07/03/2016 Stormont Today

Security matters force their way back onto the Assembly's agenda

as MLAs condemn last week's attempt to kill a prison officer in East

And Members consider a new and potentially unpopular

option in the battle against obesity.

So, on the programme tonight: Following recent terrorist activity,

It was a despicable murder attempt and thankfully it did not succeed

but as the Secretary of State has said we have to be lucky all of the

time, the bad people only half to be lucky once.

as the Assembly considers a sugar tax.

60% of the adult population is overweight or obese.

And joining me with his thoughts on today's business is our

Political Correspondent, Chris Page.

Stormont may be on the verge of being dissolved, with election

and referendum campaigns on the horizon - but today the House

MLAs from across the chamber condemned the dissident Republican

attack on a prison officer in East Belfast last week.

Several speakers even referred to members of their family who had

The Matter of the Day was brought by the Ulster Unionist Andy Allen,

who explained that he knows all too well what the prison officer

I myself was at the receiving end of an bomb blast. Let me say to the

prison officer there is light at the end of that tunnel. I am living

proof. We will not allow these people to take as back to the past.

The impact that it has on people's families, the sacrifices that

thousands of families have made over the past number of decades, checking

under your car, not able to drive on certain roads, having to avoid

certain areas in Northern Ireland. That was normal to me. When I look

back it was far from normal. We need to send a clear message to those who

launched this attack. They have little or no support within the

community. There is no place for this type of attack. We have to send

a clear message that this Assembly and all the particle parties,

whatever disputes or issues that needs to be resolved, they will be

done by peaceful and democratic means. The people who carried out

this attack did so with a mix of insanity and vanity and are

deploying a failed strategy. People of my generation and generations to

come wants to move on. They are fed up with this nonsense. These people

who think they can drag us back to the past while at the same time

talking about the future. I met the officer concerned if months ago. He

is an officer who has a certificate number of years service. He is

playing a key part in the prison service. He is also somebody active

in the community. He is the kind of citizen that this society needs. He

is the kind of person who is a benefit to the public service as

well as to the wider community. He had no reason to be attacked. It is

often forgotten that prison officers continue to be on the front line

because there continues to be a concerted deliberate driven campaign

to try and retake control of the prisons. And it is modelled upon and

build upon the template of the past. I was the daughter of a prison

officer. We had full splits in our lives. It was a real threat. That

was normality for my family. That was 15 years ago. That is sad to

think that in 2016 we are still faced with that type of threat.

Claire Sugden, not alone in having a very personal reaction to last

And both that terrorist attack and the arms find near Larne came up

during the final Question Time of the mandate for the First

Arlene Foster called on the public to be vigilant and pass any

information they might have on to the police.

She also expressed concern over the suggestion that the Easter 1916

anniversary could be a motivation for more attacks.

Does the First Minister accept that it is a badge of dishonour and shame

on her administration and these institutions that the definition of

victim continues to include victim makers? Can she tell as a

consequence of that definition... The member will resume his seat.

Resume your seat. I would expect ministers to

remember, one question at a time. Zero prisoners groups have had

victim 's funding. That is the first thing to say. The second thing to

say is that it was my party that tried to change the definition of

the victim. It is this party that wants to do that. There are others

in this House that do not want to see that happen. We will continue to

try and bring forward legislation in the next mandates to deal with that

matter but we need others to join with us to do that. That is the

reality. The victims definition was set before devolution. That is

something that is not tall to people and we have to deal with that

reality. I am not dealing with fantasy politics. I want to take

this opportunity, when he has made reference to European victims day,

to say how much I condemn the attack on the prison officer last weekend.

It was a despicable murder attempt and thankfully it did not succeed.

But as the Secretary of State has said we have to be lucky all of the

time, the bad people only have two be lucky once. I call upon,

particularly given the activities in Larne at the weekend, I call upon

the public to be vigilant. I member of the public who brought the arms

cache to the attention of the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we

must make sure that the entire public gives their support to the

Police Service of Northern Ireland oscillatory can bring these people

to justice and make sure that Northern Ireland continues on a

positive and productive journey to the future. What Ash... Will the

First Minister give that actions by the security forces will be taken to

thwart receptivity? We were all very concerned to hear the assessment

from the assistants Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer do it in and around the

southern and Republicans and the fact that they were going to use

Easter 1916 as an excuse to perpetrate violence and mayhem. I

absolutely believe that we as politicians need to give strong

leadership. We need to say it is not acceptable and reject it. We have to

support the Police Service of Northern Ireland so that they can

bring these people to justice. That is why although the find as Larne

was disturbing the fact that we could find it as I could thing.

Security issues work to the forefront. Yes, a 52-year-old prison

officer injured when a bomb exploded and in vehicle he was driving. For

all the talk about MLAs disagreeing, this is an issue where they are at

one. Nobody in the chamber would dissent from what was said today.

Nobody would refuse to condemn it. It is significant that on the first

day that there was a first Assembly session after that attack the first

item was that debate in which Assembly members were given an

opportunity to express their views on what happened.

