Dominic Bradley
Newry and Armagh · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis. Ba mhaith liom a fhiafraí den Aire cad é an tionchar a bheas ag na ciorruithe Thuaidh agus Theas ar obair Fhoras na Gaeilge san am atá romhainn? I thank the Minister for her statement.”
“<BR /> <BR />Obviously, the £95,000 cap is at the heart of the matter. As others mentioned, there is concern amongst the representatives of public service workers about this issue. The Committee heard from several trade unions, including UNISON and NIPSA.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Thank you very much, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. Yes, there have been a number of reservations expressed about the use of the LCM in this context.”
“It also said that the Department of Finance and Personnel's decisions were not based on evidence, either qualitative or quantitative. <BR /> <BR />Responses to the original consultation argued that the current changes would impact negatively on older people.”
“Those challenges could be on the basis of breach of contract, unlawful deductions of earnings based on the contractual right to payment, and on the unfair application of waivers, which could lead to inconsistency across employing authorities.”
“The Bill as it stands will negatively impact on many public servants and change their contractual rights. The proper legislative authority on this matter should remain with the Assembly here, and the LCM does not give the Assembly the opportunity to exercise its authority fully and to scrutinise, according to its role, the detail.”
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“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm an deis cainte a fháil sa díospóireacht seo ar an fhoirmle Barnett. I welcome the opportunity to contribute today. The Barnett formula is much talked about and discussed, and I suppose that we could say that it has some advantages. It can be applied simply and largely automatically, and it avoids direct negotiations annually on public expenditure between the Treasury and the devolved Administrations. It also provides stable and largely predictable allocations without huge fluctuations. However, as the report quite rightly highlights, there are also disadvantages to the formula, including the fact that it does not deliver an equitable share of funding between devolved Governments and does not take account of the relative spending needs across the regions.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta Tionóil as ucht an fhreagra chuimsitheach sin. I thank the Member for that comprehensive answer. Does she recall a number of years ago that a consultation was carried out by the Commission on the formulation of a languages policy? Some of us went to some trouble to respond to that. Can I ask her whether there is any chance, even now after three years, that the results of that consultation will be acted upon?”
“Go raibh mile maith agat. Is the Minister aware that other legal advice in respect of the spending of accruing resources runs contrary to the view that she has expressed?”
“Since the Member mentioned the Church of Ireland, is he aware of the work done by Church of Ireland minister the Reverend Gary Hastings in researching the similarities between traditional Irish music and the music played by the type of bands that the Member refers to, in which he found out that there is a common inheritance of music that is shared across the two traditions?”
“Go raibh céad maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle.”
“I hope that, if funding becomes available, the Minister will revisit the scheme and, indeed, try to broaden it to include others who may not have had a similar benefit in the past.”
“<BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, not all bands have behaved with dignity in public. A small number have used their music in a negative rather than a positive way. We heard reference to that here today. Mr McMullan mentioned it. Whether that behaviour is outside St Patrick's Church in north Belfast or St Anne's Cathedral, it is totally unacceptable, and no band that indulges in such behaviour should benefit from this programme of funding or, indeed, from any other. If the Minister is to restore the funding, she should take the opportunity to ensure that the criteria exclude bands that indulge in such behaviour from funding from her Department or any of its arm's-length bodies. <BR /> <BR />As I said, there is much good work being carried out at grass-roots level in promoting music through bands, traditional Irish music groups and many others.”
“For example, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, more popularly known as "the Comhaltas", received £460,000 in funding, whereas £5 million went towards the bands scheme. I am very aware of the good work that Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann does in teaching people traditional music and, indeed, in helping to provide festivals and fleadhanna throughout the country as a showcase for the skills of the young learners and the more competent musicians. The Pipers Club in Armagh is another group that comes to mind. It provides an excellent service to many young people throughout County Armagh and, indeed, parts of County Tyrone, teaching them how to play the fiddle, the uilleann pipes, the harp, the tin whistle and many more instruments. There is much good work going on, and that should all be recognised and reflected in an equitable form of funding.”
“He was an enthusiastic cornet player, as we were very much aware at home while he was practising. In my area, I have enjoyed the music of the Crimson Arrow Pipe Band, St Catherine's Band in Newry, St Brigid's Accordion Band from Jonesborough, the Hunter Moore Flute Band and Altnaveigh Pipe Band. There is indeed a rich tradition of bands where I come from. I hope that every Member has had a positive experience of their local band, as indeed I have. <BR /> <BR />You could say that band music is culture at grass-roots level. Bands from across the community have benefited from the musical instruments for bands scheme. It is a good scheme and one that I would like to see restored. I take the point that Mr Ó hOisín made that there is an imbalance in funding.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Caithfidh mé a rá go bhfuil áthas orm páirt a ghlacadh sa díospóireacht seo faoi bhuíonta ceoil máirseála. I am happy to participate in this debate on the funding of bands. <BR /> <BR />Bands bring benefits to their communities. They provide musical education, entertainment and productive participation for their members and learners. They also instil community pride and give the community focus. Indeed, my father was a member of the Irish National Foresters band in Camlough for many years.”
