02/07/2013 Stormont Today

Coming up tonight: Should Stormont have a formal opposition? What about

more speaking rights? A review on procedures was before the House

today. Order, please. Order, please. The

member's speaking rights have run out. May be the last sitting of the

Assembly before the summer break, but the First Minister is sure about

the way forward. Northern Ireland of the future will ab a society able to

fulfil its real economic potential and lay permanent RAC Foundations

for continued peace stability and prosperity. The Script has been

written. Neither words must -- now the words must be translated into

action. And Alex Kane joins me to look at

the events of today and the Parliamentary year gone by. Most of

us would agree that Stormont is far from, but can we really expect it to

change substantially. In recent weeks we have seen the newest party

complaining about speaking rights. Today the executive re Executive

Review Committee reported on potential changes to the way

Stormont operates. First the commentator Alex Kane is with me.

What's the importance of the review discussed today? The interest was in

the looking at the business of how the Assembly works. It goes to the

review 16 years ago now when they wanted to change the mechanics after

a number of years seeing how it works out. During that time...

There's no consensus on most of the key issues nor on the need of having

formal opposition Government like you do in Westminster. Even in terms

of creating extra space and speaking rights, that hasn't been agreed

either. There's no consensus. Sinn Fein have said they're very much

against that. They're not only against the formal opposition, but

against informal opposition. Even where consensus exists it's

informal. At any time the executive party can say no you're not getting

these rights. We've had this discussion about the possibility of

an opposition, we know that John McCallister is bringing forward a

Private Members' Bill on that very subject. Are you saying that you

can't see it going anywhere? I think that Private Members' Bill is coming

out in the next few bill. He's looking for a formal, funded,

official opposition. Bearing in mind that the main parties in the

executive seem incapable of reaching consensus of any of the key issues,

but interestingly enough if you look at Jim McCallister, he managed to

get that through. If he can get the public behind him, get the lobbying

groups behind him, he may be able to make changes. As it stands at the

minute, there is no support for opposition. What do you make of the

fact that all of the causes for there to be an opposition seem to be

coming from the Unionist benches - not all of the Unionist benches but

from the Unionist benches? That's not surprising. Right at the

beginning of the process there was a fear that opposition was going to be

a way of squeeze squeezing Nationalists out of the process

that. Was never going to happen. Sinn Fein and the SDLP will still be

entitled to take the seats in the executive. More from you later.

Alex, for now, thank you. All of the issues were considered in

detail. Compare sons were inevitably made with other legislatures. The

committee remain mindful of our unique circumstances and the fact

changes whatsoever during the work in which the committee has

undertaken. That's is not the approach of the Ulster Unionist

Party. We think institutions must change. The Alliance Party has felt

that there are four particular problems with the current system.

Namely the institutionalation of sectarian division. The equality of

votes with elected MLAs. The inability to adjust to political

circumstances and the ability of political majorities to hold the

process. We need to have an effective opposition in place

because the last thing people want to see is some sort of bureaucratic

system here in Stormont where most of the parties comprise 90% of the

elected representatives, make up an executive where there is no

challenge, no opposition apart from the odd written question about the

cost of mint impeerials in the chamber, apart from that, there's no

effect effective challenging opposition. I'm delighted that the,

that you've come to try and let us get some speaking rights.

THE SPEAKER: Order. Order. I want you to keep that campaign going. And

keep on championing the cause of NI2 THE SPEAKER: Order please. The

member's speaking rights have run out.

John McCallister being cut short by the deputy Speaker John Dallat. Mr

John McCallister and Sinn Fein's Pat Sheehan with me now. Did the debate

this afternoon achieve anything afar as opposition is concerned? I'm glad

you're giving me some speaking rights. I was disappointed that the

report. I thought it was a real missed opportunity to actually, you

know for people and parties that keep talking about opposition to

actually more or less put their money where their mouth is. They

failed to do that. With the report, yes, there's some difficult issues

about designation but the principles of establishing the opposition to

scrutinise the government and provide an alternative, I think the

report clearly missed that part. main parties aren't enthusiastic.

