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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“Again, I pass on my best wishes. I wish you and your wife well for the future.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have not had any discussions with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science about North/South student mobility. The most recent statistics for 2018-19 confirm that the total number of Northern Ireland domiciled students enrolled in higher education courses in the Republic of Ireland was 1,500. The total number of Republic of Ireland domiciled students enrolled at Northern Ireland higher education institutions was 2,245. The total number of Republic of Ireland domiciled students enrolled at higher education institutions in Great Britain was 7,375, and the total number of Northern Ireland domiciled students enrolled in higher education courses in Great Britain, including undergraduate and postgraduate, was 17,425.”
“I look forward to working with others across the House in an effort to do that.”
“I do not want to pre-empt any Executive discussion or to discuss the business of the Executive. Some are that way, and we understand that because our community in Northern Ireland has suffered enormously through COVID. Today, I was talking to a Member who told me of one family in his constituency that buried three family members within four or five weeks. Communities, families and individuals have had to face dreadful things. Of course, there is a lot of nervousness, but we have a tremendous vaccine roll-out programme. Everyone involved should be praised for that. Transmission rates are now very low, and we cannot keep people in lockdown in their homes in the way that they have been. People have made enormous sacrifices. It is now time to reopen and regrow our economy, to rebuild and recover and to work together to do that.”
“I want us to have a perspective of what, I believe, is an absolutely brilliant place to live, work and do business.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We should be very clear that Northern Ireland is a peaceful and largely prosperous society that is very resilient. Communities across Northern Ireland are very resilient and have withstood an enormous amount of violence that has been foisted on them over the years. We now need to move into that positive space where we talk about opportunity and the needs of an economy that has reinvented itself over the last number of years into one of the most promising tech economies in Europe. Belfast was rated as one of the best tech cities in the whole of the United Kingdom. We need to make sure that the positive message of Northern Ireland goes out, while dealing with the political and social problems that may lead to unrest.”
“I spoke to one young shop owner in Portadown who was really distressed by the fact that, unless she was given some hope, she did not know how this stock would either be paid for or sold.”
“First, I pass on my congratulations to Fra McCann. I suppose that it is better late than never, but we wish him well. <BR /> <BR />The issue around schemes, as you understand, is complex and costly. We need businesses to be able to reopen, and to reopen as soon as possible. I was talking to businesspeople in Banbridge, my home town, and they were indicating to me the sales that they had lost since Christmas because of the restrictions and the need to shut down non-essential retail. No grant — no amount of money that we can give people, no matter how valuable and important that is — will replace reopening the economy. Many of those businesses, and particularly retail, really need to see that date. They need to see that timeline. They need to know that they can reopen. Many of them are just getting in spring stock.”
“<BR /> <BR />I heard this morning on the radio that there is a backlog of over 3,000 weddings that will take place in Northern Ireland this summer. I think that it was representatives from the hotel sector who were being interviewed. It is a huge industry and, of course, personally very important to many.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Undoubtedly he, like myself and many others in the Chamber, has been lobbied and spoken to by a number of sectors within the economy that have been terribly impacted by the pandemic. The best thing that we can do for business is to allow it to reopen, restart and get on with doing what it does best. Representatives from the wedding sector, specifically, met with officials from my Department this week and talked about the problems that they have encountered in that reopening. First, they need the ability to plan, and that is hugely important in planning the way forward. We will, of course, continue to support and sustain businesses, but reopening is key to making the economy work.”
“In that plan, we have some funding for Tourism Northern Ireland for a staycation voucher scheme for Northern Ireland, which I hope to roll out in the reasonably near future. Also, we will promote Northern Ireland, in the Republic of Ireland and with Tourism Ireland in the Great Britain market, as a wonderful place to stay and visit. <BR /> <BR />All our research suggests that people will be more comfortable travelling within the British Isles over the next number of months, and we want our businesses to be able to take advantage of that and to have a good summer season, which is absolutely essential. Of course, to do that, they need to open. They need to open successfully, safely and, above all, soon, and they need a timeline to do that.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Like him, I think that Northern Ireland is a great place to live, work and visit. I have spoken much about my economic recovery action plan in the Chamber today.”
