22/11/2011 Stormont Today

Hello and welcome. As boardroom salaries go through the roof, at

least we know who pays them. But who is funding our political

parties? Isn't it time politicians opened up their accounts? Members

of the public are seriously concerned about the potential

corrective influence of large donations. And what could we have

possibly done to upset the enterprise minister? I find it

rather strange when I watched the Stormont Live programme last night

that we need to see more enterprise in Northern Ireland. And to bring a

touch of college to Stormont, and joined by Nick Livingstone of the

We saw some of the picture's last night of the new artwork grazing

the Great Hall here at Stormont. The director of strategic

development at the Arts Council is here. Why has this project come

about? The Gizzi great opportunity for us to sell -- tell the story of

artists from Northern Ireland, both emerging and established, and there

was a lively level of interest among the MLAs. I gather they have

been treating each other about their personal favourites. It will

boost the reputations of the artists themselves, to show what we

are doing as a development agency for the arts in Northern Ireland,

and to engage with our political leaders at a critical time when we

have just published a programme for government and show how the Arts

Council is helping and can help to deliver some of the objectives and

commitments made within that. possible to imagine that it is very

difficult climate for emerging artists, because it is seen as

something as a luxury, spending money on art work. There has never

been uneasy time artists. But that doesn't daunt them in terms of the

challenges that they want to do in investing in their careers. We

believe that by buying art, not collecting for its own sake, but

helping the get their careers on to a firm footing, we're getting them

off to win a positive start. If you look back at some of the artists

whose work is shown in this exhibition, you will see something

of the great things they have achieved since. That helps us to

stand out as a region, as well, as an area that is rich in terms of

culture. What about the arts generally? How will you survive the

cuts that are coming down the tracks? We have been accustomed to

using the arts as a catalyst to try and bring about change in many

areas. These are highlighted within the themes for the programme for

government, and if you just take one of those areas, the emphasis on

jobs and wealth creation and investment in the economy, there

are lots of ways in which artists and creative people are helping to

build and create new connections and helping to generate wealth

within the creative industries themselves which are now in fact

one of the promising areas of growth potential. Stay with us,

plenty more to talk about. Should we be commemorating the

Titanic disaster next year? And why has Stormont today been getting the

enterprise minister a bit bothered? All was revealed during questions

this afternoon, where there was also a lot of curiosity about the

religious make-up of staff at St Mary's teacher-training college.

Minister, quite recently you provided to me a policy statement

as adapted them 22nd October 1998 by St Mary's University College.

Can you explain why, on 22nd September, 2011, some 13 years

later, there is only 7% Protestant workforce, and how do you plan to

deal with this inequality? And do you accept that equality not only

needs to be done, it needs to be seen to be done? I thank Lord

Morrow for that supplementary, and they do recognise it is an equal

opportunities employer, but at the same time, where only 8% of the

workforce are from a Protestant background. The college does have a

religious affirmative action plan which is reviewed regularly, and

the college is also promoting equal employment opportunities. I do

believe that St Mary's is conscious of the need to improve the

situation. It is certainly something I would have concern

about in terms of the balance of the workforce. It is important to

have recognised there is a halt range of historical factors that

have led to the situation in which we are today. But that does not

mean that he doesn't have to be changed, and that change needs to

come soon. But I do want to impress upon the house and Lord Morrow that

some Mary's is conscious of the issue and the need to address it,.

Mistake I would like to know what evidence you base the reference on,

because there is no evidence to suggest that they have even

commenced... I would remind you that we are on the report now.

relation to the report, will that report also include an explanation

as to why St Mary's won't allow students to do the Catholic

certificate? It forces our students to go and have it paid for in

Glasgow. Surely that is not the indication of the University?

thank Mr story for his supplementary question. All I can

say is that I have had a number of dealings with St Mary's. A range of

issues both have a financial nature and also relating to equality of

opportunity were raised by myself and by my officials. I have to say

that I did find that St Mary's were engaging in a constructive and

creative way, and were very alert to a number of the issues and

concerns that have been raised by an number of members, and indeed in

the wider community. Certainly the issue of the Catholic certificates,

the differential access that exists between the students in terms is

one that I am minded about, and it is certainly an issue of which St

Mary's a engaged with me at the moment. Question number four.

will be a momentous year for Northern Ireland were Burke series

of significant dates, commemorations and anniversaries.

