Northern Ireland Assembly

Posted: 17 Jun 2010 12:13 AM PDT

The Assembly Committee for the Environment is today (Thursday 17 June) visiting the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) to help inform its response to the Department of Environment’s draft Road Safety Strategy. In particular the Committee is keen to gather information on the licensing of driving instructors. Committee Chairperson, Cathal Boylan MLA, said:“As part of our work reviewing the draft Road Safety Strategy we have become aware of apparent flaws in the licensing of driving instructors which are causing the Committee a degree of concern. To our knowledge, once a person has applied to become a trainee driving instructor there are no checks to ensure this person is being appropriately mentored and trained. Furthermore, we understand that someone can remain a trainee instructor indefinitely and continue to take money for providing lessons without any guarantee of standard or ability. “We are hoping that the DVA will assure the Committee that there are processes and procedures in place to ensure that people learning to drive here are not put a risk by insufficiently trained instructors.” In addition to receiving a briefing from the DVA the Committee will hold its regular meeting at the DVA, County Hall, Coleraine from 10.00am to 1.00pm. The Committee will be taking evidence from Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association and the Coleraine Road Safety Committee on the Department’s draft Road Safety Strategy. The meeting is open to the public. The Committee will be submitting its response to the draft Road Safety Strategy to the Department at the end of June.
SUNBED DANGERS ON AGENDA AS COMMITTEE VISIT CANCER UNIT

Posted: 17 Jun 2010 01:14 AM PDT

The Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee will hold a meeting on 17 June in Queen’s University’s Centre for Cancer Research. The Committee will hear evidence about the Sunbeds Bill, which is currently being debated at the Assembly. This Bill looks to tighten up regulations on tanning salons and limit the potential damage that sunbeds can do. Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chair, Jim Wells MLA said: “The Sunbeds Bill is a very important piece of legislation. Sunbed misuse can directly increase the chances of developing skin cancer. The Committee is determined to take action in the battle against skin cancer and it’s appropriate that our meeting is in Queen’s Cancer Research Centre.” The public meeting is part of the Committee’s regular programme and they will be taking evidence from Environmental Health Officers about the Sunbeds Bill. The Committee will also tour Belfast City Hospital’s Cancer Unit and find out more about the work taking place in cancer research and cell biology.
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE GAINS INSIGHT INTO FILM INDUSTRY

Posted: 17 Jun 2010 06:02 AM PDT

The promotion of Northern Ireland as a top venue for film-makers was top of the agenda at today’s meeting of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Culture, Arts and Leisure. During the meeting, the Committee heard from NI Screen on the development of a dynamic and sustainable screen industry and culture in Northern Ireland. The Committee also discussed ways to showcase local talent and culture. Chair of the Committee Barry McElduff, MLA said: “We know that the arts and language are important to local people. As a Committee we are committed to the development of a language strategy and we recently completed an inquiry into the funding of the arts. “The Committee was delighted to hold its meeting in the vibrant setting of Cultúrlann in the heart of the Gaeltach Quarter and was impressed with the work of NI Screen on how the film industry and culture can be developed and sustained.” The Committee received a b riefing from the Cultúrlann Director and a tour of the building including plans for the new extension. A musical interlude in Irish was provided by a group of local singers.
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE VISITS MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE

Posted: 17 Jun 2010 08:07 AM PDT

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Social Development today visited the Macmillan Cancer Support Information Centre in Belfast. The Centre provides information and help for people affected by cancer. In particular, Macmillan Cancer Support, working with advisers from the Citizens Advice Bureau, provide cancer patients and their families with financial, employment and benefits information. Committee Chairperson, Simon Hamilton MLA said: “Everyone knows that cancer is a serious and debilitating condition. However few people are aware of the financial consequences of this disease for patients and their families. For example, the Committee was shocked to learn of the high levels of fuel poverty experienced by recovering cancer patients. “The Committee is very happy to endorse the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Citizens Advice Bureau through the Information Centre to ensure that those affected by cancer get the benefits that they are entitled to. The Committee is also glad to give its support to the campaign to extend Winter Fuel Payments to seriously ill cancer patients throughout the UK.”