01/02/2016 Stormont Today

Moving forward on a more united footing and facing up

Just two of the themes that emerged during today's discussions

in the chamber. So, coming up tonight:

The Deputy First Minister says cohesion is key for moving forward

and resolving outstanding differences.

There are many many people within our society who were previously at

odds with one another who recognise the need to be involved in this sort

of work. The others, we can leave behind.

But with the European referendum looming, agreement is harder to find

So why's the minister coming to this has pretending we don't know the

question when we know what the questionnaires. We didn't know what

the unemployment rate was a week ago, he was wrong about that, and he

was wrong about this. And I'm joined tonight

by our Political Correspondent, Brexit - Britain's possible exit

from the EU - and the timing of the referendum, came up

during questions to the Deputy But first - what progress

is being made in implementing TBUC - the Together: Building

a United Community strategy? Announced nearly three years ago,

the initiative was meant to reflect the Executive's commitment

to improved community relations. This is a very exciting programme,

one that we are prepared to put a tremendous amount of funds into

because it is absolutely vital that we ensure that we bring our

community together, and I think also recognising the huge responsibility

that politicians have not just in the delivery of a programme but by

leading by example to ensure that the... We're not just mean

grassroots people together, but the grassroots of experts --

politicians, working together for the common good. Achieving a united

community based on equality and opportunity, the desirability of

good relations and reconciliation requires the collective commitment

of everyone, government must work alongside statutory and voluntary

and community you partnerships, achieving a shared vision and

strategy. We feel that Cliff continued political implementation

is essential. I must remind them that everyone has a role to play,

and that is welcome, but how does he feel in terms of trying to show

forward thinking and leadership in terms of trying to bring the

community together, how does he feel that on Friday a former terrorist

who was questioned by the police in the Republic followed his lead in

declining to give any information about a present that was still

alive, had been involved in the building of pub bombs, given that

the First Minister to the same stance when he was in the box in

terms of the Savile enquiry, refusing to name anyone else

involved in terrorism alone with him? Well, first of all I think

maybe there's some this particular member doesn't understand that the

question that he is answering -- asking is to the office of first and

deputy first Prime Minister -- Minister. I am here to aunts were on

the behalf of the First Minister. I'd don't believe that that question

is in any. All of us have a duty and responsibility to recognise the

importance of building that's better future, and unfortunately there are

some members, quite a number of members in this house, who are only

really interested in recrimination, and not interested in

reconciliation, and I think that is very sad will stop I spoke about

this at the weekend when I was at the Kinsale Peace Project in County

Cork, a very hugely attended conversation between myself and

those people who were interested in what was happening here,

particularly in the peace process, and during that engagement, a man

stepped forward who informed the audience that he was a former member

of the Grenadier Guards. He was very generous, in his remarks, and we

both shook hands. I think that's where the encouragement comes from,

that there are many, many people within our society who were

previously at odds with one another who recognise the need to be

involved in this sort of work. The others, we can leave behind. The

debate around our membership of the European Union is an important one

and in order to make sure we have a proper debate about this, can I ask

him what discussions the elephant gave him have given him involving

devolved authorities in England, and what scope we have for negotiation

to pick a September date? It is very important that the First Minister

and myself engage with David Cameron, and talk to Scotland and

Wales about the issue, but it is on the public record, the First

Minister of Scotland has put it on the public record stop think it will

come as no surprise to anybody that we here will also share concerns of

proximity to a referendum in June, and we haven't even dealt with the

argument around the merits of staying in nor stay out.

So, the timing of the EU referendum is causing concern

Big concerns, and he heard Martin McGuinness talks about the close

proximity of the referendum and assembly elections and I think

people are concerned that the two issues could become merged them and

what they are out on the door ship -- doorstep trying to talk about the

election, they will have the referendum in the background, and

that is an argument coming from many quarters, that the EU referendum

which shouldn't happen in June, should happen in September to create

a distance between the referendum and the assembly election. The dates

talked about at the moment would be about seven weeks after the

referendum election. Do you think those fears are real? I think so.

