Carál Ní Chuilín
North Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“To continue the theme of undermining public confidence and public effectiveness, I ask you this, Minister: why do you and your DUP colleagues continue to block the 'good jobs' Bill, particularly the measures for parents whose babies require neonatal care and, indeed, other measures that will support workers who are struggling with the cos…”
“At the end of the day, guns were used to kill Catholics — Davy Payne; surface-to-air missiles in South Africa and Paris and then some. I will give the deputy First Minister another opportunity not to deflect but to condemn her party's involvement in Ulster Resistance and with the red berets that they wore.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. I have a close family relative who is in need of a SPiMS unit in an Irish-medium school but cannot access one in North Belfast at all. Apart from access in P4 and P5, they will have to go to an English-speaking school, even though Irish is their first language.”
“You mentioned some of the issues that are important: trade union representation, the banning of zero-hours contracts and employees being able to have their tips and service charges. Anyone who cannot get behind these proposals needs to be clear — concerns for some, and hiding behind the industry for others.”
“First Minister, I know that, recently, you were in Ardoyne for the sod cutting of the new £3·4 million purpose-built youth facility for Ardoyne Youth Enterprise. Further to your response to Brian Kingston, can you give us an update on that project and, indeed, any others?”
“I agree 100%, Linda. That is something that we all agree on. We met many people. The Bill was published and was based on the report of the truth recovery process.”
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“As the Member will appreciate, it is not about pointing fingers but about learning lessons. I want to say that up front. The Department is in discussions to try to ascertain exactly what we can do from here, but the contract with that server has been terminated. We are now with a new in-house Civil Service contract, which has been tested and verified, and I am quite content that we can learn lessons from the past and move on.”
“There was a budget of almost £60,000 for the Líofa website, so it is now over £65,000, including a new health check and paying for those services. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that the Member will agree with me that, given that we are reaching almost 12,000 participants and growing, not only are people happy to access the website but the new arrangements have engendered the confidence of people using it. It is an important tool, particularly for people who are learning from home, or even for adult learners like me who need every support possible and cannot get to as many classes as they would like to. Therefore, it is almost £65,000, and, as far as I am concerned, it is £65,000 well spent.”
“Go raibh maith agat. The Department commissioned IT security experts independent of it, which, by British standards, is the national communications agency. We commissioned the Communications-Electronics Security Group and the British national security authority for information assurance to ensure, first, that any such breaches would not occur again and, secondly, that Líofa participants and other users of DCAL's other services on the web were assured. They have provided a detailed report assessing the security status of the site and made a number of recommendations. This is about learning from our mistakes to try to ensure that they do not happen again.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I did not hear it fully owing to the sound in the Chamber, but I think that I caught the thrust of it, which was about affordability and the future maintenance of the website. The website's budget has already been set right through to the end of the mandate. When we are preparing our next CSR, I will firmly make the maintenance of the Líofa website central to that, as I will other needs that are competing for attention, support and sustainability throughout.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would like to reiterate that I am deeply sorry about this unfortunate incident, but I am satisfied that the new website, in-house management arrangements and independent verification of the site will restore the confidence of Líofa participants in using the website. The new site is now fully functional and provides improved access to help Líofa learners on their journey.”
“That provided a range of helpful information about Irish language classes, learning resources and how to register for Líofa. The interim site was hosted by ESS as part of the Civil Service network and was independently verified. Full responsibility for the new website now rests with the Department, with ESS removing any role for Foras na Gaeilge or a third-party supplier. The ICO is content that no further action is required. The ICO also asked the Department to review its management arrangements for personal data, and that is being taken forward by a senior information records officer. A lessons learned report has been completed and is being quality assured.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the independent IT security experts found that data disclosure had taken place, they could find no evidence for the disclosure having come from the Líofa website. Rather, they stated that the disclosure came from a test server with the developer who created the site. As a result, the maintenance contract with the existing website developer has been terminated, and a new Líofa website has been developed by the NI Civil Service enterprise shared services (ESS). The Department used the opportunity to upgrade the site, to make it more easily accessible across all types of smartphone and tablet, to improve the user experience and to bring responsibility for its management and future development fully in-house. <BR /> <BR />While a new website was under development, an interim Líofa site was constructed and made live.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I wish to make a statement regarding the Líofa website. <BR /> <BR />I previously advised Members that the Líofa website had been shut down because the details of some Líofa participants had been made available publicly on the site, and I undertook to make a further statement to the House when the matter had been investigated fully. <BR /> <BR />The Department engaged IT security experts, accredited by the Communications-Electronic Security Group, which is the UK’s national technical authority for information assurance, to establish the full extent of the Líofa website’s vulnerabilities. The matter was also reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).”
