Official Report (Hansard)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Official Report (Hansard) Official Report (Hansard) Monday 27 April 2015 Volume 104, No 3 Session 2014-2015 Contents Assembly Business ………………………………………………………………………………………1 Public Petition: Sixmilewater — Reconsideration of Belmont Road Development ........................... 1 Exec utive Committee Business Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 .................................................... 2 Committee Business Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill: First Stage .............................. 4 Northern Ireland Act 1998: Report on the Operation of the Provisions of Parts 3 and 4 ................. 4 Private Members' Business Marriage Equality ............................................................................................................................... 10 Oral Answers to Questions Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister ......................................................................... 23 Social Development ........................................................................................................................... 31 Private Members' Business Marriage Equality (Continued) ........................................................................................................... 40 Suggested amendments or corrections will be considered by the Editor. They should be sent to: The Editor of Debates, Room 248, Parliament Buildings, Belfast BT4 3XX. Tel: 028 9052 1135 · e-mail: [email protected] to arrive not later than two weeks after publication of this report. Assembly Members Agnew, Steven (North Down) McCallister, John (South Down) Allister, Jim (North Antrim) McCann, Fra (West Belfast) Anderson, Sydney (Upper Bann) McCann, Ms Jennifer (West Belfast) Attwood, Alex (West Belfast) McCarthy, Kieran (Strangford) Beggs, Roy (East Antrim) McCartney, Raymond (Foyle) Bell, Jonathan (Strangford) McCausland, Nelson (North Belfast) Boylan, Cathal (Newry and Armagh) McCorley, Ms Rosaleen (West Belfast) Boyle, Ms Michaela (West Tyrone) McCrea, Basil (Lagan Valley) Bradley, Dominic (Newry and Armagh) McCrea, Ian (Mid Ulster) Bradley, Ms Paula (North Belfast) McDonnell, Alasdair (South Belfast) Brady, Mickey (Newry and Armagh) McElduff, Barry (West Tyrone) Buchanan, Thomas (West Tyrone) McGahan, Ms Bronwyn (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Byrne, Joe (West Tyrone) McGimpsey, Michael (South Belfast) Cameron, Mrs Pam (South Antrim) McGlone, Patsy (Mid Ulster) Campbell, Gregory (East Londonderry) McGuinness, Martin (Mid Ulster) Clarke, Trevor (South Antrim) McIlveen, David (North Antrim) Cochrane, Mrs Judith (East Belfast) McIlveen, Miss Michelle (Strangford) Copeland, Michael (East Belfast) McKay, Daithí (North Antrim) Craig, Jonathan (Lagan Valley) McKevitt, Mrs Karen (South Down) Cree, Leslie (North Down) McKinney, Fearghal (South Belfast) Dallat, John (East Londonderry) McLaughlin, Ms Maeve (Foyle) Dickson, Stewart (East Antrim) McLaughlin, Mitchel (Speaker) Dobson, Mrs Jo-Anne (Upper Bann) McMullan, Oliver (East Antrim) Douglas, Sammy (East Belfast) McNarry, David (Strangford) Dunne, Gordon (North Down) McQuillan, Adrian (East Londonderry) Durkan, Mark (Foyle) Maginness, Alban (North Belfast) Easton, Alex (North Down) Maskey, Alex (West Belfast) Eastwood, Colum (Foyle) Middleton, Gary (Foyle) Elliott, Tom (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Milne, Ian (Mid Ulster) Farry, Stephen (North Down) Morrow, The Lord (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Fearon, Ms Megan (Newry and Armagh) Moutray, Stephen (Upper Bann) Flanagan, Phil (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Nesbitt, Mike (Strangford) Ford, David (South Antrim) Newton, Robin (East Belfast) Foster, Mrs Arlene (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Ní Chuilín, Ms Carál (North Belfast) Frew, Paul (North Antrim) Ó hOisín, Cathal (East Londonderry) Gardiner, Samuel (Upper Bann) Ó Muilleoir, Máirtín (South Belfast) Girvan, Paul (South Antrim) O'Dowd, John (Upper Bann) Givan, Paul (Lagan Valley) O'Neill, Mrs Michelle (Mid Ulster) Hale, Mrs Brenda (Lagan Valley) Overend, Mrs Sandra (Mid Ulster) Hamilton, Simon (Strangford) Poots, Edwin (Lagan Valley) Hazzard, Chris (South Down) Ramsey, Pat (Foyle) Hilditch, David (East Antrim) Robinson, George (East Londonderry) Humphrey, William (North Belfast) Robinson, Peter (East Belfast) Hussey, Ross (West Tyrone) Rogers, Seán (South Down) Irwin, William (Newry and Armagh) Ross, Alastair (East Antrim) Kelly, Mrs Dolores (Upper Bann) Ruane, Ms Caitríona (South Down) Kelly, Gerry (North Belfast) Sheehan, Pat (West Belfast) Kennedy, Danny (Newry and Armagh) Spratt, Jimmy (South Belfast) Kinahan, Danny (South Antrim) Storey, Mervyn (North Antrim) Lo, Ms Anna (South Belfast) Sugden, Ms Claire (East Londonderry) Lunn, Trevor (Lagan Valley) Swann, Robin (North Antrim) Lynch, Seán (Fermanagh and South Tyrone) Weir, Peter (North Down) Lyttle, Chris (East Belfast) Wells, Jim (South Down) McAleer, Declan (West Tyrone) Wilson, Sammy (East Antrim) Northern Ireland Assembly Monday 27 April 2015 The Assembly met at 12.00 noon (Mr Speaker in the Chair). Members observed two minutes' silence. Assembly Business Public Petition: Sixmilewater — Reconsideration of Belmont Road Mr Dickson: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Development Can you advise the House who the Minister of Health is today, given the statement that the Mr Speaker: Mr Danny Kinahan has sought Minister's resignation will not take place until 11 leave to deliver a public petition in accordance May and that another Minister will take joint with Standing Order 22. The Member will have responsibility for some of the tasks? up to three minutes to speak. Mr Speaker: My office and I have received no Mr Kinahan: I am really pleased to present this notification, so, until I receive such notification, petition, which calls for the reconsideration of the Minister of Health is Mr Jim Wells. the proposed development of the Belmont Road on a site alongside the banks of the Sixmilewater river. The petition contains 1,047 signatures today and is, I am told, still live and now has 1,182 signatures. I thank Stevie Munn, a game angling consultant, and the Six Mile Water Trust and its colleagues, who pulled the petition together. They highlighted the key issues, and I have enjoyed working with them since I entered politics. Sadly, this matter has arisen at election time, and I hope that it can be resolved by all the politicians in the area working together into the future. The valley and the river are just on the outskirts of Antrim, and a wonderful council-planned mill race trail runs along the riverbanks and is incredibly popular with locals as an area of natural beauty, for angling, for countryside walks and for nature. It really should be protected and preserved. It should be part of a tourist trail and a tourism strategy — if we had one — in Northern Ireland that promotes our country sports and countryside. We should keep in mind that, in Ireland, angling alone contributes €755 million to the economy. We all know that the Sixmilewater has often been appallingly badly polluted, and, indeed, in 2008, there was great flooding after heavy rainfall. The blockages around the bridges and other pinch points led to appalling flooding in people's houses. We still have ongoing insurance problems. We should keep that in mind when we look at the petition and the plan. The present plan is to develop 400 houses beside the river, with a 10-metre buffer — that 1 Monday 27 April 2015 is all — with no recognition of the needs of the wildlife, including the otters, the dippers, the Executive Committee dollaghan and many others. That all needs to Business be studied properly and accurately in an environmental statement. That should be carried out so that we know all the issues. Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 The application was validated just after the new super-councils began, so it should be subject to Mr Storey (The Minister for Social the new local area plan when it is created and Development): I beg to move should take into account all the community's views before any decision is made. I hope that That the Social Security Benefits Up-rating the Minister will confirm that that is the case Order (Northern Ireland) 2015 be approved. and that previous area plans are now redundant. I also hope that DRD and DARD The uprating order is an annual order that sets will look into the issues that are relevant to out the rates of contributory and non- them. The development should either not contributory benefits, together with the various happen at all or should be completely allowances and premiums, that make up rethought. It is the test on the whole of our new income-related benefits. Generally, the annual planning system. Thank you. amounts from April each year are based on the increases in the general level of prices over the Mr Kinahan moved forward and laid the petition 12 months ending the previous September, on the Table. measured using the consumer prices index (CPI), which is the measure of price inflation the Mr Speaker: I will forward the petition to the Westminster Government consider most Minister of the Environment and send a copy to appropriate for this purpose. the Committee. At the end of September 2014, the CPI showed an increase of 1·2%. According to the latest data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), by February this year, that figure had fallen to zero and again remained at zero last month. There has been some debate in the past about whether the CPI or the retail prices index (RPI) should be used as the measure; some people
