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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“However, in taking the scheme forward, we will obviously have to consider their position in the overall context of what we do. <BR /> <BR />We have to deal with a number of complexities right now, as well as setting out a new way forward for renewable heat for the future. I look forward to doing that, and I know that my officials have engaged with scheme participants. I want to ensure that we engage with those participants in a fair and compassionate way that addresses the issues that we have experienced in the past.”
“For me personally, the answer is no. I have not engaged with those businesses. I am relatively new in post, but let me set out some of the complexities and issues that will have to be dealt with as we move forward on the scheme. <BR /> <BR />Currently, there are two reviews of the scheme: a tariff review that arose out of the House of Commons Select Committee report and a hardship review. Those reviews are due to report reasonably soon, and I will share the information on their outcomes with the Committee for the Economy as soon as it is available to me. We also have a voluntary buyout option for current participants, which closed on 8 November 2019. I understand that there are 96 applications under assessment by the Department in relation to those participants, but no offers have yet been made.”
“I thank the Member for the question. In the Executive, we have set a fairly onerous target of zero carbon emissions by 2050. We are in a process, and there is a call for evidence on a new energy strategy for Northern Ireland. We are doing reasonably well in relation to electricity: about 45% of our electricity is generated from renewable sources. We are not doing so well in relation to heat. It is, therefore, really important that we find a fair and equitable way forward on this RHI scheme and also a renewable heat scheme for the future that commits us to our current targets but deals properly and appropriately with all the issues. I am determined that we will take our time to get the issues right and that there will be no repeat of the mistakes of the past.”
“I am determined to find a way forward on RHI that is fair to participants who have acted in good faith but also to taxpayers who are funding the scheme. Work to bring forward a new renewable heating scheme will be taken forward as part of a new energy strategy for Northern Ireland. It is important that we get on with the decarbonising of heat as a way forward to meeting our net zero carbon target in 2050.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I ask for your indulgence, for a moment, to say that it is good to be back in the Northern Ireland Assembly. What a great privilege and yet a great responsibility to take on the Economy portfolio. I look forward to working with Members and, in particular, to working with the Chair, vice chair and the Committee as we try to take forward some very difficult and, at times, some very exciting issues in relation to the economy. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for his question. Closing the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme is a complex matter. There are cases before the courts. There are also state aid issues and other matters that need to be carefully thought through. My officials are preparing papers, outlining all the issues, that will be brought to the Executive as soon as possible.”
“I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of Minister for the Economy, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”