“I give councils the levels of funding, and it is down to them and the councillors to ensure that there are appropriate levels of funding across the board. The Member is a seasoned councillor and he should be more than aware of the funding that goes into his own council. Other than that, there is no indication that additional funds are coming. Even if they were, that would not necessarily dictate that they should be spent on Orangefest.”
“The Member knows that the community festivals fund is administered by local councils. Our funding, not just for Orangefest but for other festivals throughout the year, is administered by local councils.”
“Libraries NI carried out the consultation. It was done to ascertain exactly what library opening hours were being used for, and how often libraries were being used. The consultation was carried out and, in fairness to Libraries NI, it got feedback and analysis from that and made reductions which, in some cases, were minimal, based on the usage. I think that that is the fairest and most transparent way of doing it, regrettable as it is.”
“The reduction in opening hours went out for consultation. Some reductions were decided on the basis of users, people who used the library and its facilities, not exclusively for library purposes but even as community spaces or facilities. Libraries NI, and I, regret that, but it is important that in the January 2015-16 Budget we protected libraries with cuts of 7·5% when the rest were given cuts of 11·2%. It is down to you to use your library often, to ensure its sustainability. In that way, opening hours will not just remain the same but may, where possible, increase.”
“Not to sound repetitive, but I think it is about ensuring that there is an overarching strategy. In the absence of a fully-funded Executive strategy for arts and culture, funding for groups, particularly those in the performing arts sector but not exclusively, will be subject to cuts. The cuts that the British Tory Government are trying to inflict on this community, including our artists, are eye-watering. It is better that we should not only resist those but join up and set out our stall for arts and creativity for at least the next 10 years.”
“My concern and fear is that, unless people see the power of the arts and the regeneration opportunities they have, this will remain one of those Departments which people think is a luxury rather than a right.”
“There is a perception that I do not go to plays or films or to see groups, and that is not the case. I have been to quite a lot. As recently as last Thursday, I was in the QFT. Before that I went to a children's cross-community choir. I was also at an event that looked at the power of performing arts in helping people to recover from conflict. I am happy to provide the Member with details of all that. As I said in response to his colleague Kieran McCarthy, I recognise the fact that performing arts and the arts sector need to have leadership and some value placed on them by the Executive.”
“It would be much better if we were united and went to 10 Downing Street to argue for this place instead of pointing fingers across the Chamber, because that is unhelpful.”
“I place the blame for the situation that we are in firmly at the feet of the British Tory party. I am not getting into the argument about raising revenue. I have been through this with the Member before, and it is a tired old argument. However, additional money is needed for arts and culture. That is why we ask people in the sectors to come together to try to provide a robust overarching strategy in the same way as, as the Member will be aware, we have the Sport Matters strategy, which other Departments have signed up to and committed money to. That is the future for arts and culture. However, in where we are with our Budget, I think that it is unhelpful that parties here are divided.”
“I understand that there is a lobby saying that we are the lowest funded. I can assure the Member that we are not. I am happy to share that information and the figures with the Member. I appreciate that groups lobby MLAs trying to get additional money, and rightly so. However, at times, the full information is not given. Out of regard for the Member, I will furnish him with those figures. I am very proud to be in this Department; I think that I have the best job in the Executive. I have said that, and I will continue to say it. I want to ensure that the arts, creativity and culture get additional money. I also want to ensure that people have the facts and the right information.”
