(AQW 3370/01)

Reply: The British-Irish Council provides a formal mechanism for co-ordination between the devolved institutions of the United Kingdom. In addition, during their recent visit to Edinburgh, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister agreed with their counterparts in the Scottish Executive that Ministers from the three devolved administrations should meet regularly to co-ordinate action on issues of mutual interest, including Europe. They will also continue to meet formally along with colleagues from the UK Government under the auspices of the Joint Ministerial Committee set up under the Memorandum of Understanding.

(AQO 1362/01)

Reply: We are committed to a society built on trust and inclusion. We recognise that the proliferation of sectarian graffiti, unauthorised flag flying, the erection of unauthorised memorials and other issues can lead to community division and tensions.

Any steps which can be taken to reduce the flying of paramilitary flags are helpful. We recognise the efforts that are being made within local communities to deal with this. Such flags are not only intimidatory, inflammatory and insulting to those with different cultures and viewpoints, they are unsightly and present a poor image to visitors to Northern Ireland including potential inward investors and tourists. We would urge all those with influence in local communities to take steps to ensure the removal not merely of some but of all such displays.

(AQO 1412/01)

Reply: As we explained in our statement to the Assembly on 7 May, the development of five former security sites handed over by the NIO and MOD will be taken forward in the context of the Executive’s Reinvestment and Reform Initiative. We are now working to create the new strategic investment body, which will help us to take a more creative approach to managing and financing the substantial programme of infrastructure development which that Initiative has made possible. This body will have a key role in the management and oversight of these sites.

Work to develop the Ebrington site has begun. We have appointed the co-chairs, and are in the process of appointing members, to a Partnership and Regeneration Panel, including people from the surrounding community and business sector. The Panel will bring forward proposals for the Executive’s consideration. It will draw together local experience and expertise to advise us on how best to use this important asset.

We are also examining what would be the most appropriate legal and administrative framework within which to develop Ebrington and other similar sites.

(AQW 4009/01)

Reply: As part of its advisory role, Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum members are sometimes given access to draft documents on a strictly confidential basis. This function is included in the Forum’s Terms of Reference which are a matter of public record and are available on www.allchildrenni.gov.uk.

(AQW 4010/01)

Reply: The Forum’s Terms of Reference make clear the advisory nature of the role of the Forum. As work on the Commissioner for Children and Young People has progressed, the Forum has proved itself to be a very helpful source of advice and information. We look forward to continuing this relationship during the development of proposals for the Children’s Strategy.

(AQW 4011/01)

Reply: Recognising that the development of a children’s strategy will be a much more wide-ranging exercise than the work on the Commissioner for Children and Young People, the Forum itself invited Ministers to review its composition so that any gaps in expertise may be identified and filled to enable the Forum to provide optimum input to the strategy.

Consequently, Forum members were invited by Ministers to identify gaps in expertise and Ministers have decided to extend the membership by 6 places as follows:

• 2 places allocated to faith-based organisations;

• 1 additional place for an umbrella ethnic minority organisation;

• 1 additional place for a disability organisation;

• 1 additional place for an umbrella youth organisation; and

• 1 additional place for an umbrella community development/child health organisation.

More specific details of additional members will be announced to the Assembly in due course.

As work on the Commissioner for Children and Young People has progressed, the Forum has proved itself to be a very helpful source of advice and information. We look forward to continuing this relationship during the development of proposals for the children’s strategy. The Forum will continue to exist on an ad hoc and temporary basis for the duration of the consultation on the children’s strategy. However, consideration will be given to whether there is a need for a permanent mechanism for Non Governmental Organisations to input to the policy development process.

(AQW 4012/01)

Reply: The Forum meets on a monthly basis and has contributed very effectively to the Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill both by commenting on draft papers and in helping to arrange consultation with very young children, older children and specific groups of young people who are otherwise difficult to access.

The Forum is now considering how best it can assist in the development of proposals for consultation for the children’s strategy.

