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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“I thank the Member for her question. She raises a very important issue. Let me just tell the House that the unemployment figures for April, which included the new additions to the register in that month, completely wiped out six years of very hard work to reduce unemployment in Northern Ireland. That is a measure of the crisis that has been caused by COVID-19 and the impact that it will have on jobs and families in Northern Ireland. People on all sides of the House will be sympathetic to that and will understand how deeply impacted communities and families will be by that figure. That is part of where we are at and part of the ongoing crisis.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I will, of course, continue to be in touch with the Chancellor and the Business Secretary in London. Those are very important issues. <BR /> <BR />On the second part of his question, I pay tribute to those businesses that kept going, in the face of very challenging circumstances, right throughout the pandemic. Thompson Aero Seating was one of those companies in Portadown, along with Ulster Carpets, that kept going and are busy trying to fulfil their order books and stabilise the company to ensure that there is a future and jobs to support families in the local area. I will continue to support those companies and do what I can, both with the national Government and locally, to ensure that there is a future for the aerospace industry in Northern Ireland.”
“That is why we want to see those projects brought to fruition; because that will stabilise the company in the long term and ensure that there is aerospace seating production build and capacity in Banbridge and Portadown.”
“However, we must acknowledge the difficulties around that. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I spoke to the company about the longer term. Invest NI is engaging with it because we want to see it remain and the workforce maintained. We want to try to win as many jobs back for that industry as we possibly can. While the production line and order book are secure in the very immediate short term, there will, then, come a period for many such companies in the medium term, during the period when no new contracts or tenders are being sought, when life becomes increasingly difficult. That is why Invest NI is working with the company on its new R&D projects.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I understand the urgency and the passion. <BR /> <BR />I speak to and have fairly regular meetings with the other devolved Administrations and the Chancellor and the Business Secretary. We have already raised the issue of the furlough scheme. In fact, this morning, I raised the issue of the furlough scheme again with Thompson. The issue really surrounds the fact that the furlough scheme, as it is currently constituted, will be closed to new applications from 10 June. If there were to be an opportunity to save those jobs in that way, it would mean that amendments would have to be made to the scheme at a national level by the Chancellor. Of course, that request has gone to the Chancellor. I hope that he and the Business Secretary will respond positively.”
“Indeed, this morning, I was talking to some of those companies, which are a very important part of the supply chain for our larger companies in Northern Ireland. These are very difficult and uncertain times for those companies. <BR /> <BR />This issue is very local for us, but there is a wider global and national context. I have weekly conversations with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Business Secretary to highlight the importance of the aerospace sector, locally and nationally, and the risks to the sector. Nationally, I think that it is acknowledged that that is a red flag issue and that the risks are very great to the sector. I will continue to ask for support at a national level, as well as working with companies on a local level. Thank you.”
“<BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, those global conditions have resulted in Thompson Aero Seating having to reduce headcount. Invest NI has maintained regular contact with the company since February 2020 on the challenges that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. These job losses are deeply regrettable, and our thoughts remain with the workers who will lose their source of income. <BR /> <BR />Invest NI will work with the local council and the Department for Communities to establish redundancy clinics in conjunction with the company, and my Careers Service will provide support as appropriate. Our focus going forward remains on securing the long-term success of the business, and Invest NI are fully engaged with Thompson Aero Seating on a number of projects. <BR /> <BR />Generally, I am in touch with other aerospace companies.”
“I thank the Member for a very important question at this very difficult time. First of all, our thoughts are with those in Thompson Aero Seating who face an uncertain future. I was in touch with the company again today, and I understand that conversations with the unions will progress this afternoon. These are very difficult times. <BR /> <BR />The COVID-19 pandemic has had an immediate and unprecedented impact on the global aerospace industry; airlines and airports across the world have been severely impacted. The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in a number of airlines cancelling aircraft contracts, and aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing have reduced their build rates by 40%. Those are quite staggering figures in a very short period of time.”
“I commend the motion to the Assembly and thank Members for their support.”
