12.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to make a statement on the recent meetings held in Washington with the American Administration.

(AQO 1031/01)

We met President Bush during our visit last week to Washington to attend functions arranged by the United States Administration and other organisations as part of their St Patrick's week events. We updated him on progress with devolution and expressed our thanks for ongoing support from the US Administration. At a subsequent meeting with the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, we reflected on recent developments, progress by the Executive and the assistance and expertise that might be available through the US Administration in carrying out some of the major policy reviews.

How useful did the First Minister find the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington to be during his recent trip to the United States? Does he believe that the bureau is doing everything necessary to promote Northern Ireland?

The highlight of our trip in February was the reception to mark the expansion of the Northern Ireland Bureau and its relocation to downtown Washington, where it is easily accessible and a marvellous "front window" for Northern Ireland. It is hoped that that will expand the bureau's work and effectiveness in promoting Northern Ireland. On that occasion, and last week, we had the pleasure of meeting the Scottish Executive's sole representative in Washington. We look forward to co-operating with her and with other regional officers in the city. That is one of the many ways in which we can take advantage of the connections that are made as a result of devolution throughout the UK.

When in Washington, did the First Minister meet anyone from the Irish Republic? If so, did he convey to them his thought that they were members of a "pathetic, sectarian state"?

We were all interested to see the speed with which the Democratic Unionist Party sprang to the defence of the Irish Republic in that respect. We thought that that was an interesting development, and it is a strange development if the DUP has changed its policy on how the party should view the Irish Republic.

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13.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what steps are being taken to introduce a single equality Bill to outlaw age discrimination and establish an age directorate within the Equality Commission.

(AQO 1024/01)

We are determined to tackle age discrimination, and early next year we will issue for consultation our proposals for doing that. We intend that the legislation will be in operation before the deadline of 2006 that was imposed by the EU Directive. Many complex issues must be addressed, and we will take account of expert advice and comments.

Further to that, when does the Deputy First Minister you expect to establish an age director in the Equality Commission?

As I said, we will present our proposals next year. We need to recognise the different lines of responsibility and accountability that would be relevant to the appointment of an age director. Our Department will consider any proposal for the funding of an age director in the Equality Commission.

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14.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to outline (a) any progress made on the Programme for Government's commitment to tackling racial inequality; (b) if the relevant agencies have been consulted; and (c) the timescale for the strategy document to be published.

(AQO 1061/01)

In fulfilling our Programme for Government commitment, we are developing a policy to tackle racial inequality with the assistance of Departments, statutory agencies - including the Equality Commission - and voluntary bodies. That is being carried out through the promoting social inclusion working group on ethnic minorities, with a view to implementing it this year. The voluntary agencies represented on the group are the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, the Chinese Welfare Association, the Indian Community Centre and the Multi-Cultural Resource Centre. Before the Executive agree the document, we intend to have a full and open consultation, which will include minority ethnic voluntary organisations.

Who will the members of the working group be, and what is the rationale for their selection?

I am not in a position to supply that information. I will write to the Member giving him details.

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15.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister if a panel of independent experts has been appointed to oversee the review of public administration.

(AQO 1030/01)

The Executive are currently identifying experts with the level of expertise, experience and credibility necessary to take on a prominent role in an exercise of this scale and complexity.

We are seeking to appoint a small number of high-level experts to mentor and monitor the review team throughout the process. These people are likely to be experts in governance and organisational change. They will work closely with the core team in order to help shape the strategy for the review of public administration and actively participate in comparative studies and consultation exercises. They will also have a direct line to the Minister should there be a difference of opinion between them and officials.

Unfortunately Mr McClarty will not be able to ask a supplementary question, because the time for questions to the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister is now up.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

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Question 3, in the name of Mr McGrady, question 4, in the name of Ms Lewsley, and question 10, in the name of Mr Dallat, have been withdrawn and will receive written answers.

