Friday 4 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr McNamee asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail what progress has been made by the Transportation working Group set up under the North/South Ministerial Council.

(AQW 2519/00)

Reply: Officials met at the beginning of April to take forward work on the programme approved by the Council for enhancing North/South co-operation on Road Safety. Meetings of officials to prepare work programmes on Strategic Transport Planning and Rail Safety have yet to be arranged.

Ms Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the terms of reference of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on The Children’s Commissioner.

(AQW 2589/00)

Reply: The terms of reference for the interdepartmental group are as follows:

to consider:

• the precise role and remit of a Commissioner for Children;
• the scope of a children’s strategy;
• the delivery mechanisms;
• how the Executive might exercise its interests in ensuring the development of co-ordinated policies on matters affecting children, eg by establishing a sub-committee;
• suggestions as to how the Assembly might exercise its role in scrutinising policies on matters affecting children, eg through the establishment of a standing committee;
• how research and development needs might be met; and
• any other necessary arrangements.

Ms Ramsey asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail (a) who has been nominated to sit on the Inter-Departmental Working Group on the Children’s Commissioner and (b) when is the Group due to meet.

(AQW 2590/00)

Reply: The interdepartmental steering group is jointlychaired by Minister Haughey and Minister Nesbitt and the group members are:

The first meeting of the group was held on 10 April 2001.

Mr Shannon asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to give a timescale for the establishment of a Children’s Commissioner.

(AQW 2596/00)

Reply: We are committed to taking action on this issue as quickly as possible; however, we are equally committed to getting it right.

Our aim is to complete a formal consultation on the role and remit of the Commissioner by the autumn.

Following consideration of consultation responses and finalisation of proposals, it will then be necessary to take legislation through the Assembly.

This will mean that a Commissioner for Children should be appointed by Spring 2002.

Mr Adams asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to identify the steps taken by their office to ensure culturally appropriate consultation with the Travelling Community on the "Final Report of the Promoting Social Inclusion Working Group on Travellers."

(AQW 2607/00)

Reply: In order to ensure culturally appropriate consultation with the Travelling community, Equality Unit officials consulted with Traveller representative organisations on how best to carry out a consultation process with Travellers.

An independent organisation will undertake this consultation on behalf of the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and will work closely with Traveller representatives. Travellers representatives have been invited onto the steering group which will oversee the consultation process.

Mr Gibson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the steps it is taking to ensure the Unionist and Loyalist community have full human rights and equality of opportunity to enjoy the traditions of their culture.

(AQO 1317/00)

Reply: Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights prohibits discrimination in the application of other Convention Rights, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion contained in Article 9 of the Convention, the right to freedom of expression in Article 10, and the right to freedom of association in Article 11. The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister is working to ensure compliance with the convention rights in all Departments.

Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 requires public authorities, in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between, among others, persons of different religious beliefs and political opinions. The Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister has put in place an equality scheme setting out the arrangements for fulfilling the duties imposed by section 75. It also advises and challenges, where appropriate, other Departments regarding their duties under section 75.

The Programme for Government contains a range of specific actions to support cultural and linguistic diversity including:

• the development by December 2001 of a policy on linguistic diversity, including Ulster Scots;
• making key information available in languages other than English by May 2001, including the development of services for Ulster Scots in support of the Charter for Regional or Minority languages; and
• the extension from April 2001 of the Diversity 21 initiative to promote greater respect and understanding of cultural diversity.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail any reports received from the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning.

(AQO 1311/00)

Reply: The most recent report of the Independent International Commission for Decommissioning to the British and Irish Governments was that dated 22 March 2001.

Mrs E Bell asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the proposed timetable for the setting up of the Non Governmental Organisation’s Children’s Forum and to make a statement.

(AQO 1330/00)

Reply: Following the announcement on 3 April of the establishment of the Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum, letters of invitation to join the Forum have been issued and it is expected that the first meeting of the Forum will take place shortly.

