Will the Minister assure me that he will consult the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee when farmers' water rates are discussed?

I assure my Colleague that that matter is being considered. I am happy to hear and take into account his Committee's views and also those of the Committee for Regional Development. I look forward to receiving the results of my officials' report and to hearing the views of the Assembly and its Committees. Moreover, I shall take into account all comments made today.

I realise that time is not on our side. That may be just as well, because I may have said some things that would have caused some anger in the House.

I single out the comments of George Savage, Gerry McHugh and Jim Shannon, who related most to the spirit of the motion and demonstrated hands-on knowledge of the problem. I am grateful for their support. Support also came from Roy Beggs and Joe Byrne, and Alan McFarland also supported me in his own way. Again, I am grateful for their support.

I have no intention of replying to those who introduced icebergs in the desert to the debate. Those Members have lost the spirit of the motion. I am simply looking for support for farmers and consumers who have to pay for leakages detected for the first time and who had no previous knowledge of wastage. I note that the Minister said that reviews are forthcoming. He should read in Hansard what I have said. I have said nothing contentious. Were he to agree with what I have said, that would be especially welcomed in the rural community.

As there are only a few minutes until Question Time, Members should take their ease for that time.

Oral Answers to Questions

First Minister and Deputy First Minister

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I wish to inform Members that question 2, in the name of Mr Eddie McGrady, has been withdrawn and does not require a written answer.

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1.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to detail the legislation it expects to complete successfully in the lifetime of this Assembly.

(AQO 1238/01)

We intend to introduce a commissioner for children and young people Bill in the near future and to have that legislation enacted well within the lifetime of this Assembly. In addition, we will be bringing forward approximately a dozen pieces of subordinate legislation in areas such as disability discrimination, fair employment, race relations and the regulation of investigatory powers.

I thank the Deputy First Minister for his short answer. The Executive have brought forward little or no legislation over the last four months or so. It has been indicated that more than 20 Bills will be introduced before the summer recess, with an urgency to complete them before the Assembly elections in 2003. Does the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister believe that Committees will have sufficient time to scrutinise those Bills properly and assess their effectiveness?

So far the Assembly has passed 26 Executive Bills. Six more have been introduced. We are working towards introducing more across all the Departments. My previous answer concerned only the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. The Executive have identified several issues which have contributed to the backlog on legislative productivity, and steps have been taken to improve that situation.

We recognise that if we are successful in bringing forward the number of Bills that we hope to introduce from the various Departments, a burden of work will be placed on Committees. However, given the importance attached to the legislation, with the value of having trailered the areas for which legislation is being considered and with as much pre-consultation as possible with Committees by Departments, we hope not only to produce the legislation but also to process it with proper consideration through the Committees and the Assembly.

I am grateful for the Deputy First Minister's reply. Has the Minister of Education earmarked any legislative time as a result of the review of post-primary education in Northern Ireland?

We have trawled all the Departments for their bids for the legislative programme. I imagine that departmental Committees will have access to details regarding their respective Departments' intentions. With regard to the review of post-primary education, the Minister has already indicated the timetable for proposals. I am not in a position to say at this stage whether there is a bid for legislation, although I do not recall such a bid. The Executive have received the bids for the introduction of Bills and for legislative time for the rest of the lifetime of the current Assembly.

On 27 September 2001 the Office of the First and the Deputy First Minister wrote to the Speaker on that issue. The letter, which was forwarded to all Members, indicated that the intention was to bring forward 23 Bills during the current year. To date, considerably fewer than that number have been brought forward. Last week the Office of the First and the Deputy First Minister wrote to me saying that more than two dozen Bills would be brought forward, but today that number seems to have been revised downwards. How much legislation really is in waiting and is about to appear on the parliamentary timetable? Are there problems with regard to the putting together of this material by legal draftsmen? Is there a difficulty within the Civil Service in that some Departments do not want local legislation? Did the Programme for Government promise far too much and now cannot deliver on significant numbers of those promises?

The First and Deputy First Ministers will also be aware that on 19 September 2002 there will be insufficient time for Bills to pass -

That is quite a long question.

By 19 September 2002 there will be insufficient time for Bills to be passed. Therefore, will the Minister assure Members categorically that no short cuts will be taken in the legislative process to circumvent the proper public scrutiny of legislation?

