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Monday 24 January 2000 Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister North/South Implementation Bodies Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to list all those appointed to the boards of North/South implementation bodies, detailing information normally supplied on appointments to public bodies in Northern Ireland, including party political affiliation. (AQW 17/99) Reply: A list of those appointed to the boards of North/South implementation bodies by the North/South Ministerial Council is attached. These appointments have not been classified as public appointments falling within the remit of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Public Appointments. The information requested on political activity is therefore not available. Following is the list: Food Safety Promotion Board Dr Vincent Cavanagh One further member to be appointed Trade and Business Development Body The Duke of Abercorn Irish Language Agency Liam Corey Ulster-Scots Agency Dr Pádraig de Bhál Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission Mr Jack Allen Ms McWilliams asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to outline the details of activity between their office and the nominating bodies in the Civic Forum as outlined in their report of 15 February 1999. (AQW 24/99) Reply: Following the Assembly’s consideration of the report in February 1999, contact was made with all the sectors identified in the report from which nominations would be sought. That contact was in line with the recommendations in paragraphs 5.8 to 5.17 of the report. Discussions were held so that action could begin to identify the processes which would be appropriate in each sector to secure nominations. Preparatory work on establishing the Civic Forum was resumed following devolution, and contact is being made again with each of the nominating sectors. We have asked Denis Haughey and Dermot Nesbitt to take forward the preparatory work as a matter of urgency. Areas of Responsibility Ms McWilliams asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what Committee of scrutiny will be responsible for scrutinising the following areas of responsibility in their office: liaison with NSMC, liaison with BIC, liaison with the Secretary of State (excepted or reserved), liaison with IFI, information services, legislation progress unit, Office of the Legislative Counsel, visits, honours, machinery of government, policy innovation unit, cross-departmental co-ordination and Assembly Ombudsman (liaison and appointment issues). (AQW 32/99) Reply: The functions listed in the question are not subject to scrutiny by a Committee of the Assembly but are matters on which the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister will report directly to the Assembly. In addition, the Committee of the Centre has as its remit the following: (a) Economic Policy Unit (other than the programme of government); (b) Equality Unit; (c) Civic Forum; (d) European affairs and international matters; (e) Community Relations; (f) public appointments policy; (g) freedom of information; (h) victims (i) Nolan standards; (j) Public Service Order; (k) emergency planning; and (l) women’s issues. Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister: Mr Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to give a detailed breakdown of the proposed budget of the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister. (AQW 80/99) Reply: The total resources currently allocated to the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister in 2000-01 are £27·301 million. These resources are required for expenditure on those pre-devolution functions which are now part of the Office together with expanded and new functions as agreed by the Assembly on 18 December 1998. Additional resources may be needed as the new Department is created and developed. An initial breakdown, based on a broad assessment of the resources currently provided, is as follows:
Civic Forum Mr Weir asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what will be the remuneration and allowances for members of the Civic Forum. (AQW 81/99) Reply: No decisions have yet been made on remuneration or allowances for members of the Civic Forum. PPS-Type Appointments Mr Ford asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to detail any appointments they have made of a Member of the Assembly to a role analogous to that of a Parliamentary Private Secretary, detailing the terms of their employment and outlining any access they will have to departmental papers. (AQW 147/99) Reply: The First Minister and the Deputy First Minister have made no such appointments. Furthermore, on 14 December 1999 the Executive Committee decided that "Parliamentary Private Secretaries" should not be given official recognition by Departments, should not have access to departmental papers or meetings, and should not be supported, directly or indirectly, by public funds. Decommissioning of IRA Weapons Rev Dr Ian Paisley asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what progress reports they have received in regard to the decommissioning of IRA weapons. (AQO 40/99) Reply: The Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister has not directly received any reports. However, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning reported to the British and Irish Governments on 12 December 1999, and that report was published. In its report the Commission recorded meetings with representatives of the IRA, the UVF/RHC and the UFF. It is also noted that "a timetable for decommissioning is best agreed with the representatives of the paramilitary groups" and that "the Commission is prepared, if necessary, to state that actual decommissioning is to start within a specified period." The Commission stated "The naming of new representatives and the initial meetings we have held with them demonstrate some progress. We expect more to follow." The Commission concluded that it would report again to the British and Irish Governments this month. Civic Forum Mrs Bell asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister when they expect to announce the list of nominees to the Civic Forum and when they envisage the first meeting of the Civic Forum will take place. (AQO 69/99) Reply: It is intended that the Civic Forum will come into operation within six months of the date of devolution. This will mean that the Forum will meet for the first time by the end of May 2000. Work is moving ahead as a matter of priority to agree the methods of securing nominations from the range of sectors