Julie Middleton
Foyle · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I will not take interventions at this time. I mean that very kindly. <BR /> <BR />To expand on the point, it is our position that pressing all schools to offer trousers as part of the uniform policy for girls may remove a school's ability to create, maintain and review its uniform policy.”
“I welcome the opportunity to outline our party position. While we believe that schools should have autonomy on a range of issues, including uniforms, we will not stand in the way of the Bill progressing.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is our position that our schools should be afforded autonomy when it comes to their policies, including their school uniform policy, as set by the board of governors and school leaders. To expand on the point, it is our position that pressing all schools —.”
“I speak on the return of the Maritime Festival to my constituency of Foyle, an event that has rightly become a jewel in the crown of our events calendar. The festival is of immense importance to our city.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are seeing the fantastic development of the new maritime museum at Ebrington Square, a site steeped in naval and military history. I say to those who tried to protest against a visiting ship over the past few days that history cannot be rewritten to suit a narrow political agenda.”
“That opposition is not just tiring; it is completely divorced from the history of Londonderry. We are a city built on maritime heritage. During the darkest days of the Second World War, our city was the vital nerve centre for the Battle of the Atlantic.”
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“Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to deliver my maiden speech today. As a new MLA, I am mindful of the service that I owe to every person in Foyle. I am committed to acting as a dedicated champion for the city and district in which I was born and bred. I am here to ensure that the voices of the people of Foyle are heard clearly and that legislation, such as that being debated today, reflects real need. <BR /> <BR />I stand here as a proud daughter of the Waterside. I was raised in a housing estate called Nelson Drive by hard-working parents who taught me the value of a day's work and the importance of community. In Nelson Drive, we did not just live next to each other; we looked out for each other.”
“<BR /> <BR />Importantly, there is always hope. In Foyle, we are blessed with incredible organisations, therapists, the NHS, charities and churches. There is help out there. Those services are the heartbeat of our city's recovery, but they cannot do it alone. As an MLA, I am committed to doing my part, to listening, to learning and to being proactive on the issue. Let us replace the stigma of past attitudes towards mental health with compassion and the hope of a bright future, of help when it is required and of a deeper understanding by us all.”
“<BR /> <BR />In Foyle, we are a resilient people, but resilience does not have to mean suffering alone. It means being able to say, "I am not OK", knowing that your community will rally around you. Saying that you need help is a brave step to take, not an easy one. <BR /> <BR />We must be honest about the consequences of inaction. In Northern Ireland, we carry a unique legacy of trauma that continues to cast a long shadow on our citizens. When mental health support fails, the ripples are felt everywhere, most tragically in the home, where heartbreak is felt from suicide. One life lost is one too many. We know that one in five adults here will face mental health challenges. Those people are not just statistics; they are our neighbours, friends, colleagues and family members. They are valued individuals.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the Chamber not only as a representative of the Foyle constituency but as a community member who has long seen the devastating effects of mental ill health in Foyle and beyond, most recently in my home. I offer hope, compassion and genuine care to those who are walking the complex journey that is mental illness. To anyone listening who is currently walking that journey, I say this: you are seen, you are valued, and your struggle does not define your worth. <BR /> <BR />Poor mental health is a universal human experience. It does not discriminate. It does not care about your postcode, your politics or your profession. Whether you live in the Waterside or the Cityside and whether you are a business owner or a student at Magee university, the pain of depression or the grip of trauma can affect anyone.”