They are getting assembly elections campaigns together at the moment,

beginning to canvas, and they are really concerned about selling on

the doorsteps trying to encourage people to vote for the assembly

elections with this other issue of Europe, and they are worried that

these two issues will be joined together. As Arlene Foster raised

last week, there are concerns. And we saw earlier, quite a bit

of friction between Martin McGuinness and Gregory Campbell -

not for the first time... No, there is history between Martin

McGuinness and Gregory Campbell. They come from similar parts of the

world, they often clashed in the chamber. Gregory Campbell would like

Martin McGuinness to be a bit more forthright about his past, and

clearly Martin McGuinness today felt that the question was being asked

wasn't appropriate, and he made comments saying he didn't name

Gregory Campbell directly, but he was obvious that that was who he was

talking about, saying that some people in the assembly were more

interested in recrimination and reconciliation, basically Martin

McGuinness thought that the question was out of order. The other thing we

must think about when this relationship is that if Gregory

Campbell leave the assembly, then these encounters will be quite rare.

Stephen, we will talk to you very shortly.

The Enterprise Minister updated Members on a recent meeting

of the North/South Ministerial Council.

There was a discussion about tourism, but perhaps most

memorable was a sharp attack on the Minister by Jim Allister.

He asked Jonathan Bell for his position on the EU

referendum and then accused him of not knowing what he was doing

But before that, the more sedate matter of increasing tourism

and getting new airlines to Belfast International Airport.

Can we perhaps get the aerial development route fund up and

running, because adding that will a difference as you know south of the

border, tourism is a huge percent of GDP, and I am closing that gap up it

would be enormously helpful to our industries. Think of course of this

states, the great boost that we would join our Belfast and Boston

sister cities. The others to your question is yes, we are hoping to

get that done, in terms of the development fund, and how we could

get that out before, within the financial year, so that people could

be aware of that. Because the purpose is to develop the

collectivity as the member says between business destinations, and

also look at those routes that have an inbounds for tourism potential.

I'm thinking critically about key destinations on either Germany or

Scandinavia, and also city destinations such as in Munich,

Madrid, Milan. In terms of access, yes, funding is orally provided, we

are working with the airports to facilitate that inbounds

performance, in both new and existing routes. We will do is do

continue to look at both airports as to how we can maximise the

potential. There is a debate on this. I am pressing the UK

Government in terms of air passenger duty. And I do think and we have

said that it does unfairly impact Northern Ireland. I want the UK

Government to address that, to deal with it, and ideally to abolish it.

I have to say, that we don't seem to be getting a lot of traction back

from the UK Government in relation to that, we continue to press the

case. Minister, you may not have heard yesterday in the statement

made by Mr Hastings who I think most will agree is an expert on tourism

in Ireland. How would you propose to assuage his concerns amongst others

in terms of Northern Ireland that is not enough is being done. I'd like

to thank Doctor Hastings for his time, coming in quite fun as an

unofficial adviser in somebody's of mine, and he's put a huge amount of

intelligence, of energy and used wonderful network from and earns

trepidation in tourism that the Hastings who actually has do help us

going forward. There is not a single minister who has been challenged in

a particular area. The house will be aware that my own apartment has

invested significantly in tourism in the last number of years. We have

put over ?100 million of money into the tourism infrastructure, and

tourism budgets are still healthy, we have allocated ?30 million to our

two tourism bodies, and we need to be smart with the resources that are

available. Can I say I look forward to the minister coming off the fence

on the issue of EU, and joining the ranks of those who want to liberate

our great trading nation from the shackles of the EU. It is an easy

point to make, and is uncertain. I do not know what the referendum

question is standing here today. We have not been given the terms of the

referendum question. Is it going to be a question that simply says do we

wish to leave the European Union? In that case, I imagine the member will

be saying yes is up for what happens if the question is will we stay in

the European Union? I imagine the member but 's answer will be no. In

the absence of a question, it is a very, very foolish question to ask

for they know the exact nature of the question. To suggest that we

don't know what the question in the referendum is when section one of

the European Union referendum act 2015 with Royal Assent already

setting out the question. The question being should the United

Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European

Union? Why the Minister coming to this as pretending we don't know

this question, when the law of the land states or the questionnaires. A

couple of weeks ago, he didn't know what the unemployment rate was. He

told his it was a third of Europe and a third of the Republic Ireland.

He was wrong about that, he's wrong about this.

The TUV's Jim Allister not at all impressed with Jonathan Bell.

A fascinating exchange between Jim Allister and the minister. We do

know the EU referendum question because we looked it up tonight on

the website and I can quote the question, "Should the United Kingdom

remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union".

That is the question agreed. It is possible when he gave a response

that's what Jonathan Bell meant was the negotiations have not been

concluded and David Cameron is involved in negotiations and has not

seen the final deal, that is perhaps what Jonathan Bell meant to say but

didn't and when it comes to the issue of the question Jim Allister

is right. When the minister said we do not know, he was wrong. The

question is in the legislation and the legislation has been given Royal

assent. A fascinating exchange. Thank you.

