14/05/2012 Stormont Today

Hello and welcome to the programme. People may be biting their nails in

Manchester, but there is probably more unity between both sets of

fans than the DUP and Alliance Party these days. We have seen

failure on the part of some parties to assess what is really the case.

Perhaps they can get their head out of the sand and start attending

more meetings, stop trying to delay its meetings and make a more of a

contribution. There are plenty of fast movers in

parliament buildings but who is this?

And without me throughout, David badminton.

With public spending heading just about all levels of society here,

small organisations are finding themselves facing hurdles as they

struggle to help vulnerable people. Today, Assembly members decided to

do their bit. Action Mendel Cao health is to be the charity of the

year. -- action mental health. This Assembly has a charitable

policy that we can work on for the number of years and this is the

first time we have chosen this charity. No charity or a member. --

or official in the past could collect money. We are now, as a

commission, think we have a policy and we intend to implement that in

the next year and get it out there for our members and Assembly but

also for officials here within the Assembly.

What will this mean for you? We are delighted by this a nomination by

the Speaker and the Assembly Commission. It means all those

people who are suffering with mental health issues will hopefully

get an agenda and they will understand what the issues are. We

will bring it to them in Stormont. Is it about raising money or is it

about affecting government policy? It is about raising money primarily

and trying to involve as many of the committee staff and MLAs in

doing activities around the Stormont estate but also, about

influencing policy. We want to make sure we have the resources to

provide the services that our clients require. It is difficult in

Northern Ireland because we have higher levels of mental health

problems than elsewhere in the UK, yet it is still seen as the

Cinderella service. It has been underfunded for the last six years

or so. It is estimated we are up to 25% underfunded. We have a

marvellous blue paint in a review completed in 2007. -- blueprint.

Not much has changed since the report was published in terms of

what services people get? We are moving in the right direction.

There needs to be more resources and a political will and critically,

more joined-up working between the various sectors. There's the

statutory sector, ourselves and our community and voluntary sector and

we need to work more closely together. What does that mean for

people on the ground trying to access services? It means that the

appropriate services are there and available for them, bad people have

the right information and also that they are opened at particular times

for those clients. The Speaker has said he is to take

action to try to end the practice of members withdrawing questions

after they have been published. It became clear why when four of the

first five questions to Peter Robinson were cancelled.

Nevertheless there was plenty to cover.

The Minister for Social Development has indicated that work is still on

going to develop a more accurate estimate of of the combined impact

of the proposed welfare reforms. The Department for Social

Development's early estimates are based on the application of the

Department for work and pensions ball calculation for the situation

here. These estimates are suggesting that over 10,000

children will be lifted out of poverty as a result of the

introduction of the Universal credit. This would be a real

benefit in our fight against child poverty. The Executive recently

established a sub-committee to consider the implications of

welfare reform. It is considering how to optimise the delivery of

welfare reform in Northern Ireland within the financial and

legislative constraints under which we operate. To date, the committee

has met on four occasions since the start of the year with the next

meeting schedule is to take place later today on 14th May. Could I

ask the junior minister at that he will give eight reassurance that

the figures of children below 60% of median UK income, but will not

simply be reduced by measure how we define child poverty? -- measuring.

