Daithí McKay
North Antrim · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Will the First Minister give us a more detailed update on the civic advisory panel? Would she also agree that, as we face what is, undoubtedly, a political and economic abyss, it is more important than ever that we hear from civic voices in society as well as political leadership?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I recognise much of the work that is ongoing. Given the recent reported and alleged race crime in the Minister's constituency involving several members of the police, will she give us an assurance that a proper and fully independent investigation will be carried out?”
“<BR /> <BR />In recent years, it has become harder and harder to secure your vote. In that context, it does not make sense that support to secure the vote is withdrawn from those on the ground when they need it more than ever. I am sure that most people picked up anecdotes when canvassing in the recent election.”
“We should move forward with confidence and take on more powers to ensure that we protect local services and workers. <BR /> <BR />Look at the list of offices to be impacted: Ballymena, Banbridge, Omagh, Derry, Newtownabbey and Newtownards. If all those were to close, it would leave a huge gap in rural constituencies.”
“I thank the proposers of the motion for bringing it to the House. I am moving the amendment on behalf of Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />I think that all 108 Members received a letter from NIPSA concerning the action that has been taken. The letter also highlights the lack of accountability regarding local politicians.”
“I did so along with other MLAs from all the parties locally, so we are unanimously opposed to the decision there. But, we are all 108 locally elected politicians who are powerless to do anything about this. That is why we should see these small — I have to say they are small — but significant functions being transferred to Belfast.”
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“<BR /> <BR />I look forward to the MOU being put in place, as I believe the guiding principles contained therein could also facilitate more constructive and effective engagement between Departments and their Committees.”
“<BR /> <BR />I, therefore, welcome the comments made by the Minister recently when he indicated his willingness for work to resume on the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the Budget process to meet the needs of the Executive and the Assembly. I understand that departmental officials and Committee staff will meet shortly with a view to progressing the draft memorandum of understanding. When that is finalised and agreed, it should help us to front-load the input of Committees so that their scrutiny and advice are provided at the formative stage of the Budget-setting process and before the Executive have agreed the next multi-year draft Budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given that the Bill makes partial provision for 2016-17, I should highlight that, due to the limited time available for scrutiny, the Committee was not in a position to prepare its normal coordinated report on the draft Budget for the next financial year. Whilst acknowledging that the timing of the comprehensive spending review was a key factor in that regard, it is important that I highlight that our Budget process must afford sufficient time for effective scrutiny of the spending plans of Departments. Whilst I suspect that everybody would agree that point, unfortunately, for one reason or another, the last few Budget processes have seen reduced time and opportunity for Committees to add value.”
“It was particularly helpful for members to receive clarification on the details of the in-year technical changes to resource and capital allocations of Departments. <BR /> <BR />In the context of the residual issues to be addressed in the weeks ahead, the Committee reiterates the importance of Departments minimising any year-end underspend to ensure that the Executive keep within the limits of the Budget exchange scheme agreed with the British Treasury. I expect that all the Statutory Committees will closely monitor the forecasting and expenditure of their respective Departments during the remainder of the financial year and, indeed, over the next financial year.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Members will be well relieved to hear that I intend to be brief in representing the Committee's position. Rather than rehearsing the issues covered in the debates on the Supply resolutions and Second Stage, I will focus my comments primarily on looking forward. <BR /> <BR />First, however, where the Bill is concerned, as I previously outlined, having undertaken a process of scrutiny at a strategic and departmental level, including the 2015-16 in-year monitoring rounds, the Committee determined that it was content to grant accelerated passage under Standing Order 42(2). <BR /> <BR />In that regard, the Committee welcomes the engagement with DFP during the various monitoring rounds and on the Supplementary Estimates and the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />To summarise, the Committee agreed to recommend that the order be affirmed by the Assembly. I therefore support the motion.”
