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An overview of upcoming business at the Assembly from 28 April - 2 May 2008.
The UUP’s Leslie Cree will ask the Minister to provide a timescale within which the Office of Commissioner for Older People will be established.
Dolores Kelly (SDLP) will ask the Minister to outline the main differences between the draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and the Integration, the A Shared Future Report, and the Racial Equality Strategy. Later party colleague Pat Ramsey will ask the Minister, in relation to the draft Programme for Cohesion, Sharing and Integration, if there are specific targets for the PSA objectives and actions in the programme.
David Ford (Alliance) will ask the Minister to report on the expected work to be conducted by the four Victims' Commissioners. Later party colleague Naomi Long will ask the Minister to confirm when the four Victims' Commissioners will be fully operational.
Sinn Féin’s Sue Ramsey will ask the Minister to detail the action his Office is taking (i) to encourage young people to engage with the political, legislative and government administrative processes; and (ii) to listen to the views of young people.
Alex Attwood (West Belfast) will ask the Minister to detail how his Office proposes to eliminate sectarianism, and to outline the budget that is available for this.
Basil McCrea (UUP) will ask the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister if a review of its website, to allow better access for those with disabilities, was completed by March 2008.
The DUP’s Stephen Moutray will ask the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister what is its assessment of the cost effectiveness of the Civic Forum. Later Patsy McGlone (SDLP) will ask the Minister to detail the process used to select the senior official to conduct the review of the Civic Forum.
Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy will ask the Minister if his Office has engaged with, or has been consulted by, the Office of the Lord Chancellor and Minister of Justice on the draft Constitutional Reform Bill.
Gregory Campbell (DUP) will ask the Minister what measures are in place to promote greater understanding and awareness of people from ethnic minorities who have newly arrived in Northern Ireland.
South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns will the Minister to provide a timetable for bringing forward legislation in relation to a Single Equality Bill.
Cathal Boylan (Sinn Féin) will ask the Minister what action she is taking to ensure adequate funding for the Armagh Observatory given the environmental work it carries out in relation to climate change.
The UUP’s Danny Kennedy will ask the Minister if she has any plans to develop applications for additional world heritage sites and national parks to develop further Northern Ireland's tourist potential.
West Tyrone MLA Allan Bresland will ask the Minister to outline (i) the consultation process in the designation of an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI); and (ii) the support available for landowners within a newly designated ASSI area.
Anna Lo (Alliance) will ask the Minister to confirm that Planning Circular PC 03/07 is being applied in all planning offices.
Tom Elliott (UUP) will ask the Minister to detail the action she has taken to promote best practice amongst local councils in relation to preventing litter.
South Belfast MLA Alex Maskey will ask the Minister to outline what plans her department has to introduce legislation to revise planning law in conjunction with the stated intention of the Minister for Social Development to introduce a 'developer contribution' to alleviate social housing need.
Mr J Shannon (DUP) will ask the Minister to detail the number of local councils that have signed up to bi-weekly bin collection.
Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly will ask the Minister what plans she has to review safety at landfill sites; and what action she is taking to deal with the growing number of illegal landfill sites.
Sinn Féin’s Mitchel McLaughlin will ask the Minister if procedures are in place to ensure that planning applications which will have a significant impact on the economy are prioritised.
Alban Maginness (SDLP) will ask the Minister to detail her plans to establish a refundable deposit system on all glass bottles, especially for alcoholic drink.
Stephen Moutray (DUP) will ask the Minister what action she is taking to ensure that planning applications are not unduly delayed by the Environment and Heritage Service.
David Ford (South Antrim) will ask the Minister to report on the reduction levels in pollution that her department hopes to achieve.
The SDLP’s Tommy Gallagher will ask the Minister to detail the number of planning applications for wind farms currently awaiting decisions.
East Belfast MLA Naomi Long will ask the Minister what plans she has to encourage shops to reduce the number of plastic bags used.
