This week in the Assembly - 15 September 2008

Monday 15 September 2008

Questions to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

North Belfast MLA Alban Maginnis will ask the Ministers what progress there has been in relation to the creation of a Commissioner for Older People post, in light of the current economic downturn and rising energy costs.

Upper Bann MLA Stephen Moutray will ask the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister how the Department is performing against its Programme for Government targets; and how this performance is measured.

North Antrim MLA Ian Paisley Jr will ask the Ministers for an update on the review of the Civic Forum.

MLA John Dallat (East Londonderry) will ask the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what plans it has for the promotion of peace and reconciliation activities in the run up to Christmas and the new year.

Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots will ask what measures have been put in place to ensure delivery of targets for the Programme for Government.

MLA for North Down Leslie Cree will ask for an update on the publication of the Regional Development Strategy, as agreed by the Executive.

Questions to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Mid Ulster MLA Francie Molloy will ask the Minister to outline the progress in establishing the new delivery mechanisms for Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme; what elements of the wider programme will open; and when this will occur.

East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross will ask for an update on the distribution of rural development funding between council clusters.

Upper Bann MLA Sam Gardiner will ask the Minister what consultation she has had with the Minister of the Environment in relation to the creation of a Climate Change Adoption strategy.

South Down MLA Willie Clarke will ask if efforts are underway to join up the Rural Development Programmes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, particularly in border areas, to increase their benefits to farmers and the wider rural community.

MLA for South Antrim David Ford will ask the Minister how her department will use the development of the renewable energy sector to create job opportunities.

Questions to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure

East Londonderry MLA John Dallat will ask the Minister what plans he has to target groups experiencing unhealthy lifestyles through physical inactivity and obesity; and how success will be monitored by council area.

Upper Bann MLA David Simpson will ask the Minister to detail what action he is taking to increase community and cultural funding in the (i) Banbridge; (ii) central Craigavon; (iii) Lurgan; and (iv) Portadown areas.

East Antrim MLA Ken Robinson will ask the Minister what plans he has to increase the investment in community sports facilities, given the link between sporting investment and Olympic medal success rates.

Tuesday 16 September 2008

Private Members' Business

Neighbourhood Renewal
Sinn Fein MLAs Caral Ni Chuilin, Mickey Brady, Fra McCann and Martina Anderson have tabled a joint motion that: "this Assembly calls on the Minister for Social Development to ensure that the Department retains lead responsibility for Neighbourhood Renewal, now and in the future, to ensure that social deprivation is tackled in our communities and that there is joined-up delivery."

Economic downturn
SDLP MLAs Mark Durkan, Alasdair McDonnell, Dolores Kelly and Patsy McGlone have tabled a joint motion that: "this Assembly calls on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to ensure that the Executive meets to address important papers being brought forward by Ministers, to consider the regional impact of the economic downturn and measures which might mitigate its impact on households, businesses, employment and the regional economy including expediting the start dates for major public works agreed in the Investment Strategy, rejecting water charges and prioritising interventions against rising fuel poverty."

Committee Business

Click here to see full Assembly Committee Business Diary

Tuesday 16 September 2008

12.30pm - Business Committee
1.30pm - Agriculture & Rural Development Committee

Wednesday 17 September 2008

10.00am - Finance and Personnel Committee
10.00am - Education Committee
10.30am - Employment and Learning Committee
10.30am - Regional Development Committee
2.00pm - OFMDFM Committee

Thursday 18 September 2008

10.00am - Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee
10.30am - Environment Committee
10.30am - Enterprise, Trade and Industry Committee
11.00am - Social Development Committee
2.00pm - Public Accounts Committee
2.30pm - Health, Social Services & Public Safety Committee