24/09/2012 Stormont Today

Good evening. Welcome to Stormont Today. The big Ripon is BP motion

calling for the removal or Nelson McCausland. The Post Minister made

his views very weird. There is clearly as it the green agenda with

a sectarian pact team put England the motion. -- sectarian agenda.

all kings of reasons which I cannot going sooner. During in the in the

studio is the Shadow Secretary of State, Brown incorporate. -- Vernon

Coker. The motion said that by failing to condemn loyalist bans

which preached at rates Commission ruling, he had breached the

ministerial code of conduct. When Nelson McCausland became a minister

he signed up to the ministerial code. In those he promised to up

old law and order and promote good community relations. We contend

that his bill you to condemn these actions on these two occasions

exacerbated the buyer was that arose out of them. These dangers

constitute appeal you to uphold law and order and promote good

community relations and he must these the consequences. A hyping

the proposal buried disappointing. Indeed, it is depressing. The

proposal indicates that the motion is not part of an arrow, sectarian

agenda and there was nothing a row about it. But, it is clearly a

sectarian agenda with a sectarian pack team putting down a motion.

the SDLP membership and then the breaking of the law, he entering of

houses, the illegal parades carried out by the civil rights movement

and a founding fathers of their party? Will one of them stand on

their feet and see my -- that they condemn that. We need to set the

tone and demonstrate leadership this week and that mistakes have

been made and we could up and bitter, the leadership can stand up

and accept that we need a mystic and we need to seize up. The pledge

that he took his clear, precisely to find in relation to the

minister's responsibility to uphold the rule of law, it lays out how

that pledge you'd be practice. In particular order minister by

stating that those who deliberately and knowingly broke the termination

of the Parades Commission in this instance, the band's playing as

passing St Patrick's Chapel on the 20 per of August were and his words

are totally justified is in clear breach of that pledge. This house

has a duty to uphold the highest standards so that the people of the

north, who put us here, can have convinced that those unique that

rules play by the rules. This motion, it is about decency and

accountability and it is about order. The SDLP went on the attack

in relation to what can be described as "civil disobedience".

That was the initial porkies but they were on the pickled go and and

they still Ark and stop the SDLP was born to it at a movement that

employed civil disobedience as a tactic including the illegal

occupation of public property. Does he can be in his predecessors for

their actions? Alistair MacDonald is not a member of the Exchequer

that and so, I eat pose a second question, does Alex at we condemn

the founding fathers of the SDLP boarder Action? It is clear back

they are Anne will position to bring or what such a motion that

that bringing themselves up to charges of gross hypocrisy can stop

Nelson McCausland, but unbowed and unapologetic today. Stephen Walker

is what we know it. Quite heated debate which split along

traditional lines. Is it was quite a heated debate. We got a labour of

it in those clips. People will remember this debate was on time.

The SDLP motion was supported by Sinn Fein, by the Alliance Party

and by the Greens. It divided what the majority of Ulster Unionists

rolling in behind Nelson McCausland. Two Ulster Unionists did not cope.

An independent Unionist go put of the SDLP emotion and afterwards, he

explained why it. The Post minister and his party had an opportunity

today to put a marker down and show they are determined to stamp out

sectarianism. All I had today from Nelson McCausland and his party

colleagues was all the averages of the other side. Nothing about him

being unable to condemn the violence that was happening,

condemn others, who were breaking the law. Explaining why he bloated

the way he did, there. The boat bailed - Does that mean there isn't

into the matter? 47 members voted for the motion, and Baltic it's, so

the motion failed, but the SDLP leader Alistair MacDonald made it

clear that as far as she is concerned, it is not the end of the

matter. We intend pursuing this. We intend speaking to the Assembly

ombudsman and going through the committee of privileges and

procedures, because this needs to be established once and for all.