The determination is to do what we can to reduce Gerard property. We

can't deviate child poverty in a statistical analysis. We can look

at the low income target, and then the absolute low income target, the

persistent poverty target and we can talk about it in terms of an

amalgamation of each of these targets. The target that has been

taking in the Child poverty act is 60% of the UK it median average. --

UK median average. There will be no attempt to manipulate that. That is

set down within the Act. Robinson took back the reins for a

question on Community regulations and there might be some were with

his Alliance colleagues... -- some work needed. Should there be Office

of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister funding for

bonfires? I have personal experience from a local government

standpoint of supporting the schemes and I think they are

valuable in insuring that the bonfire season, if I can call it

that, is turned into a wider festivity and that it encourages

keeping he states as clean as possible during a period of time

and that they have and safety issues are also paramount. I

encourage this and there are some councils who would not involve

themselves and I would encourage them to do so. I am glad to hear

that there is support out there. It is getting -- there is support from

North Down Council and the Community Relations Council and I

can see benefits from that. As far as the CSI strategy is concerned,

it is unfortunate that there are some people who are trying to

posture and party politicise issues around the CSI strategy. It is

sadly the case that some of those who probably made the most noise

are making police contribution. In particular, the Alliance Party

would try and focus itself more on an agreed result instead of going

out and indicate that somehow, they are leading the way when in fact,

they are dragging their feet on the issue. Perhaps they can get their

head out of the sand and start attending more meetings, stop

trying to delay meetings from taking place and make more

contributions at the meetings. On to education and newly-qualified

teachers complain they cannot get work because teachers to have taken

early retirement are being re- employed. Tom Buchanan was vexed

about the Western Board. There are 11 teachers employed on a permanent

basis who were prematurely from that -- retired in the western area.

These teachers are employed on a part-time basis with contracts

ranging from 10 to 20 yards per week. A further 120 it prematurely

retired teachers are employed on a temporary basis. I should point out

that the decision on whom to appoint in a particular post rests

with the board of governors of the skin. My department has encouraged

people to look at newly-qualified and experienced teachers. There is

a disincentive in place for teachers seeking we informed on a

substitute basis. Two rangers have been made to the funding schemes to

incentivise schools to employ newly-qualified and experienced

none retired teachers. We regularly receive feedback and reports back

from boards of governors in terms of employment matters and in terms

of the use of substitute teachers. When it is found that retired

teachers are being used, the boards and schools will be asked why that

is the case. The power lies with the boards of governors and both I

and members of this house had read this issue. I would appeal to

boards of governors to Allah and give newly-qualified teachers the

opportunity to enter the workforce and gain experience. -- to allow.

Cohesion sharing an integration are at CSI is meant to be our community

relations policy. It is not leading to good relations between policies.

Peter Robinson attacked alliance but David Ford was not holding back

when he spoke earlier to Mark Davenport, when he outlined what he

believed needed to be done. When I was campaigning in the

election last year there were very few people think, worse the

strategy? But they were asking, why can I not get my child into end

integrated school and how do we get rid of barriers? -- an integrated

school. They were not looking at what the outcome is, a united

community. They specifically mentioned golf clubs as being

places where sectarianism is under the surface. What you make of that?

It is clear that divisions run free society and those that are seeking

to tackle divisions come from every part of society. What is currently

filling them is the political structures. This is organised by be

CSI, what future do you think it has? There is talk of slimming it

down to eight funding -- just a friend, not a funding body. We need

an independent voice and particular, to hold the government to account.

The Executive is failing to deliver and that is why we need an

independent body. Our disagreements over the future

of the CSI wider is so much delay We have seen a failure on the part

of some parties to assess what is really the case. You cannot talk

about shared space if you do not have a proper protocol to deal with

symbols of the vision being erected on shared space. It is not just

that issue, there are a range of issues.

The golf club Commons, where did that come from? It was a clumsy use

of language, I regret using it. I am sorry. The point being made, I

come from a working-class community, I am proud of that, the point that

we wanted to make was that sectarianism is not confined to

working-class communities. A clumsy use of language. Golf plays a vital

role in our society. The cut Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Graham

McDowell. You look at the positive contribution that golf has made to

bring groups together. It was a clumsy, it. I regretted, I am sorry.

