Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I do not need to outline to the Minister the major impact of the flooding in Fermanagh, as she came down to see it for herself and to talk to communities that had been marooned for five weeks. I want to thank the Minister for doing that. Can she provide any further details on the protection scheme that she intends to launch this week?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Consideration Stage of the Bill. I echo much of what the Chair has said, and I thank all those who have been involved in the Bill to date, particularly the officials. The Chair finished on clause 3, and we agree with the amendments to it. I put it on record that my party across the island of...
Sean Lynch: 3. Mr Lynch asked the Minister of the Environment how he will ensure that the strategic planning policy statement (SPPS) will prevent fracking in County Fermanagh. (AQO 9249/11-16)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer and acknowledge that he has visited Fermanagh on a number of occasions. He quoted from the SPPS: "there should be a presumption against their exploitation until there is sufficient and robust evidence on all environmental impacts." Will the Minister expand on that?
Sean Lynch: T3. Mr Lynch asked the Minister for Employment and Learning whether he is minded to retain maintenance grants. (AQT 3213/11-16)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I acknowledge what the Minister has said about the importance of maintenance grants. Would he say that they are vital in supporting students from less well-off areas in further and higher education?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Given the recent event that was organised for the Israeli Government, students, press and various parties here, will a similar event now be organised by the Commission for the Palestinian Government to give outreach to people who are unrepresented?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Does the Minister's Department have any formal agreement with other agencies and Departments for dealing with polluting incidents?
Sean Lynch: T1. Mr Lynch asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they agree that any attempt by George Osborne to use the Big Lottery Fund to supplement proposed cuts in departmental spending should be resisted. (AQT 3161/11-16)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the First Minister for his answer. Does he agree that this could have a hugely negative impact on the community and voluntary sector and damage many projects that are under way?
Sean Lynch: 1. Mr Lynch asked the Minister of Justice to outline how his Department plans to address the findings of the recently published Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland's inspection report on an unannounced inspection of Maghaberry prison 11-22 May 2015. (AQO 9099/11-16)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra chuimsitheach sin. I thank the Minister for his comprehensive answer. Does he agree that a combination of a failure of leadership in the prison and a refusal and resistance to prison reform has led to what can only be described as a "damning report" by the Criminal Justice Inspection (CJINI)? Go raibh maith agat.
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I wish the Minister well in her new role and look forward to working with her in the Committee. She has been well introduced to the A5 and the A6, and I will mention the A4 extension to Enniskillen and beyond, just to put it on her radar. As I was going home, I was listening to the programme that my colleague mentioned, 'Inside Business'; it was all...
Sean Lynch: Does the Minister accept that regional targets need to form part of Invest NI's corporate plan and the Programme for Government going forward?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Given the significant achievements outlined by the deputy First Minister, how can the next PFG improve on further delivering its commitments?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I want to come back to the last point that you mentioned, Minister, which was the failure of leadership. Do you have a clear definition from the Criminal Justice Inspection of what it means by failure of leadership and ineffective relations in Maghaberry and the Maghaberry administration? In my opinion, over a long time, there has been a resistance...
Sean Lynch: T7. Mr Lynch asked the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline her future intentions for the areas of natural constraint (ANC) scheme. (AQT 3057/11-16)
Sean Lynch: Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for her answer. What was the value of ANC payments this year?
Sean Lynch: Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. One thing that the debate threw up was that a lot of people agreed on many things. One of the first things that was said was that it needed to be resolved and that it was an issue of equality and fairness. Everybody said that there was no legal route and that the judge had made the decision. They also said that there was a moral argument, and...
Sean Lynch: No, I will not. I have only five minutes.
