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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“I have no doubt that the money will be spent because, as the Member will be aware through her work in her constituency, when groups are waiting for funding to become available, not only do they have their projects ready and good to go but they have the money spent in their heads before they get it. I have not yet met a group in the city or the surrounding areas that is sitting swinging its legs. They are all busy getting themselves ready. The money will be spent. Certainly, for 2015-16 and even through the duration of the next mandate, I anticipate that the legacy of the City of Culture and the legacy that we need to fulfil in the north-west area will continue from one mandate to another.”
“I am happy to write to the Member on the details of that. Certainly, it is in keeping with the announcement that I made in the city last November. I did not receive all the funding that I would have hoped for. In every monitoring round, I have consistently made a bid to fulfil the legacy of the City of Culture. I was very lucky to receive some capital money in October. I will continue that trend throughout the monitoring rounds.”
“I am a supporter. Like the Member, who is a supporter of his local clubs, I condemn any behaviour that is not in keeping with the guiding principles of the football club. I will happily forward his comments through my Department to the IFA and — pardon the pun — pass the ball to it.”
“The Member is a bit naive to think that I have any control over Cliftonville or any other soccer club.”
“The Member will know that I am a Cliftonville supporter, but I was not at the match in question. I have absolutely no information about the displaying of that flag or any other flag for over one hour at that match. I imagine that it is a position that the IFA and UEFA will take up with the club.”
“I am happy to give the Member an assurance that Strabane and other areas will be factored into that. If you look at the work of the Nerve Centre in Derry, you will see the plans that it has to bring that work out to surrounding areas. The areas in question will be part of any consultation on what that service should look like. It is important that elected representatives work closely with my Department to bring that forward, because a lot of people have been looking very thankfully to the city of Derry, and they want some of that in their community. I will ensure that DCAL will be consistent in its approach to ensuring that services in the city are spread throughout the area.”
“I thank the Member for her question and for her ongoing interest in the creative industries. I am aware that she, along with other representatives of the area, met DCAL officials to discuss how such services can be extended as part of the legacy of the City of Culture. I assume that those discussions will be ongoing with her, other representatives and community representatives. The Member should be assured that Strabane and other areas surrounding the city of Derry will be included in any future plans.”
“I anticipate a response from the judicial review hearing some time this month, if that is what the Member is trying to extract from me. That will hopefully be in the next few weeks. If that decision is favourable to the Department, work will commence almost immediately.”
“Given his legal background, the Member should be aware that the fact that the challenge is still within the courts means that it is not appropriate for me to comment.”
“I do not have any responsibility for sea angling, although the fish do not know that. However, the Member will be aware that we brought forward a consultation on salmon and trout conservation in inland waterways and that there is now mandatory catch-and-release. Through working with colleagues in DARD and the Loughs Agency through the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), we are looking at inland waterways and sea fishing, but I am afraid that the Member's question will be have to be asked of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.”
“Rather than get on with the work, I am waiting to find out what the cost will be.”
“Not just with councils but with your colleague the Minister for Regional Development. I hope to have discussions with him in the future. I know that officials have been working across the board in looking at some of the reservoirs that NI Water has found to be surplus to requirements. We are certainly looking at the management arrangements for those. It is about affordability, but, particularly when angling has been and is currently available on those reservoirs, there is an expectation that that service and that access will be continued, regardless of whether they are surplus to requirements for NI Water. We are considering what, if any, arrangements we can make for the future, but I am very supportive, as hopefully other Ministers will be, because there will be a cost implication.”
“The business case is being commissioned and will examine those issues in detail and take into account the opportunity to integrate the inland fisheries group's current NI Direct project, with the purpose of achieving an all-Ireland solution.”
“The Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) commissioned a scoping study in conjunction with the Loughs Agency, DCAL and inland fisheries with the purpose of exploring the possibility of implementing e-licensing projects to meet needs. A future product to arise from this work could be the provision of all-Ireland e-licensing for salmon and sea trout angling and other angling. The study makes recommendations for an all-Ireland e-licensing system online marketing platform that will increase the efficiency of current sales and management. The report makes a series of recommendations and cost projections to advance the project.”
“<BR /> <BR />In April 2014, the NI Direct-led project was prioritised as a Programme for Government commitment to improve citizen services. A project board has been established to advance that work, and NI Direct has this week commenced an exercise to scope the business and IT requirements for developing e-commerce solutions for a new licensing and permit system.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The range of angling licences in the North reflects the different types of fishing available. They offer choice and value for money to anglers, particularly concessionary licences for senior citizens, those with disabilities and, indeed, visiting groups. I recognise, however, that there is scope to simplify the current regime, and we are making good progress on that. <BR /> <BR />My officials have been working with NI Direct in identifying an e-commerce solution to simplify the existing licensing system. In an initial step, the layout of these licences has been changed, which has reduced the number of different licence books held by distributors. We have also centralised the administration of licences and permits to my Department’s Portadown office.”
