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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“I thank the Member for his question. Indeed, the bureaux perform a critical role for all the people of Northern Ireland. It hosts Executive Ministers and Assembly delegations when they go to the United States — I am speaking about the Washington bureau — and it has hosted many other delegations from Northern Ireland schools, universities and business. That bureau provides a very clear view of what is happening in the United States and tries to exert influence by bringing forward what is happening in Northern Ireland — in modern-day Northern Ireland, because it is very important that people have an understanding of what is going on here now. <BR /> <BR />The deputy First Minister and I will go to China at the beginning of December to open our office in Beijing.”
“Having just returned from the United States, I can testify to the ability of the Northern Ireland bureau in Washington to represent our interests at the highest level, in partnership with Invest Northern Ireland and Tourism Ireland. That strong working bond between the three offices ensures maximum impact, not just in the United States but in Canada. In the two years that it is has been operational, the Executive bureau in Beijing has established excellent working relationships with key national and provincial government bodies. I am looking forward to developing these relationships when the deputy First Minister and I visit China in December.”
“We will not be passing a Great Repeal Bill; that is a matter for the Westminster Parliament, which is sovereign in all these matters, as, indeed, colleagues in Scotland and Wales have had to face up to. Some Members in this Chamber have still not faced up to the fact that the vote on 23 June was taken right across the United Kingdom. I still hear that Northern Ireland voted to remain. Northern Ireland is a constituent part of the United Kingdom. We were all asked whether we wanted the United Kingdom to remain or to leave, and we all voted. The vote has been taken. Now let us get on with it and deal with the consequences.”
“That is where we are. We will continue to push ahead with what is right for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“I am sorry; there is a bit of noise coming from the naughty corner. <BR /> <BR />It is in everyone's interest to make the transition as smooth as possible. In doing so, we will work with the Republic of Ireland's Government, with colleagues in Scotland and Wales and with the UK Government.”
“Indeed, it just shows what good negotiators they are. You do not set out your hand before entering into negotiations. I will not undercut the negotiating hand of the Northern Ireland Executive in these matters before we start —”
“If the Member will allow me, I will answer the question. I know that she is always in a rush, but give me a minute. We would also have to deal with state aid rules. <BR /> <BR />The negotiations will be long; they will be protracted. As a country, we should not be lacking in our ambitions. I have listened to some of the disparate members of the Opposition making the case that we should set out in solid stone what our negotiation position should be. I never heard such nonsense in all my life.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is a core question and one that I have no doubt will continue to be at the core of the negotiations over the next period. Whilst access to the single market is important, we should also remember — people sometimes try to wipe the slate on the issue — that, if we were continuing as members of the European Union, we would have to deal with domestic water charges, the ever-greater inflexibility in relation to attracting foreign direct investment —”
“We had a very useful meeting during the specially convened British-Irish Council (BIC) in July. As I said, negotiations and discussions will continue bilaterally and multilaterally. I have no doubt that, when the date for the Joint Ministerial Council is set — we believe that that will be set relatively soon — we will continue to discuss matters with our Scottish, Welsh and, indeed, Republic of Ireland colleagues.”
“I am sure that some of my Europhile colleagues will be able to tell me what article 10 of the Lisbon treaty is all about. <BR /> <BR />Engagement with Her Majesty's Government will be multilayered. We will, of course, have multilateral discussions with the Irish and UK Governments and some bilateral discussions. The formal ministerial discussions will take place through a JMC format, and the deputy First Minister and I have been clear that we want to be directly involved in any negotiations so that we can put forward what is right for all the people of Northern Ireland, regardless of whether they voted to remain or to leave. We are focused on what is best for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“I think that the Member means article 50.”
“We have not received any response to our letter of 10 August, but that does not mean that we have not been communicating with Whitehall or, indeed, with our ministerial colleagues there. Here is some news for the Member: not everything is put in a letter. We sometimes speak to each other on the telephone and, indeed, by other mechanisms.”
“I thank the Member for his question. That is a matter that the Committees must take up, if they decide to set up some Committee structure. There have been occasions in the past when the Committees have come together for a particular reason. They may well believe that they want to do that on this occasion. It is a matter entirely for the Committees and for the House.”
“We have also written to the Prime Minister to set out our initial assessment of the particular challenges that Northern Ireland will face. Work continues in and between Departments to scope and refine the nature of those challenges so that our position will be informed and supported by the best information and analysis available. Discussions have also been taking place in bilateral and multilateral format between the Governments on sectoral issues and on the establishment of a formal intergovernmental forum under the auspices of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) to consider all issues regarding the exit negotiations.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I would like to group questions 3 and 6. <BR /> <BR />As I recently stated in the Chamber, while it is for the United Kingdom Government to negotiate directly on the terms of our exit from the European Union, we intend to have a full and active voice in shaping the terms of those negotiations to get what is best for the people of Northern Ireland. We welcome and are determined to see fulfilled the Prime Minister's commitment to full engagement with the Executive in preparing for the negotiations and to an inclusive UK-wide approach to and objectives for those negotiations. <BR /> <BR />Members will be aware that meetings have taken place with the Prime Minister and with the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.”