“The Executive have done well to ensure that a cap has remained on the rates in recent years; that is a challenge that has been met. <BR /> <BR />The Minister is right. People and businesses out there perhaps do not know the detail of it, but I hope that the new Executive can continue to ensure that that burden is not put on our businesses or householders. I suppose there is also a challenge to local government. We all have to be very prudent with the taxpayers' money. We need to continue to follow through in that vein in the Executive and Assembly, but it is always a balancing act. We need to balance that with the delivery of public services. It is a challenge that the Executive have met until now, and I hope that they continue to be up to it.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is aware that the Rates (Regional Rates) Order represents the technical outworking of the Budget process and is a key element of the annual financial planning cycle. The level of the regional rate rise therefore reflects the final uplift that was agreed as part of the Executive's Budget. <BR /> <BR />The policy proposals contained in the statutory rule (SR) were considered by the Committee, and we had no issues in respect of them. The Committee formally considered the SR before the Assembly this evening at its meeting on 10 February, along with the accompanying report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, who had no points to raise in his technical scrutiny of it. As the Minister said with regard to rates, they can be very challenging at both council and central level.”
“The scheme does not come with any significant cost, as the Department has pointed out that many of the properties involved would have remained empty in the absence of the policy. Revenue lost, then, could be measured only against a proven case of displacement from a previously occupied property. As has been indicated, there is no tangible evidence at this stage that that is occurring. <BR /> <BR />Following evidence, the Committee agreed to support the extension of the empty properties rates concession for a further period and agreed that it had no objection to the policy proposals. The Committee formally considered the statutory rule at its meeting on 10 February, along with the report from the Examiner of Statutory Rules, who had no points to raise. The Committee agreed to recommend that the order be affirmed by the Assembly.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. The Committee was mindful that the current legislation came about in 2012 as a result of proposals by respondents to a consultation on rebalancing the rating system during the economic downturn. In response, legislation was introduced for one year with the aim of reducing unwanted displacement, minimising any advantage over established traders and creating a time frame to allow the Department to review the success of the initiative. <BR /> <BR />The Committee noted that the review of the scheme in 2013 highlighted the number of successful applicants throughout the North. The Department has also advised that there has been no evidence to suggest any significant displacement caused by people moving premises in order to avail themselves of the scheme.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee considered the proposal to make the order at its meeting on 13 January and had no objection to the policy proposals at that time. The formal SR was considered by the Committee, together with the report from the Assembly's Examiner of Statutory Rules. The Examiner raised no issues by way of technical scrutiny, and the Committee agreed to recommend that the order be affirmed by the Assembly. This is a very good initiative, it has been successful for a number of years now, and, hopefully, it will stay in place for many years to come. I support the motion.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. On 1 December 2015, the Department wrote to the Committee to highlight its proposal to make this draft rule to help sustain ATMs in rural areas. The Committee was aware that, in 2009, DFP undertook a policy evaluation that noted a 16% increase in the number of ATMs in rural areas. That was very welcome, and the extension of the measure was supported. It has also been noted that recent figures from Land and Property Services (LPS) show that there are now approximately 70 ATMs covered by the scheme. Moreover, the regulatory impact assessment stated that it was unlikely to have any detrimental effect on small businesses but might actually assist small rural businesses.”
“Tinkering with a system that leads to a better outcome is brilliant, but making a decision that could undo some of the great work that has already been put in place to ensure that we have a high organ donation rate is something that you cannot undo at short notice. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we keep a watchful eye on the issue. It needs to be a focus for the Assembly and the Department in the new mandate. We believe quite passionately in this and that these amendments will lead to greater organ donation rates. Again, I thank the sponsor of the private Member's Bill. She has put a lot of effort into the issue, and it is only right that credit is given to her. I hope that the Assembly will now agree and unite in ensuring that we change the law in regard to organ donation.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister referred to the fact that our system and our transplant team are amongst the best in the world and at the moment compare quite favourably with the South, which has seen a dip in figures recently. He made the point that this was not about party politics, and I think it is important to say that again. The debate about organ donation is a matter of life or death. We all have different views and are quite passionate about it. From our perspective, in our contribution at Committee Stage we always had an open mind and a focus on an outcome that was the best for all the people we represent.”
“I spoke to someone recently who was with a close friend as they were carrying out work, and they worked from night until morning with hardly any rest. The service was absolutely fantastic. He certainly respected the fact that they could act under such pressure, given that what they were doing was life-saving work. <BR /> <BR />Jo-Anne Dobson accepted the wording of the Human Transplantation Bill. We need to do more to improve organ donation rates. That needs to continue to be a priority for the Assembly in the new mandate. John McCallister welcomed the fact that consensus to some degree had been met. Kieran McCarthy was also a supporter of the private Member's Bill.”