The Regional Development Minister also faced Question Time today

and she was even congratulated by the Speaker for a "busy

But perhaps Michelle McIlveen has already had enough of repeatedly

facing questions about paying for improvements to Northern

Included in the fresh start agreement is a commitment by the

executive to advance the Western transport project. The Irish

government has made a commitment to contribute ?75 million funding

towards the project. This funding commitment is intended to ensure

subject to the successful completion of statutory procedures,

construction of the new buildings can commence in 2017 with an

estimated completion of 2019. I understand that after the public

consultation and I know from previous questions there have been

public exhibitions and could minister give us any date of when it

might be signed off and the consultation will start? The member

will be aware I have been doing work in relation to this further to the

announcement I'm looking for to introduce the land acquisition and

compensation bill in order to assist those landowners as a move forward.

That is accompanied by work I have been doing with land agents is part

of the preparation work which I've wanted to complete before moving

onto any announcement. I am hopeful the announcement will be made quite

surely. Can I ask her for her assessment of the prospects of a

railing to Belfast International? I thank the member for the question. I

imagine he is talking in relation to the branch line which is maintained

by Translink. The investment priority strategy for Northern

Ireland published in May 2014 set out a vision for future railways

over 20 years and there's an economic benefit in relation to the

Antrim line and opportunities to establish a real link to Belfast

International airport though my understanding is the usage around

the airport would need to increase to 10 million passengers just to

make that railing viable. Would you agree in terms of the airport

Ryanair are coming to Belfast International, that will produce an

uplifting passengers, do we need to wait until we have ten million-plus

before we do something about this, coming not anticipate what will

happen? I thank the member for his question and sustainability are

something which is key in everything we do, particularly in relation to

our public transport routes. You need any speak to his colleagues in

East Antrim and members in Newry in relation to the service they have,

we do need to look at costs, that is also key to where we are but the

member needs also to be aware we do have a good bus link going from the

international airport into the city centre.

The Rates Bill continues its accelerated passage

In the last few weeks we've heard amendments concerned with rates

relief for sports club and empty buildings

Today an Ulster Unionist amendment sought to include pigeon racing

in the list of specified recreations that would benefit

Since Ian has no issues with the pigeon racing amendment in terms of

the list of sports, recreations on this list or ready from a wide

variety, some might argue some are lesser sports pigeon racing, I see

no reason why this should be included as well and no doubt if it

is passed by the assembly it will give him something to tweet about or

should that be too. I know to as my colleague Robin Swan who really

drove this amendment forward. He did fly off to America and it's

interesting we have not had a tweet from him since. It will be a good

test to see if he can home his way back again. The inclusion of pigeon

racing in the list will allow the 80 descent rate relief and I believe

the premise to exclude pigeon racing because of a perceived lack of

sport... How could they and the UK sporting bodies explain ballooning,

model aircraft flying, gliding, yoga and rambling as activities that

require a greater degree level of physical activity than that involved

in pigeon racing. To refuse to treat pigeon racing equally in the rates

legislation with these non-sport activities is discriminatory and

should not be condoned by this house. Regarding the new clause, I

will try to kill two birds with one stone, we think it is compatible and

in terms of the target demographic you outline participate in the sport

we think it is appropriate and there is a relevant social benefits so we

will let this one fly. The policy does have wings. The first point I

would make if it is more appropriate for the changed proposed the

amendment to be housed in the subordinate legislation that lists

prescribed sport and recreation is in response to his amendment I will

find out that point out that part of the usual standard for the list of

sports and recreations is of compulsory requirement for

consultation with sporting bodies and representatives of local

councils under article 30 16. Members note such consultation

process is not in evidence in respect of the amendment before us

today. Sponsors of the amendment as understandably pointed out anomalies

and they were listed by Mr Cree, model aeroplane flying, and wild

fouling. I agree with the member that these are pursuits not in

keeping with the principle enshrined in the governing primary legislation

of the activities involving a degree of physical effort. I estimate that

the inclusion of these anomalies and activities have no practical effect

because there are no rateable premises associated with them and

therefore the removal from the list would be a straightforward tidy up

exercise. And that amendment was

passed by 55 votes to 29. The bill reaches its

final stage tomorrow. Another piece of legislation that

passed today was the Housing It concerns how estate agents

operate and are regulated. Today's Legislative Consent Motion

was brought to the floor by the enterprise

minister, Jonathan Bell. The Housing and planning Bill was

adduced in Parliament on the 13th of October 2015 by the Department for

community is an local government. The overall purpose of the bill is

to make changes to the law in England and Wales concerning

housing, rent charges, planning and compulsory purchase. The bill was

considered to be a suitable vehicle to introduce changes that the

Department for business innovation skills considered necessary to make

to the 1979 UK wide estate agent act which I will refer to as the 79 act.

