11/09/2012 Stormont Today

Hello, and welcome to Stormont Today. Coming up in the next 30

minutes: the Finance Minister warns that austerity measures could

extend to the year 2020, and tough decisions could be on the way.

have even had people here talking about us selling off the family

silver, et cetera. If they're assets that we have that we're not

either using or fully using that we dispose of those to bring in

additional revenue - there may as well be hard decisions to be made

about additional revenue strings that we need for the future. Find

out what mistake this MLA claims was designed, modelled and made

here at Stormont. This isn't something which some in this House

would be very quick and very glad and very eager to blame upon direct

rule. This was a mistake in this House. This was a faux pas made in

Stormont. Also: the SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell on why his party

wants Sinn Fein support for a motion of censure against the DSD

During yesterday's proceedings, members were treated to a quick

economics lesson from the Finance Minister Sammy Wilson. Today, he

was on his feet again as he was grilled by his fellow MLAs in

Finance Questions. The Minister began by answering a question from

Sinn Fein's Boylan. The first thing I would say is our

budget is protected for the period up to 2014-15. However - I have

made this clear to the Assembly time and time again - that we do

have to prepare in the longer run for what we can do to restructure

the way we spend money, and I mean, almost every week in this Assembly

there are demands for more money to be spent on one thing or the other.

We can't, and the first thing we should not be doing is making

commitments which are unfunded for the future because that puts

further pressure on budgets which are a bit uncertain anyhow.

