Northern Ireland Assembly
Monday 12 November 2001 (continued)
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Ms Rodgers: Work to develop the agency's marine tourism strategy is ongoing. The Foyle, Carlingford & Irish Lights Commission's board has decided that the agency's role should be to facilitate and stimulate marine tourism through the development of recreation and leisure aspects of the fisheries in the catchment areas rather than provide direct funding for tourism. Research has shown that adequate direct funding is already available for the development of marine tourism through various sources. The agency therefore intends to focus on areas such as promoting coarse angling opportunities and facilities to help marine tourism. It aims to ensure that stocks of fish, particularly unusual fish that attract tourists, are replenished - in other words, providing the amenity to attract tourists. Mr M Murphy: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Will the Minister state the criteria for shellfish licensing and harvesting in the Carlingford Lough area? What are the safeguards against illegal harvesting of shellfish in the Carlingford and Foyle areas that would hinder the future development of shellfish resources? Ms Rodgers: The Carlingford area is regulated by two Departments under the Fisheries Act (Northern Ireland) 1966, and the criteria for shellfish licensing are the same for all operations. I cannot give any further details at this stage, but if I receive more details, I will pass them on to the Member. The Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development (Mr Savage): I too congratulate the Minister on her elevation to high office. I know she is very capable of holding such a position - we come from the same constituency. I am glad that a study of the salmon population in the Foyle system is taking place. Over several years fish numbers have declined. Is that still the case for the salmon population in the Foyle, or is it increasing? Ms Rodgers: I thank Mr Savage for his congratulations. The study will provide management information, which is necessary to ensure the effective management of salmon in the Foyle area and to enable the continued sustainability of the stock. It is an important study, and I am happy to support it. Mr Bradley: What proposals does the agency have to assist the promotion and development of coarse angling in the Carlingford Lough area? Ms Rodgers: The agency has commenced a survey of the coarse fisheries in the Carlingford area, initially concentrating on the Newry Canal. Initial results indicate that there is a healthy population of pike. That work is ongoing. The agency has also made regulations for a coarse angling licence to become available in the area in January 2002. Mr ONeill: I welcome the investigation into the Foyle salmon stocks. Does the Minister agree that wild salmon stock levels in Northern Ireland are in a precarious state and that we need to gather as much information as possible? Since the Foyle is the premier salmon river in Northern Ireland, is she convinced that this study will give us a benchmark to use when deciding how best to manage other rivers and waterways in Northern Ireland? Ms Rodgers: As far as I am aware, the overall stock levels are good. We have had some good years and some bad years. However, the electronic counters are in place now, and the logbooks, particularly from the anglers, will provide another valuable source of information for the agency in order to help manage stocks. We will be able to use the study in the Foyle as a benchmark. Mr Hussey: I congratulate Ms Rodgers on her elevation. Following her excursion into West Tyrone, she will be well aware of the complexities of the area and how closely it is associated with the Foyle. With regard to the remarks about the qualities of the Foyle, we must remember that we are talking about the Foyle basin, which involves more rivers than the Foyle. The statement refers to the progress in the development of the Loughs Agency's marine tourism strategy. What stage is that development at, and what other agencies are involved, both statutory and other? Research has shown that there is adequate funding available for the development of a marine tourism strategy. If that is the case, could it be placed in the Library for the information of Members? Work is progressing toward the delivery of this strategy. The Minister will surely agree that this will involve more agencies than just the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission? I want to know how other agencies are being involved in the development of the overall strategy. Ms Rodgers: I thank Mr Hussey for his initial remarks. A draft strategy is being prepared and will be cleared by the board. At this stage, therefore, I cannot comment on it in full. I will give a written answer to the Member when I have the information available to me. As I have already said, as part of our discussions on the report that I am now presenting, the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission made it clear that it will be concentrating on providing the marine amenity. It will be making sure that the rivers are stocked with fish and that the fish stocks are sustainable. Other agencies and perhaps Departments will be involved. The strategy is being prepared and must be cleared by the board. Committee Business
