wider SDLP, to extend my sympathy and condolences to the whole Reynolds family.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I rise to pay tribute to the late former Prime Minister of the Irish Republic, Mr Albert Reynolds, who died recently. It is appropriate that we acknowledge from all sides of this House the role that Albert Reynolds played as Taoiseach between February 1992 and December 1994 in developing a peace process here in Northern Ireland.

Albert Reynolds was an astute businessman, and he was a very shrewd political operator in his own political party, Fianna Fáil. He may have been a soldier of destiny, but he did not really emerge from that old hard-line republican background. As has already been indicated, he and John Major have perhaps been overlooked in acknowledgement of their contribution to the peace process, but, looking back, it is clear that their relationship was key to improving British-Irish relationships in the early 1990s.

Albert Reynolds was of course never a unionist, but he was part of the transition of attitudes in the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland. From a unionist point of view, we were political opponents, but he had a moderating approach to the more extreme elements of republicanism, and he helped to redress the traditionally anti-British and anti-unionist approach to Northern Ireland affairs from south of the border. He started to manage change in attitudes whilst keeping his traditional southern republican constituency on board. Critically, it was during his prime ministership that it dawned on those in political power in Dublin that the future had to involve the dropping of the territorial claim in the constitution of the Irish Republic and that the consent of a majority in Northern Ireland was required for any constitutional arrangement. In effect, Northern Ireland would remain part of the United Kingdom because of the wish of the majority of its people.

Albert Reynolds's legacy is that of a pragmatic leader, a dealmaker who played his part in creating the relative peace that we have enjoyed for the past 16 years. Therefore, on behalf of myself and my party, I offer sympathy to his widow Kathleen, his children and his extended family.

David Ford (Alliance, South Antrim)

I just wish to add a few words, on behalf of my colleagues, in tribute to Albert Reynolds and in sympathy to his wife, family and family circle.

As has been said, there is no doubt that it has only really been in recent days that people have fully acknowledged the role that Albert Reynolds played in the early days of the peace process. When people look back on those events of the 1990s, they are likely to see the photos that the BBC will pull out every now and again of the clip peeling round the conference room in Castle Buildings, with Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and some of us, as well as some who are no longer in this Chamber, and it is unfortunate in many ways that the contribution that was played by Sir John Major and Albert Reynolds in the early days of the peace process does not go recognised because there is absolutely no doubt that the relationship that the two of them established laid the foundations on which others built to put forward the Good Friday Agreement. There is also no doubt that that kind of change in relationships and understanding between the two Governments really only began when Albert Reynolds became Taoiseach and replaced his predecessor.

Albert Reynolds was not seen as somebody who was naturally sympathetic to the viewpoint of unionists. He came from a different kind of background, but there is no doubt that his business contacts, his relationships with a wide variety of people across the border and maybe the fact that he had a base in the midlands and not just in the Dublin metropolitan area gave him a different outlook and a degree of understanding of the cross-border nature of relationships on this island, even if he was not ever likely to be seen as a unionist.

Just as, a few minutes ago, we praised Sam Foster for the way in which he came into a different set of arrangements, bringing his political principles with him, there is no doubt that Albert Reynolds sought to encourage that as he brought his principles as well.

I certainly remember one meeting at which we discussed the practical arrangements for the establishment of the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation during the early post-ceasefire days. There is absolutely no doubt that it was a sign of his wishes that there would be the maximum possible attendance in order to seek the best possible understanding between the parties of these islands. He did not get everybody he would have wished to be there, but he certainly ensured that the forum helped to set in train what became the Castle Buildings talks a couple of years later.

Of course, he was not Taoiseach for very long. We will never know what might have happened had he been in that post for a bit longer, but there is absolutely no doubt that the contribution that he made in the short time he had in office was very significant. We and the people of Ireland, North and South, are all beneficiaries of it.

John McCallister (UUP, South Down)

In paying tribute to former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, I, like many colleagues, look back and reflect, as Mr McGuinness said in opening these remarks, on 20 years and the absolute transformation in British-Irish relations in that time. The work of Albert Reynolds and Sir John Major, to which many colleagues have referred, was absolutely key to building on that success and what it eventually became. Indeed, it is an illustration that people and personalities matter so much when they get together and can make a difference. We heard from colleagues about the impact that Sam Foster made by coming here, sticking to his principles and making it work. The difference that Albert Reynolds and Sir John Major made was in starting that transformation in British-Irish relations, going from two almost hostile neighbours to being very much best friends with a strong working relationship built on interdependency. It will be the lasting achievement of Albert Reynolds along with Sir John Major that they began the work of that transformation.

Albert Reynolds's wife Kathleen, whom I had the privilege of meeting a few months ago, and the Reynolds family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. It is a huge loss to Irish politics. That contribution should, quite rightly, be reflected on here today.

Caitriona Ruane (Sinn Féin, South Down)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I join every other party in the House in mourning Albert Reynolds and acknowledging his work for the peace process. He had a very long and varied career. Every time I pass Longford en route to Mayo to visit my mother, I think of Albert Reynolds. As my colleague Martin McGuinness said, he did tremendous work for peace. He asked, "Who is afraid of peace?". None of us needs to be afraid of peace. He was elected in 1997 and served until 2002. I knew him quite well during my time as director of Féile an Phobail. He officially opened and supported cultural events. He also attended and spoke at many Féile events, along with representatives of all political traditions and none. I pay tribute to him and send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Kathleen, and his family, who live throughout the island of Ireland.

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Mr William Humphrey has been given leave to make a statement on Carl Frampton becoming the super-bantamweight world champion, which fulfils the criteria set out in Standing Order 24. If other Members wish to be called, they should rise in their place and continue to do so. All Members who are called will have up to three minutes to speak on the subject. I remind Members that I will not take any points of order on this or any other matter until the item of business has finished. I will, Mr Allister, return to your earlier point of order when this item is finished.

William Humphrey (DUP, Belfast North)

On the back of the Commonwealth Games and Rory McIlroy's exploits over the summer, Northern Ireland has had a terrific weekend in sport: Ulster's last-minute securing of a point away to Scarlets; the Shankill's own Marc McCullough winning his fight easily on Saturday night; the green and white army having a great victory in Budapest last evening; and, of course, on Saturday night, Carl Frampton, north Belfast's own, becoming the world champion. I congratulate Carl on behalf of the people of north Belfast on a great win. He certainly caught the mood of the people of the city and the country — all the people — with over 1,000 people attending the weigh-in at the Ulster Hall.

Carl started his career as a young boy of seven. He was guided and moulded as an amateur boxer by Billy McKee MBE, as so many boxers in north Belfast have been. On Saturday evening, at the purpose-built stadium beside the Titanic Quarter, some 16,000 people went along to the bout. I suggest that Saturday evening was almost a throwback to the 1980s and McGuigan's great fights in this city. I commend Barry McGuigan and his wife Sandra for the way that they have managed Carl since he turned to professional boxing. They have managed his career and promoted him, Belfast and Northern Ireland in such a positive way. Carl was at a training camp for 16 weeks: four months of hard work and dedication. The hard work, dedication, commitment and professionalism have now paid off, with Carl becoming our latest world champion.

As I said at the start, I congratulate Carl, a young man who started his career at seven years old and progressed to be a world champion. I think that we should all, in this city and across the country, be immensely proud of his achievement. I also congratulate his family, who have been there to support him through the years: his mother and father, Flo and Craig; his wife, Christine; and, of course, his young daughter, Carla. Their love and support will have been invaluable to him throughout his career, particularly his professional career.

When you listen to Carl being interviewed on the TV or radio, you are left in no doubt that he has very much gained the love and interest of the people of our wee country. For me, he is a great athlete, a great sportsman and a great role model for any young person, particularly a young person growing up in working-class north Belfast, and he is now a great world champion. As I said, we in north Belfast are hugely proud of his achievements. His success is now there for the world to see. This young man spent his childhood in Tigers Bay, and, now, across north Belfast, this country, this kingdom and the world, we talk about Carl Frampton, the world champion. I wish him well in the future as he defends his title and, as he may well do, fights to merge other titles with it.

Carál Ní Chuilín (Sinn Féin, Belfast North)

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I join my north Belfast colleague William Humphrey in congratulating Carl Frampton and, indeed, all the boxers on the ticket on Saturday evening: Marco McCullough, Jamie, Eamonn, Conrad, Anthony and Matthew. Each one of them did us proud, but today is about Carl Frampton, the Frampton family and the McGuigans. Kiko Martinez put up 12 rounds to give us an excellent boxing match, as did the rest of the opponents. They are all very worthy. Carl Frampton, as the many of us here who have met him on occasion will know — some of you will know him better than I do — is an excellent role model for young people involved in sport, whether that is at an amateur or professional level. Carl Frampton is now the world champion bantamweight. That in itself will provide great inspiration and aspiration for young people, particularly those in north Belfast who are coming behind him.

William mentioned the role that Billy McKee, Gerry Storey and many others had in Carl's illustrious career as an amateur boxer. Certainly, the McGuigans, Cyclone Promotions and others were involved in giving us what was a boxing treat on Saturday evening. We have been told that 120 countries had television rights to the boxing matches, with an estimated 250 million people watching what we in Belfast already know was an absolutely brilliant display of boxing on Saturday evening. That was against the magnificent backdrop of the Titanic building. I had the privilege of being there, representing the Executive, and what I saw was a city in concert in support of Carl Frampton and the other boxers. For me, that is another success story.

As we all know, boxing, to use an old but well-trodden phrase, like the nine medals that we had in the Commonwealth Games, punches well above its weight in this part of the island and, indeed, in the whole of the island. Carl Frampton — for his mother Flo, father Craig, wife Christine, daughter Carla and, indeed, all the family and the entire north Belfast community — is one of our own. We are all extremely proud of him and will continue to be proud not just of his achievements as a professional boxer but, indeed, of the achievements that our boxers on the ticket on Saturday night brought to us all. We wish him all the best, and it is appropriate that he is mentioned in the House today as a Matter of the Day. On behalf of everyone — I am sure that everyone will have an opportunity to speak — we are all absolutely delighted for Carl and extremely proud of him and the rest. Well done.

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

We are a very talented lot in north Belfast, and that is not just the politicians. It includes Mr Carl Frampton, and, of course, we are all delighted at his wonderful achievement. There is something in the air in north Belfast that produces very fine boxers — as well as politicians. Carl really proved himself and united the community in popular support right across the divide. He is a champion — a world champion — and that is something for all of us to be exceptionally proud of. I hope that he does well in the future. He has put Belfast on the map once again in sporting terms. We have had quite a number of boxers from north Belfast: Michael Conlon and Paddy Barnes, and, of course, we also have Michaela Walsh. That is a great tribute to those people and to those who are involved in the sport in north Belfast and throughout Belfast.

I wish Carl well. It is good to see a Tigers Bay man doing well, and it is good to see someone from a humble background doing well. He is a charismatic and modest individual, but he has shown his worth to all of us. He is a tremendous role model, I think, for many young people here in Northern Ireland. I look forward to his civic reception in Belfast, where the Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon, will welcome him in due course. I hope that I get an invitation.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

Excellence in boxing is in our sporting DNA, possibly in a way that does not apply in any other sport. As a young sports reporter, I was brought up on the legends of Rinty Monaghan in the 1940s, Johnny Caldwell and Freddie Gilroy in the 1950s and 1960s, Charlie Nash in the 1970s, right through to more modern world champions like Wayne McCullough and Dave "Boy" McAuley. Even in listing those names, there will be those who love boxing who will be screaming out, "You have forgotten Hugh Russell, Brian Magee, Eamonn McGee and Jim McCourt". So it goes. Excellence in boxing truly is in our DNA, and Carl Frampton is the latest example.

There is something else about boxing: it unites our society in a unique way. In the 1980s, I was lucky and privileged to follow Barry McGuigan's story. Innumerous times, I drove down to Clones to interview Barry or his father or to speak to his mum, who was working in the shop. I followed Barry all the way to Loftus Road in 1985, where he beat Pedroza and brought a world title back to Belfast.

