Diane Dodds
West Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, that is a brilliant segue into the question that I will ask. Just over 5% of women who are now seen within the 14-day target for a suspected breast cancer in Northern Ireland. That has happened since the list was regionalised. I get the fact that cancer cases are rising, but —”
“Minister, for Members and those who are listening to the debate, it is important that you tell us what "actively being considered" means on a day-to-day basis.”
“Thank you, Minister. The Muckamore inquiry report demonstrates a shameful period for our health service, and no one involved can, in any shape or form, come out of this with any kind of credibility.”
“Let me be clear: experimental treatment on children that can have lifelong implications is unconscionable. Children of 11 or 12 are in no position to give clear consent to the use of such drugs, especially when those administering the treatments had them banned because of the lack of evidence on their long-term impacts.”
“Once again, I will speak in the House about puberty blockers and the nationwide trial run by King's College. I now understand that the Government will issue new guidance that will allow such a trial to go ahead.”
“It is now anticipated that more than eight out of 10 couples in which the woman is under 40 will conceive naturally, but that leaves two out of 10 who will need additional interventions. Over a lifespan, that is a fairly substantial number of people.”
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“The DUP opposes any move to reduce the income of our older people. That is why we, as a party, made maintaining the triple lock a precondition of the confidence and supply agreement. That was done to protect pensioners throughout the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />We will also continue to oppose the removal of the £20 uplift in universal credit, which is due to come in this October. That, coupled with the end of the furlough scheme and potential rises in unemployment, will push many families to an unsustainable position. We call on the Government to rethink their approach and ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are protected at these most difficult of times.”
“Over the past few weeks, we have seen the squeeze on incomes continue, not just with the tax hikes from the Conservative Government but with the huge rise in energy bills, which will be very difficult for many families to contend with. That is why we used our votes in the House of Commons to oppose the levy. <BR /> <BR />The Government's decision to break the triple-lock guarantee for state pensioners is also an act of bad faith of the highest degree and sets a really dangerous precedent. The United Kingdom already has one of the least generous state pensions of any major country, and pensioner poverty is on the rise. The Northern Ireland Poverty Bulletin indicated that approximately 43,000 pensioners live in poverty and that, of that number, 34,000 live in absolute poverty.”
“I rise to voice my concerns at the flawed, unjust and unacceptable proposals that are being pursued by the Government, and my grave concern about the unacceptable proposals that are being made by those who tabled the motion. <BR /> <BR />As a party, we have been consistent and unwavering in our desire to protect the most vulnerable in our society before, during and as we emerge from the pandemic. No one denies the need to deal with waiting lists and to invest in our health and social care, but the health and social care levy is a regressive and unfair form of taxation that disproportionately hits young people and punishes working families at a time when they can least afford it.”
“That is not only abhorrent but in clear breach of international human rights obligations. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, it must be investigated. We are told in public that Dublin opposes drawing a line under the past, yet, as with the UK Government proposals on legacy, they hide behind the passage of time to deny truth and justice to the Sproule family and many others. The Dublin Government cannot speak out of both sides of their mouth on legacy. They must take responsibility not just for cases of collusion but for the wider role played by the Irish state in bolstering the terrorist campaign and actively harbouring those responsible.”
“It was a terror spree, glorified by members of the party opposite in their adulation of IRA terrorists. Allegations of Irish state collusion in the crime abound. The IRA presented a Garda security document to journalists as a warped justification for Ian's murder. Assistant Chief Constable Harris stated under oath at the Smithwick tribunal that he was satisfied beyond doubt that there was a leak from the Garda to the IRA in respect of Ian Sproule's murder. Mr Harris is now, of course, the Garda Commissioner. <BR /> <BR />Despite all of that, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman has refused to sanction an investigation. In a letter received by the family in August, the Sproule family was told that their case had timed out. The ombudsman has even demanded reciprocity from the UK authorities before taking action.”
“Today, I stand with the family of Ian Sproule, as they continue to be denied a full investigation of claims that Garda officers colluded in his murder. I have worked with the family for a long time, and they are devastated by the latest developments. Ian's tragic story will strike a chord with many across Northern Ireland. Ian was killed on 13 April 1991. He had just arrived home when he was killed in a hail of bullets. The terrorists then phoned the family home and told them to go out and look at the mess in the yard. His father found him. His parents never really recovered, and his family have been left searching for the truth for the 30 years since. <BR /> <BR />That was an innocent young life cut short in an instant at the hands of IRA terrorists, one in a series of systematic, sectarian and savage murders in Castlederg.”
