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Security Barriers: Belfast
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the current Police Service of Northern Ireland advice is that the security barriers at Lower Chichester Street in Belfast continue to be required; and whether they are required by the Northern Ireland Office as a permanent installation to provide a secure area around the courts complex.[HL6551]
Lord Rooker: Police have met representatives of the Northern Ireland Court Service, Northern Ireland Office and Department for Regional Development on a number of occasions throughout 2005-06 to discuss proposals to reopen Lower Chichester Street on a restricted basis to designated traffic. During those discussions, a number of options surrounding security and traffic restriction measures were tabled. A decision in relation to which measures will be accepted is likely to be taken later this year.
Sport: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will provide funding for the new multi-purpose stadium proposed by Belfast City Council.[HL6089]
Turkey: EU Accession
Lord Avebury asked Her Majesty's Government:
What proportion of the officials whom Turkey has appointed to participate in negotiations on accession to the European Union are of Kurdish origin; and how the views of Kurds are heard in discussions on meeting the Copenhagen criteria on human rights, minority rights and democracy.[HL6630]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Triesman): We do not collect data on the ethnic origin of foreign officials taking part in EU accession negotiations, but we are aware of Turkish citizens of Kurdish origin at every level of public life in Turkey; this includes MPs and Cabinet Ministers. Delegations from the European Commission and our embassy in Ankara regularly visit the south-east of Turkey to discuss human rights with local officials, politicians and civil society representatives; the findings of these visits feed into the Commission’s report on Turkey's progress in meeting the Copenhagen criteria.
Waterways Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the total cost of the investigation into Waterways Ireland; and what amount and what percentage contribution were made by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.[HL6604]
Lord Rooker: The investigation at Waterways Ireland was jointly carried out by independent investigators appointed and paid for separately by each sponsor department. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure as NI sponsor department contributed £9,001.90 to the cost of the investigation. The costs incurred by the sponsor department in the Republic of Ireland are a matter for that department, and therefore the issue of percentage contributions does not arise.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What type and amount of legal costs have been incurred to date as a result of tribunal claims, legal action and complaints against Waterways Ireland since the body was established.[HL6605]
Lord Rooker: To date Waterways Ireland has incurred legal costs of £5,910.25 associated with industrial tribunals. In addition, the body has incurred costs of £4,089.01 in obtaining legal advice in relation to allegations of bullying and harassment made against the chief executive.
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many staff are currently employed in Waterways Ireland, both permanent full time and temporary part time in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.[HL6606]
6 July 2006 : Column WA81
Lord Rooker: Staff numbers in Waterways Ireland as at 28 June 2006 are as follows.
6 July 2006 : Column WA82
| Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland | Total | |
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