The key anniversary will be the anniversary of the maiden voyage of

the Titanic. The Titanic the bitter experience is a significant mark of

the centenary. This would be an opportunity to clearly identified

Belfast and Northern Ireland as the home of Titanic. A recently

launched NI 2012, and exciting year-long programme of national

events, includes Synek to prevent - - significant commemoration of the

Titanic. The programme will provide a real platform to change

perceptions of Northern Ireland on Given that 2012 will mark the loss

of life associated with the sinking of the Titanic, I asked the

minister why the major celebration was not the launch of the ship,

which took place last year? This is about celebrating what was going on

in Belfast in 2012 but commemorating the lives that were

lost on the Titanic as well. I am sorry he has not seen the plans. If

he had been at the all-party working group on tourism on Monday

morning he would have seen plans for not only celebrating, but

commemorating. It is about that balance. We want to celebrate what

happened in the past and we want to look to the future for Northern

Ireland and recognise the great work that happened at that time. Do

not forget, she was all right when she left Belfast! Many people will

be amazed that the Minister doesn't know how many of the jobs which

Invest NI said they promoted over the last five years, they in fact

saw created, and how many still exist? Surely that knowledge is

essential to measure promise of future job creation to see how the

people who are making no promises actually performed in the past. As

it may be welcome that they are now beginning to put in motion of

things to answer those questions, how have we live through a system

where we do not know how many jobs were created? We know how many jobs

were lost. Is it not time the minister knew how many were

created? He just cannot acknowledge the we are dealing with this issue.

Instead, he reverts back to what I read of his Radio Ulster piece of

work, where he said that we were only interested in foreign direct

investment. We are not. I have already detailed the number of jobs

coming from our own companies, coming from business starts, from

at their jobs band, but yet again a member cannot acknowledge that is

the case and seeks to mislead this Assembly in relation to the 25,000

jobs. This is being dealt with and it would be nice if the member

could acknowledge that. One reference to BBC Radio Ulster

we were not forgotten 80! I know speaking to small businesses

across Northern Ireland, they are having severe access issues for

funding. That is why I find it strange when watching Stormont Live

last night when I heard it represented of a bank saying we

needed more enterprise. That is absolutely right, we do need to see

more, but wouldn't it be lovely if the Bank stepped up to the mark and

held those small and medium-sized businesses to actually invest in

their companies and grow? Flat to see the minister was tuning

in. A government-appointed watchdog has called for more transparency

over donations to Northern Ireland's political parties and a

cap on donations. The identity of donors remained secret while

parties in Britain must report donations of more than 7,500.

The evidence is that members of the public are concerned about the

potential corrupting influence of large donations on political

decisions. The political parties recognise that and all three of the

main ones in Westminster have committed themselves in their

manifestos to read politics of big money. Our proposals are addressed

to that issue, how to take big money out of politics. You have

called for greater transparency, but what of the argument that for

security reasons, Northern Ireland is not ready for that? I recognise

the issue over security. We have not called for immediate greater to

transparency, not least because recently there was a consultation

of combat. -- a consultation on that. The government should now set

a timetable for it moving back to normality. Do you think Northern

Ireland should be exempt? I think there are many people in Northern

Ireland who would like to think that normality had returned.

have also highlighted the issue of Irish citizens giving donations to

parties in Northern Ireland and in Britain. Why have you highlighted

that issue? There are two things in in Northern Ireland which are

different from the arrangements in the rest of the UK. One thing is

the absence of transparency and the other is the fact that in the rest

of the UK, the only people who can't do are those on the UK

electoral register -- register. -- can donate. It is a special

condition that we drew attention to for Northern Ireland. We suggest

the Electoral Commission should now publish summary details of how much

money actually flows from Irish citizens she Northern Irish

political parties. If you changes go ahead will the electorate in

Northern Ireland notice the difference? That is a good question.

That depends upon the use of the money that would be provided. I

hope they will notice a difference not just from that but also from

the removal of the hint and suspicion that big money is

influencing decisions in an improper way. Are you convinced

your timescale will be met? We are not suggesting the big changes, the

Caporn it donations and reductions in spending, should come into being

until 2015. The Green Party is the only one here to publish its

donations. Stephen Agnew joins us. You could say it might be easier

for you because you are a smaller party? That is true. Equally, we

made this decision. Green is clean. We want the voters to know who is

funding our party so if there are perceived interests they can

investigate them and check it out. We publish them on mind so people

know her fans as and show that we are acting in their interests. --

online. We also do not take corporate creations. If businesses

donate to a political party they expect something at the other end

and we do not believe that is in the best interests of democracy.