I have also been advised that the scrolling function on the annunciators is operating in a hiccupping fashion at present. I am keen to ensure that all Members are aware that, immediately after Question Time, there is to be a statement from the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure on Belfast's bid to be named European Capital of Culture.

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1.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure if he will consult with Dr Jim McDaid TD, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and with Ms Síle de Valera TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands to lobby for tax incentives on an all-Ireland basis for sportspeople and artists; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1021/01)

Northern Ireland is part of the UK tax system, and benefits from significant fiscal subvention from the Treasury to finance public spending. It would be entirely inappropriate to break parity with the UK tax system to create an all-Ireland tax incentive scheme for sportspeople and artists. Therefore, I have no plans to discuss all-Ireland tax incentives for sportspeople and artists with Dr Jim McDaid TD or Ms Síle de Valera TD.

Many sportspeople and artists in the North disagree with the Minister's view of the relevance of this matter. Will he explore the positive initiatives that Minister Michael D Higgins took during his tenure as Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht? Will the Minister talk to Mr Michael D Higgins and others who have approached this question positively, and will he make a statement?

I assume that Mr McElduff is referring to the Republic of Ireland's Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. That Act does not exempt artists, for example, from taxation, although it does allow certain exemptions for elite artists and sportspeople who are already high earners. I take the view - although Mr McElduff does not share it - that people should not have a special tax regime to themselves simply because they are high earners or are wealthy. Everyone should pay appropriate rates of tax. We should not create special rates of tax for people who feel that they are paying more than they should because they are high earners.

No one from Northern Ireland has said to me that sportspeople and artists are facing special disadvantage in Northern Ireland or in the UK. If they did so, I might consider some form of lobbying on the tax regime. The taxing authority comes from London and we are beneficiaries of large subventions. It would be appropriate to carry out any lobbying in London, and not with Republic of Ireland Ministers in Dublin.

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2.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what progress has been made on the private finance initiative scheme to provide a new library in Lisburn.

(AQO 1051/01)

When the Member asked about library provision in Lisburn in November 2000, I reported that the South Eastern Education and Library Board was exploring the possibility of providing a new library under the private finance initiative (PFI). I am pleased to be able to tell the Member that there has been progress. The South Eastern Education and Library Board set up a project board to continue that progress. It produced an outline business case that examined options for the provision of a library and associated costs, which the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure approved in February 2001. That approval enabled the project board to initiate the PFI procurement process by advertising in the Official Journal of the European Commission (OJEC) so that it could assess potential private sector interest in a PFI project. The project board has shortlisted companies to be invited to negotiate.

I welcome the news that companies have been shortlisted. When will work commence on site? When will a library that is fit for Ulster's second city replace facilities that are fit only for a village?

The South Eastern Education and Library Board has prioritised Lisburn. The previous Administration directed the project along the PFI route, which is why it is continuing as such. Progress has been made.

I am aware of the need for a library for Lisburn and of the need for support. However, Lisburn library has a capital cost of £3·4 million, which is more than the Department's entire capital budget. PFI is a possible means of covering the investment deficit. If it does not do so, the Department will examine appropriate alternatives.

Given that Lisburn has become a city and that that takes in its outlying areas, what progress has been made as regards Dunmurry and Moira libraries?

My Department inherited a capital investment programme for libraries throughout Northern Ireland that was in serious deficit. Little money had been spent on libraries, including Lisburn's, for several years. Lisburn library is now the top priority of the South Eastern Education and Library Board; Bangor library is its second highest priority and Newtownards library its third. However, all three priorities need to be addressed quickly. Moira and Dunmurry libraries are in poor condition also - they are inadequate and require capital investment. An economic appraisal of Dunmurry library will be conducted next year, and one is planned for Moira also.

