Sean Lynch: 6. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update following their most recent joint visit to Fermanagh. (AQO 2966/11-15)
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the First and deputy First Ministers for coming to Enniskillen for that productive meeting. Does the First Minister think that some of the issues that are blocking progress on the public sector hub site can be resolved?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. The Minister will be aware that part of the reform package was about a new culture, new work practices, etc. Are the new recruiting procedures designed to in any way combat the level of sickness absence in the Prison Service?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle . Sinn Féin supports the GRETA recommendations. They are progressive and comprehensive, and therefore we support the motion. From the outset, I wish to put trafficking into context. It is important to stress that human trafficking highlights social inequalities, both in the countries from which those trafficked come and the countries of...
Sean Lynch: 6. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on devolving corporation tax powers. (AQO 2996/11-15)
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he have any concern that the referendum on Scottish independence will delay a decision on devolving corporation tax here?
Sean Lynch: I beg to move That this Assembly approves the report of the Committee for Regional Development on its inquiry into unadopted roads in Northern Ireland (NIA 44/11/15); and calls on the Minister for Regional Development, in conjunction with his Executive colleagues and relevant bodies, to implement the recommendations. Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá mé sásta an rún ar an...
Sean Lynch: 12. asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for an update on ash dieback disease. (AQO 3027/11-15)
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. First, I want to address the Minister's concern about the press release. The report was embargoed until the commencement of this plenary debate, and I covered what is in the report. I accept his apologies for not being in the Chamber at the beginning. As we learned last week, we cannot be in all places at all times. I want to thank the...
Sean Lynch: 6. asked the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the Steps 2 Success programme, given the serious concerns raised in other jurisdictions regarding employment schemes and their failure to deliver permanent jobs. (AQO 3067/11-15)
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I ask him to detail the financial incentives that are given to people to encourage them to take part in the Steps 2 Success programme. I am specifically referring to travel and other expenses that the individual might incur.
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas sin. I thank the Minister for his statement. In relation to the management of sex offenders, he said that there was excellent ongoing co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána. Will he give more detail of what that entails?
Sean Lynch: 4. asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister for an update on the cost to date of the historical institutional abuse inquiry. (AQO 3110/11-15)
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fheagra sin. I thank the Minister for answering my question. I am sure that the Minister, like the rest of us, has heard stories of lawyers filling in forms to enable victims and survivors to attend the acknowledgment forum and putting themselves down to accompany them. In light of the fact that lawyers are...
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. We have learned that it has cost £7 million to date for the ongoing street protests. I listened with interest to the Member who asked the question, and he is one of the people who initially encouraged people onto the streets. Does the Minister agree that that cost will have a negative impact on policing resources?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá mé ag labhairt inniu mar LeasChathaoirleach. I am speaking as the Deputy Chair. The Committee for Regional Development is a very strong advocate of engagement in the European Union. The Committee has engaged in and sought to influence the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF),...
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for the allocations made to the Department, particularly in respect of road structural maintenance and street lighting. I also congratulate him on the easement that he has negotiated in respect of the A5. Is there further scope to negotiate further easement on that budget should the legal case take longer than he...
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Does the Minister have any plans to seek other European funding streams that are not being tapped into currently?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Molaim an rún seo fosta. As somebody who has resisted getting involved in the social networking on Facebook and Twitter — my younger colleagues tell me that you cannot survive without it, but I have survived the best without it — I say that maybe that is one of the best ways to prevent the abuse that Tom spoke about. I welcome...
Sean Lynch: No, not this time, thank you — which was addressed by junior Minister McCann at the end of the last debate. Social networking sites have also been used by sexual predators to groom victims. I do not wish to cover that ground again. To address those negative aspects, we need better monitoring and regulation in cyberspace so that offensive comments are removed faster and posters are held...