“The temporary changes of that nature must be removed as soon as the COVID-19 emergency is no longer impacting and will expire in April 2021. I hope that gives the Committee and the House some reassurance on those matters. <BR /> <BR />I hope that my responses to the debate have helped Members to understand why they should vote for the consent motion. By passing the motion, the Assembly will provide greater opportunities for company survival and better returns for creditors during and after the COVID-19 emergency. The amendments will give business owners more flexibility during the emergency to focus on the things that matter most while they have reduced resources and continued restrictions. Most importantly, the Bill will help companies to improve their chances of survival, protect jobs and support Northern Ireland's economic recovery.”
“Really, the issue is to try to temporarily limit the power of creditors to use their statutory demands in ways that are not in keeping with the Government's call for forbearance for companies during this period. <BR /> <BR />The Member also raised an important point about the general power to modify insolvency law. I understand that that can cause issues. However, I reassure the House and the Committee Chair that the power will be temporary and will be used only where it is needed to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 emergency on corporate insolvency and insolvency procedures and only where that cannot be achieved by non-legislative means. The power cannot be used to create new criminal offences or to amend existing criminal penalties.”
“I thank Members for their very helpful contributions and support for the motion. I also thank colleagues in the Executive and the Economy Committee for considering the matter in such a timely manner, which has allowed the motion to be debated today. <BR /> <BR />I want to address briefly some of the points raised by the Chair of the Economy Committee. I thank her for her consideration of those points. She raised an issue around credit unions and the need to extend beyond 30 September the period for annual general meetings. We, of course, will respond to any need to extend that deadline and will do so in a timely matter. I thank her for that indication. <BR /> <BR />We also have had some thought around extending statutory notifications and winding-up periods because of cash flow difficulties, and we will look at those.”
“Therefore, the Bill will provide companies with the support and assistance that will help them to avoid insolvency during this period of economic uncertainty and maximise their chances of survival. <BR /> <BR />The same package of measures needs to be made available to businesses in Northern Ireland so that they are not placed at a disadvantage. It needs to be put in place at the same time as it is in the rest of the United Kingdom. That is why I seek the Assembly's consent to provisions for Northern Ireland being included in the Bill at Westminster. Therefore, I commend the motion to the Assembly.”
“Companies House has already done all that it can under existing law to offer extensions to those deadlines. The Bill allows for further extensions, enabling struggling businesses to focus on the things that matter most while they have reduced resources and restrictions in place. <BR /> <BR />That is a brief summary of the main provisions of the proposed legislation. We are acutely aware of the significant impact of the pandemic on businesses across the world. In Northern Ireland, many local companies struggle to continue to trade normally as a result of the restrictions put in place to limit the harm caused by COVID-19. The impact of the pandemic is making it difficult for many businesses that are fundamentally viable to continue to trade or meet their legal duties.”
“As a result, many companies cannot hold those meetings in accordance with their constitutions. The measure temporarily allows those companies to extend the period within which the meeting must be held or allow the meeting to be held by other means. That may be via electronic means, so that all participants do not have to be at the same physical location at the same time. Mutuals will also be able to take advantage of similar arrangements, with some minor modifications to reflect the different legislative requirements. <BR /> <BR />The final measure relates to filing requirements at Companies House. Companies are required to make a number of different filings by fixed deadlines at Companies House each year. Missing the deadline automatically results in a financial penalty.”
“For example, regulations could be made to change the eligibility conditions for insolvency or restructuring procedures. They could provide for the procedures not to apply or to apply in a modified form in particular cases. Any temporary changes made under the regulations must be removed as soon as the COVID-19 emergency no longer impacts on corporate insolvencies or insolvency procedures. Furthermore, the power will expire in April 2021, although it may be extended, if absolutely necessary, by further legislation. <BR /> <BR />The final two amendments deal with temporary changes to company legislation. The first deals with annual general meetings, which are central to good corporate governance. Current social-distancing restrictions do not permit large gatherings.”
“It also introduces temporary provisions to avoid statutory demands issued against companies during the emergency. The measures will give businesses the opportunity to reach realistic and fair agreements with all creditors. It will also extend until 30 June or one month after the Bill comes into force, whichever is later, and can be extended by secondary legislation, if necessary. <BR /> <BR />The final insolvency provision will give my Department or the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with the consent of my Department the power to regulate to make temporary amendments to company or insolvency legislation. That would be done to keep to a minimum the number of businesses forced into an insolvency or restructuring procedure.”
