(AQW 1433/00)

Reply: The peace process, being a dialogue between the Northern Ireland political parties and the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland, relates to matters that are not devolved to this Administration.

(AQW 1448/00)

Reply: Nine applications have been received for consideration for the post of Head of the Office of the Executive in Brussels.

There are no vacancies to be filled in the Washington office.

(AQW 1509/00)

Reply: We have not considered a proposal to establish a new Civic Honours List.

(AQO 715/00)

Reply: The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has commissioned Mike Noble of the University of Oxford to develop new indicators of multiple deprivation which Departments will use to identify deprived areas for New TSN targeting purposes.

These indicators will be based on administrative data routinely collected by Departments and so it will be possible to update them.

Wherever possible, the focus will be on electoral wards, thus taking account of small areas of deprivation – the indicators will also take account of rural and urban deprivation.

These new indicators will replace the Robson Indicators which are now rather dated.

They will be available in summer 2001. The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister will work with Departments on the implementation of the new indicators.

(AQO 690/00)

Reply: At its meeting on 25 January, the Executive agreed the process for assessing bids for Executive programme funds and reaching decisions on allocations. Departments have been provided with guidance on preparing bids for projects that might receive support through Executive programme funds and have been asked to submit proposals by mid-February. Following assessment of proposals, the Executive will reach and announce a decision on allocations.

In relation to the Children’s Fund, the Executive have agreed to put in place special measures to allow voluntary sector projects to benefit from the fund. An inter- departmental working group is being established to consider and implement the arrangements needed for this.

(AQO 660/00)

Reply: It is not appropriate to comment on the question of NSMC nominations in view of the current appeal against the recently published judgement on the judicial review proceedings brought by the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister of Education.

(AQO 721/00)

Reply: We have not jointly discussed these matters with the Prime Minister, the current Secretary of State or his predecessor. Our respective parties have, however, met them to discuss these issues.

(AQO 720/00)

Reply: We have not jointly discussed these matters with the Prime Minister, the current Secretary of State or his predecessor. Our respective parties have, however, met them to discuss these issues.

(AQO 731/00)

Reply: The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, is currently reviewing the future role of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington. The review will look at how the bureau might best represent the interests of the Executive in North America. The review will include recommendations on staffing levels and location and consider how its activities might be co-ordinated with those of other organisations. We will then take a decision on the bureau’s future role and advise the Assembly and the Committee of the Centre.

(AQO 685/00)

Reply: The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has committed £320,000 in the current financial year to assist victims. Final decisions on the allocation of these resources have not yet been made, but the emphasis will be on providing practical help and support by contributing to the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund, commissioning research on victims’ needs and supporting specific projects undertaken by the four trauma advisory panels and victims organisations.

Further significant support to victims has been and will continue to be available through the mainstream programmes run by each of the Departments in the devolved Administration in such important areas as health and trauma support, retraining and reskilling, housing and social security.

The Victims Unit in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is currently in the process of finalising a strategic programme designed to meet the needs of victims which will supplement the commitments contained in the draft Programme for Government. This programme will be announced in due course.

The Peace II European Programme will include a specific measure for victims, with funding of approximately £6^.67 million.

(AQO 724/00)

Reply: During the course of the European Marketing Campaign last week, we had discussions with President Chirac and with Pierre Muscovici, the French Minister for European Affairs, in Paris. The First Minister also met Joska Fischer, the German Foreign Minister, in Berlin. These meetings provided the opportunity to bring President Chirac, Mr Muscovici and Mr Fischer up to date with political developments and to highlight the progress made towards a stable and peaceful Northern Ireland with a growing and dynamic regional economy. We took the opportunity to emphasise that as a region Northern Ireland was determined to develop strong relations with other regions of the EU and in other parts of the world.

The visit also included a number of other meetings with politicians and industrialists in both countries, the purpose of which was to demonstrate to French and German investors the extensive and profitable business opportunities, which exist in Northern Ireland.