(AQW 4022/01)

Reply: The composition of the Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum has recently been reviewed. Forum members were invited to identify gaps in expertise and Ministers have decided to extend the membership by 6 places as follows:

• 2 places allocated to faith-based organisations;

• 1 additional place for an umbrella ethnic minority organisation;

• 1 additional place for a disability organisation;

• 1 additional place for an umbrella youth organisation; and

• 1 additional place for an umbrella community development/child health organisation.

The status of the Forum remains unchanged; it is ad hoc and temporary for the duration of the consultation on the Children’s Strategy. Decisions on membership will be made, having careful regard to our obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, and will be announced to the Assembly in due course.

(AQO 1543/01)

Reply: A number of bodies have been established under the Belfast Agreement which provide Northern Ireland with a voice and a means of taking responsibility. These include the British-Irish Council, the North/South Ministerial Council and this Assembly.

Devolution is benefiting everyone in Northern Ireland and is making a difference to people’s lives. It allows a locally elected administration to develop new policies specifically tailored for the people of Northern Ireland.

Through the Programme for Government the Executive monitors on a regular basis the progress being made in delivering the actions it has set out in the Programme for 2002/03.

Devolution has provided Northern Ireland with the means to improve our services, but it will require a long-term programme of investment to address the previous under-funding. The Reinvestment and Reform Initiative, which we announced recently, provides for new short- and long-term borrowing facilities for the Executive, a new Strategic Investment Body and the transfer of certain military and security assets to the Executive.

(AQW 4032/01)

Reply: We have no information on the proportion of NI young people working within Non Governmental Organisations. However, the Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum includes the key children’s and young people’s organisations and the umbrella organisations with expertise on ethnic minorities and children and young people with a disability. The review of the Forum will further widen the scope of the Forum to fully reflect the interests of children and young people in Northern Ireland.

(AQW 4087/01)

Reply: The Non Governmental Organisations’ Forum is an ad hoc temporary body convened for the duration of the consultation exercise on the Children’s Strategy and the Commissioner for Children and Young People.

Following a recent review of the composition of the Forum, the Ministers decided to allocate one additional place to a Christian faith-based organisation and one additional place to a non-Christian faith-based organisation, having regard to our equality obligations under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

Forum members are selected on the basis of their expertise and experience rather than to represent any groups or constituencies. Members of the Forum will comprise organisations with a range of expertise, including child protection, children’s rights, disability, ethnicity, care leavers, youth organisations, family organisations, early years, children’s health and faith-based bodies.

(AQW 4097/01)

Reply: The numbers of civil servants in the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister who are known to live in (a) the constituency of West Tyrone and (b) the constituencies of Foyle and East Londonderry who work in one of the 4 Belfast constituencies as at January 2002 are nil and nil respectively.

(AQO 1634/01)

Reply: The Assembly debated and agreed the terms of reference for the Review on 24 June, and the Review has begun.

The names of the panel of Independent Experts were announced on 24 June and we held an initial meeting with them that morning.

The Executive has asked for final recommendations by the end of 2003, with an interim report next Spring.

(AQO 1636/01)

Reply: The Executive has not discussed this matter. However, we encourage everyone to show sensitivity and respect for all cultural traditions.

(AQW 4422/01)

Reply: The Forum has proved to be a very helpful source of advice and information on the establishment of a Commissioner for Children and Young People. We look forward to continuing this relationship during the development of proposals for the children’s strategy.

As the development of a children’s strategy will be a much more wide-ranging exercise than the work on the Commissioner for Children and Young People, we have decided to extend the membership by 6 places as follows:

• 2 places allocated to faith-based organisations;

• 1 additional place for an umbrella ethnic minority organisation;

• 1 additional place for a disability organisation;

• 1 additional place for an umbrella youth organisation; and

• 1 additional place for an umbrella community development/child health organisation.

More specific details of additional members will be announced to the Assembly in due course. No current Forum members will be required to leave as each provides valuable input and expertise.

(AQW 4214/01)

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (Ms Rodgers): Apiaries in the 11 locations where varroa infestation has been detected have undergone appropriate chemical treatment. The treatment does not guarantee 100% elimination of the varroa mite; it is essentially a control measure which reduces numbers to a manageable threshold.

