Friday 25 May 2001
Written Answers to Questions

Mr McGrady asked the Office of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister what action the Executive has taken to provide assistance to Northern Ireland businesses which are experiencing hardship due to the foot-and-mouth crisis.

(AQW 3055/00)

Reply: As an immediate response to the wider economic impact of the foot-and-mouth crisis, the Executive established an Economic Taskforce to keep abreast of developments in Great Britain, ensure that Northern Ireland benefited from any national initiatives, and consider what practical steps could be taken to assist Northern Ireland businesses, taking account of local circumstances.

The Executive have developed a co-ordinated strategy for providing support and assistance to those businesses worst affected by the crisis. This includes measures such as the deferment of rates, announced by the Minister of Finance and Personnel on 13 April, promotion of a rural stress helpline, advice and support on employment and associated training opportunities, and the launch of a £1 million tourism recovery strategy by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.

At its meeting on 17 May, the Executive approved a new "Help for Business" scheme, details of which will be made public on Monday 21 May. Businesses which can demonstrate that they are suffering financial hardship due to foot-and-mouth disease will be eligible to apply for a grant to cover their rates for the three-month period 1 March to 31 May 2001. Businesses, such as cattle marts, which were proscribed from operating from 1 March by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will automatically be eligible for a grant to cover non-domestic rates for the period that the DARD restrictions are in force. Provision has also been made to include small bed-and-breakfast establishments, which pay domestic rates. Assembly authority for expenditure under the scheme will be sought in the Main Estimates later this year.

A special unit has been established within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to handle queries and process claims under the scheme. It will be operational from Monday 21 May, and will have a dedicated helpline number: 0845 6014135.

An information pamphlet has also been produced, outlining the different sources of advice and information for businesses experiencing difficulties. It will be made available through the network of Government offices, local authorities and trade associations such as the Small Business Federation, and Citizens’ Advice Bureaux. Copies will also be circulated through the press. Details of the Help for Business scheme and the other information in the pamphlet will be published on a new website www.helpforbusinessni.gov.uk, which will be operational on Monday.

We believe this is a comprehensive package of measures which will provide tangible support to local businesses.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursuant to her Press Release 146/01 of 29 March 2001, to (a) confirm that the £21 million announced for the fishing industry has been the subject of negotiation for nearly two years and (b) specify if the £5 million announced to fund a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels is for one year only, or if it will be repeated in subsequent years.

(AQW 2591/00)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): [holding answer 3 May 2001]: Work on the fisheries measures contained in the Overall NI Programme for Building Sustainable Development initially commenced in 1998. Within this Programme 9·3 million euros (approx £6 million) has been earmarked for the adjustment of fishing effort. With the announced £5 million to fund a decommissioning scheme for fishing vessels, this leaves a residual amount for further decommissioning should this prove necessary.

Mr Shannon asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what steps she is taking to increase the number of farmers on the board of the Livestock Marketing Commission.

(AQW 2788/00)

Ms Rodgers: I am required by the Livestock Marketing Commission Act (NI) 1967 to have regard to the different interests in the industry when appointing any person to the Commission. Persons appointed do not represent any particular group but must be able to make a broad contribution across the range of the Livestock and Meat Commission’s activities.

The commission currently has seven members, of whom two are producers. I am satisfied that there is an appropriate balance of interests and skills on the commission at present, and I have no plans to increase the level of producer representation. You may be interested to know that I am considering increasing the number of members of the commission, but that will require primary legislation. Should that happen, I will look again at the balance of representation, skills and gender.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the estimated cost to vaccinate the Northern Ireland livestock herd against foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2792/00)

Ms Rodgers: The extent of vaccination in Northern Ireland would be dependent on the vaccination programme adopted. At worst, all susceptible livestock herds/flocks in Northern Ireland would have to be vaccinated twice-yearly and the cost of this would amount to £4·3 million per annum.

