07/12/2015 Stormont Today

Nigel Dodds unexpectedly joined his fellow DUP MP, Sammy Wilson,

in announcing he doesn't want to lead the party late this afternoon.

Tonight, the man who wants to remain in the role of deputy leader tells

us why he continues to believe the party can't be led from Westminster,

and why he thinks the current Finance Minister, Arlene Foster,

is the person to take the DUP forward.

It seemed a done deal, the DUP leadership was heading

for a job share, but now it's looking like a one woman show.

It would be wrong to try to lead the party from Westminster because I

wouldn't be able to give the parties are full-time focus it requires.

In the chamber there was some feistiness as the

Deputy First Minister responded to the final double-jobbing MLA.

Over the course of the next summer, we have a big decision to make over

his future, whether or not he will remain in this house or go to

another place. I hope he continues to remain in this house and

continues to enjoy sharing power with Sinn Fein.

And here with his thoughts on today's big surprise development

So, the man tipped to be crowned the third leader of the

Democratic Unionist Party has surprised just about everyone by

Nigel Dodds caught everyone out this afternoon when he told the media

that he no longer wished to be considered for the party leadership.

And he went even further by giving his full endorsement to

Arlene Foster, who could now become DUP leader and First Minister.

Mr Dodds, has been speaking to our political correspondent Chris Page.

As many of you know, I have previously been on record as saying

both publicly and to senior colleagues that I didn't believe

that a modern Northern Ireland party in the context of devolution now

firmly established could be led properly and fully from Westminster.

