That this Assembly calls on the Executive Committee to produce, before the Hallowe’en recess, an Executive legislative programme detailing executive business for the current Assembly session.

I do not believe that there is a crisis of confidence in this Assembly due to a perceived lack of legislation. So far, five Executive Bills have passed through the House, which is comparable to the record of the previous Executive, which also averaged a Bill every two weeks. It should be noted that further pieces of legislation have been delayed for several weeks by some departmental Committees. If we are to progress legislation, we must ensure that Committees work with their Ministers when required so that such delays do not hinder the work of the Assembly.

When we compare the record of this Assembly with that of our friends in the Scottish Parliament, we see that no Bills were introduced by the Scottish Executive before the summer recess, and that one Bill has been introduced since September. That comparison shows this Assembly to have been quicker to bring forward Bills and does nothing to fuel the claims of some that the Assembly is not doing its job.

It is important to state that finalising the Budget and formulating a legislative programme cannot be done overnight. Those decisions are vital to the future success of the Assembly. As such, the necessary time and consideration must be given to them. We should not denounce OFMDFM or the Executive for taking that approach. I am confident that, when revealed, the legislative programme will show the benefits of devolved Government and how that can impact on the daily lives of our constituents.

It is sad that, since devolution has been restored, members of the Ulster Unionist Party have sought to undermine the Administration through cynicism. Now that we have our devolved Assembly, we must question just how serious the Ulster Unionist Party is about devolution. The motion calls for an Executive legislative programme. In my opinion, that is a fair request. However, I believe that, unfortunately, the Member who proposed the motion has done so for the wrong reasons. The Member for Newry and Armagh has made an accusation that this Chamber is nothing more than a glorified debating society. I believe that those were the words of Mr Kennedy.

Mr Kennedy said that someone else used those words, but I think that he used them over the weekend. However, some debates, such as the one on attacks on Orange Halls, should not be discredited by such a slur.

I agree; it is disgraceful that those attacks have continued. I hope that Members opposite, and on all sides of the House, will make sure that something is done to end those attacks as soon as possible.

The Ulster Unionist Party is in no position to lay such a claim or to stand aloof from such an accusation. After all, it submitted the same motion for debate twice in four months. Is Mr Kennedy criticising the members of the UUP who sit on the Executive — the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Minister for Employment and Learning — for the lack of legislation coming from their Departments?

I have every confidence that OFMDFM and the Executive will bring forward a programme when the time is right and that it will be for the good of all the people of Northern Ireland.