We'll hear why in a moment. Where does this leave your Private

Members' Bill. It's dead in the water. I wouldn't be as pessimistic

as you. The difference is this was a report that no-one was really forced

to take up very hard and change positions. They didn't post

themselves. The advantage of a Private Members' Bill will put the

chance of tabling amendments, of making changes, of really putting it

up to all the parties to say, if this is something you believe in and

want to see in the Assembly, then get out and back it. What has Sinn

Fein got to fear from the establishment of an opposition?

don't have anything to fear at all. Parties are able to go into

opposition now if they so wish. They can opt out of the executive, if

they don't want to be in it. And provide opposition within the

Assembly. The point is it wouldn't be a very effective opposition

because they wouldn't be properly funded and they wouldn't have proper

speaking rights. You have to remember the arrangements that we

have were designed to suit the situation that we have here. The

Professor when he was in giving evidence said the arrangements here

must be seen as an organ organic whole. If you try to tinker around

the edges or pick and mix, it will have a knock-on effect. To give you

an example, if 30 MLAs went into opposition, they would be able to

sign petitions of concern and block every single piece of legislation

coming from the executive. So we be at stand still. That's just an

example of how it wouldn't work. If we tinker with one bit it will have

an effect somewhere else. The point. This is a very carefully balanced

system that we've got in place with lots of checks and balances. If you

unsettle it, it will grind to a stand still. The very example Pat

used about the positioning, the one party that has abused most of the

petition of concern is the biggest party in the Government, namely the

DUP. Oppositions aren't there just to oppose everything. They're there

to oppose things they don't agree with. If the Government brings

something sensible they're not going oppose it for the sake of

opposition. Are you happy for the debate to continue? Happy for John

McCallister to table his Private Members' Bill and for that to be

discussed? Absolutely. But what you have to remember, and this was clear

in the evidence given to the committee during its review that we

have the strongest system for scrutiny and holding Government to

account of any of the political institutions on these islands.

very much. The G8 summit may have been two weeks ago, but the benefits

of hosting the international event are very much at centre of Northern

Ireland's thinking. That's what the First Minister told the Assembly

today as he revealed further details of the executive's plans to build a

more prosperous society. It's important -- this important

initiative contains measures to rebalance the local economy and

secure a shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland. The Assembly

will be aware that this package was in development offer the last

two-and-a-half months and was only finalised just ahead of the G8

conference. There have been some criticisms that the significant

economic pact which affects the House and the executive was agreed

without a statement to the Assembly. The facts are that the pact was

subject to executive approval and indeed, the executive ratified it at

the very next meeting following the G8 last Thursday and today, at the

first available opportunity, I'm now in a position to provide members

with the details. It is important to note that the measures in building a

prosperous and united community are not a substitute for the executive

aim in relation to corporation tax. The executive will therefore

continue to push for corporation tax powers to help provide the necessary

stimulus for economic growth. I believe, like the many hundreds of

people who responded positively to the public consultation on this

issue, that this measure above all others has the ability to deliver

the necessary economic step change. Devolution of this power would allow

the executive to meet its shared objective of rebalancing the local

economy more quickly than if it was reline on the policy levers

currently available alongside those outlined in this package. As members

will be aware, the executive faces unique challenges in rebalancing the

local economy and addressing disadvantage and continuing

divisions. The current 100% assisted area status enables it to provide

targeted support to a range of private seconder-led projects

through Northern Ireland. For example, selective financial

assistance provided but invest Northern Ireland has helped to

promote over 3,000 new jobs here in the last three months alone. The

package also contains measures for increased support for trade and

investment and the executive is delighted bit Prime Minister's

decision to return to Northern Ireland for the executive's G8

investment conference in October. The world leaders came to Fermanagh

several weeks ago. They admired a society that has been transformed.