I have not revised downwards any indication. When I referred to the dozen pieces of subordinate legislation, I was referring to legislation from the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister; I was not referring to legislation from all the Departments. The Executive intend to introduce around two-dozen pieces of legislation, and that aim is based on the assessment we received from the Departments. The Executive have asked the Departments to go through their assessments again, with as much realism as possible, so that all the relevant Committees and the Assembly can reasonably anticipate what legislation there will be.

Mr Paisley Jnr mentioned several factors that may be involved. Departments lack the necessary personnel to draft legislation. Several other issues have arisen also. We have tried to improve things at Executive level to ensure that the process is quicker. Given that the relevant Committees have been canvassed on many of the subjects, the Executive are also encouraging Departments to work with them in advance of legislation. Committees must see the details of legislative proposals. Therefore, the more advanced the consultation the better. It is for the House, not the Executive, to determine whether any proposed legislation is amenable to accelerated passage.

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3.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to make a statement on the development of a corporate identity for the Executive.

(AQO 1231/01)

A strong corporate identity is important to ensure that the public can easily recognise, and identify with, the work of the Administration by which it is served. At their meeting on 14 February 2002, the Executive approved proposals for a corporate identity for the Executive and the Departments. Officials from the Executive Information Service, along with a representative of the design company appointed to develop the identity, have met with all Ministers to discuss the implementation process. Ministers have also been consulted about the launch of the identity. Some issues have arisen from that consultation process that will require further discussion at a future Executive meeting.

Will there be one design for all Departments? What difference would there be between the cost of one design and the cost of individual designs for each Department?

The intention is that the same logo would be used for all Departments but, to distinguish Departments, each would have its own colour scheme. A standard design across Government is cost effective because it avoids the cost of individual designs for each of the 11 Departments.

Today's papers announced the Prime Minister's move to pass a "begging bowl" to businessmen. Does the Deputy First Minister know whether some of the money will go towards this notion of a corporate identity for the Executive? Will he assure the Alliance Party, which is mentioned in the articles, because its leader has said that he has not been consulted?

That is stretching relevance slightly, Dr Paisley.

Expenditure on a corporate identity is a matter for the Executive, and the money will come from their budget. The corporate identity will save money and improve recognition and accessibility for Government Departments and the devolved Administration.

Dr Paisley's other questions are not relevant to the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. This is not the first time that I have -[Interruption].

Order.

This is not the first time that I have been asked questions on other matters. On that matter, as the leader of a party I was invited to a short reception that was attended by people who seemed to wish to probe the idea of starting a campaign.

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4.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whether the views of all Departments and agencies on the North/South obstacles to mobility study have been canvassed.

(AQO 1240/01)

At a plenary meeting on 30 November 2001, the North/South Ministerial Council agreed to publish for consultation the consultant study on the obstacles to cross-border mobility on the island of Ireland. This was to allow interested organisations, including Government Departments and individuals, to give their views on the 50 recommendations and their implementation. The Council also agreed that the joint steering group should manage the consultation exercise. In late January, the steering group agreed that a public consultation exercise should be undertaken by the Centre for Cross Border Studies and that the group would consult each Government Department and agency, North and South. Both consultation exercises are nearing completion. The steering group is analysing the comments received, and at the next North/South Ministerial Council plenary meeting it will submit a paper that summarises, evaluates and costs the recommendations. It will also, where appropriate, reach conclusions on certain matters including implementation proposals.

Have all Departments responded to the consultation, and are any responses still awaited?

We have tried to undertake a full consultation. We sought the views of Departments and agencies in both jurisdictions, and that process is nearing completion. We have received responses from most Northern Ireland Departments. We have yet to receive a formal response from the Department for Social Development and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. The Department for Regional Development said that it would not be providing a substantive response. However, the most significant outstanding response is from the Treasury, as many issues relate to it.

Is the report simply an exercise in making it easier to move from South to North, and does the First Minister agree that there are more obstacles for those moving North to South, such as the Irish language restrictions on primary school teachers?

Until recently, net movement tended to be from South to North. However, there are signs that that trend has been reversed. In the past few years there have been significant movements from North to South. The report deals with the obstacles, irrespective of where they arise. It is fair to say that there are more obstacles to movement from North to South than from South to North.

There have been some changes to the Irish language requirement, and Irish language proficiency now applies only in the Gaeltacht, where teaching is through the medium of Irish, and in primary schools. The maintenance of that requirement in primary schools is a significant matter, as is the pay differential between teachers who have Irish language proficiency and those who do not.

With permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will take questions 5 and 15 together.

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5.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what progress has been made on the appointment of independent experts to assist the review of public administration.

(AQO 1232/01)

15.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what progress has been made on the appointment of independent experts for the review of public administration.

(AQO 1210/01)

A key part of the review of public administration will be to draw on a wide range of independent expertise. We have been trying to identify suitable academics and practitioners. We want to find people with expertise and skills to provide as broad a base of support as possible for the review team. Various potential candidates were identified, and informal approaches were made to several to ascertain their availability and willingness to be considered for such a major role.

As is to be expected with people of the calibre we are seeking, some have indicated that they are already fully committed to other projects. We are in the process of finalising a shortlist comprising a number of excellent candidates who have indicated that they would be willing to commit themselves to this challenging task if appointed. We hope to be in a position to announce the names of the high-level experts soon, once the Executive have been consulted.

I thank the Deputy First Minister for his answer. I am assured that the expertise will be drawn form the widest field of international expertise. However, can we have some assurance that attention to the equality issue and gender balance will be ensured in the appointment of the experts, whilst respecting merit as the primary criterion?

We are happy to give such assurances. We recognise the need for well-balanced, independent input, and it is one of several considerations in reaching conclusions about the composition of the high-level group. In trying to identify people with the best range of skills and expertise, we have cast our net widely. We are considering experienced individuals from Ireland, North and South, Great Britain, other parts of Europe and the United States. We have specifically tried to identify individuals who are recognised for their expertise and experience in governance and organisational change.

We also confirm that there are men and women among the names being considered, but I would stress the point made in the question that the experts are being appointed on merit. Equality means appointing the best person for the job regardless of gender, race, religion or any other attribute.

Will the experts be truly independent, and will they be encouraged to take a radical approach to the review of public administration?

The experts will be independent, and they will be encouraged to take as independent an approach as they can. We must be careful as to how far we encourage them while trying to respect their independence. The Executive, the First Minister and I will not be trying to set up any no-go areas for the work of the independent review and in particular for the contribution of the independent experts.

Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Will the Deputy First Minister assure us that the choice of the panel of experts will reflect new thinking and not merely be made up of the usual suspects - the great and the good who have benefited from public appointments in the past?

Given the scope of our trawl for members of the high-level panel of experts, there will, of course, be people who will not necessarily have appeared on many public appointment lists here previously. Our trawl includes people from well outside this immediate jurisdiction. Some people will be from here; some will be from across the water; some will be from the South; and some will be from Europe and the United States. We are talking about people with a range of insights and expertise to offer. Members will be impressed with the high-level panel of experts. Those who are not impressed may change their minds once they meet the experts and deal with them during the course of the review.

There will always be some background noise, but there are several private conversations going on, which are making it difficult for the Deputy First Minister to be heard.

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6.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what progress has been made in relation to new arrangements for making appointments to public bodies as contained in sub-priority 7.3 of the Programme for Government 2002-2005.

(AQO 1199/01)

We are considering a public consultation exercise to inform a review of the arrangements for making public appointments. We wish to determine whether current arrangements, which were put in place under direct rule, are suitable for use by the devolved Administration and meet the expectations of the Northern Ireland public. The planned review will address a number of issues including ways of ensuring that applications to public bodies are as representative as possible; procedures for making appointments to public bodies; and the need for, and remit of, a separate commissioner for public appointments.

The Programme for Government said that this would be done by the summer of 2002. Many rumours abound that the First Minister's day job is as a plane-spotter or plane-hopper, and perhaps that is the reason for the delays. The First Minister's response does not really answer the question about the steps that have been taken in pursuit of the Programme for Government's commitment. After all, it is now quite late into the spring.

As I said in my answer, we are in the process of designing a review. We are going to consult to get a picture of the extent of the problem. This is a perfectly reasonable way to proceed with the review's design. We are committed to doing this, and we hope that we achieve the objective in the Programme for Government. Most of the targets in the Programme for Government have been, or will be, achieved. Members should wait.

It is some time since I engaged in any plane-spotting, but it used to be a hobby of mine. Unfortunately, I have not had time for it recently.

Has the First Minister or the Deputy First Minister met with the Commissioner for Public Appointments? Can the First Minister clarify the Commissioner's role in Northern Ireland?