Change of Committee Membership Motion made: That Mr Roger Hutchinson and Mr Maurice Morrow should replace Mr Nigel Dodds MP and Mr Peter Robinson MP on the Committee for Finance and Personnel.- [Mr Paisley Jnr.] Mr Deputy Speaker: Does anyone wish to speak? Ms McWilliams: On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Have you changed the Order Paper? According to our Order Paper, that is the second motion on the change of Committee membership. Mr Deputy Speaker: The Clerk has read the wrong motion. I am so sorry. Motion made: That Mr Gregory Campbell MP should replace Mr Roger Hutchinson on the Committee for Employment and Learning.- [Mr Paisley Jnr.] Question put. Ms McWilliams: Mr Deputy Speaker, may I point out to you that a number of Members want to speak on this motion. You may be aware of that, but I am concerned that you have not called any of them to speak. Mr Paisley Jnr: Further to that point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker, as you have moved to a vote, can the business be concluded please? Mr Deputy Speaker: I have no -. There is one Member who wishes to speak. Ms McWilliams: I want to say at the outset that the debate in no way reflects upon Mr Roger Hutchinson. It is simply a point of procedure that we are concerned about here. I chaired the group of smaller parties when allocations were being made to Committees. At that time a number of smaller parties chose not to be represented on them, including the parties led by Mr Cedric Wilson and Mr Bob McCartney. There were other smaller parties led by Denis Watson and David Ervine, the Alliance Party, now David Ford's party, and myself. It took us some considerable time to ensure that all those parties were represented on the Committees. We then put names forward, and Mr Roger Hutchinson was represented by me when I did that. At that time he was an independent. We ensured that he got the seats on the Committees that he chose. 2.00 pm We are concerned that the seats that were allocated then are now to be taken from the group known in this Assembly as "the smaller parties"; that is, those parties outside the Executive. If this motion were to go through, then the group of smaller parties would have lost a seat, and our numbers would be reduced from 18 to 17. I have consulted with a number of smaller parties this morning, all of which have issues with this. I emphasise that this is not about Mr Roger Hutchinson; it is about the position. We want to put on record our concern that if this motion were to go through, the smaller parties, as a group, would be reduced. For that reason, we oppose the motion. Mr Deputy Speaker: Three Members have indicated a wish to speak. I will call all three, and then ask Mr Paisley to wind up. Mr A Maginness: I support Ms McWilliams in her opposition to this motion. Normally, changes of membership on Committees are simply internal housekeeping arrangements for the parties involved. Unfortunately this is more complex. It does not involve any opposition to Mr Hutchinson or Mr Morrow. It is an issue of the proper representation of the smaller parties in the House. Therefore the SDLP will be opposing this motion. We do so on a without prejudice basis. In other words, although we are opposing this motion today, we are only opposing it only until the Business Committee can examine the issue of the representation of smaller parties in the House. Although we oppose this motion today, if it were to be relaid in two weeks' time when the Business Committee has looked at the issue, it might well be that we would support it. However, for the time being we are opposing the motion. We are concerned that smaller parties should have proper representation. The decision by Mr Roger Hutchinson to accept the DUP Whip has caused a change in the House, and that has to be addressed. It will also be helpful where there are other numerical changes in parties in the future. The issue today will help to resolve and clarify those issues in future. I refer to Standing Order 47(6), which says: "The Business Committee shall review the representation of the different political parties as soon as may be following any numerical changes to party memberships in the Assembly." I hope that if this motion were to be defeated, the Business Committee would subsequently examine and review the representation of the different political parties. We are not opposed to this motion per se, or to its merits; we are opposed to it as a procedural device to have the whole issue of the smaller parties, and the change of representation, looked at in depth. Mr McNamee: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom labhairt i gcoinne an rúin seo, cé go bhfuil leisce ar Shinn Féin sin a dhéanamh. I speak against the motion on behalf of Sinn Féin, even though we are reluctant to speak against it. As Alban Maginness said, in the normal course of events such a motion would be merely a matter of a party's internal procedure and arrangements. We do not wish to impede any party from nominating individuals to represent that party, according to the d'Hondt principles. However, as Ms McWilliams has pointed out, if the motion were to be accepted that would create an imbalance in the representation of smaller parties. That is not in line with the d'Hondt principles. The matter has arisen because of the party re-designation of an individual Member. For those reasons, we oppose the motion. Mr Paisley Jnr: Members from other parties protest that their comments are not personal, but they are very personal. They are directed against Mr Roger Hutchinson because he changed his party Whip. That is very clear. I did not hear a substantive argument from any Members who spoke. What I did hear was their desire to hear themselves speak, rather than present any particular argument. Mr Deputy Speaker, you called for a vote. I still wish to