Peter Weir
Strangford · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Funding was secured for that scheme, and we have been able to take further steps on it. As highlighted by my colleague Diane Dodds, we have seen my successor, the current Minister, be able to implement it at the beginning of September 2021 and funding be made available for it.”
“One of the great fears — I saw it particularly, as Education Minister, from the point of view of children and the domestic setting between partners — was what was going to happen in families when the doors closed and the locks went on. What was happening behind closed doors?”
“There is another significant element of the Bill. I have spoken about it in the Chamber on a couple of occasions. There is always a slight danger that we, as legislators, see legislation as being the end of a process and think that we can pack it away, put it on the shelf and forget about the problem because it has been solved.”
“I welcome the passage of the Bill's Final Stage and commend all the campaigners who have pressed so hard for it and the Bill sponsor. For Pat Catney, hearing some of the tributes must be like hearing eulogies at your funeral, without having to go through the indignity of dying, which is always a double advantage.”
“As highlighted by a number of Members, the impact of period poverty, though not confined to it, has been particularly acute in young women's education. We know that the impact can lead to the missing of education and constraints within education, and that it does so in a disproportionate way.”
“I support the Bill's Final Stage, and I commend the Bill's sponsor for introducing it. I thank the Minister and the Department for the positive attitude that they have taken towards it.”
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“A lot of us have grave concerns over the priorities that have been given by different trusts, and in my case, particularly the South Eastern Trust as regards Bangor. If there are alternative proposals — certainly in our case, some of us are working to save the money in-year — and these can be accepted by the trust, will the Minister indicate that there will be no obstacle put by himself or the Department in the way of those alternative proposals that allow places to stay open or reopen in various areas?”
“I thank the Minister for the brevity of the report, if nothing else. Mutual recognition is a major benefit, but there is some concern that it seems to have taken a long time. The report obviously makes reference to 2017 as the date of the EU directive coming into force. Following on from the previous Member, are there any plans to bring in legislation to pre-empt that so that we can be moving rather than waiting? Has there also been any discussion about mutual recognition with the authorities across the water so that we can have a system that applies across the entire British Isles?”
“There is a lot of substance in it, and I look forward to the rest of the debate. I support the motion.”
“We talk about contributions, particularly as the glue to hold the family together, whether it is through volunteering — the proposer referred to the City of Culture but it can be on a whole range of subjects — whether it is through the contribution of care as unpaid carers or whether it is on the basis of either childcare with the grandparents directly looking after their grandchildren or, indeed, even as replacement parenting. A massive contribution is made to our society that, in the report, is highlighted at around £25 billion in net contribution, which is probably a conservative estimate. That is even taking into account the various cost aspects that are in play. <BR /> <BR />I believe that there are a great deal of positives in the report. I commend the Older People's Commissioner for producing the report.”
“Financial circumstances mean that a lot of people now go beyond retirement age, and, although some of that can be through the pressures of economic circumstances, in other cases, there is an opportunity for people to work on through choice and have that liberating experience. They can make an enormous contribution. The report is particularly good in highlighting, in many ways, the hidden advantages of the financial contribution that has been made.”
“I found myself in the unusual situation of having common cause with the Member for Mid Ulster Ian Milne when, at the weekend, I saw and took exception to the portrayal of a 94-year-old man from Castledawson whose contribution to a programme was subtitled. I think that it was completely unnecessary for it to happen, and the question in my mind when thinking about that was this: did the BBC subtitle him because of where he came from or because he was 94 and perceived to be frail and elderly? Either way, it is unacceptable. It shows the need for us to show respect for the full community, particularly our older folk. <BR /> <BR />The importance of the report is in highlighting not just the individual stories but the broad facts and figures and the financial contribution that is to be made over the next number of years.”
“In many ways, we look at the problems in the health service, but it is sometimes important to take a step back and say that a tremendous positive has happened in the last generations in the extent to which people's life expectancy has increased. That is positive and to be celebrated. Sadly, we often still see in our society tragedies such as that last week in north Antrim where a young person died. The old adage about life expectancy is three score years and 10 or 70 years. However, now, if somebody dies at the age of 70, it is deemed to be quite young. The vast bulk of our citizens can look forward to a much greater age. We should celebrate that. <BR /> <BR />With celebrating age and appreciating age, as the report says, it is also about respect for age.”