At the G8 Northern Ireland showed the world it is an increasingly

outward looking society, open for businesses, focussed on improving

the local economy. The economic and social pact that was unveiled by the

Prime Minister in recent days is a potent symbol of the executive's

vision. Under its custodianship and direction the Northern Ireland of

the future will be a genuinely shared society able to fulfil its

real economic potential and lay RAC Foundations for continued peace,

stability and prosperity. The Script has been written and the words must

be translated into action. I think anyone, even our pessimists in the

press recognise that the G8 was successful in Northern Ireland

terms. It is always difficult, though we will attempt to indicate

by way of the report that will be carried out by the executive, the

extent of the advantage to Northern Ireland in the longer term. At this

point, we see it not just being beneficial in terms of the

reputational enhancement that there is for Northern Ireland where people

around the world can see that Northern Ireland was a bright, sunny

and peaceful place, the kind of destination that one might want to

go for holidays or indeed, to invest. That's good for Northern

Ireland. I'm not sure what figure anybody can put on that. I think

what is also important is that the Prime Minister committed and

encouraged his colleagues at the G8 to support our economic conference

in October of this year and that, again, could real aisles very

considerable benefits. -- realise very considerable benefits.

Planning was back on the agenda today, after last week's controversy

over OFM/DFM's plans to create special economic planning zones. The

environment minister was back in the driving seat. This afternoon he

welcomed a policy aimed at conserving Northern Ireland's

natural heritage. Last week members recall the

Planning Bill, how could you forget, which focussed on reforming the

planning system and also ensuring that economic considerations are

embedded in the system in a proper way. But I've always maintained the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 45 seconds

planning system was about striking the appropriate balance between

Minister when he's given an opportunity to say that my opinion

is wrong that the opinion of all those who disagree in terms of the

law with the deputy and First Minister in this matter they don't

take the opportunity to rebut that either. This morning Edwin Poots

claimed he wouldn't be surprised to seat police turning a blind eye to

the activities of drug dealers in return for information. By the time

he took to his feet in Question Time this afternoon Mr Poots was saying

he was assured by the Chief Constable that there are no

untouchables. First up, the question about waiting lists. Recent figures

announced for waiting times in England have been described as

representing a crisis over there, yet they're still significantly

better than in Northern Ireland. Does he accept that had he been a

minister in England that he would have been out of office by now?

Yeah, well, maybe so. We have to wait and see. If you're going to

hunt ministers out of office, perhaps in 2008/9, we had 2280

people waiting. By the time that minister left office, there were

7,379 people waiting for more than 12 hours. If you want to talk about

ministers not performing, I think you better look closer to ho.