It was interesting to see one MLA speaking as the victim of a similar

blast and to speaking as the children of prison officers stopped

that right. The Independent MLA is the daughter

of a prison officer. Another MLA is the son of a prison officer. A

reminder that so many MLAs have been affected directly by the Troubles.

Then we heard about the MLA affected by another conflict. And he was so

badly injured by a blast that he is a wheelchair user.

A Health Bill which proposes to ban smoking in cars carrying children

has been making its way through the House -

but it also calls for a study to be carried out by the department

investigating the possibility of introducing a levy

Diet is linked to diabetes and cancer. We are aware of the health

risks associated with high levels of sustained sugar intake. The average

intake amongst school-aged children and teenagers is almost three times

higher than the new 5% maximum recommended level and around twice

the maximum recommended level in adults. In terms of people being

overweight and obese, 60% of the adults published as obese or

overweight. 28% of children and young big are overweight or obese.

GP costs. Descriptions, costs are 92 million per year. There is a clear

area of concern in relation to strain on the service. It is

important to reflect that sugary soft drink 's are of particular

concern. But it does need to be part of a broader strategy. This

Amendment was recognition of that. This is not the panacea to all of

our issues but it is a positive public health initiative. Obesity is

the epidemic of the 21st-century. The STL P believes that this chamber

should do all within its powers to prevent it from a cunning in the

first place. With regard to the amendments there are a number of

issues. A number of questions for the Minister. Will this be an

academic piece of literature? In his remarks he referred to a robust

study. When does a robust study not become a consultation? The Minister

and the officials have decided a public consultation is not

necessary. That is disappointing. Given how little value many

executive departments actually give to consultations the outcome will be

little changed. At this stage rather than only have a consultation for

the sake of consultation I will give the park and the benefit of the

doubt with this study exercise. It is my hope that this report, aside

from being expert led and ambitious in its thinking, will still test

public opinion on the introduction of a levy. It is taking the time to

examine the issue properly that is at the heart of the issue before us.

Beth the results are positive my Department or the Assembly could

then move towards a consultation on what specifically to do in respect

of this issue of a levy or a tax on sugar sweetened jinx.

Road safety took centre stage at today's questions

The Road Traffic Amendment Bill was completed in January

Mark H Durkan was keen to outline the need for the legislation.

In terms of drink-driving, the bill makes provision for two new lower

drink-drive limit and also increases speed limits have been stopped and

tested by the police. A consultation paper is due to be issued this

month, this will contain proposals to introduce a set of five statutory

rules that are needed to bring the new drink-driving meshes into

operation. I am compliment that with the continued support of my brief

safety partners, the new drink-driving regime will be

invented for the end of 2016. In relation to graduated driving

licensing, the obligation is to make sure the drivers are skilled over

time in lower risk environments. The bill provides for a minimum six

months learning period and introduction of training to be

evidenced by a logbook. It removes the current 45 mph restriction for

learner drivers and also introduce a passenger restriction for new young

drivers for the first six months after they have passed their test.

Right away, we have been in contact with the approved driving

instructors, they are going to be talking to people about this from

the very first driving lesson, it will also be public information to

support's is as important parents know this before their children out

driving and the responsibility that children have in terms of what

passengers making curry and when. I also launched two new campaigns

later this month, the first addressing mobile phone use when

driving and the second, young driver distraction, particularly when

carrying passengers. The Minister may be aware where other corner of a

road which has been the scene of five territories of young in recent

years. That corner was removed from the scheme years ago, will you see

this scheme expedited? I thank the member for that question. That truly

is a frightening and shocking statistic and certainly as an

elected representative, never mind is Minister for responsibility of

road safety, I will work with you and everyone to address what is

clearly an issue at that precise location. On the record take in this

chamber before, speaking of concern that I have had about I suppose the

restructuring of the Government departments and where I foresee

potential problems in that growth but there are also opportunities

which will actually subsume the road safety element so you have people

within the same department who are responsible for brief safety and

those who are responsible for the road network. Can I ask the Minister

to outline what actions the department has taken to take action

against defective headlight switch may decrease accidents on rural

roads? Of the department does have responsibility for brief safety and

it does have response rate to ensure the roadworthiness of vehicles which

is the cause and factor in many collisions Honorius through the MOT,

we do check the headlights on vehicles, that is one of the most

important aspects of the tests add any found to be faulty ball be

There's plenty of last minute legislation making a final dash

through the Assembly and today it was the turn of the Education

It's reached Further Consideration Stage,

and John O'Dowd was keen to point out the important work that's been

This bill recognises outmost where schools already treat this issue

very seriously, believing in schools remains a problem. There are

edited... The consistency of which all schools stick to address the

problem. The framework which it will provide will give all schools

Beatles and management and information they require to monitor

their own performance, identify issues at an early stage. The duties

that are introduce reflect this practice, endorses those system and

practices that they already have in place. We always hear that

schooldays are the best days of our lives and we want all our children

to be happy at school. Because it is within that environment that our

children but the mac achieve their potential with no fear of bullying.

