Northern Ireland Assembly, 28 February 2011 I have supported a levy on plastic bags for many years and I, therefore, welcome the Bill. I support it not on economic grounds — although something like £4·7 million for the green new deal, to which other Members referred, would be welcome — but on environmental grounds. Indeed, […]
Single Use Plastic Bags Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Finance, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, 22 February 2011 I ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether he will consider compensating those bodies which incurred significant expenditure in planning the five elite sports facilities for which funding has now been withdrawn. Nelson McCausland (DUP) All Departments are going through the biggest budget cuts that have been experienced in a
Elite Sports Facilities (AQO) Read More »
Assembly, Sport
Northern Ireland Assembly, 21 February 2011 I too welcome the legislation. High hedges are a very common problem in North Down. In fact, I have been involved in a number of disputes — [Laughter.] Sorry, I have been involved in trying to resolve a number of disputes between neighbours. They are extremely difficult and some people are particularly
High Hedges Bill: Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment
Support for alternative vote (AV) system is a betrayal of those who have worked for many years for electoral reform. AV is no fairer than first past post and will reinforce sectarian voting patterns in Northern Ireland. For those of us who have campaigned for electoral reform and a fair electoral system the introduction of
Reject Alternative Vote Read More »
News
Northern Ireland Assembly, 15 February 2011 I cannot support the Budget in its present form. There has not been adequate time for public consultation, the Budget is not credible and it lacks detail, and some departmental figures do not add up. It also includes some extremely optimistic assumptions. I believe that it is merely an
Budget Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Finance
BRIAN WILSON STATES THE APPALLING GDP FIGURES HIGHLIGHTS THE RESULTS OF THE TORIES PUTTING IDEOLOGY BEFORE COMMON SENSE. The latest growth figures are appalling and fully justify my prediction last June that the cuts would lead to a double dip recession. This is likely to happen in the next quarter when the full cuts and
Tories Put Ideology Before Common Sense Read More »
News
PPS21 HAS DRIVEN A COACH AND HORSES THROUGH ANY ATTEMPT TO PROTECT OUR RURAL ENVIRONMENT Brian Wilson MLA, Member of Assembly Environment Committee: The figures presented to the Environment Committee today confirmed my worst fear and shows that bungalow blight is spreading like acne across our countryside. It is clearly providing a charter and a
The Assembly rejected an attempt by Sinn Fein MLA Francie Molloy to overturn the ban on hare coursing. This was welcomed Brian Wilson who has for many years campaigned for such a ban. Brian Wilson: I was surprised and disappointed to see Mr Molloy’s amendment on the agenda. I thought that we had finally resolved
Northern Ireland Assembly, 07 February 2011 It was 40 years ago when my former colleague the late MP for Bangor Bertie McConnell first introduced such a Bill to the old Northern Ireland Parliament. Although it was passed by the Commons, it was delayed by the Senate and fell when the Parliament was abolished in 1972. My North Down Alliance
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill: Further Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Animal Welfare, Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment