Results 1-20 of 169 for speaker:Leslie Cree

Northern Ireland Assembly: Regional Development: Belfast Rapid Transit System (16 Nov 2009)

Leslie Cree: In light of the ongoing fiscal crisis in the Executive and the uncertain future, what assurances can the Minister provide that the rapid transit system will receive the necessary funding? Will he provide us with a date for the completion of the business case?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Together Towards Entitlement (16 Nov 2009)

Leslie Cree: It is clear to most of us that grave reservations surround the special educational needs and inclusion review, transfer 2010, the RPA and ESA. Will the Minister assure the House that the outcome of the jigsaw of reform, to which she refers, will not be ongoing chaos in our education system?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Environment: Single Waste Disposal Authority (9 Nov 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he share with us the steps that he proposes to take to ensure that the new single waste authority will give proper consideration to the thermal treatment of waste?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Enterprise, Trade And Investment: Gas Market (3 Nov 2009)

Leslie Cree: This issue is important. Is the Minister aware of any plans to create strategic gas storage on the island of Ireland and to provide for the importation of natural gas in a liquefied state?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: North-west Region (3 Nov 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Members who tabled the motion. However, the proposers of the motion and the amendment seemed to confuse the north-west with Londonderry. It is obvious that the north-west region has been hit hard by the recession. In the past 12 to 18 months, 2,500 jobs have been lost in the greater Londonderry area, and the workload of jobs and benefits offices in the city of Londonderry has...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: South Eastern Regional College: Capital Investment (2 Nov 2009)

Leslie Cree: 5. asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to outline the level of capital investment in the South Eastern Regional College during the last two years.   (AQO 293/10)

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Invest NI (20 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Members for tabling the motion, although I am afraid that Sinn Féin has presented a rather confused argument that does little justice to the independent review of economic policy report, the economic reality on the ground or the needs of the business community throughout Northern Ireland. In addition to proposing a motion on a detailed report that is out for consideration,...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Culture, Arts and Leisure: Ulster Museum (20 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: 5. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for his assessment of the budget and timescale for the refurbishment of the Ulster Museum.   (AQO 263/10)

Northern Ireland Assembly: Culture, Arts and Leisure: Ulster Museum (20 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Minister for his response. Can he advise whether a value for money assessment has been carried out on the deployment of museum staff over those three years?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Regional Development: Water Supply (19 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: 4. asked the Minister for Regional Development when he expects to make a decision on the future funding for water provision.      (AQO 248/10)

Northern Ireland Assembly: Regional Development: Water Supply (19 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he give the House a full breakdown of the cost of a further deferment of water charges, were such a decision to be taken?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Social Development: Special Purchase of  Evacuated Dwellings Scheme (13 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: I heard the Minister say that she would like to draw a line under this matter, but I am sure that Members want to know whether she is happy with how the Minister of Finance dealt with her on this matter and whether she had any difficulty in how the negotiations were handled.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Public Expenditure 2009-2010:  September Monitoring (13 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Minister for his statement and his frank and honest answers. I know that he has a difficult job. In light of the fact that the reduced require­ments represent 57·7% of the amount declared at the same stage last year and following the Minister’s announcement that the overcommitment will be significantly reduced, does he believe that there is a danger that the...

Northern Ireland Assembly: assembly commission: Parliament Buildings:  Security Arrangements (6 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: Will the Member advise whether there has been any appraisal of the security arrangements by the Commission since the events of 2007? Has consideration been given to the balance between public access and security?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Independent Review of Economic Development Policy in Northern Ireland (DETI/Invest NI) (5 Oct 2009)

Leslie Cree: I thank the Minister for her statement. It is good to have that review; there is a lot in it. At this early stage, a lot more thought is needed before we come up with broad questions on the way forward. However, one thing did catch my eye: 55% of total programme costs for selective financial assistance was spent on expanding businesses rather than growing new ones. Is the Minister happy with...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Social Tariff System (29 Sep 2009)

Leslie Cree: The issue is an important and emotive one, and I thank the Members who tabled the motion and those who tabled the amendment. Fuel poverty is a real and persistent problem. Between 2004 and 2006, an additional 60,000 households in Northern Ireland entered fuel poverty. In light of rising fuel costs and increases in unemployment, there are concerns that the number of people who are fuel poor...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Social Tariff System (29 Sep 2009)

Leslie Cree: That is a nice idea. However, unfortunately, a monopoly applies in Northern Ireland. The actual margin for the electricity company, in particular, is fixed.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Social Tariff System (29 Sep 2009)

Leslie Cree: I am concerned about getting through my wee bit. If the Member is quick, I will give way.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Social Tariff System (29 Sep 2009)

Leslie Cree: The Member is quite correct. Now, to get back to my point, for which, I am sure, Members are all waiting — [Laughter.] In light of pressures that families already face due to increased energy costs, rising unemployment and the ongoing recession, such an increase could be detrimental, not only to the people who are involved, but to the entire economy. That point has just been made by Mr...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statements: Trade and Business Development Sectoral Format (29 Sep 2009)

Leslie Cree: I, too, welcome the Minister’s statement and welcome her back from India. I thought that I got the whiff of “eau de madras” as she passed by. The Minister referred to the fact that the business plan for this year is being prepared by InterTradeIreland. Will she advise us as to whether any change of emphasis or direction is being considered, bearing in mind that we are still...