There was a meeting on 22 March 2002. Unfortunately I was unable to attend, but the Deputy First Minister and officials met the Commissioner, Dame Renee Fritchie. It was a useful meeting. As the Member knows, Dame Renee is the Commissioner for appointments in GB. We are delighted to have the read-across to ensure that the same standards are applied here as there. As to the future, the question of whether there will be a separate Northern Ireland commissioner for public appointments will be explored during the review that we are about to launch.

Now that the Deputy First Minister has confessed to accepting the fundraising skills of the Prime Minister, does the First Minister agree that such an arrangement smacks of desperation on the part of the pro-agreement parties? I am getting to the part of the question that is relevant.

Indeed you will, Mr Wilson.

Will the First Minister confirm that the Prime Minister has not attached any conditions to this arrangement, such as: awarding public contracts without going to tender; exemptions from restrictions on advertising in sport; well-paid chairmanships of quangos; and the offering of knighthoods to those who may make such donations to the pro-agreement parties?

First Minister, there may be a question in there.

Your view that there might be a question in there is more of an expression of faith than anything else, if I may say so.

Having listened to that long farrago, it appeared - in as far as it had any substance - to include several criticisms of appointments made by the Prime Minister. That is an entirely different matter, which has nothing to do with anything done by way of a public appointment here. I defy the Member to point to any public appointment in Northern Ireland in which there has been any element of impropriety at all. [Interruption].

Order.

The Member concerned is well known for making jocular comments and behaving in a comical fashion, but there is no substance in anything that he said today.

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8.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to provide an update on the activities of the British-Irish Council where the Northern Ireland Executive takes a lead role.

(AQO 1216/01)

Our Executive is the lead Administration for progressing work within the British-Irish Council's transport sector. Recognising the benefits to the people of Northern Ireland, in the absence of co-operation from the Minister for Regional Development, the then Deputy First Minister and I took the lead in the British-Irish Council's sectoral transport meeting on 19 December 2000.

At that meeting it was agreed that senior officials would examine options and prepare detailed recommendations for work on several initial priority areas. Those included: exchange of information and experience, particularly on public-private partnerships, including the consideration of a possible mechanism to facilitate such exchanges; regional air links; the potential for co-operation on road safety; and integrated transport. Officials have been working on these matters for some time and are scheduled to meet representatives from the other participating Administrations on 22 May to advance the issues.

The Northern Ireland Assembly has identified key transport corridors. Some £40 million from Executive programme funds has been allocated to upgrade the Belfast to Newry road and the Belfast to Larne road. That work has commenced.

Efficient transport routes to central Scotland, England and Europe are important to the Northern Ireland economy. In the light of that, will the First Minister raise at the British-Irish Council the need for the Scottish Executive to identify and invest in their key transport routes, such as the A75 and the A77, so that the trans-European network (TEN) can be upgraded to the benefit of Northern Ireland?

Mr Beggs is correct to recognise the Administration's work in identifying, and providing for, an upgrade of routes that are crucial to businesses wishing to access markets outside Northern Ireland. The Administration's commitments to upgrade the A8 to Larne, the Belfast to Newry road, the Newry bypass and the road beyond the town, are clear examples of its work. Mr Beggs was correct to highlight the need to assist businesses here to deal with those outside Northern Ireland. The problem no longer exists inside Northern Ireland, but at our points of connection with other jurisdictions. That is particularly the case with regard to docking facilities at ports, especially at the Mersey docks, on which we hope to make progress.

I agree - not only as a member of the Administration, but personally - that the A75 needs to be upgraded. I have driven on that road often, and I still await even the planning stage of the bypasses at Crocketford and Springholm to enable progress by those with more leisure-based activities in mind.

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9.

asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whether it was consulted on recent legislation passed in the Republic of Ireland allowing local councils to move travellers on after 24 hours.

(AQO 1207/01)

There was no consultation with the Executive on that matter. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill, 2001 has been approved by the Oireachtas and President Mary McAleese. It is likely to become law later this year.

I am disappointed, but not surprised, by that response. The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister should be aware of the fear, especially among councils in Northern Ireland's border areas, that there may be a resultant influx of non-indigenous travellers, especially traveller traders. Does the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister agree that it is unacceptable that the Republic should export its problem in such a way? Will it ensure that representations on the matter are followed up at meetings of either the North/South Ministerial Council or the British-Irish Council?