Should vaccination be used to create a "fire-break" between infected and uninfected areas, it would be unlikely that twice-yearly vaccination would be utilised, as the vaccinated animals would be slaughtered within a short period. This would reduce the cost of such vaccination to approximately £2·3 million.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how does Government compensation take into account payments made by private insurance for foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2807/00)

Ms Rodgers: Compensation payable for animals slaughtered under foot-and-mouth disease legislation is determined on the basis of their market value prior to suspicion of disease. There is no legislative provision, or other requirement, necessitating the taking into account of any private insurance held by individual producers.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what estimate she has made of the proportion of livestock farmers who have private insurance against foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2808/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have made no formal estimate of the number of farmers who have private insurance against foot-and-mouth disease. However, I understand from anecdotal evidence that the numbers of farmers taking out such insurance are likely to be very low.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the action she intends to take to reduce the number of public bodies or quangos under the control of her Department.

(AQW 2826/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have no plans to reduce the number of public bodies, or quangos, for which my Department is responsible. However, the future role of non- departmental public bodies will be considered within the context of the proposed review of public administration, which was included in the Agenda for Government announced on 29 June 2000 and is an important action in the draft Programme for Government.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what assistance is available to enable horticulture diversification.

(AQW 2864/00)

Ms Rodgers: My Department’s professional horticultural staff provide assistance to people diversifying into horticulture through facilitating the production of development plans and the adoption of technology/ systems into their businesses.

My Department also administers several schemes under which horticulture producers may apply for grant aid.

The EC Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Regime scheme (under EC Regulation 2200/96) aims to channel grants to producer organisations which are voluntary, legally constituted bodies of growers.

Non-capital support for the marketing of horticultural produce is provided under the Marketing Development Scheme.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether general controls exist on agricultural imports within EU countries or can each sovereign state impose its own restrictions.

(AQW 2865/00)

Ms Rodgers: My Department has a direct interest only in the animal and plant health aspects of agricultural imports. The regulatory framework governing these issues is established at an EU level, and individual member states or regions have only very limited discretion in the implementation of this legislation. Consequently, differences between member states in this respect are minimal. Import issues relating to human health and customs tariffs fall to other Government Departments.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the impact of Government policy on the quality of livestock production in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 2884/00)

Ms Rodgers: I have become aware that in relation to certain aspects of quality of livestock the standards applying in Northern Ireland were lower than elsewhere in the UK. This is certainly the case with cattle and there have been allegations from the processing sector that Northern Ireland pigs are of poorer quality.

I regret that I can only comment on the position which pertained since I became Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. I am not therefore in a position to comment on the impact of earlier Government policy on livestock quality. However I was concerned and have taken action to address real or perceived deficiencies.

In the pig sector I have arranged for an independent study to be carried out into allegations that pigs being produced in Northern Ireland are poorer quality than pigs in Great Britain. I expect the report on this study to be completed in the near future.

In the case of cattle there has been a fall in quality when measured in terms of conformation of carcases. This was a matter of great concern to me and I was pleased to be able to obtain extra funding of £2 million per annum to support a beef quality initiative. Officials are liasing with industry and EU officials to identify proposals which will help to improve quality and be consistent with state aid rules.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the role of livestock markets on the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2885/00)

Ms Rodgers: It is widely acknowledged that livestock markets, by the nature of the business, pose a very significant risk in the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. The disease is one of the most infectious animal diseases and because livestock markets are areas where animals congregate in close proximity, the disease can spread easily and quickly within the market. Animals brought to the market will either move on to new owners or return to their original farm. Any infection brought to or picked up at the market will be transmitted to other livestock on the destination farms. It is therefore easy to conceive how quickly the disease can spread given the many different farms that are the destinations for animals traded on any single market day.

It is for this very reason that markets have been banned from operating during the current outbreak.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline what regulations on agricultural imports into Northern Ireland differ from those in other European countries.