“Maeve McLaughlin opened the debate and said that there had been much debate about organ donation promotion. She referred to the different views of the original PMB but stated that there was now unity on promoting organ donation and that it was important that we moved forward on that. Alastair Ross made a useful intervention, saying that the amendments needed to be tweaked. That is what Further Consideration Stage is for, and we will be open to agreeing those amendments. <BR /> <BR />Alex Easton said that the amendments were cheeky and the contents too important to let go. Fearghal McKinney took a counter view, saying that this was a skeleton of a Bill and that "cheeky" was an understatement. However, he made a good point about the good work of our clinicians. They perform nothing short of miracles.”
“Public awareness is the big issue and is a huge factor in ensuring that we get more names on that list, and I have no doubt that the success stories of Lucia Quinney Mee, Joe Brolly, Shane Finnegan and others have helped contribute to the higher donation rate that we have.”
“<BR /> <BR />One of those who is urging people to consider organ donation is Lucia Quinney Mee, a student at Cross and Passion College in Ballycastle in north Antrim. She has had three liver transplants in her life and has campaigned vigorously to find ways to improve the organ donation system. She has set up a Facebook page called Live Loudly Donate Proudly, and I am sure that some Members are probably sitting on Facebook at the minute and could check that out, like it and share it. A lot of people out there are campaigning to improve the organ donation system, and they all deserve much credit for the immense work they have done on that in recent months.”
“It has generated great debate over the past year, and I have no doubt that that debate has, in itself, contributed to more people signing up for organ donation. I think that all Members agree that Mrs Dobson has done a great public service in bringing the private Member's Bill forward. As Mr Easton said, we felt that we needed to hold on to aspects of that Bill and put them forward. It may look messy as part of a miscellaneous Bill, but, given the impact that those amendments could have on organ donation rates, we believe that it is the right thing to do to improve the world-class system that we have. I congratulate Mrs Dobson on the work she has done, and I have no doubt that this issue will come back to the Chamber in the new mandate. We will need to give it full consideration again then.”
“I think that the Department should consider soft opt-out, keep that under review, and see the experiences elsewhere, but, on the basis of the evidence given to the Committee and the many differing views that we held, I felt that this was not the time to move forward with soft opt-out and that it certainly was not right to do it in a rushed manner given that the clock was ticking down to the end of the mandate. <BR /> <BR />On the other hand, credit has to be given to the proposer of the private Member's Bill, Jo-Anne Dobson. As a proposer of private Member's legislation, I know that there is a lot of work, a lot of effort and lot of grief. We have all seen the energy and commitment that Mrs Dobson put into that.”
“The system we have is one of the best in the world and, given that mounting evidence and those mounting presentations, we need to be very careful about what we do next. As we were coming into the new year, concluding our evidence, and only had a number of weeks to take a decision that could have massive ramifications, I felt that the proper decision was to ensure that we take more time to look at this. Many made the point that we should wait and see how Wales does.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. First, it is important to clarify that I do not share the same position as Mr Alastair Ross in this debate. <BR /> <BR />It has been a good debate. I came onto the Health Committee relatively recently. This has been a good Committee Stage. We all came at this from the perspective that we needed to secure the best outcome for organ donation rates. Many of us have been on a journey. I still think that soft opt-out, and all options, should remain options and should be given full consideration in the new mandate. However, a mixture of views were presented to the Committee. There were views given on some of the proposals to the Committee that I did not expect, and I think that the right decision was to hold off on this.”
“Of course, we need a greater cycling infrastructure to ensure that people make those choices in Belfast as well as in our rural areas. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, this is an idea whose time has come. It will be a good start.”
“If there were no tax on cigarettes or alcohol, you would get the same argument. However, the fact of the matter is that these things do damage. They are very bad for our health. They kill people. Cancer caused by smoking kills people. Alcoholism kills people. Obesity and diabetes kill people as well. So, we need to take measures to prevent this spreading. <BR /> <BR />It is not the only thing that we need to do. We need to exercise more. As a society, we do not exercise enough. We spend too much time in our cars, whether there is smoke in them or not, and that is not good for us either. Equally, we need more investment in a walking strategy. I met Outdoor Recreation NI earlier this week. There is a walking strategy in Scotland. Why could we not have the same here?”