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5.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to comment on the uptake of grants for HM The Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

(AQO 1020/01)

Details of the Department's Golden Jubilee non-lottery grants scheme were released in October 2001; there were two deadlines for applications. By the initial deadline of 30 November 2001, 11 applications had been received, 10 of which were eligible for funding. By the second deadline, which was extended to 1 February 2002 due to the postal strike, 261 applications had been received. Those applications are currently being assessed and will be passed to the Golden Jubilee advisory panel for approval. All applicants will receive postal notification of the success or otherwise of their application by the beginning of April. In addition to the non-lottery grant scheme, groups have until 31 August to apply for funding through the lottery's Awards for All scheme.

Given the poor response as regards applicants, and upon reflection after the debate that took place on 19 February 2002, does the Minister concede that he should have responded positively to the request to give every primary schoolchild in Northern Ireland a memento of the Golden Jubilee? Will he consider a change of heart?

I do not know if it is deliberate, but Mr Gibson is being disingenuous in asking that question. I have asked myself on several occasions, including in response to Mr Gibson, if I believed that every schoolchild had a right to a memento of the Golden Jubilee. The answer is "Yes." Only a couple of weeks ago, I gave that answer to Mr Gibson and others when I said that a range of options for a memento of the Golden Jubilee are being considered. Those options include bursaries for schools, CD-ROMS and mementos such as medals and cups. Mementos seem to be the preferred option, but I will continue to consider the others. Discussions are at an advanced stage, and I will announce my plans to the House in due course.

It is somewhat disappointing for the Minister to have to announce that the uptake is not quite what he or, indeed, the House would like to see. Does the Minister agree that such a celebration could be perceived as monocultural? As such, it would contrast starkly with the multicultural, multinational, worldwide and city-wide celebrations of St Patrick's Day. Does the Minister agree that every effort should be made to support and finance properly all St Patrick's Day parades in Northern Ireland to achieve a similar outcome? In that context, does he believe that the First Minister's recent comments at the UUP party conference were helpful?

I counted four questions. I will begin with the first. Mr ONeill said that the uptake was disappointing. It is not disappointing, in so far as the budget is heavily oversubscribed. I can make a strong argument for the fund to be increased. The uptake is related only to the number of celebrations that will take place; it is not about money. The sums are small amounts of seedcorn money to allow some groups to proceed with their planned celebrations. However, I am certain that many events will go ahead whether or not they receive support. The Member should not hang too much comfort on the current numbers, because undoubtedly they will continue to rise.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations are not monocultural. They will cover 54 countries. The celebrations are regional, national and international and go to every corner of the world. The Golden Jubilee will be celebrated throughout almost the entire Commonwealth. I remind Members that the Commonwealth contains the world's oldest democracy - our own - and the world's largest democracy - India. It contains some of the richest and poorest countries in the world, and covers almost one third of the entire population of the globe. There will be celebrations to mark the Golden Jubilee throughout the Commonwealth and, indeed, beyond. The Commonwealth cannot be much more multicultural or multi-ethnic than that.

St Patrick's Day has been supported widely in many areas, especially in the United States, as well as in Ireland. London had its first St Patrick's Day celebration at the weekend. St Patrick is part of our shared heritage, and attempts to politicise St Patrick have done that heritage no service whatsoever. Although some problems in Belfast appear to have been resolved, it is sad that the city does not have a St Patrick's Day parade that is seen as being shared properly by the entire community, both in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland. That issue must be addressed.

The question about the First Minister is political. He is on record as saying that the Irish Republic is a pathetic, sectarian state. That is his view. It is up to Members on the opposite side of the House, if they are genuine in their own political vision and philosophy, to persuade him that that view is wrong.

If a Unionist believes that the Republic is a sectarian state, and if the opposite side of the House really believes what it says, it is its job to persuade him otherwise and not to take the high-handed, high-horsed approach of requiring him to apologise for his views or for being a Unionist.

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6.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what assistance can be given to sports clubs that are facing high rates bills as a result of having professional coaches on their staff.