Thankfully last year we had less people waiting for more than 12

hours than whenever your own minister left office. Can you give

us an update today on the recent incident in the royal A & E where

over 100 patients seen by a local doctor have been recalled? What I

can give you is the information that I have. A doctor was employed, as I

understand, I think that the doctor himself was a consultant, he was

employed at registrar grade. They had no concerns in terms of any

background information on the individual and that they felt it was

safe to employ him. It was later discovered that there had been the

potential for a couple of cases that hadn't been appropriately dying

nosed -- nighing knows and in terms of the reading of X-rays and so

forth. There after they decided to recall all of the patients that he

had dealt with. Could I ask the minister, given the seriousness of

the situation, wouldn't the minister consider the comments he made over

the radio this morning in relation to the PSNI, would he consider with

drawing that statement or perhaps an apology to the PSNI would be in

order? Well, I'm glad to say I've had a consideration with the Chief

Constable and the Chief Constable is making it absolutely clear that they

will go after anyone who's engaged in drug dealing, that there should

be no untouchables. I think that's what the community wants to hear,

because whether we like it or whether we don't, there say

perception out there amongst many in our community that there are people

who are untouchable, that there are people who are known to be trading

in drugs and who don't appear to be being arrested for it. Now, let us

get the message out to the community that they need to pass the

information to the police and the police have expressed a very clear

willingness, with me at the highest level this morning, that they will

pursue such individuals. If I could press the minister. He said this

morning and I quote that he would not be surprised if the police were

turning a blind eye to the activity of some drug dealers. Can I ask the

minister direct directly and explicitly, does he still hold that

view this afternoon? I certainly had instances over the years of dealing

with these issues and indeed taking people to the police with

information to be acted upon. The Chief Constable has made it very

clear to me that there are no untouchables, that they will go

after people if they have the information and I that I that we

have to take his word on that. It's for the Policing Board to hold the

Chief Constable to account. Edwin Poots. The Justice Minister David

Ford also faced questions today, asked about the state of the threat

from dissident Republicans and first of all, for an update on Northern

Ireland's first sex wal a Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Antrim.

The establishment of Sexual Assault Referral Centre is a step forward in

report reporting sexual violence and abuse. It will provide victims with

a safe, secure and confidential environment. This is a key

initiative to tackle sexual violence and abuse and is an excellent

example of partnership working with the relevant departments and

agencies. Sexual violence is a serious problem in Northern Ireland

which affects people from all cultural, social and ethnic

backgrounds and across all age groups. Independent sexual violence

advisors are intended to be specialist support workers who

assist and help victims of assault and abuse in the weeks and months

after an assault. In order to secure funding for the service, my

department is required to produce a robust business case which will

depend on operational data collected over some months. Work has been

ongoing to define and develop the roles and the links to the

independent domestic violence advisors given the link between

domestic and sexual violence. These roles will evolve. It is therefore

not possible at this stage to provide a difintive time frame for

the appointment. This is dependent on a business case an securing

funding. I can certainly give Mr Lynch the assurance that the opening

of the building is an important step forward in meeting the needs of

those victims of sexual violence. I plef it is a significant step

forward. We have to examine the issue of the business case to see

exactly how the SARK will develop in the future. I thank the minister for

his answer. I find it strange that the centre was opened without the

business case having been done. Why was it not worked on before?

answer is simple: Because the business case requires operational

data which can't come through until it is in operation. I have regular

meetings with the Chief Constable on a range of issues concerning

security, that includes the level of threat from all terrorist

organisations to different groups. In addition, my department regularly

keeps under review the level of threat to individuals holding

justice-related positions to ensure that personal security measures can

be provided and advice issued as required to those individuals within

my ministerial remit. Is the minister satisfied that all

necessary steps are taken to ensure that the safety of people is not

compromised? I think those steps which can be taken in my department

are taken. Clearly, there are issues which, as I've highlighted to Mr

Campbell, fall to the Northern Ireland office and not to the

Department of Justice. Most of those are the issues which are highlighted

by the two members at this stage, which specifically falls to our

employees around, for example, home protection for prison officers then

action has been taken in recent months to do that as best we can.

Alex Kane has rejoined me for a few final thoughts. What's your

assessment of the Parliamentary term gone by? I think it's actually been

very dull. If you take Jim Allister's bill, nothing happened.

The Welfare Reform Act has been dumped into next year. Even the

Better Together, nothing happening there. We are where we started at

the beginning of the year. Didn't affect the legislative process but

the flags dispute dominated the political debate. I think it did. It

soured relationship. It infected the whole process. There's still a

hangover from that. They'll have to get over that. The welfare reforms

can't hang about waiting for them. Back at the start of the September.

Welfare reform will be on the agenda. Opposition will be on the

agenda. Briefly, a change to ministerial questions, where they'll

have 15 minutes of unsubmited questions first of all. That could

be interesting. That will be brilliant. It will be a real test of

the ministers. They'll be able to get some, but it will be interesting

to see if they can manage. Very much. That's it for now. That's our

last programme of the run, Stormont today is back in September. Join me

for The View on Thursday night, 10. 35pm BBC One. It's the last