I have stated that publicly, I've talked to senior colleagues about

that. Given the level of expressions of support over the last

couple of weeks, I have further reflected on the matter, I have

taken counsel, I have prayed about it, I've spoken to colleagues. I am

firmly of the view and I have concluded it would be wrong to try

to lead the party from Westminster because I wouldn't be able to give

the road the full-time focus and time it requires and still carry out

my responsibilities at Westminster as Parliamentary leader, especially

in the context where there are so many opportunities for unionism, for

Northern Ireland in a House of Commons where we have a government

majority which is so small. And I intend to carry out that role at

Westminster serving my constituents, serving the party in Northern

Ireland to the very best of my ability. I'm also very conscious

that Diane, my wife, is fully committed as MEP for Northern

Ireland. And it would be wrong for me to put personal standing above

what I believe is in the best interest of the party and the people

we serve. So, I believe the best way forward is to back Arlene Foster as

leader of our party, going forward, in the Assembly. She has served as

acting First Minister and demonstrated leadership credentials

of the highest order here in the Assembly, where I believe a leader

of the party needs to be. And I intend to work alongside her as

deputy leader, as Parliamentary leader, as part of a strong team of

committed DUP representatives at every level, and that is in the best

interest of unionism and Northern Ireland. If any politician needing

their party, you have been involved in so many years, how difficult was

this for you? All things being equal and natural, I would have considered

it a great honour. I consider the positions I need at the moment a

privilege. I have held the position for a long time and my personal

integrity demands that I continued to weigh these things, and what is

not in my best interest but in the best interest of the party and the

country. And I honestly believe that in the modern political setup of

Northern Ireland, of a devolved government the leader of the party

needs to be in Belfast. And if I was still in the Assembly, I would have

no hesitation whatsoever. At I am not, and circumstances acted I am in

Westminster. I continue to do that working Westminster in partnership

with the new leader. And I will take the party forward in that way, and I

believe that is in keeping with my integrity, and in keeping with the

best interests of the party. In a Democratic party, people are

perfectly entitled and open to putting their candidates forward,

and we will wait to see what happens. I believe firmly that

Arlene Foster is clearly the person who should take the party forward,

someone who is already active as First Minister in the Assembly on

two occasions. I believe her working with me and the rest of the team in

the Assembly will provide the very, very positive future for Northern

Ireland, for unionism. Nigel Dodds talking to journalists,

among them our own Chris Page, Rick Wilford and I were discussing

Peter Robinson's successor on last Tuesday's Stormont Today

and we did make the point that while everyone was assuming

Nigel Dodds would be crowned the new leader, he hadn't actually

confirmed he wanted the job. How much of a shock

is this announcement? I think it is a huge shock because I

was at the party conference two weeks ago. It was almost like a

public an ointment in front of the party faithful praising Nigel and

Arlene Foster, pointing at Nigel as the next leader. I talked to the DUP

press office and they all said this was going to be the next leader and

First Minister. There were no doubts, no equivocation, no

ambiguity, this was the package. It is pretty clear from what he had to

say, he is backing Arlene Foster to take over, and for him to remain as

deputy leader. It's interesting because it almost makes it sound as

though there is some deal done already. He says I will continue as

deputy leader. I don't know whether or not there will be an election or

if there is a gift on behalf of the leader but he understands that

whatever happens he will remain deputy leader of the party, he will

continue doing that happily to serve Arlene Foster. Do you think that she

would want to be First Minister's and leader of the DUP? My ritual

thought about this, going back to 2013, my understanding was the party

itself had made a decision that would make things easier if the

roles were split so none of us were surprised that this package deal so

it seems odd that Arlene Foster seems to be taking both positions.

It may be something to do with the fact the election the six months

away, the Assembly will be broken up middle of March. So that will give

her time to lead the election campaign. So that might be more

useful to allow her to do both roles in a very key election. It does look

like the job was sitting there on a plate for Nigel Dodds. Can you think

of another situation where a politician had the leadership of a

party sitting there, if you're she wanted it, and walked away? I can't.

Back in 2008 when Peter Robinson took over from Ian Paisley, some of

us thought that might be a moment for a contest in the party. This was

handed to Nigel. For some reason, and we may never know, for some

reason he has decided he doesn't want it. I think oddly enough that

will spook a lot of people. Until yesterday, that was their dream

ticket, that was the couple who were going to keep the DUP on the road

and give them an election victory. Here's the thing I don't understand.

He said in that interview he would have no hesitation whatsoever in

putting his name forward if he was an MLA but he believes the party

needs to be led from Westminster. If you wanted to lead the party, he

could be an MLA by mid-January, they would find a way of doing it. There

is a pretty safe seat coming up in East Belfast. It could be done. It

could be done in his own constituency. OK, it would force a

by-election. If he had wanted it, it could have been done. They would

have made it happen. I don't believe the party said no. We don't know

what has happened. Very quickly, Sammy Wilson said he was ruling

himself out and backing Nigel Dodds. Nigel Dodds has ruled himself out,

does Sammy come back into the frame? It's interesting Sammy doesn't

appear to have a conversation with Nigel, or if you did Nigel didn't

tell. So, conspiracy theorists Sammy was out of the picture before he

moved himself aside. Fascinating stuff. Plenty to talk about. Thank

you very much and we will speak to you later.