(AQO 1052/01)

Rates bills for sports clubs are not a matter for the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. They are determined by the Valuation and Lands Agency of the Department of Finance and Personnel. However, I appreciate the financial pressures faced by sports clubs as a result of having professional coaches on their staff, together with the possible implications in respect of current rating legislation. I understand that the Valuation and Lands Agency is considering the position of sports clubs that employ professionals, either as coaches or as players. I do not wish to anticipate the outcome of that evaluation, but it would not be appropriate for me to engineer a scheme specifically designed to assist clubs that face high rates bills. I encourage sports clubs to make full use of the assistance that is available through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and, where possible, to take advantage of new Government-backed financial and tax relief opportunities that have recently arisen. Those were explained in the consultation paper, 'Promoting Sport in the Community', issued by Her Majesty's Treasury.

I thank the Minister for his reply. However, as he has responsibility for sport, does he not share my concern and the concern of some sporting clubs that, by trying to improve their standards, those clubs may bring about their own demise when faced with hefty rates bills?

Assistance is made available to sports clubs, primarily through the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and its safe sports grounds scheme, club sport capital funding, and such club development initiatives as Clubmark, Coaching Northern Ireland, et cetera. A raft of measures is available for community amateur sports clubs.

Until now, I have never heard it said that the very existence of sports clubs is threatened by their having to pay rates as a result of having the money to employ professional coaches and players. The Valuation and Lands Agency regards a club as a profit-making organisation if it employs professional coaches and players, so the club is liable for rates. The Valuation and Lands Agency and the Department of Finance and Personnel are currently evaluating that legislation to judge whether that interpretation is correct. We must wait for the outcome of that evaluation before examining any possible legislative changes. I repeat that other opportunities are available that outweigh the problem of a rates bill.

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. My local GAA clubs pay very high rates. Given that they provide training facilities for youths on a non-profit-making basis, does the Minister not agree with me and with Mr Wilson that those clubs should be encouraged, and that the imposition of high rates bills is of detriment to them? Go raibh maith agat.

My understanding is that the GAA is rated as an amateur association and, in general, does not attract rates. The specific application of legislation is a matter for the Valuation and Lands Agency. The agency is currently examining the legislation. Therefore, it would be more appropriate to address that type of question to the Minister of Finance and Personnel.

I declare an interest at the outset. Once again, I draw the Minister's attention to the close season of May, June, July and August, during which high rates are still charged despite the fact that sports grounds cannot be used because of annual maintenance. Has the Minister spoken to the Minister of Finance and Personnel about that?

The short answer is that I have not had discussions, either with officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel or with the Minister, about the close season. The issue relates to how the Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA) applies the legislation. I advise Colleagues to read the Chancellor's proposal for promoting sport in the community, which allows for tax exemptions or tax relief for clubs in respect of fundraising or income made from property rental.

I also advise the Member to read the Charity Commission's statement. It proposes to offer charitable status to clubs that are genuinely amateur. Those clubs that are granted charitable status do not pay rates. Therefore, apart from the options available from the VLA, there are ample avenues to be explored. Clubs must make the best use of the many opportunities that are available to them from bodies such as the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and the Charity Commission, and also from the Chancellor's proposal. Clubs should also attempt to negotiate with the officials in the VLA who are considering the legislation.

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7.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to consider the promotion of the works of Sir Samuel Ferguson, the nineteenth-century poet and antiquarian, as an example of our shared inheritance in this Golden Jubilee year.

(AQO 1058/01)

One of the Department's aims is to promote and celebrate individual creativity. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland decides how much support should be given to a particular artist. Although there are no plans to promote the work of Sir Samuel Ferguson, some of his manuscripts are accessible publicly in the Linen Hall Library.

In the current year, the Department has set aside funds to promote the Golden Jubilee celebrations, which are aimed primarily at community events rather than at the promotion of individual artists. The closing date for applications was 1 February 2002. Although no such applications were made, the promotion of individual artists is not ruled out.

Will the Minister consider the creation of themed libraries, for example in the city of Lisburn, relating to the three masterpieces of Ulster and Irish literature - Ferguson's 'Congal', Seamus Heaney's 'Sweeney Astray' and Flann O'Brien's 'At Swim-Two-Birds'- that emanate from the seventh-century Battle of Moira?

