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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“Since then, four subgroups have been established on influencing policy and strategy; promoting the development of capacity; developing and promoting good practice; and influencing and shaping intervention and investment. Meetings of the subgroups are being arranged to initiate the formal projects for each of the key functions and a programme of comprehensive engagement and co-design with stakeholders. Recommendations for future action will be developed in due course. <BR /> <BR />Restoring the vibrancy of our high streets will take a number of phases over a period of years. As we emerge from the lockdown, the immediate priority is opening up high streets and rolling out a COVID recovery strategy. That is the focus of the Executive COVID task force headed by the interim head of the Civil Service (HOCS).”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 3, 10 and 13 together. <BR /> <BR />The first meeting of the task force took place on 23 February and was chaired by the junior Ministers. The task force formally adopted its terms of reference and the vision of:”
“I am happy to get the office to write to you with the full range of assistance that is available. Obviously, the COVID localised restrictions support scheme is still in place until such times as hospitality is open in full. There are probably schemes from the Department for the Economy that I do not know about. I would rather write to you with a more substantive answer so that you have all the schemes in front of you.”
“Scotland has a similar problem to ours, and we need to get the apps to speak to each other. Work is going on around the paper alternative, and work is also going on around the digital piece to see if we can get the apps all connected. They are meant to speak to each other. When I go across to England, I should be able to use the Northern Ireland app, so why can we not get it to work for the COVID certification as well? Work is going on, and I assure the Member that that is happening.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In England and Wales, the apps speak to each other, but it does not do so in Scotland. There is an issue in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We have discussed it with the other devolved Administrations, as you would expect, under the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. We speak every week about the upcoming difficulties. In the short term, they are looking at having a paper trail if you have had your vaccination. That is not just a letter but, obviously, something that is compliant with safety and data protection rules to make sure that there is no fraud. You cannot just turn up with a letter that somebody from your office has typed out for you, for example. A lot of work is going in to data protection and cybersecurity issues around that. We will probably get an update on that this week.”
“It is anticipated that payments will be made to successful applicants in early summer. The scheme is expected to provide in the region of £1·1 million to £1·3 million of much-needed support for the sector. Final costs will be known once all applications have been processed.”
“The Travel Agents (Coronavirus) Financial Assistance Scheme was agreed by the Executive to ensure the continued viability of the travel agency sector here. The scheme is intended to help vulnerable but viable travel agents, including self-employed homeworkers, with the cost of reopening or keeping a business operational, reconnecting with employees and customers, adapting customer marketing and financial planning. A viable travel agents industry is critical to supporting a return to normal and building confidence that travel agents and other retail businesses will continue to be a feature of our high streets. The payments for the scheme should make a significant contribution to the continued viability of the sector here. The scheme was open for application from 19 March to 26 March 2021. Officials in TEO are processing 187 applications.”
“It was designed to allow truck drivers and people who ordinarily would not have access to such services to be able to continue to have a meal in service stations. Sometimes, when laws are made, the purpose behind them gets stretched. That is a good example of the purpose behind the reason for the regulation getting very stretched.”
“In our discussions with the hospitality sector last week, the deputy First Minister and I said that we wanted to make sure that contact tracing is fit for purpose so that, if people come in for a meal or a drink, all the pieces are in place, and, if there is an outbreak, we will be able to trace it quickly and get to everyone who has been nearby or is at risk. The issue was discussed at the Executive last week, because colleagues were concerned that people are driving to service stations for a meal. I found that interesting. Anyway, this is apparently what is happening: people are so desperate to get out for a meal that they are going to a service station and sitting in there to eat. Of course, that is not what the regulation was designed to do.”
“That is a very good point and one that I raised just last week, because it is important that people have a clear vision of what is happening before the Twelfth of July celebrations. I pay tribute to the organisations for the way in which they conducted themselves and abided by the regulations last year. They were quite innovative. I am sure that the Member will remember the Twelfth at Home initiative, for instance. Along with the Health Minister, I am hoping to meet the Grand Orange Lodge in the very near future to discuss the issues and to see what will be possible in July, because it is important that people be able to have their cultural expression but obviously in a safe way, and that is what we want to ensure.”