“Yes, I know. <BR /> <BR />Quite often, when we are debating the issue of an ageing society, there is a tendency to concentrate on the negative aspects and so we look at, for example, the impact on pension provision as we look into the future and at the impact on the health service. It is particularly positive today that we are able to look not simply at the very positive aspects that our older community contributes but at ones that are based on hard evidence and hard fact and that show a very positive way forward. That can be shown through a number of aspects. For example, the extent to which there will be a higher number of older people in years to come has been mentioned.”
“Pat, if you are younger than me, you have had a very hard paper round. <BR /> <BR />I look to colleagues to my left, such as Mr Anderson, who has achieved that level of —”
“It is good to see a motion that has cross-party support, and I think that the House will unite today. It is also cross-generational. Mention was made of those who will be turning 60. I look to Mr Lyttle, who will be turning 60 a few years after me, and I look to others in the Chamber, such as Mr Ramsey and Mrs Dobson, who will be turning 60 a few years before me.”
“It is anticipated that the working group will have developed a gender action plan by April and will then consult staff in May/June 2015, with a final report to be tabled at the Assembly Commission in September 2015.”
“The report makes a considerable number of recommendations. For instance, it details, at a quick count, 10 separate and wide-ranging areas for action. Some of those will have differential impacts as part of that. The report recommends that a working group be established to take forward the actions identified in a range of areas such as: affecting the decision-making structures, dignity at work, staff-Member protocols, childcare schemes and caring responsibilities, just to name a few. Once the actions have been identified, the working group will develop and consult on a gender action plan.”
“The steering group examined the questionnaire’s themes and comments against current policies, along with the organisation’s decision-making structures. Details of the questionnaire, along with recommendations and relevant research and data, have now been included in the group's final report. That report will be made available after the Assembly Commission has considered it at its next meeting on 26 November.”
“I thank the Member for her question. In June 2013, at the request of the chief executive, a group of senior staff — comprising both genders — met to discuss how the secretariat might examine the existence of any barriers, whether perceived or real, to gender in the Northern Ireland Assembly secretariat and consider what actions might be necessary. Following that meeting, the directors were asked to nominate senior members of staff to form a gender action plan steering group. <BR /> <BR />In late 2013, the steering group developed a questionnaire, in consultation with the Equality Commission and the Assembly's internal communications group. The questionnaire was circulated to secretariat staff in February 2014 and 192 responses were received.”
“I cannot really answer from five years ago because I was not in post at that stage. I think that the Assembly Commission held a meeting in 2013 where a draft language policy was under consideration. There is no agreement at the Commission on an agreed Irish language policy. It is an area where there is a difference of opinion in the Commission and, as such, I am not in a position to give the Member a particular date by which there could be any level of agreement on that. I can simply indicate to the Member that there is no agreement in the Commission on a policy at the moment.”
“The screening is due to come back to us within the next week. So, I am not in a position to prejudge that. I am sure that everyone will want to see speedy conclusions. Whether that is necessarily the decision that I or others would welcome is something that we will have to simply wait and see. I am sure that the Member will be very busy with Christmas cards in the days to come.”
“I am suitably relieved that the questioner is not following on with the supplementary on homelessness given that he did not have his opportunity for a supplementary in the last section. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the Member is relatively new to the Assembly, so I will give some background. The current policy was adopted on 7 May 2013. It was not adopted unanimously; there are different views. Prior and subsequent to that, the issue has been raised on a number of occasions in correspondence and directly at the Commission meeting. An equality screening exercise on the policy is being conducted, and it is anticipated that that will hopefully be completed for the next Commission meeting, which is due at the end of November. It is likely to be discussed at that.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. Minister, in light of the war of words that ensued between your Department and DARD, which has responsibility for river maintenance — I think that a lot of the problems arose there — can you outline what steps are being taken to ensure better cooperation between the two Departments?”