(AQW 2886/00)

Ms Rodgers: My Department has a direct interest only in the animal and plant health aspects of agricultural imports. The regulatory framework governing these issues is established at an EU level and individual member states or regions have only very limited discretion in the implementation of this legislation. Consequently, differences between member states in this respect are minimal. Import issues relating to human health and customs tariffs fall to other Government Departments.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development whether she has any plans to review her policy on vaccinations of livestock against foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2887/00)

Ms Rodgers: Vaccination is but one option in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease and I keep the need for this under review at all times. However, my policy to date has been to cull all animals on infected farms as soon as the disease being identified and to follow this up with culling of animals suspected of having been exposed to infection. Veterinary advice indicates that this coupled with movement restrictions is the most significant measure for eradicating the disease.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail what representations she has received on the process for awarding livestock movement licences.

(AQW 2888/00)

Ms Rodgers: The licensing of movements of livestock has been, and continues to be, a pivotal element of the control and eradication of foot-and-mouth disease. The subject has therefore been a regular topic at meetings I have had with the Industry as a whole, and in meetings I have had with various sectors within the industry. Since the start of the current foot-and-mouth disease crisis in February I have had 17 briefing meetings with a general industry-wide group and the subject of movement licences have been raised, as one of many subjects, at all of these meetings. I have had many more sectoral meetings and again, movement licences have featured amongst the topics discussed at most of these. I am not, however, in a position to be any more precise than that.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail the total amount of compensation paid to date in respect of foot-and-mouth disease.

(AQW 2902/00)

Ms Rodgers: The total compensation paid to date in respect of foot-and-mouth disease is £2,354,124.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to detail, by constituency, the number employed directly and indirectly in the agricultural industry.

(AQW 2970/00)

Ms Rodgers: The numbers employed directly in agriculture, as estimated from the June Agricultural Census, by constituency, are shown below. The numbers employed "indirectly" in the agricultural industry by constituency are not available.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to compensate farmers for the total cost of private veterinary bills in regard to the issue of movement permits.

(AQW 2973/00)

Ms Rodgers: I am pleased to confirm that the arrangements for foot-and-mouth disease include provision for the costs of necessary veterinary certification associated with livestock movement to be met by my Department.

On 2 May 2001 I announced that because livestock movements that are permissible on animal welfare grounds are clearly dependent on veterinary certification to ensure there is no increase in the risk of spread of foot-and-mouth disease, my Department would pay the reasonable private veterinary costs. Arrangements for appropriate payments are already in hand. Any farmer who has paid veterinary fees for this work and has not been reimbursed should contact the local Divisional Veterinary Office.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the impact on Northern Ireland’s Fishing Industry of the European Commission’s prohibition of the use and keeping on board of fishing gear likely to catch stocks subject to a recovery plan when fisheries relating to these stocks have been closed because the quotas have been reached.

(AQW 2979/00)

Ms Rodgers: The European Commission has not prohibited the use or keeping on board of fishing gear likely to induce catches of species of a stock or group of stocks where the quotas subject to a recovery plan have been exhausted. The European Commission have however recently issued a proposal to this effect which was discussed for the first time at an Internal Fisheries Group meeting held in Brussels on 10 May. At this meeting the UK entered a general scrutiny reservation.

Mr Paisley Jnr asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to give her assessment of the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy and to detail (a) how it effects the Northern Ireland farming industry and (b) if she is considering an alternative scheme.

(AQW 2999/00)

Ms Rodgers: The Common Agricultural Policy influences, directly or indirectly, many facets of agricultural production in Northern Ireland (as elsewhere in the EU). Its most direct effects are in the heavily supported beef, dairy, sheep and arable sectors which, of course, together account for the vast bulk of the Northern Ireland agricultural industry. Last year, direct support payments to Northern Ireland farmers totalled just under £200 million, with perhaps a further £100 million accruing from indirect, market support.

