12/01/2016 Stormont Today

Day two in the top job and Arlene Foster announces

She names Mervyn Storey as her successor in Finance

and appoints Lord Morrow to take over his old job

And you can award yourself a bonus point if you remembered that he did,

in fact, hold that post before a decade and a half ago.

Two new ministers, but the First Minister stresses

it will be business as usual in the coming months.

We will have continuity of service, I think that's what people want to

see, they do not want disruption of public services, and see us continue

to deliver and we will do that until election day.

But things were a lot less cordial in the chamber

strong views on exactly what to call this place.

Just to be clear I've absolutely nothing to confess, I have no

problem saying Northern Ireland, it's not a term I use, absolutely

not a term I use. And joining me with his thoughts

on today's proceedings After some fervent media

speculation, the new First Minister unveiled the changes

to her ministerial line-up There must have been disappointment

for several MLAs whose names had reportedly been in the mix,

but in the end, Arlene Foster opted to go with

the "safe hands make sense" policy. So, in comes Mervyn Storey

to Finance and it's a case of welcome back to Social

Development for Lord Morrow. As you know, he has served in that

position before and I'm delighted he is taking up the position again,

albeit only for a relatively short period of time and of course we know

that the pre-election period is coming at us quite fast and the

priority was to make sure there was minimal disruption to public

services and to make sure that we continue to have practical services

on the ground, while delighted board colleagues have said yes. I look

forward to the great honour and challenge of being Finance Minister

and we have an agreed budget and there will be the implementation of

that through the Assembly. I want to peter Brooke to the former finance

minister. -- I want to pay tribute. And thank her for placing in me that

responsibility for the Department of Finance. I've been here before, it's

like back to the future! And although things have moved on in

some 14 years, since I was in Social Development, and I've been looking

at how well it has been looked after, I hope he has left plenty of

money, because I'm looking forward to my first day of briefings and to

see exactly where we are in the department, but it is for a short

period, coming to the end of this mandate, and I will apply myself

with all my might to continue the good work that Mervyn Storey has

been doing over the weeks ahead. I firmly believe that Mervyn Storey

having been in the Department of Social Development can pick up what

is happening in the Department of Finance and as far as the Department

of Social Development, I believe he has been there before, he knows what

the issues are and will settle into that belief without a lot of

reacquainting of the issues so we will have continuity of service,

people don't want disruption in relation to public services, but see

us continue to deliver and we will do that right up until election day.

Let's remember we had the challenge and Social Development for welfare

reform and I have to work through those particular issues and I am not

in any way underestimating the challenge that there will be, but as

I endeavour to apply myself, as like I was in DSD, I will do the same in

the Department of Finance because it is important to have continuity of

service, as the First Minister said, and this year begins Northern

Ireland with a considerable degree of hope and we need to see the

fermentation of the budget, challenging as that will be, --

implementation of the budget. And give Northern Ireland the stability

needed. The new Finance Minister,

Mervyn Storey. What do you make of the mini

reshuffle from Arlene Foster? Make sense? There had been speculation

that underneath this ministerial change be may get indication as to

what an Arlene Foster lead DUP might look like, but she has gone to

receive Conservative option, using the phrase continuity of service,

but wants it to be an unremarkable change, going for two people who

have been ministers before, making the point Lord Morrow was there,

albeit a decade and a half ago, this and I think she is away there are

only 10-11 weeks of this term left until we have the elections, so

rather than doing something different, like appointing Alistair

Ross or Peter Weir, something that would have been a story in and of

itself, she has decided to leave the 15 changes until the other side of

the election. Quite a vote of confidence in Mervyn Storey. Do you

see him as somebody whose star is still in the ascendant? I think so,

I think when you look at him in education, he was combative with

Sinn Fein and now with Social Development, there is a sense he is

from the more traditional wing of the party, from North Antrim, and a

number of other people, like Simon Hamilton or Peter Weir, coming like

Arlene Foster through the Ulster Unionist Party moving over, and

weird as we have here Arlene Foster when she took over the leadership

saying there is only one DUP. But like any other single political

party it has its own branches in camps. And a job for any leader to

keeping everyone happy. Quite a challenge for Arlene Foster after

the May election, the number of department dropping, and she will

have one position less to give out. Yes, and it is going to be a very

short honeymoon period for Arlene Foster, because she has come to the

leadership and vision of the DUP when they were at their peak. The

last Assembly election, I sense they had peaked, and the only way is

down. If they come out of this election losing a few seats, it

feeds into the Ulster U slime that they are growing, and she may have

to appoint with less posts. -- it feeds into the Ulster Unionist Party

line. We will see what happens after that. And we will speak to you in a

moment. Thank you. In the chamber, the Culture Minister

faced question time today and, during it, she clashed

with the Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy over her reluctance