“The first three relate to changes in insolvency legislation. The first relates to the suspension of wrongful trading. At present, a court may order a director to be held personally liable where a company continues trading and the director knew or should have known that the company could not avoid insolvency. The Bill will temporarily remove that threat and, as a result, remove the pressure on directors to close what may be otherwise a viable business. The provision will extend until 30 June 2020 or one month after the Bill comes into force, whichever is later, although it may be extended by secondary legislation if deemed necessary. <BR /> <BR />The next measure helps struggling businesses by temporarily removing the threat of winding-up proceedings where unpaid debt is due to COVID-19.”
“Provisions in the Bill will mean that suppliers will not be able to jeopardise a rescue in that way. <BR /> <BR />The third of the measures that are intended to be permanent takes the form of amendments to company legislation and will result in the creation of a new procedure for restructuring. The new procedure will assist companies that, whilst viable, struggle with debt obligations. It will allow courts to sanction a plan that binds all creditors to a restructuring plan, if it is considered fair, equitable and in the interests of creditors. Again, that will be extended to some mutuals by secondary legislation, with modifications to protect their unique position as member-owned and controlled organisations. <BR /> <BR />The remaining provisions are temporary in nature, and all are time-bound.”
“It creates a 20-day moratorium during which no legal action can be taken against the company by creditors without leave of the court. That period can be further extended with the agreement of the court. During the moratorium, the company directors will still be in charge, although they will be supervised by a monitor who will be a licensed insolvency practitioner. <BR /> <BR />The second permanent measure relates to termination clauses in supply contracts. When a company enters an insolvency or restructuring procedure, suppliers will often either stop or threaten to stop supplying the company with essential goods or services. The supply contract normally gives them the right to do that, but it can jeopardise attempts to rescue the business.”
“That will ensure that local businesses can take advantage of the emergency measures at the same time as those in Great Britain. <BR /> <BR />The Bill, as introduced in Westminster, comprises a total of eight provisions aimed at assisting business. Three, which had already been consulted on, are to be permanent. The other five measures provide for a temporary relaxation of some aspects of insolvency and company legislation. <BR /> <BR />In summary, the provisions of the Bill are as follows. The first measure, which is intended to be permanent, involves amendments to insolvency legislation. It is to provide a free-standing moratorium to companies. Secondary legislation will follow to extend that to mutual societies. That will give struggling businesses a formal breathing space to explore the feasibility of a rescue or restructuring plan.”
“However, it has been my Department's policy and practice to maintain both in parity with that made at Westminster. That ensures that companies and insolvency professionals based in both jurisdictions operate to a common rule book, which ensures ease of operation and reduces inefficiency. Mutuals legislation is also devolved, and, while there are some minor differences from GB legislation, my Department and the Treasury have made efforts to progress towards parity where practical. That ensures that mutual organisations working across jurisdictions, such as cooperatives, are not disadvantaged. Taking similar legislation through the Assembly would take many months. As a result, I seek the Assembly's approval for the Westminster Bill to include the same amendments to Northern Ireland's legislation as are being introduced in Great Britain.”
“The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill was introduced in Parliament on 20 May 2020 by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The Bill has three main sets of measures to achieve its purpose. First, it will introduce greater flexibility into the insolvency regime to give companies breathing space to explore options for rescue while supplies are protected. Secondly, it will temporarily suspend parts of insolvency law to support directors trading through the emergency without the threat of personal liability and to protect companies from aggressive creditor action. Thirdly, it provides companies and other bodies with temporary easements on procedures for company filing and statutory meetings. <BR /> <BR />Insolvency and company legislation are devolved matters.”