I am not considering an alternative scheme.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give his assessment of the contribution of the fifteen members of the Soccer Strategy Committee; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2890/00)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Soccer Strategy Advisory Panel, which I established last October, is currently made up of 16 members, plus an observer from the Sports Council. A list of members is attached. Sammy McIlroy was a member but resigned in February due to professional commitments.

The panel has devoted a substantial amount of time and commitment to the soccer strategy process. For example:

to date the main panel has met on six occasions. Two sub-groups were established early on – one to focus on arrangements for the conference workshop in February, and the other to consider best practice elsewhere. Members of the best practice elsewhere group also took part in visits to Dublin, Paris and Scotland, as well as meeting representatives of the Norwegian Football Association during their visit to Belfast.

Some panel members attended all of the five public meetings held at different venues around the Province during January.

Panel members also gave up most of a weekend to be in attendance at the three-day conference workshop in Newcastle in February.

Since February, members of the advisory panel, have been, and continue to be involved in groups taking forward projects on a range of issues as follow-up action to the conference, and further meetings of the full panel are likely to be required in order to finalise their report.

To date two members of the panel – Martin O’Neill and Iain Dowie – have been unable to participate because of the level of their professional commitments. It is hoped that both will have an opportunity to contribute at some stage in the future and they have continued to receive copies of all papers and reports.

Given the level of time the panel has devoted to this process, and bearing in mind that this is on a voluntary basis, I consider that the panel has made an excellent contribution to date and I look forward to receiving their report.

[You will be aware that I made a statement to this effect in my contribution to the debate on soccer in Northern Ireland in the Assembly on 21 May.]

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give his assessment of the Rugby Union All Ireland League structure.

(AQW 2891/00)

Mr McGimpsey: The structure of the league is a matter for the governing body of the sport (Irish Rugby Football Union). However, I understand that the benefits from the All Ireland League structure provides local players with enhanced development opportunities through competition that could not otherwise be gained and offers players greater prospects of provincial and international recognition. On the other hand, the new league structure and the emerging professionalism within the game has created financial pressures at club level but the Irish Rugby Football Union is keeping the matter under review.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give his assessment of arrangements for the Nationwide Irish Cup Final (a) prior to the event and (b) the day of the event; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2928/00)

Mr McGimpsey: This is a matter for the IFA. Following consultation between the IFA and the Health and Safety Department of Belfast City Council a total of 13,400 tickets were allocated. Just over 13,000 spectators attended.

The match passed without major incident and I understand all involved in the arrangements were satisfied that the cup final was a success.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to give his assessment of the work of the Northern Ireland Events Company and to detail the events organised for 2001.

(AQW 2929/00)

Mr McGimpsey: An independent evaluation of the Northern Ireland Events Company gave a very positive assessment of the Company’s first three years work. The report concluded that NIEC had contributed £1·6 million to support 10 events, which had in turn, attracted 20-25,000 visitors to Northern Ireland, and generated £12 million toward the economy. For example the Senior British Open Golf Championship in July 2000 attracted 200,000,000 viewers worldwide. On the basis of the report and proposals which the company board put to me, I have endorsed its continued existence and asked that it develop a longer term future events strategy. This process is under way at present.

I am enclosing a list of the events which the company has supported or offered to support during 2001, plus a small number being considered.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, pursuant to AQW 2683/00, to give his assessment of the amount of lottery funding awarded to Association Football compared to that received by the Gaelic Athletic Association.

(AQW 3010/00)

Mr McGimpsey: All applications for lottery funding are considered against the same eligibility and prioritisation criteria set out in the Sports Council’s information and guidance booklets. Although the ratio of awards made to applications received is roughly the same for both sports, more applications were received from the GAA than from association football.

Mrs Carson asked the Minister of Education to detail progress on co-ordinating an alcohol education programme for primary and secondary level children.