Standstill notices were served on those beekeepers who owned infested hives and a designated Statutory Infested Area (SIA) was declared covering all beekeeping locations within a 5 km radius of each of the infested sites. The Statutory Notices prohibited beekeepers from moving any hives, bees, combs, quilts, bee-products or appliances from the specified locations until all hives could be checked by the Department. Hives where infestation has been found have also been, or will be, checked at the end of the exposure period. These hives will also be monitored in the autumn survey which gets underway in September.

The Department has also raised the profile of the pest through the issue of Press Releases and advisory leaflets issued through the Ulster Beekeepers’ Association.

(AQW 4249/01)

Ms Rodgers: I assume that the reference to the upgrading of Kilkeel Harbour refers to the proposal to construct an entirely new outer harbour at Kilkeel at a possible cost of around £30m.

Technical studies including work on a design and wave climate of the proposed new outer harbour need to be completed to assess the feasibility of the proposals. In addition the scope to pursue this as a public private partnership must be explored and the project would need to be subject to an economic appraisal.

All these need to be satisfactorily completed before consideration can be given to the funding of the project and even then it will have to compete with other expenditure priorities.

You will be aware, however that Kilkeel Harbour is to receive £4.4m under the Reinvestment and Reform Initiative (RRI) for upgrading of North and South entrance piers, a new winch and cradle for the slipway repair facility, and clearance of contaminated mud from the inner harbour. This serves clearly to demonstrate my commitment to the future of the harbour.

(AQW 4280/01)

Ms Rodgers: [holding answer 1 July 2002]: Prior to 1 January 1993 DARD employed 34 inspection personnel in the ports/airports to check imported consignments of animals and animal products. However the Single European Market introduced the free movement of live animals and animal products based on veterinary certification. Thus it was no longer permissible to maintain such controls after that date. The Department was obliged to withdraw the majority of these staff but retained a core number of 15 staff to deal with documentation and animal welfare/livestock vehicle checks. Even this minimal level of checking contravened Community law and could have been challenged by other Member States.

The import Inspectors did conduct document checks at Belfast and Larne Harbour, of sheep destined for slaughter in Northern Ireland.

Prior to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak, Veterinary Service became aware that certain hauliers were involved in the diversion of slaughter sheep consignments so that some sheep consignments did not arrive at their intended destination. An investigation commenced and as a result this trade appeared to stop in January 2001 when the haulier involved was contacted. A revised system of checks was put in place to prevent diversion occurring in the future. This system included confirmation at the slaughterhouse that the sheep had arrived.

During FMD it became evident from further investigations into this type of activity that other pre-FMD consignments did not arrive at their declared destinations. These investigations were co-ordinated by the Veterinary Service Enforcement section. It quickly became apparent that the illegal importation of sheep was part of a much larger fraud involving several dealers so the investigation was passed to the Police. Four detectives were seconded to this investigation for approximately 3 months. They investigated the matter thoroughly with the assistance of the Gardai and sent a file to the DPP for consideration.

(AQW 4287/01)

Ms Rodgers: EC wide beef labelling Rules requires the compulsory labelling of all fresh and frozen beef offered for sale throughout the supply chain, whether obtained from local EU or Third Country sources in order to ensure traceability. Beef Labelling Rules do not apply to beef sold in the form of processed beef products such as sausages, ready made meals or canned beef.

However beef products may only be imported into the EU from establishments and countries specifically approved by the EU through Food Veterinary Office inspectors. The products must comply with the import conditions of the EU and be certified as doing so. An import certificate must accompany all consignments and the products marked with the country and establishment of origin.

(AQW 4288/01)

Ms Rodgers: Imports of beef products are governed in Northern Ireland by the Products of Animal Origin (Import and Export) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 which require imports from:

EU countries to be in accordance with EU Directive 77/99/EEC which lays down health rules for the production and placing on the market of meat products and other products of animal origin intended, after treatment, for human consumption or the preparation of other foodstuffs. These products must be obtained from establishments that have been authorised and registered in accordance with EU standards and are accompanied by commercial documentation.