“<BR /> <BR />Kieran McCarthy stated that obesity is putting pressure on an overstretched health service, and he wants more than consultation; he wants to hear about action. I agree with him absolutely. <BR /> <BR />The Minister, in responding to the debate, referred to the ticking time bomb of our lifestyles and the fact that the strategic framework has been put in place. He also referred to the fact that there is no understanding of the impacts on business and on lower-income families and said that they should be considered. We would like them to be considered as part of any consultation or conversation. <BR /> <BR />Of course, you always hear the argument — and it applied to the carrier bag tax as well — that low-income households will suffer more from a levy.”
“I know many young people who have a bottle of coke for breakfast, even though they are told not to do so. These products are available, and there is so much choice, between Red Bull, Diet Red Bull, Diet Coke, Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite. There is so much more choice than there ever was. Then, there is the issue of where many shops place these products. Quite often, when you are standing in a queue to buy something healthy, you are surrounded by sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks. You can see quite clearly, from that example, how the choice of something that is not good for you is staring you in the face. This is also an area that is in need of further consideration. It is something that was introduced in some US states, but I agree with Mrs Dobson that we need to look at it carefully. She said that it was right that we had a conversation.”
“He said that it was, perhaps, a Westminster issue, and he was not sure that we could legislate. He said that it was regressive and that the poor would suffer. I disagree with that point. The same argument was made when we brought forward proposals for a carrier bag levy. At that time, we were told that, if the taxation measure was not already in place at Westminster — that is, that it was a novel tax — we could legislate for it. So this is certainly worth exploring further. <BR /> <BR />Fearghal McKinney referred to the fact that one in four is obese by the age of 11. He referred to the fact that the rate of child obesity is 24%, or one in four. <BR /> <BR />Jo-Anne Dobson referred to the fact that soft drinks are more prominent than they were 50 or 60 years ago. That is absolutely true.”
“The proposer of the amendment, Rosie McCorley, referred to the fact that our diet is changing. There are greater levels of obesity and diabetes, at a cost of £92 million a year — £92 million that could be better spent elsewhere in our health service. Obesity also leads to increased rates of cancer. <BR /> <BR />It is interesting — and Mr McKinney referred to this — that there was a reduction in the sale of sugary drinks in Mexico after the sugar tax was introduced. So it works in some circumstances, and we need to take the time to look at the case studies as to where it failed and tailor our approach accordingly. <BR /> <BR />The argument was made that low-income households suffer most regarding health. This needs to override any other argument citing the low-income buyer. <BR /> <BR />Alex Easton was short and sweet.”
“It is very surprising too, because the calories are listed on the menu in a lot of those establishments. The information may be there, but you are relying on those who go into the coffee shop reading it and taking it in while they are choosing what to purchase. I think that the message there is to mind your frappuccinos.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Amendment No 4 does not introduce a levy on sugary drinks; it merely asks that a consultation be carried out. It is an opportunity, at this very early stage of the conversation and debate, for the Assembly to lead on an issue that will have a positive outcome in terms of improving levels of public health. <BR /> <BR />Only last week, I listened to a vox pop on the radio about the high level of sugar in some coffee drinks in some of our well-known coffee establishments in Belfast. A number of members of the public in Belfast were interviewed, and most of them were extremely shocked at the vast amounts of sugar in their drinks. This is not restricted to fizzy drinks in the fridge. Sugar in hot drinks is perhaps another area that can be looked at.”
“It is happening today and is probably happening right now. Adults do smoke in cars when young children, babies, newborns and infants are present. As far as I am concerned, that is not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />The Health Survey NI stated that 23% of households here could be exposing children to second-hand smoke in cars, and 30% of schoolchildren surveyed reported that smoking was permitted in the family car. It is not something that is happening in a small number of cases. It is happening to a great degree, according to statistics. <BR /> <BR />Smoking around children needs to be stubbed out once and for all. I commend amendment No 1 to the House and ask for its support.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 3 is specific about fixed penalties. Rosie McCorley said that the law itself changes behaviours. Many people do not want to break the law regardless of whether there is good enforcement. That also applies to speed limits to a degree. Alex Easton concurred that there should be joint responsibility between a council and the police. That was supported by the Minister. <BR /> <BR />We will also be supporting amendment No 5. We support a review within a set time. As I said, we need to be cautious about e-cigarettes. The jury is out, but research is at a fairly early stage, so it makes sense to keep our options open on that one. After three years, we can look at it again. <BR /> <BR />As was said, people do smoke when their children are in the car. That is a fact.”