Secondly, we have to look - and this will require very, very hard

economic decisions, I think - we have to look at some of the

restructuring we need to do - for example, what do we do with some of

our public services where currently we can't bring in private sector

money or pension fund money or other additional resources to do

some of the infrastructure work because of scores against Adele,

and that may well mean that we've got to make hard decisions about

the structure of some of the public organisations that we currently

have in Northern Ireland and which cannot draw in at present private

money, and lastly, of course, we've got to ask, well, for many of the

assets that we have - and I mean, sometimes people defend them. We

have even had people here talking about us selling off the family

silver. If there are assets that we have that we're not either using or

fully using that we dispose of those to bring in additional

revenue. There may well also be hard decisions to be made about

additional revenue streams that we need for the future. Thank you very

much indeed, Mr Speaker. Given that the dogs in the streets of

Whitehall have been barking all summer about the fact that there is

a further crisis in public expenditure ahead of us, maybe the

Minister could give us some good news and inform us that he has in

fact successfully concluded the negotiations around the transfer of

corporation tax powers to this region and give us a date which we

can expect to get that power back in our hands. I wish I could give

that kind of news, but of course, the transfer of those powers is

dependent upon not just the willingness of the Executive to

have the devolution of those powers, but also the willingness of the

Government at Westminster to make that devolution, and as I have said

to the Assembly time and time again, and in fact, it ties in very well

with the question that the previous questioner made - if we're going to

make commitments for the future, for example, on the devolution of

corporation tax, then I think that this Assembly would expect me and

the rest of the negotiating team from the Executive to ensure that

that comes to us with the least possible cost, especially if there

will be further austerity measures and further pressures on the Budget

in the future, and for that reason, we'll continue to fight with the

Treasury over the cost of devolution of corporation tax. We

know we're going to have to pay a price, but we want to make sure

that that price is fair. It's reasonable, and it's a realistic

assessment of what the true cost would be. I have met and spoken to

Ulster Bank on a very regular basis since the whole problem occurred

with the computer system, and, indeed, a couple of days before did

compensation scheme was announced, I was in communication with Ulster

Bank to talk about the detail of the scheme and also give them some

advice from my experience as to what I believe should be included

in it. I thought that many people might well regard this as derisory,

but I think it's got to be - so I'm not going - it was a decision which

Ulster Bank had to make. They made it in concert with the Financial

Services Authority. It's a part of a package, of course, because

there's not just the refund. There's also the reimbursement, and

where there was reimbursement, there will be a 20% top-up on top

of that to a maximum of �100 I think it was. There was also the

reassurance to customers about credit rating, and there was also a

recognition, you know that there had been difficulties caused by

individuals. I suspect that at the end of the day that there will be

many people who, despite what Ulster Bank will do to compensate

them for the problems that there were will still be very, very

unhappy, and I note in discussions with Ulster Bank I had indicated to

them that in some cases - especially some of the cases I had

heard that really money would not be the way in which you compensate

people anyway, because they went through a horrific time, and I

suppose the important thing now I am looking forward to is the

financial services have demanded a review of what happened, why did it

take so long to sort it out, and I am looking forward to seeing that

report. Can the Minister tell us why many of those revenue-raising

initiatives didn't reach the level predicted in that famous draft

Budget speech, which I am sure every member of this House reads

nightly after their evening prayers, of course. Must say, the member

leads a very sad life if he reads the Budget statement nightly, but I

think the important thing is, if one looks at it - I mean, I don't

know which particular measures the member is referring to. As far as

the capital receipts are concerned, we actually exceeded the amount we

raised - I think it was 170 million as opposed to 142 million, which

was the target. The - there are so much that haven't been realised yet.

The Department for Regional Development is working on the money

- the �40 million we intend to raise from the Harbour

Commissioners, but given the fact that was in the last two years of

the Budget, the - that money wasn't to be realised by this time anyway.

The money from the housing associations - we've already raised,

and housing associations, by changing - by changing - well, yes,

in fact. As I am reminded, despite the scepticism that there was, the

housing associations are quite happily working along with that,

and realising the money for that, and the money from the regional

rates increase, of course - we're realising as well, so, I mean, I'm

not too sure which particular measure the member is referring to.

The Finance Minister Sammy Wilson. I am joined in the studio by the

chairman of the CBI here, Ian Coulter. How concerned are you,

first of all, at what the Minister eluded to - this idea that the

future might hold even more tightened purse strings in terms of

public finances in the medium to long term? I think he's right. I

think we're secure until 2014-15, but I think after that, there is a

recognition - and I think we have to grasp the reality - that at the

end of the day, there is going to be significant cuts following that,

and I think it's hugely important that Government and business now

start working together to create ways and create opportunities for

the growth of the private sector off the back of that. There was

also some discussion in the chamber about corporation tax... Sure.

Whether the new Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers, is going to pick

up where Owen Paterson left all. Do you think now he's gone this is a

dead duck? No, far from it. I think it's important we stay focused on

this point, because to me this is the single biggest issue facing

Northern Ireland today. Teresavilleier, if you look at the

speech she's made in the Republic of Northern Ireland, the tax cut on

this economy, very, very positive about it. I also think it's good we

have Owen Paterson still as a Minister around the Cabinet table,

so hopefully what we hope to achieve is to have two Ministers

who understands the issues and are in favour of it. The cost

potentially could be �700 million. It's a gamble at the end of the day,

isn't it? I disagree with the cost amount, and I also don't think it's

the correct question. If you go back to the Treasury paper of March

2011, if we follow the formula and the footpath set out in that the

cost is significantly lower. 700 million is the figure the

Minister is quoting. Sure, but I don't actually think - again, we've

got to go back to what the Treasury released, which was a carefully

considered and constructed paper by them. We have to go back and say,

these are competely different figures. It's quite a game of

shadow boxesing going on between executive Ministers like Sammy

Wilson and Treasury officials at the moment. Ultimately the point I

come back to on this is, what is the cost of this if we don't get

it? I think everyone in Northern Ireland if we don't get it, will be

looking for jobs in the next ten years or members of their family

will. This is the issue that's going to determine this and how

easy it's going to be. One issue that is never too far away from the

political agenda at the moment is the Executive's strategy on

retailing and rates. There are a lot of businesses here who are very

unhappy that the rates are as high as they are, and they say that up

to a third, some people would say, of retail units are actually empty

at the moment. Do you think the Minister needs to be doing

something more about that? I think if it would be possible, it would

be a great thing to do. I - the problem isn't all of us. I think on

the vacant units, certainly we need to look at something there.

Certainly, when you look at - there are other issues around this

baseline - planning as well, making that system easier. Vacant rates

are a burning issue. Is that that something you would want to pick up

with him? Absolutely. Stay with us because we're going to talk to you

later. For now, Ian Coulter, thank you very much indeed.

