08/10/2012 Stormont Today

Hello and welcome to Stormont Today. Coming up: Saying no to health care

reform. The Health Minister warns of dire consequences. If we do not

proceed with welfare reform we will have longer waiting lists for hip

operations and for people who require heart surgery. More money 4

struggling farmers. We hear from the Agriculture Minister. And the

First and Deputy First Ministers announced their strategy and say

they have not given up their corporation tax fight. We are still

With me today is our political correspondent Martina Purdy. The

first thing to say is that welfare reform is in fact what everyone has

been talking about here today. even Prime Minister David Cameron

this evening was warning of serious consequences if Stormont does not

pass this welfare bill. As you know, it has already passed in England

and Wales. It is the biggest shake- up in welfare for decades and it is

designed, they say, to simplify the benefit system which has become too

complex and to encourage people into work. So some of the King

changes -- key changes are six benefits will be made into one

universal credit. Another big change that the disability living

allowance will become something called Personal Independent's

parent, and instead of solve assessing, filling in a full and

getting that payment, you will have to go to an individual Assessor

every three years. And not everyone is happy about those changes.

long been controversial and Sinn Fein have been resisting them at

Executive level for some months. But eventually last month agreed

that the bill should come before Stormont, because the reality is it

would cause a crisis in the finances of Stormont and would

cause difficulties in the benefits system here. It would be really

radical if they do not match this bill. So Sinn Fein have now decided

that for the second reading tomorrow, which means a substantial

debate on the issue, they want amendments. They have tabled an

amendment and they want the bill deferred because they say it is not

tailored for Northern Ireland. When Sinn Fein signalled last week

during an Executive meeting, there is raised a press statement, they

were accused of Pontius Pilate like tactics, of washing their hands of

the responsibility of bringing it before Stormont and trying to blame

others. So we are waiting to see how the other parties respond. The

SDLP may try to have a working group set up here to understand the

impact of this legislation in Northern Ireland. Just before we

let you go, it was a busy week last week for the Ulster Unionists party.

A difficult week, with Mike Nesbitt's sacking of his Assembly

deputy, John McAllister. Have things settled down? There has been

an embarrassing row. The feeling on the ground here it is that Mike and

John have a breed -- agreed dues disagree. -- Mike and John have

agreed to disagree. They are going to work at their problems behind

closed doors, although Peter Robinson issued a speech today

which she gave at the weekend and he spends a good lot of that speech

attacking John McAllister. We will hear more from you later.

It was the turn of the Health Minister to face questions at the

dispatch box. Edwin Poots updated ministers on an incident at a care

home in Londonderry last week which led to suspension of a number of

staff. But first he was asked about primary care services. The Minister

will know that change always causes some people concerned. Could I ask

him to take the opportunity here this afternoon to assure the House

that it is not part of his vision for the health service in Northern

Ireland and any aspect of primary health care service delivery would

be delivered through any other vehicle except the National Health

Service. Of course changed has caused concern but that does not

mean you should not be reached. If the member is asking am I looking

to engage in some privatisation process of primary care, that is

not something on the agenda. We are dealing with issues in more detail

tomorrow but it's fair evident that is not part of this. Can I ask him

to give an update on how the welfare reform cuts will impact on

transforming the new care strategy. Devera interesting question to ask

because welfare reform does have an impact. Were we to do something

completely daft and cost the Assembly in Northern Ireland �220

million, that would probably cost us in this department around �100

million, so if we do not proceed with welfare reform and stay with

parity, we will have longer waiting lists for hip operations, for

people who require heart surgery, we will have people dying as a

consequence of that. My overriding priority and that of the Western

Trust is to ensure the safety and I can advise that the trust has put

in place an improvement plan to bring about the change required to

end sure that... The improvement plan will transfer the culture of

care from a racing to a social care home, more in a keeping with a

nursing home. Implementation is being ever seen by a board made up

of senior managers within the trust. The trust is reporting progress to

the Department through the Health and Social Care Board. The relation

to the process which he has put in place, I know he is aware that

staff training was a big issue. Is he satisfied that the process going

forward and staff training is adequate? It is absolutely

essential and we are doing a considerable amount of work. When

we have for Cannes people in care, the ability for individuals to take

advantage of that -- vulnerable people. The ability for individuals

to take advantage of that is increased greatly. I think that

after all the time we have had to take into consideration vulnerable

people, in terms of the care provided for them, it would be very

disappointing in 2012 that this sort of behaviour can still happen

in our facilities. The Health Minister, Edwin Poots.

