Patsy McGlone
Mid Ulster · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“Limiting the power to dismiss charges involving the death of or serious physical harm to a vulnerable person will enhance the fairness and integrity of those criminal proceedings.”
“The SDLP welcomes the provisions for the long-overdue establishment of a statutory Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime. That is a significant step forward in the development of our justice system.”
“Putting the office on a statutory footing will ensure that the commissioner's role is legally recognised and accountable to the public and the justice system. The Minister outlined a number of the measures in the process of accountability.”
“OK. I thank my colleague — indeed, the Minister — for responding. It is, as the Minister said and my colleague highlighted, a sensitive area. People who are approached to give a reference should think long and hard about the implications of the references that they give: where they might wind up; the circumstances in which they give them;…”
“The SDLP welcomes the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill and the opportunity to debate it, alongside the Chairperson — or should I say, "Mr Amendment" — at its Second Stage.”
“I accept that the Minister's Department, as she has stated repeatedly, does not have the capacity or resources to develop those legislative provisions during this mandate.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,995 lines we hold for Patsy McGlone, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 32 of 40.
“The Department described the lack of detail in the Republic's legislation and how it would prefer to have the more comprehensive drafting approach in relation to corporate members establishing a direct connection between the credit union and the corporate member. <BR /> <BR />Treasury stated to the Committee that the reason why partnerships and, indeed, unincorporated associations must be represented by an individual is that these bodies are not separate legal entities in their own right, unlike registered companies, chartered corporations or statutory corporations, which all have separate legal personality, specifically, a legal existence outside of their members.”
“<BR /> <BR />Concern was also raised with the Committee that the advice that Treasury officials were receiving was based on evidence from credit unions in England and Wales, rather than in Ireland generally, where it is widely accepted that the credit union movement is considered to be much more well-developed and, indeed, mature in handling its ongoing business. <BR /> <BR />The Committee asked the Department what consideration it had given to the inclusion in the Bill of provisions similar to those included in the Republic of Ireland legislation to permit credit unions to admit unincorporated bodies as members in the name of the entity.”
“Concern was raised about the impact to the individual concerned when an account was opened in that person’s name. This included tax implications for the individual and the potential for fraud in circumstances where a credit union failed. The Department stated that there are provisions in the Bill, under clause 1(3), to determine what interest an individual who is representing an unincorporated body has in the shares held in a credit union on behalf of that body. For the purpose of this determination, the shares will not be treated as being held by that individual.”
“An example was given to the Committee of a sports club, which can open a bank account in the name of the club with authorised signatories, but cannot open a credit union account in the name of that same club. It was put to the Committee that, as banks can open accounts in the name of organisations, credit unions should be able to do the same. There was concern about an unintended effect of sending a message that credit unions offer an inferior level of service when compared with banks and building societies, which definitely is not the case. <BR /> <BR />The Department informed the Committee that, in the period since the Bill has been developed, six credit unions in Northern Ireland have failed and that the last failure involved unauthorised lending, and it believes that to create further risk at this stage would be imprudent.”
“In its 'Report on the Committee's Inquiry into the Role and Potential of Credit Unions in Northern Ireland', which was published in the previous mandate, the Committee had recommended that membership of credit unions is extended to include joint accounts and group membership. <BR /> <BR />The Committee considered trade union body concerns over the manner in which unincorporated members are being dealt with under this legislation. They are concerns such as whether the Department has done enough to help maximise the potential benefits of having corporate members, and the reasons why there is a requirement for some classes of corporate member to be registered in the name of an individual.”
“Also, I would like to place on record our thanks to the Minister's predecessor for her commitment and positive engagement with the Committee, both in pre-legislative scrutiny and in the course of the Committee Stage of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The addition of clause 13A, which deals with the review of section 1, arose as a result of Committee concerns regarding the provisions in clause 1 relating to credit union membership by unincorporated bodies. Clause 1 amends the 1985 Order to allow a credit union to admit corporate members. The Committee welcomes this provision in the Bill.”