So the big talking point of the day was very much outside

the Assembly chamber, but that didn't stop some robust conversation

The Deputy First Minister faced questions and, when asked by

Gregory Campbell to clarify his own role in the Troubles, he was

During the talks process, good process was made on the things on

the past. And a number of key issues to which we were working. This was

unfortunate but it is recognised that this is not an issue on which

there can be a half-hearted agreement for the sake of

expediency. The fresh start agreement commits the British and

Irish governments to reflect on options for resolving the legacy

issues, building therefore on the sound basis that already exists

through our discussions. Thank you. The Deputy First Minister

refers to good progress. That is true. Does he not agree that are to

progress would be made for example if you tried to shore up whatever

credibility he has in terms of his past, for example of -- in a number

of occasions I've alluded to his possession of a submachinegun as

contained in the saddle report. His involvement, if he had any in the

two policeman shot three days before Bloody Sunday. And the murder of a

prison officer. They all happened when the Deputy First Minister was

the two IC of the provisional IRA, yet he denied knowledge or

involvement in any of them. Where does his credibility stand? Well, I

never imagined for one minute that the fresh start would extend to the

member who has just spoken. Not for one minute. And the member is often

in this chamber prepared to quote all sorts of falsehoods and innuendo

about my past. The reality is in relation to these saddle report,

which I am glad he mentioned, the most significant ruling made by Lord

Southall was that he believed the IRA's evidence. I went forward as a

member of the IRA. My evidence was believed by Lord Southall and the

evidence of the paratroopers and the British Army was rejected. So it

isn't a great issue for the member to raise in this house, particularly

as someone who comes from the city of airy. So I think from my

perspective, I look at all of this on the basis that over the course of

the next month, the member will have a big decision to make over his

future, whether or not he will remain in this house or go to

another place. I hope he continues to remain in this house and

continues to enjoy sharing power with Sinn Fein. Does he agree that

the blanket of national security that the British government wrapped

itself in the talks was a further example of their resistance to the

truth? And truth telling on their terms only? Would he also agree the

evidence of many years is that republican and loyalist

organisations do exactly the same. Resist the truth and will only tell

the truth on their terms. The big test, I would suggest to the member

of West Belfast, is to establish the structures and mechanisms that we

agreed. At least a considerable amount of agreement on. That will be

the test as to whether or not people are willing to come forward and

contribute. My willingness on behalf of being asked by the Bloody Sunday

families to come forward as a member of the IRA to talk about the

situation in relation to Bloody Sunday, I think that is a very clear

indicator of where I am, informed in relation to it. I've done it, I've

been there, I have worn the T-shirt. Martin McGuinness underlining

what he says is his commitment Long before anyone knew she might

well get a free run at the DUP leadership, Arlene Foster was

a busy woman in the chamber. The Finance Minister, for a short

time longer, at least, was seeking support to extend Westminster's

Enterprise Bill to Northern Ireland. However, the Assembly voted not to

adopt the legislation, which would have put an end to six

figure public sector exit payments. The matter before us today poses a

relatively straightforward choice. How much do we wish to spend on

existing public servants, and how much do we want to spend on

providing public services? While exit payments must be reasonable and

fair to public servants, we have to be mindful these costs are met by

employers, and impact on what can be spent on the delivery of services.

It should be noted at the outset the restriction being proposed will not

affect any pension which an individual has already accrued, and

paid for by member contributions. What is proposed as a cap on any

additional funding paid for by the employer as part of an exit

package. In relation to concerns raised over specific circumstances

when the cap would impact on lower or moderately paid a big sector

workers, the department made no promises. When pressed on this

issue, the officials commented there was scope for the Department or

employing authority to grant flexibilities and waivers in certain

circumstances. The officials did not give members and assurance is such a

waiver would be applied in the case of a specific example which was

cited by members of a 55-year-old female public sector worker with 35

years service earning ?27,000 who could be impacted by cap of ?95,000.

It should not be used to bring forward such controversial changes,

and that it does deny the Falls scrutiny of this Assembly to a

matter which is of huge public importance and impacts on the lives

of many people here in Northern Ireland. A major concern for many is

that full details of guidelines on the flexibility to relax the exit

payment cap will not be issued by the department until after the LMC

has been agreed. It must be done in such a way the consequences have all

been considered in advance. The current situation is that this has

not happened, and there was haste, and the commission isn't satisfied

sufficient time has been afforded to scrutinise Asian fully.

Leslie Cree, and the Finance Minister was also

on her feet discussing financial help for businesses affected

by recent flooding during today's Question Time.

Arlene Foster also said she hopes to have a budget for the next financial

She was giving her response to the Chancellor's recent

After the compounds of Spending Review announcement on 25th of

November, we have a clear picture in in terms of the block grant. I've

indicated 5% reduction in real terms and a growth especially towards the

latter end in terms of capital spending. Therefore, we are now

going to engage with all the individual departments. I envisage

there will be rounds of budget by laterals between myself and

ministerial colleagues before Christmas, and we will bring forward

a budget to the Executive. I realise we're not going to have time to have

usual draft budget consultation period. I have tasked officials to

speak with individual stakeholders and, indeed, groups of stakeholders

to discuss the way forward with them once budget, the draft budget comes

before ministerial bilaterals have finished. It is hoped we have a

budget in place for the end of January of next year. Although the

Spending Review was perhaps better, particularly in relation to capital,

than some people anticipated, there will be difficulties for

departments, particularly if we ring-fenced spending in relation to

health, because health, of course, is that big part of the budget here

in Northern Ireland. And, therefore, colleagues will have to look at

efficiency savings again for the year 1617. And we are only setting a

one-year budget at this stage because we feel it would be wrong to

tie the hands of the new mandate after May of next year. They will

want to set their own priorities after that. I asked the Prime

Minister, given the tax credits, what discussions will have taken

place at executive level to reach consensus at what is done with this

money set aside for the needs of the most vulnerable in the society.