(AQW 2783/00)

The Minister of Education (Mr M McGuinness): Alcohol education is already included in the statutory curriculum, mainly through the health education cross-curricular theme, which is compulsory for all children aged 4 to 16. Support is available to schools under the Northern Ireland Drug Strategy to address the development of drug education programmes, including education about alcohol. My colleagues and I on the Ministerial Group on Drugs are now considering how we can best achieve implementation of both the Drug Strategy and the Strategy for Reducing Alcohol Related Harm.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 2494/00, to detail (a) the estimated cost of undertaking work on each of the schools listed and (b) the anticipated timescale for the completion of work in each case.

(AQW 2842/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The estimated cost of work at each of the schools listed is attached. The Western Education and Library Board has indicated that the work will be completed during the course of this financial year.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) what actions he has put in place to assist groups in completing the necessary application forms for GAP funding (b) how many applications have been made and (c) what is the turn around timescale.

(AQW 2923/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In line with arrangements set in place by the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Special European Union Programmes Body a list of Departmental contact points for enquiries were included in the documentation supplied to applicants for GAP funding. A contact point in my department was on the list.

301 applications have been received and are currently being considered. My Department intends to have this process concluded by mid June.

Mr Hilditch asked the Minister of Education to detail any information he has obtained from his independent audit of telecommunications masts situated on board property.

(AQW 2947/00)

Mr M McGuinness: No information is available yet. The audit is being undertaken by the Radio Communications Agency who plan to carry out the audit in the next few months.

Mrs I Robinson asked the Minister of Education to state what changes he intends making to his school transport policy.

(AQO 1522/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The existing school transport policy supports parental preference and enables education and library boards to provide transport assistance where a pupil is unable to gain a place in a suitable school within statutory walking distance of his or her home.

While I have no plans to make changes at present, I do, however, intend to conduct a review of the policy later this year and I will consider whether changes are necessary at that time. I will also consider carefully the Environment Committee’s recommendations in relation to the safety of home to school transport, when they are made available.

Mr Leslie asked the Minister of Education to detail the time spent formulating the proposals contained in the document ‘A Common Funding Policy for Grant- Aided Schools’.

(AQO 1494/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The work on the common funding formula was taken forward along with other work on school funding generally and it is not possible therefore to account for the time spent in formulating proposals.

Mrs Courtney asked the Minister of Education to detail the number of schools in the Western Education and Library Board area that have indicated their willingness to avail of the North/South Youth Exchange Scheme.

(AQO 1518/00)

Mr M McGuinness: There is no single North/South Youth Exchange Scheme but there are a range of mechanisms which facilitate and assist North/South exchanges between schools and youth organisations. I understand from the Western Education and Library Board area that approximately 60 schools in the board area are involved in a variety of projects and programmes with schools in the South.

Mr Beggs asked the Minister of Education to carry out an assessment to ascertain whether the current criteria governing pre-school educational funding is disadvantaging the voluntary play group sector.

(AQO 1524/00)

Mr M McGuinness: Under my Department’s Pre- School Education Expansion Programme, the voluntary and private playgroup sector is, for the first time, able to access funding for places which have in the past been funded largely from parental contributions or other sources. I am aware of the concerns of voluntary and private centres in some areas that their viability will be threatened by the opening of new statutory nursery provision nearby. I have therefore asked officials from my Department to discuss the issue with officers of the relevant Pre-school Education Advisory Groups and will consider whether any action is necessary after those discussions have been completed.

Mr Poots asked the Minister of Education if he intends to introduce good citizenship to the education curriculum.

(AQO 1530/00)

Mr M McGuinness: I refer the Member to the answer given to the Member for Strangford, Mr Kieran McCarthy in the Oral Answers Booklet for 27 November 2000, page 323.

Mr M Murphy asked the Minister of Education to detail (a) the extent of the backlog in the school building programme and (b) the steps he is taking to address the problem.