“I would like to thank the Minister for that. That rigorous scrutiny of the original policy proposals considerably reduced the time needed by the Committee to further consider the Bill during the Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />I would like to thank the Minister and, particularly, his officials, who guided us through this very well, showing a lot of knowledge and experience. Having that level of experience in the room is something that a Committee can be very thankful for. It would be remiss of me not to also thank our Committee officials, who helped to structure and organise meetings for us and provided reports and documentation too.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes the Bill, which is intended to update the key Northern Ireland legislation governing credit unions and industrial and provident societies — the Credit Unions (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 and the Industrial and Provident Societies Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 respectively. This legislation has arisen as a result of an inquiry into the role and potential of credit unions, an invaluable part of our society, which was undertaken by the Committee during the previous mandate. <BR /> <BR />During the current mandate, the Committee undertook considerable pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill and, as a result, suggested a number of changes to the proposed policy, which have been largely accepted by the Department and, where appropriate, included in the Bill, as we have heard today.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire agus tá súil agam go bhfaighimid beaichte inniu. I thank the Minister for giving us precision, keeping us on course and dealing with the stuff that we have in front of us. I will speak on new clause 13A and the amendment to clause 15. <BR /> <BR />The Credit Unions and Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Bill was referred to the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment on 24 June 2015. The Committee sought an extension to the Committee Stage to 29 January this year to ensure sufficient time to scrutinise the Bill effectively. As it turned out, the Committee did not need to avail itself of the extension, and published its report on 24 November last.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Aire, as an fhreagra chineál chuimsitheach sin. Ach cá mhéad airgid atá curtha i leataobh le hAcht na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn? I thank the Minister for her answer, albeit that a bit more detail may be required. How much money has she put aside in her Department specifically for the promotion of Acht na Gaeilge?”
“— that the public sector, or social housing sector more specifically, has provided an adequate response to that need?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I concur with his sentiments about those organisations. Many of these people give of their time voluntarily to support people on our streets and to pull things back together for them in difficult and traumatic times. <BR /> <BR />Bringing it back to the issue of homelessness, I am sure that the Minister, being a grass-roots constituency worker himself, will acknowledge that a lot of the pressure to provide homes for the homeless previously went over to the private sector. In my experience from my constituency, the private sector is now largely being eaten up by tenants. Does the Minister feel —”
“<BR /> <BR />Having given the Bill its full consideration and put forward recommendations for amendments, which were accepted by the Department, the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment is content with the provisions in the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill.”
“That process will operate at two levels. First, the RPB will carry out monitoring inspections of its IPs. Secondly, at government level, there will be an annual programme of inspection whereby every recognised professional body is regularly inspected. <BR /> <BR />These are new procedures, and, as such, it is important that they are appropriately monitored and reviewed in a timely manner to ensure that they are not overly burdensome on the industry but, more importantly, that they provide the appropriate protection and assurances for those who are unfortunate enough to be involved in the insolvency process, as well as the protection of the public interest. I would welcome assurances from the Minister that this will, indeed, be the case and that the appropriate monitoring and review of these provisions will be undertaken.”
“The Minister informed the Committee that, through the introduction of new clauses 14A to 14H, provisions for an effective route to policing and controlling the conduct of insolvency practitioners would be included in the Bill. This includes penalties that will apply to recognised professional bodies if they do not maintain a satisfactory standard of regulation. It also gives the Department the power to intervene directly by applying to the court for action to be taken against an IP.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee considered the Department's outline proposals to put in place a regulatory objective through a future insolvency Bill to include requirements for appropriate training; ensuring consistent outcomes; providing high-quality services; acting transparently and with integrity; considering the interests of all creditors in any particular case; promoting the maximisation of the value of returns; and protecting and promoting the public interest. Thankfully, the Department had a change of heart and decided that provisions could be brought through the current Bill to police the conduct of insolvency practitioners.”
“The Committee raised the issue with the Minister of the potential for a statutory code of conduct to oversee supervision, control, accountability and regulation of how IPs conduct themselves. The matter was, in fact, first brought to the Committee's attention by Mr Jim Allister MLA. I was looking round for him, but he is not here. I want to place on record our thanks to him for doing so.”