“I thank the First Minister for that update. Substantial funding from this funding stream has already gone into parts of Lurgan, particularly north Lurgan. Will the First Minister support the extension of this funding to neighbouring areas within the Lurgan community that have been equally impacted by paramilitarism and difficulties?”
“Will the Minister and the Executive Office ensure that there is continued funding for intervention in the economy, particularly in building skills to take the economy forward and in providing the prosperity that is so crucial to peace in Northern Ireland?”
“The COVID recovery plan encompasses many areas of society, as it should, such as the economy and health. However, many elements of the £300 million that was dedicated to the economic recovery action package were simply for one-year interventions with no further funding.”
“Important steps to meet the pressures have been taken, and I know that the Minister will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that children are safe in school and can continue their education.”
“Quite rightly, this is a touchstone issue for the people of Northern Ireland. The countless parents, pupils, educators and school leaders I have spoken to in recent weeks all spoke with one voice. They want to see pupils in school. They want to see them learning together. They want additional support, and they want problems solved. That is what the Minister has been doing. What they do not want are battles for the media spotlight, schools used as political footballs, pupils denied access to education and those who can least afford it falling further behind in their educational journey. We in the Chamber all have a responsibility to show leadership and to work collectively to meet those challenges.”
“The approach to and availability of testing must be addressed urgently, and I would welcome the Minister outlining any possible changes that can be made by the Department of Health or the Department of Education to ensure that.”
“No. <BR /> <BR />That is why I welcome the allocation of £5·6 million by the Education Minister last week for schools to deal with the ongoing COVID pressures. That is why I welcome the collaborative working by the Education and Health Ministers to identify solutions and to deliver practical help and support to our schools. The adoption of responsibility for contact tracing by the Public Health Agency is an important step. It will allow teachers and staff to focus on empowering our young people and ensure that those who can least afford to fall behind in their education are not disadvantaged. Health guidance must be fit for purpose, and it must ensure that widespread disruption in our schools is avoided.”
“As an Assembly and an Executive, we have a responsibility to work together to reassure families, teachers and parents that schools are safe, as evidenced by extensive research, and not to engage in political hyperbole that serves to cause more distress and uncertainty at a time when it can least be afforded. <BR /> <BR />As other Members have said, it is important to remember that the current guidance was a unanimous decision by all Ministers of the Northern Ireland Executive, including those belonging to the party of the proposer of the motion, not just the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education. That is the collective spirit that our constituents want to continue: working together to ensure the safe, sustained return of pupils to school.”
“No, I have a lot to get through. <BR /> <BR />I also want to ensure that our children have a holistic experience of school, enjoying the benefits of all aspects of school life, not a limited, partial return that denies our young people access to the rounded educational journey that they need. It is beyond doubt that the best place for our young people is safely in school with their peers, learning together. It is a tragedy that so many of our young people report increased mental health issues, isolation and loneliness. <BR /> <BR />We all know the damage that has been done by the disruption of the past 18 months to children across Northern Ireland. It is vital that a clear and unambiguous message comes from the Assembly today that others in the Chamber share our desire to keep schools open.”
“I put on record my thanks and gratitude to our school leaders, teachers and staff for all of their work during these difficult times; indeed, I thank them for their efforts over the past 18 months. I also say unequivocally and unashamedly that ensuring that our schools remain open safely, with our children inside their classrooms, must be our top priority. I have listened carefully to the debate, and I caution the Member for West Tyrone, who, in his political charge against the Minister, seems to be engendering fear about safety in our schools. That will harm the most precious of our population, and it will be judged harshly by the community.”