“He was clear that the case against smoking in cars with children is proven. In his view, there is no evidence as yet to state that e-cigarettes are doing damage. In my view, however, because e-cigarettes are a recently developed product, we have not had the opportunity for an adequate research base to be formed to assure ourselves that they do not damage children or anybody else. It is wise therefore to keep the issue under consideration for the proposed review, because in three years' time we may have learnt a lot more about e-cigarettes. There are concerns at the moment that we cannot just dismiss. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 2 refers to a need to raise public awareness. Rosie McCorley said that it is something that has not been consulted on and thus needs more consideration. That is my view as well.”
“Many bar workers and those who work in restaurants and even in offices do not have the protection that many of our citizens have. <BR /> <BR />The Minister outlined that he had been unable to secure Executive agreement on amendments. Nonetheless, I appreciate and think that Members appreciate his effort and that of his Department to lead on the issue.”
“Of course, opinion was divided at that time, but, looking back, nearly 10 years later, I am sure that a lot of people, especially young people, will ask what all the fuss was about. Of course we should have done it. It was common sense, and it has saved many lives. <BR /> <BR />Kieran McCarthy was disappointed by the lack of Executive agreement on this and would have preferred to see the Department bring amendments to the Floor today. John McCallister said that he found it strange going abroad now and seeing smoking in bars and restaurants in other countries. We should be very proud that the ban is in place here in the North and, indeed, in the South. We are saving people's lives and protecting people from second-hand smoke when people in many countries do not have that protection.”
“That is not the case in all instances, but there are many laws in place to tackle crime within the home, and, when it comes to public health, especially children's health, we should intervene in extreme circumstances. I believe that, given the damage that is done in a very confined space through smoking in a small vehicle where there are children, we need to intervene and legislate. <BR /> <BR />Jo-Anne Dobson informed the House that smoking killed 2,000 people a year and that it is the biggest preventable killer. That means that it is the killer that we can do most about as legislators. She referred to the fact that indoor public areas had been protected since 2007. That has been a great success.”
“He said that some of the amendments might need to be tidied up at a later stage. We are willing to consider that at Further Consideration Stage, as is always the case. <BR /> <BR />Fearghal McKinney outlined that 360,000 people in the North smoke and that one in two dies because of it. That figure was also quoted by Jo-Anne Dobson. That is absolutely shocking. It remains shocking that, in 2016, so many people still smoke and that it kills so many people in our society. That is not acceptable. As politicians, we need to take a zero-tolerance approach to smoking, and that is why I say that we need a strategy, objectives and goals to drill down and tackle those deaths. <BR /> <BR />Alastair Ross asked whether we should legislate for things that happen in a private sphere: I say absolutely, yes.”
“The Chair of the Committee outlined that the Committee had no formal view on the amendments. She also said that, according to research, 80% of people want a ban on smoking in cars with children. A very important point is that we need a long-term tobacco control strategy, because what we are dealing with today is just one instance. The point was made that smoking in a car was 11 times more damaging than smoking in a bar or restaurant to those who suffer as a result second-hand smoke. This is an important measure to put forward to deal with the problem of second-hand smoke, but we need to come back to it. When we come back to the Assembly after May, we need to look at a strategy, because this is one of the biggest killers in our society. <BR /> <BR />Alex Easton outlined his support for amendment No 1.”
“It makes for good debate, and it has been a good debate. He made a point about amendment No 1 and the inclusion of "nicotine products or tobacco" being too wide. The only point that I will make is that that is the beauty of regulations. The Department may make regulations that take into account some of the concerns about it being too wide. That can be drilled down to specifics, according to the wishes of the Department. It is good that the Department is minded to take this forward, hopefully within a fixed period.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his swift response to the debate, and I will try to be equally swift. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that there is general support across the House for the introduction of the measure, whether that be through amendment No 1 or amendment No 2. My party colleague Rosie McCorley moved amendment No 1 and referred to the damage that second-hand smoke causes. It was not that long ago that many of us — maybe not all of us — were sitting in smoky bars and clubs and even in our smoky living rooms. The difference between then and now is like night and day, so extending the ban to cars and enclosed vehicles, especially those with children in them, makes perfect sense. <BR /> <BR />As always, Mr Ross made a number of combative interventions, which is good.”