These changes relate only to 79 acts enforcement responsibilities. The 79

act is largely limited to regulating the activities of estate agents in

selling property on behalf of their clients. When it was enacted the

Office Of Fair Trading or the OST had certain responsibilities under

the 79 act notably the part to ban unfit persons from carrying out

estate agency work is took the 79 act also contained other enforcement

responsibilities that were carried out by local authority trading

standards departments within their respective areas in Great Britain

and my department in Northern Ireland. Responsibilities falling to

trading standards departments include requirements relating to the

handling of clients money and ensuring requirements to provide

vendors with certain information are complied with. Essentially, all

complaints about estate agents under the 79 act were investigated and

assessed by trading standards departments who referred the most

serious complaints to the OST to consider with a view to banning an

estate agent or warning. A failure to amend the act could result in

unfit and fraudulent estate agents being allowed to continue to

operate, this would cause increased harm to consumers and prevent

complied estate agents from operating on a level playing field.

The proposed amendment of the 79 act would allow the Secretary of State

for the Department for business innovation and skills or a person

who never took over the role of lead authority for the UK. The person

chosen by the Secretary Of State could be any local authority or the

Department of enterprise, trade and investment in Northern Ireland. The

provision will allow the Secretary Of State to appoint a new

enforcement authority for the 79 act from time to time as necessary.

for the 79 act from time to time as necessary.

Now, last week much was made of waffling Ministers and today

the Speaker had this to say to those who stay on their feet too long.

Answers to questions may be no longer than two minutes, 40 minute

interview to exceed this time in the face of repeated reminders is

discourteous to the house and is unacceptable. Ministers may from

time to time needs more time to provide answers on complex issues

and a deputy speakers and I will accept requests for additional time

in no circumstances. However, filibustering a waffling is not in

order and if ministers slip beyond that time we will intervene and move

on. I hope that is clear. Clear as day - and it'll be

interesting to see if those guidelines are strictly

adhered to in future. And Stephen is with me

for a final word... A warning to ministers to stop time

wasting. Yes, what's interesting about this is it seems to be a

recent complaint, number of MLAs have complained when ministers come

to the box and asked questions rather than rattling through the

questions quickly so they can get to a lot of questions in the session,

they are taking their time and what we witnessed was him saying you need

to give the answer within two minutes, you can't take your time,

get the point, get as many Malays possible asking questions and

let's get the proceedings moving as quickly as possible. And that's

because we have topical questions which is a recent element meaning

ministers cannot pre-prepare everything in advance and sometimes

they can be blindsided by a cheeky question from about venture. Yes,

they can be caught off-guard. It is those questions they don't know that

coming which they can be caught off-guard and that is the area where

Mitchell McLauchlan thinks some ministers have been doing time

wasting. To be fair, it is an ongoing issue, we talked about it

before. We have, the fact when you have ministers with a list of

questions and maybe nine or ten questions and the other day there

were only three or four questions so clearly it is a problem because

ministers are clearly taking their time. Finally, Sinn Fein's ranks in

Fermanagh and South Tyrone. There has been an awful lot of

development. Basically, Phil Flanagan who was originally

deselected and then there was a second selection meeting and then

Phil Flanagan is back on the ticket for Sinn Fein and the person who has

lost out most is Michelle, the former MP. She is not on the Sinn

Fein ticket for Fermanagh and South Tyrone which is a big surprise.

There was speculation she might move into Mid Ulster, you have Martin

McGuinness going from but Michelle Gilda new has made it clear her

heart is in Fermanagh and South Tyrone but it was a surprise. It

expected to see Michelle Gilder knew get the nomination. We will see if

that is an end to it. But do join me again tomorrow

night at the same time. Eight famous pensioners are looking

to retire to an exotic land... I had never thought about India

but...maybe. ..enjoying the fantastic local

cultures... Ooh! ..discovering true spiritual

enlightenment... ..and finding out if they could

spend their golden years... Wow! Yeah, it really does feel like home.

You come face-to-face with yourself.