“Under clause 17, the Lord Chief Justice will have to be consulted about the making of orders creating a right of appeal to a court in respect of discretionary decisions to disqualify bankrupts from offices or positions. The Committee was content with the Department's response that, firstly, as the courts have an interest, it is essential that the Lord Chief Justice be consulted and, secondly, the clause will have no impact on processing times. The Committee was therefore content with clause 17 as drafted. <BR /> <BR />The Department brought a number of amendments to the Bill at Consideration Stage. I covered those in detail during the Consideration Stage debate. I do not intend to go over those areas again today as the Committee's consideration of the issues is already on record. However, there is one area that is worth emphasising.”
“The Department informed the Committee that there would be a cost to the Department to administer early discharge, which would outweigh any benefit to the individuals involved; that only two individuals had ever been discharged early in Northern Ireland; and that it is of very minor benefit to the individuals. The Committee was therefore content with clause 12 as drafted. <BR /> <BR />At a time when there is a backlog in cases where there are no assets to be realised, concern was raised by Committee members that the provision in clause 17 for a requirement for the Lord Chief Justice to be consulted may impact on processing times.”
“When asked whether the system would be retained here, officials informed the Committee that the Department intends to repeal it in a future insolvency Bill to be passed during the next Assembly along with a large number of outstanding amendments to be made to insolvency law in Northern Ireland. On that basis, the Committee was content with clause 6 as drafted. <BR /> <BR />Clause 12 repeals provision in existing legislation that allows a bankruptcy to end within one year if the official receiver files a notice with the High Court stating that the investigation is unnecessary or concluded. The Committee considered the view that, if a bankrupt is disqualified from holding certain positions for the period of time, early discharge may allow that person to take up a position in society, such as in public service.”
“The Committee agreed that it would be bad practice for any party to be confronted by a different procedure than the one they had expected and started off with at the outset of that particular case. The Committee was therefore content with clause 3 as drafted. <BR /> <BR />Clause 6 adds a requirement for the official receiver to notify the Department as well as report to the High Court whether a proposal by a bankrupt for a voluntary arrangement with the official receiver acting as nominee has been approved or rejected by the bankrupt's creditors. Those giving evidence to the Committee supported this proposal. However, the Westminster Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 is intended to repeal the fast-track system entirely.”
“Following full consideration of the evidence, the Committee was content with clause 1 as drafted. <BR /> <BR />At clause 3, the Bill introduces provisions for the requirement to hold a meeting to present progress reports in voluntary winding-up procedures to be replaced by a requirement to issue a report on progress. That is intended to reduce the cost of holding meetings that are poorly attended or not of any particular benefit. <BR /> <BR />The Committee considered options to avoid the situation where, in practice, IPs would have to operate the legacy legislation and the amended legislation concurrently on their portfolios of cases. However, following consideration, the Committee agreed that, where a procedure is under way, those involved would expect the case to be conducted in accordance with the existing law.”
“The Committee noted that there is also a requirement in the Bill for anyone proposing to hold remote meetings to ensure the identification of those attending and the security of any electronic means of communication used to enable attendance. In addition, every insolvency practitioner is subject to monitoring by their recognised professional body, which will seek to ensure that insolvency practitioners adhere to best practice. <BR /> <BR />Some concern was expressed about the need to build in adequate time to allow a suitable venue to be identified and for creditors to be informed. The Department informed the Committee that time periods for individual requirements for meetings are specified elsewhere in legislation and that the same requirements for quite generous time periods will remain in place.”
