Arlene Foster
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Yet, like too many projects, it has been tied up in legal wrangles. Too many infrastructure projects are being swallowed up in the courts. We need to improve the expertise in infrastructure delivery. We need better infrastructure for the next generation, but key projects being delayed by 10-plus years is unsustainable.”
“Any agreement involves compromises but NDNA had two central pillars that, I believe, remain important: ambition for devolution and a new cultural deal. The breadth and depth of issues that NDNA set us all to deliver on would have been enough to fill an entire term or perhaps more, let alone two years of government.”
“That confidence-and-supply agreement will leave a legacy but also highlights our challenges. Some £150 million has been rolled out via Project Stratum to bring broadband to rural areas and leave Northern Ireland as the best-connected region in Europe. When it is completed, the project will be transformational to our economy.”
“However, such short-term advantage comes at the cost of long-term harm to relationships. It is not a real partnership. Imbalance and instability are built in that will fester and deteriorate. If Brussels continues to think that the protocol is enough, it is in denial.”
“Colleagues inside and outside the House know very well that all periods of leadership must come to an end. That is why, when we are privileged and, indeed, honoured to hold such a position, we must not waste a moment in frivolous brinkmanship but forge ahead on behalf of those whom we represent.”
“The recommendations of the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition (FICT) are to be taken forward as well. I encourage all of you to do all of it, to take it forward in its totality and to speak of and implement it as one complete, independent package: a new cultural deal for Northern Ireland's new century.”
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“It certainly was not plucked from the air. We looked at the experience in England, Wales and Scotland. I am sure that you will have noticed some of the television coverage over the weekend about people leaving bars at 10 o'clock, the crowds in the streets and what have you. We wanted to make sure that we aligned with off-licences and supermarkets, which stop selling alcohol at 11 o'clock. The allegation was made that people will leave the pub and go to a house party. They cannot go to a supermarket or off-licence to buy alcohol after, because the sale of alcohol stops at 11 o'clock. We felt that that was a good reason to close at 11 o'clock. We were conscious of the fact that the Republic of Ireland's curfew is at 11.30 pm, but we made an assessment that people would not travel across the border for such a short time.”
“I met representatives from the events industry and outgoing travel industry representatives recently. Such companies basically have no work at this moment in time, so, under the job support scheme, they do not really have viable jobs for people to go to. I am therefore concerned about some of those industries, and we will need to see what we can do to help them. The job support scheme is not as good as the furlough scheme, but it is certainly better than having nothing at all with which to support industries in Northern Ireland.”
“There are two things there. First, for those who have to self-isolate, the Government have announced a package of £500 so that they can remain at home. To make sure that people in Northern Ireland can avail themselves of that, we still have to get more clarity on whether it is a Barnett consequential or is demand-led. <BR /> <BR />The Member asked about the job support scheme. Obviously, we knew that the furlough scheme was coming to an end. The Executive as a whole were concerned that that would lead to a cliff edge for those who were on the furlough scheme. The job support scheme is not as generous as the furlough scheme — I think that everyone has accepted that — but it at least allows us to move forward without there being a complete cliff edge. I am concerned for the industries affected.”
“<BR /> <BR />You are right: enforcement plays a role in all of this, and we will have to deal with people who persistently offend through the appropriate authority, be that local government, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”
“We have been working very much in partnership with people, but, as I said in my statement, enforcement has a role to play. The junior Ministers are leading the enforcement group from the Executive. They are working with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and local government to make sure that we have, first, the appropriate powers in place. Do we need to revisit the level of fines that we have in place? I would much prefer people to work with us, comply with the restrictions and listen to the guidance, because it is for their own good. It is for individuals' own good. It is therefore important to take some responsibility for our actions.”
“I noticed yesterday that the GAA was making a similar point about its funding.”
“Of course, right from the beginning of the pandemic, we have said to the people of Northern Ireland that we want to work in partnership with them. We want to work in partnership with the various sectors, such as the hospitality sector; citizens generally; and sports, for example. We are working very hard with those organisations. We have listened today to the threats to some of the Irish league teams because of the fact that they have no income coming in.”
“We will continue to work with him and his colleagues in the Committee as we step through what will be a very difficult time.”