(AQO 727/00)

Reply: It has been taken that the question relates to the opening of the Northern Ireland Executive Office in Brussels. The new head of office takes up post in March with his or her deputy recruited shortly afterwards. Meanwhile, work is continuing on fitting out the premises for the office. A wide range of consultations have taken place to ensure the facilities provided by the office meet the needs of the Executive and fulfil all requirements. Officials are now waiting for the managing agents to produce tenders and costings for each aspect of the work, based on a comprehensive schedule of requirements provided to them. The fitting out of the office should be completed by May at which time the office will be fully operational.

(AQO 708/00)

Reply: We understand that the membership of the Civic Forum has already put a considerable amount of work into developing their programme of work and has identified the following areas for initial consideration: poverty, peace building (culture and citizenship), education and training, and public policy.

In addition, at our request, the Forum has produced a substantial response to the draft Programme for Government.

As required by the Northern Ireland Act 1998, proposed arrangements for obtaining views from the Civic Forum on social, economic and cultural matters will be put to the Assembly for approval.

(AQO 723/00)

Reply: These matters do not fall within the competence of the devolved Administration. However the First Minister has privately received several representations from groups representing widows of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

(AQO 666/00)

Reply: A provision of £320,000 has been made for the Victims Unit this year. No decisions have yet been taken on the allocation of these funds but in general terms it is likely that moneys will be directed towards the work of the four trauma advisory panels, capacity building, the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund and research into the level of services provided to victims.

Applications from individual organisations will be judged primarily on the basis of their ability to provide practical help and support for victims, with due regard for equality.

(AQO 663/00)

Reply: We understand that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development has met a number of deputations about this issue and has obtained additional information from the farmers affected. The Minister is currently considering the position, in light of these contacts, with a view to reaching a decision on the way forward, including the appropriateness of offering assistance.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the report of the Public Accounts Committee into the rural development programme and the problems identified therein and if she will outline the steps she is taking to address these difficulties and to make a statement.

(AQW 1445/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): I fully recognise the responsibilities of the Public Accounts Committee in the protection of public funds and welcome the report on the rural development programme. In particular I welcome the Committee’s acknowledgement of the value of the programme and the remarkable contribution of the rural community.

The first phase of the rural development programme was breaking new ground in engaging rural communities. The recommendations made by the Public Accounts Committee will be taken into account for the next rural development programme 2001-2006 and my officials and I will be ensuring that the administration of the programme is in accordance with best public sector practice.

The Department of Finance and Personnel will formally respond to the report by means of a memorandum of reply. It would not be appropriate for me to comment any further in advance of this response.

(AQW 1507/00)

Ms Rodgers: I am very conscious of the difficulties facing seed potato producers in Northern Ireland at present. I am aware that the very wet autumn and the recent snow and frost have affected harvesting and that there may be damage to the crop still in the ground or tubers in uninsulated storage. I also appreciate that the strength of sterling has made trading difficult and that there is no EU support for potatoes.

At part (a) of your question, you asked me to detail the level of assistance I can offer to offset the current marketing problems.

In October 1999, my Department set up a seed potato strategy group, involving key industry players, to examine opportunities for supporting and developing the industry. My Department continues to liaise closely with the industry to advise on best practice and to explore what can be done to improve the competitiveness of the seed potato industry in Northern Ireland, both for home and export markets.

The measures currently being taken forward by my Department in assisting the seed potato industry include:

• The development of a seed potato marketing strategy
• The establishment of a seed potato export group
• Missions to seed potato export outlets
• Amendments to current Seed Potato Marketing Regulations
• The establishment of seed potato development groups
• Improvements in seed potato quality standards
• Development of business planning.

We will also be reviewing, as a matter of policy, the current promotion and marketing arrangements within the industry.

Further assistance is available through marketing development scheme support. The marketing development scheme is a non-capital grant scheme which aims to help the industry develop efficient marketing structures and seeks to improve marketing and commercial expertise. Support is available for projects which encourage greater integration and collaboration between producers and others in the supply chain. Under the scheme 50% funding is provided towards the costs of setting up, recruiting members and the salaries of key staff. Projects in the seed potato sector may benefit provided they comply with the scheme rules.

At part (b) of your question, you asked me to detail market research findings that will be of benefit for future seasons.