Anna Lo (South Belfast) will ask the Minister what proposals he has to extend Peace II to dovetail with the start of Peace III. Later party colleague David Ford will ask the Minister to provide an update on the co-ordination of Peace III expenditure with other public expenditure.
Ken Robinson (UUP) will ask the Minister to detail the strategies in place to inform qualifying people over the age of 70 years that they are entitled to rates relief. Later Jennifer McCann (Sinn Féin) will ask the Minister of Finance and Personnel to report on the level of take-up of rates relief for 2008/09 compared to the level in 2007/08.
Sean Neeson (Alliance) will ask the Minister to provide an update on the Varney 2 Report.
The DUP’s Alastair Ross will ask the Minister to outline the further work being carried out following the outcome of the Executive's review of rating.
Sinn Féin’s Mitchel McLaughlin will ask the Minister what action he is taking to address obstacles to cross-border mobility that fall within the remit of his department.
West Tyrone MLA Allan Bresland will ask the Minister to outline the role of the voluntary and community sector in the implementation of INTERREG IV funding.
The UUP’s George Savage will ask the Minister to outline his position in relation to the procurement of local produce.
SDLP party leader Mark Durkan will ask the Minister to detail the funding opportunities available for organisations offering support or advocacy services on behalf of children, young people and families who do not fit the remit or priorities of a department which has been allocated 'ring-fenced funding' for children.
Ad Hoc Committee: Local Postal Services
The UUP’s David McNarry and the SDLP’s have proposed a join motion: ‘That, as provided for in Standing Order 48(7), this Assembly appoints an Ad Hoc Committee to consider, and make proposals for, partnerships that could enhance the economic case for viable local postal services, in accordance with its resolution of 21 April 2008; and to submit a report to the Assembly by 2 June 2008.’
Composition: DUP 4, Sinn Féin 3, UUP 2, SDLP 2, Alliance 1
Quorum: The quorum shall be five Members.
Review of Business Bureaucracy
DUP MLAs Simon Hamilton, Robin Newton and David Simpson have proposed a joint motion: “That this Assembly recognises the burden, in terms of time and money, placed upon business in the past by unnecessary bureaucracy, out of date regulations and the ‘gold plating’ of EU legislation; and calls upon the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to investigate the potential for a widespread review of business bureaucracy in Northern Ireland, with the aim of simplifying and consolidating necessary regulation and eliminating that which is no longer required.”
Consideration Stage – Local Government (Boundaries) Bill (NIA 14/07)
(Minister of the Environment)
Final Stage – Commission for Victims and Survivors Bill (NIA 12/07)
(First Minister and Deputy First Minister)
Access to Health Service Dental Treatment
Sinn Féin MLAs Caral Ní Chuilín, Michelle O’Neill and Sue Ramsey have tabled a joint motion: “That this Assembly expresses concern about the lack of access to Health Service dental treatment across all Health Board areas; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to urgently bring forward an action plan to address the problem.”
Aggregates Mapping Programme
UUP MLAs Fred Cobain and John McCallister have proposed a joint motion: “That this Assembly notes the finite nature of aggregate resources in Northern Ireland; and calls upon the Minister of the Environment to introduce an aggregates mapping programme to ensure the sustainable future of the aggregate and construction industry.”
‘Regeneration of the Sandy Row area in South Belfast’ (debate proposed by Jimmy Spratt)
Click here to see in full the Assembly Committee Business Diary including times and venues.
1.30pm - Agriculture and Rural Development Committee
1.30pm - Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee
10.00am - Finance and Personnel Committee
10.30am - Regional Development Committee
10.30am - Employment and Learning Committee
2.00pm - Committee for the OFMDFM
10.30am - Environment Committee
10.30am - Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee
10.30am - Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee
11.00am - Social Development Committee
2.30pm - Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee (Visit to Knockbracken)
10.30am Education Committee
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