I suggest that seldom has Northern Ireland and its people been more united than they were that night around Barry McGuigan's success. For him to recreate that, 29 years later, not in London or in Dublin but in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, is a huge testament to himself and to Carl Frampton. It was a magnificent achievement in sporting, social and cultural terms. I congratulate him on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, without reservation.

The late Gerry Anderson used to tease Dave "Boy" McAuley, a world champion, on Radio Ulster that if he was on 'University Challenge' or 'Mastermind', his specialist subject would be the lights and the ceiling of the King's Hall because he had spent so much time on his backside on the canvas looking at them, which was not true, of course. Well, I can guarantee you, Carl Frampton will never be an expert on the lights and the ceiling of the King's Hall, but I hope that he defends his title here in Belfast. I also hope, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, that the Assembly invites Carl Frampton and his family and Barry McGuigan and his family to a reception here to celebrate his success, because we have some rather fine lights and lamps out in the Great Hall.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

I rise on behalf of the Alliance Party to extend our wholehearted congratulations to Carl Frampton, his family, his team and the McGuigans. I was not able to be at the fight, but I listened to the atmosphere on the radio, and I have seen the plethora of videos that have been posted, showcasing what was truly a spectacular event for Belfast and Northern Ireland — one that we can be proud of. Indeed, it was a spectacular achievement by Carl and his team.

As many MLAs have said here this morning, it is not just about the dedication, skill and belief that Carl has as a world champion boxer now, but the dignity with which he performs, the respect with which he treats his opponents and the love that he shows for his family, his friends and the people of Northern Ireland, regardless of their community background. He absolutely has achieved what many people have failed to do and united our city and our community. I think that he is a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication, hard work and ability.

We should also say that he is an example for the many people who are involved at grassroots level in boxing across our community. I congratulate them on the hard work that goes on at that level in our boxing community. However, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, it is not enough that we as elected representatives congratulate and respect the hard work of our world champions and grassroots volunteers: we need to show the investment and the support that they deserve in order to develop our boxers and our community so far as possible. We extend our congratulations to Carl, and we wish him well for future success.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Thank you. I am delighted to join in the very well-deserved congratulations to Carl Frampton. He has brought great pride, I am sure, not only to his close family, Tigers Bay, north Belfast and the rest of Belfast but to all of Northern Ireland. I think that we all feel pride in the fact that we have another world champion from our midst, and we want to salute him and congratulate him in all of that.

It would be remiss not also to congratulate the sporting fraternity on the achievements reached during the recess: the success of Rory McIlroy, and the success of many of our sportspeople at the Commonwealth Games. Northern Ireland has done itself tremendously proud in sport over the summer months, and this has been the crowning jewel in respect of all of that.

Nelson McCausland (DUP, Belfast North)

Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. May I join with others in giving my congratulations to Carl Frampton in the wake of his success, on Saturday night, in the centre of Belfast on bringing back to Belfast, and to Northern Ireland, the IBF super-bantamweight title? We have a rich history of boxing in Northern Ireland, particularly, I have to say, in north Belfast. As has been mentioned, a long line of boxers have come from that part of the city.

In congratulating Carl, we pay tribute to the role that his family have played. He was brought up in a very good family and had a good start in life, and that is hugely important. He has also been well managed and looked after by Barry McGuigan during his career.

I am glad that my colleague William Humphrey mentioned the start that Carl had all those years ago in Midland Boxing Club in Tigers Bay in the Duncairn area of north Belfast. In that context, I pay tribute to Billy McKee, who has given, I think, 40 years of voluntary service to that little boxing club where Carl started his boxing life. It was right and proper that Billy was acknowledged with the BEM earlier this year.

Carl has shown great talent in the ring and shown by his manner outside the ring that he is a responsible and good citizen. He is a good example to others and is, in many ways, a role model for young people. We can be truly proud of him. The city can be proud of him and so can the country.

As has been said, there is a wealth of boxing talent in Northern Ireland, but it goes wider than that. As has been pointed out, we have had great success in golf and at the Commonwealth Games, and we also note the successes once again this year in the World Pipe Band Championships. So, at world level, Northern Ireland is, to borrow a phrase from boxing, certainly punching above its weight.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I, too, put on record my sincere congratulations to Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez for a fantastic fight on Saturday night. Our focus is rightly on our new world champion, but it is right to recognise the achievements of both boxers during what was a gruelling and well-contested match.

Like many others, I was ecstatic to see Carl crowned world champion on Saturday night. It was a nail-biting fight at times, but, from the moment that Carl knocked Martinez down in the fifth round, I think that we were all confident that he was a hero in the making. I am only sorry that not all people from across the North were able to watch the match, because it costs so much to rent. I therefore appeal to our local broadcasters to think about how they can make all sports more accessible to everyone in the future.

I am so pleased and glad to hear that my party colleague the Mayor of Belfast, Nichola Mallon, is already planning a civic reception for Carl. That will allow the people who did not see the match to contribute, take part and congratulate him. I support the calls here this afternoon for there to be an event in Parliament Buildings, which would be a very fitting tribute to him.

Aside from his boxing, Carl has become a unifying figure in Belfast and beyond. His success has brought people from every community together to celebrate a local champion. He and other sports stars have set a positive example that continues to inspire our young people and to wear down the barriers between our communities. If that alone happens, we will be absolutely delighted.

Again, I congratulate Carl and the team. We wish them all the very best for the future.

Assembly Business

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Earlier, Mr Jim Allister indicated that he wished to raise a point of order.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

Obliged. When we were dealing with Speaker's Business, I wanted to enquire about whether Mr Speaker intends, on behalf of the Northern Ireland Assembly, to send his best wishes and congratulations to Baron and Lady Carrickfergus, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the happy announcement this morning that they are expecting a further heir to the British throne.

Will Mr Speaker, on behalf of the House, convey our best wishes and congratulations to the royal couple?

Mitchel McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, South Antrim)

Thank you. I will bring the matter to the Speaker's attention.

Ministerial Statements

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I wish to make the following statement on the ninth British-Irish Council misuse of substances ministerial meeting that took place in Dublin Castle on Friday 27 June 2014.

I apologise for the delay in making the statement to the Assembly. Unfortunately, the timing of the meeting and the start of recess meant that this is the earliest opportunity to make the statement to the Assembly. Junior Minister Jennifer McCann MLA and I represented the Northern Ireland Executive at the meeting. This statement has been agreed with junior Minister McCann and I am making it on behalf of us both.

(Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Dallat] in the Chair)

The Minister of State with responsibility for primary care, Alex White TD, represented the Irish Government and chaired the meeting. Norman Baker, Minister of State for Crime Prevention, represented the UK Government. Roseanna Cunningham, Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, represented the Scottish Government. The Welsh Government were represented by Dr Mark Drakeford, Minister for Health and Social Services. Jersey was represented by the Health and Social Services Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke. Guernsey was represented by the Minister for the Home Department, Deputy Peter Gillson, and the Isle of Man was represented by the Minister for Home Affairs, Juan Watterson.

The main thematic discussion at the meeting focused on "Changing Trends in Drug Use — Current Patterns and Responses" with a particular emphasis on cannabis, new psychoactive substances and the misuse of prescribed and illicit medicines. We noted the importance of addressing the supply of such substances and agreed on the value of national and international collaboration to intercept these and prevent the trafficking of illicit and illegal drugs, medicines, new psychoactive substances and the materials used to make these substances, which are known as drug precursors. We identified the need to respond quickly and effectively on the emergence of new psychoactive substances and the need to promptly and proactively control and ban these substances when there is evidence of harm.

The issue of cannabis farms was discussed and Ministers shared information about innovative approaches to detecting cannabis production, including cannabis factories in residential areas, such as sharing information between energy companies, landlords, fire services and awareness campaigns. We also discussed ways to tackle the misuse and diversion of prescribed medicines. This is a particular issue in Northern Ireland and it was very useful to discuss the work we are undertaking on this issue and hear the experience of other jurisdictions. In particular, we highlighted the role of good prescribing practices combined with enforcement and raising awareness of the dangers of misusing prescribed medicines.

We shared information on the trends in drug misuse in each jurisdiction, and all Ministers noted the importance of the media — and social media in particular — in engaging with people about the dangers of substance misuse and promoting harm reduction messages, as well as signposting people to prevention, early intervention, and treatment and support services. The need to reach out to and educate and inform young people was noted as being particularly important in preventing harm and stopping misuse at an early stage.

In addition to discussing drug misuse, we also shared information on alcohol misuse policies. Each jurisdiction recognised the impact alcohol misuse has and highlighted the need to raise awareness and prioritise tackling this issue. We discussed prevention, education, early intervention and treatment and support as well as the importance of using licensing laws to reduce the accessibility, availability, and affordability of alcohol. In particular, we discussed the potential public benefits of an approach such as minimum unit pricing.

At the meeting we also reviewed the good work that has been carried out by this sectoral group over the last year. This work has focused on prevention and education, tackling the impact of parental substance misuse on children, which is also known as hidden harm, and the role of online support services and telephone helplines. We agreed that this work stream provided a very useful forum for sharing the detailed expertise and knowledge of those involved in the drugs sector across the British-Irish Council area. It was also noted that, in addition to exploring specific themes in depth, each meeting has facilitated the exchange of information on wider policy developments and initiatives.

We therefore agreed the work programme for the group going forward over the next year, which will include addressing the issue of alcohol and drug misuse in an ageing cohort and the development and implementation of Naloxone programmes to reduce deaths from opioid overdoses. The next official level meeting of the group will be held in Scotland in September 2014 and the next ministerial meeting will be held in mid-2015. The group will continue to link and share information informally between meetings to the benefit of the effort against drug and alcohol misuse in all jurisdictions.

Maeve McLaughlin (Sinn Féin, Foyle)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement on what is a hugely important issue. Specifically, Minister, I request your thoughts on an issue around which there has been much debate, namely the recent tragedies connected with legal highs and, particularly, the drug being referred to as Speckled Red or Cherry Red, and some of the very positive work that Belfast City Council carried out in the removal of these substances from the shops. I ask the Minister specifically to intervene and use his office to ensure that local authorities pick up on the existing power to make sure that these are taken off our shelves.

I also specifically refer to the ongoing debate around detoxification and rehab. The Minister will be all too aware of some of the debates in and around the Western Trust area. Given that this is a British-Irish Council paper and that there has been recent discussion at the North/South parliamentary forum on developing all-Ireland approaches to this, I ask specifically for his intervention on the detox facility in Muff, County Donegal, which has effectively been a storeroom because there is no service-level agreement with the health authorities in the North.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I will deal with detoxification first. Certainly, that is a discussion that can be had with the Department of Health and my counterpart. Indeed, I am aware that we also have an excellent facility in Newry that is being run by the voluntary sector. We can look at how best we can progress these things. We had an all-Ireland conference on alcohol and the problems arising from that, which was the first of its kind, in Armagh some time ago. That was a very successful conference. I am happy to continue to engage in the discussions on all of that.

There have been quite a number of deaths as a result of Speckled Red, Green Rolex and all of that, and that has been quite well publicised. Regrettably, many of those drugs are still out there and still on the market. It is important to get out the message of just how dangerous they are and how dangerous to a community the people who supply those drugs are. We must always drive that message home, because many of these people do not come from outside a community, they come from within a community and are supplying poison to the children of those communities. That poison has caused the death of many people, in particular young people, who have taken those drugs.

The psychoactive substances are termed by some "legal highs", We need to get away from the notion that they are in some way legal. Psychoactive substances have a danger. Calling them "legal highs" perhaps gives people a notion that they are in some way less dangerous. We need to be very clear that psychoactive substances can cause very traumatic reactions in people, including causing death. We need to discourage people from using them. I am happy to take up and carry out the suggestion that we correspond with councils to indicate to them the success of the Belfast City Council work on head shops.

Jim Wells (DUP, South Down)

The Minister is acutely aware of the problems caused to our community by cheap alcohol. Many of us in the House believe that the only solution is some form of minimum pricing. Can he give us an update on the situation regarding that suggestion?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Thankfully, it is not just many in this House but many in the Houses in Scotland and Wales and in Dáil Éireann who think that that is the case. Each of those areas is considering moving forward on the minimum pricing of alcohol. Unfortunately, England is somewhat falling behind, still deciding what it should do and perhaps procrastinating. We are keen to move ahead. We have had the work carried out by Sheffield. That is now with the Department, and the indications are that we should move ahead. The Scottish Government have been taken to court. They won their case in Scotland, and they are now being taken to the European courts as a means of delaying this. That should not prevent us starting work that would, in the first instance, engage in a consultation process with the public.