“<BR /> <BR />The 1,600 places are vulnerable because the settings have small numbers of funded preschool places yet require at least two members of staff. If the staff who are paid for out of the Department of Education fund are lost, those settings will simply not be able to survive. There are no other sources of funding for the 177 staff who are supported by the Department of Education fund. The figures are not alarmist, as some have suggested, nor are they inaccurate. They are factually correct. That is why the groups have been funded up until now. <BR /> <BR />Thank you very much for the opportunity, Mr Speaker. I look forward to a positive outcome.”
“We know from the work of James Heckman, a Nobel laureate in economics, that investment in early years education is an investment that bears fruit not only financially, with each pound invested in it saving the Government almost £20 further in the person's life, but, of course, in that it develops the child in so many ways and is certainly an intervention that is well worth the investment. <BR /> <BR />This particular programme has benefited 153 communities and created 177 jobs. It supports 2,500 early years places and has helped 620 children with special educational needs and 250 children whose first language is not English. The 2,500 places — 1,600 of which are in the funded preschool sector, with 900 places for younger children in a variety of settings — have been supported by the Department of Education fund.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm an achainí seo a chur faoi bhráid an Tionóil. Thanks very much, Mr Speaker. I am delighted to be able to present the petition to the Assembly on behalf of the Firs Playgroup in Armagh. <BR /> <BR />The petition has over 2,000 names. The reduction in funding of the early years programme has animated the community right across Northern Ireland. As you know, preschool education is the foundation stone of the future education of the individual.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas fosta leis an Aire as a fhreagra sa chás seo. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his answer. In the absence of area plans, in cases where there is a proven need for extra places will the Minister look at other possibilities that will fulfil the need in the meantime?”
“— and 250 children whose first language is not English? Does the Minister not consider that to be a very good investment and money well spent?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. Given the fact that each £1 that is invested in early years education saves £18 further on in each individual's life, does he agree that the £2 million that was invested in this particular initiative was money well spent, considering that, as he said, it benefited 153 communities, created 177 jobs, created 2,500 early years places and helped 620 children with special educational needs —”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. Is there any stipulation in the community festivals fund that events must have a cross-community aspect?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat arís, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he give us a timescale for the proposed review of the system?”
“I sincerely hope that the Minister, in her response, will add to that by clearly outlining where she sees the future to be in relation to this important issue, which obviously impacts on all those who play sport and on the population in general. <BR /> <BR />I thank all Members who contributed to the debate, and I look forward to the Minister's positive response to the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />It was through the efforts of families like the Mooney family, the McAnallen family, other families and the many cardiac groups that we have seen the clear benefits that the installation of portable defibrillators has brought to the people of Northern Ireland. Many lives, including those of John Dobbins, Kevin McCloy and many others have been saved through the intervention of on-site defibrillators. To my mind, every life saved only lends greater strength to the need for a robust study into the potential of having defibrillators across all Departments and public buildings. <BR /> <BR />I am very pleased that there is agreement across the House today on the motion and the amendment which, I believe, as Mr McElduff said, increases the value of the motion.”
“Today, we are calling on the Executive to recognise the need to explore the issue in greater detail and for them to recognise the lives affected and the lives that can be saved with the greater provision of defibrillators in Northern Ireland. Today, I hope that the Assembly will recognise the need for a comprehensive interactive map-based register across all Departments; a register that will detail who has external defibrillators, where they are located and who is trained to use them. Such a register is essential for providing the public with better information on where they can access automated external defibrillators and to ensuring that they are regularly maintained.”
“I pay tribute to Mrs Mooney for her courage in turning tragedy into something positive through her efforts at fundraising to provide defibrillators in sports clubs and primary schools in the Newry area. I was honoured to help in whatever way I could with Mrs Mooney's efforts, and I was inspired by her courage in the face of great sadness and her selfless desire to save the lives of other people. <BR /> <BR />I support the amendment and the motion, which seeks to provide Northern Ireland with a fully interactive map-based register of defibrillators while further securing the greater provision of such life-saving defibrillators for a broader range of public buildings.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá mé thar a bheith buíoch díot as an deis chainte a thabhairt domh ar an rún tábhachtach seo atá ag iarraidh ar an Aire Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíocht staidéar féidearthachta a chur ar bun ar fhorbairt learscála idirgníomhaí de dífhibrileoirí agus na háiteach éagúla ina bhfuil siad lonnaithe. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on the motion. Tacaím leis an rún agus leis an leasú. I support the motion and the amendment. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, I want to remember a neighbour of mine, Mary Mooney, who died at the age of 18 as a result of sudden adult death syndrome. Mary's death was a huge tragedy for her mother Kathleen, her brothers, her friends and her neighbours.”