Recommended publications
  • BREXIT BRIEF Brexit Brief Issue 112 18 June 2021
    BREXIT BRIEF Brexit Brief Issue 112 18 June 2021 Tony Brown Introduction The Brief seeks to provide up-to-date information on the progress and content of the UK-EU negotiations, and bring together relevant statements and policy positions from key players in Ireland, the UK and the EU. The Brief is part of a wider communications programme covering the work of the IIEA’s UK Project Group – including commentaries, speeches, texts and event reports – which are highlighted on the Institute’s website. (www.iiea.com) Section One: State of Play Advisor to Arlene Foster MLA, Ms Emma Little- Pengally, described Mr Poots determination to The Resignation of Edwin Poots continue with the nomination, as “fatal to his leadership”. In his official statement, Mr Poots On Thursday, 17 June 2021, Edwin Poots described recent events as “a difficult period” MLA announced his resignation as leader of for the Party, as well as for Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Having as a country. just assumed the role 21 days earlier, he will become the shortest serving leader in The meeting of the North-South Ministerial the history of the party. The announcement Council scheduled for Friday, 18 July was came hours after his decision to proceed subsequently postponed. In response to the with the formal nomination of Paul Givan recent developments, Minister for Foreign MLA as First Minister. The majority of the Affairs, Simon Coveney, defended the UK’s DUP parliamentary party urged him to delay guarantee to pass Irish language legislation the nomination amid anger following the UK in Westminster should it not be brought to Government’s commitment to implementing the table in Stormont, which he described as Irish language laws as part of the New the most “appropriate” action.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper Nsmc P2 (16) Jc
    PAPER NSMC P2 (16) JC NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL TWENTY-THIRD PLENARY MEETING NSMC JOINT SECRETARIAT OFFICE, ARMAGH 18 NOVEMBER 2016 JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ 1. The twenty-third Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) was held in the NSMC Joint Secretariat Offices, Armagh on 18 November 2016. 2. The Northern Ireland Executive was led by the First Minister, the Rt Hon. Arlene Foster MLA, and the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA. The First Minister and deputy First Minister chaired the meeting. The Irish Government was led by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD. A full list of the members of both delegations is attached as an Annex. OPENING REMARKS 3. The Council welcomed this opportunity to have a further discussion on the implications of the UK Referendum. - 4. The Council noted that the bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup had been formally launched earlier in the week. The Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government reaffirmed their commitment to work together closely to deliver a world class proposal for hosting the tournament. FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC MATTERS 5. The Council had a discussion on the performance of the economies in each jurisdiction. The Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government remain committed to growing their local economies and Ministers spoke about various initiatives under way in each jurisdiction to support economic growth. IMPLICATIONS OF THE UK REFERENDUM 6. The Council had a discussion on the implications of the result of UK referendum on membership of the EU. It was noted that full sectoral audits had been carried out by departments of both the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government to identify the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies which may arise following the UK’s intended withdrawal from the EU.