“I am happy to forward a copy of the Hansard report of these questions to the ETI Minister so that she can forward it to the Tourist Board. I know that some of our officials have engaged with some of the events' organisers, and I am sure that the Member will not be surprised that they have come to DCAL seeking support and assistance. The Member will also be aware that, for reasons that will become known in the future, what small support and assistance we gave to the events was transferred from DCAL in 2010. It is regrettable that these people are now in the situation of not knowing whether they can plan events at all. It is important, particularly for areas like the north-west, that such events have more security and sustainability in the future.”
“Yes, I agree. It is vital that that cultural package for events or the events support for a cultural package in sports and even some of the bigger events is supported as best as possible in future years. The Member will know better than I, coming from a rural background, that events, particularly in small rural areas or communities, are sometimes the only opportunity for regenerating some of the local economy. Local and small businesses have come to rely on those benefits on an annual basis. It is with regret that I say that they are now in the situation of wondering what will happen this year. It is important that the Tourist Board has indicated that, where possible, it will try to focus on those events as a priority. However, like many others, those groups are still waiting for funding to become available.”
“I am confused about why the Member thinks I have never invested any money in the Milk Cup and Foyle Cup: I have. In the October monitoring round, for the Milk Cup and the Foyle Cup — the Milk Cup for this year — we were advised by the organisers that they could not spend the money before the end of this financial year. Obviously, that information has not been fed back to the Member, in fairness to him.”
“The Member might be surprised, but I learned about the withdrawal of the funding through the media. Again, it is still speculation as to which events will be supported and which will not. I am trying to find out exactly what the Tourist Board will support, but, as I said to other Members who have raised it with me — I want to be totally clear on this — the Tourist Board made a decision not to bring forward events funding. That does not mean to say that the responsibility for that gets passed to DCAL. It is not my responsibility to be the first source of funding for those events. I am certainly loath, because one department has made a decision, to pick the ball up and run. That is not happening.”
“<BR /> <BR />While I recognise the value that those larger events bring in economic and social benefits, I think it is important that the whole impact of small community events also has to be acknowledged. I understand that those events remain a priority for the Tourist Board and that it will endeavour to source budgets for those events in future years.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The fund in question has been a key source of support for some of our highest-profile festivals and events, and I recognise that many of those will be significantly impacted by its potential withdrawal. Events such as Féile an Phobail, the North West 200, the Milk Cup and Foyle Cup and the Walled City Tattoo, just to mention a few, will potentially be affected by the decision of the Tourist Board. Those events are about much more than simply showcasing what we have to offer here in terms of money; they also help to break down barriers within our local communities and develop mutual respect amongst our increasingly diverse population.”
“In 2013, DCAL supported the World Youth Fly Fishing Championship and the World Lure Fishing for Predators from Boats Championship. The World Police and Fire Games had game angling competitions as well, and the Department was involved in the Erne Coarse Classic and the Erne Pike Classic. A number of those competitions involved DCAL working in partnership with the IFI and Loughs Agency, certainly in the marketing and promotion of those events. I am delighted to say that that experience has actually helped us to secure the bid for next year for the World Lure Championships in Craigavon.”
“As we can see from the 2014-15 bid, young girls are now involved in angling, and I am sure that the Member will agree that that is a good trend and a good way to go forward in future.”
“I thank the Member for her question and her supplementary question. She has rightly pointed out what I was going to say: fly fishing and angling across the board is a sport that, fortunately in recent years, has received a bit more prominence. In our constituency, there are a few angling projects, particularly for children and young people who would never have had any access, other than through family members, scouts or local clubs. They can now go to our lakes and waterways and even to our local parks for fishing. I am looking at the future of angling. Sport NI conducted a review, and I look forward to seeing how we can roll that out in future. It is important, not just for young fellas but for young girls.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am pleased to advise that the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland, in partnership with Craigavon Borough Council and DCAL, has been successful in its bid to host the 2015 World Lure Championships at Craigavon Park Lakes.”
“The 2014 Commonwealth Fly Fishing Championships were held in the south-west of England in June. I congratulate the local team entered by the Ulster Provincial Council of the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland (TAFI) on winning the bronze medal and Kenneth Ferguson on winning the individual silver medal. <BR /> <BR />DCAL did not receive a specific request for assistance in relation to the 2014 championships. DCAL has been approached by various angling associations in the past for support to participate in similar events. I met representatives of TAFI and indicated that I would support a future championship being hosted here in the North.”
