05/03/2012 Stormont Today

Hello, and welcome to Stormont Today. And while Tara takes a well-

earned break, I'll be your guide through the high points of the

Assembly proceedings. Last week, the Oscars, this week, yet another

His girlfriend was there, but we were not.

Pack your bags - mart inMcGuinness and Peter Robinson were on tour.

Here's where you'll see them... Northern India, Dubai, China.

all strictly business of course. With me throughout is Professor

Michael O' Flaherty of the Human Rights Commission.

A stark message was delivered to our lawmakers today - laws and

regulations are falling short when it comes to protecting older

residents in nursing homes. Indeed, a catalogue of concerns was

revealed in a new report from the Human Rights Commission. Your

report in defence of dignity found serious shortcomings when it came

to caring for our elderly. Yes, indeed. There are somewhere between

10-11 million people living in nursing homes in Northern Ireland.

We all know somebody who is in a nursing home. We ourselves may end

up in one. There have been concerns reaching the commission over the

years about some inappropriate behaviour that undermines dignity.

It's on this basis we set about the study. We found, on one hand, low-

grade abuse and denial of the basic dignity of the old people, on the

other hand, serious concerns about matters such as getting your last

meal at 4.30pm, not eating again until 10.00am the next morning, the

use of incontinence pads instead of bringing people to the toilet, use

of inappropriate restraints and so on. A lot of concern raised through

this trawl for evidence and an investigation in a number of holes

as well as gaps in the law and procedures and regulations where we

need to put human rights in the centre of the story. The Minister

has been saying these cases have been dealt with. Is that correct?

welcome the fact the Minister has engaged the issue so extensively

today. He attended our launch today, spoke so effectively. He made a

commitment he'd look seriously at what the commission has found. That

is a good starting point. He -- uses the term historic. Nine out of

the 80 cases we felt the immediate risk of harm to an individual was

such we should bring the individuals directly to the trust.

Some of the matters were historic, but the underlying patterns and

lack of regulation hasn't gone away. Thank you. Here's what the Health

Minister said to me when I bumped into him in the great hall a little

while ago. We're talking about a very few facilities, that there are

thousands of staff in nursing homes that provide really good quality

care in hundreds of nursing homes across Northern Ireland for very

many people and many of the families recognise that and

appreciate that standard of care. Of course, this cannot be tolerated

even if it is a very small number of cases, and we will go after

those nursing homes. We'll still provide the best quality of care.

That's why we have an independent regulatory body. That's why we have

had 1,100 inspections of the nursing homes last year, so we do

take these matters seriously in providing the best quality of care

for elderly people. You heard the Minister there. He's going to go

after these homes that don't ensure dignity for the elderly. Are you

satisfied? Are you reassured? That's encouraging, but more is

needed. We need to change the regulation as well. Now you can't

restrain an older person in a home without good cause. The regulations

don't define what restraint is. We had one case in which a nursing

home staff member shoved a table against a chair. The person was

effectively a prisoner. When we challenged that was restraint and

had to comply with the rules, the staff member said, "I had no idea

this was restraint". So we need a definition of that we need a

definition of what making a best decision in the case of the

resident means - in some cases, like dementia, the person cannot

make their own mind up, so you have to decide what's best for them. But

there is no guidance in the regulation of what best interests

looks like and how it would work this practising. We need a change

in the regime. We'll certainly keep an eye on what they do about those

regulation. There was a big Assembly or ray for

Hollywood golfer Rory McIlroy this morning. He became the world's

number one golfer at the weekend, and our First and Deputy First

Ministers, delighted at the news, congratulated him along with other

MLAs, but while he was on top form, one member claimed our executive

efforts to promote Northern Ireland as a golfing destination was way

below par. What an ambassador, Mr Speaker. He did it with the support

of his father Gerry, his mother Rosie. His girlfriend was there,

but we were not, Mr Speaker, and Mr Speaker, I was in Valencia in 1982

reporting on Northern Ireland in the World Cup finals when the late

Harold McKusker lambasted the tourist board and everybody else

who was not there to support the team. 30 years on I make this plea

- let's stop making this mistake. I know the tourism Minister has said

she's reserved half a million pounds to promote Northern Ireland

at Port Rush. May I suggest she takes the BA flight tomorrow and

send an executive where Rory tees off as world golf's number one

player and Northern Ireland's number one ambassador. The reality

is there has been a considerable amount of support from Invest MNI

including it going live on the PGA tour which runs until June. The

reception that was held on the 9th of January in conjunction with

David Faherty with the executives at Pebble Beach - we'll also - the

investment and I will also be hosting hospitality at the US Open

putting us pretty much at the heart of golf and world golf. Leaving

aside the petty sniping of Mr Nesbitt in relation to this I would

like to say this House is united as party. We're sending out a clear

signal, well done, Rory. You have done us all proud. In case Mike

Nesbitt didn't give the message, Peter Robinson was to drive it

again home in Question Time. Peter Robinson is off travelling in the

next few months. In support of the economy, the Deputy First Minister

and I will be participating at a number of programmes in the coming

months, including to North America, India, Dubai and even China. We

believe that there is an important role that inward investment plays

in growing the Northern Ireland economy and we welcome the

opportunity to support, invest in Northern Ireland's activities in

overseas markets. Our first overseas visit of the year will be

to North America where we'll meet with a number of potential and

existing investors and key business influencers in Washington, DC and

Canada. North MAmerica is of course a significant source of FDI and

we'll take the opportunity to reinforce the message we have a

superb track record in supporting investors to grow Northern Ireland.