“I will focus on the Committee’s consideration of these concerns at Committee Stage. The Committee agreed that the introduction of provisions at clause 1 for remote attendance at meetings is a practical and helpful addition to existing arrangements. It will increase access to interested parties, reduce costs and help to make the administration of insolvency cases easier by allowing for the use of modern methods of communication and eliminating unnecessary procedural requirements. <BR /> <BR />Issues were raised in relation to verifying the identity of remote attendees. However, the Department assured the Committee that safeguards, including password protections and firewalls, will be put in place.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill helps to bring insolvency legislation into the twenty-first century by maximising the use of electronic communications. It establishes that documents stored and transmitted electronically in the course of insolvency proceedings are as good and valid in law as paper documents. It enables the use of means such as video and teleconferencing at meetings of creditors, members or contributors of companies. It also provides for improvements in the way in which the work of insolvency practitioners is monitored and controlled. <BR /> <BR />The Committee engaged in a call for evidence from interested organisations and individuals and from the Department. Evidence indicated that there is broad support for the Bill, although concerns were raised over a number of provisions in it.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. The Committee welcomes the Final Stage of the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill, which is intended to update insolvency legislation made before the advent of modern methods of electronic communication. I thank the Minister, and more particularly his predecessor, and especially the officials — I see some of them here today — for their positive engagement with the Committee in both pre-legislative scrutiny and the Committee Stage. It is always very helpful when the officials who attend the Committee are well across their brief and experienced in the advice that they give the Committee. I thank them for that. I thank all those who gave evidence at Committee Stage. I also thank Committee colleagues for their full and conscientious consideration of what were often technical and complex issues.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí. Can the Minister inform the House whether there is a realistic chance of the 56 outstanding legacy inquests being completed within a reasonable period or at all?”
“Also of great concern to us is where the money stolen in fraudulent activity goes to. It is normally used to fund serious crimes, such as drug dealing, people trafficking and money laundering. Fraud can come from outside and from within any business, and there are many ways in which a business could be targeted, through telegraphic transfer, collusive employees and cold-calling, which I referred to earlier. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I reiterate what has become apparent through this process: retail and business crime is not victimless; it is costing people jobs and their livelihoods, and it is costing Northern Ireland businesses. If we think about where the money goes, we see that it is costing us a lot more in criminal activity. There are victims of the crime.”
“The PSNI estimated the cost of fraud in the UK at £38·4 billion a year. Northern Ireland is no different for fraud potential, albeit the value is probably much less. Like retail crime, fraud is not a victimless crime. Many people who have been targeted personally by fraudsters get any money refunded by their banks and, as such, believe that fraud is a victimless crime. That is not the case; someone has to pay for it. <BR /> <BR />During our session, the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium said that cybercrime and fraud are huge issues. They said that we need:”
“That is it happening in its basic form, but there are some very sophisticated criminals. A good friend of mine who is in business saw how they operated when they cleaned someone's credit card, unbeknownst to that person until the statement came. It was a very, very sophisticated crime, which wound up on the streets of England. It is very prevalent. <BR /> <BR />The majority of cybercrime is not being reported, so it is difficult to see a clear picture or to get a clear figure for it. We were told that the annual cost of fraud and online crime is very substantial. Many businesses just cannot afford it. The report echoes the comments made on the issue that, due to businesses being required to develop e-commerce opportunities to survive, they are more at risk of fraud and, potentially, more vulnerable.”