    [Show full text]
  • The Democratic Unionist Party Transcript
    Political Parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly - The Democratic Unionist Party KEY: PG: Paul Givan PG: Well, I’m Paul Givan. I represent the Constituency of Lagan Valley for the Democratic Unionist Party. What does your Party stand for? First and foremost, we’re a pro-Union party. We value and cherish the links with the rest of the United Kingdom and believe Northern Ireland is an integral part of the Kingdom. We are very much a devolutionist party, so we want to have Northern Ireland running its own affairs, taking decisions through locally elected politicians on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland. How has your Party changed in the last 20 years? Well, over the past 20 years, we went from a party where we were very much in opposition. We campaigned against the Belfast Agreement in 1998 and in subsequent elections to that we were the smaller of the Unionist parties and we wanted fundamental change. So as a Party, we moved from opposition to now being the predominant party of government, trying to manage through the Executive important decisions and being a responsible party of government. Do you think the Assembly and Executive are effective? The Executive, which represents all of our government parties, I appreciate could be more speedy in its decision making process, but that in itself is a result of the mandatory coalition system that exists. In Northern Ireland, we’ve got five political parties that make up our government and that presents its own unique challenges that many other democracies don’t have to face.
    [Show full text]
  • Find Your Local MLA
    Find your local MLA Mr John Stewart UUP East Antrim 95 Main Street Larne Acorn Integrated Primary BT40 1HJ Carnlough Integrated Primary T: 028 2827 2644 Corran Integrated Primary [email protected] Ulidia Integrated College Mr Roy Beggs UUP 3 St. Brides Street Carrickfergus BT38 8AF 028 9336 2995 [email protected] Mr Stewart Dickson Alliance 8 West Street Carrickfergus BT38 7AR 028 9335 0286 [email protected] Mr David Hilditch DUP 2 Joymount Carrickfergus BT38 7DN 028 9332 9980 [email protected] Mr Gordon Lyons DUP 116 Main Street Larne Co. Antrim BT40 1RG 028 2826 7722 [email protected] Mr Robin Newton DUP East Belfast 59 Castlereagh Road Ballymacarret Lough View Integrated Primary Belfast BT5 5FB Mr Andrew Allen UUP 028 9045 9500 [email protected] 174 Albertbridge Road Belfast BT5 4GS 028 9046 3900 [email protected] Ms Joanne Bunting DUP 220 Knock Road Carnamuck Belfast BT5 6QD 028 9079 7100 [email protected] Mrs Naomi Long 56 Upper Newtownards Road Ballyhackamore Belfast BT4 3EL 028 9047 2004 [email protected] Mr Chris Lyttle Alliance 56 Upper Newtownards Road Ballyhackamore Belfast BT4 3EL 028 9047 2004 [email protected] Miss Claire Sugden Independent East Londonderry 1 Upper Abbey Street Coleraine Carhill Integrated Primary BT52 1BF Mill Strand Integrated Primary 028 7032 7294 Roe Valley Integrated Primary [email protected] North Coast Integrated College
    [Show full text]
  • COMMUNIQUÉ Ministerial Meeting of the Demography Work Sector 9
    COMMUNIQUÉ Ministerial meeting of the Demography work sector 9th December 2016 The British-Irish Council Demography work sector held its second Ministerial meeting today, hosted by the Scottish Government at General Register House, Edinburgh. Ministers were welcomed by Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs on behalf of the Scottish Government. The British-Irish Council, established in 1999, is a forum for its members to discuss, consult and use best endeavours to reach agreement on co-operation on matters of mutual interest within the competence of its Member Administrations. The Demography work sector is led by the Scottish Government and has been a constructive forum for facilitating evidence exchange and practical collaboration since it was established in 2006. The meeting today focused on the demographic drivers for the redesign of public services with a particular focus on population ageing. The meeting was chaired by Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs on behalf of the Scottish Government, and also attended by Maureen Watt MSP, Minister for Mental Health in the Scottish Government. The UK Government was represented by Tamara Finkelstein, Director General for Community Care at the Department of Health. The Irish Government was represented by Helen McEntee TD, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People. The Welsh Government was represented by Rebecca Evans AM, Minister for Social Services and Public Health. The Northern Ireland Executive was 1 represented by Paul Givan MLA, Minister for Communities, and Megan Fearon MLA, Junior Minister in the Executive Office. The Isle of Man Government was represented by Chris Thomas MHK, Minister for Policy and Reform.