“In addition to reprioritising funds within my existing budget, I have secured an additional £286 million from the Executive, which will allow me to deliver my economic recovery action plan in full. It is, however, important to recognise that recovery will not be completed in one year alone. Many of the actions set out in this plan will require funding beyond 2021-22. The action plan includes the high street stimulus scheme, which officials are developing in order to provide a much welcome boost to the local economy. I look forward to announcing more details about the scheme in due course.”
“With your permission, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will group questions 3 and 4. Also with your permission, I will avail myself of an extra minute to answer. <BR /> <BR />I can confirm that payments to eligible businesses under the COVID restrictions business support scheme and the large tourism and hospitality business support scheme will continue while restrictions remain in place. Whilst grant support has been a lifeline for many businesses, it cannot last indefinitely. The best way to support businesses is to get them operating again. I am of the view that the safe reopening of businesses should happen as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />On 25 February, I published my 'Economic Recovery Action Plan', which sets out a range of decisive actions to kick-start economic recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Member will know that green recovery is one of the four fundamental pillars of my economic recovery plan. That will not only lead us to a more sustainable environment and tackle climate change but help us to grow jobs and prosperity in Northern Ireland. We are already doing some of those things. There are many new and exciting developments and research and innovation projects such as Artemis, which will bring to fruition the really ambitious green recovery programme that Northern Ireland needs and seeks.”
“I thank the Member for his question, which is not just topical but of absolutely paramount importance this week. The economic recovery plan on its own is not of great use unless we have an open and functioning economy. I am thankful, and I know that Members are thankful, for the reduction in transmission and for the roll-out of the vaccination programme. However, what we need now are clear dates so that we can reopen our economy, give businesses certainty and allow them to plan that reopening. That will then allow us to go forward with the actions in the economic recovery plan that are designed to help us to rebuild and recover after the damage of COVID.”
“— throughout the world. <BR /> <BR />I will finish with one last thought. It is absolutely important that we deal with the issues of the protocol. Week in and week out now, I am writing to the Government about issues raised not just by small firms but by some of the biggest, best and most eminent firms in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />I spoke in recent days to Invest NI about inward investment, and there is no evidence at this minute in time that any investors have been put off Northern Ireland. Indeed, we have been busy with potential investors, and I look forward to working with them to see the fruits of that coming to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Member for his persistence on the protocol. The protocol, while giving us access to the EU market, also brings with it a huge number of problems for our access to our greatest and most important market, that market being Great Britain. I will say this again because it is worth repeating: we buy more from and sell more to Great Britain than to any other market —”
“As a Minister, it is important for me to say, yet again, that violence is wrong whenever and wherever it occurs. It was wrong in the past, and it is wrong now, and I call on people to desist. <BR /> <BR />As someone who knows the areas involved very well, I find it disturbing to see what has happened over the past number of weeks. As the Minister for the Economy, particularly because I am keen to promote skills and jobs and training in all parts of Northern Ireland, I have visited Impact Training on Lanark Way, which does a tremendous amount of work. I am really happy to report that the new Shankill/Falls women's centre, which is being built on Lanark Way, will soon be finished and open for business. I hope that people desist from violence. It serves no purpose but to bring misery to communities.”
“Perhaps I should enlighten the Member and indicate that my party has always supported trade and companies trading across the border when it is applicable and useful for them to do so. He will also understand that, in my Department, I sponsor and work very closely with InterTradeIreland, which has been busy supporting businesses not just in the COVID pandemic but when trying to unravel the myriad rules and regulations that the protocol that his party supports has foisted upon businesses. Every week now, I am writing to Lord Frost in London to report the specific issues that businesses are reporting to me.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am, of course, aware that economic recovery will not be delivered by my Department alone, and I support the Communities Minister in welcoming the £27 million allocation from the Executive that will primarily be used by her Department to deliver a local version of the Kickstart scheme. Recovery is at the heart of the work being taken forward by the Executive task force. As part of that work, Departments have been asked to consider the actions needed to drive forward the recovery process. My economic recovery action plan provides a comprehensive, fully developed contribution to that process.”