Countries outside the EU to be in accordance with EU Commission Decision 97/221/EC which lays down animal health conditions and model veterinary certificates in respect of imports of meat products from Third Countries. Such meat products must conform to the requirements laid down in the model health certificate which must accompany the consignment and be signed by an official veterinarian. Only certain approved Third Countries are authorised to send meat products to Member states.

The health rules contained in the relevant EU legislation mentioned above requires that the product is derived from fresh meat that does not come from FMD affected animals.

Where the Department learns of the presence in any country outside the United Kingdom of a disease or cause liable to constitute a serious hazard to public or animal health, a declaration is published banning the import of products unless it complies within the conditions specified in the declaration.

(AQW 4338/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department has been carrying out a badger road traffic survey since December 1998. To date 18% of the carcases examined have been positive for bovine TB.

(AQW 4345/01)

Ms Rodgers: My Department’s cattle identification and movement control regime operates under the provisions of EU rules designed to ensure the full traceability of cattle from birth to death or slaughter and we have no discretion to relax these requirements. Indeed, any attempt on our part to do so would both contravene EU law and diminish the integrity of the Northern Ireland beef industry.

Ultimately, the long term future of the Northern Ireland beef industry depends upon its being able to re-open its export trade to the rest of the EU and then find a ready market for its produce. Consequently, any animal whose identification or records does not permit its age or movement history to be fully validated cannot be accepted into the human food chain.

It is not necessarily a question of whether an animal has been retagged. What is necessary is that that the records in the herd in which it was born and any it later passed through are adequate to confirm its identity and date of birth. If this is not the case, then we cannot remove the "uncor" status from an animal.

However, if it is possible for the herd keeper to correct the underlying fault or prove the identity of an animal beyond all doubt then the Department will be happy to alter or remove any status given to the animal. Unhappily, in most cases of this type, absolute proof of identity is almost impossible to provide.

You will appreciate that the chief duty of the Department when dealing with cattle slaughtered for human consumption must be to ensure that they do not present any risk to the consumer.

(AQW 4358/01)

(a) In each of the last three years the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has spent the following amount of money on community relations measures:

Whilst the overall amounts for each year primarily reflect spending by the Department’s Rural Development Division the above totals also include expenditure by Forest Service and Rivers Agency.

(b) The Department through the Rural Development Council in conjunction with the Rural Community Network was responsible for the delivery of the Community Based Actions Measure of the Peace 1 Programme. The objective of this measure was to facilitate reconciliation between the two communities in rural areas by supporting ideas, activities and projects put forward by community groups representative of their areas.

In addition the 1994-99 Rural Development Programme had as its main aim to stimulate the economic and social revitalisation of the most disadvantaged rural areas of Northern Ireland through partnership between the public, private and voluntary sectors. Funding for the Programme was in the region of £46.5million. This Programme enabled people to work together in identifying and addressing the needs of rural communities. Although the Programme did not have a specific community relations focus it did make a contribution in bringing communities together to work towards a common goal that will benefit their local area. Regrettably, funding spent on the community relations aspects of the Programme cannot be isolated.

An external appraisal on the Community Based Actions Measure of the Peace I Programme stated that 86% of participating groups experienced a direct influence on their activities as a result of the Measure with all groups being able to increase the amount of activities they provide to their community. 97% of the groups stated that this increase in activities had a direct impact on community relations and attitudes.

External appraisals of the various elements of the 1994-1999 Rural Development Programme are ongoing and when completed should provide an assessment on the effectiveness of the Programme.

The Forest Service promotes the use of forests for education. It is estimated that 25% of all education visits are by schools whose trips are financed through "Education for Mutual Understanding" and "Community Relations in Schools" programmes.

The Forest Service also promotes access to woodlands. In 2000/01, the Forest Service contributed towards a Community Woodland Walk within Ballymoyer Wood in County Armagh, as part of a cross community project managed by the Regeneration of South Armagh group.