“We know that things are going to get difficult for a lot of businesses, so we need to be prepared to try to work with those sectors when those difficulties come about. <BR /> <BR />I regret that we have had to make this announcement today. I think that we all do. However, we are trying to take an appropriate, proportionate reaction to what you pointed out: the rising number of cases right across Northern Ireland. When you put it in that very stark way — over 1,500 cases have been diagnosed in the past week — that is quite a significant rise, so it is important that we act in a proportionate way, listen to the voice of businesses and also put lives to the forefront of our mind. As well as saving lives, we should think about livelihoods. I take very much what the Chair has said.”
“We hope that that will allow businesses, particularly restaurants and hotels, to have a second sitting; one of the concerns that was raised with us around the 10.00 pm curfew was that it would not allow for two sittings in a restaurant. We hope that that now can happen. We have been listening very carefully to the hospitality sector. <BR /> <BR />The recovery piece is something that the Executive, as a whole, have been working on. We have agreed a tentative recovery framework and have been working with the Department of Finance. The Chair will know that, just last week, the Minister of Finance came forward with more allocations in respect of trying to fight COVID. There is still some money left in that budget to deal with some of the known unknowns that are yet to come before us.”
“I thank the Committee Chair for his question. The Executive have been engaging quite closely with the hospitality sector, as he would expect us to do. We have taken a partnership approach with that sector throughout the pandemic, given the fact that it was told to close very early in the pandemic and has been one of the last sectors to reopen. We recognise all the pressures and strains that that puts on those businesses. It was because of our consciousness of the pressures that the hospitality sector is under, and also observing the 10.00 pm curfew in other parts of the United Kingdom and the way in which that has worked, that we decided to have an 11.00 pm curfew.”
“Our message is simple: if each and every one of us does our bit, we will help to bring the epidemic to an end sooner rather than later, and, by doing that, save lives.”
“We cannot emphasise enough that the regulations are intended to protect you, to protect other people, to reduce the spread of infection and to bring the epidemic to an end as soon as possible. We assure the House that the restrictions will be kept under constant review and measures will be removed if possible, but, equally, they may be added to if necessary. We can all help to curb the spread of the virus by maintaining social distancing; maintaining good hand and respiratory hygiene; wearing face coverings; self-isolating immediately if we experience any symptoms, including a new persistent cough, a fever or a loss or change of smell or taste; seeking a test if we experience any of those symptoms; downloading the StopCOVID NI app; and complying with the restrictions in place.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is essential that business owners and members of the public adhere to these restrictions, which will help to reduce the length of time that the restrictions will need to be retained. We want to avoid more stringent measures, but we have been clear from the outset of the pandemic that we will put restrictions in place if we have to. We will do so carefully and with great thought to the social and economic impacts, but if we need to act, we will. <BR /> <BR />As always, we must continue to be extremely careful in all aspects of our lives, particularly for the medically vulnerable members of our community. We appreciate that this is a difficult time for everyone, and yet more restrictions are not what any of us wants. It is very important to say that, Mr Speaker.”
“However, house parties and gatherings in our homes are illegal. The restrictions already in place ban people from more than one household to be in a private dwelling or more than six people from no more than two households to be in a private garden. <BR /> <BR />The totality of the arrangements will be subject to enforcement. We do not want to go there. We would prefer that everyone works with us to have an impact on the spread of the virus. However, enforcement has a role, and we are working closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland and local government to understand the issues from their perspective and the importance of community responses. Junior Ministers are working closely with the police and local government, and we will be looking at the fine levels that we have here as a matter of priority.”
“From Thursday 24 September, all business that serve food or drink in England, Scotland and Wales have been required to shut at 10.00 pm under new measures that were introduced to control the rising rate of coronavirus, and that includes pubs, restaurants, cafes, social clubs, casinos and bingo halls. <BR /> <BR />The 10.00 pm closing time that had initially been imposed in certain areas of England became a nationwide restriction, and that is because of the need to ask people to further limit their social interactions. Sales of alcohol from off-licences and supermarkets in Northern Ireland already stop at 11.00 pm. That will help to ensure a consistent approach in border areas. <BR /> <BR />Some will make the point that pubs and bars closing at 11.00 pm will drive people to house parties, and we recognise that risk.”