“I do not know whether that is directed at me or more generally. I thank the Minister for his statement. He made specific reference to the key importance of retailers in their influence on sustainable consumption. Has he planned meetings with the major retailers? How else does he intend to have that conversation to see what influence can be had on retailers about sustainable consumption?”
“Therefore, I urge the Minister to respond sympathetically to the debate today and give light at the end of the tunnel for St Columbanus'.”
“I hope that, in the spirit of Mr Cree's contribution, our decisive listening Minister will today be able to provide, on the basis of a little bit of flattery from other Members and, all joking aside, based on the strength of the argument for St Columbanus', a true investment in a secondary school that is the epitome of sharing, integration and a good ethos. I hope that he shows that confidence in it by today indicating progression. <BR /> <BR />Mention was made of one of the original proposals dating from 2006. It was discussed that long ago at the South Eastern Education and Library Board in a pre-commissioner stage. I think that I was on the South Eastern Board when that was discussed. That gives an indication of just how long ago that was. For a lot of the parents and staff, it is long overdue.”
“One of the things that government was always supposed to embrace was the idea of invest to save; making capital investment on the basis of actions that would lead to a reduction in the costs on the resource base. This is a prime example. A new build would provide that from the educational point of view and from the point of view of the needs of the school. That is a positive way forward. <BR /> <BR />Mention was made of the Holywood schools' project and Bangor Central, which are equally deserving of new builds.”
“As was highlighted by my colleague Alex Easton, the situation at St Columbanus' College is that, due to concrete cancer, more and more money has got to be poured into it simply to sustain it from a health and safety point of view.”
“Again, there are those of us who have seen locally the pressures on primary-school numbers, particularly in the last two to three years. North Down as a whole and Bangor in particular have been attracting additional new and younger families, the end result of which is clear: the demographics are such that, if you project ahead by four or five years, you will see that there will probably be an admissions crisis in the secondary sector. Therefore, there should be a bit of pre-planning at this stage. An expansion of numbers at St Columbanus' College is vital. <BR /> <BR />It is also the case, as has been indicated, that the fabric of the school, like any 55-year-old — I look to my left here at this particular point — is bound to crumble after 55 years.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whatever excellent contribution is made by staff, pupils and parents, there is a massive restriction on the school, as Mr Rogers indicated, on two grounds. We have a situation across North Down, perhaps uniquely in Northern Ireland, in which there is a tightness of numbers in both the primary and secondary sectors, which means that the vast bulk of schools are either oversubscribed or at least at full capacity. I think that all of us who are representatives in North Down will see that annually when we are quite often confronted by parents who have been unable to get their children into any one of the schools of their choice locally. Therefore, there is a need for new provision to allow an expansion of numbers. <BR /> <BR />The sustainability of enrolment has been mentioned.”
“Often, particularly when we deal with various items of education legislation, we spend a reasonable amount of time in this House debating differences and distinctions between classifications of integrated or shared education. While St Columbanus' College is ultimately under the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), it is the prime example — a flagship leader for Northern Ireland — of a school that is truly shared and integrated. The fact has been mentioned that, without having that formal status, it draws 50% of its pupils from a Roman Catholic background and 50% from a Protestant or indeed other tradition. Such is the school's success that, in its broad catchment area, it draws pupils not simply from the locality around Bangor but many from Holywood and, indeed, Newtownards and the surrounding areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />It has been mentioned that, while the school building and level of repairs could at times be mistaken to almost date from the time of Columbanus, it dates back to 1959; a very auspicious year in which my colleague Gordon Dunne was born. He may not have received much renovation work, but St Columbanus' College is long past its sell-by date with regard to the need for additional renovation work and, indeed, a new build. <BR /> <BR />The level of expansion of the numbers at St Columbanus' College has been mentioned. The growth in the school over the years is a very strong reflection of the great pastoral and, indeed, academic work that is done by the staff there, which has an excellent reputation, as well as it celebrating an ethos that is both Christian-based and very welcoming to all who are there.”