“The focus is rightly on the importance of connectivity and, in the original question, rail connectivity. Connectivity is hugely important for growing the economy. It is important for our relationships across this island. The Minister makes much of her engagement with all-island strategies. Will she tell the House what engagement she has had and continues to have with the Union connectivity review, which is extremely important for connectivity in the United Kingdom?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. The Member made some really important points about the lack of consultation on the Bill. When, as DUP members of the Education Committee, we carried out our consultation on the Bill and met all the bodies, what really concerned them — you were just making this point — was the fact that, for the first time in statute, there would be a legal obligation on the Department in clause 7 to impose integrated education on any new school that is built. Does the Member agree that that places integrated education in a different place from every other sector — indeed, a place above and beyond every other sector — and that all the sectors with which we consulted were extremely concerned about that aspect of the Bill?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I was interested in the question that the Chair of the Education Committee asked about digital poverty, and there is no doubt that children and young people's experience of COVID has exacerbated that and made life incredibly difficult. The Department has made enormous strides towards helping young people with that issue, but I am keen that our education system also develops a digital spine for Northern Ireland so that young people are taught the technologies that will help them to gain employment in the future. Does the Minister agree that it is appropriate and desirable to increase young people's knowledge of the digital sector earlier in life and that we can work together to do that so that young people are ready to take their place in the economy of the future?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. During the BIC meeting, the Foreign Minister of the Irish Republic took the opportunity to state his views on the protocol. Will the Minister, who, quite rightfully, did not respond to him in that forum, indicate whether she thinks that that was an appropriate use of that forum? He would be better keeping his views to himself in places where they are not appropriate.”
“We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to the tireless campaigners who continue to speak truth to power, in the face of unwavering opposition and denial, to try to finally deliver justice. We must be their voice and deliver a redress process that puts victims at its heart.”
“That must be the basis upon which we move forward together to find a resolution that accommodates and addresses the very real and tangible concerns of victims and survivors. <BR /> <BR />I trust that the Executive Office will take on board the concerns that have been raised here today, that it will recognise and understand the further pain and suffering that the current process is inflicting on victims, and that it will commit to working with the stakeholders to deliver a process that is fit for purpose and victim-centred. Like others in this debate, I know that we need not stop the process and that the review should be short, sharp and really focused on the concerns of victims. <BR /> <BR />In finishing, I express my thanks to the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse and to those who have spoken out.”
“Victims feel that they have to "prove and continue to prove" what they went through. Those are just a few examples of how victims describe their experiences of the redress process. The most alarming of those for me was the common theme of re-traumatisation and further hurt inflicted upon those who have already suffered so much. It falls to us, in this House, to right that wrong and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. <BR /> <BR />Victims and survivors deserve better, and we must deliver better for them. Victims have asked for a review of the current redress process, and we have a moral duty to help deliver a process that commands their confidence. The redress board has spoken of understanding the criticism and said that it can improve things.”
“Victims then had to campaign for redress. They are now having to campaign for the most basic of asks: a process that is fit for purpose. The current situation clearly lacks the confidence of those whom it was meant to serve. Those who listened to the testimony of victims speaking of their experience of the redress process could not help but be moved by the overwhelming sense of hurt, anger and frustration at how bad a process they had been forced to endure — one for which they had relentlessly campaigned and waited so long but that had let them down. <BR /> <BR />As some said, the process is "not fit for purpose". The system is:”
“I thank Members for the very thoughtful tone of the debate. Like other Members, I make my comments in support of the victims of historical institutional abuse and in pursuit of delivering a redress process that is fit for purpose, victim-centred and commands the confidence of those stakeholders who, for so many years, relentlessly campaigned for justice. <BR /> <BR />We cannot begin to quantify the pain, suffering and trauma that they have endured for so many years or the walls of silence, denial and obstruction that they had to overcome in order to achieve rightful recognition of the horrors that were inflicted upon them. That is why it is so vital that the redress process is fit for purpose and commands the confidence of those whom it is meant to serve. <BR /> <BR />Victims had to campaign for recognition.”
“There is no doubt that violence in Northern Ireland has left a terrible legacy of tears. I want to focus my remarks and my question on the issues that the Minister has raised about the legacy process. I welcome her assertion that the process should be transparent and justice-based. However, many of us in Northern Ireland have listened over the past weeks to the Irish Republic's Foreign Minister pontificate and lecture us on the issue of legacy while there are many cases that concern his Government, including, in particular, allegations of collusion between Garda officers and the Provisional IRA in the case of prominent members of the judiciary in Northern Ireland. Will the Minister take action to ensure that the victims in those cases have a right to redress, to the truth and to justice?”