have your ruling on whether the vote was passed or not passed. You had gone into a voting situation, and only then did you allow a debate to commence. If ever there was a breach of Standing Orders, or a change in the running order of the House, it took place at that point. Mr Deputy Speaker, you should reflect on that. Someone who shares the same views and holds the same position would replace Mr Roger Hutchinson. He would not be replaced by someone from a different party, or by someone who would express a different view. Mr Alban Maginness appeared to be speaking on the second motion, which indicates that he was rather confused. Mr Roger Hutchinson will be replacing another DUP Member. That should not cause Mr Maginness any concern whatsoever. Those positions on the Committee for Finance and Personnel are held by the DUP, as opposed to positions held by an independent Member of the House or by smaller parties. In all other votes concerning membership of Committees, the House has been happy to allow parties to allocate their own Members to those Committees. Mr A Maginness: Will the Member give way? Mr Paisley Jnr: No, I will not give way. We should continue to allow parties to allocate their own Members to Committees. Mr Deputy Speaker: The suggestion was made that this might go to the Business Committee. Would you prefer that I put the Question? Mr Paisley Jnr: You did put the Question, Mr Deputy Speaker, and a voice vote was taken. I cannot understand - [Interruption]. I am on my feet. Mr Deputy Speaker: Let us hear what Mr Paisley Jnr has to say. Mr Tierney: On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr Deputy Speaker: Please sit down. I will hear what Mr Paisley Jnr has to say. Mr Paisley Jnr: Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. You had already called for a vote, and a voice vote had taken place. Hansard will show that you were in the middle of winding up a voting situation. We then moved straight into a debate. There may have been an oversight in allowing Members to speak in that debate, but the fact of the matter is that there was a vote in the House. To move to a debate after a vote has been taken, or after 75% of a vote has been taken, is something that should be reflected on. We are turning procedure on its head if we take a vote and then allow a debate to take place after that. Mr Tierney: I thought that I was entitled to make a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Mr Deputy Speaker: You used the first point. Mr Tierney: I used it twice. Mr Deputy Speaker: I am in the Chair in this Chamber. Mr Tierney: OK. We shall not argue over it. My point is that you accepted that the wrong motion was read out the first time, and there was no vote, because the wrong motion had been read out. That is why I asked to make a point of order. There was no vote because the wrong motion was read out. You accepted that; the correct motion was read out, and the debate was started. No vote took place. Mr Deputy Speaker: So the House is prepared to wipe out all the activity of the past 20 minutes? Question put and negatived. Assembly: Finance and Personnel CommitteeResolved: That Mr Roger Hutchinson and Mr Maurice Morrow should replace Mr Nigel Dodds MP and Mr Peter Robinson MP on the Committee for Finance and Personnel. - [Mr Paisley Jnr.] Assembly: Regional Development CommitteeResolved: That Mr Mark Robinson should replace Mr Jim Wells on the Committee for Regional Development. - [Mr Paisley Jnr.] Assembly: Committee on ProceduresResolved: That Mr Maurice Morrow should replace Mr Nigel Dodds MP on the Committee on Procedures. - [Mr Paisley Jnr.] The sitting was suspended at 2.13 pm. On resuming (Mr Speaker in the Chair) - 2.30 pm Oral Answers to Questions
First Minister and Deputy First MinisterMr Speaker: Question 4, in the name of Mrs E Bell, has been withdrawn and will receive a written answer. Question 5, in the name of Mr McGrady, has been transferred to the Department of the Environment and will receive a written answer. Human Rights 1. Mr Byrne asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what plans it has to consult with the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission on the conformity of its policies to international human rights standards. The First Minister (Mr Trimble): In keeping with the commitment in the draft Programme for Government, a protocol between the 11 Departments of the Executive and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) is being considered currently by the Departments. Such a protocol would set out arrangements under which Departments would obtain input from the commission on the compatibility of proposals with the European Convention on Human Rights and other relevant human rights standards, in the early stages of the development of policy and legislation. Mr Byrne: Does the First Minister agree that NIHRC has an important role in Northern Ireland, given the situation here? Does he agree that the commission's recent review points to its lack of power and that it requires more? Does he accept that the Secretary of State should seriously consider granting NIHRC full investigative powers and the power to intervene in court proceedings if necessary? The First Minister: I thank the Member for his question. My thanks are more heartfelt than usual, as we seem to be facing a boycott of our proceedings at present, judging by the empty Benches at the end of the Chamber. I hope that that is not the case. The Member is correct: human rights are important. Human rights were an important part of the agreement, and, with the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into