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 »
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 »
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which incurred significant expenditure in planning the five elite sports facilities for which funding has now been withdrawn.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 …
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 »
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 …
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 …
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 …