“Does the Member agree that it is time that the peace dividend, which was much talked about in the past, was delivered? Does he also agree that the beginning of the next Parliament will be a good occasion to argue and ensure that that peace dividend comes? All that we have had until now is sleight of hand in an economic pact, and no real new money has come.”
“We voted against the welfare cap, the bedroom tax, and we will do so again. Thank you, Mr Speaker.”
“Even more than England, Scotland and Wales, we here have a deep and unique link with Europe, mainly because of our trade relationship with the Republic. Not many people will be aware of this, but the Republic is the biggest source of inward investment for Northern Ireland. Any change in the link with Europe would be devastating for us here, and people on all sides of the House should remember that. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP has stood firm on welfare reform and will continue to do so in the next Parliament. Our MPs voted against Tory Budgets of fiscal responsibility, which would enforce £30 billion of cuts on the next Government —”
“You did not give way to Mrs Kelly, so I do not see why I should give way to you. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP is the only party in this region that has said that it will be there with the Scottish Nationalist Party, with the Welsh nationalist party, Plaid Cymru, and with the Greens to work with the Labour Party to ensure that it does the right thing by our people here. We will hold the Labour Party true to its values and ensure that we begin phase 2 of the peace process — the prosperity process. We clearly outlined that in our manifesto. <BR /> <BR />We will stand against the serious threat UKIP poses to our relationship with Europe. To judge UKIP, all we have to do is look at some of its representatives here in Northern Ireland. I need say no more.”
“They used to sing that to the Irish Labour Party, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Now they are busting their backs to get into Leinster House. We can see who makes the U-turns. It is certainly clear to me. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP is the only —”
“David Cameron wants votes from the DUP to add to a coalition with UKIP. Sinn Féin, of course, will not be there and will make things easier for the Tories — that is, if it will not be there. There seems to be some confusion about that. Michelle Gildernew says, "Never say never". Mickey Brady says, "The policy is always open to review", just as it was in the case of Leinster House or just as it was in the case of this House. These are the people who used to sing:”
“The Member makes very good points. There is little doubt that we will be facing a hung Parliament and that MPs returned from this region will play a decisive role in the formation of a new Government.”
“What a statement to make. I am sure the Irish language community, who have no Irish language Act because people reneged on their agreements, will not welcome that statement. <BR /> <BR />The descent by Mr Hazzard into insulting the memory of Eddie McGrady is hardly worth comment. It speaks for itself.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Hypocrisy has never troubled Sinn Féin in the past, and I do not see why it should begin to trouble it now. Ms McCorley makes much of the fact that negotiations are carried on between the parties here, but what does she say after that?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat a Cheann Comhairle as an deis labhairt sa díospóireacht seo inniu. I will begin by responding to some of the points made by other Members. Ms McCorley and Mr Dickson have criticised Alasdair McDonnell's attendance record at Westminster. Alasdair McDonnell has been at Westminster for 100% of the votes on Northern Ireland, which is where he is elected to represent. He is not elected to represent north-east England or south-west England: he is representing South Belfast. Any vote pertinent to that region has been attended and actively participated in by Dr McDonnell. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin makes much of its view that it does not recognise the British Parliament, yet we have seen its members, down through the years, running back and forth to Downing Street. That is a de facto recognition of the British Government.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. In relation to small construction companies accessing government contracts, especially small to medium-sized road contracts, I am hearing that there is a catch-22 situation in that, in some cases, if you are not already on the list, you cannot be considered for the list. Is the Minister aware of this situation, and, if so, is there anything that can be done about it?”
“— and support on the Floor of the House of Commons at the beginning of the next mandate.”
“While its sentiments are good and wise, its purpose seems to be more to do with protecting Sinn Féin from criticism. However, we believe, as I said, that the sentiments at the heart of the motion are the right sentiments, which we should support —”
“It is ironic that the motion comes from a party that refuses to take its seats in the House of Commons, refuses to bring the fight to the Government where it can make a real difference — on the Floor of the House of Commons — and prefers to shout from the sidelines rather than engage where it matters — on the Floor of the House of Commons. It is more than a touch ironic for Sinn Féin to appeal to civic society in the form of the voluntary and community sector, employers and trade unions to take up the cudgel when it refuses to use its mandate to vote against these measures where it matters — on the Floor of the House of Commons. <BR /> <BR />Although we agree with the motion, it has a hollow ring to it, coming as it does from a party that will not go the full distance in the fight against austerity. What is the point of the motion?”