the United Kingdom domestic law, human rights will play a significant role in society here. They also have a significant impact on how the Administration operate. We are anxious to ensure that we keep strictly within the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights and other relevant human rights standards, and that is why a section of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister is dedicated specifically to it. What powers NIHRC should have is a complex question, and it is not for us, but for the Secretary of State and others, to decide. I understand the desire to see an effective and powerful commission, but we must be cautious about the specific powers that are granted to it, particularly if it will be allowed to interfere with the operation of the legal process in any way. That matter must be approached with great sensitivity. It is most important that, in the operation of the Administration - whether in the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, or in the Departments - we do our best to ensure that we are acting wholly within the spirit of the Convention and other appropriate human rights standards. That is our intention. Mr McNamee: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The original question referred to the conformity of the policies of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in its consultation with the Human Rights Commission. The First Minister said that he was considering a protocol for consultation with the Human Rights Commission on issues of policy and legislation. What practice has been applied in consulting with the Human Rights Commission on matters of legislation to date? What is the existing procedure for consultation? In considering a protocol for consultation on legislation, does the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister consider that each piece of legislation will be referred to the Human Rights Commission for comment before its passage through the House, once that protocol is established? Mr Speaker: Before I call the First Minister to respond, I remind the Member of the requirement of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 that all legislation that receives a First Stage in the Assembly is sent by the Speaker to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. Under the terms of the Act, the commission is already consulted. The First Minister: I thank the Member for the question and the Speaker for the answer. The Speaker made the important point that there is an existing procedure under the Northern Ireland Act 1998 whereby legislation is examined to see if it is in danger of infringing human rights standards. As I said in reply to the previous question, I understand the desire to ensure that we are fully consistent with human rights standards, and we certainly intend to be so. At the same time, we must preserve the rights of the electorate, Assembly Members and Ministers in the Executive. Policy is a matter for the Executive and the Assembly. While we must ensure that, in framing and carrying out our policies, human rights standards are observed, it would not be appropriate for us to subcontract policy-making to any commission. At the end of the day, responsibility must rest here or else there is not the appropriate accountability to the electorate. The protocol that has been referred to would, if set in place, enable the NIHRC to give a suitable input on human rights standards, but we will decide on policy. People talk about getting a commission to vet a policy; that does not mean that a commission sits in judgement on a policy, but simply that it is asked to look at the human rights aspects of it. Mr Davis: Do the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister share my concern that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has no representatives from the Unionist community and is perceived as unbalanced and unrepresentative by the majority of the community in Northern Ireland? The First Minister: I am aware of the perception, and I may even have contributed to it on different occasions. Appointments to the commission are made by the Secretary of State, who is under a clear legal obligation to ensure that it represents the community in Northern Ireland as a whole. The Secretary of State may soon make some appointments to the commission. I hope that, in doing so, he complies with his statutory obligations. Disability Rights Task Force 2. Ms Lewsley asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what steps have been taken to respond to the report of the Disability Rights Task Force 'From Exclusion to Inclusion'. The Deputy First Minister (Mr Durkan): The Executive issued their detailed response to the report's recommendations on 18 September. Over 1,000 copies of the response, entitled 'Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People', have been distributed to individuals and organisations for consultation. The document is available in a variety of accessible formats, including Braille, audio, disk and a version for people with learning difficulties. It is also available to download from our web site. The consultation period ends on 14 December. We are anxious to hear the views of the public, especially people with disabilities. Ms Lewsley: I congratulate Mark Durkan on his elevation to the post of Deputy First Minister. I wish him and the First Minister well for the future. What measures do the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister intend to take to improve protection against discrimination for those with HIV, cancer or blindness? The