“The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium said that the cost of crime to the UK retail sector is £603 million, which is the equivalent of over 40,000 entry-level retail jobs. The criminals may think that they are targeting big businesses, but that is simply not the case. The consequential effects are on their neighbours and friends. <BR /> <BR />One of the major issues that appeared from this report was that of fraud. The Chair mentioned cybercrime. Cybercrime and fraud are huge issues for business. We have been told that there is a lack of understanding of how prevalent that type of crime is. At a basic level, we all get the phone calls, every day, from someone who is looking for details about our date of birth, mother's maiden name and those sorts of things, and we get emails.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I speak in this debate wearing a number of hats. I speak not only as an SDLP member of the Justice Committee but as Chair of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. I must begin my remarks by mentioning an issue that was raised during the event by each and every one of the stakeholders, namely the fact that business crime is not a victimless crime. <BR /> <BR />We all know the level of SMEs in the North. It is easy to see how they have been affected by the economic downturn. You need only walk along the main street of any town to see the number of empty properties and shops. During the engagement, we were told that one in six shops in our town centres lay empty, and that is easy to believe.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for her answers. She was moving into the territory where I was going to go, in that many of our town centre shops are vacant because of critically high rates, which many businesses find extremely difficult to sustain. Does she agree that it would be a detrimental move for those businesses, particularly in the town centres that we are hoping to revive in order to get people back into those premises? If you were to add another 50% in rates or whatever it is that Mr McMullan has in mind with his anti-business proposal, that would be detrimental to those town centres and would not act as a catalyst for their development.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answer. What aspects of family poverty, in particular, are taken into consideration? We have, obviously, heard about child poverty issues and the development of the child being addressed. They are worthwhile and integral parts of the strategy. What aspects of the strategy are dealing with situations where families, particularly young mums, are being forced, because of the exorbitant costs of childcare, to leave their workplace? In other words, what support is there for working families who are on the breadline?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. Thanks very much, Minister, for your response. In what way will secondary-school students, who will be most affected by this, have an input into this consultation process?”
“<BR /> <BR />The people of Mid Ulster — indeed, the people of the North — do not deserve half measures. I support the motion and, again, thank Mrs Overend for introducing it.”
“I go back to my point: the longer someone who is fit for discharge is in a hospital bed, the greater the backlog of people who require those hospital beds and the smaller the chance of that person being looked after properly, and adequately cared for, in their home environment as a citizen. We need to bolster care in the community to reduce pressures, and strategies for the wider health service must be based fundamentally on patient needs and not exclusively on the financial bottom line. People in Mid Ulster and, arguably, all of Northern Ireland need clarity. If the Health Department remains committed to the ideals of Transforming Your Care, we must see continued support for domiciliary care packages. If, however, the ideals of the health service have shifted, local residential care must be supported.”
“Northern Ireland's ageing population requires new approaches that accommodate older people and do not invalidate them as citizens. Financial responsibility is crucial, but to focus entirely on strict financial controls and cuts is to lose sight of the reality of patient and community needs.”
“The SDLP believes that older people deserve a high-quality, well-funded service from care workers who are properly trained, committed and rewarded for the complex care that they provide to patients at home. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that the Health Minister must make difficult decisions in an uncertain economic climate, but, in the light of figures that suggest that there will be a 69% growth in the population aged over 75, it is only natural to be concerned about any major change to the delivery of domiciliary care in Mid Ulster or, indeed, across the North.”
“<BR /> <BR />When it comes to health concerns, my constituency office primarily deals with fears about the provision, or lack of provision, of home care packages, as I have outlined. Home care for the people of Cookstown, Magherafelt, south Derry, east Tyrone and, indeed, all the rural areas surrounding, remains definitely the preferred option. Care packages allow older people to live as independently as possible, for as long as possible, in the setting that they prefer: their own home. Put simply, home-care domiciliary packages allow for the provision of healthcare to the housebound and disabled; it takes away, or helps to alleviate, some of the strain and stress of travelling for many people.”
“<BR /> <BR />In September, the people of Cookstown stood alongside the staff of Westlands Residential Home to demonstrate against the closure of that institution. Westlands, which many MLAs have already said, has faced tremendous adversity over the years, yet staff and residents have remained firm in their support of the home and the people cared for in it. <BR /> <BR />At Stormont, a similar protest occurred, with about 200 care-home residents, relatives and trades unionists protesting on the steps outside Parliament Buildings. I, like others, stood alongside them and heard stories of how valuable residential care remains; how it factors into the lives of so many people; how the staff show support and dedication; and how they help to rebuild and support the lives of residents and their families.”
“I am sure that the Minister, with both his financial accounting hat on and the facts that he has at his fingertips, will be able to outline how much a hospital bed and a care package costs health and social services per day. It is a no-brainer. The sooner we get people out of hospitals, the cheaper it is and the more applicable it is to others who deserve care in hospital. <BR /> <BR />We have significant reservations about the continual closure of residential care homes across the North when we do not have sufficient funding for home care services. A key aspect of Transforming Your Care was aimed at seeing our home care services properly funded and resourced. Funding and provision for that manpower and womanpower in home care settings is very important if we are to transform your care at all.”