listed in the report which the Assembly considered in February 1999. It is not possible at this stage to give a date on which the list of nominees will be announced, but every effort will be made to ensure that this happens as soon as possible. Government Administration Mrs Nelis asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to support the principle of decentralising Government administration in the interests of equality. (AQO 88/99) Reply: Decentralisation of Government administration has not yet been considered by the Executive Committee. The location of North/South implementation body headquarters or sub-offices in Enniskillen, Newry, Derry, Omagh and Coleraine, as well as Belfast, indicates a recognition of the value of decentralisation. Within the Executive Committee, lead policy responsibility for the location of offices within the Northern Ireland Civil Service rests with the Minister of Finance and Personnel. He appreciates the contribution which public sector jobs can make to the economic and social development of local communities. Quangos Mr C Murphy asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister whether they intend to produce a paper on the replacement of unelected quangos with fully representative and accountable bodies. (AQO 89/99) Reply: The Executive Committee has not yet considered a review of public administration in Northern Ireland but is expected to do so in the future. The role of quangos and non-departmental public bodies could be considered in the context of such a review. The Executive Committee is committed to improving the delivery and accountability of public services. Honours Mr Maskey asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister to indicate how they intend to deal with the issue of "honours". (AQO 94/99) Reply: Nominations for honours, being an excepted matter under the Northern Ireland Act 1998, are a matter for the Prime Minister. Agriculture and Rural Development Rural White Paper Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what plans she has for the preparation and publication of a rural White Paper, and if she will make a statement. (AQW 21/99) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Having considered this matter, I am not convinced that there is a need for a Northern Ireland rural White Paper. I am afraid I could not justify embarking on a lengthy process (with significant resource implications) without any obvious benefits to rural dwellers. My main reasons for this are as follows. There are a number of mainstream programmes and structures (including those of the rural development programme and the EU peace programme) already in place which focus on the particular needs of rural areas. Several of these programmes have concentrated on community involvement, social inclusion and regeneration. There is little or nothing contained in other UK White Papers which is not dealt with adequately by these programmes and structures. A rural development steering group is in place to ensure co-ordinated effort, or "joined-up government", in rural policy. There has been extensive consultation with rural interest groups and individuals on the proposals for the next round of EU structural funds, both within mainline agriculture and complementary rural development measures. Rural interests have also been widely consulted as the draft regional strategic framework has developed. This may provide the overall policy context within which dedicated rural development actions will take place. The Department for Regional Development is currently awaiting the report of the independent panel, which is expected in February. Those within the agriculture industry who are facing grave difficulties are unlikely to welcome further extensive consultation, particularly where there is little likelihood of additional resources being made available to meet new expectations which might be raised during the process. Rural Development Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what proposals have been presented to the European Commission for the future development of rural areas under the next round of EC Structural Funds. (AQW 22/99) Ms Rodgers: I refer you to the Northern Ireland structural funds plan 2000-06, entitled ‘Northern Ireland: A Region Achieving Transition’, and the two draft operational programmes submitted to the European Commission in November 1999, copies of which I sent to you recently and which are also available in the Assembly Library. Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will establish a special interdepartmental task force on problems facing the farming industry in Northern Ireland, and if she will make a statement. (AQW 60/99) Ms Rodgers: You will no doubt be aware that one of my first initiatives on becoming Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was to announce my intention of establishing a review team to look at the problems and opportunities facing the rural economy and to come forward with a vision for the development of the agri-food industry in Northern Ireland over the period covered by the recent reform of the CAP. I am currently taking views from industry leaders to help to inform my decisions on the best way forward for this process and to ensure that the review team has the necessary mix of industry expertise, strategic vision and original thought. I intend to announce the composition of the team and its terms of reference in early February and will be asking the team to make recommendations by late spring or early summer. Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what schemes have been submitted for approval to the new EC structural funds programme under the new Objective 1 transition programme. (AQW 61/99) Ms Rodgers: I refer you to the Northern Ireland structural funds plan 2000-06, entitled ‘Northern Ireland: A Region Achieving Transition’, and the two draft operational programmes submitted to the European Commission in November 1999, copies of which I sent to you recently and which are also available in the Assembly Library. Farmers: Financial Assistance Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what information and education programmes will be established to inform farmers of the Government financial assistance to which they may be entitled. (AQW 62/99) Ms Rodgers: The Department already has well- established information and education arrangements, which take the form of promotional literature, press articles and exhibitions. In addition to existing arrangements, during the last week in January and the first week in February the Department intends to hold nine information meetings around Northern