“That will come into effect from midnight on Wednesday 30 September 2020 and apply to those parts of the hospitality sector that are subject to current regulations, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes as well as hotel and guesthouse bars. No alcohol or food will be served after 10.30 pm, and all customers must leave by 11.00 pm. In practice, that brings the normal closing times forward by half an hour, and there will be no late licences. <BR /> <BR />The intention behind the earlier closing time is that socialising later in the evening is considered to increase the risk of virus spreading because people adhere to the rules less strictly after consuming alcohol and in venues where they are used to mixing freely. There can be no exceptions to this, so weddings and other important social events will also be required to comply.”
“These restrictions are a necessary and proportionate approach to address the increasing number of COVID cases that we have witnessed since early July, and which have accelerated over the past weeks. <BR /> <BR />Positive case numbers are of serious concern to the Executive, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA). The numbers themselves, and the rate at which cases are doubling, should be a concern to all parts of our society, including the business sector and citizens. If allowed to continue, this will inevitably lead to an increase in hospital admissions and deaths, and that is something that we must try to minimise. <BR /> <BR />Building on the measures already in place, the Executive agreed last Thursday that a closing time of 11.00 pm should be applied to the hospitality sector.”
“Unfortunately, one death has been reported, bringing the death toll to 578. There are 51 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across Northern Ireland, with six in intensive care, and there are outbreaks of the virus in 28 care homes. <BR /> <BR />Evidence from the test, trace, protect programme tells us that a significant number of the COVID-19 cases are being acquired through household contacts and informal interactions in the community. Wherever people meet each other, there is a risk of transmission. That is why the Executive agreed that restrictions in domestic settings should be introduced to reduce community transmission occurring through indoor social gatherings in households. Initially, this was applied on a postcode basis but now applies to all areas of Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. In compliance with section 52C(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make the following statement on recent steps taken by the Executive to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus epidemic. These decisions have been taken against the following backdrop. Since the beginning of July, there has been a gradual, but sustained, rise in the number of positive COVID-19 tests. On Saturday, the Department of Health confirmed that a further 319 people in Northern Ireland had tested positive for coronavirus. Since then, a further 407 people have tested positive. Saturday was the highest daily tally reported since the pandemic began and brings the total number of confirmed cases reported to 10,949. In the past seven days alone, 1,513 cases have been diagnosed .”
“The Executive Office very much recognises the importance of the aerospace sector. We also recognise that it is an issue not just for us in Northern Ireland but for our colleagues in Scotland and Wales. Along with our counterparts in Scotland and Wales, we took the opportunity to write to the Prime Minister in an initiative that came from Unite the Union. We were happy to do that because we believe that there needs to be more recognition of the aerospace sector. It provides us with some very well paid, highly-skilled jobs. We are fearful for the sector, and we want Whitehall and Westminster to take the initiative because it is something that needs to happen on a pan-UK basis. The aerospace sector is a huge issue and involves huge amounts of money.”
“The police presence in the Holylands has helped with some of the difficulties. I regret that a number of notices were handed down to students and, indeed, that some students were suspended. However, we must continue to work with our young people to get the message across to them. I note that some students are self-isolating in the halls of residence: we send them our best wishes and hope that it does not become a wider spread. The Executive Office is meeting both universities tomorrow to discuss some of the issues. I know there have been many scare stories about our universities and our young people, but I believe in our young people. I believe that, on the whole, our young people want to do what is right. I appeal to them to abide by the public health guidance and the restrictions.”
“The enforcement group that is being headed up by the junior Ministers has been set up. It was primarily focused on the Holylands and the difficulties there with the restrictions. It is now much wider than that, and we continue to work with our partners — the PSNI, local government and everyone involved in enforcement — so that we make sure that, as well as having the restrictions in place, there is an effective enforcement regime.”
“The primary purpose of the StopCOVID NI app is to protect and save lives, and that has always been the focus. The app is about saving lives and livelihoods, and that has been the collective focus of everyone in the Executive, our five-party coalition. The Executive are not a duopoly, as, I think a Member said earlier. I am always amazed at how it is a duopoly when some people do not like what we do and a five-party coalition when they want to take credit. In any event, it is a five-party coalition, and people should remember that. Therefore, we will work together to save lives and protect livelihoods.”
“I do not think that there has consideration of that. It would be a matter for the Department of Health on the basis of need and whether people have been asking for the app in the Irish language. I am not sure if that has been the case, and there has certainly been no discussion about it.”