Deputy First Minister: I thank the Member for her kind sentiments. To answer the substantive question, the Disability Rights Task Force made recommendations on widening the definition of disability under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We are acting on those recommendations and are bringing forward proposals that will make a real difference to the lives of disabled people. We propose to provide protection for people with HIV by recognising that they are disabled from the moment their condition is diagnosed. We intend that people with cancer should count as disabled under the 1995 Act when their conditions are likely to require substantial treatment. Furthermore, we want to make it easier for blind people to have their condition properly recognised. We propose that registration with a health and social services trust, or certification with an ophthalmologist, will mean that they will be automatically covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We are currently consulting on these and other proposals. Hate Crimes 3. Mr A Maginness asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to make a statement on hate crimes. The First Minister: We deplore all racially motivated and sectarian attacks. They have no place in a civilised society. The responsibility for criminal justice, however, including criminal law and racially motivated and sectarian crime is a reserved matter. Junior Ministers Haughey and Nesbitt have had discussions with Northern Ireland Office Ministers on the scope for strengthening legislation in that area, and the Secretary of State recently announced his intention to consult on the way forward. We understand that proposals will be published in the near future. Mr A Maginness: I thank the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister for their response, and I welcome the proposed consultation. I speak as a Member for North Belfast, an area in which we have witnessed the worst excesses of sectarianism and hatred in the community for quite some time. Frankly, there is an urgent need for strong hate crime legislation to deal effectively and practically with the mischief of hatred and sectarianism in our society. I look forward to the consultation. The need to deal with this problem as soon as possible should be emphasised by the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. The First Minister: I understand the Member's point, and he is quite right to refer to the circumstances in North Belfast and to the fairly widespread demonstrations there of sectarian hatred and bigotry over the last few months. Those resulted in the death last night of Glen Branagh, and one is shocked and saddened by the senseless waste of yet another life. We hope that the situation can be brought under control before more lives are lost and more damage is done, not only to buildings and people but to the life of society there. The question then is whether legislation along the lines mentioned is the appropriate way to deal with the situation. That may be so. It may be appropriate to give the courts greater powers with regard to sentencing in such cases. I suspect, however, that the most important thing is for people who have committed crimes to be made amenable and for the police to be supported. Legislation takes time, and the situation in North Belfast needs to be dealt with urgently and effectively. Mr McHugh: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. What has been done by the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to try to end the hate crimes that are being committed against the children of Holy Cross Primary School? What can be done to alleviate the adverse impact that those crimes will have on the educational well-being of those children? The First Minister: We are very concerned about the impact on children who are prevented from, or have difficulty in, attending their schools. That is particularly a problem for the pupils of Holy Cross Primary School and, to a certain extent, those who attend Wheatfield Primary School. That was demonstrated this morning. All those children should be able to go to school without any intimidation, let or hindrance. 2.45 pm We all find it appalling that people - whatever the circumstances may be - visit such harm on young children. The Member will be aware that the Minister of Education has made additional resources available to the schools in question. The Secretary of State is responsible for issues such as public order and policing. We are responsible for other appropriate social and economic issues and, with that in mind, Sir Reg Empey and Séamus Mallon launched a joint initiative with the Northern Ireland Office in the summer. A senior liaison officer from the devolved side has been appointed and has met with people in the locality. We are anxious to do what we can to resolve the issue, and we have a particular responsibility for social, economic and community issues that we hope to discharge. Mr McFarland: Does the First Minister agree that the media have an important role to play in their presentation of news affairs? Does he accept that the hype that the media adds to local tensions, when reporting interface disputes, is unhelpful to community relations and can lead to public performances of hatred in front of the camera? The First Minister: It is a trite observation that the introduction of a television camera can affect and transform a situation. There is also the question of what impact the images have on viewers and how they reproduce and amplify the outrage that is felt. However, I am sure that the news reporters and programme editors in Northern Ireland want to act responsibly in such a situation and want to ensure that their reports fairly represent the situation in a way that does not exacerbate the problem. Mr Speaker: The House will know that in the normal course of events I allow only two supplementary questions. On this occasion, we are only half way through Question Time, and there is only one question left. As this matter is a subject of serious concern, I propose to take two further supplementary questions. Mr B Hutchinson: Questions were asked about hate law; I am concerned about its implementation. The people who live in Glenbryn have hate for the people who travel up the road, and that must be recognised. Unfortunately Sinn Féin has refused to recognise the hate in that community. It also refused to recognise the disgraceful scenes involving Cliftonville fans during the minute's silence for Remembrance Sunday at Windsor Park on Saturday. It was surprising that Sinn Féin did not raise that issue. The Cliftonville football team and the management board have distanced themselves from the supporters' display of hatred. The First Minister: I am not in a position to comment on the matters that the Member raised; I have not been briefed on the incidents to which he referred. It would not surprise me that in a situation such as this, there are a series of actions that interrelate; the actions of one party provoke reactions from others, resulting in a situation that spirals and develops. We must hope that measures and actions can be taken to help to de-escalate the sectarian tensions that clearly exist. In that context, I welcomed last week's scaling down of the protest by Glenbryn residents. It is a matter of regret that events happened at the weekend that enflamed the situation. Mr McCarthy: I welcome the First Minister back to the Dispatch Box. I also welcome the new Deputy First Minister, Mr Durkan. Do the Ministers agree that the Executive, and all Members, should examine ways to educate the whole community so that it accepts a truly multicultural society, thereby eradicating hate in our community once and for all? The First Minister: The sentiments expressed by the Member are admirable - and I am referring to the substance of his question, rather than his congratulations. These issues must be addressed, and the Administration have been addressing them over the years through initiatives such as the education for mutual understanding programme and the work of the community relations branch of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. This Department is directly responsible for the matter, and a review of community relations policy is under way. The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister will do what it can to improve the situation, but the most important way in which change can be brought about is through the agreement, which provides a basis on which people can live and work together despite their different identities and aspirations. The Assembly is the most clearly visible representation of the agreement. The most significant achievement of the Assembly is that it contains representatives of nearly all the shades of opinion in society, and I am happy to say that those representatives are present in the Chamber. There are occasional moments when voices are raised and less edifying things occur. However, we can work together, and 99% of the time the Assembly functions smoothly. I hope that that shows people that we can work together as a society and leave behind the type of baggage that the Member spoke of. Civic Forum 6. Mr Fee asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to give an update on the work of the Civic Forum. The Deputy First Minister: The Civic Forum continues to operate and has met in plenary session on seven occasions at locations throughout Northern Ireland. The most recent plenary meeting was held on Saturday, 6 October, in the Whitla Hall at Queen's University. A number of subcommittees and project teams meet on a regular basis. In July, the Forum made a positive and constructive response to the Executive's position report on developing the Programme for Government and the Budget for 2002-03. The junior Ministers, Denis Haughey and Dermot Nesbitt, have written to the Civic Forum to seek its views on the draft Programme for Government and the Executive's Budget proposals. The Forum is currently considering three consultation documents: the Department for Employment and Learning's consultation paper, 'Employability and Long-term Unemployment'; our own Department's paper on the review of community relations policy; and the draft bill of rights that was published recently by the Human Rights Commission. In addition to this work, the Forum has five other major projects at different stages of development. These projects are on lifelong learning, combating poverty, progress towards a pluralist society, entrepreneurship and creativity and the creation of a sustainable Northern Ireland. Mr Fee: I congratulate the Minister on his election to this post and to the leadership of our party. I will not put anyone in a difficult position, but we must realise that, as we speak, a terrible tragedy is unfolding in America. We do not know the extent of that, but I am sure that our hearts and prayers go out to people there. How important are the Civic Forum and the role of all sections of our citizenry? Will the Minister confirm that while recent political events have overshadowed the work of the Forum, we should be supporting it as it improves its profile? Perhaps information about its work should be published regularly. |