Assembly round-up

MLAs should be well-briefed by the library, according to the Assembly Commission, and are about to start a steep learning curve as the budget approaches. The consequences of current and previous political violence also came into focus at Stormont during October.

Among the Assembly’s first motions this month was a call on the First Minister and deputy First Minister to lobby the European Commission on behalf of property fraud victims. Hundreds of Northern Ireland residents had fallen foul in Europe and Turkey. No OFMDFM ministers, though, turned up for the debate so it was not clear what action would be taken.

Condemnations of the Culmore Road bomb in Derry, on 5 October, were marred by a row over the past use of violence. Martina Anderson commented that republicans had only taken armed action when no other means were available. Her view was strongly rejected by David McClarty who said there was no excuse – past, present or future – for violence.

In a similar vein, MLAs agreed to let Parliament’s Terrorist Asset-Freezing Bill cover local credit unions when it was debated on 11 October. The House later acknowledged the suffering of families of disappeared victims and called on all groups and individuals with information to come forward.

David Ford presented his addendum to update the Programme of Government after justice devolution, on 12 October, exactly sixth months after his election as minister. Alban Maginness called for a deeper North/South dimension to the document.

Little progress was made on legislation, although Dawn Purvis’ bill to end double-jobbing between councils and Stormont is meanwhile on track to become the first successful private members’ bill since devolution was restored.

On a literary note, MLAs were informed that the Assembly’s library had spent £110,297.38 on books, newspapers, periodicals and magazines over the last three years. In an exchange, Assembly Commission spokesman Peter Weir agreed that members should be well-informed and well-read. “I leave it to members’ judgement,” he quipped, “as to whether that is always the case.”

Westminster’s spending review announcement, on 20 October, prompted Stormont’s recall as October drew to a close. The financial ball is now firmly in the Assembly’s court and one ‘creative’ idea has been put forward by the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee.

Barry McElduff pointed out that the US Government “paid for writers and artists to work at their craft during the Great Depression in the 1930s” and suggested that departments use the province’s “enormous amount of artistic and sporting talent” to improve its economic prospects.

However, Stormont’s problems are not just economic. The Assembly’s Public Attitudes Survey suggested that large parts of society either know little about devolution or feel let down by it.

Forty-nine per cent of respondents felt they had “no influence at all” over decision-making in Northern Ireland. Thirty-eight per cent were dissatisfied with the Assembly and the Executive had the same disapproval rating.

Confusion about the Executive and Assembly’s roles was a major problem, as three-quarters of people thought that their MLA could make decisions in government. In reality, just 15 of the 108 members are ministers.

Unintentionally, the public also hinted at the Assembly’s relevance, as the top six issues discussed among family and friends were mostly or partly devolved (crime, education, economy, health, the environment and housing). Stormont, for its faults, is far more relevant to everyday life than Westminster.