My Department is in regular contact with the commercial desks within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the major countries that import seed potatoes from Northern Ireland merchants. While the commercial activities are the responsibility of the trade in Northern Ireland, our contacts are a valuable source of market intelligence in relation to, eg , climatic conditions in that region, industry outlook and competitor activity. Information from these sources is available to exporters of Northern Ireland seed potatoes from my officials. Information disseminated complements market information available to the trade from journals, import agents and from bespoke reports commissioned through private sector marketing specialists.

The commissioning of specific commercial market research within new or existing markets would be the responsibility of either individual exporting merchants or the trade in collaboration with Seed Potato Promotions (Northern Ireland) Ltd (SPP). This commercial activity would best be undertaken by companies within the private sector specialising in conducting specific market research. My officials will assist where requested with the interpretation of appropriate data gathered by the industry from these marketplaces. Notwithstanding these commercial arrangements, Seed Potato Promotions (Northern Ireland) Ltd (SPP) are the grower levy funded body that is responsible for promoting the image and product of the seed potato sector.

My Department is actively supporting the efforts of local exporting companies to sustain their business through establishing networks of contacts within importing countries through participation at trade fairs at Potato 2000 Emmeloord, Holland and the demonstrations in Portugal and Morocco.

(AQW 1519/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have not had discussions with insurance representatives on the subject of flooding.

I am conscious of the damage caused by recent flooding incidents in Northern Ireland, and the need for property owners to have access to adequate and appropriate insurance cover against flood risk. I therefore recognise the legitimate interest of the insurance industry in flooding issues in Northern Ireland. To this end officials in Rivers Agency, within my Department are prepared to provide information as far as is reasonable and practical on flood risk and to meet insurance representatives in response to recent correspondence from them on the subject.

(AQW 1520/00)

Ms Rodgers: I remain fully committed to obtaining a relaxation of the beef and live animal export ban as soon as the timing is conducive. The current adverse climate in Europe over BSE, and beef in general, does not lend itself to submitting a formal case to the European Commission now or in the immediate future. After taking account of concerns expressed by other member states about an approach from Northern Ireland, it became clear that if I were to press ahead with negotiations it might not be in the best interests of farmers or producers and indeed could prove counterproductive.

I will continue to monitor developments throughout the Community with a view to submitting a proposal to the Commission and member states when they are likely to be more receptive.

(AQW 1535/00)

(b) The prevention of any further deterioration to the building - the Department has secured the building to the best of its ability. The castle is inspected regularly to "block up" areas where vandals have forced entry.

(c) The restoration of the building, which is of national architectural importance ^__ the Department will consider development proposals against the qualities of the building.

(d) The protection and preservation of the conservation area in which the castle is set ^__ 

proposals will have to be in harmony with the other Forest Service activities and business needs at Gosford and in particular with the continued use as a forest park to the general public.

(AQW 1560/00)

Ms Rodgers: The salmonid enhancement programme (SEP) was launched in December 1995 and was aimed at improving the economies of rural communities and fostering reconciliation by encouraging the development of game angling. Most of Northern Ireland’s fishing rights for salmon and trout are controlled by angling clubs, which have, however, limited resources to develop the fisheries. This programme offered angling clubs the opportunity to implement projects to improve fish populations, access and angling facilities. While most of the funding came from European and national resources, the clubs contributed voluntary labour and importantly committed themselves to make available enhanced numbers of angling permits at reasonable cost to visiting anglers.

Tranche 3 was launched in 1999 with 40 clubs and associations awarded funding of £1^.7 million. The majority of the applications under tranche 3 have been aimed at improving in-river habitats, increasing salmonid stocks and some coarse angling development, and in providing much needed publicity, a key element in the water based tourism measure. The Programme is due to complete in June 2001.

For your assistance I have placed a table in the Assembly Library, outlining the clubs awarded funding under tranche 3, the rivers on which they carried out improvement works and the district council areas concerned.

(AQW 1569/00)

Ms Rodgers: I met with representatives of the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation, when I attended the Fisheries Council in Brussels on 14 and 15 December. Previously I had met with them at a pre-council meeting chaired by Mr Morley, in London on 13 December and also during my visit to Kilkeel on 6 December. The main item of discussion was the 2001 total allowable catches which are obviously relevant to the future of the local industry.

I have not received a request from the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation for a further meeting since the December Fisheries Council.