Absolutely. And we all welcome the fact that the Chancellor moved away

from his plans in relation to tax credits. It was always very

difficult to understand how you could say you wanted to encourage

people into work, and then to actually undermine that argument by

taking away tax credits, which were there to help them get into work. So

it was to me a very sensible decision. We set aside a pot of

money to deal with the consequences of the cut in tax credits under the

fresh start agreement. We will now have to at an executive level have

those discussions, spread over four years, so we have some time to

decide. The profile of that money is 60 million each year so we can

decide whatever we want to do in relation to the money, and how best

we can help vulnerable people over that period of time, and I look

forward to those discussions in the coming weeks and months. Can I

sympathise with many of my constituents who have suffered

previously under the storm Desmond. I asked the minister if any business

in particular may apply for rebate? In terms of the rebate? It is

difficult to say whether they will qualify for rates rebate. I was

thinking when I heard... This is the fourth storm, it is the first male

storm, seems to have made more damage than the three females

altogether. Arlene Foster, tongue in her cheek,

I assume. If you're a student living

in a house with others or a landlord renting out a property,

the Houses in Multiple Occupation Its aim is to enable better

regulation of houses with a large number

of residents by doing three things. Firstly, streamlining the definition

of what an HMO is. Secondly, introducing licensing to promote

effective housing management. Landlords will be required to have a

licence before the HMO comes into existence. To apply for a licence,

the landlords fit this to let HMO established, and a safety check of

the home computed. Thirdly, the bill will clarify existing law and may

currently Galatia and enforcement more effective. The proposed system

will mean that a person is acting illegally of they are not licensed

operate a property as a house of multiple occupation. This is a

fundamental change to the existing system. While the committee welcomes

the principles of the bill, we've sought to ensure it will deliver a

new, more robust system of regulation for houses of multiple

occupation. HMOs are important in the housing mix in the North and the

housing crisis, they are important for people who cannot rent. Often it

is important to provide further regulation to better protect

communities and indeed the talents within houses of multiple

occupation, it is also important not to use the sledgehammer approach

because we are living in a society where more and more people because

of high rents are having to share accommodation. There has to be a

common-sense approach. In terms of taking this forward, how

we going to identify the under registration that presently exists,

even in terms of landlord registration, there are landlords

out there whether or not they are in terms of homes of multiple

occupation, they should also be registered in terms of being

landlords and can avoid duplication if you register for multiple

occupation would you automatically register as a landlord could we try

and minimise the level of bureaucracy that exists an insurer

that we capture all relevant information as an efficient

mechanism as possible. I am also concerned that we get the balance

right between the ability to carry out enforcement with regards to

landlords who require that to be done and we also need to mark the

fact that there are many landlords who go above and beyond that which

they need to do in order to provide accommodation for those living in

this type of accommodation. And that bill passed

its second stage on an oral vote. The North-South Ministerial Council

is back in full swing and today's report

from the cross-border body focused on the snappily titled Aquaculture

and Marine Sectoral Format. As the questions to the

Agriculture Minister show, The Ulster aquaculture is playing an

increasingly important role in our agri- foods industry and it is very

weather dependent. In terms of... Can you give us an update into

research that has been done on it becoming more weather resistant and

there was what to cold and moderately warm in some cases. This

industry is very dependent on this or that last year were stock was

lost due to weather conditions. I am delighted that we are progressing

this conversation on an all Ireland basis and we will have our

conference happening in 2016 which will give an opportunity for

agencies to come together and bring international experts in relation to

this and work together to have a sustainable fishery. That conference

will be hugely significant in terms of supporting the industry and

identifying other areas of research and other supports we need to have

in place to help that industry to be diverse and sustainable. Back to

point number 7, Mr McCarthy focused on something else, you are met and

acknowledge that salmon poaching involves a large number of

individuals and remains a challenge, can I ask what steps she is taking

to eradicate poaching salmon in Northern Ireland? It is exactly as I

just said, we have a multi-agency approach and we are working with the

number of agencies including the PSNI to see how we can eradicate

this. It is a crime. It involves the responsibility of policing. I think

that we have to keep continuing in that vein with that collective

effort. That is the only way we are going to be able to drive out what

activity. And Alex Kane is here

for a final word. The Upper Bann DUP MLA Stephen

Moutray has announced he's standing Not a huge price for a. Carla

Lockhart but with 50% in the selection process. Three candidates,

he had to lose one of them. Stephen has paid that easy for them. He has

got them out of what could have been a difficult problem.

And we heard today that while Gallaher's was going up

in smoke, another couple of Northern Ireland politicians

I am not surprised. That goes with the territory. Elected get invited

to events like that. I would not have made such a fuss, so maybe

they're talking about it. I would have confess, this goes with the

territory, it was a great match, we enjoyed it and we did have serious

discussions before and after and we will continue to have those

discussions. Do not pretend that you're sitting at a match, ?1600 a

ticket and having a conversation about workplace problems in the

factory 400 miles away. That is silly.

Join me again at the same time tomorrow, that's 23:15