    [Show full text]
  • Report on Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly Together with Written Submissions
    Assembly and Executive Review Committee Report on Women in Politics and the Northern Ireland Assembly Together with Written Submissions Ordered by the Assembly and Executive Review Committee to be printed 17 February 2015 This report is the property of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Neither the report nor its contents should be disclosed to any person unless such disclosure is authorised by the Committee. THE REPORT REMAINS EMBARGOED UNTIL COMMENCEMENT OF THE DEBATE IN PLENARY. Mandate 2011/16 Sixth Report - NIA 224/11-16 Membership and Powers Membership and Powers Powers The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is a Standing Committee established in accordance with Section 29A and 29B of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and Standing Order 59 which states: “(1) There shall be a standing committee of the Assembly to be known as the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. (2) The committee may (a) exercise the power in section 44(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998; (b) report from time to time to the Assembly and the Executive Committee. (3) The committee shall consider (a) such matters relating to the operation of the provisions of Parts 3 and 4 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 as enable it to make the report referred to in section 29A(3) of that Act; and (b) such other matters relating to the functioning of the Assembly or the Executive Committee as may be referred to it by the Assembly.” Membership The Committee has eleven members including a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson with a quorum of five. The membership of
    [Show full text]
  • Introductory Report
    HOUSE OF LORDS European Affairs Committee 2nd Report of Session 2021-22 Report from the Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Introductory report Ordered to be printed 21 July 2021 and published 29 July 2021 Published by the Authority of the House of Lords HL Paper 55 The European Affairs Committee and the Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland The European Affairs Committee was appointed to consider matters relating to the United Kingdom’s relationship with the European Union and the European Economic Area, including the implementation and governance structures of any agreements between the United Kingdom and the European Union; to consider European Union documents deposited in the House by a minister; and to support the House as appropriate in interparliamentary cooperation with the European Parliament and the Member States of the European Union. The Sub-Committee on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was appointed by the European Affairs Committee to consider all matters related to the Protocol, including scrutiny of: EU legislation within the scope of the Protocol; relevant domestic UK legislation and policy; the Northern Ireland-related work of the governance bodies established under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement; the Protocol’s political and socio-economic impact on Northern Ireland; and its impact on UK-Irish bilateral relations; as well as conducting interparliamentary dialogue, including with the Northern Ireland Assembly and Irish Oireachtas. Membership The Members of the European
    [Show full text]
  • Three Half Day Workshops on Tenant Involvement in Governance – Where Next for Northern Ireland?
    19th September 2016 Date 2016 E-Zine Welcome to Supporting Communities 61st Edition of E-Zine, bringing you Best Practice from the Community Sector; Funding and Training Updates and Policy Developments in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Republic of Ireland. Three Half Day workshops on Tenant Involvement in Governance – where next for Northern Ireland? Wednesday 19th October 2016, Twickenham House, Ballymena 1pm-4pm Thursday 20th October 2016, Belfast Castle, 1pm-4pm Friday 21st October 2016, Marlborough House Craigavon, 10am-1pm These three workshops are being organised to All participants will have the opportunity to assess enable tenants of the Housing Executive and the relevance and potential benefits of these housing associations in Northern Ireland to discuss models for Northern Ireland tenants. the relevance of recent research on models of tenant involvement in governance by the Come along and have your say on where next for University of Birmingham. your involvement in your housing. Stakeholders from housing associations, local Listen to expert speakers from Amsterdam councils, and relevant government departments Tenants Association, Confederation of are also warmly invited to the Belfast Castle event Cooperative Housing, University of Linz and on October 20th which follows the Housing Community Gateway Association, Preston. Hear Executive Intelligence Exchange event on the assessments of relevance to Northern Ireland from same day. the Supporting Communities team, ask questions and find out where to get more information. There will be opportunities for comments on a state of the art review of current practice in To Book Your Place: Northern Ireland with three case studies and an Please contact Laura O’Dowd, overview of international models.