Those are the views of Alastair Macdonald, making it clear that

although the vote was lost he's going to try to take the matter

brother. -- brother. -- further. The national allegiances of

athletes and the legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games was

what all the Jane de today. I agree with the minister that it was a

wonderful location or our sports people, with a Olympian or

Paralympian, in particular might own constituency was blessed with

Michael McKillop and Paddy Barnes. As the minister any plans for

developing a boxing strategy arising out of the wonder of

success of our boxers in the Olympics? The minister did announce

a strategy for the boxing fraternity, and I note that he is a

great interest in boxing, but, there is a planned in place, so

being boxing clubs to see what equipment and materials are

required across the North and that will report back to the minister.

Boxing is a great we, as a diversion, for boys and girls, in

relation to bringing Bin in of the streets and so intimate different

way, and a very old pulling spoke. It might be one or and one in the

ring but there is a great team at this you have won a boxing club.

Passed - aren't a boxing club. Everyone is aware of the difficult

choice that the maerl will we will have to make in terms of allegiance

and we support them, what the readers, but will the Minister

asked his brain that the same opportunity that that presently

afforded to the likes of Roy Wii Boy and Graeme it will and others,

to play well at the Team GB will team Ireland, should be reported in

the Olympic Games to boxers so that they are not compelled to pick or

team Ireland which they could fight or Team GB if they used to do so?

One thing that has been shown, over the Olympics and this last period

of time, regardless of what team anyone plead for all drawing, the

whole community got behind been to support them. I noted for Rommel's

riches of the committee that someone from you was achieving, on

the world stage. It is a huge achievement to secure the world

police and borough games, and it is enough to capture the imagination

of people in Northern Ireland and put it the end with the scale and

possibility of this event, and if she is working with the tourism

minister and volunteering to make sure we get as much information out

there about the opportunities for volunteering and tourism in gold in

as it it, or so. -- in gold in this event. Now that the Olympics and

Paralympics up past, there will be a focus on the world police and

borough games. This is a major international sporting event and

when people look back to the Olympics and the many programmes

and articles in relation to the Olympics and Paralympics, one of

the main features has been the role of volunteers, who meet in dipping

League games, they broke that extra dimension to the Olympics, and I

have no doubt that the department will be able to recruit three

doesn't buy put the ball it appears to do their up on the streets of

Belfast, to make these the crinkly police and fire games. -- friendly.

The centenary of the signing of the Ulster Cup it was marked at public

buildings with a lecturer in the long gallery. Among those attending

was Vernon Coker. An important event would you to attend? It is a

very significant historical event, the start of the decade of

commemoration and it sets the tone all the rest of the decade will go,

so it is an extremely important event and an interesting one for me

to be at. And you have done it and -- several other appointments

related to it. I wanted to come and see what was going on with respect

to the marking of the same thing or the Cup at 100 years ago. And went

to the Spectrum Centre on the Shankill Road. What was important

about that, it was historians reflecting on what happened all

that time ago, talking about the significance of it to ordinary

people, people are bringing in memorabilia from the time, people

who had been talking to and went back there about what happened, so

it was the people's history that was recorded at the Spectrum Centre.

That was what made it so important for me, do you that. A picture of

you signing a book, singing a visitors' book. I think it is

important. If you're the Shadow Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland, it is important the company will Bono when, to talk to

people about these important, historic events. There are more to

come, that MPs 16 rising, that will be marked in an important way.

any people are saying that it is important that this first event in

this decade of centenary commemorations gets off on the

right Britain, that the process gets off to a good start, and there

is some nervousness, and he will be aware of this ahead of the parade

on Saturday, that things have the potential not to go as well as they

might also what are you doing about the tops going on behind closed

doors to make sure Saturday passes The vast majority of people wanted

these events to be marked in a peaceful way. There are discussions

going on looking at how these events can be marked in an

appropriate way. I think what is needed is local leadership. People

need to come together to see were compromises can be found. I

expected to go well. I am sure the vast majority of people would

expect that. You have to hope that the discussions that no doubt will

be going on, in which people will seek to market in an appropriate

way -- to market... That is what everybody will work towards

achieving. Did you give direct advice about dealing with

residents' groups, for example? Certainly what you would want to

see his everyone talking to everyone. Local leadership, people

on the ground. Seeing how these occasions can be marked in an

appropriate way. Certainly that is what you would hope to be happening.