Ireland to inform producers of the changes, including financial changes, arising out of the Agenda 2000 agreement on the common agricultural policy. Farmers’ Debts Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what financial assistance will be offered to farmers to help them to defray debts, and whether she will make a statement. (AQW 63/99) Ms Rodgers: Problems arising from indebtedness in the agriculture industry are a symptom of its current low income, making it difficult for certain individual farmers to service existing levels of debt. The question of farmers’ debt is a commercial matter between farmers and their creditors. Consequently, it is not an area in which I can play any direct role. While there are constraints on my ability to help with the income problem, not least of which is the availability of funds, it is one of the reasons for my setting up a group to develop a vision for the future of the Northern Ireland agri-food industry. Farmgate Prices Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she will explain what she intends to do to rectify the gulf between farmgate and retail prices, especially as Northern Ireland farmgate prices are much lower than in Great Britain. (AQW 122/99) Ms Rodgers: I am, of course, aware of producer concerns at the apparent gap between farmgate and retail prices and between farmgate prices here and in Great Britain. You will, of course, be aware of the ongoing investigation by the Competition Commission into the power of the UK food retailing multiples and their behaviour in the market place, and I await the outcome of this investigation with interest. My Department provides practical and technical marketing support through the Agri-Food Development Service in encouraging a better understanding by producers of existing and potential markets and in improving the competences/skills of producers to produce successfully for these markets. It also provides financial assistance to improve marketing skills in the agri-food sector, including collaborative marketing by producers. This is done mainly through a marketing development scheme, for which I hope to obtain additional funding as part of the current structural funds bid. Northern Ireland Produce: Promotion Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what she intends to do to help publicise the campaign to buy Northern Ireland produce. (AQW 123/99) Ms Rodgers: Although I welcome any moves by the local industry to promote its own produce, there are very strict EU rules limiting the extent to which Governments can support publicity campaigns which promote domestically produced goods in preference to similar goods from other parts of the EU. Consequently, public funds cannot be used to endorse food produce on the basis of its region of origin. However, my Department is providing £2 million to support the marketing of Northern Ireland red meat on the basis of its quality. In addition, £400,000 has been earmarked to support marketing in the pig meat sector, which may include promotional activity. My Department also works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment in supporting the marketing and promotional activities of the Northern Ireland agri-food sector. Where possible, I will encourage the use of local produce, and in this context I will be writing to public procurement bodies in Northern Ireland reminding them of the high animal-welfare and production standards of locally produced pig meat. I will also be meeting with the major food retailers in Northern Ireland to encourage their greater use of locally sourced products. Millennium Bug Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she could outline the budget for promoting Northern Ireland produce relative to the amount spent on publicising the millennium bug. (AQW 124/99) Ms Rodgers: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spent a total of £22,510 on publicising the millennium bug. The Department’s budget for promoting Northern Ireland produce is £1,035,000 (1999-2000). In addition, the Department contributes £30,000 per annum to Taste of Ulster. Under the terms of the red-meat strategy, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will spend £1 million on the promotion of red meat in the current financial year. In addition, the Department’s budget for promoting Northern Ireland as a source of high-quality food from a clean and green countryside is £35,000 (1999-2000). The promotional activities of the Department assist in providing a promotional backdrop for individual farm or food supply businesses as well as groups of businesses or sectoral/trade organisations. These activities occur both in Northern Ireland and in other parts of the British Isles to reflect the market destination of produce from Northern Ireland. It should be noted that the main support for trade promotion and export marketing in respect of food from Northern Ireland is delivered through the development agencies, IDB and LEDU. A number of sectoral and trade organisations also make a substantial contribution — for example, the Livestock and Meat Commission, the Northern Ireland Dairy Council, the Pork and Bacon Forum and the Ulster Farmers’ Union. Also, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development contributes £30,000 per annum to Taste of Ulster. Taste of Ulster is jointly funded by the Department, IDB and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and has a remit to raise the standard of excellence and service in the Northern Ireland hospitality sector, the generic promotion of Northern Ireland food and its countryside, and the development of speciality foods within Northern Ireland. PPS-Type Appointments Mr Ford asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail any appointment she has made of a Member of the Assembly to a role analogous to that of a Parliamentary Private Secretary, detailing the terms of their employment and outlining any access they will have to departmental papers. (AQW 144/99) Ms Rodgers: I have not appointed any Member of the Assembly to a role analogous to that of a Parliamentary Private Secretary. Interest-Relief Loan Scheme Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to make a statement about recent proposals placed before the Prime Minister, Tony Blair MP, about the £100,000,000 interest-relief loan scheme and whether the Minister supports the proposals. (AQW 163/99) Ms Rodgers: The proposals in question were placed before the Prime Minister, and I await his reaction with interest. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on these proposals until they have been submitted formally to me. |