I recall very well having to attend the emergency department with my learning-disabled brother a number of years ago, and we sat until 3.00 am before he got his bed. I spoke to the sister later in the evening when things had quietened down, and I said, "I make the observation that there seem to be a lot of people here who have drink on them". She said, "Yes, over half of them would have drink on them". I said, "But this is the middle of the week. This is Wednesday night". She said, "It is the same every night of the week, because drink is so cheap". The message sank in with me way back then that it was something that we needed to act on. The price of drink encourages an awful lot of the social problems that we have and causes an awful lot of the problems in our health service, and people are destroying themselves with it. It is an area that we will have to act on, and I thank the Member for raising that important issue.

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

I thank the Minister. He is relaying valuable discussions to the Floor. Can I concentrate on prescription drugs? Given the wider financial and health pressures, there is a financial as well as a health imperative in terms of prescription drugs. So, in terms of best practice, can the Minister point to robust action that is being taken so that those who are meant to get the drugs get the value of them, the taxpayer gets the best value for money and the potential is at least limited for those who are getting them to abuse them?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The Member mentions a very difficult problem, particularly for the GPs who are on the front line. People very often come to a primary care practice needing help, and they receive drugs, and that helps them. In some instances, they are given pain relief, and people can become addicted to painkillers. In some instances, people who have been going through mental health trauma receive benzodiazepines, and they very often become addicted to them. Doctors are trying, in many instances, to take people off drugs, and I am getting letters from some MLAs expressing concern about that because individuals have gone to them. We need to ensure that GPs are encouraged to stay the course in the work that they are engaging in, because it is not in the long-term interests of the individual to stay on a drug that they have become reliant on. It is important that we work together on those issues.

There is another problem in that many people buy drugs over the Internet. Those may be similar drugs, but we do not know the quality of them. They have not gone through all of our licensing procedures. We have a problem with people who take prescription drugs. Twenty-one per cent of people report having used sedatives and tranquilisers, and 22% have used antidepressants, with around one in 10 having used them last year. That is the scale of people's drug use. Not all of them need to be using those drugs, but not all of them understand that they do not need to use the drugs.

Jo-Anne Dobson (UUP, Upper Bann)

I also thank the Minister for his statement. Unfortunately, Minister, as we know, despite many campaigns, there remains a damaging stigma attached to substance misuse, and no one can have failed to be moved by the recent steps taken by a brave mother to show, through the media, the last photos of her dying son. Minister, what are you doing to highlight the grave dangers of substance abuse, especially among our young people?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I join Ms Dobson in paying tribute to that mother. It is absolutely harrowing to see a fine-looking young man and see what he was left with at the end of it. It was absolutely appalling and heart-wrenching that anyone should go through that.

In terms of our Department's response, we have the new strategic direction (NSD) phase 2, and that is a five-year strategic plan set out to address the harm related to alcohol and drug misuse in Northern Ireland. We have allocated approximately £8 million to its implementation for each year. That involves, in some instances, public information campaigns, and we are looking at prices and promotions and at access and availability. Indeed, I was down in Mrs Dobson's constituency last Monday at the invitation of the local Member of Parliament, David Simpson, and met REACT. Absolutely fantastic work is being carried out by that organisation, which works with young people. The organisation raised the issue of education and of getting into schools. We and the Department of Education need to do some work on that, and there needs to be a discussion on how we can ensure that we are absolutely working as closely together as we should be to fight this scourge.

There is no doubt that the messages to people on drugs are ever more important. Some people always refer to it as being about young people; we have actually a bigger problem with 25- to 34-year-olds than we have with 18- to 25-year-olds. Of course, that has happened because those people have got themselves hooked on drugs at a younger age. There is a real problem amongst that age group. These are not youngsters who are going out there and sampling for the first time; these are long-term users. We have had people in their forties who have died recently from the misuse of drugs. One of the problems with psychoactive substances is that people take them in large quantities, they do not get the kick that they expect and they find that, by the time that it does kick in, their bodies have started to overheat. They cannot stop it as they have taken the drugs at that stage and the damage has been done. It is really frightening that those people are overheating and that they are dying awful deaths from overheating. The public need to know that that is the score. Young people and those who use those drugs need to know the dangers of them.

Kieran McCarthy (Alliance, Strangford)

Like others, I welcome the statement this afternoon, particularly the commitment to prevention, early intervention and treatment, not only for drug users but for alcohol abusers. We pay tribute to all the groups in Northern Ireland that work diligently and consistently in this field. It is not an easy task, and they work day and night to overcome it. Can the Minister assure the House that, despite all the financial pressures at this time, funding will continue to all those groups engaged in trying to overcome this scourge for all our communities?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

The truthful answer is "No, I can't". That is one of the issues that I raised. It is certainly an area where I do not want to see cuts taking place. I do not think that it is appropriate for cuts to take place in that area, but that is one of the things that is currently being given consideration. We will look to the October monitoring round to see whether we can ensure that the cuts are less critical than they currently would be, but, at this moment, we do not have holy grails in the Department where those cuts do not extent to. We need to ensure that, as far as possible, we can mitigate the cuts. I hope that the parties in the Executive will assist me in coming to an agreement that will ensure that that will be the case.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Speckled Cherries, Green Rolex and so forth have been a very significant issue. Last year in east Belfast alone, we witnessed how, over a couple of months, nine young people, I think it was, lost their life. As soon as the Department became aware of this substance being available in Northern Ireland and its potential links to the number of deaths, the Chief Medical Officer issued an alert to all key stakeholders, including alcohol and drug services, on the same day. In addition, the Public Health Agency issued a range of information to the media and the public and appeared on a number of programmes. It should be noted that it goes across a wide range of socio-economic groups. The majority of those who lost their life in that instance were over the age of 25.

Given the nature of drugs, the only safe option is not to take any substance. When you take a substance, you cannot know what its effects on you will be. So it is important that people avoid taking drugs in the first instance.

There are people out there who profit from drugs. We need to ensure that those people are exposed and that communities report them to the police so that they go through due process for engaging in that behaviour. We must always make it clear that drug use is unacceptable, damaging and harmful. Particularly when taken with alcohol, the dangers of drugs spike. We will continue to put those messages out there and to take on those who seek to profiteer through drugs.

I am often critical of the media, but they have been very helpful in getting a lot of these messages out, and I encourage them to continue to take an interest in these subjects. Getting the messages out there on key programmes and key news programme etc and having people made aware of the risks that they are putting themselves at is critical.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement and pay tribute to the Cuan Mhuire centre in my constituency, which does so much to help people deal with alcohol and drug-related issues.

Minister, you mentioned prescription drugs, which have become an increasing problem. These prescription drugs are readily available online and, without proper medical supervision, can be extremely dangerous. We have already had fatalities in the North related to these prescription drugs. Minister, do you think that enough is being done to counteract that particular avenue of access to prescription drugs?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

My Department does not look after the regulation of importing drugs, which is largely done through the Internet, but we work very closely with the authorities that do, and a remarkable amount of drugs are found and taken away from the end user as a result. However, one can only imagine that there is a far greater amount of drugs coming through, and that makes it quite frightening in terms of its scale and the amount of drugs that are being imported illegally. Those are prescription drugs or are similar to prescription drugs, but individuals may be taking drugs that are not properly licensed and that may contain things not in the prescription drug that they would like to use but that is not available to them. They may contain other things that can cause them harm. I encourage the public to desist from using such drugs.

If someone has the problem of being addicted to prescription drugs, I would encourage them to talk to their primary care provider, pharmacist or doctor to try to work out a programme to wean them off. The truth is that, unless you need a drug and it has been prescribed to you by a doctor, you should not take it.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his statement to the House today, especially in relation to psychoactive substances, which are a scourge on society. Does the Minister feel that his Department is doing enough to identify new substances or trends in drug use?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I think that more could be done and the Department will want to be active in that. We have been corresponding with the Home Office on various courses of work that have happened in other countries and locations and are encouraging the Home Office to take actions that will help us to clamp down on a lot of these drugs. We were to have a report in the springtime, but we were then told that it would come in September this year, and I hope that it will, because obviously we are in September now. On the back of that, the national Government will be able to take strong actions to ensure that we can move much more quickly on removing these drugs from the market and take action against the people who are supplying those drugs.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The misuse of drugs, whether prescribed, over the counter or illegal, can adversely affect the health and mental well-being of those taking them. The Minister's statement highlighted the particular problem in Northern Ireland of the "misuse and diversion of prescribed" drugs. As well as looking at the drugs available over the Internet, will the Minister highlight what action his Department, GPs and pharmacists are taking to try to identify where prescribed drugs are being diverted to others at a cost to individuals' health and to our limited budget?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Many legal and prescription drugs contain opiates, for example. Individuals buy prescription drugs from people who indicated that they were unwell and had their doctor prescribe those drugs, which are broken up and used to supply the market. Indeed, when there was a problem with drug dealers getting heroin, they were quick to do that. We need to be aware that drug dealers are very sharp and are right up there when it comes to innovative ways to get their hands on product to sell. We also need to be very innovative in how we challenge them. Our primary care providers — GPs — have to be conscious of all that goes on when they prescribe some of these drugs. They must seek to ensure that such drugs will be properly utilised and will not be used by individuals who will cause harm to others. We are aware of these problems, and people are seeking to address them. Those courses of work will continue.

George Robinson (DUP, East Londonderry)

I thank the Minister for his statement. How can parents become more informed and aware of the illegal drugs that young people and others can avail themselves of?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

It is absolutely critical that parents keep themselves informed of drugs, alcohol misuse or the misuse of the Internet and that they provide support to their children. Despite repeated warnings from the Public Health Agency (PHA), the PSNI and the Chief Medical Officer, it is clear that people continue to take these substances, risking their health and well-being. Information on alcohol and drug misuse is included in the school curriculum as part of a broader life skills approach, and evidence shows that this is the best way to address the issue in schools.

I appreciate that some believe that we should have a hard-hitting media campaign to highlight the dangers of drug misuse, similar to those undertaken on road safety. However, evidence shows that, at best, campaigns on substance misuse are ineffective. Often, those who take drugs feel that such campaigns do not match their experience, and they therefore disregard them. At worst, there is some evidence that such campaigns can increase awareness of available substances and lead to increased risk-taking and drug-seeking behaviours. Therefore, we need to be very careful. Our mantra must be: do no harm.

I will ask the Public Health Agency to revisit the evidence base and look at how best it can continue to get the messages out there, particularly to young people, to ensure that they never start to take drugs and, therefore, do not become hooked on this scourge.

Jim Allister (Traditional Unionist Voice, North Antrim)

I return to the scourge of legal highs; I appreciate the misnomer that the Minister made a point about. He may have answered my question because, in responding to Mr Buchanan, he turned his back on the House, and it was difficult to hear what he said. Will he update the House on whether there has been any specific indication from the Westminster Government as to how and when they propose to update the Misuse of Drugs Act so that it might deal with today's situation as it pertains to legal highs?

I cannot resist asking, since I notice that the next meeting is in mid-2015: does the Minister expect to be in office at that date?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I do not know. That is something for others to decide and I am happy to do the job when I am asked to do it. In any event, the job in hand indicates that we have an issue and a problem now that we need to address. We had corresponded with Westminster, which indicated that it was carrying out an investigation into all of this, with the intention of looking at whether legislation is appropriate. That was to be concluded in the spring of this year; it is now to be concluded in September, so it should be weeks away at the latest. Hopefully, we will get information very soon from Westminster on what the next steps are. We have looked at actions that have taken place in New Zealand, the United States of America and the Republic of Ireland, where there has been greater success. We encourage our Government to ensure that they are well placed to combat the supply of drugs and the individuals doing that so that we can act against them.