“That is what the panel report says, and I am standing by that.”
“The Member reads from the paramilitary panel report but does not reference the part of the report that says:”
“Yes. I wish that the Member would be more explicit about which one he is speaking about. Is he speaking about the one that I was at last week? I will sit down if he wants to mention the project he is referring to. <BR /> <BR />All the SIF programmes have been assessed by civil servants and have all passed what they need to pass to be allowed to draw down the money. I have absolutely no hesitation in saying that any of the SIF money that has been awarded will be put to the use for which it has been intended.”
“As a consequence of that, he has secured a full-time position with a major software company. That is exactly what it is all about. Others can say, "Oh, this hasn't happened. That hasn't happened": we are interested in real people and the outcome that can be achieved for real people, and that is what we have been able to do with individuals such as the young man whom I spoke to. I think that we will look back at SIF and say, "We are very proud of that project".”
“SIF is investing £18·5 million in employment-focused projects. Given my background, I am particularly pleased that it is supporting over 800 people through training and paid work placements. I had the opportunity to speak to a young man who was not employed but who had a real desire to get involved with the technology industry. No one would employ him because he lacked experience and had not had the opportunity to gain qualifications in the sector. After securing a placement through one of our SIF-funded employment projects, he not only gained experience and training but increased his confidence and self-belief.”
“Yes. Under the community capacity hubs, Moneymore, Broughdearg, Ballymaguigan, Castledawson and Coagh halls are ready to proceed, but I understand that there are health and safety issues with the other two halls. Those are being dealt with proactively by officials, and I have no doubt that those issues will be dealt with very quickly.”
“If it is the northern zone project that he is talking about, I understand that seven community capacity hubs will be dealt with. Five are ready to go ahead; two, however, have difficulties with health and safety. The business case has been split off so that five can go ahead while the other two have their issues dealt with. I am very pleased that the project is moving ahead.”
“Hopefully, by the time it is implemented, the Members in the official Opposition — that is the Ulster Unionist Party, because it has deemed itself the official Opposition — will get with the programme.”
“The second thing that I would advise the Member of is that the strategic investment fund is making a huge impact on areas across Northern Ireland. I am really disappointed to hear that the Ulster Unionists have still not got what is happening in their own constituencies. What is actually happening is that we are making a real impact on constituents. We are helping them through employment programmes. Indeed, Mr Speaker, I was delighted to be in your constituency just last week making a very good announcement about employability and allowing people to be employed where otherwise they would not have had the opportunity to be so. Some £80 million will be spent in relation to SIF.”
“The first thing that I would advise the Member to do is to calm down.”
“All £9 million of the funding allocated to the northern zone has been committed to the six projects prioritised by the local steering group. Delivery is progressing at pace, with three of the projects, worth almost £4·5 million, now operational and providing vital support and opportunities in local communities. The community capacity hubs project, worth almost £1·7 million and funding improvements to seven community premises, has commenced. The two remaining projects, focused on mental health support and fuel poverty and worth almost £2·8 million, are committed. Work is ongoing to finalise the implementation plan and to commence the projects as quickly as possible.”
“The reality is absolutely that we are leaving the EU. Already this morning, we have heard the suggestion, not from the party opposite but from other parties, that article 50 will not be triggered. That is certainly not my sense when I speak to David Davis and Liam Fox. I know that my colleague had a meeting with Greg Clark when he came to Northern Ireland. It is certainly not my sense of where the Prime Minister is in relation to these matters. We are leaving the European Union. It is, therefore, imperative that we represent the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland — I believe that we will — in getting what is right for them. That is our primary focus. It was my focus the day after the referendum, it is still my focus, and it will continue to be so.”
“We will have a direct voice at the table. Whether that is through a mechanism called the Joint Ministerial Committee or some other mechanism, we, jointly, are very clear that it will be a direct voice because we feel strongly that, to represent the people of Northern Ireland at the table, we must be there and we must be heard.”
“Let me say to the Member that I was here for the deputy First Minister's answers, and that is not what he said about our negotiations with London. The Prime Minister visited here in the last week of July, and we were very clear with her that not only would we have a voice in what happens in the European Union exit but that it would be a direct voice at the table so that no unintended consequences could occur for the people of Northern Ireland in the leaving of the European Union.”
“I know that that is true for many companies across Northern Ireland. We will continue to value their contribution as we enter this period of negotiation between our own Government and the members of the European Union.”
“Of course, that will be a matter for negotiation between the Prime Minister and the European Union. All four freedoms will have to be looked at, including the movement of people. The Prime Minister has been very clear that she has listened to the vote and to the message that it gave about the free movement of people. Therefore, I expect that she will have something to say about that. <BR /> <BR />In negotiations, one does not show one's hand because one ends up in the position where everyone knows that that is the bottom line. I presume that this is something that we will have very close negotiations on, particularly at our joint meetings with the United Kingdom Government. We look forward to those discussions because we here in Northern Ireland value the contribution made by those who have come to Northern Ireland to work.”