“Efficiency drives across all Departments are certainly more acute now. However, the Member will be aware that, if the Ulster Orchestra were to receive some short-term funding from whomever, it should be before 15 December. Thereafter, there could be a longer-term support package based on a new approach, but efficiencies will dictate what that support will be. We live in very stringent economic times, but that is not to say that the Ulster Orchestra, just like any other service, is not entitled to receive support. Certainly, efficiencies will dictate the level of support. Even for the orchestra, efficiencies will dictate what new models it will bring forward to make it more sustainable in the future.”
“However, if something were brought forward, initiatives that have outreach and the ability to bring what the orchestra has to offer to communities that would never have thought of going to see an orchestra will be right in the centre of what we hope to do in the future.”
“Just to correct the Member, I did not do research into the Ulster Orchestra to benchmark it against others; I just wanted to find out through my own research what other orchestras were experiencing in respect of financial sustainability. <BR /> <BR />The paper orchestra is an initiative that came from DCAL in conjunction with the Ulster Orchestra, and it happened in the Shankill and the Colin. If additional investment were to come forward as a rescue package or if there was a continuation of support from DCAL through the Arts Council, those initiatives would be conditional to that funding. Young people who have never experienced an orchestra need to have that opportunity, and they need to be inspired. They have a good conductor with a new approach, and it is regrettable that we are looking at rescue packages.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I stand to be corrected, but, since 2010, approximately £10·9 million has been invested in the Ulster Orchestra. Recently, on top of what the Arts Council put in, DCAL invested just over £48,000. Since 2010, the Arts Council has invested £10,573,490. As well as that, the Ulster Orchestra received over £190,000 from the lottery fund, notwithstanding the fact that Belfast City Council also put substantial money in. It is substantial money. It is expensive to run orchestras. Those are ballpark figures.”
“We want to make sure that the proposals, hopefully, on new models and new ways forward, will be sustainable and robust and will attract additional sources of funding.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question. Mrs Kelly acknowledged the fact that Belfast has done a lot of the heavy lifting. It is not my job to go round all the councils on behalf of the orchestra to drum up support — pardon the pun — it is the orchestra's job. It has been very sensitive, thankful and grateful for the support it has received from Belfast City Council over the years and has acknowledged some small support that it has received from other councils. <BR /> <BR />The 15 December date is looming large for the orchestra. The Member will appreciate the fact that, unless there is some long-term sustainability in new proposals brought forward by the orchestra, we could be here in a couple of months having the same discussion. None of us wants that.”
“I am sure that the Member will appreciate that it is called the Ulster Orchestra, but, with respect to local government, Belfast has done a lot of the heavy lifting. I have spoken to the management team, and I think that it is going to talk to other local government bodies, but it knows that, by 15 December, it needs to have some short-term interim funding or the Ulster Orchestra will be in serious difficulties.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I have done some research and have been on the computer looking at Glasgow, London, which has a few symphony orchestras, Dublin and Australia. Indeed, my officials, along with the Arts Council, are preparing additional research. From what I have seen, all orchestras across the world are struggling to fully publicly fund themselves. Because of the financial situation over the past few years, orchestras have had great difficulty in getting corporate sponsorship and, when they get it, it is not over a long time. So, sustainability is a problem. <BR /> <BR />The deadline for the management of the Ulster Orchestra to come up with a rescue package is 15 December.”
“<BR /> <BR />If the orchestra identifies a new sustainable operating model, I will give it serious consideration, and, subject to receiving assurance that it can be delivered, I will engage with Executive colleagues to assess how we might support it.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Ulster Orchestra needs to develop a long-term, sustainable approach to address its current financial difficulties. My officials, together with the Arts Council, have been liaising with the orchestra and its management to discuss potential future operating models and alternative funding mechanisms. In addition, I recently met representatives of the orchestra to explore the nature of some of those problems, the problems that it faces and the work it is undertaking to identify possible solutions. Further work will be undertaken by the orchestra over the next few weeks to identify potential options and associated costs for the future.”
“I do. I thank the Member for his supplementary question. I heard part of Aodán's contribution on Radio Ulster the other night. It is with regret that he has had to close his doors, and it is with regret that he and a few other groups did not participate fully in the reconfiguration around core funding. I am delighted that his fears around the deficit that it may create for the Protestant, unionist and loyalist community around the Irish language will not be realised. I believe that Linda Ervine, through the East Belfast Mission, is fulfilling that role. It is with regret that Iontaobhas Ultach is now closed.”
