This week in the Assembly - 17 Nov 2008

Monday 17 November 2008

Questions to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister

Upper Bann MLA George Savage will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assessment they have made of the impact on community relations of the failure of the Executive to meet since June 2008.

Strangford MLA Simon Hamilton will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of when the Executive will next meet.

East Londonderry MLA Francie Brolly will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline the key components envisaged in the strategy for cohesion, sharing and integration.

East Antrim MLA Alastair Ross will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister when they will consider a package to deal with the current economic crisis.

South Antrim MLA David Burnside will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the role of the newly appointed champions for children and young people; and if the children and young people's unit will be able to financially support their recommendations.

West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the Gender Advisory Panel; and how the Gender Equality Strategy is being implemented.

South Belfast MLA Anna Lo will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the impact of the current economic downturn on levels of child poverty and on the Executive's ability to meet its targets for the reduction of child poverty.

North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their assessment of the children and young people projects which have either closed or are at risk of closure due to inadequate funding.

South Belfast MLA Jimmy Spratt will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what meetings they have held to inform Ministers of the present economic difficulties.

West Tyrone MLA Allan Bresland will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline, as part of the consultation on the Civic Forum, what representations were made in relation to an online, interactive relationship with civic society.

West Tyrone MLA Pat Doherty will ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what assessment it has made of the engagement with young people in the Youth Debate held in Parliament Buildings on 23 October 2008.

Questions to the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

East Londonderry MLA John Dallat will ask the Minister for her assessment of the effects on farming and rural communities of the Executive not meeting.

Strangford MLA Jim Shannon will ask the Minister when she will announce the Rural Development Fund scheme.

Upper Bann MLA John O'Dowd will ask the Minister how she intends to take forward the DARD Direct proposals.

Questions to the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure

North Belfast MLA Alban Maginness will ask the Minister for an update on the progress made in the implementation of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in Northern Ireland.

North Belfast MLA Caral Ni Chuilin will ask the Minister what progress has been made towards a strategy for the enhancement and promotion of the Irish language.

East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs will ask the Minister what legislation from his Department has been delayed by the failure of the Executive to meet since June 2008.

West Belfast MLA Jennifer McCann will ask the Minister what discussions he has had with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on a joined up approach to the development and growth of local cultural events, to promote them as both a celebration and as tourist attractions.

Private Members' Business

Community Use of Schools Premises Bill (NIA 1/08)
Second reading

Executive Committee - Requirement to Meet
UUP MLAs Sir Reg Empey and Michael McGimpsey have submitted a joint motion that: "this Assembly requires the Executive Committee to meet immediately, in accordance with the Pledge of Office and the Ministerial Code".

Varney II Report
Alliance MLAs Stephen Farry and Sean Neeson have proposed a motion that: "this Assembly calls upon the Executive to provide a full response to the recommendations of the Varney II Report".

Tuesday 17 November 2008

Private Members' Business

Education, Employment and Training
Sinn Fein MLAs Sue Ramsey, Michelle O'Neill, Claire McGill and Paul Butler have proposed a joint motion that: "this Assembly expresses its concerns at the number of 16-19 year olds who are not in Education, Employment or Training; and calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline his actions to address this situation".

Rural Out of Hours Ambulance Coverage
DUP MLAs Adrian McQuillan and Lord Morrow have proposed a joint motion that: "this Assembly calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services & Public Safety to ensure that rural communities are adequately provided for during periods of out of hours and are not disadvantaged due to the reorganisation in the provision of ambulance cover".

Reaffirmation of Executive Matters
SDLP MLAs Declan O'Loan, Mark Durkan, Alastair McDonnell and Patsy McGlone have proposed a joint motion that: "this Assembly reaffirms its resolution of 16 September 2008 and welcomes the call by leaders of business, manufacturing and construction for an early meeting of the Executive to discuss the delivery of key objectives including a prompt roll-out of capital and regeneration projects, reform of the planning system, increased investment in education and skills for workers, reform of the public sector to reduce bureaucracy, a review of available resources to assist innovation and export, improvement of energy efficiency, investment in the development of renewables and the publication of overdue Delivery Implementation Plans for health and education facilities".

Committee Business

Tuesday 18 November 2008

10.30pm - Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development:
12.30pm - Business Committee
12.30pm - Audit Committee

Wednesday 19 November 2008

10.00am - Committee for Finance and Personnel
10.00am - Committee for Education:
10.30am - Committee for Regional Development
10.30am - Committee for Employment and Learning
2.00pm - Committee on Procedures

Thursday 20 November 2008

10.30am - Committee for the Environment
10.30am - Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure
11.00am - Committee for Social Development
2.00pm - Public Accounts Committee