“Last Thursday, the deputy First Minister and I met Hospitality Ulster and the Hotels Federation to discuss the issues again, coming up to next Monday, which is when we are hoping that we will open indoor hospitality. We will be confirming that this Thursday. We are keeping a close eye on the Indian variant, as, I am sure, the Chair of the Committee would want us to do. We are concerned about what we see in England, Scotland and Wales at present. We are very pleased that there is no evidence of significant community transmission in Northern Ireland, and we want that to remain the case, so we will listen to our advisers this Thursday to hear what they have to say about all those issues.”
“The Member is probably referring to the outdoor hospitality issue, on which some issues were raised with us directly. The regulations had not changed from last year. The difference was that some councils took a more proactive approach to enforcement this year. Things that should not have been happening last year, and to which a blind eye was turned and no enforcement applied, were subject to enforcement this year, and, unfortunately, some organisations, having spent a lot of money — we understand that — felt that they could not open because they were in breach of the regulations. There is therefore an important emphasis placed on engagement.”
“Arrivals to Northern Ireland from green countries do not need to self-isolate or enter managed isolation. They must book and take a day two test. Northern Ireland does not currently have any countries on its green list, and the Executive are considering the most appropriate list for Northern Ireland. I very much hope that we will be able to have an outcome on that list this week.”
“The current requirements that are in place for international travellers vary according to whether they are arriving from a green, amber or red country. Red countries are those that the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) has assessed as being particularly concerning for the prevalence of variants, including the Indian variant. Arrivals from red countries must book a managed isolation package prior to arrival and spend 10 days in a hotel after arrival in Northern Ireland, and India is on the Northern Ireland red list. <BR /> <BR />Those arriving from amber countries must book and take a post-arrival test on day two and day eight, and must self-isolate at home for 10 days from arrival. Green countries are those that the JBC has assessed as low risk.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As she is probably aware, the task force is looking not only at economic recovery but at societal recovery. We have always said that, if we can do things better after the COVID-19 pandemic, we should take the opportunity to do so. The task force will work not only with the lead Departments in those areas, such as the Department for the Economy for economic recovery, but with the other Departments involved in health inequalities, societal inequalities, and the Member's colleague the Minister for Communities will be very much part of those discussions. Therefore, the Executive are working on that, and I hope that we can build back better.”
“While the review process allows the Executive the flexibility to move rapidly on emerging priorities, the next major review point will take place on 10 June. That will allow for data on a range of health and societal impacts to be monitored and assessed before consideration is given to what further relaxations can be made safely.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 1 and 11 together. I am pleased to say that we continue to make good progress in our pathways out of restriction. At the Executive meeting on 13 May, we made decisions on the further reopening of our economy and society as part of our formal review of the pathway. We had good news for those with marriage and civil partnerships planned, the hospitality sector, for those looking forward to visiting their friends and family in private homes and for those needing a hug. <BR /> <BR />The COVID data continues to have a generally positive direction of travel, and we look forward to ratifying those decisions on 20 May, subject to an update on the public health situation.”
“Tourism is a great driver for prosperity in the county. The Minister will know that I mention the greenway because the last section of the greenway in Northern Ireland will end on that southern bypass. I hope, and ask the Minister to confirm, that she will take that into account in her design of the roadway and bridge over the River Erne so that cycle lanes and walkways are included in the new piece of infrastructure. We have waited on it for a very long time, but this is a good day and we should welcome it.”
“I will continue to support the greenway project after I leave office because, like the bypass, it will bring real and tangible benefits to Fermanagh and to the northern counties of the Republic of Ireland. I have supported for a number of years the idea of using the route of the former railway line from Enniskillen to Sligo to encourage citizens to enjoy the countryside while walking or cycling. The proposed Sligo-Enniskillen greenway connects the main greenway network in the Republic of Ireland with our growing greenway network in Northern Ireland. It also connects the Wild Atlantic Way with the Erne waterways. It will, no doubt, enhance our tourism offering in County Fermanagh. I am very passionate about that. <BR /> <BR />I am, and will remain, anxious to see Fermanagh, and tourism, prosper.”