(AQW 1571/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have both regular and ad hoc meetings with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food at which we frequently review the beef market situation, though not specifically the issue of imports. I must point out, however, that it would be illegal under EU law, and contrary to the ideals of an open, internal EU market, to ban imports from elsewhere in the EU on the grounds that they are cheaper than the domestically produced equivalent. Similarly, imports from outside the EU are controlled by common EU rules and not by individual member states or regions.

Import restrictions introduced on the basis of a perceived threat to the health status of the domestic beef herd would need to be supported by evidence of the existence of such a threat, and there are EU mechanisms to facilitate this. I am unaware of any such current threat.

Protection of consumers is a matter for the Food Standards Agency.

(AQW 1572/00)

Ms Rodgers: Currently work is ongoing on developing the detail of a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels which forms part of a range of measures in the Northern Ireland Transitional Objective 1 Programme currently with the European Commission for approval. I am however unable to make any announcement until this programme has been agreed in Brussels.

(AQW 1573/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have had no discussions with the Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food about the labelling of meat imported from the EU and processed in Northern Ireland as general responsibility for food labelling lies with the Food Standards Agency which, the Member should be aware, reports to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. I understand that last year guidance was issued to the food industry about labelling of food which was intended to ensure that consumers were not misled about the origin of food products.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to outline the contribution of football clubs at intermediate, junior and youth levels to the Football Task Force.

(AQW 1479/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): Last October I announced plans for an initiative, ‘Creating a Soccer Strategy for Northern Ireland’. This involved the setting up of an advisory panel to help guide the process along the way and the appointment of business advisors to undertake an extensive consultation exercise across the province, to take the views of a wide range of interested groups and individuals on the issues facing the game of football in Northern Ireland today.

From the outset, the process has been an open and inclusive one and I can confirm that all football interests, have been, and continue to be, involved in the process.

The consultation exercise, carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of the Department, involved widespread consultation and so far has consulted over 2,500 people including:

• a postal survey of senior, intermediate, junior and women’s clubs which involved a total of some 600 questionnaires.
• a postal survey of players at senior, intermediate, junior and youth levels as well as female players. This involved some 900 questionnaires.
• a survey of league bodies, 18 at intermediate and junior level and 15 at youth level.
• in-depth, as well as telephone, interviews across the different levels.
• key informant interviews with a range of organisations involved in the administration of the game at all levels.
• focus group discussions with managers and coaches. This included participants from each senior, intermediate, junior and youth levels.
• workshop sessions with district councils, education and library boards, the voluntary youth sector, the media and senior club chairmen.
• both a street survey of the general public and a series of five open meetings held in different locations spread across the Province.

The next and vital stage in the process is a conference workshop planned for 10 to 12 February 2001, to which some 80 participants have been invited, again representing all the key interests in football. Those taking part in the conference workshop will have every opportunity to debate the issues facing soccer in Northern Ireland and develop ideas and recommendations for the future.

It is anticipated that further work will be necessary after the conference to develop these ideas, working with those involved in the conference and others. It is hoped that a draft strategy document will be available for public consultation by this summer.

(AQW 1523/00)

Mr McGimpsey: Last month the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published the report of its review of the statutory requirements for the provision of subtitling, sign language and audio description services on digital terrestrial television (DTT). The report concluded that:

• the target for the provision of subtitling on DTT should be raised from 50% of programmes by the tenth anniversary of the start of the service to 80% by the tenth anniversary;
• the targets for sign language and audio description services should remain unchanged, but will be kept under regular review as part of the two yearly reviews for the switchover to digital; and
• the requirements on DTT should be extended to digital cable and satellite services when legislation permits. The regulator should have the power to exempt certain categories of channels (for example, new/niche channels until they have built up audience share/revenue).

In July 2000 a consultation paper was sent directly by DCMS to 39 organisations including the ITC, broadcasters, those who provide subtitling, signing and audio description services and consumer groups representing people with sensory impairments. There was a two month deadline for responses. Prior to issuing the consultation paper, DCMS held a series of meetings with key groups, including: the Independent Television Commission; those broadcasters who provide DTT programme services; the companies who provide subtitling, signing and audio description services; and organisations representing viewers with sensory disabilities.

Given the extensive consultation undertaken by DCMS, neither I nor my Department made any representations to the Secretary of State during the review.