“We are really pleased that progress has been made in allowing people to travel and in providing them with the documentation to allow them to do so. Over the last number of months, there has been significant interest in investing in Northern Ireland. Has any progress been made in allowing investors into Northern Ireland in the way that our national Government have allowed exemptions for those who are considering making a significant investment in the country?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I know about the work he has done to ensure that the payment is made. Will he agree that the payment must be inclusive and include people like working carers, who may be hidden in the system but nevertheless do a significant job? The payment should also include young carers.”
“My Department is responsible for InterTradeIreland. InterTradeIreland continues to work to ensure that businesses on either side of the border have the support that they need both to manage the implications of the protocol and to grow in the light of the COVID pandemic. I have been closely monitoring some of the work of InterTradeIreland. It has been successful at encouraging business not just to be stable in a challenging environment but to grow and to innovate.”
“Again, I will ask officials to take those comments into consideration in their response.”
“I will write to the Member with the information that she requests on the mineral returns for 2019 and 2020. I will ask officials to do so as quickly as possible.”
“I hope that they will be directed at training and employment opportunities. I hope that we will be able to support local training providers, who know the local areas, local problems and local kids, so that they can ensure that local people can receive the training that they need, and which will be vital in making Northern Ireland stable and prosperous.”
“It is a complex and emerging area in which, and for which, we all must work hard to ensure we have appropriate proposals. In order to give a little bit of time, I have worked with the finance director in the Department, and we are able to offer an additional year of ESF funding for organisations. It will be on a competitive basis, but the general parameters have not changed. That will offer an additional year of funding, in 2022-23, so that organisations will have time to look at what the new funding world is like for them. I am grateful that the finance director and the Minister of Finance have worked with me to ensure that that is in place. <BR /> <BR />In the meantime, applications are being sought for the Community Renewal Fund, and applications will go forward, in the next year, for the Shared Prosperity Fund.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would also like the training organisations to be able to bring individuals who have reached level 2 in the organisation a little bit further, because some of them will not feel comfortable leaving an environment in which they have had enormous support to go to Belfast Met, for example. Our new level 1 and level 2 skills programme, which will launch in September, will help the training organisations to do that. I have worked very closely with them to make sure that that is possible.”
“That was one of the very first issues that I took up when I became a Minister. The Member will recognise that I know very well many of the training organisations that she knows. I want to put on record, publicly, the work that training organisations do with young people who come to them and who, sometimes, are in difficult social, family and educational circumstances. The organisations give them wrap-around support to grow as individuals and to be trained and have skills so that they can prosper in future life. We need to put that on the record. I am grateful to the Member for identifying that as an issue.”
“It is an area that I think will really blossom in the years to come.”
“Every time that I go to Mid Ulster — the Member will know this very well — I am constantly asked about the shortage of welders. We have run a number of welding assured skills academies. Indeed, following the last one at the North West Regional College, every one of the young people retained a job, which was very satisfying to see. The other element for Mid Ulster is the advanced manufacturing centre that is proposed in the city and growth deal and how that relates to the advanced manufacturing centres that are proposed in, for example, the Belfast deal. I would like us to see a lot of coherence in how we take forward advanced manufacturing. It is one of the areas that we have identified in our 10X vision in which there can be huge growth for the Northern Ireland economy and huge export sales to earn more for the Northern Ireland economy.”
“I am always absolutely astounded every time that I visit some of the advanced engineering companies in Mid Ulster and, indeed, across Northern Ireland, given the range of skills available and the way in which they trade across the world. There are companies headquartered in Cookstown that are selling in Texas, in Australia and right across the world. They are always a source of great admiration for me. There are two things that we need to do to ensure that we retain and grow skills in those industries. Working with the companies is the critical aspect of this. <BR /> <BR />Our further education colleges need to be aware that their skills programmes need to be flexible. We have just introduced our flexible skills fund, which will help us adapt to the needs that companies are identifying.”
“I was at the further education college in Newtownabbey last week, where the young apprentice of the year is finishing his plumbing course. He is looking forward to moving on with his life, but he has worked extremely hard, like so many of our other further education students, to manage very difficult conditions and ensure that he has all the practical skills necessary to continue.”
