Accelerated Passage

Part of Executive Committee Business – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 11:00 am on 13 January 2009.

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Photo of Jim Shannon Jim Shannon DUP 11:00, 13 January 2009

I support accelerated passage for this Bill. The comments from across this Assembly are very clear. Although Members may have some concerns, the need for accelerated passage is obvious. It is imperative that the Executive and the Assembly are able to respond to conditions, whether financial or otherwise. My colleague Stephen Moutray listed some of the occasions on which it was necessary to do so — I believe that it is necessary now.

Every one of us is aware of the issue of fuel poverty. Accelerated passage is needed so that the money will be available to the people who need it most. As I am sure that other Members are, I am in constant contact with elderly people and vulnerable families. The dire circumstances that those people face are very clear. When I come to this Assembly, my duty is to deliver for those people. I hope that this Assembly will also deliver for them — it is very important that it does so.

It is imperative that this Assembly is able to respond when the need exists; not in a few months’ time when the problems and difficulties have become worse and the financial hardship that people face has become almost unbearable. The legacy may be there in two months’ time, but the need to respond exists today.

We are in very difficult circumstances. Some have lost their jobs, and the occupations of others are in doubt. People are worried about water rates and their prospects for the future. Fuel poverty is very clearly one of the issues about which people are concerned. It is important that we are able to respond to the needs of all the vulnerable people whom we meet on a daily basis. The spectre of fuel poverty hangs over the heads of hundreds of thousands of our constituents like the sword of Damocles. That is all the more reason to grant accelerated passage to this Bill so that progress can be made very quickly.

Accelerated passage will enable the Ministers, the Executive and this Assembly to respond in an urgent and effective manner. Let us not get bogged down in rhetoric — instead, let us ensure that our constituents feel the benefits of a fully working Assembly and Executive. I support the motion.