The Health Minister was in the chamber this afternoon to address a

range of issues, including the contentious matter of future child

cardiac services at the Royal in Belfast, but first, let's hear the

latest on the ongoing debate about the future of services at the

Causeway Hospital, in particular, I am aware of concerns of the local

community. I am advised that the northern Trust has no plans to

reduce maternity services. Indeed, services have been enhanced by

providing... I acknowledge that plans to do make reference to

maternity services. In the future, a review of maternity provisions

will be carried out to identify the needs of the local population and

to develop more choice for women. Such a review would be subject to

local consultation. Every Chad deserves the best possible start in

life. -- every child. A focus on the spectrum of maternity services

is required if we are going to improve outcomes for mother, baby

and partner. I will not be making any decision on congenital

paediatric services until I am satisfied that there has been full,

open and transparent consultation. My overriding concern must be that

the service we provide is safe and sustainable. The review panel did

not find any immediate safety concerns, but they did not that

paediatrics in general in Belfast is not sustainable and the

potential risks should be addressed within has six months. I have asked

the Health and Social Care Board to develop criteria of to identify

future delivery of the service in Northern Ireland. This group

includes patient representatives, parents. There will be a full, open

and transparent consultation on the criteria, it service specification.

I expect a consultation to begin in October 2012. The responses will

help inform the way forward in terms of defining a preferred

service model for children in Northern Ireland who require

specialist cardiac care. This is a regular item for discussion that

North-South council meetings. I met with the minister recently and are

discussed our mutual wish to fully explore the potential for services

in an all island bases. -- all Ireland basis.

I thank the Minister for his response. Can he assure the House

that Pierret representatives will play a full role in the working

group that he has established and that their voices and concerns will

be heard? As I indicated, the Health and Social Care Board would

do just that and ensure that parents are represented on that

board. For many people, the quality of care is the number one priority.

Families very often have other children and in terms of trying to

work and retain some income during the child's illness, this can be

very stressful, particularly if they have to go to England for the

treatment. In all of these things, we will give due consideration to

these issues and the concerns are raised by parents. I would speak of

a nephew who has received life- saving care in Belfast. This house

and parents and mothers in the community demand from you absolute

assurances that you would do your best to ensure that Belfast and

Dublin fully co-operate to develop equipment and services as good as

or better than that of Birmingham. I can give that assurance.

Edwin Poots. In the stomach, the magic number is 30 if you want to

force a debate on the floor. And that is what is being aimed in an

attempted to have the social must - - social minister censored. You

have signatures of your for team members, but the 13th you need 30.

Are you going to get any more? have opened it up to other parties.

We had a good meeting with Sinn Fein this afternoon. The public is

that Nelson McCausland his way out of line on this and he has to come

back into line. If a Belfast city councillor be made in the way that

he has behaved, they would be reprimanded. We cannot see why an

MLA and a much for senior position -- in a much more senior position

should behave in this way. What has angered you so much in what Nelson

McCausland has said? He said that he had totally condemned violence.

He explained, justified condoned atrocious behaviour of their Young

Conway Volunteers are 12th July. -- on 12th July. Then he justified and

encouraged the breaking of the law around Black Saturday. He says

about there is an issue of civil disobedience here. It is not civil

disobedience. The Parades Commission, and we have worked with

the Parades Commission four years to deal with contentious parades,

90% of them are now dealt with. The Parades Commission the rulings of

we do not like them sometimes, but we tolerate them. We reserve the

right to debate individual cases with them. But Nelson has are

problem with the Parades Commission and he was encouraging these people

to break the Parades Commission ruling. But he is not supporting

violence. He has clearly condemned violence. Where do you think he has

broken or preached at their Ministerial Code? -- breached. He

has encouraged people to behave in a sectarian and very nasty way.

has refuted that. Nelson's pledge is to uphold the law and promote

good community relations. stated operating in R way conducive

-- in a way conducive to promoting good committed to the relations.