Gordon Dunne (DUP, North Down)

I thank the Minister for his statement on what is a very important issue. I also take the opportunity to commend the work of the Forum for Action on Substance Abuse (FASA), which does an excellent job in north Down and the Ards area. Will the Minister elaborate on what approaches have been taken elsewhere in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland to address the real scourge of legal highs?

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

Many head-shop products became illegal in the Republic of Ireland when its Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010 was introduced. That empowered gardaí to seek court orders to close shops suspected of selling drug-like products, with the onus on owners to prove that they are not doing so. The United States of America has what is known as analogue legislation, which means that any new drug that acts in the same way as an already banned substance is automatically considered to be banned under the existing legislation.

New Zealand's plans were to regulate and license the new psychoactive substances (NPS) market. However, it is reported that some of the first legal highs to be sold under licence in New Zealand were urgently pulled off the shelves after users reported adverse health effects. Previously, they had been assessed by the Ministry of Health and, in August 2013, were judged to be of low enough risk to be sold to the public. There are now 42 legal high products being sold in New Zealand under interim licences. Suppliers paid £10,000 to register each product with the authorities, which evaluated calls to the National Poisons Centre and other reports of harm before granting approval.

All these options are being considered by the Home Office's expert panel, although it is clear from discussions at the meeting that none of these approaches is a complete solution on its own. Belfast City Council has led the way in being innovative in the United Kingdom by using existing legislation to remove materials from shops' premises. I very much welcome the fact that the courts supported the council when that was challenged by the shops.

Barry McElduff (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. What direct or specific advice would the Minister or his Department give an MLA to pass on to a very distressed mother who contacted me on Friday evening to say that she had just found evidence of the wrongly named legal highs in her 17-year-old son's bedroom? She has since found out that it was Magic Dragon, three grams of which cost £24.

Edwin Poots (DUP, Lagan Valley)

I encourage her to speak to the legitimate authorities to pass on the name of whoever is supplying the drugs in the first instance. If there is any concern that some of the drugs have been ingested, I encourage a health check. I encourage her to engage with organisations that provide support and help to people who are using drugs or considering using drugs.

In all of this, we need to approach our young people, and others who are considering or are taking drugs, in a very sensitive way that sets out to try to help them. It is not always about badgering and barking at people; it is about outlining to them what the risks and dangers are and perhaps other ways that they can enjoy themselves without taking drugs. Quite a number of organisations available across Northern Ireland can provide support. Mr Dunne commended one of them. I commend that organisation and the others working very closely with communities to get positive messages out there and encourage people not to take drugs in the first instance.

Mark Durkan (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

As the House is aware, I have authorised my Department to adopt the Belfast metropolitan area plan — BMAP — which will become operative on 9 September 2014. The adoption order was signed and sealed on 3 September 2014.

Since I took over as Minister of the Environment, with responsibility for planning, one of my key priorities has been to ensure that my Department concludes work on BMAP and other development plans. BMAP is necessary to provide the essential planning framework to guide development decisions in the Belfast metropolitan area and to provide certainty and confidence for those wishing to invest in the development of the area. Finalising BMAP is crucial not only for the six district council areas concerned but for the economy of the North.

I authorised the adoption last September of the Banbridge/Newry and Mourne area plan, and work is continuing on the northern area plan. The completion of the three area plans will provide an up-to-date, fit-for-purpose planning regime and the stability required before next April, when councils will become responsible for the future preparation of their own local development plans.

Adoption of this plan represents a sound foundation for decision-making affecting a significant percentage of the population and land area of the North. BMAP covers the council areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Carrickfergus, Castlereagh, Newtownabbey and North Down. The plan area, which is approximately 960 square kilometres, has a population of 671,559 — approximately 37% of the total population of the North — and is key to securing the economic growth of the region. It also covers areas of social deprivation with vulnerable communities, some of whom feel that they have been left behind.

A development plan drawn up for a designated geographical area provides a framework for the determination of planning applications by the designated statutory planning authority. Currently, that is the DOE, and, in future, it will also be the new councils. The planning authority must have regard for the development plan when determining a planning application insofar as it is material to the application, as well as all other material considerations.

The Belfast metropolitan area plan is a development plan prepared under the provisions of Part III of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991 by the Department of the Environment. The process that must be followed by the DOE in preparing a development plan is specified in statute.

The preparation of, and consultation on, BMAP has followed a protracted process over the past decade, spanning periods of devolution and direct rule. Preparation of the plan was formally initiated in January 2001. During the initial preparation period for the plan, the DOE engaged in the most extensive consultation exercise ever undertaken for a development plan in Northern Ireland. That recognised the extent of the geographical area covered by the plan and its inherent significance to the economic and social development of the region as a whole.

Throughout that initial preparation process, councils informed and helped shape the draft plan through a plan political group, which was chaired by the then Environment Minister and comprised representatives of the six councils that made up the plan area. There was ongoing consultation with individual councils at all stages of the plan preparation process.

In December 2001, the Belfast metropolitan area plan issues paper was published. That sought to stimulate a wide-ranging debate on issues likely to influence the shape of future development in the plan area and to encourage feedback from a wide range of interests.

During that initial consultation period, a series of 10 information meetings and 27 consultation meetings were held throughout the plan area. Voluntary and community groups were engaged, and over 1,500 people attended the public meetings and focus groups. Overall, that consultation process reflected a broad cross section of the people living in the plan area. A report presenting a collation of the views expressed during the consultation process was published in April 2003. The Department published the draft Belfast metropolitan area plan on 30 November 2004, and the statutory period for objections to the draft plan expired on 25 January 2005. In order to reflect changes in the planning context and to address a number of issues that were identified in the draft plan, the Department published a plan amendment in February 2006. The statutory period for objections to the plan amendment expired on 11 April 2006.

Following receipt of a substantial number of representations, the Department requested the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) to hold a public inquiry into the objections received and to report to the Department on the inquiry. The inquiry opened on 16 April 2007 and was formally closed by the PAC on 1 May 2008. The PAC submitted its report to the Department in stages between January 2009 and January 2012. Its recommendations have been fully considered by the Department. In order to ensure full transparency of process, the Department published all the Planning Appeals Commission reports on the draft plan in June 2012. Full details of my Department's response to the commission's recommendations are set out in the Belfast metropolitan area plan adoption statement and its appendices.

Article 28(6) of the Planning (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 2003 requires the Department to send a copy of the draft plan to the Department for Regional Development to consider whether it is in conformity with the regional development strategy (RDS) — the spatial strategy of the Executive. DRD completed its assessment of the draft plan in October last year and issued a certificate confirming that the plan is, in general, in conformity with the regional development strategy 2035. That, alongside completion of a habitats regulations assessment and equality impact assessment, marked the completion of all necessary legislative and procedural requirements in advance of adoption.

The plan is a substantial publication comprising seven volumes of material and runs to 900 A4 pages, plus 30 larger maps. It comprises a written statement and accompanying maps as well as detailed site designations. The written statement is divided into four parts. Part 1 sets out the background to the preparation of the plan; part 2 sets out its guiding principles and strategy; part 3 sets out the plan framework, comprising allocations, designations, policies and proposals relating to the plan area as a whole; and part 4 translates the broad policies and proposals of part 3 for each of the council areas specifically addressed in volumes 2 to 7. In assessing the totality of the plan for each council area, it is therefore necessary to refer to volume 1 and the relevant district proposals — volumes 2 to 7 — for the particular council area.

The key components of the plan include supporting economic development; protecting the natural environment; promoting urban renewal; promoting equality of opportunity; enhancing quality of life; sustaining a living, working countryside; and developing an integrated, inclusive transport system

The plan's central aim is to strengthen the regional role of the metropolitan area so that it can compete successfully at European and international level. Securing the prosperity of this area is vital to the economic, environmental and social well-being of the region. In line with the regional development strategy, the plan seeks to promote the city of Belfast as the regional capital and the major focus for regional administration, commerce and employment. It also provides a framework to strengthen the complementary roles of Lisburn city and the adjoining boroughs of Castlereagh, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey and North Down.

In line with its key theme, the plan promotes Belfast city centre as the leading shopping centre and Lisburn city centre and the town centres of Bangor, Carrickfergus, Ballyclare, Carryduff and Holywood as the focus for additional retail capacity. That is consistent with the regional development strategy approach, which urges precaution in relation to major retailing proposals due to the adverse impact of out-of-town retailing on existing centres.

The plan retains the draft plan policy to restrict the future expansion of retailing at Sprucefield to the sale of bulky goods. I acknowledge that certain concerns exist about that issue, but my predecessor and I have previously explained in considerable detail the rationale for our approach on the matter, which again is consistent with the regional policy context to strengthen Belfast as the key economic driver for Northern Ireland, with Sprucefield playing a complementary role rather than competing with Belfast city centre. It also seeks to avoid the impact on other town and city centres in the BMAP area and beyond. In the absence of any evidence to sway me from that precautionary approach, which aligns with the Executive's endorsed approach in the RDS and the more recently published draft strategic planning policy statement (SPPS), I considered it appropriate to retain the policy.

The plan also secures an adequate supply of housing lands, with provision for an estimated 92,000 dwellings. That exceeds a six-year supply post-adoption. Of the 1,950 hectares of land zoned for housing, 103 hectares are specifically zoned for social housing. DOE has worked very closely with colleagues in DSD and the Housing Executive to address social housing needs in BMAP and also to develop regional policy for the delivery of social housing with the joint draft policy PPS 22 on affordable housing and the associated DSD housing policy.

The employment strategy seeks to sustain balanced economic growth and job creation by promoting city and town centres as the main focus for retail and office functions, along with providing a generous and continuous supply of land with a balanced portfolio of sites throughout the plan area. Over 2,000 hectares of land are allocated for employment use, with four major employment locations, at Global Point, Newtownabbey; Titanic Quarter, Belfast; Purdysburn, Castlereagh; and Blaris, west Lisburn.

The plan provides proposals to safeguard those areas that may be vulnerable to development pressure or that are visually or environmentally sensitive. The plan's environmental designations acknowledge and protect the rich natural and built heritage of the area. The urban environment strategy promotes new development of the highest quality, protects areas of architectural and townscape importance, and promotes healthier living environments. The plan identifies 21 conservation areas and designates 99 townscape- or village-character areas, along with a number of historic parks, gardens and demesnes.

For the natural environment, the plan includes additional designations to afford special protection to Belfast metropolitan area landscapes that are particularly sensitive because of their quality or that need particular protection because of their location and development pressure. Those areas include the Belfast metropolitan coastal areas, the Lagan Valley Regional Park, the Belfast hills and areas of high scenic value (AOHSVs). The plan area contains 33 national or international nature conservation designations, 240 sites of local nature conservation importance and 288 local landscape policy areas.

Very briefly, I wish to take the opportunity to highlight a number of key proposals for each of the council areas covered by the plan.

The aim for Belfast, as previously referred to, is to strengthen its role as the regional capital and economic driver for the North. However, it is not only about Belfast city centre. The plan provides for a major redevelopment zoning in Titanic Quarter of circa 87 hectares, providing a unique opportunity to create a new quarter for the city on a scale unequalled in the past and unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future. A major site at the north foreshore is zoned for mixed use, comprising employment and open space of around 127 hectares. Other key employment sites include Monagh Bypass and a mixed-use site on the Crumlin Road. In the outer Belfast area, approximately 610 hectares of land are zoned for housing, including social housing. An office area is designated at Queen's University to facilitate university-related office use, and a further office node is designated at Stormont to facilitate public sector administration.

The plan facilitates the integration between transportation and land use and identifies the elements of the Belfast metropolitan transport plan that require protection through the planning process; for example, park-and-ride schemes, new railway stations or the widening of the A55 outer ring road.

The plan recognises the development potential of the Lisburn City Council area and aims to facilitate expansion and economic growth, with a focus on locus and Lisburn’s favourable location along key transport routes. Key designations include the primary retail core, promoting city centre living and creating 24-hour vitality through protected city centre housing areas. As previously referred to, the plan sets out the complementary role of Sprucefield shopping centre and designates a district centre at Dairy Farm and a local centre at Dunmurry.