“I thank the Member for his question. COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our economy, and it is my duty as Economy Minister to ensure that there is a plan in place to support recovery. I moved quickly to develop and publish my economic recovery action plan, which has been strongly endorsed by stakeholders and the wider business community. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be aware that the Finance Minister recently announced the allocation of £286 million to fully fund my economic recovery action plan. That includes £145 million for the high street stimulus scheme that will encourage spend in local towns and city centres. That is a clear demonstration of the priority placed on economic recovery by the Executive.”
“I thank the Member for that very important question, which the System Operator for Northern Ireland talked about in its recently published paper. Of course, we will need to upgrade the grid to ensure that it is fit for purpose. We also need to ensure that the generation, sale and distribution of electricity in Northern Ireland is done for the benefit of Northern Ireland consumers.”
“I absolutely do not accept that. I presume that what you are talking about is the policy options consultation on the new energy strategy for Northern Ireland. Indeed, that has an enormous range of support across the board and across many business organisations in Northern Ireland that can see the potential for the green economic recovery that we need to have here, and that we will build back better after the COVID pandemic. <BR /> <BR />On the Exeter report, which, of course, is entirely different, I have to say that the author of the same report said that, obviously, all reports are fact-checked, that that is normal practice and that it did not, in any shape or form, impact on the outcome.”
“Thank you. We have had some preliminary discussion with the Utility Regulator about a whole range of areas where his remit might be strengthened, including not just decarbonisation but, indeed, gas and a wider range of areas. We plan to take that forward in consultation with the regulator, as we think that it is important. A core value of our strategy is that we want energy that is affordable and has the consumer at its heart.”
“Those are important targets on our way to 2050, and I look forward to working with the Deputy Chair of the Committee and, indeed, the whole Committee on this very important issue, where I think Northern Ireland can be a world leader.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She has written many questions on this particular issue to the Department. I understand her concern in this matter, but we are where we are. Gas is an important transition fuel as Northern Ireland transitions to decarbonisation by 2050. In Northern Ireland, two thirds of households still use oil and heavily polluting fossil fuels, so we need to use what we have in the meantime. <BR /> <BR />However, there is excellent news in Northern Ireland's story so far in relation to renewables. Almost 50% of electricity generated in Northern Ireland comes from renewable sources, and we are continuing to make progress with that. We have said that, as a starting point for the new energy strategy, we want not less than 70% of electricity to be generated through renewable sources.”
“Of course, I am entirely happy and at ease with forwarding the report to Executive colleagues for their information. However, the most important parts of the Department's energy development strategy are the consultation that has just been issued, the responses to the consultation that will be evaluated and the new energy strategy, which, of course, will have the imprimatur of the Executive when it is published later this year. That is the most important document that we will deliver in our energy strategy for Northern Ireland; a document that will lead us on a pathway to decarbonisation, to net zero by 2050 and also to a green economic recovery that will dovetail with my economic recovery action plan.”
“<BR /> <BR />Looking forward, my Department’s consultation on policy options for a new energy strategy states that our gas networks, which are more modern than those in Great Britain and are expected to be able to accommodate zero-carbon gas without requiring extensive upgrades, can have an ongoing role to play in contributing to net zero carbon energy. Consideration is being given to how biogas and hydrogen injections to the gas grid could be facilitated to ensure that our gas network remains a valuable asset on the energy decarbonisation pathway to 2050.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The finding in the University of Exeter report is solely the opinion of the authors and is based on a small number of interviews. It is correct that there is an obligation on the Department and the Utility Regulator to promote the natural gas industry. Natural gas is an important element of the energy mix in Northern Ireland, facilitating significant carbon reduction as businesses and households switch to gas from more polluting fossil fuels. To date, over 285,000 consumers have connected to gas, but, with two thirds of households here still using oil as their main source of heating, further gas connections can contribute greatly towards reducing carbon emissions in Northern Ireland on a continuing basis.”
“I thank those Members who have indicated their consent to the making of the statutory rules. I say to my colleague that the economy has gone through a very dark period because of COVID-19 and the restrictions placed on it. I look forward to that time, in the very near future, when we are rebuilding and recovering our economy and when the restrictions and regulations are no longer needed.”