to use the term "Northern Ireland". In fact, Caral Ni Chuilin

was in combative form all afternoon as she answered questions

from several unionists the Minister wasn't giving

away any ground. The cost of the consultation was

?14,300, a very success of -- successful consultation, 95% of

responses expressed support for an anguished language act. It was

published on the 18th of December and it is available on the

departmental website. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Can the Minister not

see that this consultation was a poor use of resources? When you

consider the political reality, it is that such a bill would require

cross community support. My party has medically and we will not be

supporting any act like this. Because not only of how divisive it

will be but because of the cost of implementing the use of Irish

courts, and in the Assembly, the language humanist... Can you come to

the question please? The political reality is when it comes to

equality, the member and his party have a very poor record, very poor

record of implementing what were lodged cited reports and

internationally binding agreements. The Irish language act was in the

Good Friday Agreement, and it has been an subsequent documents after

that, I know the member is intelligent and I can't understand

how he feels to see the 13,000 responses, 95% of which are

supportive. -- how he fails. It came from right across its unity and

ahead of some of your party are at. Can I ask the Minister, and plead

with the Minister, to stop... To stop refusing to use the term

Northern Ireland, simply for a political reason? And for no good

reason at all. You are a minister in the Northern Ireland executive, you

are expected to perform on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, it's

time you and your party realised that. First of all, as a former

minister, I think that's a fairly pure question, and what's even more

disappointing is the subsequent follow-up question. It actually

shows that first of all, just to be clear, I've nothing to confess, I

have no problem seeing Northern Ireland. It's not a term I use. Not

a term I use. -- no problem saying. But I think the member asking a

question like this, given his role in departments, real issue it is

like backroom boy stuff, seriously! It is really sad summer like you

asked a question like that. Yesterday the Deputy First Minister

said this is an important year for unionism with the 100th anniversary

of the Battle of the Somme, those remarks should not have been made,

that is not just associated with the Unionist committee or those of a

Protestant background, or other men, both Roman Catholic and resident

Unionist and nationalist, leaving these shores to fight in France. --

Protestant Unionist and nationalist. No one team unity owns the Battle of

the Somme. -- no one community. Yes, I agree and I think you are

misrepresenting the sentiments in which Martin McGuinness said he

recognised the importance of the Battle of the Somme in the Unionist

committee, he is well aware of the numbers of people, and indeed the

background of the people who left these shores to die elsewhere, he is

well aware of that. We have been very generous and consistent and

open in giving acknowledgement and respect to of the events that will

be marked. Martin McGuinness has done it, I have done it, other

members have done it, I would encourage the members opposite to do

this. It was a busy day for the Employment

and Learning Minister today for further education

in the Assembly. Stephen Farry told MLAs he wants see

further education valued similarly to higher education

and the school system. Today I am launching the new father

education strategy for Northern Ireland, father education mean

success. What I am outlining and the steps we will take to implement the

new strategy will enable colleges to build on the green breaking

achievements of the sector over the last decade. It will ensure colleges

continue to vote for the important jewel role of developing a strong

and vibrant economy and supporting social inclusion. It will also

enable further education to be recognised as an equal and valued

pillar of the education system alongside higher education and the

secondary school system. In 2014 launch the review of further

education in Northern Ireland and on the 2nd of July 2015 I published a

consultation document on development of father education strategy for not

an island, it was wide-ranging in its approach and considerable

reasonable and national and international policies for several

commitments, including underlying evidence

commitments, including underlying analysis of best practice in further

education colleges and colleges in other parts of the world. Details

statistical analysis of education activity and the consultation with

stakeholders. We have current and future jobs requiring increasing and

high level of skills and breadth of knowledge. Over the next ten years

the pace of change will accelerate, driven by globalisation, advances in

technology, new business models and rapidly changing consumer needs. The

planned introduction of bridges corporation tax can invigorate the

economy. These development will lead to substantial changes in the world

of work. Four key objectives, 21 policy commitments in the statement,

could the Minister provide the more detailed figures in what the budget

will be the in the next mandate and how many students will be supported?