“<BR /> <BR />Yes, we have the outlook of cutbacks on domiciliary care packages, but I have to say that I have encountered an increasing problem that does not involve cutbacks. In many cases that I have encountered where difficulties arise, resources and finance are there, but the carers — usually for private care — cannot be found. They cannot find people or employees, and that is becoming an intractable problem. People who are ready for discharge from hospital and taking up a hospital bed cannot return home because carers are not there to provide the care package to support them in their own home. That is becoming an intractable problem. You have only to do the maths.”
“I have to say that the previous Minister did stand by his word and did that. However, there are pressures on local health provision, and that has created uncertainty amongst older people and their families. However, I pay particular tribute to the carers who look after them, often in very difficult and trying circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Just today, we heard the news that seven residential care homes are being closed by Four Seasons, right across the North. Indeed, Mr Deputy Speaker, one of them is in your constituency. I realise that the Minister has delayed the consultation on residential care home provision, but I ask him to give clear, unequivocal assurances that places will be found ASAP for people in those homes and that they and their families are not left high and dry. That would really put pressures on people.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Thanks very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank Mrs Overend for bringing the motion, and I extend my personal and sincere sympathy to her and her extended family on the passing of her grandmother. Grandparents in particular can be a close and integral part of any family, so I am very sorry about that, Sandra. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate, although it is a difficult subject to speak on. It is a debate that is not only worrying but disheartening at times. Today, I hope I can give voice to not only the elderly people of Mid Ulster but their families. <BR /> <BR />In Mid Ulster, as was said, we have felt the ongoing reduction of our health services and further closure of several residential care homes. Some of that has been abated.”
“A Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment agreed the motion to extend the Committee Stage of the Bill until 29 January at a time when the Committee was waiting for information from the Department that was needed to complete the Committee Stage of the Bill. I am pleased to inform the House that that information was received and considered by the Committee much earlier than expected. That has enabled the Committee to proceed much faster than originally envisaged. The Committee will consider the report on the Bill at tomorrow's meeting, and that should complete the Committee Stage of the Bill without the need to avail of the extension. The extension is being sought only to cover any unforeseen eventuality at tomorrow's Committee meeting in relation to the report.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for her statement. Specifically about allocations of funding to job creation and support for it, it has been proven, through facts provided to the Enterprise Committee, that investment in collaborative projects through InterTradeIreland and with its support has helped in the drawdown of EU funding for those projects more successfully than would normally be the case. Unfortunately, it appears that IntertradeIreland has been targeted for further budget cuts. Does the Minister accept that investment in such projects is of greater benefit in the long term than a simple cut now?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment supports the Renewable Heat Incentive Schemes (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and recommends that the regulations be affirmed by the Assembly.”
“The Committee was concerned that, following a 10-week lull between the SL1 and the SR, the Department was suddenly in a hurry to bring the SR to the Committee and get it passed in a plenary sitting within a matter of an hour or so. The Committee, therefore, questioned officials on the reasons for the delay and for the subsequent sudden haste. Officials informed the Committee that the Department originally aimed for the legislation to come into effect on 4 November. However, they said that there was a delay in securing the financial and legal approvals. The Department was concerned to avoid a hiatus in the industry and, therefore, wanted to bring forward the legislation as quickly as possible.”
“It also provides an option for any consumer to avail themselves of a source of heating that can lead to lower CO2 emissions, increased fuel security and an increase in local employment opportunities in the green energy sector. This statutory rule will provide the legislative basis for extending the non-domestic RHI scheme to offer support for heat generated from combined heat and power installations and will introduce a tiered tariff for non-domestic biomass installations to ensure affordability and value for money. <BR /> <BR />The Committee considered the SL1 at its meeting on 8 September and was content with the policy proposals at that time. However, that was 10 weeks ago, and the Committee had the opportunity to consider the SR being debated today only at this morning's meeting.”