Assembly round-up

Health became an increasingly high priority at Stormont during November. However, progress on many other issues will depend on a positive outcome to the cross-party talks.

The Assembly’s proceedings in November were overshadowed by BBC Spotlight’s revelations about expenses and the subsequent decision to launch a police investigation into the matter. The DUP and Sinn Féin criticised the BBC but the other parties welcomed the scrutiny and called for a stricter system to be introduced.

The episode undoubtedly increased public cynicism about the Assembly but debates and legislation at Stormont are still responding to public concerns. For example, health was a strong running theme. MLAs united behind Robin Swann’s campaign to save the Dalriada respite centre for people with multiple sclerosis.

“It was Nye Bevan who said no society could legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person was denied medical aid because of a lack of means,” Swann told the House. He added that one of the benefits of devolution was that ministers “can go and see at first hand what is happening.”

After lengthy debates, the Assembly passed the Education Bill which concludes almost a decade of discussion about education reform. The Work and Families Bill will extend parental leave and the House will consider legislation on food safety, children’s services and urban regeneration in the new year.

Senior MLAs were involved in the cross-party talks at Stormont House. The talks have a long agenda but there is a consensus that agreement on welfare reform and Budget will be necessary before any agreement on the other contentious issues.

The continuing process to transfer more powers from Westminster to Scotland is also bringing up new issues at Stormont. The Smith Commission proposes the devolution of a range of tax powers which will spark debate about whether these should also be devolved here.

Sinn Féin MLA Megan Fearon has called for the Assembly to take on the power to lower the voting age (from 18 to 16). The proposal is supported by the SDLP, UUP and Alliance Party but the DUP sees 18 as the most appropriate age. Fearon said that the move had “given young people an important voice in the political process” during the referendum campaign.

The devolution of corporation tax remains a major priority for the business community but progress on this, as with many other social and economic issues, will depend on the outcome of the talks. David Cameron and Enda Kenny came and went without a deal being signed and negotiations were continuing at the time of going to press. The House rose for its Christmas recess on 12 December and will return on 5 January.