“However, I agree with the Member that we need to get to the bottom of what happened.”
“I agree with the Member's sentiments. Vast sums of public money have been spent on this. We would not expect to be running into these difficulties within three years of the building being developed. That is a concern and a point well made. My officials, in conjunction with the Arts Council, are working with the MAC to find out what happened, how it happened and what lessons we can learn for the future. When you spend that amount of public money, people expect a better return, particularly in these times. If the perception is that that money has been spent and the building is crumbling, I can assure the Member that, while some of the stonework has come loose, a net has been put around the whole building as a precaution to make sure that that does not happen any further.”
“The Member will be aware that almost £18 million was spent on building the MAC. As a result of some stones being loose in the facade, almost £8,000 was spend on netting to secure it. One million pounds is needed to complete that work. I will be making a bid for £1 million of capital moneys and £150,000 for legal and professional fees from revenue moneys in the June monitoring round.”
“I, as an MLA, have met, along with my colleague Gerry Kelly, a lot of groups in north Belfast, but that is something that I have heard across the board as an MLA and as Minister. Indeed, I have had representations from councillors right across the political spectrum. There is a big concern that expectations and hopes have been raised. Grass-roots clubs in particular but also some of the bigger clubs in the Irish League have been encouraged to spend money, which many of them do not have, out of their own pockets to develop their plans to try to access Sport NI lottery money. I am concerned about that. If that process has happened, it will stand groups in good stead in future, but I am concerned about the level to which expectation has been raised.”
“We need to support parents and the communities who do car-runs and give up their time at night and at weekends, particularly in miserable weather, to ensure that our kids enjoy themselves and that they are fit and well.”
“I totally agree with the Member. I am sure that he will join me in congratulating parents, guardians, families, community groups, sporting clubs and sporting bodies across the board on the work that they put into our assisting our children and young people every Saturday and weekend, and even during the night. It is important that that work not only be recognised but invested in. <BR /> <BR />In addition to the funding that the IFA receives, we put in £1·5 million to reach out, particularly to hard-pressed communities, to ensure that social inclusion was enhanced and to try to attract more people to the sport. The same was done for rugby and the GAA. Sport NI has done a great job of coaching. We need to get that investment continued, and we need to work with local government to ensure that there is a joined-up approach.”
“I certainly agree with the Member that it is important that people see that there is balance and that they see themselves reflected in the services that all Departments provide. I will pursue that with officials and, again, try to get to the bottom of where the Member feels there is an imbalance. I will certainly investigate it.”
“I assume that someone from my Department wrote to Mrs Hale based on the question that she asked previously. If not, I will try to chase that up. I do know that someone went out and looked at the bookshop, the gift shop and the facilities in the Ulster Museum to try to get to the bottom of the accusation that Mrs Hale made.”
“The money from Foras na Gaeilge and through the broadcast fund is primarily for the development, enhancement and protection of the Irish language. It covers apprenticeships, training and sustainability. It is important that even through the Ulster-Scots community and 107·5 FM, the people in the Member's constituency come forward with plans and open discussions with the Ulster-Scots Agency, which, I believe, has been and will be instrumental in shaping the way in which Ulster-Scots funding is developed in future, and that includes broadcast funds as well.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will provide the Member with details about how we assess need, but I would urge him not to use viewing figures as the main way to determine need because that will not ensure that the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund will get the funding that the Member feels it needs.”
“I am happy to provide the Member with details, but viewing figures are one aspect and we would need to be careful about them. Some of the criticisms that the Member and other Members, particularly in his party, have made about the content of some of the programmes would not be a good parameter to use, particularly if you are using viewing figures. That would not reflect the needs in the community. It is one measurement, but there are others. Demand is another aspect when it comes, for example, to the Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund. I know that, when it comes to the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, demand for new funding, if it is realised, is already there. Apprenticeships and training are already there, as are local commissioning producers, for both funds.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The most urgent need at the moment is to get a commitment from Ed Vaizey, Minister of State for Culture and the Digital Economy, to continue both funds beyond 2016 and up to 2021 at least. Following the formation of the new British Government, I wrote to Mr Vaizey to request a renewed and increased commitment to the broadcast funds. I will be arguing for relative funding levels and uplifts to that amount on the basis of need as these discussions develop.”