“The council is a key partner with us in Ebrington. Like us, it wants to see the site developed to its full potential. The transfer of the site is being progressed using a phased approach; that is absolutely correct. The first phase of the transfer process relates to the delivery of the maritime museum at Ebrington. The council is developing a business case for the project and has identified funders. The Executive Office is committed to providing £3·3 million towards what, I think, is an £11·5 million project. The maritime museum is a significant and exciting project for the north-west, and I hope that it will realise its potential. As I say, we are working with the council and will continue to do so.”
“To date, the Executive Office has invested £38 million in the regeneration of Ebrington, including £15 million from 2016, when we took over responsibility for the regeneration of the site. We have had significant investment in the site, as the Member will know, and it is important that we continue with that development. We have been able to attract private-sector investment as well, which we very much welcome. Twenty-three of the 24 site buildings have an expression of interest, an agreement of lease or a lease in place. That is good progress on the Ebrington site. We will continue to work with our partners in the north-west on the development of Ebrington.”
“Sentencing is something that, I think, the House will come back to in the near future, because, as I understand it, the Justice Minister has a consultation in relation to sentencing matters. We in Northern Ireland have the lowest sentences for the murder of police officers. When I look south of the border, I see that the Republic of Ireland has a mandatory 40-year sentence for the capital murder of police officers, with no discretion for judges. In England, it is 30 years; in Scotland, 20. Therefore, there is a need for us to step up and look at sentencing as punishment, of course, but also as a deterrent for those who would seek to murder our public servants.”
“Ordinarily, I would have attended National Police Memorial Day. It happens on a UK-wide basis, and the four nations take it in turn to host it. Of course, it was made all the more poignant yesterday by the killing on Friday of Sergeant Matt Ratana in Croydon police station. We send our sincere sympathies to his family and colleagues. Unfortunately, we in Northern Ireland know only too well what it is to have police officers murdered. Therefore, it is important that our public servants are remembered in this way. I was particularly pleased to see the family of David Johnston meet our Chief Constable. Of course, David Johnston, along with his colleague John Graham, was murdered on the streets of Lurgan in 1997, and it is important and right that we remember their sacrifice.”
“That is something that we should discuss. If we get the House to back the motion today, we should look at how we progress the issue, whether through this House or through an LCM for the Westminster legislation. Obviously, we would always much prefer to have our own legislation in Northern Ireland. However, if we cannot do that, an LCM for the Westminster legislation should certainly be looked at, as it is about bringing closure to a family that is grieving greatly and trying to find a way of dealing with that grief.”
“I understand that the matter is to be debated in the House later. I have met both families who are campaigning for this. It is completely inhumane that persons who commit murder do not tell the family where the body is, to allow closure. That should be reflected in the justice system, and I hope that the House will have its say in that. I hope it backs the campaign of the two families, who, no doubt, will watch closely what we have to say on the matter.”
“As the Member is probably aware, the US is the biggest international investor in Northern Ireland. Many firms are US-based, and they invest in Northern Ireland because of the strengths of our people and the skills that they have. We want to discuss with Mr Mulvaney where he sees the upcoming opportunities for trade and investment in particular. I understand that he has particular interests in financial technology and cybersecurity. Those are areas in which we are strong. I look forward to having that conversation with him tomorrow, and I hope we can further drive economic investment in Northern Ireland on the basis, as I say, of our people, our skills and our ability to do business.”
“Mr Mulvaney has been appointed by the Trump Administration as an envoy to Northern Ireland, principally around economic development. We very much look forward to speaking to him about his ideas on economic development. The deputy First Minister and I were due to meet Mr Mulvaney early tomorrow morning, and I think that he is due to speak to the other Ministers at that stage.”
“I am sure that the Policing Board will address the matter in due course. Operational decisions by the Chief Constable should be reported there, as he is accountable to the Policing Board. However, I will take up the matter of where the protest took place with the Justice Minister.”
“The Justice Minister alerted her Executive colleagues to the fact that the protest was taking place at the weekend. However, I note what the Member has said in relation to where the protest took place, and we will certainly look for an update from the Minister on that.”
“It is a moral imperative, and it would be warmly welcomed by the victims and survivors if the institutions stepped up in that way.”
“The cost estimates for financial redress range from £149 million, at the lower end, to £402 million, as a central estimate, up to £668 million, at the upper end. Contributions from the institutions, which I have already referenced, would help to defray some of those costs. A potential meeting was discussed with the two archbishops — the archbishop from the Church of Ireland and the archbishop from the Roman Catholic Church. We will shortly write to both archbishops and to the institutions about holding a round-table meeting to emphasise the seriousness of these negotiations, the urgency of making progress and to agree on principles that would govern those negotiations.”
“As the Member is aware — at least, I hope that he is aware — a written statement was placed with the Office of the Speaker over the weekend because we knew that this was a matter of some note. Therefore, that written statement is available to all.”
“I think that it is important that all the institutions that have been named in that report should make the appropriate apology. It is one thing for me to stand and make the apology, but the victims and survivors will want to hear it directly from the institutions involved, and that is why we have someone to work with the victims and survivors. I accept that, whilst the interim advocate has been employed in some of that business, there have been some difficulties around that. We wish that it were otherwise but that is where we are at present. However, I am hopeful that we will have the new commissioner in place very shortly. We are in the midst now of pre-security checks and all those sorts of things so that we can take the matter forward, and that they can deal with it very quickly.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary. I remind Members that the Hart report recommended that those who were responsible for each of the institutions investigated by the inquiry, where it found systematic failings, should make a public apology as a wholehearted and unconditional recognition of the failures of the past. That is very much something that the new commissioner will take forward, as well as the memorial that we want to see progressed. Obviously, the commissioner will need to do that in conjunction with the victims and survivors to make sure that it is an appropriate apology and memorial. That is something that the new commissioner should take on very quickly.”
“The selection process for the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional Childhood Abuse was launched in June, with interviews taking place in mid-August. Those candidates assessed as appointable by the selection panel gave a presentation to the deputy First Minister and me on 9 September. We are in the final stages of the appointment process and, once the requisite pre-appointment checks are completed, the deputy First Minister and I will make a formal announcement regarding the commissioner's appointment.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, junior Minister Kearney will answer this question.”
“Yes, I accept that the north-west is greater than the maiden city. It is important that that be recognised and taken into account by Derry City and Strabane District Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council. The north-west goes across a number of regions, and it is important, going forward, that that be reflected in the work.”
“I understand that the north-west regional development group wrote to us recently seeking a continuation of the fund beyond the current arrangements that are in place, as I say, until the end of 2021. We will look at that in the future to see what is possible. We will also look at how broad the fund can be right across the north-west, because it is important that there be equity in how the fund is distributed.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary. The reference in 'New Decade, New Approach', at page 60, states:”
“The north-west development fund has approved funding in place until December 2021, which includes an extension of the funding period to take account of COVID pressures on projects. The total committed investment by the Executive is approximately £2·15 million. That commitment is match-funded by the Republic of Ireland's Government as agreed in the Fresh Start Agreement of 2015. The north-west development fund has delivered a number of successful projects across three regional development pillars. Some examples are developing economic growth through trade and investment missions, developing the physical environment by contributing to the INTERREG greenways project and, through north-west sports development, strengthening community cohesion and well-being.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister Kearney to answer this question.”
“That is a matter that I am sure my colleagues will be able to answer for themselves. It is important that we do give leadership in these issues, and that we set forth what we would expect other people to do as well. I happen to think that the advertisement of the speed limit not being a target is very effective, and I hope that we can use more of those sorts of quirky advertisements to get out our COVID message as well. As I said, it is important that we reach as many people as possible.”
“Apparently, we are going to use Mobsta to do some digital advertising that will target 16 to 25-year-olds, including students, based on their location data. Obviously, if they are in Queens or in Ulster University or wherever we will be able to get some messages to them. <BR /> <BR />We are very much proactively looking at our messaging and at making sure that we get messages out as wide as we possibly can.”
“As I indicated in my substantive answer, we made a communication directly to the people of Northern Ireland last Tuesday. One of the issues that we have been concerned about over these past number of days and weeks is the messaging for our young people and the ability to get the message to them. It is important that everyone hears, understands and acts upon key messages. We have now put in place a digital campaign that is targeted specifically at our young people, and we are working in partnership with organisations like Cool FM and are using social media and something called Mobsta. The Member might be able to tell me what that is, because I am not quite sure. I am sure that many of our young people would be able to tell me.”