Sean Lynch: I thank the Minister for his answer. The social enterprise sector is of the strong view that, if social value is to be properly accounted for, it has to be part of scoring criteria for tenders. Does the Minister intend to consider that issue as part of the pre-consultation?
Sean Lynch: 12. Mr Lynch asked the Minister for the Economy to outline how she will progress the workers’ rights commitments in New Decade, New Approach. (AQO 53/17-22)
Sean Lynch: I welcome the Minister's statement and wish him well in the post. I am somewhat disappointed that there are no Gaelscoileanna on the list. It may be that none applied. I understand that there will be other opportunities for schools to apply, and I hope that the Minister will be inclusive of all sectors, including the Irish language sector.
Sean Lynch: I declare an interest as a member of the western group. The last Member did not read my name out, but I was on it. I welcome the opportunity to speak about my experience of the steering group and the delivery of the SIF funding. The group consisted of a wide range and selection of people from the community and voluntary sectors, and it was not a closed shop as the mover of the motion has...
Sean Lynch: I will not. That is important for the prevention of human rights abuses. The Scottish Government have stated that they want to go beyond defending human rights; they believe that the protections offered by human rights legislation should represent a floor rather than a ceiling. The Scottish Government have taken on the challenge to find ways in which to embed human rights responsibilities...
Sean Lynch: I beg to move That this Assembly acknowledges international Human Rights Day; notes the United Nations' comments that more should be done to raise awareness of human rights and the need to improve education about human rights; and calls on all Government Departments and public bodies to introduce human rights action plans. We are pleased to have secured the debate today in the week that...
Sean Lynch: No. In this climate, we must remember that human rights are not a luxury. Our motion calls for more to be done to raise awareness of human rights and the need to improve education about human rights. As recently as 2011, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training and acknowledged the fundamental importance of human rights education and training in...
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the First Minister for her answer. Will she provide an overview of the Executive Office funding programmes?
Sean Lynch: Ba mhaith liom labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin agus in éadan an leasaithe. I support the motion and oppose the amendment. My party colleague will speak on the amendment later. The motion is short and concise, and it calls on the Executive to review the number of functions of their arm's-length bodies, which few would disagree with. I agree with Mr Attwood that there are fundamentals, and we...
Sean Lynch: I agree with the Member. Young people were also under-represented, and all those issues need to be addressed in any review. Over the years, I have heard people complaining about duplication of the work of two bodies in the House. This motion affords us that opportunity.
Sean Lynch: The Minister will know that the Ulster canal is an important project in my constituency. Does he see it as an Executive priority?
Sean Lynch: As my question involves the social investment fund, I declare an interest as a member of the western steering group.
Sean Lynch: T5. Mr Lynch asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether the deputy First Minister will give reassurance that the social investment fund will be delivered for communities as intended. (AQT 500/16-21)
Sean Lynch: Can the Minister outline who was involved in the process to develop the framework for the PFG?
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he accept there is no educational evidence or research to back up assertions on whether composite classes or single-year groups produce poorer educational outcomes?
Sean Lynch: Thank you for that answer and your answers to date, Minister. When I was on the previous Justice Committee, I visited the prisons on a number of occasions and saw prisoners with vulnerabilities and mental health issues. Can the Minister outline what steps her Department is taking to ensure that there are sufficient alternatives for those types of prisoners?
Sean Lynch: 3. Mr Lynch asked the Minister of Justice what she is doing to address the mental health issues in Hydebank Wood Secure College, following the publication on 27 October 2016 of the Criminal Justice Inspection 'Report on an unannounced inspection of Hydebank Wood Secure College'. (AQO 643/16-21)
Sean Lynch: When will the Minister announce his vision for the rates system?
Sean Lynch: Will the Minister assure the Assembly that water quality and habitat conservation will continue to have priority in all our inland waterways?
Sean Lynch: I thank the Member. I understand what he is saying, because our constituency office has similar types of people coming in. I was on the Regional Development Committee when the measure was brought in, and one of the things that we argued at the time was that it should not be a revenue-raising mechanism. The £45 offer is there to encourage people to pay promptly. I have been caught once or...
