Your Assembly » Derry

Is There Fair Representation For The Disabled?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:15:13 +0000

Questions were raised over MLAs’ commitment to the visually impaired and why Northern Ireland does not have a disabled person’s commissioner.

The panel didn’t know why there was no commissioner to represent disabled people and could think of no reason why there shouldn’t be one. Mark Durkan offered that he would advocate such an appointment only if it would be the most efficient way of dealing with this issue. He highlighted the situation within Westminster which indicated that such a commissioner may not make a difference.

Should the appointment of some kind of disabled person’s commissioner become a priority in the Assembly? Why has Northern Ireland fallen behind the rest of United Kingdom in this area?

Can Executive Stop The Greencastle Ferry From Sinking?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:38:01 +0000

The panel appeared eager for the executive to find a solution and come to the aid of the Greencastle ferry system. David McClarty described it as a “vital service” while Mark Durkan and Gregory Campbell hoped that, with a little imagination and innovation, something could be done for the ferry.

Is enough being done for tourism in the country?

Discrimination In New Selection Proposals?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:23:29 +0000

New selection proposals suggest children who receive free school meals may also receive preferential treatment when it comes to academic selection. Does this discriminate against parents who go out to work to provide meals for their children?

Raymond McCartney believes that, when trying to help the disadvantaged, solutions can sometimes appear ‘radical and different’ but these steps may be necessary in order to eradicate inequalities.

Is it possible to come up with a system that will be fair to everyone?

What Next For Post-Primary Children?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:20:07 +0000

An unhappy member of the audience queried the panel as to how one party was able to abolish the 11 plus without a viable alternative in place.

Whilst the most of the panel supported Martin McGuinness’ decision to abolish the 11 plus, there was more division over whether the new approach for a replacement system had been successful

Alliance leader David Ford suggested that the Minister for Education, Catriona Ruane, would benefit from further engagement with those in the Education Committee and in the education system. SDLP leader Mark Durkan was prepared to accept that such an important decision was more of a “collective responsibility” amongst all the parties, suggesting that no one was a winner in the current state of uncertainty.

Mark Durkan highlighted the conflicting positions of the different parties on this matter – do you think a compromise can be found amidst all the disagreement? Do you think Catriona Ruane needs to be more receptive to the input of the Education Committee?

Why do we not have a disable persons commissioner?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:35:04 +0000

Why in this economic climate are public sector jobs being cut?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:34:00 +0000

Why are people with a progressive condition having their benefit either taken away or cut?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:32:10 +0000

Can more capital projects be rolled out to assist local businesses to remain solvent in the current economic climate?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:31:15 +0000

What will happen to the money ring fenced for the maze?

CommsOfficeAdmin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:29:58 +0000

Pictures from Derry / Londonderry

CommsOfficeAdmin — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 15:52:38 +0000

You can view these pictures in greater detail on flickr.