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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“He did not mince his words about the failings that he saw, often to the frustration of many hard-working, professional police officers.”
“He had to go back on to the streets of Newry and along the border to attend to his constituents, to campaign and to seek votes for himself and his party colleagues. <BR /> <BR />He saw council colleagues in Armagh who sat in the same chamber as him murdered, and he sought to attend every funeral of those in his constituency who died in the Troubles; sometimes, when he was far from welcome. He recognised that nationalism needed to have confidence in and support policing.”
“There was no social media, less 24-hour news, but decades of murder and mayhem that, thankfully, we no longer have to deal with to anywhere near the same extent. He was seen by many in unionism as a more typical Irish nationalist than his long-term partner leading the SDLP, John Hume, yet perhaps viewed as more pragmatic and with a better understanding of unionists. That may have been as a result of the fact that he lived in Markethill with his unionist neighbours at every turn. <BR /> <BR />He was a fierce critic of violence, something which is much easier from the armchairs of BT9, the south side of Dublin or the shires of England, but Séamus Mallon had to walk daily amongst the gunmen and bombers he was calling out.”
“First, on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party, I pay my respects and give condolences to our SDLP colleagues. They will forgive me if my thoughts are principally today with Séamus's family. Of course, with Orla and her husband, Mark, their daughter, Lara, and with Séamus's sisters and the wider family. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to Séamus as a fellow member of a small band of politicians who have headed the shared office of OFMDFM, which is now the Executive Office, and recognise its distinct and unique challenges. As well as being Northern Ireland's original deputy First Minister, Séamus Mallon was a Member of Parliament for 19 years and his party's deputy leader for 22 years. <BR /> <BR />The climate he had to operate in, of course, was very different from the one we operate in today.”
“Thank you for allowing me to intervene, Mr Allister. If I misled the House, I certainly did not mean to do that, Mr Speaker. It has been laid in the Library for everyone, and everyone has access to it.”
“I hope that it gives Members the opportunity to air their views on the issue, and I look forward to the debate.”
“It will be a matter that we take a stand on, as a newly restored Assembly, to show that we are back in business and representing the views of our constituents, and that our views and policies should be respected and not overruled by the UK Parliament. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that if debate on the Bill goes ahead tomorrow in the House of Lords, there is limited time for it to take account of our views. However, the deputy First Minister and I felt that it was very important that the Assembly be given the opportunity to air those views, and that is why we brought the motion to the House. Again, I apologise to you, Mr Speaker, and the Business Committee that we could not do so in a more timely manner. We look forward, Mr Speaker, to receiving your letter on the issue. <BR /> <BR />To sum up, I commend the motion to the Assembly.”
“We have brought forward the motion today to seek agreement from the Assembly that it does not give its consent to the request from the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. <BR /> <BR />The letter from the Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, and the details of the clauses have been provided to Members. Given the very limited time that we have to respond and the expectation that the Government are going to proceed with the Bill, I suggest that our debate should focus on the issue of principle rather than attempt to scrutinise the detailed clauses, albeit I cannot order Members what to say.”
“We have secured a commitment that our representatives will be part of any UK delegations in any meetings of the UK/EU specialised or joint committees discussing Northern Ireland-specific matters, and those meetings are also being attended by the Republic of Ireland's Government as part of the European Union's delegation. It is only right that we are included in those discussions, and we will ensure that our views are properly presented to the relevant decision makers. <BR /> <BR />Despite having secured numerous commitments and guarantees from the Government, we are still of the view that the deal that is being pursued by the UK Government poses significant challenges for Northern Ireland, because it should be for the Assembly to legislate for matters within our competence. That is the way that it should be.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I have acknowledged already, our businesses have raised concerns about the potential for discrimination against Northern Ireland goods and businesses accessing the GB market, particularly if there should be regulatory divergence in future. To grow the economy in Northern Ireland, our businesses need clarity, and we will be strong in pressing the Government to provide that throughout the process as we exit the European Union. It is also essential that trade can continue in both directions and that Great Britain businesses are not discouraged from operating in Northern Ireland due to new burdens. <BR /> <BR />The various committees outlined in the protocol will play a very important role, and the decisions that they take will have a long-lasting consequence for Northern Ireland.”