Most people would appreciate your point about it not just being a

working class problem, and there is sectarianism across the board, but

this focusing on the middle-class sectarianism divert attention from

where it is needed, on police walls, interfaces, where people are being

subjected to violence? There is some wonderful work happening on

the interfaces, and I pay tribute to it. I presented an award of

community relations person of the year to a man who had worked on

interfaces, not just at times when the media were there, but right

throughout the year. To those people at the grassroots, we give

them our full support and tribute. Wherever sectarian it -- wearer the

sectarianism is, let's look at it wherever it advises, -- rises, and

let's tackle it. Where is the stumbling block? They have talked

about releasing something that is not what we are looking for, and

having to accept a less well prepared document. I have spent

well over 100 hours over the last year chairing the meetings, looking

at cohesion, looking up integration, how we can get a five party

consensus. The grim mood of the five parties was that a green

document would get better ownership by the community. I would never

preach the confidence of those meetings. I want to take a

constructive role. David Forde has inaccurately made a number of

comments which he should apologise for, because, as I revealed earlier,

I have got the e-mail trail of what they have prevaricated, asked for

meetings to be postponed,... They have said he only missed one

meeting. I have revealed all of the e-mail trail, one meeting was

missed, he would not attend during Hallowe'en, he took a bit of

January off, he did not get his documents in on time, he drags his

feet, and he putted an incompetent position. -- he put us in an

incompetent position. You cannot deny an e-mail trail, which I have

revealed, and I can show you. He had said he cannot get his

documents in on time. How does that help us move for what? -- move

forward? We need to take the lead from the community, they want a

better way forward. We have been clear, it is no longer them and us.

That was the theme of the conference. It is no longer than --

them and us. Relief from the front. I want to get back to a

constructive working relationship to put out a document. Is it weeks

or months? It is weeks. Motions in the chamber might not

carry a lot of weight, but their content sometimes makes demands on

ministers. Members voted to support a motion calling for nothing to

happen. The notion -- motion made no demands and wants nothing to

change. The topic, the appointment of judges. The chair changed

identity halfway through. I am taking off my hat as chairman

of the committee, I wish to speak as a DUP member. The reason that

the changes took place in 2009, the party gave the reasons. It was

because of our concerns in respect of Sinn Fein's role that it may

have in the appointment and removal of the judiciary. One does not need

to go too far in our past winner for the IRA targeted members of the

judiciary, one being that Lord Justice Gibson and the attack that

led to his death. Cricket -- but we heard clear concerns and the

changes that were included the 2009 Act were as a result of that. That

political context has led to the changes that have happened, and

therefore, makes it difficult for the changes in the current system

to take place. But this position has given the judiciary is very

insulated, protected and privileged position from the political process.

This is not an ideal position in a normal democracy. It is not perfect

that judges appoint judges. But it is by far the best arrangement,

which is attainable. You do need to know what the job entails from

experience before you appoint others. I should or that -- I

should do about any of these bodies would have the power, it would be a

rich a great step. As 43% of the judiciary are women, and over the

half of the lay magistrates and the district judges, there are no women

at all in the High Court, and the County Court and District

magistrate Court judges do not even make it a quarter of the quota of

the judiciary at that level. This is a serious issue. There might be

a discrimination, -- they might not be a discrimination, but there is

something to take on board. There is a real problem.

One of the biggest problems facing people who suffer from mental

health problems is the taboo, people to not feel comfortable

about admitting it. Yes, the stigma is a big issue, we are working with

the assembly to try and eradicate it. What has struck me, MLAs have

come out very helpfully and said they have had issues within their

own families and groups of friends are. This is showing leadership and

that it can affect anybody. It can affect a quarter of the population

at any one time. Without mental health, there is no good health.

We have reported and a lack of legislation here in the past, but

are things so bad that the state has to come to drive legislation

through at top speed? That is what it looked like earlier as the

mystery racing driver met MLAs on the steps of parliament buildings.

But the wheels of government perturb too slowly for the real

racer. This impersonator was here to launch Air Festival of motor

sport. -- to launch Air Festival. I hope he does not drive home to

Armagh like that! That was not actually Danny Kennedy driving!