The Forest Service also encouraged cross community involvement in the design and construction of the "Peace Maze" at Castlewellan Forest Park.

The Forest Service has not measured the effectiveness of its expenditure in addressing community relationship issues.

Project expenditure incurred by the Rivers Agency on development of the Battery Harbour Lough Neagh was subject to a prior economic appraisal, and is subject to monitoring and evaluation to examine its effect in achieving the objectives of the EU Peace and Reconciliation programme. The responsibility for this project has transferred to DCAL and the continued effectiveness of such expenditure lies with that Department.

(AQW 4392/01)

(a) Provisional outturn figures for 2001/02 provided by the Minister of Finance and Personnel in his statement to the Assembly on June Monitoring on 1 July 2002 indicate that DARD has a resource underspend of £11.3m or 6.3% and a capital underspend of £6.4m or 23.4 % of Final Plan. These are provisional figures and present indications are that, when the Accounts for the year are finalised, the overall level of underspend is likely to reduce. Based on the latest figures available, the principal areas of underspending on the resource side are £3.5m reserved to match monies modulated from farming subsidies; and £2.7m reserved for the Fishing Vessels Decommissioning Scheme. On the capital side the largest single items are the provision for a Farm Waste Management scheme (1.6m) and an Organic Farming Conversion scheme (£0.6m) for which EPF funding had been received; and for the construction of new science laboratories (£1.9m). There is automatic carry over for the items of capital underspend and hence these resources will not be lost to Departmental programmes.

As far the current financial year (2002/03) is concerned current estimates are that resource and capital budgets will be fully utilised.

(b) In recent months the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has submitted bids for additional funding as follows:

Note: Some bids were repeated in two (or more) of these bidding opportunities.

The Infrastructure EPF bid was not successful. £4.2m was secured for Kilkeel Harbour from the RRI fund and an additional £14.0m was secured in the June monitoring round for the Department across a range of programmes. Decisions are still awaited on the Innovation and Modernisation EPF but it will be some months yet before the outcome of Budget 2002 is know

(AQW 4393/01)

Ms Rodgers: The quest for BSE regional status for Northern Ireland is principally for my Department to pursue. The attainment of such status crucially depends on the incidence of BSE in the Northern Ireland cattle population and currently this is above that set by OIE for recognition of low incidence status. The support of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly would be beneficial in taking forward any case for regional status. Such support was forthcoming in the past when we were poised to make such a case and I have no reason to doubt that it would be again in the future.

(AQW 4444/01)

Ms Rodgers: The recorded capital underspend of £4.3 million includes £1 million set aside from the Fisheries budget to part finance the Fishing Vessel Decommissioning Scheme announced last year. £1.9 million can be attributed to slippage in the building programme for new laboratory accommodation at Veterinary Sciences Division, Stoney Road, Belfast. £1.0 million can be attributed to a change in the classification of expenditure on IT systems which was "capital" under the old Cash Accounting system but which is no longer classified as capital expenditure in the new Resource Accounting regime – in other words, the money was spent but not as capital expenditure in technical accounting terms. The balance of £0.4 million is a net figure for various small underspends of less than £0.2 million across the rest of the Department.

(AQW 4125/01)

The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr McGimpsey): The Deputy Chief Executive of Tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch provided an update at the NSMC language meeting on 14 June 2001 on Tha Boord’s Corporate Plan. He informed the meeting that much of the Corporate Plan was still relevant to the work of Tha Boord although many of the objectives were taking longer to achieve than first anticipated.

The Corporate Plan forms the basis of Tha Boord’s Business Plan for 2002 which was approved by NSMC at the meeting on 14 June 2001.

(AQW 4126/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The relationship between Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch and the Ulster-Scots community is a matter for Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch to address.

I understand that Tha Boord circulated their Corporate Plan on 2 January 2001 for a period of consultation which ended on 28 February 2001.

(AQW 4127/01)

Mr McGimpsey: Funding of £10.55m is available to Foras na Gaeilge (Irish Language Agency) in 2002. DCAL will provide £2.64m of this.