You are here at Stormont on the day the SDLP tabled a vote of no

confidence in Nelson McCausland. Some people think that was not a

great idea in the lead-up to Saturday's parade. Do you think it

was wise? The Assembly will decide on which Motion's are put forward.

That is a matter for the Assembly. We want to see all of these

occasions, starting with the Ulster Covenant, marked in an appropriate

way. That will require local leadership and people coming

together to discuss these events. Certainly that is what I expect to

happen. If you remain in this position, you would expect that you

would be back and attending other events that different parts of the

community would be celebrating? There are quite a lot of

commemorations and celebrations in the next 10 years. Exactly.

Starting with the marking of the signing of the Ulster Coburn up

this weekend, hugely significant event. -- also covenant. To --

Ulster. I think sensible people in Northern Ireland and the rest of

Ireland, they will be looking to see how it can be marked in the

wake that would do everyone credit. Thank you for coming in. Nice to

meet you. The Department of Agriculture's decision to move its

headquarters from Belfast got a mixed reaction from staff,

according to the union. Today it was the turn of MLAs to quiz the

Minister. It is a very difficult time in

terms of the weather, the increasing prices on the global

markets. We have to continue to work with the industry. That is one

of the reason -- reasons we established the board. A lot of

these things, such as pricing in global markets, are B and our

control. We have to work with industry and do our best for all

involved. There is distinct difference between the set up we

have and what is in Britain, that most of our farmers are involved

with co-operatives. We have to continue to work with the industry

to make sure we promote all our sectors. They need... Car and the

Minister guarantee this House that she will bring measures in to bring

stability to the local milk producers before the end of milk

quotas? One of the pieces of work we have taken forward as getting

involved in the UK dairy package. Looking at the potential market we

should be exploring. One of the differences is that we're self-

sufficient in milk and milk products. In Britain, they are not.

We are target in the export market. We will continue to work with

industry. The Department's headquarters at Dundonald House and

higher bank or no longer fit for purpose. We saw an opportunity to

spread high quality public sector jobs across the North. I secured

the programme for Government commitment and an outline of the

project has been approved. The top two were in the north-west. I made

my decision to relocate to Ballykelly. The availability of an

Assembly owned Star -- side and the availability of buildings on that

side. Can the Minister confirm that no staff will be forced to relocate

to Ballykelly? I recognise the location could create problems for

existing staff. I am going to take the time that we have to develop

and implement change. That can include looking at more flexible

working, looking at doing things a little bit differently. I do not

expect that existing members of staff will be forced to move. Of

course, the one thing I would say is that their responsibilities

under existing contracts and they have to be honoured. We are

locating high-value public sector jobs and creating a fair

distribution of those jobs across the North. It was recommended some

time ago in the Bain report. It helps to build a our economy in a

fair wear. There is a better distribution of jobs. Michelle

O'Neill. Welfare was back on the agenda today. The direct payment of

housing benefit to social landlords was called for.

We have emphasised the urgent need for this Assembly to shape the

legislation to suit Northern Ireland, rather than merely rubber-

stamped something that has been made in England and has no

cognisance of the realities of life here. The move towards universal

credit is being packaged as a means of giving and teaching the

claimants financial responsibility. There is to be a single household

payment of benefits to one nominated person per household.

This move in itself is fraught with danger. I fear that many households

will have to learn the hard way. Families will have major difficulty

managing budgets. Some think that many have not done before.