“Austerity is a dead hand on economic development and serves only to stunt growth and keep us mired in recession. What we need is a stimulus to growth. We still have threats to the jobs of 1,500 teachers and 1,000 classroom assistants, and we are also looking at a £1·3 million reduction in the early years budget. <BR /> <BR />Civic society has an important role in informing, advising and scrutinising government. Trade unions, businesses, employers and the voluntary and community sector have done much lobbying to ensure that the anti-austerity message gets across to the British Government. <BR /> <BR />As I said, the results of the election are important, but the difference will be in how our MPs use their votes.”
“It has been deeper here than elsewhere, and recovery has been slower. The situation here has been made worse by the reduction of £1·5 billion from the block grant. <BR /> <BR />Although the SDLP's amendment was not accepted, I will refer to it in my speech. Whilst we support the motion, I note, as I said, that the votes of MPs returned from Northern Ireland could be decisive in deciding the type of government at Westminster after the election. Our MPs will have an important role to play in holding the next government to account and in making their votes count. <BR /> <BR />The motion is right to call on the British Government to pursue a policy of economic stimulus rather than attacking our public services through reductions in the block grant.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle, as an deis labhairt ar an rún seo. Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak to the motion. There is no doubt about it that 7 May is fast approaching, and, as we know, there is much uncertainty about the type of government that will be formed at Westminster. Indeed, it seems likely that Northern Ireland parties will have a key role in affairs at Westminster after the election. <BR /> <BR />The austerity policy pursued by the Tory coalition for the past five years has led to a huge fall in standards here more than anywhere else. Claims of an economic recovery have meant little to people who are on zero-hours contracts, on the minimum wage or unemployed. Report after report has indicated how hard we have been hit by the recession.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. Are there any additional measures that her Department can take to encourage more people to use credit unions rather than going to payday loan companies?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I agree with her that support for Mr Worton's case in no way diminishes our sympathy for the Carroll family and the great loss that they have suffered. Has the Member noted that there is a wide range of support for Mr Worton from the leaders of the main Churches; British Irish Rights Watch; the Victims' Commissioner; the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, as well as substantial cross-party support in this House?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis. Fáiltím ach go háirithe roimh an chomhoibriú atá ar bun idir an dá chigireacht um oideachas agus oiliúint, Thuaidh agus Theas. Ba mhaith liom a fhiafraí den Aire cad é an comhoibriú atá ar siúl idir an dá chigireacht maidir leis an Ghaelscolaíocht. An dtig leis an Aire a dheimhniú go bhfuil na scileanna cuí ag na cigirí i bhfos a théann isteach a dhéanamh cigireachta sna Gaelscoileanna? <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his statement and I especially welcome the cooperation between the two inspectorates, North and South. As part of that cooperation, what work is being done on developing inspection skills regarding Irish-medium education? Will the Minister assure us that the inspectorate here has the appropriate skills to carry out that work?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. How will the Minister ensure that an appropriate geographical spread of funding will be achieved?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá ceist agam ar an Aire faoi chiste sóisialta na hEorpa.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer so far. Will he detail what powers he has to intervene in cases where school facilities are not openly accessible to the public?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas fosta leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. Is é an rud a ba mhaith liom a fhiafraí den Aire: an raibh aon phlé ann idir na comhairlí áitiúla agus a Roinn féin mar gheall ar dhramh-bhia? I thank the Minister for his answer. What discussions have there been between councils and his Department about waste food?”
“There are many in the House who need to make that shift. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP is clear in its policy: no public space should be named after anyone who was involved in state or paramilitary violence. We will continue to pursue that policy because we believe that it is the right policy. Whatever names people have given to public places in the past should not and must not lock us into continuing in that vein in the present. <BR /> <BR />I know that Mr Elliott will introduce a private Member's Bill. We will examine that carefully, and, if it is comprehensive and covers all those who were involved in violence in the past, including state agents, we will consider supporting it.”
“However, I have to set my personal acquaintance aside today and look to the common good. I believe that the SDLP decision to back the renaming of the park is not about any individual. It is influenced by a desire to heal our divided society by moving on from the tribal politics and conflicts of the past. Peace and reconciliation is not just the absence of violence. It is a fundamental shift in mindset and approaches to politics.”
“In creating social cohesion, it makes much more sense to choose names for public places with which the whole community can agree and that underline the concept of common ownership and access to those places. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that this particular issue is highly emotive for all concerned. I have already mentioned victims and survivors, and my thoughts are with them as I speak here today. We cannot trample on their hurt and loss or ignore their feelings. Mr Maskey quoted me as saying that I regard the McCreesh family highly. I have known the McCreesh family for longer, probably, than anyone in the House. I knew Raymond McCreesh personally. I did not agree with his politics, and I did not agree with his methodology. I have not come here today to in any way increase the hurt or pain of any family, particularly the McCreesh family.”