Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 23 March 2011 I declare an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council who has been involved in very many planning applications. The Bill is obviously one of the most important to have come before the Assembly. However, I am concerned about its impact over the next decades and about its late […]
Planning Bill: Final Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Planning / Environment
WHY I VOTED AGAINST THE BUDGET? My fundamental objection to the Budget is the allocation for Health. I welcome the additional funding but this will do little to redress the long-term structural underfunding of the service. As I pointed out previously, I have no political axe to grind with anyone on this issue. I speak
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 09 March 2011, Executive Committee Business I sympathise with the Minister on having to delivering this Budget. I have no doubt that he is aware of the negative impact that it will have on the Northern Ireland economy. I am sure that he recognises that the Westminster cuts agenda is ideologically driven and economically illiterate
Budget 2011-15: Programme for Expenditure (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Finance
Northern Ireland Assembly, 09 March 2011, Private Members’ Business I declare an interest as a member of North Down Borough Council in addition to my role as an MLA. I assure the House that I will not stand for election to the Assembly in May, but I hope to return to the council. In fact, I am in
Local Government (Disqualification) Bill: Final Stage Read More »
Assembly, Local GovernmentNorthern Ireland Assembly, 08 March 2011 I will deal first with third-party appeals. In my election campaign, I said that, if I was elected to the Assembly, I would promote third-party appeals. Therefore, I welcome this amendment. However, I now see that, because of the petition of concern, my vote on the issue becomes irrelevant. Not
Planning Bill: Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 07 March 2011 I welcome the amendment. High hedges and trees have been a major issue in my constituency. As a member of North Down Borough Council, I have dealt with many such cases over the past 30 years. Indeed, I was involved in drawing up a number of my constituents’ responses to Lord Rooker’s consultation,
High Hedges Bill: Further Consideration Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 01 March 2011 I welcome the Bill, which is long overdue. It is time that we had an update to the protection of wildlife. As the Chairperson said, perhaps it does not go far enough. Nevertheless, there is much in the legislation to welcome. It is important that the Bill will introduce
Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill: Final Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Animal Welfare, Assembly, Green Issues, Planning / Environment
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North Down Independent 2011 Read More »
North Down, West Bangor News