Dr Adamson's suggestion is interesting, and is worth expansion and discussion because themed libraries might be a way to inform new generations and to increase the knowledge and understanding of our shared literary heritage. The library in Lisburn is the responsibility of the South Eastern Education and Library Board, and the Member should argue the case for a themed library with its officials. Aside from honouring Sir Samuel Ferguson, whom Yeats described as the finest Irish poet of the nineteenth century, I am sure that Members can think of several other appropriate ways to use our libraries and museums to create better knowledge and understanding.

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8.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to AQO 845/01, what discussions he has had with other Departments to make use of the proposed common address file to facilitate the use of townland names in correspondence.

(AQO 1054/01)

The Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland represents my Department on that project, and there have been several discussions with other agencies, including the Valuation and Lands Agency, the Land Registers of Northern Ireland, Planning Service, Water Service, Roads Service and Environment and Heritage Service. In addition, discussions have been held with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Consignia and representatives of district councils. Those involved agreed on the need to include townland names in addresses, and I look forward to Departments' agreeing to use townland names in their correspondence.

The common address file is a simple means by which Departments identify the appropriate townland name for any address in Northern Ireland. The file will make it much easier for Departments to use this valuable element of our cultural and linguistic heritage in their correspondence.

As the Minister said, townland names are a vital part of our rich heritage that must be promoted at every opportunity. Last year, my motion to preserve those names was supported unanimously. I am glad to hear that the Minister has been speaking to other Departments about this. However, I am disappointed to see letters addressed to my constituents without townland names. Will the Minister raise this with his Executive Colleagues at the next Executive meeting on 28 March?

The Executive have pre-empted Mr McCarthy by agreeing to fund the common address file, which is being developed by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Public Record Office. We all agree on the need to include townland names in the address record. We are only beginning to develop the system. To date, discussions have been technical, but they will advance as we make progress.

The common address file will be launched this summer, and we will take steps to implement it so that townland names will be included in addresses as they are recorded on Ordnance Survey maps, which record whether the origin of a name is English, Irish or Ulster-Scots. The names are unique to Ireland and Northern Ireland - they do not exist on the mainland. The file is the best way to provide them, and the funding has been agreed.

Does the Minister agree that the introduction of postcodes led to the decline in the use of townland names and that many people still prefer to use those names in their address?

By introducing postcodes in the early 1970s, the Post Office was responsible for the greatest undermining of the use of townland names for generations. Many people still insist on using them, but the decline in their use is one of the factors that prompted us to ensure their inclusion in the common address file. Had we continued as we were, they would have disappeared.

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9.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the issues of a motor sport nature that he intends to bring to the next meeting of the Executive.

(AQO 1023/01)

I do not intend to bring any motor sport issues to the attention of the Executive at present. As the Member is aware, the governing bodies of motor sport - the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre), the Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs, Northern Ireland Karting Association and the Motorcycle Racing Association - have been working with the Sports Council for Northern Ireland to develop a strategic plan for two- and four-wheeled motor sports. The plan, which will map out the governing bodies' vision for the future of the sports, is currently subject to public consultation, which will end on 12 April 2002 when the Sports Council will advise on the way forward. I am unable to comment further at this stage.

Given what the Minister has said, we will not have a premier motor sports facility by the end of this Assembly's term - sad news for everyone involved. How will the failure to deliver on this expectation, which was heightened after the tragic events of recent years, be explained to those who have taken a great interest in achieving something tangible for motor sports in our country?

As far as a premier motor sport facility is concerned, that is a matter for the motor sports industry. It is not for me to impose a solution, whether Mr Paisley Jnr agrees or not. Expectations have not been raised by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, by my Department, or by the governing bodies of motor sport.