We have been encouraged by the positive response to the announcement of the Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum and we look forward to working in partnership with it. It is through this process of ongoing dialogue with those directly involved with children, young people and their parents that we can best develop proposals which will achieve our aim of placing Northern Ireland at the leading edge of best practice.

Dr Birnie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail the current position on appointments to the Executive Office in Brussels.

(AQO 1347/00)

Reply: The Head of Office took up his post in Brussels on 26 March and is already providing a service to Departments. He is operating initially out of the UK Permanent Representation until the Office premises are completed in May. A deputy head of Office is currently being sought by internal trawl and the selection will take place in May.

Advertisements have been placed in the Belgian press for two locally engaged staff to provide support in the running of the Office. They should be in place in June.

Mr Neeson asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to detail progress in upgrading the representative role of the Northern Ireland Bureau in Washington D.C.

(AQO 1320/00)

Reply: The resources of the Northern Ireland Bureau have been strengthened by engaging locally an additional member of staff at middle management level. A relocation of the Bureau to offices in downtown Washington shall allow it to present a more focused image of Northern Ireland. In addition, we will be reviewing the functions of the Bureau, including its relationship with other bodies promoting Northern Ireland in the U.S.

Mr Cobain asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to give an assessment on consultation by the Executive Committee with the Departmental Committees on the Executive Programme Funds and to make a statement.

(AQO 1345/00)

Reply: The Executive agreed that the Departmental Committees should be consulted on departmental proposals for the Executive Programme Funds. Departments forwarded their Executive Programme Fund proposals to their respective Committees for consideration and views received were taken into account. Unfortunately, only a limited amount of time was available to Committees to consider the detail.

The experience with the first tranche of Fund allocations will be used to improve the procedures for future rounds with the aim of ensuring that proposals are made available to the Departmental Committees at an earlier stage.

Ms Lewsley asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to outline what progress has been made on the Mobility Study approved at the last North/ South Ministerial Council Meeting.

(AQO 1357/00)

Reply: The Mobility Study was initially included in the Executive’s Agenda for Government in June 2000. The Agenda identified actions to support North/South development, including the need to take action to "remove barriers to living/working North and South" in the island of Ireland.

At the second plenary meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC), held in Dublin on 26 September, 2000, the Irish Government side on NSMC agreed to co-operate with the Executive in taking forward the study through a steering group of officials, North and South, which would report to the Council.

In follow-up discussions, terms of reference were agreed and a copy is attached. It was further agreed that the report for the Council should be informed by a study to be undertaken on a consultancy basis under the guidance of the North/South Steering Group of officials.

Following a public tendering process the consortium of PricewaterhouseCoopers and Indecon Economic Consultants was awarded the contract to carry out this study.

The consultants are currently undertaking a comprehensive research programme. This includes:

• Statistical research to identify flows of economically active and inactive persons between the jurisdictions, North and South;
• A newspaper advertisement inviting submissions to the study
• A survey of recruitment agencies, North and South;
• An interview programme with individuals, companies and representative organisations, and
• Case Studies involving a number of companies, across key sectors and representing a good geographic spread.

In addition to the above activities, public consultation conferences were planned for 1 May in the North and 16 May in the South.

The 1 May conference has been postponed because of the latest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. It is however hoped that the 16 May conference will take place, subject of course to any further developments in relation to foot-and-mouth disease.

The consultants will present their report to the Steering Group on 31 May 2001. The Steering Group will report to the next plenary meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council.

Mr Maginness asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to review its policy on community relations.

(AQO 1364/00)

Reply: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to review and put in place a cross-departmental strategy for community relations leading to measurable improvements in community relations.

It is our intention to begin the review of existing policy before the summer.

Mrs Courtney asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to give an assessment on the operation of the Executive "Children’s Fund".

(AQO 1354/00)

Reply: The first round of allocations from the Children’s Fund, totalling £10·5m, was announced by the Minister for Finance and Personnel on 2 April. The 12 successful projects will make a real contribution to protecting children in need or at risk.

