Today is a good day for devolution in Northern Ireland.  The Executive has been responsive to needs right across the entire community and in line with the statements from the energy companies today on the reduction of energy costs and the fuel poverty issues that the Assembly has addressed.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker

I welcome this motion today because it gives us all the opportunity to put on record our recognition and concern for the business community in Northern Ireland during these difficult times.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker
• Don’t think I will say anything the Minister hasn’t heard before
• Don’t think that East Belfast problems are unique

In this debate I would like to address the following issues –
• Funding issues
• Parental involvement in education
• Primary education strategy in East Belfast.

Mr Speaker

The motion today is timely and also of the utmost importance in today’s current economic climate.  As I have stated many times before in this House, Northern Ireland had one of the best skilled workforce’s in the world.  It was a major reason for investment in the province.  And it is only through the training and education of our young people that a skilled workforce will be created.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Economic prosperity is an essential for a real and sustainable peace in Northern Ireland.  Successful western economies are underpinned by a working age population with skills and knowledge at all levels of attainment.

In Northern Ireland we once had a vocational training and skills programme that was the envy of Europe.  Statutory training boards covered all major sectors of industry and Government Training Centres (GTCs) provided excellence in training for apprenticeship skills.  This successful training system was demolished and replaced by voluntary arrangements.

Mr Speaker/Deputy Speaker

I rise to support this motion.

I am sure this motion will unite the entire chamber and support for those in need should be the motivation of all who are here

Mr Speaker/ Deputy Speaker
I rise to support the amendment.
It is the responsibility of all the elected representatives within this chamber to do all that is possible to ensure prosperity; job/career opportunities are available in equal measure to all our constituents. The question is all about how can this be achieved.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker
I rise to support the motion.
Whilst I welcome this debate I find it difficult to understand the motivation, and indeed the acceptance of this as a private members motion with many members seeing it being more suitable as a motion for an adjournment debate.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker

The motion put before the House today is of the utmost importance.  Oral health in Northern Ireland is at its worst standard ever, it is currently ranked as being the poorest in the United Kingdom. This shows a worrying trend in our oral care, every other nation is improving their oral health and Northern Ireland is not showing any improvement.

Mr Speaker / Deputy Speaker 

I rise today to oppose this motion being brought before the Assembly today.  As a member of the Employment and Learning Committee, this issue has come before the Committee and a great deal of concern has been expressed by the members.