“— as quickly as possible and have delivered things that would have been thought of as impossible in normal times, but there is more to do. I look forward to setting out a long-term economic strategy and working with the House to ensure that families and jobs in Northern Ireland are our highest and utmost priority.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have introduced legislation to ensure that workers who are prevented from taking their annual leave because of the pandemic can carry over some of that leave into the next two years. In conjunction with the Minister for Communities, I have introduced legislation to ensure that furloughed workers who are entitled to statutory family-related payments will not lose out. That goes together with my wider plans for ensuring that our employment legislation gives people the support that they need. For example, I recently announced my intention to consult on proposals to put in place provisions for parental bereavement leave and pay. <BR /> <BR />This has been an unprecedented few months. We have responded —”
“The past few months have shown us that broadband infrastructure is a vital part of our economy. We will not be able to build a regionally balanced economy without investment in broadband. Project Stratum seeks to use the £165 million of funding that is available from the confidence and supply deal to increase and improve broadband services, and that is primarily across rural areas of Northern Ireland. The target intervention area consists of 79,000 premises, 97% of which are rural. The contract award is expected in September 2020, with a full deployment in March. That is the type of long-term infrastructure project that we will need to ensure that businesses can prosper anywhere in Northern Ireland.”
“No, I am not going to give way because I am rapidly running out of time and there are other things that I need to get through. <BR /> <BR />Along with those supports, there have been those at a national level: the job retention scheme, the self-employment scheme and the access to finance schemes. Those have been vital in keeping businesses going. <BR /> <BR />On tourism, I have established the tourism recovery steering group, which brings together the private and public sectors to plan for recovery. That group, which is supported by Tourism NI, will play a key role as government and industry work together to help our tourism and hospitality sector find its way back to full potential. <BR /> <BR />There has been some discussion about the need to invest in infrastructure to rebuild our economy.”
“There have been 2,600 payments made through the £25,000 grant scheme, which represents £65 million of support to businesses in retail, hospitality, tourism and leisure. <BR /> <BR />The extension of the rates relief to those sectors for the year, and to everyone for the first four months of the rates year, is of enormous value to businesses as they try to plot a way forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />To the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for the Economy, I should say that, in the Programme for Government, it is the responsibility of the First and deputy First Minister not just to reference something like the engagement forum, but to consult far and wide on this particular and very important piece of programming. <BR /> <BR />The Department also moved to bring unprecedented levels of support to businesses across Northern Ireland. The business grant schemes were designed to protect jobs, prevent business closures and to promote economic recovery. I welcome the uptake of those schemes. To date, we have issued over 22,000 payments through the £10,000 grant scheme, which represents over £220 million in support.”
“As the Minister for the Economy since the crisis first struck, I have been aware that, while it was primarily a health crisis, it was always going to become a grave economic crisis. Throughout, I have ensured that my Department and its arm's-length bodies are working to support business in any way that we can. As some colleagues have referenced, that has included a social partnership with the engagement forum, which was asked to do two specific tasks: to look at the essential worker's list and to give safety advice.”
“We need our economy to function in order to provide for our public services and to help us to protect the most vulnerable, so I am absolutely behind businesses that seek to create wealth and opportunity for people. That is an appropriate way for this House to go. <BR /> <BR />I reassure the Member for North Antrim that I have already been speaking to Wrightbus. This week, I will convene a meeting between Wrightbus, my Department's officials and Invest Northern Ireland to investigate how Northern Ireland can benefit from greater job opportunities using the technology and research that is available in the north Antrim area to promote the hydrogen project. I hope that we will be able to make progress on that.”
“We have led the way in developing renewable electricity to meet the Executive's 40% target. That success has helped to develop a low-carbon and renewable energy economy of 3,500 businesses, 5,500 jobs and £269 million worth of exports. We need to further develop that part of the economy.”