The Children’s Fund has already generated a great deal of interest and attracted a number of high quality bids. It is now our intention to ensure that the voluntary and community sector are able to access the next round of the Children’s Fund.

Mr Leslie asked the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, pursuant to AQO 1136/00, to detail any further discussions with the Minister of State regarding the proposal for a Victims Commission.

(AQO 1349/00)

Reply: Further discussions have not yet taken place. The Junior Ministers, Denis Haughey MLA and Dermot Nesbitt MLA, who are dealing with victims issues, will be meeting with their Northern Ireland Office counterpart, Adam Ingram, in the near future to discuss a range of relevant matters, including the question of a Victims Commission.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her response to the consultant’s report to the Rivers Agency on flooding problems in the Strabane District Council area.

(AQW 2500/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Rivers Agency has in fact commissioned reports on flooding problems at Lisdivin, Burndennet, Sion Mills and Newtownstewart in the Strabane Council area.

I am pleased to confirm that the findings of the studies at Sion Mills and Newtownstewart have proved positive and it is the intention of Rivers Agency to proceed with flood defence improvements at these locations as resources permit.

I am very conscious of concerns about flooding from the Burndennet River and I have fully considered the findings of the recent consultant’s report on that problem. While the study examined a number of scheme options, I very much regret that none of these was financially viable and it is clear that the costs of providing enhanced flood protection at Lisdivin greatly exceed the benefits accruing. This being the case none of the options meets the conditions for proceeding to the prioritisation stage for flood protection schemes. In such circumstances it is not possible for Rivers Agency to proceed with a flood alleviation scheme. I would emphasise that the study concluded that the risk to life from any embankment breach is low.

The Rivers Agency will remain vigilant in regard to the necessary inspections of the existing embankment along the Burndennet River and continue to maintain it as required. The Agency’s call-out arrangements and warning regime for adjacent properties at times of high flow will remain in place.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development if she has requested assistance from the Royal Ulster Constabulary or the Army to patrol the border following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in County Louth.

(AQW 2503/00)

Ms Rodgers: From the start of the current crisis I have, and continue to have, essential support from the RUC and army. In relation to the Co Louth outbreak, the police and army have assisted with the checking of vehicle movements, road closures, etc under DARD direction.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to her response to questions on her statement of 2 April 2001, to list the names of those on the ‘ad hoc committee’ who met with her concerning foot-and-mouth disease and who sought an amnesty for those involved in the crisis.

(AQW 2573/00)

Ms Rodgers: The meeting I had with representatives of the farming unions and of the south Armagh farmers involved in the cull of sheep was private. The representatives attended the meeting on that basis and had no expectation of their names being put in the public domain. Under Article 8 of the Human Rights Directive, relating to privacy of the individual, it would be an infringement to release the names of the individuals without their consent. For that reason I am not in a position to release their names.

In relation to the second part of your question, there was never any question of my granting amnesty to these farmers or any farmers in Northern Ireland. I have made that clear on a number of occasions and I re-iterate it now.

Mr Kennedy asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail (a) how much money was paid out to pig farmers under the Pig Outgoers Scheme, (b) how many sow places were achieved as a result, and (c) how many applicants were unsuccessful in their bid and the number of sows this represented.

(AQW 2656/00)

Ms Rodgers: The answers to your questions are as follows :

(a) The cost of the first Outgoers Scheme was £10,624,480. About £851,000 will be paid to Northern Ireland applicants.

(b) Successful bids represented 95,838 sow places UK-wide, including 7,911 in Northern Ireland.

(c) A total of 805 applicants were unsuccessful in their bid, 423 of these were from Northern Ireland. Unsuccessful bids represented 109,489 sow places in the UK, 32,756 of which were in Northern Ireland.

Under the terms of the EU State Aid approval, the UK is required to reduce its production capacity by 16% (i.e. 120,000 sow places). The second Outgoers scheme, which closed to applications on 20 April, should account for the balance.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the effect of European Union community law on the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2688/00)

Ms Rodgers: A detailed epidemiological investigation is being conducted into every confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. An assessment will be made of the lessons to be learnt from the original cause of the outbreak in Northern Ireland and the factors that have contributed towards the spread of the disease.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, following the outbreak of foot-andmouth disease, to detail (a) the number of compensation claims found to be incorrect and (b) her policy to ensure the verification of all claims.