We must look to the governing bodies that are working on a strategic plan for two- and four-wheeled vehicles. It is wrong to look at a premier motor sports facility in isolation. The governing bodies are examining several aspects of the industry, including future vision, the key milestones to be achieved by 2007 and the feeder plans that are coming in from various parts of motor sports to promote image, events, funding, participation, training, venues and facilities, sports management, relationships and administration. Those aspects are all part and parcel of this issue. A holistic approach is needed. It is not enough to spend large sums of money on a premier motor sports facility in the hope that that will cure the problem - it will not. Only those involved in the sport know and have an understanding of what the sport needs.

We look forward to the consultation period ending on 12 April and to taking the next steps. I will be listening to the views of the motor sports industry on future facilities. There are a range of options including Nutts Corner, Kilroot and Ballycarry. Those options can be explored if the motor sports industry chooses to do so and if the resources can be found.

Is the Minister aware of the enthusiasm that greeted the display of the model for the proposed project at Kilroot at the recent motorcycle show?

I must ask the Minister to respond in writing as time is up.

Agriculture and Rural Development

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We move now to questions to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Rodgers. I advise Members that Questions 1, 3, 6 and 15, in the names of Mr John Dallat, Mr Séamus Close, Mr Eddie McGrady and Ms Patricia Lewsley, have been withdrawn and will receive written answers.

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2.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to increase or more specifically target spending on research and development into animal health and disease in the light of current problems with botulism.

(AQO 1046/01)

I am well aware of the increased number of suspected cases of botulism in cattle in Northern Ireland in recent years. My officials are already engaged in the laboratory examination of carcasses and samples and have begun a detailed farm investigation into the possible causes of the problem; they are visiting affected farms and providing veterinary public health advice to herd owners. They have also alerted all veterinary practices and divisional veterinary officers in Northern Ireland to this problem, issued detailed guidance on methods of diagnosis, had discussions with the Food Standards Agency and made representations to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to improve the availability of a suitable vaccine to protect cattle at risk since no vaccine is currently licensed for use in the UK.

Finally, in the light of the well-recognised worldwide difficulty in confirming a diagnosis of botulism, my veterinary scientists have already initiated collaborative work with a laboratory in England to develop improved methods of diagnosis based on novel and specialist technology developed at the Veterinary Sciences Division.

I thank the Minister for her full and frank reply. However, will the Minister tell the House how many botulism cases are under investigation in Northern Ireland, where those cases are located, if there are any geographical clusters in those locations and if a common cause, or range of causes, has been isolated? Furthermore, taking into account the risk to human health from some forms of botulism, will the Minister assure the House that no risk to human health exists at present?

During the past three years, suspected cases of bovine botulism have been reported to the Department from approximately 98 farms, including 41 farms in 2001.

Veterinary Service Division vets have visited 46 such farms and have carried out detailed epidemiological investigations on 31 affected farms during 2001-02. The epidemiological findings suggest a link to poultry waste in 90% of the 31 farms. Twenty-one affected farms were situated within 500 metres of poultry houses. Poultry litter had been spread on the pasture used by affected animals for grazing on three farms, and on fields adjacent to the grazing on two farms. A further two farms had poultry litter stacked on the premises. I cannot give precise details regarding areas, but the area around Donaghcloney and Banbridge is one area where there have been many cases.

Regarding health implications, I was quite distressed recently to read what seemed to be a briefed piece of journalism in my local newspaper. It clearly implied that there could be serious health risks. I want to lay this to rest as it could have serious implications for the industry. It is a matter for the Food Standards Agency, but, as far as I understand it, the danger to health is remote. In case there should be a danger to health, farmers who have cases of botulism are advised not to put their cattle into the food chain. That is merely a precautionary step. My understanding is that the possibility of implications for human health is remote. However, this is a matter for the Food Standards Agency.

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4.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what progress has been made on the development of an action plan for the vision exercise; and to make a statement.

(AQO 1040/01)

I discussed the consultation exercise with the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development on 22 February, and my Executive Committee Colleagues endorsed my approach on the way forward at their meeting on 28 February. Last Monday in the Assembly I announced the implementation of 11 measures that had broad support in the consultation exercise and can be implemented within the existing budget. An action plan covering most of the remaining recommendations will be published in June 2002.