“The extensions to be made by the two sets of regulations will ensure that that happens.”
“It will provide my Department with the flexibility to respond quickly to any urgent or emerging issues that will help local business owners avoid insolvency and continue to trade through the current crisis. <BR /> <BR />The content of the two sets of regulations and the dates to which the provisions are being extended correspond to what is being done in the rest of the United Kingdom. Both sets of regulations have been agreed by the Economy Committee, and the Executive were advised prior to the debate. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, it is essential that measures to assist companies that are struggling financially as a result of the pandemic be kept in place for as long as is necessary. It is vital that local business owners be afforded the same easements, and for the same periods, as the rest of the United Kingdom.”
“Providing for temporary legislative change in that way will mean that the insolvency and business rescue regime may quickly react and adapt to deal with significant and unexpected future challenges presented by the impact of the pandemic on businesses. <BR /> <BR />Temporary amendments to legislation may be framed to give protection to companies that would be viable but for the effect of the pandemic and to provide the regulatory support needed for their survival rather than their being forced to enter insolvency proceedings. That power, which had been due to expire on 30 April this year, has already been used to replicate legislation made in the rest of the United Kingdom. I consider it prudent to keep that general power for a further limited period.”
“<BR /> <BR />A new moratorium procedure established by the Act gives companies in financial difficulty the opportunity of a breathing space, free from creditor pressure, to explore options for rescue. Schedule 8 to the Act facilitates easier entry to the moratorium during the coronavirus crisis by temporarily relaxing some of the eligibility conditions. It also contains a set of temporary administrative rules that are needed to work with the primary legislation until permanent rules can be made. <BR /> <BR />The second statutory rule also takes the form of regulation. The purpose of that rule is to keep in place until 29 April 2022 a general power that allows my Department to make temporary amendments to corporate insolvency or governance legislation for reasons relating to the effects of coronavirus on business or the economy.”
“It also temporarily suspends parts of insolvency law to help directors to continue trading through the emergency without the threat of personal liability and to protect companies from aggressive creditor action. <BR /> <BR />The pandemic has had a longer and deeper impact on the economy than had been envisaged when the legislation was passed last summer. The regulations that I am asking the Assembly to approve today are the latest in a series of statutory rules that I have presented to extend some of those temporary provisions. The first statutory rule is a set of regulations to extend the period during which schedule 8 to the Act applies, from 30 March 2021 until 30 September 2021. The regulations were made on 9 March 2021 and must be approved by the Assembly within 40 days of that date.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I seek the Assembly's approval of two statutory rules (SRs) that are being made under powers in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020. The overarching objective of the Act was to provide businesses with the flexibility that they needed to continue trading during this difficult time. The measures were designed to help companies and similar entities by easing their regulatory burden and helping them to avoid insolvency during that period of economic uncertainty. <BR /> <BR />The Act introduced greater flexibility to the insolvency regime, allowing companies an opportunity to explore options for rescue so that they have the optimum chance of survival.”
“Prince Philip's frequent visits to Northern Ireland earned him the respect and affection of people here, and he will always have a special place in our hearts. I recall particularly the visit to the grounds of Stormont for the celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, when tens of thousands of people were able to gather to show their admiration. <BR /> <BR />As Her Majesty, his close family and the people of the United Kingdom face into the future without his familiar presence, we know that, at this time of sorrow, God will give grace, courage and strength.”
“His creation of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme has helped millions of young people over many years. He was, quite rightly, proud of the fact that Northern Ireland has among the highest number of scheme participants per head of population in the United Kingdom. As an early pioneer and visionary in the world of conservation and the environment, he helped to found the World Wildlife Fund in 1961, leading it as president from 1981 to 1996.”
“He leaves a tremendous legacy in his own right. His distinguished service in the Royal Navy meant that his sacrifice to be at the Queen's side when duty called was all the greater.”