The plan proposals for Carrickfergus aim to improve the general environment in order to strengthen the town centre and to promote the marine complex and urban waterfront. Key designations include 181 hectares of land zoned for housing, including land for the provision of social housing, and 151 hectares of additional land zoned for employment or industry.

The plan proposals for Castlereagh include the promotion of major recreational facilities. Key designations include 254 hectares of land zoned for housing and 93 hectares of additional land zoned for employment or industry, with a major employment location at Purdysburn/Newtownbreda. Carryduff town is also promoted as a focus for retailing and offices through the identification of a town centre boundary. A district centre is identified at Forestside and a local centre at Dundonald to complement the existing retail facilities.

The plan proposals for Newtownabbey enhance recreation and maritime pursuits and promote the major employment, retail, education and residential centres within the borough. Ballyclare town centre is promoted as a focus for retailing and offices, and district centres are identified at Northcott and the Abbey Centre. Major transport proposals include the Ballyclare relief road.

The plan proposals for North Down aim to enhance the status of North Down as an important tourism destination and facilitate the rapid economic and suburban growth that the area has been experiencing whilst protecting and enhancing the natural heritage aspects. The coastline is protected through the designation of a coastal policy area and is complemented by the designation of an urban waterfront in Bangor to promote the marina complex and its surroundings, encouraging a vibrant and attractive waterfront.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I am conscious that we are fast approaching Question Time. I have another couple of pages to go, but, with your permission, I will wait until after Question Time to continue.

The business stood suspended.

(Mr Deputy Speaker [Mr Beggs] in the Chair)

Oral Answers to Questions

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

1. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the implementation of the Bright Start school-age childcare scheme. (AQO 6533/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Mr Deputy Speaker, with your permission I will ask junior Minister Jennifer McCann to answer this question.

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The Bright Start school-age childcare grant scheme aims to create or sustain up to 7,000 school-age childcare places in low-cost social economy settings. Those will begin to address current unmet need for school-age childcare services. Some 77 applications were received under the first round of applications for the scheme, which closed in May. A second call for applications for the scheme projects will end on 30 September 2014.

The childcare partnership strategic funding panels have assessed the 77 applications and agreed that 50 met the selection criteria. The settings that will be funded will sustain 1,165 school-age childcare places and create 326 new school-age childcare places. The 50 successful applications represent funding of some £1·9 million, to be paid over a three-year period. All 77 applicants to the grant scheme have now been advised of the outcome of the assessment process. No new or existing setting was required to deliver its places by 1 September this year, but we expect most of the settings funded under the first call to be operating by the autumn. All the 40 childcare settings that are currently financially assisted by OFMDFM have applied for funding under the grant scheme, and those that were successful will continue to operate when their current funding ends on 30 September.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the junior Minister for the response. Can OFMDFM confirm the number of new places that are available at the start of the school year? How many are rural based? How many are school based? How many are based in social enterprises?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I do not have the exact figures for the different sectors that you mentioned, but I can say that they are all from the social enterprise sector. The reason for that is that we are very clear that any surplus moneys are reinvested for more service provision to create more places and not for the distribution for owners. I do not have the exact figures here, but I can assure the Member that a number of those childcare places are in a rural setting.

Chris Lyttle (Alliance, Belfast East)

What public consultation has the junior Minister's Department undertaken with regard to the Westminster proposals to replace the childcare voucher scheme with tax-free childcare payments? Why does her Department believe that the new scheme will be better for families in Northern Ireland?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As you said, the coalition Government propose to introduce a new scheme to provide financial support to help working families with the cost of childcare. The purpose of the new scheme is to enable those with responsibility for children to take up paid work or to work for longer. We are in the process of looking at the scheme, but no definitive consultation has happened yet. Part of our proposals for Bright Start are to ensure that all parents and carers are informed of all the schemes in respect of the childcare element of working families' tax credit and the vouchers. Part of Bright Start is to do that, so we will be looking to roll that out.

Danny Kinahan (UUP, South Antrim)

How much of the £12 million budget for childcare is currently unallocated?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I have details of the £12 million. In 2011-12, £3,222 was allocated to the fund. In 2012-13, £1·482 million was allocated from the fund. Again, in 2013-14, £692,000 was allocated from the fund. I can give the Member details of where those specific allocations are, but I do not have time to go into them here. If the Member wants, I can write to him with those details. For example, in the last year, PlayBoard got £652,000 and £40,000 went to the Department of Health. All of that went towards delivering childcare services for people in local communities. As I say, there are quite detailed amounts. I will write to the Member with those details.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

2. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the current funding situation facing the Phoenix project. (AQO 6534/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The Phoenix project was originally set up as an umbrella group with a number of outlying offices which, while retaining their individual identities, worked together. The original Phoenix project had seven local offices which were spread throughout the North. However, some of the local groups have now applied for funding under their own corporate governance arrangements. Not all of the individual groups received funding from the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS). Some received only Peace funding. The total VSS funding for groups that were originally within or came under the umbrella of the Phoenix project in the 2013-15 period is £420,198. Those groups are located in Armagh, east Tyrone and west Tyrone, as well as the overall Phoenix Group, which operates throughout the North. All victims' groups, the Victims and Survivors Service and the Commission for Victims and Survivors have been asked to find efficiency savings of 4·4% in administration. That is also being applied to our Department and all of its arm's-length bodies.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the deputy First Minister for his response. As I am aware, the Phoenix Group is in need of gap funding from September to April 2015. A significant number of offices would close in the absence of that. Given the importance of the Phoenix Group's support to victims, will the deputy First Minister give an assurance that every effort will be made to find the gap funding that is needed so that it may continue to do its work?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

To date, the Victims and Survivors Service has been given a budget of £10 million for 2014-15. A bid for additional resources was not met in June monitoring. That has created pressures. However, I am optimistic that the VSS budget will be restored to its 2013-14 baseline position of £11·3 million following October monitoring. As I have said, the Victims and Survivors Service has been asked to seek to apply efficiencies of 4·4% from the running costs of the service itself and from the groups that are funded under the victim support programme. That is in line with the level of efficiency savings that has been sought by our Department from all of our arm's-length bodies and the Department itself.

Mike Nesbitt (UUP, Strangford)

I seek clarification. The deputy First Minister talks of a 4·4% reduction across arm's-length bodies including the Victims and Survivors Service. He talks about its current budget being £10 million. I understand from a briefing from the VSS that its budget this time last year was in excess of £12 million, which means that the current reduction is in excess of 15%, not 4·4%. Would he confirm whether those figures are correct?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I can go only on the figures with which I have been supplied. Given the Member's contribution to the discussion, I will certainly check the figures that he has provided to the Assembly today.

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

Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Tá ceist agam ar an LeasChéad-Aire i dtaca le grúpaí íospartach a bhris téarmaí a gcuid litreacha tairisceana. What action has been taken with regard to victims’ groups that have been found to be in breach of the terms of their letters of offer from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB)?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Those are matters which are obviously under constant review. Over recent years, there has been a number of cases where investigations have been conducted to ensure that funds that are being provided out of the public purse are being properly given to those who are most in need. So, I think that the responsibility of all groups is to work in a good spirit of cooperation with officials and the Victims and Survivors Service to ensure that there is no misappropriation of funds. Where there is any allegation of misappropriation, it will, as always, be investigated.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

3. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether the level of funding currently available to the Victims and Survivors Service enables it to fulfil its role. (AQO 6535/11-15)

Pat Sheehan (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

13. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether funding for victims and survivors will remain at the current funding levels. (AQO 6545/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Mr Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 3 and 13 together.

Funding for victims’ services has increased over recent years, with £50 million being allocated for victims during this budgetary round. We fully acknowledge that the needs of victims and survivors are an important legacy of the conflict, and establishing the Victims and Survivors Service was an important aspect of focusing on need. As demand increases, we need to consider the supply of services and the funding available to deliver them.

Due to the restricted financial climate, we allocated the Victims and Survivors Service £10 million at the start of the year. Of course, we always want to meet demand, which is why we have made a bid for additional funding in the October monitoring round. As I said earlier, I am optimistic that the VSS budget will be restored to its 2013-14 baseline position of £11·3 million. I accept that another Member has introduced a caveat that challenges those figures, but it is important to say that we are still pleased that the importance of finding the additional funding was acknowledged by the Finance Minister in the Budget paper and agreed by the Executive.

Sandra Overend (UUP, Mid Ulster)

It is 40 years since the beginning of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and only last year did we have the establishment of the Mid-Ulster Victim Empowerment group, which aims to support the victims of terrorism across the constituency. However, in what is only its first full year of running, it is dealing with a severe cut to its budget. What can the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister do to reassure the victims of terrorism in Mid Ulster that their needs will not be forgotten but instead be supported for quite some time to come?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The responsibility to deal with the situation in relation to all victims falls upon the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the arm's-length bodies. As I said earlier, we recognise that this is a time of economic hardship and cutbacks. People have to remember that the cutbacks are a direct result of the strategy being adopted by the present coalition Government in London, where, in fact, the First Minister and myself met our own finance people, just last week. They clearly indicated to us that, since 2009 — this is now 2014 — there has been no appreciable increase whatsoever in our block grant.

Given inflationary pressures and the need to meet the financial considerations of workers and so forth, that inevitably places a huge burden on the distribution of funds and is a direct cause of the challenges that we, as an Executive, and the Finance Minister face as we deal with the economic situation across all Departments. As I said in this contribution, the victims’ sector is a very important and special sector. We have a duty and responsibility, even in the face of a very difficult economic climate, to ensure that those who have suffered as a result of conflict will be supported. That is why, in the October monitoring round, we have pledged to try to ease the difficulties that many of those groups, including the group in Mid Ulster, are facing.

Ian McCrea (DUP, Mid Ulster)

Can the deputy First Minister confirm whether or not Kathryn Stone, who previously was the Victims' Commissioner, is playing a role in appointing a new Victims' Commissioner? Will he assure the victims’ sector — certainly the innocent victims’ sector — that she is fit to take that job, given the fact that she referred to the current victims’ service as not fit for purpose?

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Member has clearly gone beyond the funding issue, but the deputy First Minister may wish to reply.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The Member is correct. The Commissioner for Victims and Survivors, Kathryn Stone, left her post on 12 June 2014. Our officials are working through the processes to appoint a new commissioner. The appointment will be regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and will follow the code of practice for ministerial appointments. The process will be taken forward by HR Connect, and advertisements have recently appeared in newspapers. The closing date for applications is midday on 12 September 2014. The Victims and Survivors Forum was consulted on the skills and qualities needed for the role, and its views were taken into consideration in finalising the necessary skill sets for the incoming commissioner.

Given the highly respected person that Kathryn Stone was as Victims' Commissioner and the huge amount of support that there was for her within the victims’ sector, the First Minister and I took the view that the experience that she gained while she was here would be invaluable in ensuring a successful process of appointing a new Victims' Commissioner. I think that everybody who worked with Kathryn — we received regular reports — had nothing but the fullest admiration for the way that she conducted herself while she was Victims' Commissioner. I do not think that there is any unease in the victims’ sector about the role that she is playing in the appointment of the new Victims' Commissioner.

Declan McAleer (Sinn Féin, West Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. In the Minister's response, he indicated that funding for victims’ services had increased over recent years. Will the Minister give an indication of that increase?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

As I said, the First Minister and I have allocated £50 million for victims during this budgetary period from 2011 to 2015. In the previous Budget period, 2007 to 2011, £33 million was allocated for victims. The current victims’ budget is therefore £17 million higher than in the previous Budget. That represents more than a 50% increase. Our current annual budget for victims sits at around £11·3 million; under direct rule, in the three years between 2004 and 2007, the victims’ budget totalled £11·8 million. Our annual budget for victims is close to what victims received for three years under direct rule. Those figures speak for themselves. The support of victims is a huge priority for the Executive and for the First Minister and me. Against the backdrop of a very harsh economic climate, we will constantly ensure that we support victims as well as we can. I think that those figures clearly show the commitment from the Executive and from the First Minister and me.