“I know of other members of the Committee whose personal integrity will ensure that it is fully independent.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that some members of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee will ensure that that happens. They will ensure that it is impartial. I have seen and heard reports, for example, that the Committee Chair made, as I understand it, as a member of the DUP rather than as Chair and which have prompted some speculation about that independence. However, unlike other inquiries that have taken place in the House, I am opening up my Department, my books and my officials, staff and anyone else for investigation to ensure not only that safety concerns were paramount but that they will remain paramount. If there are lessons that can be learned from this, I will accept them in the spirit in which they are meant.”
“The Member is not across the detail of the programme. He has made an assumption that the designs were inadequate, but, if they were inadequate, how did they receive planning permission? At the end of the day, the arbitrary say is with the statutory authority of Belfast City Council, which issues safety certificates. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that any construction will be done with an eye to ongoing discussion with the statutory body, namely the council, to ensure not only that buildings are compliant as far as safety is concerned but that the design is compliant from start to finish, with a view to gaining a safety certificate at the end. Like other Members, the Member is picking up on sound bites that he has heard in the media and has run with those. You need to get better information.”
“I want to use the opportunity to repeat that I was not aware of that. The first that I heard of the allegations was on 30 April, when Mr Scott was brought before the Committee at the invitation of the Chair of the Committee. I was not aware of any showstopping safety concerns. There was ample opportunity to bring those to me, but I am reluctant to go into any more detail than that. That will be the subject of not just the PAR but the independent investigation that will look into the two serious allegations that were made by Mr Scott on 30 April in front of the CAL Committee.”
“I am due to meet a residents' group. I know that the Member is working with the Mooreland and Owenvarragh Residents' Association (MORA), but there is another residents group called the Andersonstown Regeneration Committee (ARC), which is made up of residents in the immediate vicinity, and I am due to meet them this week. <BR /> <BR />I await the outcome of the PAR on emergency exiting and all the rest. An absolute wealth of paperwork has gone forward — not just to the Committee inquiry, as it will also come forward as part of any new planning application. I am willing to meet anybody about this. I have said that I would, and I will continue to do so. I look forward to the meeting this week with the Andersonstown Regeneration Committee.”
“Mr Scott's allegations are the subject of two reviews — the Committee's investigation and the independent investigation — in addition to the review that I have asked DFP to come in and do. He made two very serious allegations: one was that he had raised safety concerns, and the other was that he was bullied and gagged when putting those forward. Let me totally clear — the Member is very fond of making accusations about individuals and groups in this place and hiding behind parliamentary privilege — if you or anyone else believes that I deliberately hid safety concerns, they need to bring that forward. In the absence of doing so, the Member needs to put up or shut up.”
“However, the first that I was made aware of the allegations that safety concerns had been ignored was when the chair of the safety technical group gave evidence to the CAL Committee on 30 April. I was shocked by that and, as a result, commissioned an independent project assessment review (PAR), which took place between 15 and 19 June. A copy of the final PAR report will be published in due course. <BR /> <BR />I want to make it clear that I am happy for anyone to look at this programme openly and transparently. My Department is fully cooperating with the CAL Committee's inquiry, which I hope will add some objective, constructive analysis to the whole debate.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Safety is and must be at the heart of all stadium projects, including Casement Park. Given the range of experience and diverse perspectives on each capital project, we can be sure of one thing: people will not agree at all times. However, we need debate and dialogue to forge the best possible project and programme. The governance structures put in place for the stadium programme ensure that the necessary checks and balances are in place and provide the forum for open debate and dialogue before final decisions are approved. <BR /> <BR />As I have previously stated, I was aware that a project of this nature would have important public safety aspects to be considered throughout the development process. I am aware that the safety technical group was involved in discussions about safety.”
