Northern Ireland Assembly, 15 December 2010 I have introduced the Bill to bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom with regard to hunting with dogs. The Bill merely implements the provisions of the Hunting Act 2004, which applies inEngland and Wales. I have had a long-standing opposition to blood sports, and was a regular […]
Hunting Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Animal Welfare, Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly, 14 December 2010 The Planning Bill is probably the most important Bill to come before the Assembly, as it will affect all planning decisions for decades to come. To develop our economy, we need a new planning system, as the present system is not fit for purpose. No one is happy with the
Planning Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
Assembly, Local Government, Planning / Environment
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 07 December 2010 As a member of the Assembly all-party group on autism, I welcome the fact that the Autism Bill has reached Second Stage. I congratulate the chairman of the group and all those who put so much work into it. As other Members pointed out, there have been a number
Autism Bill: Second Stage (Assembly) Read More »
News
Northern Ireland Assembly, 16 November 2010 I ask the Minister for Regional Development whether NI Water has a programme for disposing of reservoirs that are surplus to requirement in North Down and whether the local council would be given the first option of purchase. (AQO 521/11) Conor Murphy (Sinn Féin) I have been advised by Northern Ireland Water that it currently owns seven
At its AGM Green Party members voted to oppose the alternative vote in next year’s referendum. The motion was proposed by MLA Brian Wilson who argued that “AV was not a proportional system and was no fairer than the present “first past the post.” In agreeing to this referendum the Lib Dems had betrayed all
Oppose Alternative Vote in Referendum Read More »
NewsI have always been a long standing supporter of the Green New Deal long before the Green New Deal group was set. Indeed our Party Manifesto for the European Election in 2009 was entitled a Green New Deal for Europe. We argued that on the basis of the experience of these countries we could create
Green New Deal is the Way Forward (Assembly Speech) Read More »
News
Northern Ireland Assembly, 19 October 2010 I ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development what steps her Department is taking, or plans to take, to encourage cycling in forests. (AQO 360/11) Michelle Gildernew (Sinn Féin) My Department’s Forest Service already makes provision for cycling at a number of forests. That includes mountain bike, family cycling and Sustrans trails. In addition, my officials
Northern Ireland Assembly, 12 October 2010 I ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for an update on the upgrade of Windsor Park and any discussions he has had with the Irish Football Association regarding the upgrade. (AQO271/11) Nelson McCausland (DUP) Through Sport NI, my Department appointed consultants to undertake the outline business case for stadium development. Having assessed the proposals, together
Windsor Park Football Stadium (AQO) Read More »
Assembly, Sport
Northern Ireland Assembly, Monday 12 October 2010 I ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety how the increase in the health budget over the last three years compares with that in England. (AQO 284/11) Michael McGimpsey (UUP) Looking at my revenue budget, I see that, over the past three years, my Department got less than 1% above
DHSSPS: Budget (AQO) Read More »
Assembly, Finance, HealthNorthern Ireland Assembly, 12 October 2010 I ask the Assembly Commission what measures it has introduced to reduce energy use in each of the last three years and how effective these measures have been. (AQO 298/11) Sean Neeson (Alliance) In 2009, a detailed review of energy consumption over the past four years, covering 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-2010, was