Can you imagine big changes once they new rules come in? Our people

were not entitled to privacy about political allegiances? The argument

always used his about security. We have taken down watchtowers and

taken shoulders -- soldiers off the street and we have said that peace

is here. The one things that remains unchanged is that political

donations are hidden. It means every decision is in question. Are

they are acting in the best interests of the people of Northern

Ireland, or of the people who fund the political parties? In my

constituency, and a political party takes a side, people ask if they

are funded by the developers? We do not know and I cannot answer them.

This speculation will continue until we have full transparency.

What about the idea of political parties getting public funding. I

cannot imagine there would be public support for it? It is a case

of what price do we want to put on democracy. The trade-off is, if we

stop large corporate donations that the public purse makes up the money.

To ensure the democratic process is operating in the interests of the

people at rather than vested interests, I think a small subsidy

might be worthwhile. Let's look at that. First, we need transparency

in Northern Ireland to seek party - - money going into political

parties. Political parties can run cheaper election campaigns. We do

it on a limited budget. Other parties do not have to spend the

money that they do on massive billboard campaigns and whatever

else it to promote their party. It should be one person, one vote, not

�1, one vote. Money could be seen to court in -- to be corrupting the

political process. Last month they Health Minister

announced plans to make it harder for women to opt for a Caesarean

delivery. We have the highest rate in the UK. Guidelines for England

have been relaxed. Man in charge of the organisation which regulates

medicine is at Stormont tonight and he explained why.

We are saying there might be occasional circumstances when women

who are frightened to deliver vaginally, even after they have had

psychological help, those so -- sort of circumstances, it is not

unreasonable to deny a Caesarean section. We do not expect this to

be in any way a common occurrence. It is not the Caesarean section on

demand. They have Minister appears to be taking a firmer approach in

I think we have to remember do but Caesarean section is now very safe,

and a lot safer than some of the medical intervention, for Sirte

type deliveries. I wouldn't criticise, and they think these

things are very difficult. You have to have arrangements to suit your

circumstances. There is not a hard and fast rule. One of the other

pressing issues is the price of drugs. Is there of thing your

organisation can do to reduce the price? Why we can't, no. The

companies set the price they want to set, that is the current

arrangement. The coalition government want to create a new way

of looking at drug pricing and trying to match it better to the

value that the drug brings, and they are wanting to, in a sense,

work out the way in which the value of the drug is established and the

price is adjusted accordingly. They have provided no details about how

this is going to work, but of course the problem is that drug

pricing is a reserve matter, it is a UK wider matter. So I think we

are a long way off finding a solution to this. There has been

this new scheme to help people try to buy art more affordable, paid

off over a certain length of time. Is there any controversy and the

fact that and there is a small number of galleries involved? Well

the other galleries not feel their noses put out of joint?

invitation is there to all galleries, both within the private

sector and public, to be part of the scheme. But as a private scheme

at this stage, and we are hoping to be able to stimulate the market a

little bit, because one of the common complaint that we here is

that things have been sluggish for the very reasons you outlined, and

if we are going to make art affordable has put it in the reach

of ordinary people, this is a way of doing it. This is a way to

provide that level of intervention and support. How difficult is it

for artists to survive in this climate? It is difficult, there is

no question about it. This highlights that artists have had to

become quite clever and developing the many strands to their career.

They are often trying to pin down more than one job. But they have

shown that they are very resourceful and capable, and the

work they are doing is paying dividends in terms of opening

opportunities for be but the participate in the art and get

involved, and that is having benefits in education, in schools

and in many other areas. process of bringing about major

changes our welfare system to go step forward today as a motion

which will change what is currently known as incapacity benefit passed

through the house. The changes are being imposed by Westminster as

part of the Welfare Reform Bill, while MLAs can voice concern about

the impact of the new rules, there is where little Stormont can do to

influence the legislation. Out of engagement with the labour

market represents the best opportunity for the future. For

those claimants have some capacity to work, taking practical steps it

in the shape of care for -- carefully considered work-related

activity, is the best route towards that goal. Allowing flexibility for

advisers in supporting claims, was to the same time establishing a

fair but effective framework around responsibility and sanctions, will

be the first stepping transforming implement and service allowance

into a forward looking active benefit, balancing support,

obligation, flexibility and conditionality. Sinn Fein's Nicky

Braidley joins us. There isn't much that any of the MLAs can do, is

they? The legislation goes through at Westminster and then transfers

to the assembly. In terms of the legislation, the party is a bigger

issue. It is maybe something it needs to be addressed in the wider

sense. In terms of what we can do, the administration of welfare

reform is something we can do something about, because if you

consider that the legislation itself is the biggest change since

1940, certainly since the inception of the welfare state, and obviously

it is going to impact on our society. It will mean huge changes.

Many people are very worried about what is going to meet for their

future, but at the same time there are many people who feel that the

system does need to be looked at again, and this is a good thing.

don't think anybody has any argument with the fact that his is

better for people to seek work and then to be on benefits. And

certainly that aspiration is there. The difficulty, of course, it is if

we have at the moment something like 61,000 people unemployed, to

introduce this kind of draconian legislation a one of the worst

recessions we have experienced in many generations is going to create

the huge difficulties, and people are right to be concerned, because

it is going to mean huge difference is right across the board for

younger people, for children, for all the people as well. We need to

look at the administration of that reform and see what we can do to

alleviate the impact it has on the people who live here in the north.

Is there some sort of argument to have training schemes for people to

try to increase even temporary training placements so that people

are going off benefits and on to something? The difficulty is that

as the moment, there are 76,000 people being moved from Inga Bath

Dudi jobseeker's. The difficulty with doing that is it will take --

from incapacity to jobseeker's. The difficulty with that is it will

take several years to do. The difficulty is those people who are

coming off incapacity, many have mental health problems or

particular types of conditions such as autism, Parkinson's, where we

have argued very strongly that staff were going to make these

assessments need to be particularly well trained, because if you had

someone for instance with bipolar, they may present a one-day is being

find, at the next day they may not be. Those things have to be taken

into account. We can certainly do something about that. We will have

to leave it there, but we will come back to this topic over the next

weeks and months. In just over a week, unions are good to go on

strike of a pensions. Workers Fraser hiking contributions from

next year. But exactly who should pay has been the subject of debate

between the SLP and Sinn Fein. I think the local people --

politicians are gearing up in terms of their differing responses to the

one-day strike which is due next week on Wednesday. The Stormont

executive said it is having to pass on the cost, and has been given no

choice but the Treasury. But the Environment Minister said he

thought they should be some wriggle room, because he felt that there

was a local government element of the pension scheme, which covers

about 44,000 workers, and this didn't have to be covered by this.

He said other ministers have and taking his arguments on board

previously, but he is writing to them again in the hope that they

would change their mind this Thursday when there is another

executive meeting. I think there is good argument, and their good

government prevails. Whatever was decided in September, now is an

opportunity, a week from the pension strike, to do things

differently, do things better, and protect 44,000 people who are in a

pension scheme, many of whom are low-paid, part-time or women. This

is a chance to get things right. And reaction from to Sinn Fein MLAs.

Yes, an article earlier said that Alex at which a publisher's

proposal and be more specific about it. Any teachers who earn less than

�32,000 a year, it is suggested, should be exempt from this public

sector pension hike. But this proposal is effectively that other

teachers would pay for that. It has been suggested that better-paid

teachers could help out their less well-paid colleagues.

potentially it could be very divisive? It is possible that

teachers might not be impressed with that. It may well be seen as a

divide-and-rule tactic. Sinn Fein, and also the SDLP, are very keen to

be on the side of the strikers. But when it comes to health, the DUP a

much more keen to come out and so that the strike action should not

be taken. Nick, a final thought from you. What is the Arts

Council's top priority in the coming months? There are many

challenges, but thinking in terms of what is happening now, this is a

defining year in terms of trying to put Northern Ireland on the map. A

high priority has to be in terms of developing what we can do for the

creative economy, and also to help put Northern Ireland in this

critical year in terms of promoting it as a destination for visitors.

Thank you very much for joining us. That is it from Stormont for now. I