The funding available to Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (Ulster-Scots Agency) in the same period is £1.42m. DCAL will provide £1.07m of this.

(AQW 4215/01)

Mr McGimpsey: [supplementary answer]: In my reply of 26 June 2002 I was unable to supply you with the cost of providing the indoor athletics facilities in the Odyssey Centre. This information is now available. The specific cost of the athletics provision is as follows:

Running Track £509,940

Athletics Equipment £ 54,698

It has not been possible to identify and allocate a percentage of the costs in building the Arena to the running track.

(AQW 4253/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The member may be aware that the Department of Finance and Personnel is currently conducting a review of rating policy in the province. It would therefore not be appropriate to make any firm commitment in advance of the completion of this review.

However, my office will forward a copy of this reply to the Minister of Finance and Personnel so that the issue you raise may be considered as part of the review process.

(AQW 4261/01)

Mr McGimpsey: As you are no doubt aware Moor Lough is a brown and rainbow trout fishery in the Department’s Public Angling Estate. The Department only leases the fishing rights and accordingly the issue needs to be resolved in co-operation with the owner, Abercorn Estates. A series of meetings have taken place between the Department and Abercorn Estates in an attempt to progress matters.

The Estate has also consulted Strabane District Council and all parties are currently considering ways to prevent jet-skiers using the Lough.

The Department will continue to liase with the above parties in an attempt to arrive at a solution, which will both resolve the problem and prove acceptable to all involved.

(AQW 4297/01)

Mr McGimpsey: My Department provides advice, support and guidance to Departments, and others, on language issues including implementation of the Charter.

DCAL chairs an Interdepartmental Charter Group with representatives from all Executive Departments, NIO, NI Court Service, Departmental Solicitor’s Office, Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise. This group monitors implementation of the Charter in relation to Irish and Ulster-Scots, provides advice on the preparation of annual Departmental and Executive implementation reports, advises on resource implications and develops guidance for Departments.

On 6 July 2001 my Department issued to Departments, model interim guidance on the use of Irish in official business.

It is for individual Departments and their associated bodies to give effect to the Charter within their areas of responsibility.

(AQW 4331/01)

Mr McGimpsey: As I explained in my response to AQW 1640/01, the Education and Library Boards are committed to promoting equality of opportunity between persons with a disability and persons without and to provide extra help and services to allow a disabled customer to use the services. My Department made £300,000 available to the Boards for the purchase of adaptive technology to assist those with various disabilities including the blind and partially sighted. The technology includes features such as large-key keyboards, height adjustable tables, trackerballs, speech and magnification software, Braille readers, Braille embossers and Braille translation software.

The Boards have been proactive in providing training in the use of the technology and, to date, a total of 110 library staff across the five Boards have already been trained to support the blind and partially sighted, with more courses being planned. The Royal National Institute for the Blind delivers these courses.

(AQW 4336/01)

Mr McGimpsey: I can advise that in addressing my Department’s strategic goal to promote and celebrate cultural diversity and individual creativity, £359,603 expenditure was made during the 2001 – 2002 financial year to assist programmes and projects aimed at stimulating and encouraging diversity within and through cultures. I am providing figures of expenditure from April 2001 as responsibility for the diversity dimension rested with the Millennium Company prior to this date.

Initial quantitative and qualitative data indicates that the expenditure is achieving success in meeting its aim of encouraging cultural diversity throughout Northern Ireland which is inclusive and accessible to all.

(AQW 4367/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The North/South Language Body came into operation at devolution in December 1999. Funding available to the Body in the past two years and for the current year is as follows:

(AQW 4443/01)

Mr McGimpsey: The breakdown of the £1.7m capital underspend is as follows:

The £1.2m underspend on Libraries was mainly due to slippage on 3 new library projects in Strabane, Ballymena and Castlederg.

A further £0.3m allocated to the Electronic Libraries Project was unpaid due to a delay in funding the PFI contract.

The remainder ie £0.2m was accounted for and cleared by accounting procedures within my Department.