How the Department of Employment and learned will be divided up

there will be debated in the chamber tomorrow. It seems no

minister will be responding to the debate. The committee has had a

consultation on the dissolution, and its share joint winner. -- its

chair joins me now. Are you annoyed about the lack of a response?

Slightly disappointed. That will be a view shared by a number of people.

We have done a lot of work, it is very important, and a lot of people

worry about it. We want to know what they are thinking about.

it comes to the consultation, it reads as a shambles in terms of

continuity, because every single sector since to have a different

opinion on where they think they're a bit of the pie should end up.

That is part of the problem, because nobody is sure about what

might be on offer, everybody puts forward their own particular view.

It is no surprise, different people will think about things from there

and context. -- from their own context. We need to get some way

forward, because if we go into the summer without having this resolved,

the role will plummet, people that of relying on us will suffer.

of the consultation is a staff survey, which revealed interesting

results. The details, we will talk about tomorrow, but it is unusual

for us to ask the staff. Quite often, Rica to the normal

stakeholders. -- we go to the normal stakeholders. The staff are

affected by the changes, they are knowledgeable. A lot of them put

forward constructive suggestions. But there was some criticism of

everybody, to say, this is no way to run a country. Those are my

words. But it is along the lines of, if this is just political

expediency, it is not good. Do you think the consultation will be

taken on board when it comes to the executive deciding? I intend to

make that point tomorrow. I am sure that other colleagues on the

committee will stress the importance. The good thing that

came out is how well it is thought of and what a good job it does. But

we are not sure that the department have got the message or have got a

solution about what they will do next. They are doing their own

consultation, but we do not know what it is. I think there will be

more pressure on them to come back with real plans very shortly.

have not had a Department of Employment and learned for that

long, and these organisations and departments survived before. It is

true that we do seem to change and reconfigure quite often, but every

time you do that, you get a loss of service. There is a bedding down

period. A lot of people have got used to the new arrangements, they

are quite happy. Added to that, there might be other changes to

other departments, it introduces a huge amount of uncertainty. If this

was a private sector business that had announced a merger, you would

have every MLA campaigning to say it is ridiculous, this is no way to

go ahead, and this is not the right way to reorganise the Government.

Your charity receives funding from them, what do you think? We have

received funding from them. They provide a very professional service.

We would be very concerned if there is any change to that.

We may have been joking about the state driving through legislation,

but some MLAs feel there is a serious point to be made about the

lack of executive business. More pressure was exerted on the

executive today. Two independent MLAs will ask the

business committee tomorrow if they can have the Assembly debate a

motion which calls on the executive to give a timetable for when

legislation is coming down the line. There is a sense of frustration

that this is a legislative assembly and there is not enough for members

to do. The executive have told me that ministers are doing other

things, they have introduced six Bills, three have been executed,

and they have made over 70 or statements. But it is said it is

not what the executive is to signed today. We have had the Titanic

commemorations, and there is more to come. The next event, the

covenant, the centenary. Jim Alastair has been pressing for a

take off for everybody. But he was told that the executive has not

discussed the option. The assembly put out a statement, saying they

had agreed a set of principles around commemorations and what

should be commemorated, but they have agreed in principle to market

the Easter rising as well as the Battle of the Somme. -- to market

the Easter rising. Irish is becoming more popular. Yes, the

Culture Minister said that the initiative for had been a great

success can and they were well above their target of 1000 people.

They will put some more resources One of the areas of difficulty that

has been widely publicised is the psychiatric help for children

within the mental health service. Is that something Giffin still

needs to be pushed with government? Yes, it is the joined-up between

adult and child services. The services need to be more joined-up,

to provide a more efficient service. When people get to 17 or 18, they

moved, and they could lose their psychiatrist. Yes, the degree of

support and resources are reduces. Did you think that being the

charity of the year will give you the ear of the minister? I hope it

will help influence him. There are many other charities trying to do

the same, but I hope he will because more favourably. Why were

you chosen? We have managed to deliver a good, efficient service,