(AQW 2694/00)

Ms Rodgers: Technically, there are no claims as such for compensation in respect of foot-and-mouth disease. All animals slaughtered by DARD are valued, prior to slaughter, by a DARD valuation officer or independent valuer, if the Department’s valuation is not accepted by the producer. Producers are paid the agreed valuation. On receipt at Headquarters, an arithmetical check on all valuation forms is undertaken to ensure accuracy prior to payment.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the impact, for Northern Ireland’s dairy, cattle and sheep farmers, of the European Commission UK agrimonetary aid package of £153,843,057 to offset the adverse effects of fluctuating sterling/Euro exchange rates on prices and on premiums paid under the common agricultural policy.

(AQW 2716/00)

Ms Rodgers: The compensation package announced at the end of February will be worth approximately £21·5 million to Northern Ireland farmers, with approximately £10 million each accruing to the dairy and beef sectors and the remaining £1·5 million to the sheep sector.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to consider the payment of compensation to farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease for (a) loss of earnings and (b) stress.

(AQW 2731/00)

Ms Rodgers: Compensation for loss of earnings is, in effect, consequential compensation. The Government’s position on this is that there is no provision or precedent for such payments. The issue is for consideration at UK level and any decisions taken will equally apply here. The Executive is aware of financial pressures faced by some rural businesses and is considering a package of economic measures.

Neither is compensation available for stress suffered as a result of the foot-and-mouth disease situation in Northern Ireland. To assist in this respect a Rural Support Line has been set up whereby trained advisors will listen, and provide guidance to, the farming and rural community experiencing problems. The Support Line is funded under the DARD Rural Stress Fund and supported by the Armagh and Dungannon Health Action Zone, Ulster Farmers’ Union, NIAPA, Farm Crisis Network and Family Farm Development.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her forward planning of an exit strategy when the current foot and mouth emergency is over that will assist the farming industry in particular and the rural economy in general towards achieving greater stability.

(AQO 1313/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have established a new sub-group of the Vision Steering Group to report to me as a matter of urgency on any issues which the group regards as relevant to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. I have asked the sub-group to look at the regulations which govern the movement and trading in the sheep sector. The outcome of the work of this group will be included in the main report of the Vision Group but any issues which require urgent action will be brought forward for immediate decision.

I have asked the group to take account in its deliberations of the views of all interested parties in Northern Ireland. It will be important also that the group reflects on measures being introduced in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Bradley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment in relation to the level of local produce being used in hospitals, schools and public sector canteens and to make a statement.

(AQO 1335/00)

Ms Rodgers: My Department has no information, or indeed responsibility for, purchases made by these establishments. In general public service catering is contracted to the private sector which makes the relevant purchases. To include a specific requirement that contractors must prefer local produce would be in contravention of EU law on public procurement. I am advised that the Government Purchasing Agency which is responsible for managing Civil Service contracts does ask contractors to consider using local produce, where possible. I cannot emphasise too strongly the high quality of Northern Ireland produce and the benefits to the Northern Ireland economy, particularly producers and processors, of sourcing products from Northern Ireland.

Mr McHugh asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the main contributing factor that resulted in the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Northern Ireland and outline what steps can be taken to prevent a recurrence.[R]

(AQO 1329/00)

Ms Rodgers: The main factor in the original spread of this disease to Northern Ireland was clearly the illegal importation of sheep from GB. The reasons for the subsequent wider spread of the disease within Northern Ireland are still under investigation by my Department and it is too early to say with any certainty what they might be.

However, I would say that undoubtedly the most significant factor in the spread of the disease is animal movements and that is why I imposed extremely strict movement controls on all susceptible animals and on horses. If people flout these controls they will risk bringing ruin on the whole industry and I would appeal to anyone with information about illegal movements to come forward with that information to my Department.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the steps she is taking to ensure equality of opportunity in all branches of the Agricultural Industry in West Tyrone.