“That congestion does not help our environment — I know that the Minister is very concerned about that part of her portfolio — or our economy. The new infrastructure is desperately needed. Uniquely among roads projects, it is welcomed by an overwhelming number of people in the area, with minimal objection to it. I have always found it difficult to understand why it could not proceed at a faster pace. However, it is proceeding now. I have been in touch with the Minister on a number of occasions, and we are due to meet again in early June. <BR /> <BR />We must keep pushing ahead towards the delivery of this project, and also that of the Sligo-Enniskillen greenway. I hope that it will link with the new piece of roads infrastructure.”
“It is a significant announcement for us in the south-west, and it has been long awaited by those who travel in the area for work or leisure and by the residents of that wonderful part of the world. I have been pursuing this project for most of my time as an MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Some 15 of the last 18 years have been spent pursuing it. Now that my time as an MLA is coming to an end, I am very pleased to see the project move ahead. <BR /> <BR />Anyone who is local to Fermanagh or who has driven into Enniskillen will understand how beneficial this piece of infrastructure will be. Congestion and gridlock have become commonplace in Enniskillen during busy periods. I am sure that Members who are not from Fermanagh will know that that is the case as they travel through.”
“I thank the Member for securing the Adjournment debate. Like her, I was rather surprised by the statement coming out today, but, of course, I welcome the announcement contained in it, because the southern bypass needs to be pushed on and proceeded with.”
“I do not think that we have identified the speed of payments as a particular issue. The payments are going quite well. As the Member will know, some cases are more complicated than others and will take a little more time, but one issue that has been raised with us and has caused distress is the fact that medical reports have had to be obtained again, and that causes difficulties if people have to go through that process again. We will look at the HIA process to see whether there is anything more that we can do to try to deal with the problems that have been identified.”
“Unfortunately, I do not have information on the precise number of payments made to date, but, bearing in mind the last question — I want to take into account that answer when I reply to the Member — we are pleased to see the number of cases that has been going through the redress board. Again, we will want to take into consideration the distress that has been pointed out to us so that we can try to see whether there is a solution to that.”
“We want to hear people's experience of what is causing problems in the process. You will know, Mr Clarke, that, whether because of this sort of abuse or other sorts of abuse and violence, individual victims have different reactions to what they have to go through. We will want to listen to those voices and, indeed, engage with the commissioner again to see whether she can give any clear suggestions on what can be changed in the process to try to help.”
“Yes. The deputy First Minister and I had a meeting about historical institutional abuse with the new commissioner, Fiona Ryan, who has been put in place as an advocate for all the people who come forward with their stories. That was a very useful meeting. I know that a number of Members across the House have been contacted by people who are applying to the redress board and that they have concerns that the process is causing distress for some of those individuals. The deputy First Minister addressed that in her previous Question Time appearance. We are aware of that issue and will get a briefing about it to see whether there is anything that we can do to assist. The last thing that we want to do is to cause any retraumatisation.”
“The short answer, unfortunately, is that I am not over the detail of that. I am happy to take it to the Economy Minister who should, under consumer law, be able to provide some clarity about whether they can claim from some of the grant schemes because of the loss of deposit. Let me take that away and get the Economy Minister to come back to the Member about that.”
“The Member is right to identify that. I had to deal with that over the weekend. Wedding receptions will be permitted on a risk-assessed basis from 24 May 2021, depending on the size of the venue. In that respect, it is like the situation with churches. We still do not have clarity on the matter of music and dancing, but we will continue to speak to our medical advisers about that. They are concerned that singing and dancing could cause some difficulties because they are aerobic activities, but we are very much aware of the issue and will be happy to come back to the House on it in due course.”
