Press Releases 2012 - 2013

Synopsis: Below you will find all press releases published by the Northern Ireland Assembly during the 2012-2013 session.

Date Title Action

30/04/2013

Speaker Launches Exhibition to Mark Anniversary of Women's Suffrage Movement

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mr William Hay MLA, today marked the women’s suffrage movement with a special exhibition of student artwork at Parliament Buildings.

Reference: SO 05/12/13

Read Speaker Launches Exhibition to Mark Anniversary of Women's Suffrage Movement

26/04/2013

Joint Communiqué from the Second Plenary of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association

The North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association which comprises of representatives from the Northern Ireland Assembly and Houses of the Oireachtas, today held its second Plenary in the Senate Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Stormont, Belfast.

Reference: AC 03/12/13

Read Joint Communiqué from the Second Plenary of the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association

24/04/2013

Committee Criticises Translink Fare Increases

The Committee for Regional Development today denounced increases in the cost of travelling by bus and by rail. The information emerged during a presentation to the Committee from the Chief Executive of Translink, Catherine Mason, on the organisation’s corporate and business plan. The increases will see the cost of a bus journey rise by 3% and the cost of a train journey rise by 5%.

Reference: CRD 05/03/13

Read Committee Criticises Translink Fare Increases

24/04/2013

Committee Encourages Use of ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ Section for Farmers Hit by Severe Weather

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has welcomed the Minister’s announcement on stocking density (the number of stock per hectare) under the Less Favoured Area Compensatory Allowances (LFACA) Scheme.

Reference: AGR 06/12/13

Read Committee Encourages Use of ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ Section for Farmers Hit by Severe Weather

17/04/2013

No Evidence that Health and Social Care Services are Safer for Patients than a Decade Ago

A Report published today by the Public Accounts Committee has highlighted that, while the vast majority of services provided by Health and Social Care Trusts are of a very high quality, patients and service users can suffer largely preventable harm and suffering.

Reference: PAC 04/12/13

Read No Evidence that Health and Social Care Services are Safer for Patients than a Decade Ago

16/04/2013

Careful Consideration of Planning Bill is Needed, Says Committee

The Committee for the Environment will hold an event on the Planning Bill on Thursday, 18 April 2013 at Parliament Buildings.

Reference: ENV 10/12/13

Read Careful Consideration of Planning Bill is Needed, Says Committee

15/04/2013

More Spontaneity for Assembly Question Time

The Assembly’s Procedures Committee has recommended that Ministerial Question Time include time for topical and spontaneous questions to take place during the existing Oral Question Time. The recommendation comes as the Assembly considers the Committee’s Report into Topical Questions.

Reference: Procedures 01/12/13

Read More Spontaneity for Assembly Question Time

12/04/2013

Committee Investigates Tree Disease with Key Visits

The Assembly Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development recently saw first-hand the issues surrounding tree disease with a visit to Belfast Harbour and Woodburn Forest.

Reference: ARD 05/12/13

Read Committee Investigates Tree Disease with Key Visits

11/04/2013

Committee Event Lays Foundations for Future of Housing

Members of the Assembly Committee for Social Development met today with stakeholders from across the local housing sector to discuss the key issues surrounding the future of local housing.

Reference: SD 02/12/13

Read Committee Event Lays Foundations for Future of Housing

11/04/2013

More Consistency Needed in Supermarket Fuel Pricing, Says Committee

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment today considered a Consumer Council briefing that demonstrated inconsistencies in fuel prices between different locations in the same supermarket chain.

Reference: ETI 08/12/13

Read More Consistency Needed in Supermarket Fuel Pricing, Says Committee