Alex Attwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast West)

It might be useful, deputy First Minister, if you could confirm what you have just said, that, given the unfortunate comment that was made by the Member opposite in respect of Kathryn Stone, it was a decision taken by both you and the First Minister that she should play a role in the appointment process. At the same time, will you confirm, given that, this time last year, Kathryn Stone formally alerted you and the First Minister in respect of concerns by the VSS, that both you and the First Minister are personally monitoring the implementation of the very wide-ranging recommendations that arose from the report that was commissioned after she formally alerted you and the First Minister about her concerns?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Anybody who worked with Kathryn Stone had nothing but the highest regard for her capabilities and compassion for victims. She was also very much an advocate for victims, and she was always prepared to discuss with the First Minister and me the challenges that the victims’ sector was clearly facing. Advice from her was always taken very seriously indeed. As a result of some of the things that have happened in the VSS in recent times, in terms of resignations and so forth, there is obviously a huge challenge to ensure that the needs of victims are properly catered for. Some outlandish allegations have been made over the past while that the First Minister and I have totally and absolutely refuted as being without foundation, but I think that we will continue to face into those challenges, as will the Victims and Survivors Service and the new Victims' Commissioner, to ensure that we are delivering for all victims of the conflict.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

4. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the child poverty strategy. (AQO 6536/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Mr Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The Executive's child poverty strategy, 'Improving Children's Life Chances', was published in March 2011. In 2012, the Executive launched the Delivering Social Change framework to tackle poverty and social exclusion. That framework established a mechanism for cross-departmental action in Delivering Social Change signature projects that have been launched to target action where it is most needed. In October 2013, we published the child poverty outcomes framework, which was the result of several years' work to develop a model in which every Department could understand its role in tackling child poverty.

A review of the current child poverty strategy was carried out from October 2013 to January 2014. We subsequently published a consultation document, 'Delivering Social Change for Children and Young People', in January 2014. It aimed to integrate the child poverty strategy into a wider strategy to improve outcomes for all children and young people. The majority of consultees welcomed the proposals. However, some of our stakeholders wanted more time and engagement to develop an integrated strategy. We have taken the views of our stakeholders fully on board and have decided to lay a separate child poverty strategy and to engage further with stakeholders on the development of a new strategy to replace the 10-year strategy for children and young people post 2016. We plan to lay a child poverty strategy for 2014-17, following Committee referral and Executive consideration, this autumn. That strategy will be informed by the consultation and the child poverty outcomes framework.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for the answers to this point. Will she outline any concerns that she has about austerity measures and the predicted rise in levels of child poverty?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I am very concerned about the predicted rise in child poverty levels as outlined in a recent Institute for Fiscal Studies report carried out for OFMDFM and a similar report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The Institute for Fiscal Studies report shows that, across Britain, families with children are hardest hit by welfare cuts. The report also states that child poverty levels here will rise to 30·9% and 38·5% respectively for relative and absolute child poverty. We have seen how welfare cuts are affecting families in Britain, particularly families with children. We have even more families with children here, and we have families with larger numbers of children. Reports commissioned by the Children's Commissioner's office indicate that, because the North has a relatively large proportion of households with children and higher numbers of children with a disability, the North will lose more income than any other region outside London. We are, therefore, very concerned about the coalition Government's austerity measures and the proposed welfare cuts.

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

I am pleased to hear that the junior Minister with responsibility for children and young people is very concerned at the findings of the reports, but is that concern not a withering indictment of your childcare anti-poverty strategy? Minister, what exactly are you and OFMDFM going to do about it?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

As I said, we are very concerned. I understand that, even now, we are seeing an increase in the number of families using food banks and in the number of crimes in supermarkets, where people are stealing food. Some work has been brought forward in Departments. OFMDFM, for instance, has made funding of £13·56 million available over the three financial years from 2013 to employ an additional 230 recently graduated teachers through our Delivering Social Change framework.

We developed the Delivering Social Change framework to ensure that poverty is tackled in a holistic way, but all Departments have responsibility for poverty. Indeed, every Member in the House has a responsibility for tackling child poverty.

In one of my earlier answers, I mentioned the launch of the first phase of the Bright Start childcare strategy. The grant scheme is already creating and sustaining childcare places and working towards tackling poverty. DARD also does work through its poverty framework. So, a lot is being done by Departments. Are you asking me whether it is enough? I think that we all need to do more. As we go forward, everybody — all Departments — working together under the Delivering Social Change framework needs to do more.

Basil McCrea (NI21, Lagan Valley)

Will the Minister explain the difference between relative and absolute child poverty? Will she comment on whether absolute child poverty has been improving in recent years?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Relative poverty is when your income is 60% below the average household income. Absolute or persistent poverty is when you are in that type of poverty totally. You can measure levels of poverty, and that is what we are trying to do with this new poverty strategy. Rather than getting figures that have been massaged, we are trying to ensure that the indicators are outcomes-based. The slight decrease in child poverty over recent times is the result of the average household income coming down, as opposed to any impact being made on child poverty. That is why we wanted to look at child poverty outcomes. Measuring child poverty is about looking not just at household income but at educational underachievement, educational attainment, health inequalities, access to play and access to services for children. You also need to look at the whole family when you are looking at child poverty, because we cannot see it in isolation. That is what we are trying to do with this new anti-poverty, or child poverty, strategy.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

5. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on Delivering Social Change for children and young people. (AQO 6537/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will ask junior Minister McCann also to answer this question.

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

The 'Delivering Social Change for Children and Young People' consultation document was published in January 2014. It sets out proposals to integrate the child poverty strategy with the 10-year strategy for children and young people and to work to deliver our commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The consultation closed on 31 March, and an analysis report was compiled.

Most respondents welcomed the proposals, but some stakeholders wanted more time and more engagement with them to develop an integrated strategy. We have listened to our stakeholders and taken their views on board. As I said earlier, following Committee referral and Executive consideration, we propose to lay a separate child poverty strategy for 2014-17 in the autumn and to allow the 10-year strategy for children and young people to continue until 2016. We propose to work with stakeholders, using a co-designed process to develop a new strategy for children and young people post-2016, and this work will begin shortly.

David McIlveen (DUP, North Antrim)

I thank the junior Minister for her answer. If my memory serves me correctly, one of the key objectives of 'Delivering Social Change for Children and Young People' was improving literacy targets for our children. Given the scenario that you painted of further consultations, where do we see improvements, even in the last six months since the scheme was launched, in literacy targets for our children and young people?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

I can tell the Member that junior Minister Bell and I visited a number of schools where the newly graduated teachers have been employed through the Delivering Social Change signature programme. From talking to those teachers, I know that they have seen improvements in the classroom, in the children themselves and in the school environment. There has been a lot of positive feedback from that. The strategy is still out for consultation, but I believe that we have seen achievements in educational attainment, which is what the Member asked about.

Two hundred and sixty teachers are employed for this, and there is a focused, targeted approach towards those children who need support in the classroom. So we are seeing that, and we are seeing it right across the board in some of the signature programmes. But I think we need to go out and see it and to talk to the teachers and to the children and, indeed, to their parents, which we have done.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

That ends the period for listed questions. We will now move on to 15 minutes of topical questions.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

1. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister what they are doing to improve the plight of Christians in the Middle East and in Africa who are suffering greater persecution than ever before. (AQT 1381/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I think that OFMDFM undoubtedly shares the Member's concerns about what is happening in other parts of the world, particularly in relation to the activities of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group, which is wreaking havoc in Syria and Iraq. We have seen, sadly, on the social networks and in the media the outworking of its strategy over recent times, although I think that many people in this part of the world have become familiar with the Islamic State organisation only in recent months. I am told that it has been in existence for much longer than that and has been particularly active in Syria.

I do not think that we have any illusions about our ability to affect the activities of a group so many thousand miles away. I think that the powers that be in the world are, obviously, contemplating how it should be dealt with, but I have a very strong view that the invasion of Iraq provided the opportunity for many groups in Iraq and the surrounding region to plunge that country into even worse turmoil than it was under Saddam Hussein. I recently attended a Chamber of Commerce lunch in Derry, where General Stanley McChrystal, who led the US participation in Iraq, made what I thought was a very compelling contribution to the debate. He sat down beside me at the lunch table, and I asked him whether, if he had been President of the United States, he would have authorised the invasion of Iraq —

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Minister's two minutes have been completed.

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

— I will just finish — and he said, "Not in a million years". He said that Iraq is worse now than it was then. So, we have only a limited ability to deal with these situations.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I call Seán Rogers for a supplementary question.

Seán Rogers (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

I thank the deputy First Minister for his answer. I know that we have only a limited ability, but what discussions have taken place at governmental level with the British or the Irish to ensure that maximum pressure is applied at an international level to stop those who are financing these organisations and to ensure that the people are looked after?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I have to be very honest: I do not think that the powers that be that are dealing with these situations give one hoot for what our Executive or this Assembly feels about how that matter will be dealt with. They are, obviously, dealing with the situation from their perspective, and, as an observer, I, along with many other people, wonder whether they have even the foggiest notion about how to deal with the situation.

The reality is that, whether these groups are funded or not, it is quite clear that they are well organised, that they have been in existence for some time and that they are totally ruthless in the process that they have been involved in, particularly in recent times, which has been well articulated, where they go to people and tell them that they have to change their religion. Of course we are all, I think, really annoyed and angry that people, not just Christians but those of other religions, are being threatened, intimidated and murdered in this way by ISIS. But this is something way beyond us, and we should not have any illusions about our ability to have an impact on a situation that world leaders appear to be struggling with at this time.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

2. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to explain why there has been no written reply to the Lord Chief Justice’s correspondence about his concerns regarding Minister Poots’s remarks about potentially not getting a fair hearing at the Court of Appeal. (AQT 1382/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I think that the Member, and I suppose the media as well, should know better. They must know that the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister is a joint Department that requires agreement. It is no secret to anybody in the House that the First Minister and I have a different view of the remarks made by Minister Poots, and not just by Minister Poots but by others even in the last couple of days. My sympathy is totally and absolutely with Sir Declan Morgan. The sooner the matter is resolved, the better. We are involved in discussions at the moment in an effort to get an agreed response to what Sir Declan said.

Karen McKevitt (Social Democratic and Labour Party, South Down)

Has the deputy First Minister any plans to lodge the Lord Chief Justice's letter in the Assembly Library?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I have not even considered that, but we will give it consideration as a result of your question.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

3. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in light of the many questions about the lack of funding for victims’ groups, which the deputy First Minister answered earlier, to update the House on the social investment fund and advise whether Members should be concerned about it also. (AQT 1383/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

The social investment fund process is up and running; projects are in motion. From our perspective, we are satisfied that the money that we provided for that was ring-fenced. We are confident, at this stage, that the process will continue to a successful conclusion.

Maurice (DUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

I thank the deputy First Minister for his answer, but could I ask him a further question in relation to the distribution of the funding? I understand that that fund was approximately £80 million. Is he telling the House today that he is quite confident that there will be a full distribution of that? Has there been a full application for that amount of money?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

When we made provision for the funds for these vital community-led projects, we did so on the basis that the full funding of £80 million would be provided. We are attempting to stick to that in the face of great challenges. It is clear from the proposals that have come forward from the different sectors of the North that there are many projects out there. In fact, you could spend another £80 million and another £80 million 10 times over fulfilling the requests that have been made from what are community-led projects. So, we are satisfied at this stage that suitable progress has been made and that we will very soon begin to see the construction of some very important projects that will aid the community in different parts of the North.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

4. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they are aware that, although the inquiry into historical institutional abuse is ongoing, there are other victims who fall outside the terms of reference of that inquiry who would wish to be included. (AQT 1384/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Junior Minister McCann will deal with this question.

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Yes, we are very aware that there are a number of people who fall outside the remit of the inquiry. Obviously, we are keen to make sure that the inquiry continues. We actually had consultation with a number of people. For instance, women who were over 18 when they entered an institution are not covered by the inquiry. Indeed, anybody affected by wider clerical abuse who was not in an institution is not covered. However, we are certainly very keen. We have asked our officials to bring forward recommendations and to look at them. Judge Hart, who is the head of the inquiry, is adamant that he does not want to widen the terms of reference of the current inquiry. However, I have written to him to see whether there is some way that we can look after those women, particularly those who were over 18 at the time. I think that they deserve justice and truth as well. We are trying our best to look at that.