“The opportunities that are likely to come in the years ahead will be disproportionately in sectors where specific skills are required, so we must ensure that those who lose jobs in other sectors are given the support that they need to upskill in areas where there is demand. <BR /> <BR />I have been struck over the past number of months by the changes in our environment: fewer people driving to work, more people out cycling or walking. Those are positive changes and many people have reflected on how this could reshape how we appreciate our environment and protect against climate change. <BR /> <BR />The proposer of the motion advocates a new deal, but economic recovery, I stress, must be sustainable and provide growth opportunities for the private sector. In Northern Ireland, we have already been meeting some of our energy targets.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. We are working, with our steering group, with all aspects of that sector. It is clear to us that in the immediate future the domestic market within the British Isles will provide us with much of our tourism activity. I spoke to North American tour operators last week who indicated that there is still a strong desire to visit Northern Ireland. Many of the groups that they had booked for this year have rebooked for the next season. I think that we will have to rely on the market at home, but we are, and will continue to be, attractive to other markets, particularly the North American market. <BR /> <BR />We live in a society where inequality and poverty are persistent problems. This crisis has so far impacted most on those on low incomes and young people.”
“Looking to the future, I think that there is likely to be potential for growth in life and health sciences. Similarly, the digital sector is likely to continue to grow. As my colleague from north Down indicated, the recent good news on cybersecurity jobs in Belfast shows that not only is Northern Ireland out in front in training and education in those sectors, but it is competitive on a global scale. Our advanced manufacturing sector also has strong potential, and tourism has been one of our success stories over recent years, and one that I am determined to support as it gets back on its feet.”
“We cannot say with any authority what it will look like in a year's time. As an economy, we rely on consumer spending. If people have limited opportunities to spend money in their local shops and restaurants, that will limit the ability of retail and hospitality here to continue to operate. <BR /> <BR />The tourism sector has been, perhaps, the hardest hit by the present crisis and by the long-term impact on travel. While many businesses in that sector have adapted, it is likely that growth will be difficult to achieve, even in the medium term. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls for a just transition to an economy centred on more people working in higher-paying jobs. To achieve that, we will need to focus on sectors that can deliver higher-paying jobs.”
“Today's approach to hotels, bed and breakfasts, caravans and self-catering accommodation is a further step, but we must move safely, in line with the medical and scientific advice. I have been impressed by those sectors and how they have adapted. Significant changes have been made to make sure that workers are safe at work. <BR /> <BR />We must also move beyond the reopening of our economy to planning for the future of our economy. A strong economy benefits everyone in society. I value economic growth because I am aware of the alternative. We have lived through recessions, have seen how unemployment affects physical and mental health and have seen closed shops and factories in local towns. No one wants to return to that. <BR /> <BR />There are significant challenges in building a stronger economy. The world has changed rapidly.”
“The Bank of England has forecast a UK-wide increase in the unemployment rate of around five percentage points for the second quarter of 2020 when compared to the unemployment rate just before the outbreak. For Northern Ireland, that could mean an increase of around 50,000 — around double the rise seen in the latest claimant count figures. <BR /> <BR />Supporting the vulnerable, those on low incomes and those who have already lost their job is not future work; it is for the here and now. The first step in protecting the most vulnerable is in safely reopening our economy so that those who have lost jobs can seek new employment and we limit the number who become unemployed. Construction, manufacturing and retail are opening.”
“As well as the heroic work of those in the NHS, we would not have been able to cope without the work of hauliers, retail workers and other key, front-line staff. This crisis has shown how essential their work is. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls on us to protect the vulnerable through any impending recession. I want to be clear. Economists will define what is or is not a recession, but those who have already lost their job will not need an economist to tell them about the state of the economy. <BR /> <BR />Some six years of progress on jobs was lost when the Northern Ireland claimant count increased by 26,500 people in a single month. Unfortunately, we can expect unemployment to increase again.”
“Events moved a lot quicker in the Chamber today than I had anticipated, so my apologies. <BR /> <BR />COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our economy and society, and I listened with interest to Members' contributions today. I reassure the Member for East Antrim that, although this is the first time that we have had the opportunity to debate this in the Chamber, my Department has been working on this from the start. <BR /> <BR />Of course, today, our thoughts are with the families and communities of those who have suffered pain and loss, and it is right that we recognise those who have been on the front line during this time. This cuts across the public and private sectors.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. To you and the proposer of the motion I apologise for being a couple of minutes late at the start.”