“All those discussions have yet to be concluded. The Member will be aware from Bushmills and even Ballymoney that DCAL has had a strong presence in his constituency for decades. I am sure that the Member will join me in commending and congratulating staff for the work that they do not just in the conservation of fish stocks but in their outreach and engagement with local communities, particularly children. It is important that those services not only are maintained but are added to in the new Department where they will find their home.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. The Civil Service-wide steps that have taken place to ensure regular engagement, certainly with the central trade union side and staff side representatives, will continue. It is essential that that happens, particularly on the departmental restructuring programme. My officials have met staff across the Department and had successful meetings with representatives of local trade union and staff side representatives. That will continue until the formal restructuring programme is completed and brought forward.”
“The needs are there and will continue to be there, as will DCAL.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. You just need to be careful about whistling and certainly about whistling tunes in this place. However, I accept what the Member says, and I anticipate questions about tunes, music, marching bands and all the rest. <BR /> <BR />I already have a presence in Orchard House, albeit a very small presence. I hope that that will grow, but it is more than that. That should be a base to look at areas such as Limavady, Coleraine, Strabane and even as far as south Derry and the surrounding areas. When we look at the success of the City of Culture and, indeed, the legacy programme, it is easy to say, "That's me done", and walk away. Through my Department and the team and staff that have been working there, that is not where they are pointing.”
“The team coordinates grant distribution actions across the north-west, including Derry, Strabane, Coleraine, Limavady and the surrounding rural areas.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have no plans to decentralise any jobs in DCAL prior to the restructuring of Departments. Out of a workforce of almost 300, 54 DCAL staff, just under 20%, are in posts that are located outside Belfast. These staff are based in satellite locations in five counties across the North. <BR /> <BR />With regard to the Member's constituency in the north-west, I remain committed to taking forward actions to build on the success of the City of Culture and drive a proactive approach to tackling poverty, social exclusion and inequality in that area, which continues to suffer from high levels of deprivation. A north-west office was established by my Department in April last year.”
“These are our natural resources, and we need to protect them, not just so that people can enjoy them for the view and spectacle that they are but so that we can have better outcomes for leisure, sport and physical activity.”
“The answer is yes, as I said to Gregory Campbell. We have started a formal process to explore opportunities from forests, hills and mountains. I am trying to encourage local government and some of the governing bodies to get a better joined-up approach to leisure, sport and physical activity. I was tempted to ask whether you availed yourself of some of the mountain biking facilities. After the summer, hopefully, I will make it my business to go down and see the facilities at first hand. I have seen others in the past, particularly looking at how young people can use mountain biking, orienteering and the mountains and forests for activities such as team building.”
“It has been shown in the past — I think that this is where the Member is trying to point — that, where there is a joined-up approach, particularly at central government level, not only do you have a better outcome but there is more sustainability.”
“In short, absolutely. We will liaise with Michelle O'Neill, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. I have actually started that process already to ensure that our outdoor facilities are not just used for mountain walking and climbing as they have been traditionally. Young people, scouts and youth movements have all used the forests and mountains as part of an outdoor leisure package. Indeed, Michelle O'Neill and I have started work to look at tracking and mountain biking as part of the package. I am also liaising with colleagues in DOE, for example, to ensure that local government, through the super-councils, is involved in this as well.”
“The Member may be aware that sporting events, even though they are sporting, are events, so they are within the gift of DETI. Are the facilities at Kilbroney park fit to host an international event? Absolutely. I think that the work of Sport NI in partnership with the governing body and other partners and colleagues that are involved, including DETI and DARD, will try to ensure that every opportunity is availed of to bring such spectacles not only to the city of Belfast but to surrounding areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />Over the past three years, my Department, through Sport NI has also provided financial assistance to Cycling Ireland and other bodies totalling over £500,000 towards cycling sports generally, inclusive of mountain biking.”