Edwin Poots: Does the Minister agree that it is shocking that so many people are waiting for public-sector housing in the Lisburn district? Will he agree to investigate the circumstances in which the Housing Executive is reducing the amount of public housing available in some areas? It is selling land, and there is a limited expansion of the housing base in that district.
Edwin Poots: I thank the Members who participated in the debate for the largely positive and constructive contributions that they made. It is indicative of a growing interest in European Union affairs, and overall there has been a general welcome for the report and its recommendations. Jane Morrice referred to the need to involve young people. The Committee would also like to see the greater involvement...
Edwin Poots: I shall not take that point any further. I do not believe that the junior Minister was speaking on behalf of OFMDFM on that occasion. I welcome the increase in the capacity of the European Policy Co-ordination Unit. Nevertheless, the Committee recommends that it should remain free-standing, and I know that Ministers will consider that in more detail. With regard to NICE, I take Mr Haughey’s...
Edwin Poots: It does not seem that long ago, but it is quite some time since I was getting school buses. I clearly remember standing on the steps of a bus, or leaning against the front window of a bus, as it travelled down a rural road at up to 60 mph. Time has moved on. I now leave my son to the bus, and by the time it gets to school it is overloaded with children. The bus has children standing in it and...
Edwin Poots: How many services does the Department provide, and how many are regarded as being key services? When does it expect to publish the comparative costs of electronic service delivery and the current paper transaction for the same service?
Edwin Poots: No two children are the same. All children are born with different abilities. Some are prepared to work harder to achieve their goals, but the goal of education is to bring out the best in all children and bring out the best of their abilities. I am surprised that the Minister, who professes a "Brits out" attitude in everything else that he does, when it comes to education he wants to ape the...
Edwin Poots: More clues are required.
Edwin Poots: Given that the Minister seems so keen on all-Ireland strategies and agendas, will he take a look at the all-Ireland clinical waste management strategy? Will he look at the tendering process, and can he say that everything was done correctly and was above board? Will that be the case for any future strategies?
Edwin Poots: One is tempted to say: "Come back, Sam. All is forgiven." Mr Nesbitt stuck solely to road safety issues at the meeting; no other transport issues were discussed. Is that an indication that the DUP Ministers’ boycott of the North/South Ministerial Council, a body that he seems so keen to pursue, is stifling its work?
Edwin Poots: 4. asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure what steps have been taken to influence the sports lottery in its allocation of funding. (AQO 1223/01)
Edwin Poots: In previous replies to other Members, the Minister has outlined where the funds have gone. Is it of no concern to the Minister that around 50% of the funding is going to one sport, a minority sport that is virtually a single-identity sport — namely Gaelic games? Most Unionists do not participate in that sport because it is a cold house for them. Is the Minister concerned that so much of the...
Edwin Poots: 8. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development how many field staff in the Newtownards divisional veterinary office are dedicated to the eradication of brucellosis. (AQO 1225/01)
Edwin Poots: I thank the Minister for her response, and for her letter, which I received on Saturday. Is she aware that brucellosis is a particular problem in the Lagan Valley constituency, which is served by the Newtownards veterinary office? Veterinary officers there have not had time off for the last four to five months because of work pressure. Is the Minister concerned that brucellosis is not being...
Edwin Poots: I doubt that the wordsmiths of the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister had any opportunity to get away over the bank holiday, but given the amount of spin that has been put on the statement, they did not need to take their families to any waltzers. I wish to comment on several matters that were raised. The First Minister said that rates will not rise more than they have over the past...
Edwin Poots: — will the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister consult with local communities and public representatives in those areas and take full account of the proposals made by local people?
Edwin Poots: 2. asked the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to detail the number of inward investment companies that have visited Knockmore Hill Industrial Estate in each of the past three years; the number who have chosen to establish factories at the site; and the number of jobs which have been created at the estate. (AQO 1277/01)
Edwin Poots: I am very disappointed that only five companies visited the site. Of the four available sites, this is the only one that has a 30-acre land bank that could incorporate large-scale business development. In view of the Belfast metropolitan area plan, which will bring more housing into the Lagan Valley constituency, and the possibility of further development at the Maze Prison site, can the...
Edwin Poots: 10. asked the Minister for Employment and Learning to give an update on the Walsh visa programme. (AQO 1278/01)
Edwin Poots: Will the Minister advise whether the Walsh visa programme has had any more success in keeping young people in the United States when they arrive there? Will she clarify that 26 people have travelled to the United States in the past year? How much does it cost to implement the Walsh visa programme for each person?
Edwin Poots: The Minister mentioned 26 young people. Is that the figure for all of last year?