The FE sector has had difficult times over the years in terms of

efficiency savings and cuts that have been passed on from the

executive. In all of my approach to trying to find savings in my own

department to address cuts that have been imposed upon us, we've always

sought to as far as possible protect the front line. Sadly last year that

was not something that was possible given the magnitude of the cuts we

were facing and we have seen, regrettably, loss of some provision

in terms of blazes. The first time we've seen a retreat for many years

in Northern Ireland. We are still working through the implications of

the budget agreed by the executive before Christmas. The incoming

department of the economy is facing a cut and that will create a

challenging context for all of the different skills that includes

further education. Stephen Farry on the continuing

challenges of managing his department in the current

funding climate. Now, the eagle-eyed among you might

have noticed two new faces on the SDLP's benches

since yesterday. Gerard Diver has replaced

Pat Ramsey as an MLA for Foyle and Daniel McCrossan has succeeded

Joe Byrne in West Tyrone. Congratulations. I'm getting to

grips with Stormont? I am, it's a big change but I'm getting used to

it quickly. You've had to go through quite a few selection processes and

people are a bit confused. One in October and one more recently. Why

so many? Why this whiff of controversy about you? In October

the focus was on selecting an assembly candidate. Joe has had to

stand down earlier than planned and that led to the second selection a

few weeks thereafter. If you were already selected to be the assembly

candidate, surely it was obvious you would be the Co-op tea. They didn't

have to go through a second selection process in which you won

anyway. The party is very democratic and we don't do things by half

measures. I'm very happy to go through both selection processes.

You're a big supporter of Alasdair McDonnell. Are you now fully behind

the leadership of Colum Eastwood? Absolutely. My loyalty was -- is

with the leader. Colum Eastwood will continue with the great work. There

are a number of changes. It's a positive note and eclipse of what

Colum is about to do. You didn't back him for the leadership. You

backed Alister McDermott. I backed the sitting leader because my

loyalty were with the sitting leader, but now Colum is the leader

and he has my full support. Do you have any concerns that you're

backing for Alasdair McDonnell might count against you? Absolutely not.

Colum get on very well and have a good working relationship and we

share the same vision. We will rebuild the party and we will do a

constituency by constituency that will happen over the next couple of

months. You talked about your party being democratic. There was a rift

in West Tyrone. You had your supporters and you are selected and

you're here now. Some people weren't very enthusiastic about your

candidacy. Has that rift gone away? Have you kissed and made up with

those individuals who worked enthusiastic about you? That's a

consequence of democracy. Not everybody agrees with the outcomes.

I do believe those relationships have mended and will continue to

mend. We all have plans for the party and the party membership from

across the constituency share my vision on how we take the party

forward. You might find it tricky to hold onto this seat in May. Joe

Burns, if you look back to last time, he got the sixth seat with

3001st preferences, which was less than half, or about half, what Barry

Mackle Duff got, who topped the poll. That's one way of looking at

it. Since then a lot of work has been. The SDLP gained seats in Omagh

in the council election. Our vote went up when I was Westminster

candidate last year. That sends a positive message that what we are

doing is working and we will retain the seat. I'm very confident and I'm

happy to be the representative. If you were very confident, you would

have waited for the election in May and taken your chances rather than

become what did at this stage. That's the true for answer. Joe had

to go as a result of his ill health. It was a difficult decision for him,

but he had all our support and we had to find an immediate

replacement. I'm very happy to be that replacement. Good to talk to

you and no doubt we will hear more from you over the next few weeks.

The Agriculture Minister may have answered an urgent oral question

on recent flooding yesterday in the House, but Members

were still concerned about her department's response

First up for Michelle O'Neill, though, was a question

from her Sinn Fein colleague Oliver McMullan about the recent

approval of local pork exports to China.

The pig industry is an important sector here and die was delighted

when China announced its intention to approve plans in the North for

pork exports to China. Securing access to one of the primary new

markets is a very welcome development and followed by my third

visit to China in June last year which focused on negotiating these

appraisals. It represents a major boost for the pork industry. It's

difficult to precisely quantify the value of the market because of

uncertainty around exchange rates and potential demand and other

exporters. This trade could generate as much as 10 million in revenue per

year. Given the uncertainties is difficult to know if the potential

can be relied but when we work with the industry I'm looking forward to

the potential that there and for the industry to reach into what is

expected to become the leading consumer of pig meat by 2022 and

what we have to offer is something the Chinese market values. I welcome

the announcement this morning. Can she give the house some estimate as

to the size of the two potential markets and also an update on what

she's doing to get Northern Irish beef into the American markets?

That's one of our priorities. We want to build on the successes we've

had. We are working closely with the industry around the US market and

the Philippine market for beef. They are key markets which the industry

has identified. We are also working hard in terms of Australia add pork.