“The Prime Minister promised that this would be the case throughout his campaign for re-election, and he must deliver on his promise. <BR /> <BR />It is essential that our businesses do not face additional barriers to trade, such as tariffs, administrative costs or delays, and that their competitiveness be maintained. Specifically, we welcome the commitment from our Government that they will ensure that Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom internal market; that legislation will be in place to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland businesses to the whole of the UK; and that that will be in force for 1 January 2021. We will now be engaging with the Government to ensure that that is delivered in the necessary time frame.”
“We will therefore be making representation to Her Majesty's Government that it is imperative that they fulfil all their commitments and that we are involved at an early stage on any policy discussions around future legislation brought forward under the powers provided by the withdrawal agreement Bill. <BR /> <BR />While the withdrawal agreement Bill is likely to be implemented by the United Kingdom Government, this is not the end of the matter. There are a number of important areas in which we require clarity from the Government in relation to the deal it has agreed with the European Union, and, in particular, the protocol. In terms of trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, which, of course, is of vital importance to everyone, we must have unfettered access to the Great Britain market.”
“<BR /> <BR />Our priority for Brexit is to ensure that the needs of Northern Ireland are understood and are reflected as we move forward. Our unique position, in that we are the only region of the United Kingdom that will have a land border with the European Union, requires very specific solutions to protect and enhance trade. While the withdrawal agreement Bill provides powers to implement the protocol, the 'New Decade, New Approach' document goes further and, indeed, includes further commitments from the United Kingdom Government. <BR /> <BR />We understand that the detailed arrangements will be contained in future secondary legislation and will secure some of the main points on which our MPs had agreed in the amendments that were not made in the Commons debate two weeks ago.”
“I commend the many business organisations that have been working with political parties across the spectrum to try to find amendments, which, at the end of the day, were not taken by the Government, but I think they demonstrated that there was cross-party agreement in relation to those amendments. <BR /> <BR />We recognise that the United Kingdom Government is determined to press ahead with the withdrawal agreement Bill irrespective of whether we give our consent but, in our view, this will have a significant impact on our devolution settlement. We will be making it clear that, with the restoration of the Executive and the commitment of all parties to work together, the Government must recognise our devolution settlement and should not normally legislate in the devolved space without consent.”
“I feel it is important to stress that Parliament and Her Majesty's Government should at all times seek our views on relevant issues. <BR /> <BR />It is fitting that my first statement to the House following the restoration of the Executive deals with an issue on which we are all prepared to work together to advance the interests of Northern Ireland irrespective of our political views. The amendments to the withdrawal agreement Bill supported by local MPs from across the political spectrum have demonstrated that the will is there for different parties to work together in the best interests of our people and businesses. <BR /> <BR />As an Executive, we will work together to represent the concerns of all our citizens and ensure that our voice is heard.”
“<BR /> <BR />In Part 4, of particular relevance are clauses relating to the implementation of the Ireland/Northern Ireland protocol and the protection of certain rights safeguarded in the Belfast Agreement, as well as those relating to other technical issues such as financial provisions and the implementation of European Union legislation during the implementation period. <BR /> <BR />Members will be well aware that, for various reasons, all parties in the Executive have serious reservations about the deal that has been secured by the United Kingdom Government and therefore, by extension, about the withdrawal agreement Bill. The deputy First Minister and I are in agreement that it would not be in our interest to assent to this request as it is always preferable that the Assembly legislates for itself.”
“During the implementation period, European Union law will continue to apply to the UK under the terms set out in the withdrawal agreement. Therefore, new pieces of directly applicable European Union law will continue to apply automatically within the whole of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />The explanatory notes accompanying the withdrawal agreement Bill set out the Government's view of the Bill's purpose and main functions. The Parts of the Bill with particular relevance to matters within the legislative competence of the Assembly include Part 1, the implementation period; Part 2, remaining implementation of the withdrawal agreement etc; and Part 3, citizens' rights, specifically clauses and associated schedules relating to citizens' rights, and the establishment and functioning of the independent monitoring authority.”
“In this case, the deputy First Minister and I agree that we should recommend that consent is not given, albeit for different reasons, hence the motion that we have brought today. <BR /> <BR />The clauses that the UK Government wish to legislate for on our behalf are outlined in the Secretary of State's letter, a copy of which has been made available to Members. The withdrawal agreement Bill will give legal standing to the deal that has been secured by the UK Government with the European Union and upon which the UK will leave the European Union. Members will be familiar with that deal. The United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed that the United Kingdom's exit will be followed by a time-limited implementation period, which will last until 31 December 2020.”
