Assembly Agrees Legislative Agenda

A wide range of papers and draft Bills have been approved by the Stormont Assembly Executive.

Representing significant work for the Assembly and government departments, they covered a substantial amount of proposed legislation.

They yesterday agreed a draft Bill to go before the Assembly in the autumn to enable the future creation of a Department of Justice.

It will establish the new Department of Justice and appoint a Minister and is a necessary preparatory step towards devolution of policing and justice responsibilities.

It will require a specific resolution from the Assembly at a later stage requesting the Secretary of State to transfer the necessary responsibilities.

Other items discussed by ministers included their standing discussions on the impact of the economic downturn.

Ministers discussed the ongoing engagement with financial institutions and were also updated on the work of the Cross Sector Advisory Forum and its various sub groups.

Ministers also agreed a Rates (Amendment Bill) for consideration by the Assembly. The Bill includes measures to help households and smaller businesses during the economic downturn.

They also agreed plans to commence a public consultation on the Victims and Survivors Service Bill. The consultation period will commence in August and run for a period of 10 weeks.

It emerged that it is proposed that the service should be constituted as a Non-Departmental Public Body.

This would allow it to work at arms length from government and have greater flexibility to respond to the needs of victims and survivors while at the same time retain full responsibility for the use of public funds.

The Executive also agreed to publish Planning Policy Statement 18: Renewable Energy and to set out proposals committing to carbon reduction as well as proceeding with a debt relief bill.

Consultations will also begin on a range of proposals including a Bio Energy Action Plan for Northern Ireland 2009 - 2014; a draft Social Economy Enterprise Strategy 2009 - 2011; a Review of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Inclusion; a Dormant Accounts Scheme and a Review of the Regional Transportation Strategy.

Other papers approved included Draft Regulations to transpose the EU Floods Directive; Association of British Insurers/government agreement to the statement of principles for a provision of flood insurance and the proposed response to the proposals by the Committee on Procedures for Standing Orders on Legislative Consent.

See: Justice Devolution Makes Progress

(BMcC/KMcA)