From hate crime to body scanners, just some of the areas discussed

during Justice Questions, but first Mr David Ford began by asking a

question of when the new Police Ombudsman will start to look again

at historical cases. It has made the issue of lifting the suspension

of investigation into historic cases a priority. There's a lot of

work going on in the ombudsman's offers at the moment and the

expectation is the criminal justice inspection will do the Independent

allegation which spot of restoring confidence during December. We hope

the work would be able to proceed from January onwards. Would he

agree that we have to take steps, that one of the things that let you

lack of public confidence in the past was external interference,

which we must be free of in future? I appreciate his point about the

allegations of interference which went on previously, including the

findings of the Tony McCluskie report of inappropriate behaviour

as suggested between an official of the Northern Ireland Office as then

was. But the suggestions that there was interference historically have

not been suggested in terms of current operation. I am determined

to see that the good work being done by my department in terms of

sponsoring the Ombudsman office will continue. Given the increasing

sectarian hate crime, will the Minister strengthened the court's

capacity to increase sentences to highlight the odious nature of

these crimes? It can be very difficult to obtain a conviction to

include the hate element of a hate crime, even though it may be

relevant league -- a relatively easy to get a conviction for the

offence at such. I have asked for people to look at this and it

changes are needed I will consider them. In many cases we should

recognise that we should recognise that even though a case is not

prosecuted with the addition of hate crime, cases are successfully

prosecuted for the basic underlying offence and that does not mean that

people are getting off, but there's obviously work to be done. Can he

give us an indication that there is a prison in Magilligan in the

future and that it will remain where it is and not be moved to the

proposed location? Given that there is an ongoing consultation, I

cannot give this assurance. I can give an assurance that contrary to

what -- what may be the perception, it is because the consultations are

genuine and seeking people's opinions. I am determined to see we

have a prisoners' state which is fit for purpose in the future and

not dealing with the situation of 30 or 40 years ago. If people can

suggest appropriate ways to using the -- of using the Magilligan of

site rather than another site, then I looked forward to seeing bring --

hearing from them. The Justice Minister, David Ford.

The Agriculture Minister has announced new methods to help solve

what farmers today describe as a crisis. Supermarkets were in the

firing line, with claims that farmers are often paid less for

their food than it costs to produce. At the very foundation of potential

economic growth is farming and the industry is under severe strain.

The heart of this matter is that many of our local farmers who are

being paid less for their products than they cost to produce. This is

putting them under severe financial pressure. More must be done to help

our farmers receive a fair price for their produce, but there was

one of the most important industries in Northern Ireland

could collapse. The IFE chain is controlled by major retailers. --

the food chain. They are controlling the farm gate price. It

is a vicious circle that goes round and round. The one person that is

suffering all the time is of the farmer. The Ulster Farmers' Union

are absolutely right to stand up for the clear and Present danger

which exists and indeed threatens the long-term future of this

industry. Would she agree that because there is such an imbalance,

as many of us would describe it, at the amount of profit coming back

from the retailers to the farmers, that one way of actually resolving

that might be at the planning service could actually but criteria

into planning that those major retail stores could not give -- get

planning permission without giving back a reasonable profit? I welcome

With shorter days and the less likelihood of good drying, some

feel so will never be done. Potato prices are better but will not

compensate. The Agriculture Minister is with me

now. Thank you for joining us. How serious are the challengers for

farmers? It has been a difficult farmers? It has been a difficult

farmers? It has been a difficult year. Factors have impacted upon

the farmers like the weather, they have used up their winter feed.

Also there are falling farm gate prices. And we have the rise in

input costs. It has been a difficult year. I welcome the fact

that we had the debate. I was able to announce that I will be able to

put additional money into farmers' pockets. This has been widely

welcomed by the industry. Will this extra money which is being paid

through Single Farm Payments make a difference? It is �50 million, will

it make a tangible difference? you ask people individually, they

would say no. It is alongside a range of other programs and schemes

that we have. We are providing practical advice and information

and working closely with them to help them in terms of how they do

things, can be streamlined things, but is it enough money? It is

progress. Can I be clear, Minister, is it new money? Is is an

additional �50 million or you robbing Peter to pay Paul. It is

new money. It is an addition. ask you about a you moving at the

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development headquarters to

Ballyclare Kelly -- Ballykelly. You think it will be more efficient,

are the buildings that are there, a former MoD buildings, are they fit

to be told furred to the use as your new headquarters. When you

look at some of them, they are for sale on Ferris website, they look

pretty ropey! Some buildings are less than 20 years old. We may need

to have new buildings alongside. I have been in some of them and in my

opinion they are fit for purpose and can be transformed into

practical office accommodation. The wider point is that we are looking

at decentralising and bringing public sector jobs to be more

widely spread. I would like to see other departments following suit.

You should not always be able -- have to travel into the Belfast

area to get a job. So we are spreading jobs and giving

opportunities to other areas.. will see what happens, and when it

happens. The Investment Strategy for the next nine years was

announced by the First and Deputy First Ministers. Martin McGuinness

told Assembly Members that the strategy will tackle years of under

investment. The new strategy for 2011-2012 will add a 5 billion in

the first four years and a total of �13.3 billion over its lifetime.