There are a number of key areas the industry want us to focus on and

that's the way we should be targeting these new markets. We've

had some is excessive in terms of the monetary value of getting into

these new markets. It's dependent on the take-up. Very much working in

tandem with my department and the enterprise Department around

showcasing our products wherever we can and also letting everybody know

that what we have is fully traceable food that we can stand over, we have

very wholesome food and that's one of our biggest strengths. She says

she's been on the ground, she certainly wasn't on the ground when

31 retail units were flooded. She refused to go out. That was in very

poor taste. The minister at least owes those retailers of apology

because of the negligence of her and her department. Can the Minster

given assurance today that the problems that existed there will be

remedied to such an extent that it will not happen again? It was sheer

negligence. I don't agree with your assessment in relation to sheer

negligence. What happened was clearly an example of a blocked

grill. The grill was cleared in advance of the storm and it was left

clear. Unfortunately we had extreme weather, three storms. That storm

that affected lead to extreme rain and high winds which means debris

got blocked up in the grill. As soon as the grill was cleared, the water

flowed away within half an hour. The member will be very clear on those

facts. I never refuse to go anywhere. I'm happy to meet anybody

at any time in relation to flooding issues and the response of my

agency. Has she made a representation to her executive

colleagues that the businesses which have been victims of the flooding

incident will be compensated in some way by this executive? I can't say

it any clearer than what I've said. The executive agreed yesterday that

we will take a look at the ?1.3 million and how best we spend that

money. I would much rather protect businesses against flooding as

opposed to giving them money to clean up afterwards.

The flooding issue still very much on Michelle O'Neill's agenda.

The Second Stage of the Employment Bill was on the floor today,

so Stephen Farry was back on his feet.

Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK in which implement law is

devolved. This provides us with the opportunity and responsibility

developed unemployment relations framework that meets the needs of

our region. I was impressed by the arguments of

many consultees who made the point that it is the quality rather than

the length of consultation that matters. I was all social drug by

the arguments against having the three redundancy periods. It is with

regret that I have decided not to take forward that matter in the

present bill as there is insufficient political consensus on

the issue. I also believe it was an opportunity to improve workers

rights, but in some cases that opportunity had not been taken. CBI

had said it was broadly content with the bill but noted there would be

resource imprecations. The CBI also believed that more could be done by

the LRH to insure the claims are rooted out and the process speeded

up. The CBI believed the bill was a missed opportunity to extend the

qualification period for unfair dismissal to two years. Both of

which would have brought Northern Ireland into line with GB. The

department objectives to identify opportunities to reduce regulation

and minister to burden on businesses while protecting the rights of Poyet

is under the three key themes, early resolution of workplace disputes,

efficient and effective employment tribunal 's better regulation

measures has in general received a broad welcome from all stakeholders.

Everyone wants to see less bureaucracy and more effective and

efficient streamlined system. Employers and employees want to see

these matters dealt with in an informal away as possible. If

conciliation or agreement can be reached outside of a formal tribunal

setting, that's what the majority of people want to see. Nobody wants to

have to go through a formal employment tribunal because it is a

context and burdensome process. Often resolutions -- opportunities

for resolution outside the formal tribunal setting is something we

should continue to explore at every opportunity. I only picked up this

issue this week. Pat Ramsey was leading this. I don't know if it is

a departmental or executive oversight we have an with. Zero our

contracts. -- hour. I don't think something this big... It shouldn't

be dealt with in emergency amendment and it would probably derail the

bill and the other good stuff we want to get through in this mandate.

Zero our contracts are undermining decent work. They are one of the big

implement issues of our time. And the second stage

of the Employment Bill And Chris Donnelly has

joined me for a final word. What did you make of what Daniel

McCrossan had to say? He seems an impressive candidate. He is

something new for the party in that area. Joe Byrne was a veteran

candidate. He made the point that Joe Byrne only got in last time and

that's an area where Sinn Fein have a formidable electoral machine. He

did well last year in Westminster, he grew the vote and presented the

vote. I can see him developing his presence and if you do look at the

SDLP now under Colum Eastwood, there are a number of areas where they

have introduced younger faces, a different generation. You have

Colum, Claire Hanlon, Nicola Balin will probably be the candidate in

north Belfast. We see a generational change which has been successfully

transitioned. It's ironic that perhaps Sinn Fein have missed a

trick. They haven't so far made that transition and that will be

interesting to see in the next assembly term for these people, what

is the nation -- the competent relationship they will have is in

opposition. Do you think that's something the SDLP needs to think

about? After May, moving out of the executive and coming back clearly in

opposition? One of the things they are trying is to present themselves

as the younger face. Youth on its own will not deliver what they need.

They have to find a place to call their own. They can only do that if

they go into opposition and try to make noise or make critiques of what

the government are doing across-the-board. Interesting

thought. Thanks, Chris.

That's it for tonight. The View is back this Thursday

at 10.35 on BBC One and the new First Minister

Arlene Foster. For now, though, from everyone

in the team, bye-bye. dogs and like,

I'd call them cannibals. We're talking hypothetical, here.

Yeah. But, I, personally, would probably

put the dog before me. I've got myself into a situation

with someone