    [Show full text]
  • Newsletter Summer 2021
    Newsletter Summer 2021 INSIDE Speaking out loud and clear Protecting gospel freedom It has already been necessary Bill to end disability is central to the work of The to take legal action to defend the abortion takes first steps Christian Institute. There are good freedom of churches to uphold the towards becoming law laws that allow Christians to live Bible’s teaching on marriage. We their lives according to the Bible. may need to take legal action to Executive to consider We do not take them for granted. stop a broad ‘conversion therapy’ smacking ban We thank God that we won law banning preaching, prayer and our case on behalf of David pastoral care that uphold biblical Another win for McConnell who was unlawfully sexual ethics. gospel freedom arrested and detained for sharing Through our meetings, CI defends Christian the Gospel. It is a reminder that publications and online resources the law is on our side. we will keep encouraging Christians foster agency at Court But it requires enormous to speak boldly and faithfully on of Appeal effort to ensure that the many religious liberty, marriage, assisted freedoms we enjoy are not eroded. suicide and more. The Christian Institute warns of legal action over possible prayer ban The Christian Institute Deirdre Hargey MLA. has said it “will not It said: “Should any hesitate” to take legal proposals from the action if the Northern Department infringe Ireland Executive upon the everyday introduces a ban on church activities ‘conversion therapy’ outlined within the outlawing prayer which enclosed Opinion our breaches the tenets of client will not hesitate, LGBT theology.
    [Show full text]
  • BRITISH-IRISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY Fifty-Fifth Plenary
    BRITISH-IRISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY Fifty-Fifth Plenary Session 15-17 October 2017, Liverpool MEMBERSHIP OF THE BRITISH-IRISH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY STEERING COMMITTEE Co-Chairs Mr Andrew ROSINDELL MP Ms Kathleen FUNCHION TD Vice-Chairs Mr Declan BREATHNACH TD Mr Nigel EVANS MP Senator Frank FEIGHAN Ms Karin SMYTH MP MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE Westminster Members Oireachtas Members Lord BEW Senator Victor BOYHAN Baroness BLOOD MBE Mr Declan BREATHNACH TD Viscount BRIDGEMAN Mr Joe CAREY TD Ms Deidre BROCK MP Senator Paul COGHLAN Miss Rosie COOPER MP Mr Seán CROWE TD Rt. Hon Sir Jeffrey DONALDSON MP Senator Frank FEIGHAN Lord DUBS Mr Peter FITZPATRICK TD Lord EMPEY OBE Ms Kathleen FUNCHION TD Mr Paul FARRELLY MP Senator Terry LEYDEN Mr Stephen HEPBURN MP Mr Mattie McGRATH TD Ms Helen JONES MP Mr Tony McLOUGHLIN TD Mr Conor McGINN MP Ms Margaret MURPHY O’MAHONY Mr Nigel MILLS MP Senator Catherine NOONE Mr David MORRIS MP Mr Fergus O’DOWD TD Rt. Hon Lord MURPHY of Torfaen Mr Eamon SCANLON TD Mr Andrew ROSINDELL MP Mr Brendan SMITH TD Mr Chris RUANE MP Senator Diarmuid WILSON Ms Karin SMYTH MP Baroness SUTTIE Mr Martin VICKERS MP 2 Scottish Parliament Members Isle of Man Tynwald Member Ms Linda FABIANI MSP Mr Juan WATTERSON SHK Mr Ross GREER MSP Mr John SCOTT MSP States of Jersey Member Mr John Le FONDRÉ Welsh Assembly Members Mr Kevin LEWIS Ms Jayne BRYANT AM Ms Ann JONES AM States of Guernsey Member Dr Dai LLOYD AM Deputy Al BROUARD Mr Darren MILLAR AM Northern Ireland Assembly Members Mr Steve AIKEN MLA Mr Cathal BOYLAN MLA Mr Colin McGRATH MLA Mr Jim WELLS MLA OTHERS ATTENDING AS GUEST SPEAKERS Rt.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 2011