We'll share this at the highest levels within the Obama

administration. We're scheduled to meet with the President and

Secretary of State Clinton around the St Patrick's Day celebration.

We also plan to lead and invest an Northern Ireland Trade and Invest

mission set to visit India and the united Arab Emirates in April. This

will be part of the Opportunity India campaign and will be the

first mission to visit the market in 2012. Indian companies are major

investors in the United Kingdom and a growing source of FDI. Again,

we'll communicate the message the Northern Ireland executive is pro-

business and committed to growing the economic. We'll continue to

look for opportunities to support the economy Minister and invest

Northern Ireland in order to attract high-quality investment.

Will the First Minister join me in congratulating the successes over

the weekend by Rory McIlroy? Does he believe this success can be used

to help Invest Northern Ireland? Invest Northern Ireland plan to

arrange to promote golfing activities. For the third year it

will be involved in corporate hospitality at the US Open, which

is being held in San Francisco, and they will have that corporate

hospitality in each of the four days of the competition. Beyond the

US Open, Invest Northern Ireland is advertising on the PGA tour dot com

website this week. Indeed, I hear from our colleagues at Tourism

Ireland that they have produced a new 60-second commercial featuring

Rory McIlroy which will air on the Golf Channel this week. I has that

excellent commercial line from Rory saying how much he loves being from

Northern Ireland. And all of that helps problems as far as

international investors and tourists are concerned. On a more

sombre note, it was the Health Minister next, and the first

question he faced was on his department's attempts to reduce the

suicide rates. The Protect Life strategy was launched in the midst

of unprecedented increases in suicide rates. This has had almost

an immediate impact on the potential for achieving the 15%

reduction in suicide. The reduction target is based on a three-year

rolling average. Therefore it will not be known for definite until

December 2013 whether the target has been met. However, given recent

trends in suicide rates, it is most unlikely that target will be

achieved. Suicide is a sad issue and many social factors beyond the

Protect Life strategy influence suicide. The Northern Ireland Home

Office noticed the suicide rate alone is difficult to - in view of

this, new objectives and measures are being developed which will

allow for a more balanced assessment of Protect Life whilst

retaining the goal of reducing suicide this will set out a

strategy that is to be published Can I thank the Minister for his

answer. Can he outline, is he confident that the measures he now

has in place will ensure the 15 % reduction will be met in the coming

years? Regrettably, as it would appear in this moment in time, that

will not be the case. There may be a range of reasons associated with

it. However, actions that have been taken had been hoped for and I

trust they will prove to be helpful in terms of the work being done.

Speaker, question number three. I can confirm there are no plans to

sell Belfast City Hospital. Can I ask the Minister what discussions,

if any, have taken place concerning the City Hospital site, including

the medical school, Cancer Centre and blood transfusion centre with

the private sector, either for sale and leaseback or private, public

partnership? If these have taken place, I am not aware of it and I

had not approved it. What about resources? Can that assist in the

care of the elderly? Improving a regulation does not cost a penny.

Changing the culture of the nursing home sector does not cost anything

at all. In other cases, it is about reallocation of current resources.

Ultimately, there is going to be a need for some resources. We, as the

Human Rights Commission, have no confidence in our finances. -- had

no competence in Abbey's finances. However, if extra resources are

needed, can you think of anything better to spend it on than the

elderly? Main points of the Bill be guarding marine waters were set out

today. It provides greater protection for the marine

environment. It will establish a streamlined system of marine

planning. It will introduce conservation measures that will

seek to ensure that biodiversity is protected and international and

European commitment are met. Northern Ireland supports Heart Of

Our biodiversity, including a threatened marine animals and

plants. Some of the species have only been discovered. 22 species of

sponges have just been discovered. Stephen Agnew says the Bill does

not go far enough. He is with me now. What is wrong with the bill?