“<BR /> <BR />In terms of the job retention scheme, it is UK Treasury scheme. It is for furloughed workers. That furloughed phrase is very important, as far as I know, from what we have read and had communicated to us. If your employer says that your job is no longer available to you because of the impact on the economy of coronavirus, you can become a furloughed worker and be eligible for up to 80% of your pay, up to a ceiling of £2,500 per month. It is for furloughed workers, and that is the most important thing that we need to look at in this scheme.”
“I too have been contacted by people who are stranded in different parts of the world. It is a really difficult issue because the direct flights have been cancelled, and sometimes to take the roundabout route is a hugely problematic issue in terms of the sheer cost and the ability to do it. One lady's flight had been cancelled because of problems with airspace in different areas. I recognise it as a problem. If you want to write to me about that specifically, I can add my list to your list and we can set that forward and try to deal with it, because it is emerging as an issue. <BR /> <BR />These are huge issues for students. My advice is that, if those students are within the United Kingdom, they would be as well to be at home, but that is me saying that. Again, write to me on that particular issue, because it is very important.”
“I encourage people to have a look at what is out there and what is available, because there are temporary contracts available in different sectors of the economy that are very important. <BR /> <BR />On online teaching, it is my view that, where it is possible and where it is within my remit, online teaching communication should be made. It is really important at this time, when some people are left in their own homes for prolonged periods of time, that we look after each other's mental health and that we keep in contact with each other. If there are people that we cannot keep in contact with, there are tools that we can use that people can avail themselves of.”
“The 27,000 figure that you quoted is the number of companies in Northern Ireland that are within the small business rates relief scheme. All of those are included. <BR /> <BR />In terms of students, as I said in response to a previous question, we have taken steps to ensure that, even though students are not at university, their financial commitments are recognised and the third tranche of their payments via the student loan system is made. We can have a conversation with the Communities Minister around the needs in the economy, although I will say that I was talking to different recruitment companies, and there are huge numbers of jobs out there in some of the sectors that are under most pressure.”
“You need to engage with social distancing, and you need to ensure that your workers are safe and protected. That is absolutely important. <BR /> <BR />I met the supermarkets yesterday, and it was really interesting. One of them said that it had introduced lines at the tills for social distancing. Others said that they had simply calculated the square footage of each of their stores and had security people outside who were allowing only a certain number of people into the store at any one time. People are working quite hard in very difficult circumstances.”
“The advice is clear: if your business is not essential, if it is in retail and it is not essential, if it is in one of a whole range of areas and it is not essential — tourism, hospitality etc — then you should not be open. <BR /> <BR />As for manufacturing, I understand that today has been a more confused picture, but my advice if you are an essential manufacturer is clear. We have have many such manufacturers in Northern Ireland, for example in the food supply chain, without which our communities simply could not survive; supermarkets, who are out there doing their best in very, very difficult circumstances; and small, local corner shops that are open for us at all times. Those are important businesses, but the advice is absolutely clear, and it must be heeded.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Member talked about mixed messaging, but the message is very clear. Last night, the Prime Minister indicated a further shutdown of the economy. I noticed that the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government has provided advice today around which businesses are essential and non-essential and about what they should do.”
“First, I will address the issue around Wrightbus. I was not aware that it had contacted the Department but I will look into that. That, of course, is very important. We have been exceptionally busy, and the Member will know from this Building that we are now operating in a situation where most of our staff are working from home. Communication is not always the best, and in this very difficult situation, particularly in the Assembly, I hope that you will bear with us. I am thankful and grateful for the way that we have worked together to make sure that we do the best that we can in a difficult situation. I was not aware of that development but I will look into it and I will address it head-on. I have given you my view, and those are the representations that we will be making on that issue.”
“It is not just employees who are affected by this situation but other parts of our economy. It is very important that that message goes from this House to the Secretary of State, to the Treasury and to the Business Secretary. <BR /> <BR />It is important to point out that we will work with the energy companies to make sure that they look after their vulnerable customers. They have a register of vulnerable customers — people who are already known to them — and we are aware of the register. We will work with them to make sure that they do not cut off vulnerable customers and that they address the issue of top-up cards. Family is very important in Northern Ireland, and families will look after their elderly folk, but we need to make sure that there is a system in place to catch those who do not have relatives or friends close by.”