“I look forward, therefore, with a keen interest to the implementation of the legislation and to the outworkings of the statutory review, which will provide a further opportunity for the Assembly to scrutinise progress in this important area.”
“That will make it easier for lawyers to apologise to their clients when things have gone wrong and when the necessary standards have not been met. I am sure that Members will accept that, in many cases when something has gone wrong, a genuine apology at an early stage is often enough to satisfy the complainant. <BR /> <BR />Finally, where effective scrutiny is concerned, I consider that the experience with the Bill demonstrates how constructive engagement assists the legislative process and provides better laws for our citizens. That should be seen as another example of how this locally elected institution is delivering solutions tailored to local circumstances. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that the new arrangements provided for in the Bill will take time to bed in.”
“Whilst the Committee was prepared to bring forward a number of amendments to strengthen the Bill, the productive relationship between it and the Department resulted in the necessary amendments being tabled by the Minister. I believe that the additional amendment from the Committee to provide for a statutory review mechanism will also offer a further element of assurance. <BR /> <BR />The Bill also reflects changes that will support and facilitate the legal profession by placing a greater emphasis on client care. Arising from the evidence from the Law Society, for instance, the Bill will address the concern about the ability for any apology to be used as evidence of liability in civil proceedings.”
“In this particular example, as the Minister said, the Department took into account the views of the Committee and made some reasonable and worthwhile amendments, which is not, unfortunately, always the case when it comes to departmental officials and Committees. This instance is a very good example of how the Department and the Committee should work together.”
“This primary legislation will also lead to important subordinate legislation, including on the levy that will be payable by barristers and solicitors, who will fund the costs of the oversight commissioner’s office. That will require close scrutiny in order to ensure that the costs are proportionate and do not needlessly overburden the legal profession, particularly small practices. <BR /> <BR />The Committee acknowledges the contribution of all stakeholders, particularly the responsiveness of the responsible DFP official, Mr Michael Foster, in providing clarification, explanation and assurances on issues that arose from the evidence.”
“<BR /> <BR />A fundamental concern of the Committee throughout its scrutiny was on the need to capture information on complaints against solicitors made at the "first tier’" and whether the published figures represent only the tip of the iceberg and do not present a full picture. As the Minister said, arising from the Committee’s concern, the Bill was amended to take account of that and empower the oversight commissioner and the Law Society to require members of the profession to provide reliable data on the number of complaints. Whilst I suspect that that may mean an increase in the number of recorded complaints, that will equalise over time and provide a reliable baseline of information.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. As Members are aware, this Bill will bring about significant and long-awaited reform of the existing system for handling complaints against solicitors and barristers. What has been described as a "copper-bottoming" of the complaints handling arrangements here will include, amongst other things, a shift to layperson-led control, with enhanced powers and oversight, including through the establishment of the post of Legal Services Oversight Commissioner. The commissioner will, therefore, play a key role in overseeing the complaints process and, through this legislation, will hopefully have sufficient powers and the necessary teeth to take further action where the required standards have not been lived up to.”
“The problem is that the SDLP has no alternative Budget. Most oppositions have an alternative Budget to put before the people. Indeed, I long for the days a couple of years ago when the SDLP came forward with a proposal to sell an airport that we did not even own. Perhaps that is the real reason why we are not seeing an alternative Budget, because, the last time the SDLP brought one forward, it had proposals to sell assets that we did not even have.”
“I thank the Minister for taking an intervention. I know that he is probably in a rush to get home to watch 'Spotlight' as soon as he can.”
“Certainly, the Finance Committee has not been found wanting in exploring that and looking at matters such as the Barnett formula, but I believe that is something that the Executive and the new selection of Ministers need to prioritise. <BR /> <BR />I am very conscious that we are in for another late night, so I look forward to the debate, and I support the motion.”