(AQO 1534/00)

Mr M McGuinness: The current backlog is estimated at some £500 million. On 1 March I announced details of an investment package to address the backlog of building work across the school estate. The package was in two parts. The first part included 17 projects to be taken forward under the conventional school building programme representing an investment of over £62 million. The second part provided for up to 8 secondary school projects to be taken forward under public-private partnerships with a total capital value of some £70 million. A further £16·2 million for four school projects has been made available under the Executive Programme Funds.

Mr Savage asked the Minister of Education if he plans to implement a specified curriculum for the teaching of literacy and numeracy for students in the 14 and 16 years-old age cohort, such as Her Majesty’s Government has proposed for England and Wales.

(AQO 1528/00)

Mr M McGuinness: No. Our Strategy for the Promotion of Literacy and Numeracy provides the focus for driving up further the standards being achieved by pupils of all ages in all schools. A review of the strategy, and how it can be strengthened and developed further is being carried out by my officials, in consultation with the boards and CCMS.

Mr Armstrong asked the Minister of Education to detail the progress to date in providing nursery school places for all three and four year old children.

(AQO 1501/00)

Mr M McGuinness: In 1997 there were funded places for 45% of children in their final pre-school year, whose ages range from three years two months to four years two months. As a result of my Department’s Pre-School Education Expansion Programme, that level has risen to 75% this academic year (2000/01), and is expected to exceed 85% in 2001/02. It is the long-term objective of the programme that a funded place will be available for every child in their final pre-school year whose parents wish it by March 2003.

Any extension of the programme to cover the remaining three year olds would be dependent on additional resources being available.

Mr Gibson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment whether an assessment has been made on the competitiveness of businesses that are being encouraged to invest in Northern Ireland.

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The Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (Sir Reg Empey): A cornerstone to the development of a fast growing knowledge-based economy is to attract more investment into Northern Ireland and enhance the international competitiveness of businesses already operating in Northern Ireland. IDB’s policies and programmes have for several years now been focused on promoting the attraction of new inward investment and the growth of existing companies.

All projects that are submitted to IDB requesting financial assistance are subjected to a rigorous commercial appraisal. This includes a wide-ranging assessment of the competitiveness of the investment opportunity as well as that of the sponsor business.

In addition IDB’s new Business Excellence Service is helping existing companies to develop their international competitiveness by identifying areas where efficiencies and savings can be achieved and where the introduction of best practice leads to new sales opportunities.

Mr McGrady asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail what discussions have taken place with the Department of Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment concerning the skills audit to be undertaken in respect of the Down District Council area; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2899/00)

Sir Reg Empey: IDB have been working closely with Down District Council to market the area to a number of potential inward investors. At a meeting on 8 March with the Council’s Economic Development Sub-Committee, IDB help was sought to identify travel-to-work patterns of South Down residents who work for some of the larger Belfast based IT companies. The Council are keen to obtain this data to reinforce their local sales message to potential investors.

IDB committed to speak with the T&EA who are best placed to offer practical support, and during a subsequent discussion in April between the chief executives of IDB and the T&EA it was agreed that the T&EA would liaise directly with the council on this issue. IDB will, of course, be keen to understand how the real business opportunity Down has to offer to potential investors can be strengthened.

Mr Close asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the impact on the Northern Ireland economy of a further 5% increase in electricity bills due to the climate change levy; and to make a statement.

(AQW 2918/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I am fully aware of the impact of the Climate Change Levy on our already high electricity prices and I have received a stream of correspondence about the matter. The levy has unfortunately coincided with the very significant increases in world gas prices which the generating companies are feeding through to consumers.

The introduction of the levy is a taxation matter and is the responsibility of HM Treasury. Prior to its introduction I made strong representations to Treasury seeking exemption for electricity, natural gas and LPG in Northern Ireland. Regrettably the Chancellor agreed to provide only an exemption for natural gas for five years, subject to the approval of the European Commission.