(AQO 1318/00)

Ms Rodgers: The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Equality Scheme, submitted to the Equality Commission on 30 June 2000, and recently approved by the Commission, sets out in considerable detail our approach to the equality agenda, and records my personal commitment to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone in Northern Ireland.

The promotion of equality of opportunity within the agricultural industry is, of course, a matter for the industry itself, but I can assure the Member that my Department will continue to provide all its services to all its customers in the full knowledge of its responsibilities under section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Ms Lewsley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to indicate when she will utilise the computerised mapping system cited in the recent report by the Public Accounts Committee on National Agriculture support: (Fraud) and to make a statement.

(AQO 1337/00)

Ms Rodgers: My Department is currently piloting a fully computerised Geographical Information System for recording and checking land declarations for agricultural subsidy purposes.

It expects to start full implementation of the system later this year and to complete the work within 2 years, which is well in advance of the European Commission requirement of 1st January 2005.

Rev Dr Ian Paisley asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to the resolution of the Assembly of 27 March 2001 (Hansard Vol 10 P 179), to detail when she intends to implement a ‘tie-up’ scheme for local fishermen.

(AQO 1310/00)

Ms Rodgers: Whilst I have taken note of the resolution of the Assembly it has not been policy to provide compensation, including tie up schemes because of reductions in fish quotas. I have however subsequent to the debate in the Assembly been able to announce £5m for a decommissioning scheme, a draft of which the Member will have seen. I would hope to be in a position in the very near future to introduce such a scheme.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what representation she has made to the Prime Minister on the issue of consequential compensation as a result of foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQO 1332/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have raised this issue with the Prime Minister to ensure that I am kept fully informed of the Government’s considerations in relation to wider compensation. In addition the Executive is represented on the Government’s Task Force chaired by Michael Meacher and part of that Group’s remit is to consider the wider economic impact of the disease. That Group is considering options on how to alleviate some of the impact to the overall rural economy.

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what strategies she, in consultation with her Ministerial counterpart in the Republic of Ireland, can put in place to protect animal health in the wake of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Foot and Mouth outbreaks.

(AQO 1351/00)

Ms Rodgers: Within the framework of the North/South Ministerial Council I have agreed with Joe Walsh a more formal and structured liaison between our two administrations on general animal health matters, which obviously includes BSE and foot-and-mouth disease as priority areas.

We established structures to consider policy issues on animal health which apply to the whole island. These issues include foot-and-mouth disease, BSE, Bovine TB, Brucellosis, Veterinary Medicines and Animal Welfare to name but a few areas.

These new formal arrangements will augment the close informal liaison there has been between the two Departments for many years.

Mr Dallat asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail her plan for the recognition of women and their contribution to farming life and the rural community.

(AQO 1342/00)

Ms Rodgers: I am acutely aware of the importance of the role of women within farm families and in the wider rural community. For a number of years my Department has recognised the specific role that women play within the rural community and will continue to do so.

We will be seeking to encourage the full participation of women in the Rural Development Programme 2001-2006. Women are one of the specific target groups identified in the LEADER+ Programme. The Rural Development Programme will also offer opportunities to develop sectoral programmes specifically targeted at women.

Rural Development Division are currently working with the Women’s Resource Development Agency and six Rural Women’s Networks to carry out an economic appraisal, including a needs analysis, on the Rural Women’s Sector to address identified and prioritised needs for rural women. My Department is funding the economic appraisal.

My Department is also involved in a partnership, which has commissioned research on the impact of CAP reform on women in rural communities and in farm families.

The Agri-food Development Service, as well as offering training courses tailored to the needs of women’s groups, provide a full range of short courses open to both women and men.

It will also be responsible for Measures under the PEACE II Operational Programme aimed at farmers, their spouses and members of the farming family engaged on the farm, thereby recognising the contribution of the whole family to the farming business.

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