“He will be greatly missed as someone who, while totally loyal to the Queen and a pillar of the royal family and the United Kingdom, was not afraid to be himself and to break the mould. As many have said in the Chamber today, his humour and bluntness were legendary. However, as Her Majesty herself said:”
“On behalf of my constituents in Upper Bann and in common with the sentiments expressed in the Chamber, I reiterate that our first thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen, who, after 73 years of marriage, has lost her strength and stay of all these years. Surely the void that she spoke about must be great and deep. <BR /> <BR />In extending our sympathy to the Queen and the royal family, we are conscious that this is the passing of a much-loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather as well as of a statesman and towering national figure. Most people have grown up with the reassuring presence of Prince Philip by the side of the Queen. He has been part of our lives as well as of the nation's life.”
“That, of course, must start with the return to college and university. I hope that we will be able to do that in the not-too-distant future in a safe and sustainable way.”
“These payments will be made shortly to undergraduate and postgraduate full-time students who were enrolled at any point during February 2021 at publicly funded Northern Ireland higher education institutions and full-time higher education students at further education colleges. <BR /> <BR />Once again, I welcome the opportunity to appear before the House to provide clarification on the support available to students. Many Members have written to me about this, but it is vital that information on this wide range of support is not just readily available but is communicated. I am sure that I have the support of all Members when I say that I will continue to do all that I can to support our young people through this difficult time and help them to regain the learning experience that they deserve.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have made representations that students should, like those in Northern Ireland, be supported by those Administrations that have imposed restrictions on student activities, and I am more than happy to commit to further representations. Again, I ask students who are facing genuine difficulties to contact the institutions to seek and access the support that is available. <BR /> <BR />Members, the package that I have put together for students is generous, and I am delighted to provide this payment to almost 40,000 students. I hope that it goes a small way to alleviating the tremendous stress and pressure that they have faced.”
“No. I have a lot to get through. <BR /> <BR />In England, £50 million has recently been announced, and that is in addition to the £20 million announced in December 2020. Scotland has announced £20 million of government funding for student hardship, with a further £10 million being allocated to universities and colleges for income lost in providing rent rebates. Wales has a £40 million package of support for students facing financial hardship. The Republic of Ireland announced, in November, a €50 million one-off COVID-19 payment scheme, whereby all eligible students and EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded higher education institutions would receive €250.”
“<BR /> <BR />All areas of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland have substantially increased the funding that is available for student support. It is important to remember that, although students who study outside of Northern Ireland will not have access to the COVID disruption payment, they will have full access to the payments and supports that are available through their institution.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members have highlighted the fact that the COVID disruption scheme does not include students who study in Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland. My officials and I had discussions with the Student Loans Company (SLC) to explore the possibility of making a payment through it to all Northern Ireland-domiciled students. Such requests must be agreed by the four UK Administrations before they can be taken forward by the SLC. Accordingly, a request was formally submitted to shareholders for agreement. Subsequent legal advice received by my Department, however, indicates that the Financial Assistance Act 2009, which is the vehicle that was used to make that and other COVID financial assistance payments, would not give the Department the powers to make payments to public bodies outside of Northern Ireland.”
“Part-time students are more likely to be in employment than full-time students, and the cohort includes many on master's, higher-level apprenticeships and other schemes that are supported through my Department. Part-time students are less likely to have different term-time addresses and the associated living costs. Any uniform payment would be unable to be targeted at those who are genuinely in need and unable to consider the nuances of the range of part-time provision available. I recognise, however, that many have been deeply affected by the pandemic and the disruption that it has caused. Those students will continue to be eligible for other support packages that have been put in place. I implore any students who are facing difficulties to contact their institution to discuss what support is available.”
“That has included paying childcare retainer fees during the initial lockdown, while further education grants and hardship funds have been updated to facilitate claimants who participate in distance learning, with an extension having been made to the closing date for grant applications. <BR /> <BR />Free school meals and holiday payments for all eligible school-age further education students have been made directly to households. Specifically within the hardship funds, increases have been made to the dependent student rate, which provides eligible further education students with an additional £15 a week. Part-time and repeat students are also eligible to apply for all elements of the hardship funds. <BR /> <BR />Members have also highlighted issues for part-time students.”