Results 1-20 of 124 for (in the 'Commons debates' OR in the 'Westminster Hall debates' OR in the 'Lords debates' OR in the 'Northern Ireland Assembly debates') speaker:Lord Browne of Belmont

Coroners and Justice Bill: Third Reading (5 Nov 2009)

Lord Browne of Belmont: My Lords, first I declare that I am a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and noble Lords will surely be aware that, since its establishment, considerable progress has been made in achieving a stable and peaceful society there. Currently, a Bill on policing and justice is being considered by all the parties in Northern Ireland, and when there is public confidence there is the likelihood...

Coroners and Justice Bill: Report (3rd Day) (28 Oct 2009)

Lord Browne of Belmont: My Lords, first I declare an interest as a Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly. As the Minister is well aware, we are currently involved in negotiations on the devolution of powers on policing and justice to the Northern Ireland Assembly. As we have heard, there are strong feelings in Northern Ireland, particularly about Amendment 75A, and it is only right and proper that the people of...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Culture, Arts and Leisure: Places for Sport (20 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: What benefits will the investment of public funds in sporting programmes and facilities bring before, during and after the London Olympics in 2012?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Office Of The First Minister And Deputy First Minister: Cohesion, Sharing and Integration Strategy (19 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: The junior Minister will be aware that an explosive device was fixed to the car of a policeman’s partner in east Belfast last Friday. I will be pleased to receive assurance from the junior Minister that that policeman and his partner, having been subjected to the despicable terrorist attack that was condemned in the House earlier today, will be able to avail of the SPED scheme to ensure...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Committee Business: Legislative Consent Motions (19 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: I thank Lord Morrow, the Committee members and all the Committee staff for their dedication in ensuring that the report is presented to the Assembly today. Legislative consent relates to the convention — often referred to as the Sewel convention — that the UK Government will not normally legislate on devolved matters without first gaining the agreement of the devolved legislature...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Matters of the Day: Car Bomb in East Belfast (19 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: I am sure that the entire House will join with me and extend its sympathy to the young woman who was injured by the under-car booby trap device that was planted in east Belfast last Friday, and that it will express its relief that she is making a speedy recovery from her injuries. It is essential that we all unite in condemning that vicious attack, which has no place in a democratic society....

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Catholic Church Services (12 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: I rise to support — to oppose the motion. [Interruption.] I support the previous Member, and I oppose the motion. [Interruption.]

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Catholic Church Services (12 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: It is my firm conviction that any Executive Minister has a duty to serve, respect and engage with all sections of society, whether the person or persons concerned are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or atheist. However, I utterly reject the narrow-minded and baseless assertion that adherence to a religious principle that requires non-attendance at a service based on different...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Catholic Church Services (12 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: I have just started, but I will give way.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Catholic Church Services (12 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: I regard the right of an individual to decide whether he wishes to attend a particular religious service or to attend none as a vital component of his or her religious and civil liberties. I am sure that Mr Maginness would agree. The House should not assume from what I have said that I believe that there are no political or religious principles that may, in certain circumstances, lead to...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Finance and Personnel: Rating of Empty Homes (6 Oct 2009)

Wallace Browne: Would the Minister agree that it has become increasingly difficult for councils to set a budget for the financial year because of the default in the collection of rates? What percentage of rates has been collected by Land and Property Services in each council area, and what action has been taken to recover unpaid rates?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Adjournment: Flooding in East Belfast (29 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: For the second time in slightly over two years it is necessary for an Adjournment debate in the House to highlight the repetitive flooding in my constituency of East Belfast. On 31 August 2009, homes and property in East Belfast were once again damaged by rainfall. In contrast to previous occasions, however, the rainfall was restricted — [Interruption.]

Northern Ireland Assembly: Adjournment: Flooding in East Belfast (29 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: In contrast to previous occasions, however, the rainfall was restricted to a period of a few hours in mid-afternoon, yet it caused substantial flooding. The relevant agencies had argued that the rainfall in July 2007 was exceptional and they, therefore, presumed that to be the main cause of the flooding. However, no one could reasonably argue that that was the case on 31 August 2009. Yet...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Apprenticeships (28 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: 3. asked the Minister for Employment and Learning how many people have enrolled in apprenticeships during the past two years, and of those, how many are continuing.  (AQO 107/10)

Northern Ireland Assembly: Employment And Learning: Apprenticeships (28 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: It is important that young people can avail themselves of training schemes, especially in the economic climate with which we are faced. In light of the figures that the Minister quoted, does he intend to meet employers so that more schemes can be made available and so that those who commence will finish?

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Financial Support for Sports Clubs (21 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: I take the point; I am sure that many people from all communities would condemn displays of paramilitarism. The sight of masked men carrying what we presume to be, at best, replica weapons, is not only alarming, but provocative and illegal. It is a destabilising move that has once again shone a bright light of suspicion on Gaelic sport within the Province. The role of Sinn Féin is even...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Financial Support for Sports Clubs (21 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: I support the motion. I am a keen supporter of sport. In many instances, sport has brought together people from all communities. However, events like the one at Galbally in August have had the opposite effect; they further divide our communities. I have been a member of the Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure for the past two years. During that time, I have had the opportunity to hear...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Private Members’ Business: Financial Support for Sports Clubs (21 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: I thank the Member for his intervention and agree that the behaviour of that member of the Dungannon and South Tyrone DPP could be considered as divisive. We should all be working together to improve community relations, not to alienate one another. As I said, the events at Galbally in August can only detract from and destroy the efforts to remove the barriers that I mentioned. Nothing can be...

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Inland Waterways Sectoral Format (15 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: I thank the Minister for his statement. I would be pleased to ascertain whether he is considering the appointment of a board to Waterways Ireland, and, if so, what the likely composition of such a board would be.

Northern Ireland Assembly: Ministerial Statement: Language Body Sectoral Format (15 Sep 2009)

Wallace Browne: I thank the Minister for his statement. I would be pleased if he could confirm that the 2009 budget for the language body has been approved. If not, when is it likely to receive endorsement from all sides?