Nelson, instead of teaching these guys to behave themselves, we all

have to put our next on the line sometimes and tell them to stop, he

says it... He says he is trying to articulate the frustration in

Unionist quarters and he has totally condemned violence. He is

encouraging these people. If people do not see that, we had been on a

dated -- we have been inundated. The SDLP has not asked for these

parades to be stopped or blocked or interfered with. All we have asked

for is for a wee bit of respect. Nelson McCausland has made it clear

that he is not encouraging people to break the law. Will it you get

these additional signatures or is this political posturing? There is

no political posturing, Roper to the heat on Sinn Fein. The people

out there are angry at the way Nelson has behaved. -- no putting

the heat. I am very hopeful that after our discussions at this

afternoon, they are on at the same page as us. I would be very hopeful

and very positive. We will find out in due course. We will leave it

there. The regulation of charities was

back on the agenda here for. There was an attempt to deal with this in

2008, so why was the issue being visited again now? The claim is

that's dormant messed-up by not defining what constitutes a charity.

We have to acknowledge how wrong it was caught. And who got it wrong?

Who were the advisers? What was the department doing to get it so

wrong? The present Minister was not then that Mr, I acknowledge that. -

- was not bend the minister. But it was the same department. Expert

advisers in the department brought forward legislation which was

supposed to be considered, supposed to be thought out, supposed to be

precisely addressing what was seen to be the legislative need. And yet,

patently, getting it wrong. Perhaps a win there Minister comes to

answer, he can begin to explain it. How was it that the department got

it so wrong? Why is it today that we have to pick up those pieces?

And why is it in the meantime we have had the work of the Charity

commissioners stymied and unable to complete a register of charities in

Northern Ireland. This would be something that people would be glad

to blame on direct rule. But this was a mistake in this house. This

was a full part made in at Stormont. The charity advisory group in

Northern Ireland, it was the organisation that recommended a

hybrid approach, taking the best of public provisions and blending them

together. That approach was agreed through public consultation.

However, legal counsel opinion was that this approach was open to

challenge and I was satisfied that the amendment was a required to

achieve certainty for the sector. The social development minister

Nelson McCausland. As many students are prepared to return to

university, the deployment and Learning Minister launched his

access to success strategy, aiming to encourage more students from

disadvantaged backgrounds into higher education. There remains

some stubborn pockets of under representations. That is why my

department has been leading on the development of a new strategy for

widening participation a higher education in Northern Ireland. The

strategy six in to assist individuals with the greatest need

by targeting resources to where they will have the greatest effect

and impact with the focus set for May on the least likely. The

strategy it will target groups 5-7, students with a disability,

individuals from all parties should but -- individuals from a low

participation communities. There is evidence that personal circumstance

can have significant effect on participation in higher education.

Almost three times as many young people with appearance in

professional positions will attend university as young people whose

parents are in lower-paid occupations. Research shows that

the lack of role models in Egham person's life can lead them to

never consider higher education. -- In a young person's life. My vision

of widening participation is about raising aspirations, challenging

stereotypes and empowering those who are most able but least likely

to enter our universities. Widening participation in higher education

is not about dumbing down. If we are to expect the next generation

to compete in the world, there can be no reduction in academic

standards. We have to ensure that Northern Ireland has a ready supply

of suitably qualified young people, equipped to take advantage of

higher education. My department will give funding to expand the

rate of participation. All institutions offering higher

education courses will be encouraged to offer of reach

programmes designed to raise their educational aims of young people.

My department will encourage a higher education institutions to

develop and pilot a reasonable standard for the most disadvantaged

applicants. The learning and development

minister. Is he right to be focusing on to bigger and people

from disadvantaged backgrounds in education for as long as possible?

I think it is a worthwhile subject matter. The one I was more

interested in is the apprenticeship area. I think that is where he has

got it bang on from an. Employer's. Back of view. -- from an employer's

point point of view. When you talk to members in the CBI, a large

number of a managers have come through apprenticeships.

But there is a sense either you cannot get on without a degree.

With their employers, that is not their point of view. The CBI have

been pressing quite hard to lobby for apprenticeships. It is up to

this this to respond to that. kind of work he is doing on all of