Legislation already exists that can be used to deal with illegal encampments, especially when public health issues arise. It is for district councils to decide whether to close an illegal encampment. A working party considered whether Northern Ireland's legislation was adequate to deal with illegal encampments. The party's recommendations, which have been cleared by the Minister for Social Development, will be issued for consultation after a decision is made on transit site provision. The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister will consider any matter that Members suggest we raise at North/South Ministerial Council meetings, in plenary or sectoral format.

Do the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister support the Housing Executive's having responsibility for transit sites?

It is for the Minister for Social Development to decide who is responsible for transit sites. However, the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister welcomes provisions in the draft housing Bill, which is out for consultation, that would enable the Housing Executive to provide sites for travellers. It is important that a sufficient number of sites, which meet travellers' needs, be provided.

Does the First Minister recognise, a LeasCheann Comhairle, that travellers, by their very nature, do not recognise borders? There was a slightly racist overtone to the Member's remarks. Can the Deputy First Minister assure us that, rather than pursue further measures to harass travellers, the Executive will concentrate on fully implementing the report of the promoting social inclusion (PSI) working group on travellers?

I have already said that work in that area has been informed partly by the consultation exercise that is taking place on the housing Bill, and the Executive remain committed to following through the findings of the PSI report.

Culture, Arts and Leisure

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Question 10, standing in the name of Mr Eddie McGrady, has been withdrawn and will receive a written answer.

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1.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail his plans for widening access to library facilities for people with special needs.

(AQO 1222/01)

One of my Department's strategic goals is to increase participation in culture, arts and leisure through enhancing access to, and the quality of, facilities and services. That includes increasing access for disabled and socially disadvantaged people.

Libraries have a long history of providing for specialist needs through a selection of large-print and spoken-word materials, materials for people with learning difficulties and physical access to premises. Adaptive technology, designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities has been introduced recently and is available in some libraries and, as part of the electronic libraries for Northern Ireland (ELFNI) project, will be available in libraries across all five boards. However, I recognise that there are still physical access problems in some areas, and I will seek to address those problems through a bid in Budget 2002.

I thank the Minister for that very positive answer. Will he undertake to ensure that all library material made available for people with special needs - especially in adult centres - is appropriate for their needs? Apart from the need to make books available in Braille and large print, which the Minister has acknowledged, does he agree that providing children's books to adults with special needs requires an urgent review and that books dealing with adult interests should be made available in a form that people with special needs will understand?

Finally, does every library employ someone who is trained in sign language and has skills in dealing with customers with special needs?

I remind the Minister that he need answer only one question.

Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker; there were many questions there.

The ELFNI project provides new technology in libraries. A contract was signed at the end of January 2002 for computer technology and software worth £36 million. The projected completion date for installation is July 2003. That will include a full range of adaptive technologies.

Currently 101 of the 126 libraries have some adaptive technology, and it is anticipated that after the ELFNI project that will cover all libraries. Staff will be skilled and trained in touch screens, adaptive keyboards, screen magnification software, Braille readers, embossers and translation software, and so on, and they will be able to help people. The technology will be available and will be adapted for the benefit of those with disabilities.

The material is a separate issue and not entirely within my control. I agree with the sentiments behind the question. Our system concerns access and participation for everyone. However, I am not in control of the way in which material comes forward.

The Minister said that widening access and the provision of Braille are important for any library. However, some areas, including Newtownards, do not have libraries with disabled access and Braille facilities. When will work start and finish on the new library for Newtownards? Where will it be located, and what are the costs?

When ELFNI comes on board in July 2003, all libraries will benefit from the new technology. That includes the anticipated Newtownards library. There has been serious underfunding in the library service over the 25 years of direct rule. I made that point before in answers to the House. It is no secret that the South-Eastern Education and Library Board hopes to replace Newtownards library, as well as those in Bangor and Lisburn. It is looking at all potential sites in Newtownards, and it will conduct an economic appraisal. The new facility in Newtownards has an estimated cost of some £3 million.

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2.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail (a) the progress that has been made on the introduction of e-government methods and programmes into his Department; and (b) the plans that are in place for further development in the next three years.