Especially when these budgets are already reduced due to benefit cuts

and rising unemployment. Problems will also rise within families,

especially where there may be addiction problems. Will the

benefit find its way to its intended target? Within the

constraints of the parity principle, I am pursuing other adjustments to

make sure Universal Credit is better tailored to meet the needs

of Northern Ireland customers once we have the Welfare Reform Bill

through Assembly. I have asked that the IT functionality be put in

place to allow the credit payment to be split between members of the

household. I have asked the Department for Work and Pensions

for the IT capability to make universal credit payments more

frequently than on a monthly basis. While other continue to vigorously

pursue these changes -- I will continue, Assembly Members should

not there are practical considerations because of the

extent to which we utilise the computer systems provided by the

Department of Work and Pensions for the delivery of benefits in

Northern Ireland. The best way is for Northern Ireland to be part of

the main system with the flexibility require. -- we require.

Everybody in this Assembly is looking for the same thing, to

deliver firm or the Ryland the flexibilities we want, we need and

would require. Last week there was a private member's bill concerning

the employment of special advisers. There were questions about whether

or not individual MLAs could be provided with legal advice. Jim

Allister was first to speak. Special manager is a special person

in that they have the status of not just a civil servant, but a senior

civil servant. They have access to all Government papers. They advise

that the highest level. Indeed, some might say on some occasions

that they are and effective Government. They advised the

ministers and many of the arrangements made our probably the

product of agreements between special advisers. Is everyone who

purport to be a special adviser being paid from public funds? The

Department of Finance has not accepted that their appointment has

been regular. That is my belief. If I am wrong about that, I am wrong.

Certainly that is my belief based on what is in the public domain.

Vetting is a requirement for every other senior civil servant. Why

should special advisers be different? Why should they be

exempt from that basic fundamental requirement? Why are you proposing

to single out special advisers in this way beyond the policy on

convictions which is correct Northern Ireland civil service

recruitment policy and procedure? ASBOs because of the controversy

brought upon the issue by the insensitive appointment of Mary

McArdle, which drew such public disquiet and brought such hurt to

the family of Mary Travers. I am simply saying, never again should

that be capable of having -- happening. Is part of what I see as

good governance arrangements, when I'm happy to give as much

assistance -- assistance as I can. Does that assistance extent to

individual Assembly Members? From time to time it could, yes. Why BG

declined to give me advice when I asked for your advice on the autism

Bill? -- why did you decline? are all sorts of reasons as to why

I cannot answer that. I thought -- I cannot go into them now. I cannot

answer that question. A baby you could try to explain. -- ready.

am not sure I could. If you write to me, I will try to answer your

question. John Larkin and Dominic Bradley agreeing to disagree.

Stephen water is here. Just to return to the special advisers Bill,

it moves on a stage in Parliament Buildings Tamara? It does. It comes

before the House tomorrow. Some of the issues we saw highlight of last

week will be highlighted tomorrow. The issue has been incredibly

controversial. Some of the arguments rehearsed last week, we

were here tomorrow. We have talked a lot about the covenant tonight

and in recent weeks. It looks like it is going to remain very much at

the top of the agenda certainly for the foreseeable future? I think it

well. I think the commemorations surrounding it up and be hard to

miss this week. We had a service yesterday at St Anne's Cathedral in

Belfast, attended by many people. We have an event tonight at

Stormont. There is a dinner on Friday night. And a lot of focus on

the parade taking place in Belfast on Saturday. We expect a ruling

from the Parades Commission very soon on that March. A lot of

coverage in the papers and on the radio and television. A lot of

special programmes? That is right. A lot of features on BBC Northern

Ireland. As special documentary being prepared. It will be hard to

miss. An interesting development tonight relating to the Scot has

referendum vote. What can you tell me? David Hulme from the Orange

Order has issued a statement on the Scottish referendum. He has

suggested that Ulster Scots should be given a vote in that referendum.

Obviously the vote is for people in Scotland. He is suggesting because

of the historical links, Ulster Scots should get their opportunity

to describe Scotland's future. Some people may say it is tongue-in-

cheek. David Hume believes there are great historical and political