Despite a previous investment package to adjust the deficit, the

amount received through the block grant will fall by 20 % up to 2014-

15. Because of the financial constraints, it is essential that

we make every pound spent matter to get best value. The strategy

focuses on investment on the right infrastructure in the right place

using the most effective method. This means that we programme our

capital expenditure so that whatever the budget it is being

fully used to improve the lives of everyone. Will want to address the

needs of the economy. Ultimately, the economy will recover and it is

important that when we get to that point, that the economy is growing,

that we have retained the skills and the abilities of those

currently in employment and we will be able to benefit from that

recovery and drive on Northern Ireland's economy. There are too

many of our young people who are having to leave these shores to

gain employment and whatever the Executive can do to retain them in

all the island, it should be welcomed. The rises in unemployment

have been higher here than in England, Scotland, All Wales. So in

that -- that in itself can hardly be viewed as a success. We want to

see an Investment Strategy to deliver jobs in all areas of.

welcome today's debate but I welcome its true value, given that

it is month after the publication of the report. You would have

thought that the 2011-2012/you would have wanted to enter in

tandem with those. But it is welcome. We get attacked for

pushing things through the Assembly and not allowing sufficient

consultation time. This time, I said to be first -- deputy first Mr

-- this is our attempt to encourage debate. We have been able to

include �1 billion of alternative finance. A number of other members

have raised the issue of corporation tax and I would like to

point that that the ministerial working group will meet on 18th

October. We are still promoting Plan A.

The First Minister, Peter Robinson, extolling the virtues of working in

harmony with the Deputy First Minister.

Next to the claim by the DUP that more and more people here are

relying on charity to feed their families. The party is keen that

the Social Development Minister, Nelson McCausland, should support

and promote the work of foodbanks. We know that jobs are being lost,

that in comes are going down and people claiming benefits. Some

people claiming them for the first time in their lives. People are

getting increasingly indebted. They have unexpected bills and they have

unexpected -- a hard impact. We see right across Northern Ireland a

growth in food banks. I think this is in some ways an unfortunate

development. It should not be that they have to exist but at least it

is a positive response by that sector to one ongoing problem. They

have seen it in the community they are living in. It is remarkable

what these people are doing. It is often done on a voluntary basis. We

are seeing big numbers in terms of the food donated and it is done on

a denominational basis -- non- denominational basis. No one would

suggest that food banks are the cure to all ills of in society but

they are making a vital contribution. My Department is

responsible for volunteering and we have published novel island's

volunteering strategy for the first time ever. I am continuously

astounded -- Northern Ireland's voluntary strategy. I'm continually

astounded by the voluntary and that takes place. Millions of pounds are

donated annually to support volunteering across the province. I

recognise those who give of their time and expertise to support

people., Nelson McCausland.

The Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, took the opportunity last week to

update the Finance Committee on the situation surrounding the tax on

flights out of Northern Ireland, as we can hear now in our weekly look

at committee business. This arose because of the very real

danger that we were going to lose the Director haul flight to Newark

if we did not get to the issue of passenger duty dealt with. It was

made quite clear that because of the difference in the rate at -- of

flight from Dublin -- because of the writ, flights from Dublin would

be more competitive than flights from Belfast. We took the view we

could not afford to lose that. The recommendations in your report,

first of what you are concerned generally, so a mine. So are the

finance ministers of both regions. It probably affects us more than

anywhere else because at least in Scotland and Wales are, there are

direct road links. Most of our links with the rest of the United

Kingdom have to be done through flight. We were referring to the

importance of connectivity through the economy and especially tourism

industry. Have you any indications what this measure will open up? In

terms of of collectivity in the future? As I said earlier, both

departments are looking at what other companies may well be

preferred as a result of having a zero rate in Northern Ireland to

take flights directly from Northern Ireland to the rest of the world.

Identical I'm breaking confidences but we are speaking to a Canadian

airline. The target of the programme is to grow exports from

Northern Ireland Fortran at -- 20 %. To do that, you are looking beyond

Europe. To places where this will is economic growth. Some of those

countries are are ready. The we will be trying to get links to the

Far East, to South America, to the Middle East. Can you elaborate on

of thinking that money might be so better spent elsewhere? There will

be far greater merit than having it -- in having better links within

Northern Ireland, that might be shown by a cost benefit analysis.

It might help businesses more. Or perhaps better rail links!

The Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, contemplating the benefits of an

improved rail link with "down there"!

Our political correspondent, Martina Purdy, is still with me.

This evening, This evening, MLAs have been

discussing austerity measures - who's been talking about that?

Sinn Fein led the debate and they are talking about the austerity

measures coming from London and Dublin and asking the government

how they're going to see the economy through this? The DUP

thought they had a better way of doing this. They tabled an

amendment focused on what London could do, focused on VAT reduction.

The SDLP wanted a Scottish * Commission to see how devolved

powers might help us to help ourselves. Both amendments fell as

to the original Sinn Fein motion. It was defeated 46 votes to 43. So

back to the drawing board. Lord Carson's statue has been

getting people talking. But it isn't going anywhere? No, although

I notice the scaffolding last Friday and it was covered in wood

and metal. So I asked about it, perhaps a national symbol was going

to go on the plinth? I was assured that Lord Carson would be remaining