Rosaleen McCorley (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. Is the Minister aware of comments made by Naomi Long in the media this morning? What are her views on those?

Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin, Belfast West)

Yes, I can tell the Member that I am very aware of the statement by Naomi Long over the weekend. She put out a statement and has said that more people have contacted her in recent days about being abused by members of the British state forces here in the 1970s. I can tell the Member that we have asked for a meeting with Mrs Long to discuss that, but we also want to ensure that any of those women who have come forward are covered and will be able, in some way, to avail themselves of the services of the historical institutional abuse inquiry. I do not want to go into it in great detail, but we have seen the way in which the British state has spent decades covering up the activities of its intelligence service here in Ireland, and we have seen it more recently with the cover-up around the Kincora institution. So, we are very keen to talk to Mrs Long first to see whether there is any way in which we can help those women who have come forward.

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

5. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they have taken a view on the British-Irish Council and the implications for it if the referendum on Scottish independence on 18 September returns a yes vote. (AQT 1385/11-15)

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

Obviously, there will be a lot of focus over the next 10 days on what is happening in Scotland, and, in the aftermath of that vote, depending on which way it goes, we will all have to deal with all the implications. The implications, no matter what way you look at it, could be quite profound, as many of us will know from listening to the debate in recent times. We have not been involved in any discussions, because to do so would be to pre-empt the outcome of the decision of the people of Scotland. I personally have very consciously stayed out of the debate, because I think that what is happening in Scotland is a matter for the people of Scotland to decide, without outside interference. So, I have no intention whatsoever of contributing to a view that would in any way undermine the rights of people there to make their own decision. We will wait for the vote, and when the people of Scotland decide, whatever way they decide, we will have to deal with the fallout. We will not be the only people dealing with the fallout. It is quite obvious that the British and Irish Governments are very focused on what is happening there and are conscious of their responsibilities in the aftermath of whatever decision is made.

Alban Maginness (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast North)

I thank the deputy First Minister for his answer. I understand the position that there have not been any discussions to date, but, in the event of a result one way or t'other, is it not incumbent on the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister to enter into discussions with the Edinburgh Government on the outcome, because there will be implications no matter what way the vote goes?

Martin McGuinness (Sinn Féin, Mid Ulster)

I am very encouraged by the comments made by First Minister Alex Salmond in the past few days when he said that, whatever way it goes, he will remain a true friend of us here in the North. In all our dealings — those of the First Minister and me — with him, he has always been very positive and constructive, at British-Irish Council meetings, ministerial council meetings and the joint ministerial council meetings that we engage in in Westminster. So, I think that the sensible thing for all of us to do is to wait for the outcome of what will undoubtedly be a very important decision. In the aftermath of all of that, whatever the outcome is, we will engage in whatever dialogue and conversations that need to be had, particularly with the British Government, on how we go forward.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Question 9 has been withdrawn.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

1. asked the Minister for Regional Development when he will publish his response to the inspector’s report on the A6 dualling scheme public inquiry. (AQO 6548/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

There are proposals to dual two sections of the A6, those being Randalstown to Castledawson and Londonderry to Dungiven. Funding has been provided to advance the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson dual carriageway project to be shovel-ready in 2015 and, when funding becomes available in the future, to allow construction to commence at short notice.

Development of the A6 Londonderry to Dungiven dualling scheme, which includes a bypass of Dungiven, is well advanced. It has been through a public inquiry and the inspector has produced a report embracing various recommendations. I am considering a response to those recommendations and will issue the departmental statement in due course when I am satisfied that all issues, a number of which are complex, have been appropriately reviewed.

Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Foyle)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Given the fact that your predecessor refused to consider decoupling the bypass at Dungiven from the larger project, have you any views on that? I think that the people in Dungiven are living in the most polluted town in Ireland and they are desperately seeking for that bypass to go ahead as soon as possible.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I am happy to confirm that I have taken the decision that the various components of the entire scheme can be decoupled. Subject to the finance being made available and the other issues being resolved, we can proceed. I note the comment made about the air quality in Dungiven. I recently met officials from Limavady Borough Council on that issue, and they see that the solution to the air quality issue is achieving the bypass at Dungiven at the earliest possible time. I understand that and, of course, I have been carrying forward the scheme as quickly as possible.

Gregory Campbell (DUP, East Londonderry)

I welcome the Minister's assurance on that issue. Setting aside the funding, which I know that he will probably allude to and the support for the money that he needs to proceed with the scheme, which he will get, can he give an assurance that every step and measure that needs to be taken in advance of proceeding with the A6 scheme will be put in place as urgently as possible, because he knows that some businesses have already closed in anticipation of a road scheme, and they are now wondering whether it will ever be completed?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question and, indeed, the indication of clear support for the financial position that I find myself in. I hope that that carries through on all issues relating to my Department. Certainly, great is the zeal of the convert. Thank you very much indeed for that.

With regard to bringing forward elements of the overall project, as you know, I have indicated that we have put some money into the Randalstown to Castledawson section to make it shovel-ready in 2015. With regard to the issues around the Dungiven bypass, I hope to make progress on the statement arising out of the public inquiry as quickly as possible. It will then be down to the availability of finance and working through the statutory processes that have to be undertaken.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

2. asked the Minister for Regional Development what progress has been made on the east and west link roads in Armagh city. (AQO 6549/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

A public information event for the proposed A28 Armagh east link was held on 11 June 2014 in the Armagh City Hotel. The local community's concerns about the impact of the east link were again highlighted at that event. Therefore, I consider it appropriate now to carry out a review of the preferred option to ensure that local concerns are fully considered and that the proposed Armagh east link will offer the best possible solution for Armagh city. I draw Members' attention to the press release detailing this approach that was issued last week.

The next significant step in the scheme development process will be to undertake the detailed design for the proposal. However, I am very mindful of the concerns of the local community and of the need to ensure that the proposed Armagh east link will offer the best solution. The review will include consideration of the preferred corridor emerging further out the Markethill Road at the Edenaveys industrial estate area.

Consideration of options for a preferred line and junction strategy for the Armagh north and west link roads, based on the out-of-town corridor, is continuing. That has included discussions with Deloitte, which has been appointed by Armagh City and District Council to develop a master plan for the Mullinure area. It would not be appropriate to make a decision on the preferred route pending development of the master plan.

Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I welcome the review, because there were complaints about the east link from residents of the Newry Road. Can the Minister give us a definitive timeline? He is well aware of the traffic problems around Armagh city. What is the timeline for the east link? Also, can he —

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

The Member has asked his question.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I believe that the Armagh east link and the north and west link proposals will provide benefits, including improved journey times, reliability and safety on the strategic road network. Obviously, it is important that we continue to work through the various stages of the schemes, not least on the issue of available finance. It is not possible at this point to earmark specific dates as to when the east link scheme will take place, but I am hopeful that moneys will be made available for it in the new budgetary period. I take the point that the issues of traffic congestion in Armagh need to be dealt with as quickly as possible. That is my objective as Minister.

William Irwin (DUP, Newry and Armagh)

I welcome the review of the east link road. The Minister will be aware of the level of concern about the proposed link road going through a largely residential area of Armagh city. Does the Minister support DRD's current preferred route?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

The Member makes a good point about the importance of the Armagh east link and the historic need for it. It has been talked about in Armagh for a generation now. However, if I were completely satisfied with the current proposal, I would not be initiating the review that will look again and make sure, not only that we get it right, but that we take on board the concerns that may be out there. That is important.

I regard myself as a listening Minister. I have been listening to the representations that I have received from people in the immediate area, and we will review the current situation to satisfy ourselves that the route that will ultimately be chosen will offer the best, most sensible solution for easing some of the congestion in that part of Armagh city.

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

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas fosta leis an Aire. The Minister referred to finance and to a new budgetary period. Can he indicate what priority this project has in capital spending?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member. I certainly regard both the east link scheme and the north and west scheme as important for the city of Armagh. I have something of an interest, given that I happen to represent the constituency. It is understood that Armagh has congestion issues that can be dealt with through the outworking of schemes, and I intend to pursue those with as much intensity as possible to make progress on them and see them brought to successful fruition.

Jonathan Craig (DUP, Lagan Valley)

3. asked the Minister for Regional Development what impact the recent budget settlement will have on road maintenance budgets in the Lisburn area. (AQO 6550/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

As you will be aware, following the recent announcement on June monitoring, my Department’s resource budget, which is used for the day-to-day maintenance of the road network, has been cut. This cut applies equally across the whole of Northern Ireland, including the Lisburn area. As a result, I had no option other than to take some tough decisions and stop issuing new work instructions to external contractors, who currently undertake around one quarter of our routine maintenance work and three quarters of the work required to repair street lighting faults.

My Department’s operations and maintenance staff will endeavour to keep the road network in as safe a condition as possible. However, as they have resources to complete only around three quarters of the total workload, they will not be able to provide the service that the public would expect in normal circumstances. My Department’s operations and maintenance staff have limited street lighting resources. They will endeavour to deal with group faults and single outages on a priority basis. Regrettably, this has the potential to result in many street lights being out across Northern Ireland over the winter.

These have been difficult decisions to take, but they are necessary in order to try to protect areas, such as winter service, where withdrawal of our work would have an even greater impact on the Northern Ireland economy and the public. I realise that these measures will impact on our contractors, road users and the public, but I have been forced to set priorities so that we operate within reduced budgets.

Jonathan Craig (DUP, Lagan Valley)

That sounded like a statement from the Minister that the lights are going out all over Northern Ireland. That said, Minister, there are ongoing contracts that impact on the road infrastructure in Northern Ireland. They are carried out, mainly, by other parts of Departments. I am thinking of the Blaris Road, which has recently been dug up by other companies. Are you going to tighten up on how they resurface such roads? Recently, resurfacing roads destroyed by others has been picked up by your Department.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. I do not take any pleasure in saying that the lights or some of the lights may be going out across Northern Ireland. I view it as a serious departure. I regret it very much. I will continue to press for moneys in October monitoring and later monitoring rounds to ensure that the resource budget is properly funded. I want to do that.

In relation to his point about other agencies, the Member will know that we have a memorandum of understanding with such agencies. We seek to coordinate their work in a proper and responsible way. It is equally important that work carried out by them or on their behalf by contractors is done in a satisfactory and proper way. That is something that I am continually interested in and continue to pursue to ensure that standards all over are consistent and at an appropriate level.

Robin Swann (UUP, North Antrim)

The Minister has indicated that the recent budget cuts have left him with only a 75% capacity for grass cutting, patching and gully emptying. Will the Minister tell me how many gullies across Northern Ireland his Department is responsible for? Will he ensure that the flooding hotspots will continue to get priority attention?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. It is an important subject. My Department is responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of over half a million gullies across Northern Ireland. Of those, we aim to inspect and clean, where necessary, all gullies in urban areas twice each year and gullies in rural areas once each year. As a result of the recent budget cuts, I no longer have sufficient funding to pay contractors for gully emptying. That will be a challenge. My Department's operations and maintenance staff will endeavour to prioritise gully cleaning and dealing with known flooding area problems, including some of the very prominent cases that we have heard about over recent times. We seek to prioritise those areas to ensure that they are protected as far as we can.

Joe Byrne (Social Democratic and Labour Party, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Given that the Minister has talked about the road maintenance cuts given the budgetary position, can he give an assurance that the two counties that have no railways — Tyrone and Fermanagh — will not be more adversely affected by the cutbacks in the current road maintenance budget?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I am not quite sure about the reference to railways in terms of the emptying of gullies etc, but, nonetheless, he makes a point. The Member will know that, to be fair and equitable about it, I will have to share the challenge of the decisions equally and fairly throughout Northern Ireland. As I said earlier, it gives me no pleasure to stand at this Dispatch Box and say that the pressures are here, but that has been forced upon me. My Department has effected savings over the last three years to the tune of £106 million; I have not shirked my responsibility. However, further pressure is being applied, and there are consequences for decisions made and supported by the Member's party at Executive level that will put pressure on the work of my Department, even in the counties that he refers to.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

4. asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the implementation of a new public transport ticketing system. (AQO 6551/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Translink is finalising a feasibility study to examine the options for a replacement ticketing system. Among the options being considered are the enhancement of the current system; the use of ITSO ticketing, which is an open standards system supported by the Department for Transport in GB; and the use of contactless bank debit or credit cards, similar to that which has been piloted and is about to go live in London. When that study is finalised, Translink will complete an economic appraisal, which will examine the costs and benefits of the various options. That will be subject to approval by my Department and the Department of Finance and Personnel. The Department will want to ensure that any new ticketing system offers the best possible value for money to passengers.