“<BR /> <BR />This is our first chance as an Assembly to consider this issue, and for some of the aspects of the legislation that were made in the last three years, and indeed for some aspects of the current Bill, the effect of Her Majesty's Government's approach is to limit the role of the devolved Administrations in deciding and agreeing policy, though, in fairness, some of the aspects of the legislation are relatively technical and uncontroversial. <BR /> <BR />As I indicated, there was insufficient time to bring this matter to the Assembly through the established legislative consent process, but the deputy First Minister and I felt that it was proper for the Assembly to have its say on the matter. In any case, our procedures primarily provide for agreeing to give consent.”
“I have covered the issues that Mr Allister raised in his debate. <BR /> <BR />I remind Members of the nature of the legislative consent process. In 1998, when devolution took effect in Scotland and Wales, Her Majesty's Government established a convention — known as the Sewel convention — that Parliament would not normally legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the relevant regional Parliament or Assembly. That convention has generally worked well but has become controversial in the context of Brexit. In particular, the Scottish Government and Parliament objected strongly to the UK Parliament taking a power potentially to retain at the United Kingdom level some of the many powers that affect devolved services that are returning to the United Kingdom as a result of us leaving the European Union.”
“Scotland has already expressed its view, and the Welsh Assembly is debating it tomorrow morning. We felt that it was important to put this motion down, albeit late. We accept that, but we felt that it was important that Members be given the opportunity to air their differing opinions — and there will be differing opinions on this matter — on the Floor of the House. Whilst I hear what Mr Allister is saying, I think that it is important that this Assembly puts forward its views, however varied they may be, so that the House of Lords is aware of them tomorrow when it has the Third Reading. <BR /> <BR />I remind Members as to the nature of the —”
“The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union wrote to us last week and asked that we provide consent to Her Majesty's Government legislating on our behalf in relation to the provisions of the EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill that affect the legislative competence of this Assembly. <BR /> <BR />First, ordinarily, the deputy First Minister and I would have brought the motion forward within the established time frame, and we are sorry that that was not the case today. We took the view that it was important to provide Members with the earliest possible opportunity to consider this key matter. <BR /> <BR />This is the last chance for us to have our views aired in this place. The Third Reading of the Bill is in the House of Lords tomorrow afternoon.”
“The Procedures Committee is what is left, and I nominate Tom Buchanan as vice Chair.”
“I select the Standards and Privileges Committee, and I nominate William Irwin as vice Chair.”
“I select the Assembly and Executive Review Committee and nominate Mervyn Storey as Chairperson. I understand that Mr Storey has submitted a letter to the Speaker's Office, because, unfortunately, he has a family bereavement and cannot be here today.”
“I choose the Public Accounts Committee, and I nominate William Humphrey as Chair.”
“I choose the Committee for Infrastructure, and I appoint David Hilditch as the vice chair.”
“I select the Health Committee and nominate Gary Middleton as the vice chair.”
“I select the Finance Committee, and I nominate Paul Frew as the vice chair.”
“I select the Committee for Infrastructure, and I nominate Michelle McIlveen as Chairperson.”
“I select the Communities Committee and select Paula Bradley as the Chair.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I choose the Justice Committee, and I nominate Paul Givan to be the Chairman.”
“What is left, and what we are very happy to take, is the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. I nominate Edwin Poots MLA.”
“Mr Speaker, I choose the Department of Education, and I nominate Peter Weir MLA.”
“I choose the Department for the Economy, and I nominate Diane Dodds MLA.”
“Michelle's narrative of the past 40 years could not be any more different from mine, and I am not sure that we will ever agree on much about the past, but we can agree that there was too much suffering and that we cannot allow society to drift back and allow division to grow. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland is succeeding in many ways. It is time for Stormont to move forward and show that together we are stronger, for the benefit of everyone. Fixing problems in schools and reforming our health service so that people receive timely treatment should be a priority for all parties. Therefore, let us get down to work and, most importantly, let us get Northern Ireland moving again.”
“We want everyone to feel at home in Northern Ireland. In particular, I draw attention to the commitments to implement fully the armed forces covenant and establish a veterans' commissioner. Those are very significant for young men and women from these shores who have defended, or continue to defend, democracy all over the world. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, you and other Members in the Chamber are Irish republicans. I am a unionist with a strong British identity. Regardless of our differences, we must seek out common ground. When I visited Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry, the pupils gave me a lovely picture as a gift. It has hung in my office upstairs ever since, just above my shoulder, and, in Irish, it states, "Together we are strong". We have many differences.”