“I agree with the Member if she is telling me that the number and complexity of awards make it very confusing for employers and students and, indeed, difficult for further education colleges to administer. It is important, though, that we keep some kind of parity across the United Kingdom so that our qualifications are recognised in all areas of the United Kingdom. That is massively important. <BR /> <BR />Also in response to the question, I offer my congratulations to further education students across Northern Ireland. I have been out and about at a number of the colleges where students have completed the theory online and are now in working very hard to make sure that they have the practical element of their course completed so that they can move on in their lives and in their careers. I was extremely impressed.”
“There are no specific rules around the bursaries. I am absolutely delighted that I have been able to acknowledge Northern Ireland's centenary year by ensuring that 100 students are able to undertake a one-year master's degree and that each of those students will have their fees paid and be given an additional £10,000 of living expenses. That is important not just in acknowledging 100 years of Northern Ireland but in building the critical skills that are necessary to take Northern Ireland forward. I recently published my 10X vision for the Northern Ireland economy. A consultation is out on the skills that are required to grow that economy, and it is important to do that at every level in every community across Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Students from here who go to university in London or anywhere else in Great Britain are also able to claim the hardship funds that are available in those institutions. Therefore, there is help, and I encourage students to avail themselves of it.”
“I presume that the Member is talking about the additional £500 that was given to students. We have looked at how that could be rolled out in other areas, but that has proved incredibly difficult to work with. Meanwhile, we have ensured that £22 million is spent on students who go to local institutions and that there is a significant level of funding for mental health and the other issues that students face. I have also instructed universities to make sure that their students are aware of the funds and how they can be drawn down. When I talk to local students, one of the criticisms that they level is that the funds are too opaque in the way in which they are treated by universities.”
“We are looking at the issue of the multiplier effect and how we can do it. In Jersey and Malta, where the scheme has been rolled out, there was a significant multiplier effect. Of course, that is not just about increased trade on the high street; it is about greater sustainability and stability for businesses and jobs in local areas. We will produce an equality impact assessment and a business case.”
“Over the summer, we will work with local businesses and, indeed, business organisations to make sure that the messaging is absolutely right.”
“We will, perhaps, encourage chambers to have their own incentive schemes to draw people into their area as we launch the card across Northern Ireland. Businesses will perhaps be able to give their own incentive for that money to be spent in their area. <BR /> <BR />This is about keeping up the stimulus and demand for retail, which has suffered so horribly over the last year.”
“In the Department, the rationale for the scheme was to provide funding for everybody over 18. If we were to roll that out to our younger age group, we would need to look at how it would impact on the amount of money that is available and whether there is additional funding available, etc. Officials are looking at the equality impacts of the scheme across the board, and we will produce that. It is on our radar, although it has not been priced into the scheme as we currently have it. <BR /> <BR />I am absolutely adamant that I would like to see the scheme used by local people in support of local businesses, which have come through the toughest of times over the last year. Businesses need that support. We will work with the local chambers.”
“The money will be received by individuals in Northern Ireland, who will choose where they spend it. The parameters and restrictions on that are, as I said, that it is not allowed to be used online, for gambling or for financial and legal services, etc. We are out to procurement — that process has almost finished — for a provider for the card. We will then launch it and work with local chambers of commerce in order to make sure that we get across a "Buy local" message. The stimulus scheme is an investment in local businesses, local high streets and local families, who have had such an incredibly difficult time during the pandemic. As I said in my introduction, it is the largest stimulus scheme across the United Kingdom.”
“The scheme should launch towards the end of the summer. The card will be used to purchase goods and services in local businesses but not for online purchases, gambling or financial or legal services. <BR /> <BR />The multiplier effect of the scheme from people spending more than the value of the card and the ripple effects from purchases will deliver greater economic benefits and make a significant step towards kick-starting recovery. An advertising and public messaging campaign will include engagement with organisations representing hard-to-reach and vulnerable groups including elderly people, persons with a disability and the wider community and voluntary sector.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The high street stimulus scheme is a cornerstone of my economic recovery action plan and one of the largest and most innovative responses to tackling the consequences of the pandemic for local businesses. It is a £140 million injection that will support towns and city centres. Local business leaders have welcomed the scheme, and they see it as a practical support for helping businesses recover from the pandemic. <BR /> <BR />We want to encourage people to play their part and become heroes by spending their £100 to support local businesses that were forced to close or severely impacted on by the pandemic. That financial stimulus will help boost demand and protect local jobs. I want every person who is resident in Northern Ireland and aged 18 and over to register for a pre-paid card.”