“I welcome, as others have, first of all, the Adjournment debate tonight. I obviously welcome the Education Minister. Indeed, such is the fame and celebrity of St Columbanus' College that we have even drawn in a supporter from South Down. He is very welcome as well. <BR /> <BR />Mention was made of the centrality of the figure of Columbanus to Bangor. Indeed, as Mr Cree will testify from our old school, Bangor Grammar School, Columbanus is even mentioned in the first line of the school song. That level of centrality that the saint has is very much reflected in the school. It is something that is very much at the heart of the community.”
“Secondly, despite the protestations of the Member who spoke previously, it seems to be utterly transparent that there is an attempt at a populist move to embarrass the SDLP, which, to be fair, has been left with no other choice on this. I urge the House to reject this thinly veiled attempt by Mr McElduff and others at a form of political assassination of the SDLP and, indeed, to vote for something that is inevitable and, indeed, sensible and reject the prayer of annulment.”
“For one strange moment, it seemed that there would almost be intervention to an intervention. I appreciate that other points will be made. This is about creating a level playing field. The reality is that, if this is not passed, hauliers from a particular part of the island of Ireland — whatever way you want to put it — will be advantaged over others. This is about providing some level of a level playing field. <BR /> <BR />I am not, generally speaking, a fan of taxation, but heavy goods vehicles have a greater impact on the roads. There is a certain logic in having some degree of imposition on that, and it seems to me, certainly from the examples that have been given, that the party opposite seems more concerned about protecting hauliers in Donegal than about many of the hauliers in Northern Ireland.”
“There seems to be a contradiction in that. The Minister undoubtedly made the best case possible and fought as hard as he could, but, at some stage, reality has to dawn that this is European directive with an exemption and that it is an excepted matter because it relates to taxation. We do not have any other choice, and, consequently, let us stop the posturing, oppose the prayer of annulment and put through what has to be put through.”
“I quite often find myself in disagreement with the Minister, but he has taken a fairly straightforward, obvious and correct approach to this. He made his reservations clear and went with the Minister from the Irish Republic to lobby the Department for Transport. We should treat this on its merits and not simply see it as some sort of tit for tat because of the way in which Coleraine was treated over the DVA. We have to look at what is there. It is abundantly clear that as strong a case as possible was made, but we cannot simply be ourselves alone on this issue. We cannot have some level of exemption that does not apply in the rest of Europe. <BR /> <BR />Although I missed some of the proposer's speech, I was intrigued to hear him say, "Ireland is a unique example, but here is how we can perhaps follow Benelux".”
“One might question the length of some of the speeches that have been made and, indeed, the motivation behind that, and it seems fairly clear that, given the political realities of this, it seems more of an attempt from the party opposite simply to try to embarrass the SDLP and the Minister than it is to make a genuine case. It seems that that is the principal motivation. We are not in a position to stop this, and, consequently, it is a futile and wrong gesture for us to vote against the proposals that are in front of us. Therefore, we will be opposing the prayer of annulment on that basis. <BR /> <BR />Whatever one feels about the merits of the levy itself, the repercussions have been abundantly clear.”
“It is not surprising, as the Member indicates. One feels that perhaps, as regards joining UKIP, people could even be better educated on the name of golf tournaments, for example. That might be helpful, and joining another party might lead to a greater level of education for some Members and perhaps even to them learning to count. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that we have a European directive. As Members, including Mr Eastwood, indicated, it is then an excepted matter, and all that we are doing through this debate is potentially making a token protest and pretending that we can oppose this.”
“From that point of view, I appreciate that there is a latter-day conversion to UKIP.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is a slightly schizophrenic quality to the proposer of the motion, in that I am not quite sure whether he sees himself as a TD for Donegal or as the Northern Ireland equivalent of Nigel Farage. It seemed that he was holding back the tide coming in from Europe and suggesting that, in some way, we could simply be defiant. However much some of us may, at times, want to close our eyes and pretend that the European Union does not exist, the reality is that it is there through the directives. I do not know whether the Member will be leaving the Sinn Féin Benches and joining Mr McNarry as a new member of UKIP, but we have seen his Euroscepticism today in his saying that, in some way, we should be some form of odd special case to which European law does not apply.”