Bronwyn McGahan (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for his response. Minister, have you given any consideration to coordinating integrated ticketing with other transport providers on an all-Ireland basis?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for the supplementary question. I think that she is referring to the Leap card system used in the Republic of Ireland. That system was developed specifically for the Republic of Ireland. Its use was considered, but it was concluded that it could not easily be converted to the open standards required for wider use. Other technological developments, such as mobile phones and contactless bank cards, are considered to offer a more up-to-date solution. It is, of course, recognised that Translink works closely with Irish Rail and Bus Éireann on cross-border services, and it is expected that any new system will be sufficiently flexible to handle the tickets involved in this.

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

The Minister will be well aware that there is a pilot scheme — probably completed now — involving integrated transport in the Dungannon area. Will any new system take account of the possibility of public transport in Northern Ireland being shared with the community sector and the private sector?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question. It is not directly linked to ticketing procedures involved north, south, east or west. Nonetheless, I understand the question that he raises in terms of the pilot scheme that we have been undertaking in the Dungannon area on transportation issues.

We are still working through and reviewing the processes there, working with agencies in health and education. I am sure that useful work and useful outcomes will be provided there. I am not at the stage where I can indicate that we are ready to make wider announcements and extend proposals for Northern Ireland or anywhere else.

Tom Elliott (UUP, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

The Minister mentioned in answer to the substantive question that he had to bring forward an economic appraisal or business plan. Has he any idea of the costings associated with the proposal, and has he had any discussion with the Minister of Finance and Personnel?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary. No, the work has not yet been completed. On its completion, we will put forward the business case. Obviously, that will have to be looked at within the Department and with DFP. We will seek to make progress at the earliest point on those matters.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

5. asked the Minister for Regional Development to outline any potential alternatives to the proposed cuts in road maintenance and street lighting. (AQO 6552/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

As I advised in my response to question 3, following the recent announcement on June monitoring, my Department's resource budget, which is used for the day-to-day maintenance of the road network, has been cut. In order to protect areas such as winter maintenance, which costs, on average, approximately £7 million each year and is vital to the economy of Northern Ireland, traffic light maintenance, which costs, on average, approximately £4 million each year, and contractual commitments for energy, I had no option other than to take some tough decisions and stop issuing new work instructions to external contractors. Those contractors undertake, as I said, around one quarter of our routine maintenance work and three quarters of the work associated with the repair of street lighting faults. I restate that my Department's operations and maintenance staff will endeavour to keep the road network in as safe a condition as possible, but they only have the resources to complete around three quarters of the total workload. Therefore, they will not be able to provide the service that the public would expect in normal circumstances.

They are difficult decisions, but they are necessary to try to protect areas such as winter service, where withdrawal of our work could have an even greater impact on the Northern Ireland economy and public. I realise that these measures will impact on contractors, road users and the public, but I have, as I said, been forced to set priorities so that we can operate within the reduced budget.

Sean Lynch (Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone)

Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. The Minister has, to some extent, outlined some of the amounts involved. Can he provide a timeline for when the cuts will be implemented?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

Let me be clear: these cutbacks are immediate. Since early August until last Friday, 4,938 street lights have been reported out, of which 1,134 have been fixed, so we are already in a situation where the front-line services that we would normally be expected to provide are suffering as a result of June monitoring and the financial position. Of course, when faults present electrical or other hazards, they will be dealt with urgently. That important work is not affected by budgetary constraints. We will then prioritise faults in groups of street lights and deal with as many single outages as we can.

This is now a real situation. I also find myself in a difficult and almost invidious position about gullies being emptied and grass being cut back. I hope that the Member, as Deputy Chair of the Committee for Regional Development, will support my efforts to have my budget restored to its full capacity as we move into October and other monitoring rounds.

Jimmy Spratt (DUP, Belfast South)

In the press coverage of cutbacks over the summer, mention was made of the winter programme for road gritting etc. Will the Minister give the House an assurance today that the winter gritting programme will remain intact, given the high number of fatal accidents in the Province already this year?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I am slightly surprised at the tone of it because I would have thought that he, as Chair of the Committee for Regional Development, would be on the same side of the argument as me and would be expressing concern at any impact that my resource budget would face. I hope that that is the case because I do not want an impact on winter services and winter maintenance. I understand the importance of that service, which, as I said, costs approximately £7 million. I look to other political parties at the very top of the Executive, which seem to be expressing concern in the House. Both the Member and Mr Lynch have expressed concern about the impact of cuts, but their parties brought forward the proposals that have put me in this position.

Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic and Labour Party, Belfast South)

Has the Minister been able to give any assurances about the future to the external contractors who employ thousands of people in road maintenance? In other words, have you just drawn a blank with them? Have you been able to give them any promises of what it might look like in the future?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I regularly meet and speak to representatives of the road building contractors' organisations. I have an open door policy and have accepted requests to meet a number of their key individuals. I have tried to be open and honest with them about the situation that I find myself in. I have welcomed the support, not least the lobbying, that they have provided to other political parties and Members around the Executive table as to the position that they find themselves in as a consequence of these financial measures.

This is not done by choice or on a whim. It is certainly not done with malice aforethought, but it is the real situation that I find myself in. I must balance my books and therefore have to take these tough decisions. I understand the consequences on the services that I provide and the impact that external contractors will face, with possible lay-offs among staff and everything that goes with that.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

That is the end of listed questions, and we now move on to topical questions.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

1. asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the proposed A5 western transport corridor. (AQT 1391/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his question on the A5. He will know that a public consultation on three of the four reports to inform appropriate assessments of the potential impacts on the various designated sites arising from the A5 project scheme concluded on 13 June. Consultation on the fourth report is expected to begin in October 2014. Letters informing landowners of the way forward were issued on 30 April, and landowner meetings are ongoing.

Tom Buchanan (DUP, West Tyrone)

I thank the Minister for his response. Where does the scheme now sit in your list of priorities, and what impact might the Sinn Féin/ SDLP refusal to sign up to welfare reform have on this and other large projects?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful for the Member's supplementary. Clearly, there are ongoing issues that we have to deal with on environmental statements and the appropriate assessments, and I outlined those in some detail. In a letter to ministerial colleagues in February, I provided an outline programme whereby the environmental statement and the draft orders would be published for consultation in November 2014, with the possibility of a public inquiry in spring/summer 2015.

Of course, the Member refers in part to the uncertainty in the overall financial position of whether there will be sufficient capital money going forward. I am not in a position to confirm that situation, and, therefore, I am processing the work that is necessary at this time. Clearly, however, the financial scenario here could well impact on this scheme and, indeed, other capital schemes.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

2. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether his Department will accept all legal claims relating to personal damage or damage to motor vehicles that are proven to be direct results of his cutbacks. (AQT 1392/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his question. He should be aware of the process involved when someone makes a claim and that claim is investigated etc. It seems to me slightly rich that a question of this nature should come from a member of a party whose actions have forced me to take decisions on cutbacks in my resource budget. Nevertheless, I will try to overlook that. Of course, we will continue to investigate claims made against us and respond accordingly.

Oliver McMullan (Sinn Féin, East Antrim)

I thank the Minister for that enlightening response. Have the Minister's divisional managers been instructed to draw up a list of how much they can save through making cutbacks in each divisional area? How much has he saved to date?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

The Member starts with the wrong premise. These are cutbacks forced on my Department. I do not go to senior officials and ask them whether it is possible to trim back and save some money on either resource or maintenance issues. These are real decisions that are impacting on street lights. As I said, there are nearly 5,000 street lights out in a month, and, at this stage, we have the ability to repair only 1,100. Those repairs will be effected as quickly as possible. We are not abandoning those lights; we are simply saying that it will take longer to fix them. However, there is a suggestion that somehow this is a cunning plan to save money on behalf of my Department. It is not. It is the consequence of the voodoo economics of the Member and his party.

Paula Bradley (DUP, Belfast North)

3. asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on the transfer of off-street parking to local councils. (AQT 1393/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for the question. My officials have been engaged with their counterparts in local government to ensure the smooth transition of the transfer of those facilities. I am not aware of serious issues arising out of that, and I very much hope that we will be able to agree the necessary changes in time for the take-up of the new councils in April 2015.

Paula Bradley (DUP, Belfast North)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Will the Minister also indicate whether there will be a requirement for uniformity on policies and procedures for all councils?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member again. We are seeking to provide as much uniformity as possible. Obviously, we are dealing with the 11 new councils, but a consistent approach would certainly be a desirable outcome to all those discussions, and that is what we hope to have.

Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim)

4. asked the Minister for Regional Development for an update on progress with the A8 and the timing of its opening. (AQT 1394/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I am happy to say that significant progress is being made on that scheme. We do not yet have a definitive timescale for the opening, but we are very hopeful that we can meet in advance the target that we set ourselves. I think that it will be of huge benefit to that area, not least the Port of Larne. I am very grateful that my Department and my staff, and, indeed, the contractor and their staff, have been working steadily to the benefit of everyone. I very much hope that we will be in a position to cut the tape at the earliest possible point.

Paul Girvan (DUP, South Antrim)

I thank the Minister for his answer. In the light of the response, I do not know whether the Minister has been made totally aware, but we are aware that a large area of that road, which had been surfaced, is now being lifted at additional cost — we are hearing a figure of £1 million — because the compound or the surface was not of the right standard. Who set the standard? Will the Department be made to foot that bill or will the contractor?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Member for his supplementary question. Obviously, it is a more detailed question that deserves a fuller answer, and I will undertake to write to him on the issue.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

5. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he is aware of concerns about fish poaching at Seagahan dam in Armagh and, if so, does he have any plans to tackle the issue. (AQT 1395/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for the question. I am aware of issues surrounding Seagahan dam and the contention that there has been over the rights of those who want to use it as a major leisure facility for angling. I am also cautious in my approach to the issue and am mindful that there have been letters of a legal nature floating about — not in Seagahan dam but into my office — so I want to be cautious in any response. I hope that agreement can be found by all appropriate and valid users and that they can set aside some of the issues that are there today and that, at this point, are unresolved. I hope that we can resolve those and move forward into calmer waters.

Megan Fearon (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for his answer. Keeping in mind the legal issues, can the Minister at least concede that such poaching could lead to long-term damage in the fishing reserves in the dam?

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am not in favour of poaching. Let me be absolutely clear about that. I am not giving anybody the green light to say that it is right to poach or anything like that. Where individuals have evidence or information, they should bring those allegations for full investigation to the proper authorities. If the Member is in receipt of such information, I hope that she will do likewise.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

Jonathan Craig is not in his place.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

7. asked the Minister for Regional Development whether he has looked at the funding required for the Magilligan to Greencastle ferry, given its obvious tourism potential. (AQT 1397/11-15)

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

I am grateful to the Member for his question. I take it that he means the Greencastle ferry in County Down.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

The Magilligan to Greencastle ferry.

Danny Kennedy (UUP, Newry and Armagh)

There is at least one Magilligan and at least two Greencastles. If it is Magilligan, it is the project that, in the past, Limavady council has been associated with. My Department has no direct role in that. If it is the County Down one, that project is being managed by a private operator. We have no direct link into that except as a consultee in the planning process. If the Member wants to clarify that, I will be happy to consider it.

Roy Beggs (UUP, East Antrim)

I call Mickey to clarify in his supplementary question.

Mickey Brady (Sinn Féin, Newry and Armagh)

I thank the Minister for his answer. The question was about your possible input into that particular Magilligan to Greencastle ferry, but I will clarify that for the Minister in writing. This is the supplementary question: has the Minister had any input into the idea of an extension of the Wild Atlantic Way trail to the north coast and its tourism potential?