    Northern Ireland Assembly Elections: 2011 RESEARCH PAPER 11/42 18 May 2011 Elections on 5 May 2011 resulted in little change in the overall party composition of the Northern Ireland Assembly. Gains and losses by individual parties involved just one or two seats. 108 Assembly Members were elected by Single Transferrable Vote, 6 Members for each of 18 constituencies. Following the 2011 elections the two largest parties in the Assembly are the DUP (38 MLAs) and Sinn Féin (29 MLAs). Richard Cracknell Recent Research Papers 11/26 Unemployment by Constituency 16.03.11 11/27 Economic Indicators, Budget update 22.03.11 11/28 Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill: Committee 24.03.11 Stage Report 11/29 Economic Indicators, April 2011 05.04.11 11/30 Direct taxes: rates and allowances 2011/12 06.04.11 11/31 Health and Social Care Bill: Committee Stage Report 06.04.11 11/32 Localism Bill: Committee Stage Report 12.04.11 11/33 Unemployment by Constituency, April 2011 14.04.11 11/34 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Amendment) Bill 21.04.11 [Bill 165 of 2010-12] 11/35 Economic Indicators, May 2011 03.05.11 11/36 Energy Bill [HL] [Bill 167 of 2010-12] 04.05.11 11/37 Education Bill: Committee Stage Report 05.05.11 11/38 Social Indicators 06.05.11 11/39 Legislation (Territorial Extent) Bill: Committee Stage Report 11.05.11 Research Paper Contributing Authors: Richard Cracknell Jeremy Hardacre This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual.
    [Show full text]
  • Island Pamphlets No
    Celebrating a shared heritage Michael Hall ISLAND 112 PAMPHLETS 1 Published June 2018 by Island Publications / Farset Community Think Tanks Project 466 Springfield Road, Belfast BT12 7DW © Michael Hall 2018 [email protected] http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/islandpublications Cover photographs © Michael Hall Printed by Regency Press, Belfast The Island Pamphlets series was launched in 1993 to facilitate dialogue and debate on historical, cultural, political and socio-economic issues pertinent to Northern Ireland’s grassroots communities. Most of the pamphlets are edited accounts of discussions undertaken by small groups of individuals – the ‘Community Think Tanks’ – which have embraced (on both a ‘single identity’ and a cross-community basis) Loyalists, Republicans, community activists, women’s groups, victims, cross-border workers, ex-prisoners, young people, senior citizens and others. To date 111 titles have been produced and 195,500 pamphlets have been distributed free of charge at a grassroots level. A full list of the titles (many of which are available for free download) can be found at http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/islandpublications 2 Foreword As I compile this pamphlet Northern Ireland has been without its devolved government for well over a year. The collapse of the power-sharing Executive was initially attributed to anger at a botched heating scheme which threatened to cost the Northern Ireland taxpayer a fortune over many years. However, the centrality of this issue gradually receded and was replaced by a fundamentally more divisive matter: the demand by Sinn Féin for a stand-alone Irish Language Act (Acht na Gaeilge), something which their erstwhile partners in government, the Democratic Unionist Party, refused to contemplate.
    [Show full text]