“Indeed, it would provide an advantage to the Republic of Ireland that Northern Ireland hauliers do not have. We should operate on the basis of the much-cherished ideal of equality. Whatever else can be argued about this case, that needs to be embraced. <BR /> <BR />Members mentioned toll roads. Ultimately, there are alternative routes that anybody can take in any set of circumstances. From that point of view, there are opportunity costs, in the same way as, for example, when you travel to Dublin, you can avoid the toll roads and take other routes. While I am not somebody who generally believes in the virtues of taxation, there is at least a logic that says that the user should pay, so there is logic behind the levy.”
“I will not detain the House too long. I hear a "hear, hear" from my left-hand side, and perhaps the Member beside me should take some of his own medicine. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Environment Committee, I, like others, have been through all the arguments on this issue, and I oppose the prayer of annulment for a range of reasons. The last Member to speak and others mentioned the need for a level playing field — forgive the pun — and that should be the case. I listened to the proposer of the motion. He said that the Republic had not yet been achieved, but it is clear that the honourable Member for West Tyrone sees himself more as the TD for Donegal South-West than he does for West Tyrone. Given that our roads are used, it would create a situation of there not being a level playing field across the border.”
“As it is, we found it very tough to reach a Budget, so if we were expected to find an additional pot of money, even given the level of fantasy in the Member's proposal, that would be an additional burden on services here as there would be a reduction in the amount of money that we would have to spend. It is a myth that doing this will not have economic consequences.”
“Yes, suddenly I see my life disappearing before my eyes. I thank the Member, nevertheless, for giving way. <BR /> <BR />The Member is being slightly short-sighted when he talks about the levy being passed on. Clearly, any levy will ultimately be passed on. If the Member got his way and the Government across the water completely defied Europe and made some form of pure exemption so that there would not be any levy on anyone in Northern Ireland, an economic cost would be passed on to the rest of us. Inevitably, the Government would seek to recoup that from the block grant. <BR /> <BR />You would be in a situation in which the levy would be levied in a different way, and the burden would simply be placed on much-stressed public services.”
“I think that you will find that I have already asked it.”
“Notwithstanding the legal challenge, does the Department have a target for the start date of actual works at Casement Park?”
“I obviously did not reach the dizzy heights of deputy leadership of the said party, but, whereas the accusation would be true of me at the time of the introduction of RPA, I urge him to withdraw the scurrilous accusation against Nelson McCausland who, at that stage, was not a member of the Ulster Unionist Party.”
“I cannot guarantee relevance, but I will try to be at least succinctly irrelevant in responding to the point that has been raised. The plug that was pulled on the South Eastern Board was pulled by a direct rule Minister at a time of direct rule. I cannot remember whether or not the Member was involved in politics at that stage. However, as with all the boards, the board had a 60% majority of unelected members. It is inaccurate to level that at any particular party. At that stage, efforts were made to try to protect those with special needs in particular. The Member should reflect on what he has said on the history of the South Eastern Board. It is not accurate, and I speak as someone who was a member of the South Eastern Board at one stage.”
“In welcoming this very fine statement, can I ask the Minister whether the Executive are still on course to overspend their Budget this year, please?”
“In light of that, Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank you very much for calling me, and I thank the Minister very much for his statement.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Obviously, we will be coming back to Gallaher with the question for urgent oral answer. What contributory factor did the energy costs have on the Gallaher decision?”
“<BR /> <BR />This is not the burial of William Hay but an au revoir, because he will move from this place to the House of Lords, where he will be able to bring that wealth of experience and make a solid contribution.”
“The role of Speaker is a little like that of a minister of religion. Some people think that the only role a minister performs is on a Sunday morning with the sermon and the service, but a lot of William's work was behind the scenes in the Speaker's office, where he smoothed over issues that arose. That has led to the smooth running of this place. <BR /> <BR />I have had the honour of serving with William on the Business Committee and the Assembly Commission, on which he gave sterling service in representing the Assembly to the outside world, encouraging people in Northern Ireland to engage with the Assembly and, on a range of difficult issues, always trying to show patience to different political viewpoints and parties and, when possible, trying to reach a situation in which there is consensus.”
“In many ways, that is a sign of the strength of the man: he was prepared to be fair and impartial even if it meant annoying those who had been his colleagues.”