I want to probe this a little further. Will the action plan include a new entrants or early retirement scheme?

I understand the interest among farmers and others in new entrants and early retirement schemes. The vision steering group, among others, raised questions about value for money in respect of an early retirement scheme. For this reason, in the first half of the year I commissioned a consultancy study to review the evidence. The study was inconclusive, coming down not strongly, but nevertheless, in favour of an early retirement scheme and against a new entrants scheme.

In making decisions on these subjects, I need to exercise extreme care, as an early retirement scheme would use up virtually all the uncommitted modulation receipts and Treasury match funding available to me. There must be clear evidence of the benefit to taxpayers and the agrifood industry as a whole, as well as to the recipients of scheme money. I have, therefore, commissioned research to be carried out by Queen's University Belfast and University College Dublin to examine the possible economic, social and environmental benefits of such schemes. A report is due in July 2002, and once I have the report I will make a decision on the recommendation in the vision report for a new entrants scheme.

Incidentally, the vision report did not recommend early retirement. It recommended facilitation of early retirement - but not an early retirement scheme - and a new entrants scheme. At present, I have not ruled out either scheme, but the new entrants scheme has been recommended and has support in parts of the industry. It would probably use up fewer resources than an early retirement scheme. However, at this stage I have not made a decision either way, and I will not do so until I am in possession of all the implications.

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Much of the vision document is dedicated to animal health and animal health targets being met, not only by farmers but also by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. How can the vision be realised if the Department is not meeting its present animal health targets, for example, the removal of brucellosis reactors in a particular timescale in areas such as south Armagh?

I am aware of the problems caused by the increase in brucellosis, and I have told my chief veterinary officer that I want him to consider the eradication of brucellosis as a priority.

At the moment, veterinary and ancillary staff are being recruited to deal with the problem. This is in addition to the recent appointment of new evaluation officers. Additional staff have been moved into the three high-incidence areas around Armagh, Newry and Enniskillen.

The Department is reorganising staff at markets and abattoirs with a view to providing extra resources for brucellosis duties. Additionally, the use of a bulk milksampling programme in dairy herds has allowed additional staff to be allocated to the high-incidence areas. I am pleased to say that the backlog in removing animals has now been cleared due to an additional abattoir. From now on we should be able to meet our targets.

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5.

asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps she has taken to ensure that farm slurry and effluent waste is dealt with effectively and safely.

(AQO 1033/01)

I understand how important it is to ensure that farm waste and slurry is dealt with properly to reduce the risk of pollution. I have secured £6·1 million from Executive programme funds for a targeted farm waste management scheme. The proposed scheme is aimed at minimising farm source pollution, which is contributing to water quality problems. It will be targeted at watercourses that agricultural pollution most affects.

I have also secured £0·9 million for a nutrient management scheme. The proposed scheme is aimed at minimising the contribution of agriculture to the phosphate overload in soils, which is contributing to the eutrophication of fresh water in Northern Ireland. It is likely that the scheme will be targeted at farmers in parts of the Lough Neagh catchment. I will announce the details of both schemes as soon as state aid approval from the EU Commission has been obtained. Until then I cannot give a definitive date for the opening of the schemes or announce the first catchments to be targeted.

The Minister will be aware of the possibilities of transforming farm waste into electricity for the national grid using anaerobic digestion systems that are similar to the model in the south-west of England and involve groups of farms in the production of green energy. This would help Northern Ireland to meet its green energy quotas; something we are at present failing to do. In the light of this, what action has the Minister taken to nurture and develop such schemes in Northern Ireland?

The lead responsibility for energy matters lies with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. However, my Department generally supports the development of renewable energy sources such as anaerobic digestion, which is a method of extracting useful amounts of methane from stored livestock slurries for use as an energy source.

My departmental officials have provided information and advice to a small number of anaerobic digestion projects in Northern Ireland. Recently, a person approached me about the issue; therefore I am aware of it.

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