“I am sure that the Member, who is new to the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure, will appreciate that the North/South arrangements for work around Ulster Scots and the Irish language have experienced difficulties. There were difficulties for the Irish Government in particular in relation to their contribution to the budget, but I have been led to believe that that has been corrected. That is good, because the work that the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge are doing, not just independently but collectively, is very good. That in itself will lead to the third part of your question by building good and better relations across the island, particularly through the conduit of languages. I anticipate not only the money being spent but a demand for an increase in their budgets.”
“If what you have just done is anything to go by, we do not need a strategy for pure ignorance. Pure ignorance. Your conduct is not befitting a Member of this Chamber, and it does not warrant an answer.”
“I thank the Member for her supplementary question. I am sure that she picked up on the primary response that I gave to Dominic Bradley in relation to the strategies for the Irish language and Ulster Scots. I intend to publish the strategies at the end of January 2015. There is a duty placed on the Executive, through the 1998 Act, to adopt strategies in relation to the enhancement and protection of the Irish language and, indeed, Ulster Scots. I intend to make as sure as possible that every aspect of the strategies is adopted, particularly since we went out on a robust consultation. It was a very good consultation in terms of responses. The responses were realistic, and they reflected the work that is going on on the ground. It is important that other Ministers and Departments factor them into and make them a feature of future Budgets.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As the Minister of Finance and Personnel outlined today and previously in other debates, he will, after putting the draft Budget out for consultation in the Assembly, engage in a series of bilateral meetings with Ministers. I do not think that people can shirk their responsibility and use lack of affordability as a reason for not doing it. It is in that vein that I will continue to pursue the full funding of these strategies.”
“As the strategies are included as building blocks in the Executive's Programme for Government, I expect ministerial colleagues to ensure that funds are put in place to allow their proper implementation. As I said at the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee on 9 October, I will continue to be a strong advocate to ensure that funding for these strategies is forthcoming. There is much expectation in the communities following the public consultations, when people put forward proposals based on evidence from their experience on the ground. I believe that Ministers have a duty to fulfil these commitments.”
“With your permission, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, I will take questions 1 and 12 together. <BR /> <BR />The strategies are being finalised, and I hope to publish them by the end of January 2015. My officials will then establish the structures for their implementation, working closely with other Departments, all of which will have a role to play in delivering them. The strategies set out road maps for the Irish language and for Ulster Scots over the next 20 years in a wide range of areas such as education, public services and community and the media, to name but a few. I previously informed the Assembly that Ministers will be responsible for funding actions relating to the strategies from their own budgets.”
“In short, yes, I think that it is important that it is confirmed and that it is tied down. Even just going by what I heard this morning, big ticket items and big public items like that seem a bit more secure than the Cathedral Arts Festival, the Festival or Fools, Féile an Phobail or all the rest. It is important that we get the detail of what is at risk, what is going ahead and what will not get any money at all.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will be aware that that is in the bailiwick of DETI, but I am happy to forward a copy of Hansard not only to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment — the tourism Minister — but to the Executive. On receipt of any response or reply, I will copy it to the Member.”
“I think that some of the alleged animosity in the past has been about a perception that some clubs are going to do far better than others without even going through a process in the first place.”
“Actually, it is not a saga. If I were to respond to every piece of speculation in the newspapers, particularly some of the Sunday newspapers, I would spend my Mondays and Tuesdays trying to get clarification, to be sitting on Wednesday and Thursday none the wiser. I think that the Member's question is whether local clubs are going to be supported. The answer is, as best possible. In relation to the amateur league in particular, it is important that it gives full inclusion opportunities, and, in turn, that it works with clubs that are involved in the Irish Premier League and works with other partnerships, including schools, community groups, youth clubs and all the rest to make sure that there is greater participation.”
“I do not read the 'Sunday Life' — I know; shame on me. I was not aware of the story yesterday or of the stories previously that have been printed in those newspapers. I am happy to report that the soccer family — the soccer community — is getting on with it despite having differences previously. It is all working to try to provide and compete for new facilities for each of their clubs. I am not aware of any animosity or ill-feeling as a residue from anything previously.”
“I have continued and, at times, increased the awards to governing bodies, including the Golfing Union of Ireland. As well as that, through the GAA, rugby, soccer and others, I have met the IFA in particular about bringing competitions here, which includes going across the North — junior competitions, as well, because it is important that we inspire children and young people. It is really important that we still look at opportunities regardless of whether they are in Belfast, the city of Derry, mid-Ulster or wherever. If there are any firm proposals — because, at this stage, it is notional or speculative — I am happy if firm proposals are brought forward not just to the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment but to me, and we will give them due consideration.”