(AQO 1217/01)

My Department took delivery of its e-business strategy at the end of 2001. The strategy outlines services that have the potential to be delivered electronically for the benefit of every citizen of Northern Ireland. With support from the Executive programme funds, the implementation of four of the services identified in the strategy is under way. Those are: the electronic libraries for Northern Ireland (ELFNI) project; the common address file project; the Culture Northern Ireland project; and the Northern Ireland records management standard and electronic catalogues project.

The e-business strategy also proposes several other projects which, when taken together, would cost some £4·5 million over the next three years. I am considering how best to address the strategy and the funding requirements to develop those projects.

I thank the Minister for his full and open answer. I am not sure whether the fourth project that he mentioned is related to the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). GB Government Departments are required to make all their records available electronically by 2004. Given that the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has responsibility for PRONI, will the Minister introduce a similar target for Northern Ireland Departments?

I do not recollect whether 2004 is the correct deadline. However, I will take Dr McDonnell's word on that, and I assure him that we are governed by the same legislation as other parts of the UK and that that standard will be met. The purpose of the Northern Ireland records management standard is to integrate information management across the public sector, and Dr McDonnell is correct in saying that PRONI will play an important part in that. The management standard will cost £1·8 million and will be developed over the next five years.

What targets has the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure set for the take-up of electronic services? What steps are being taken to monitor progress? When does the Department expect to publish the comparative cost of electronic service delivery against the cost of a paper transaction for the same service?

I refer Mr McCarthy to the Department's service delivery agreement, which outlines targets, and the Department's public service agreement, which was presented to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, of which he is a member.

Electronic delivery provides the benefits of 24-hour service and a mechanism for new services that cannot be delivered by any other means. I do not have projections of comparative costs to deduce whether there have been savings, and I have no plans to make such comparisons. The intention is not simply to replace the current paper-based systems; it is to enhance the quality and range of services that the Department offers. In that sense, it would be inappropriate to compare costs.

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3.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps he is taking to promote this year's North West 200, in the light of its being cancelled last year because of foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQO 1204/01)

I have been helping to promote this year's North West 200 in several ways. At the invitation of the organisers, Coleraine and District Motorcycle Club, I participated in the official launch of the North West 200 in Belfast on 29 January 2002. Since then, my Department, through the Northern Ireland Events Company, made £75,000 available to the organisers of the competition to help them to attract high-profile riders and teams. Furthermore, funding of over £32,000 has been provided by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure over the past year towards the implementation of safety improvements on the circuit in accordance with the recommendations of the task force report of December 2000.

For those Members who are not aware, the North West 200 is the largest sporting event held annually on the island of Ireland, and I encourage people to show their support by attending this spectacular event on 18 May.

Has the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure liaised with Coleraine Borough Council to run an event such as last year's North West festival in conjunction with the North West motorcycle-racing event?

The North West 200 is the responsibility of the motorcycle club, but it receives support from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and strong backing from the local council. An increase is planned in the number of events in the week leading up to the race, so that it is not simply a Saturday event. As part of the road racing safety requirements, there is a practice on the Friday night. The economic benefits from the North West 200 are immense for the area. It is the only week in the year when every bed is booked up in the hotels and guest houses there.

Similarly, during the recent Circuit of Ireland car rally that began in Enniskillen, it was impossible to book a bed in any of the hotels and guest houses in County Fermanagh. That illustrates the economic generator such events can be, never mind their value as spectacles.

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4.

asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps have been taken to influence the sports lottery in its allocation of funding.

(AQO 1223/01)

The National Lottery is a reserved matter under the functional responsibility of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure acts as an agent of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for the receipt and distribution of the proceeds of the National Lottery by the Sports Council. Decisions on the allocation of the sports lottery fund are a matter for the Sports Council, based on recommendations from its lottery committee. Such decisions are also made against set council criteria regarding policy directions issued to it by my Department on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Funding decisions by the Sports Council are made independently of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and I do not seek any input to the process before decisions are made. My role and my Department's role is in agreeing the strategic context for such decision making, whether in respect of capital or recurrent grants.

In previous replies to other Members, the Minister has outlined where the funds have gone. Is it of no concern to the Minister that around 50% of the funding is going to one sport, a minority sport that is virtually a single-identity sport - namely Gaelic games? Most Unionists do not participate in that sport because it is a cold house for them. Is the Minister concerned that so much of the National Lottery sports funding is going to that sport and not to other sports that cater to all sections of the community?

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