I am delighted to extend a welcome to you to Northern Ireland.  Its is a pleasure to see you all here in Parliament Buildings to participate in this Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conference.

Lord Mayor, ladies and gentlemen I am honoured to be with you this evening for the ninth regional Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration, organised by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.

Good afternoon.  I would like to add my welcome to everyone here this afternoon to the Long Gallery for the launch of ACSONI’s Strategic Plan.

Thank you Monica for your kind words of welcome and thanks also to you Pauline for your detailed outline of the manifesto.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen.  Thank you for allowing me some time this morning out of your busy schedule.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker

I wish to thank my party colleague Lord Browne for securing this adjournment debate on what is an ongoing and serious problem within the East Belfast constituency.  If memory serves me correctly this is the second time this subject has been debated within the House.  And the matter has been raised during question time and face to face meetings with Ministers through delegations of residents and business owners suffering from the flooding.

Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a great pleasure for me to be invited to the opening of this new Boots chemist in the heart of my East Belfast constituency. 

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker

I rise today to support the amendment to the motion from my Party colleagues.  The amendment is sensible in the context of the debate and outlines the best steps for the Assembly to take in dealing with the economic downturn.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker

I rise today as the Chair of the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee has been concerned for some time with the issue of privilege for the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General.  These reports occasionally deal with serious issues such as fraud and impropriety.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker

I rise today to support the motion brought forward by the Chair of the Social Development Committee.

The Neighbourhood Renewal programme was warmly welcomed in East Belfast as it offered a coherent way of addressing problems facing the most disadvantaged communities.