“I thank the Member for that. I will not speak on behalf of the deputy First Minister, but, if the Member would like us to do something collectively to mark that, I am sure that we would be more than happy to look at doing that. It unites everybody not just in the Executive but across the House. This is about how we intervene to try to deal with some of these issues in a timely fashion. That is why the subcommittee is not just about suicide prevention but about resilience and well-being and trying to deal with early intervention issues. I very much look forward to the Member writing to us if he feels that we can help with that.”
“Of course, primacy for that lies with the Minister of Health, but, as an Executive, we all stand four-square behind the Minister of Health as he tries to deal with this incredible difficulty, which will, unfortunately, only get worse as we move out of the pandemic.”
“I thank the Member for his question on a subject that he returns to frequently, and I commend him for that. The Executive subcommittee that deals with mental health, resilience, well-being and suicide prevention is, I have to say, one of the best attended of the Executive's subcommittees. It is an area that we all take very seriously. We want to interact with the health professionals who come to that subcommittee. At the last meeting, we were briefed by the interim mental health champion, when she was able to bring us up to date with ongoing interventions at that time. That subcommittee continues to have, as the Member rightly says, a whole-of-Government approach to the mental health issue.”
“I am not sure where the distress is. My goodness, if this is what distress looks like, I would hate to see what real distress actually looks like. As I have indicated to Mr O'Dowd and will indicate to the Member as well, I am fully aware of our ministerial responsibilities with regard to the NSMC, as outlined in the Pledge of Office. I have told the Member why the meeting did not go ahead. It is up to her to decide whether she believes it or not. That is a matter for her. That is the reality. There was no agreement on the agenda despite the fact that her party's Minister decided to tweet the draft agenda on Thursday night, thereby breaching ministerial protocol by putting Executive papers out into the public realm — and not for the first time, I have to say, from the SDLP. However, that is a matter for her.”
“The transport Minister, Ms Mallon, decided that the sectoral meeting would go ahead despite the fact that she had been told that it did not suit the nominated person who would accompany her and that the agenda and papers had not been agreed by my office. North/South Ministerial Council meetings are to proceed by agreement. That is the whole point: that a unionist Minister is there when a nationalist Minister is in the lead, and vice versa. All those things have to proceed by agreement. I very much hope that agreement and consensus will be sought by those Ministers who are setting up North/South Ministerial Council meetings in the future.”
“The Economy Minister continues to keep in close contact with the industry to see what else we need to do to help it.”
“Certainly, the Executive's decision last week was that financial support would continue until they are fully reopened again. Some of those hospitality venues that have outside premises can open, as the Member knows, on 30 April, but their support will continue because they cannot open fully. We think that that is the right thing to do. <BR /> <BR />We are very conscious of the fact that many people in the wedding industry have suffered greatly. My heart goes out to those who have had to reorganise their weddings. I was speaking to a couple, at the weekend, who have had to reorganise theirs four times. That is just incredible. What a stress that is on young people — and maybe on those who are not so young as well; I will not be ageist. It is important that we continue to support the industry.”
“Those are the things that we need to focus on in our forthcoming economic recovery.”
“Unfortunately, because of the damage that the protocol has visited upon us here in Northern Ireland in respect of our largest market, we have not been able to take as much advantage of the interest from other parts of the world as we would have liked. I find that very disappointing. The fact that our largest market has been hampered in the way that it has has caused great damage. We need to see the protocol dealt with as soon as we possibly can so that we can then go out into the world and take advantage of the skills that our young people have and the fact that we have such a strong educational base here. We need to bring our young people back. Pivotal public policy forum recently did a report about the brain drain out of Northern Ireland and the fact that we need the brightest and best to stay here.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Throughout the pandemic, we have tried to talk about the impact on the health and well-being of our people but also to look at economic well-being and societal well-being. Those are the three elements that will inform the strategy of the Executive. Those are the three core elements of what we are trying to achieve. We do, of course, recognise — I am sure that the Member will agree — that having a job is very much part of dealing with the societal disadvantage that some have in their lives. That is why we should very much strive to make sure that there are suitable and well-paid jobs available for everyone.”