One thing that does not appear in the Bill is marine management

organisation. At the moment, five different departments have bury its

responsibilities in terms of marine management. It is unwieldly and

expensive. Critics would say it would add to bureaucracy and the

cost. It will bring those strands into one organisation. Eight recent

report -- a recent report says the upfront cost would be around

�650,000. We will save �200,000 a year by the rationalisation of all

these different strands of work. But is the money argument, but what

difference would an organisation like this make? What it means is

you have one body with experts and a clear policy objective of

promotion, protection and enhancement of the marine

environment and biodiversity. We have had the situation which has

been to date a permissive state of regulation. We are in threat of

European sanctions because of the damage that has been done to the

reefs. We cannot keep doing what we have been doing. Globally, we are

losing up to 200 plant and animal species a day and if we do not stop

this biodiversity loss, it is not any conservation that will lose out,

but the fishing industry as well. One do you like about the bill? It

does include offences against damaging and marine areas. Yes,

there are protection zones. We need to see what those are really like,

and the Minister has said there will not be a one size fits all

approach. That is good as long as we see the Right protections in the

right place. Thank you. Would you fancy moving to Canada? My parents

took to the idea back in the 1970s, but I made it back to my native

land, a refugee from the Canadian winter. But it is the land of

opportunity, so says the Canadian High Commissioner. There are about

2.5 million people in Canada who have direct links back to Northern

Ireland. There is a new mine that will create around 350 new jobs.

There are connections between our universities and there are huge

opportunities on the Canadian Studies Programme for Irish

students to go to Canada. What kind of opportunities are there for

people to work in Canada? We had a very good programme between Canada

and the United Kingdom which is the Youth Experience programme. Young

people can go to Canada for two years. There are lots of jobs,

especially in the construction industry. There are opportunities

in the tourism industry. A lot of people go to ski resorts, golf

resorts and they can work and lived there. There are jobs in the

aerospace industry. There is a rich array of choices for young people

wanting to go to Canada, and some people who want to go for the

longer period. Our First Minister and betty macro turd -- and Deputy

First Minister are heading out to Canada. What can they expect?

that there are a lot of tourism opportunities. We need to open up

their access between Northern Ireland and Canada. Golf will be a

huge attraction and the countryside, the culture here. It all speaks

well to Canadians. But as a -- let's look at Our weekly round-up

of the committees. A focus is the justice committee. This is not a

new-fangled notion. The reality is it gives the opportunity to.

Evidence that the court would not otherwise here about major

criminals. You can understand what the public perspective can come

from in terms of two high-profile cases recently. The confidence in

BPP s has been rocked by that. Acting that is undeniable. People

are looking for explanations. People do look for a response.

There does seem to be a gap in people coming forward and

explaining themselves to the public. Is that an area you feel that you

as Minister can address and a better fashioned than has been the

case, -- better fashioned than has been the case. We do not have the

legislation. B P P S cant converse directly with the Assembly of. --

can converse directly with the Assembly. That will assist the

openness and transparency, which the directors that this morning he

is committed to. Does it mean that you are beyond criticism? The you

mean me personally? This concept of this judiciary being open and

independent. Cumnock criticised then? Individuals have a right to

state their opinion, but one needs to be careful about how that is

expressed. It can come from any one of us and it will look as if we are

trying to second-guess a charge of the chief constable. That is a

question we talked about last week. There have been many miscarriages

of justice, so obviously something went wrong. There is a difference

between the individual and any question why it would be seen as

the Minister posing the question. Your department last week warned us

off. I would say it differently. The common that was passed was

passed in response to a direct statement that David Ford as

Minister should be taking actions on. It was not an attempt to warn

anyone off. It was framed in that way. It was not a phrase elegantly,

but this committee and its members for under the set obligation.

Pied believe a judicial decision is wrong, I should not raise my voice

in concern? You have the right to do that, but big role of the judge

who took that decision is to be respected. I cannot understand what

that means. It has been a long week but progress is being made on the

new Victims and Survivors Service. For the latest on this, I caught up

with our political editor. You have news for us on the victims service.

Peter Robinson said they are on track to get this new service which

is meant to be delivering various services to victims up and running

by 2nd April. He also made a reference to the victims

commissioners. Four of them were appointed when Ian Paisley was in

charge. That has gone down to three. Mr Robinson said that he and Martin

McGuinness had agreed a number of commissioners and the future, but

he would not say what it was. many commissioners do you think we

will end up with? That term is up at their end of May. You would

think that Stormont would want to go in the direction of reducing the

number because it was sometimes felt that for was too many. Maybe

they will go for only two. You have been reading in the routine answers

about a project that has been abandoned for older prisoners.

is is a quirky one. This was a proposal for a bowling green inside

a jail. It made its way into the Sunday papers. It was floated

inside the jail and then removed. But in they realise there would

have been a public response to that. The Justice Minister confirmed that

no work had been carried out, no money had been paid out to contract

has in relation to this proposed, but now abandoned bowling green.

You have been heard about another drama about one of the ministers

been cast as Robin Hood. There was a news release today in regards to

an industrial tribunal regarding inspectors. They were the birds --

they were representing a young local actor who had not been paid

for his part in the film of Robin Hood. They manage to get him his

We're concerned with human rights, a programme for Government, making

sure human rights is at the centre of that, focusing on the most

marginalised and disadvantaged. Welfare cuts are of enormous

concern for us. We're working hard there to do a human rights analysis

and to bring our advice to Government to make sure that the

way in which they implement these severe cuts is human rights

compliant. We'll be watching that bell ourselves. Thank you very much.