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 …
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 …
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 …
I 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 »
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 …
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 …