“If there is anybody in that age group in the House — junior Minister — I encourage them to make sure that they take that up.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I absolutely concur that economic recovery must now be very much our number-one focus. We know that there are industries and businesses right across Northern Ireland that have been in a really dire situation over the past year. We have tried to help through mitigations and through making grants available to those companies, but we totally understand that the best way to recover is to be open and to be able to continue with business. <BR /> <BR />It is really good news that there is now an opportunity for those in the 35-39 age group to book their COVID vaccine; that was announced by the Department of Health at 1.00 pm. People who are in that age group can now avail themselves of the COVID vaccine.”
“In that knowledge, we have reached these decisions carefully to balance the need to control transmission with the need to open up our economy and society again. However, the lifting of restrictions does not mean that we can let our guard down. It is down to all of us to continue to adhere to the measures that we are now so familiar with to protect the relaxations that we have worked so hard to achieve. By that, I mean maintaining social distancing, washing our hands, wearing a face covering and continuing to use the StopCOVID NI app.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 5 and 11 together. As part of the four-week review process that is outlined in 'Moving Forward: The Executive's Pathway Out Of Restrictions', the Executive took a wide range of decisions last Thursday to reopen many aspects of our economy and society over the coming weeks. The deputy First Minister and I outlined those in our statement to the Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee last week. All the decisions that we have taken on relaxations since the pathway was launched at the start of March have been informed by the data, and we are committed to keeping them under review. <BR /> <BR />We appreciate the sacrifices that have been made to reduce the spread of the virus.”
“I thank the Member for his question and comments. I was made aware of those comments by his colleague at the Committee for the Executive Office last week. I was interested to hear them and that there is a realisation that the protocol is damaging the Belfast Agreement. That is something that the Member's party was very much involved in from the outset. Therefore, I take on board what he says, and there is absolutely a need to deal with the matter and to deal with it as quickly as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is fundamental that we continue to put across the point that the protocol must go.”
“I agree with the Member that the protocol should go. He rightly points out the misrepresentation by the European Commission vice president and the fact that he either wilfully misunderstands the Belfast Agreement or is misrepresenting it for his own ends. I know not which, but there is a need for those in Europe, London and Dublin to listen to the voices of those of us who will not have the protocol because it is damaging the economy of Northern Ireland. More than that, it is damaging our citizenship here in Northern Ireland as equal citizens of the United Kingdom because we cannot partake of the internal market of the United Kingdom, something that, as I am sure the Member will be aware, was very much at the core of the Act of Union all those years ago.”
“As we outlined some weeks ago, North/South relationships will be affected by the fact that the protocol is in place, because it has damaged east-west relationships. We need to sort it out. We need to get rid of the protocol so that we can continue to have relationships with our nearest neighbour in the appropriate way in the future so that every community can benefit from Northern Ireland's constitutional and economic position as opposed to being in the dreadful situation that we find ourselves in.”
“Just to be clear for Mr O'Dowd, who asked the question, I have made it clear at all times that I and colleagues will act in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland and in accordance with all our ministerial responsibilities and, indeed, with the Pledge of Office, as we have indicated. There has been much misrepresentation, which has been quite mischievous, and I expect that from political opponents. We heard it here again today that we are "refusing" to attend meetings between the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government of the Republic of Ireland, and that is simply not the case. I spoke with the Taoiseach Friday week ago, actually, by telephone. <BR /> <BR />However, I just want to be clear about this: the Northern Ireland protocol is not part of the North/South Ministerial Council.”
“— and that was the point that I was making.”
“Not for the first time, you have misrepresented what the deputy leader of my party said yesterday. To answer Mr McCrossan's point earlier, I can show him the post that he put up if he would like me to show it to him because he put it up before anybody else —”
“However, the European Union continues to push ahead to try to implement the protocol. The damage that is being done to our businesses is incalculable, so we will need to continue to try to get the protocol replaced so that we can move on.”