I share the concern about the impact of high energy prices on industrial competitiveness and action has been taken or is underway to reduce energy costs. These include the opening up of the electricity market two years ahead of EU requirements; the Regulator’s continuing discussions with the generators on reducing costs; the Regulator’s review of NIE’s transmission and distribution price controls; the allocation of the £60 million Government support package for electricity consumers; the commissioning of the electricity interconnector with Scotland in January 2002 thereby providing a new source of competitively priced electricity; the accelerated roll-out of the natural gas programme in the Belfast licence area; the appraisal of applications for licences to take gas beyond the current licence area; the promotion by my Department of the most cost effective and environmentally friendly combined heat and power technology and the continuing campaign to promote greater energy efficiency. Companies may also make use of the range of services, including free energy surveys and interest free loans to support energy efficiency measures, which are available through the recently established Carbon Trust and administered by the Industrial Research and Technology Unit.

The issues involved in seeking to reduce our high electricity prices are complex. At my request, the regulator has recently issued a consultation paper with proposals for restructuring the industry with a view to driving down prices. As you are aware, my Department has also commissioned consultants, in conjunction with the Department of Public Enterprise, to consider all-island solutions to our energy situation. A major conference in June will consider the emerging findings from this study which we expect to deliver long term benefits for business and domestic consumers.

Mr Tierney asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail (a) what actions he has put in place to assist groups in completing the necessary application forms for GAP funding (b) how many applications have been made and (c) what is the turn around timescale.

(AQW 2925/00)

(a) Following the Assembly announcement on GAP funding arrangements, and in advance of the formal press advertisement, two project promoters sought and received DETI advice on interim funding eligibility. In order to ensure equitable assessment of the applications, a DETI selection committee has been established.

(b) To date DETI has received 25 applications. 17 have been re-directed to the appropriate Departments and eight are awaiting formal assessment.

(c) Evaluation of these applications will be completed by the 25 May 2001 and promoters will be notified of the decision immediately thereafter.

Mr K Robinson asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to explain what he intends to do to ensure the integrity of fencing around the Global Point site in Newtownabbey and if he will give an undertaking that unfinished or dangerous locations within the site will be visited to ensure that the safety of local children is fully protected.

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Sir Reg Empey: On completion of the current earthworks development at Global Point, due for completion late May 2001, the risks to children and the public at Global Point will not be significantly greater than those associated with most open space areas. The IDB’s professional advisers have however undertaken a risk assessment in respect of the most significant risks at Global Point namely access from the business park to the Antrim - Bleach Green railway line, to some areas of relatively steep embankment adjacent to the southern reaches of the perimeter cyclepath / walkway and to the Threemilewater watercourse and associated tributaries. IDB in conjunction with Translink will ensure that the boundary with the railway is effectively secured by means of planting or fencing and that the steep embankments are appropriately fenced. It is standard practice not to fence watercourses such as the Threemilewater, however where the river enters the culvert, the entrance has been adequately guarded. All works at Global Point have been designed to appropriate civil engineering standards and reasonably practicable steps taken to manage the most significant risks.

Mr Hussey asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to give his assessment of the European Commission’s Fourth Report on the situation in world shipbuilding (COM (2001) 219).

(AQW 2974/00)

Sir Reg Empey: I welcome the European Commission’s fourth report on the situation in world shipbuilding, which provides further valuable analysis of the market and unfair trade practices. The report confirms the continuing serious difficulties in the world shipbuilding market characterised by very low prices and significant over- capacity, and the urgent need to maintain pressure on Korea to remedy their unfair trading practices. The European Union (EU) is pursuing, with the support of the United Kingdom, a bilateral/trade policy remedy towards Korea. The EU has been endeavouring to secure a bilateral solution but this has not so far led to a favourable outcome. In view of this situation, there was strong support at the 14/15 May 2001 meeting of the EU Industry/Energy Council to take action against Korea in the Word Trade Organisation unless a bilateral solution is achieved before 30 June 2001. My Department and the Department of Trade and Industry will continue to monitor events.

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