If there is billing, we want to deal with that. -- bullying. During the

consideration stage of this bill, the end this's assembly agreed...

With the amendments, that have been made since, the bill has been made

better. In terms of BTM edits today, the community has not taken any form

of view, the Minister has indicated that either they aren't of technical

nature or largely don't alter the bill's content. I suppose from that

point of view, members will want to view the contributions to decide

accordingly. A brief description of the incidents should be included in

the guidelines that the Minister and his team will draw up afterwards and

they certainly when ever is someone draws or drill down into any

information of the incident, they will be able to understand what has

happened from the beginning to the end. I think on the face of it we do

need to include the method. It is like in including an additional

column of analysis and you can see physical, verbal, cyber bullying

throughout that and in my mind, it makes for better and analysis. I'd

like to thank all of those who have contributed to today's debate and

the positive engagement in such a timely manner. The Dell is a

positive step forward to improve schools abilities to tackle the

problems as rigorously and effectively as they can. To ensure

more children are protected from the damage that bullying can cause.

John O'Dowd striking a positive note on plans to tackle bullying.

The South Belfast MP, Alasdair McDonnell, has walked out

of a Parliamentary committee meeting, taking exception

to a contribution from the Labour MP, Kate Hoey.

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee was at Stormont hearing

evidence about how a UK exit from the European Union could affect

First though, Lady Sylvia Hermon asked the DUP MP, Gavin Robinson,

what impact a vote to leave could have on the border

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland already have border

arrangements of cooperation. We both look after one another and were

quite closely out of what is the unified European Union border

process, that is the first thing to say. I think this is demonstrated by

the evidence that we have that they are scared of us leaving because

they will lose their big friend in Europe. You don't expect there to be

any change along the border to while policing arrangements? I say this,

it's not that I foresee any change our party takes it pretty ill with

the fear concerns around border operations, border post, like when

they've had a common travel area before the European Union and they

take it pretty ill for those who suggest that Northern Ireland will

descend back into violence should we not benefit from a continued

relationship with the European Union. I think that touches to a

base level in politics other level are concerned and fear that is not

suitable and nor is it of a credit to anyone who should raise it. I'm

not suggesting that you were... The three levels of relationship that

when trying within the good Friday agreement, relationships within

Ireland, relationships between Northern Ireland and the south and

the relations at an east-west basis, that was the brainchild of John Hume

who took his inspiration from the European Union and who understood...

You might laugh but that is what happened. I'm laughing at John Hume,

did a good job. Order, order. You have to control that member. Order,

order. That is not acceptable. That is the second time today. I think

John Hume played an amazing part in that, my point was in terms of the

EU relationship. The EU understood and if you look at the peace lilies

I've come here, that was the result of a direct understanding of relish

chip. Because of people like John Hume, and other people, all those

people who contributed that but the context, the political context of

that has been within the European Union. Of course the McCanns were

very helpful who brought the Americans on board. Within the

European Union, to nation states, the British Government and the Irish

Government and I think it is quite obvious.

The SDLP leader, Colum Eastwood, and Chris Page is here

And all expected ten of events when Alasdair McDonnell walked out of

that meeting. Up until that point, it looks like a fairly routine

committee hearing. All part of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee,

the enquiry into the that the debate of the European Union for Northern

Ireland. They are holding most of the debate in the house is up

Parliament in London but they are here at the moment. Alasdair

McDonnell took exception to something that Kate Perry said, the

origins of the peace process and left. Kate Hoey clarified that she

had been laughing and then the committee continued to question the

witness. Do we know anything more that was behind Alasdair McDonnell's

decision to walk out? He referred that is being the second time,

whether it was the second time that Kate Hoey had annoyed or irritated

him? Judging what he had said on the way out he did feel that previously

in that committee hearing Kate Hoey had said something that he didn't

like. He said to the community chairman, Laurence Robertson, that

he should control that member, that member being Kate Hoey. He said what

she had said was not acceptable so clearly Alasdair McDonnell was

upset, Kate Hoey didn't feel she had done anything wrong. Let's talk

about Jim Wells. He got the DUP nomination in self-doubt after much

speculative about whether he would or would not. What you surprise?

There had been discussion about whether Jim Wells would come back as

the DUP candidate in self-doubt after what happened to him last

year. -- herself down. He maintained all the way through

but he doesn't feel he has done anything particularly wrong, he was

looking to get back into the assembly after the May elections, he

wants to standard again, he now houses which, the DUP have announced

today all 44 of their election candidates and he is one of them.

The other question would be what the DUP with doings East Belfast, Sammy

Douglas is running there again. We now know the answer, it is Joanne

bunting, she was a counsellor, she was on the Council for 11 years, the

DUP regard her as a very good pick. In fact, the partly with third --

would feel they are gearing up very well for the selection also in about

two months' time and it has all become clear. The speakers are

holding a women in politics bentonite. Some pretty strong words

tonight, he said the unrepresented sheen women in assembly is

indefensible. He is calling on the next assembly to try and approve

that. He is stepping down in the next couple of weeks.

Join me again at the same time tomorrow night -