“I pledge to work in a collegiate manner with all the parties across the Chamber to ensure that our public services are improved, that every citizen feels valued and that we lay a solid foundation for the next generation. <BR /> <BR />In 2021, Northern Ireland will celebrate its centenary, and we want to do so with safer streets, better schools and a first-class health service, free at the point of need. The National Health Service is unique to the United Kingdom, and we must work together to protect and strengthen it. <BR /> <BR />In the Chamber, there are people who are British, Irish, Northern Irish and European. There are many identities. Those of us here today should have each of our identities respected. That is why we reached the fair and balanced deal, which caters for British and Irish, as well as for new and emerging identities.”
“The past three years have focused too much on division and recrimination. There is plenty of blame to go around, but the time has come to move forward with resolution. The lessons have been learnt, and it is time to get Northern Ireland moving forward again. However, the restoration of the Assembly and the Executive alone will not solve our waiting lists or reduce the staff pressures in our hospitals. Simply filling posts will not resolve the mental health challenges that our society is facing. There needs to be action, and decisions need to be made. The Bengoa report needs to be implemented. It already has cross-party agreement. It has a 10-year plan, but that was in 2016, and we have lost three years. To deliver this transformation will not be easy. It will require courageous decisions by Members on all sides of the House.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. May I first of all congratulate you as you are elected to serve as Speaker of the House? It is a role with much responsibility to ensure that Members on all Benches are heard. I look forward to working with you and, indeed, the broader Speaker team that has just been elected. <BR /> <BR />To serve as the First Minister of Northern Ireland is deeply humbling and brings with it enormous responsibility to the people whom we represent. This is the fourth anniversary of when I first took up this role. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, but today the real work starts.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I confirm that I am willing to take up the office of First Minister, and I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
“Mr Speaker, it is my great pleasure to put forward the name of Christopher Stalford MLA.”
“If it comes into force tonight, there are other options in terms of repealing, and we will make sure that we do everything we can in our conscience to protect the life of the unborn.”
“I think that, when they reflect on it and when we realise that we have no regulatory system now in place for abortions in Northern Ireland, that it is something that has been decriminalised by 12 o'clock this evening, it is with incredible sadness that we should mark this day. There will be some who will celebrate today. I have to say that this is not a day for celebration for the unborn. It is certainly not a day of celebration for them. <BR /> <BR />We may not have been able to prevent this legislation going through today, but let me say this: this is not the end of the matter. As far as this party is concerned, we will take every possible legal option open to us to try to stop it.”
“Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker, before we leave this place today, it is incumbent upon me — I am thankful to Mr Allister for raising the points that he raised — to say how terribly sad I am today about this situation. We had the opportunity today to elect a Speaker. We had the opportunity today to bring forward legislation to stop Stella Creasy's amendment coming into effect into Northern Ireland, a place that we are all very proud of and a place where today we will have the most liberal abortion laws anywhere in Europe. Just think of that for a moment: Northern Ireland will have the most liberal abortion laws anywhere in Europe. <BR /> <BR />I think this is a shameful day for those who have not come.”
“I implore you once again to share the legal advice with all of the Members of this Assembly, even those who are not here, so that we can take a fully informed view about this matter, because these are abnormal days, Mr Speaker, and we are in a very abnormal situation.”
“Further to that point of order, I have to say, Mr Speaker, you mention you would not normally share legal advice and we know that. This is not a normal sitting of the Assembly. This is a sitting to deal with some of the most fundamental issues that can affect our society today, and I implore you to take an adjournment to allow us to have that legal advice so that we can have that equality of arms, and I have to say, as well, to say that you have taken the breadth of legal advice and that you are satisfied with that legal advice, whilst not acknowledging the fact that the Attorney General has given different legal advice, is not the right route to go down.”
“Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker, having heard what my colleagues have put to you and the fact that, as I understand it, my colleagues have shared the legal advice from the Attorney General with your office, would it not be in order for you to share your legal advice with Members at this time, in order to give us the opportunity to look at it? From an equality of arms point of view, it would be the right thing to do. Given that we already delayed the sitting today, we should delay it again to allow us to look at that legal advice.”
“Not for the first time. <BR /> <BR />We will get the costs down. We will have a full, independent investigation of where all this went wrong. Today, using the mandate we earned last May, we will defeat the motion. <BR /> <BR />Let me conclude by saying that I remain as committed today as I was on the day that I was elected First Minister to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.”
“We will have a full, independent investigation — if you had been here this morning, you would have heard it.”