“Despite all the predictions, I think that the economy has been presenting itself well. Of course, we are assisted in that, particularly those who want to export, with the lowering of the pound, which was getting to an overvalued stage. As I say, we will continue to look at the talent of our young people as our best natural resource, and we will talk about the fact that this is a good place to do business in terms of costs for businesses. Then, of course, we look forward to the proposition of lowering our rate of corporation tax in April 2018, when we will have the talent, the cost and the tax offering. We have a very strong proposition, and we will continue to sell it.”
“What is that about? Does it exclude me? I live in the south-west of Northern Ireland; this talks about the north-east of the island. In any event, I am sure that other Members will want to look in great detail at the Ulster Unionist document. <BR /> <BR />The thing about the Ulster Unionist Party is that it opted out. It opted out of the Executive, and it opted out of helping to make decisions for the people of Northern Ireland. Therefore, it is left to the Executive and to the deputy First Minister and me to present the best way possible for the people of Northern Ireland, and we will do that.”
“Then, bizarrely, it talks about some "pre-Brexit legacy project" for:”
“I still find it bizarre that a unionist party would seek to talk about those issues.”
“It is very difficult to take some of this back, is it not? It is very difficult to take back the fact that, since 2010, there has not been one suggestion as to how we would progress with that enterprise zone for the whole of Northern Ireland, even though it was first talked about then. <BR /> <BR />We also have a tripling of investment for infrastructure, despite the fact that the deputy First Minister and I were roundly criticised for borrowing money. We were asked where that money was coming from and whether we were borrowing it. There seems to be very little detail on that issue. <BR /> <BR />There is, of course, the talk of an awakening of constitutional arguments around Irish and Scottish nationalism. I think that we can say that that was dealt with last week.”
“A Northern Ireland-wide enterprise zone was first mooted by his party when it stood under the umbrella of UCUNF back in 2010. However, at that particular —”
“I intend to continue the work that we have already started regarding the EU. The deputy First Minister and I asked Invest Northern Ireland to set up a stakeholder group, which has already met on a number of occasions, to speak directly to business about where concerns and opportunities lie when it comes to our exit from the European Union. That is something that we did very quickly. <BR /> <BR />I will not say that I have had the benefit of reading it, but I have read the document that was published to much fanfare yesterday. I am not sure whether it is the official Ulster Unionist document, the official Opposition document or the continuity Ulster Unionist document. I do have the document, however, which is entirely uncosted — no surprise there. It is also a document that brings forward propositions that are some six to 10 years old.”
“I will be saying to potential first-time investors in Northern Ireland that we have a very good proposition for them here. The deputy First Minister and I have been pleased to make some announcements since the Assembly election and the European Union referendum took place about people coming to and investing in Northern Ireland. There is much more that we can do around all of that. Indeed, he and I intend to go to China towards the end of this year to talk about trade but also to look for investment opportunities from China into Northern Ireland. We will continue to support the work of our Economy Minister. I am very passionate about wanting to create more and better jobs. It was part of the five-point plan that I stood on in the Assembly elections and is something that I will continue to push vociferously.”
“Look, there will be short-term challenges ahead. I am not going to shy away from those, but I fundamentally believe that the medium- and longer-term interests of this part of the United Kingdom and all of the United Kingdom are best served outside of the European Union. To those who do not think that it is going to happen and who say, "'What does 'Brexit means Brexit' mean?", I say that it means that we are leaving the European Union institutions. It does not mean that we are leaving Europe. It gives us a huge opportunity to move forward as a country.”
“I have heard many things since the European Union referendum but that was probably the most bizarre. It ranked up there with the time that I was with the deputy First Minister at the Committee for the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister before the election and was accused of being a "Remainer", which was bizarre in the extreme, however, these things come to us all.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he well knows, the Belfast Agreement of 10 April 1998 is an international agreement that was signed by two sovereign Governments: the United Kingdom Government; and the Republic of Ireland Government. Therefore, the contents of the Belfast Agreement, though some of us would like to change some elements in it, still remain in place.”
“As I said, we will continue to work with our colleagues not only in the United Kingdom Government but in the Republic of Ireland Government so that we can work out what is best for each side of the border. That, to me, is the best way to move forward in negotiations. Of course, negotiations will take some time; they may well be protracted, but we should not be lacking in ambition for what we want to see for Northern Ireland moving forward. People who continually look for challenges and problems, instead of looking for opportunities and ambition, really do depress me at times. It is about time people had ambition for the place they represent, instead of talking it down.”
“I remind the Member that there was never a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Those of us who were the subject of a terrorist campaign wished for a hard border at times, however, that did not occur. If he is talking about the military presence in the border area, that was completely different from what may be needed in the future for customs. The reason it was there was to deal with a terrorist threat at that particular time, and there will be no return to that because of what we have achieved here in this place to present a positive and peaceful Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />We can negotiate with our colleagues in the European Union about what is best for both sides of the border.”
“I look forward to continuing our discussions with colleagues in Westminster. Of course, it is for the United Kingdom Government to negotiate the terms of our exit from the European Union, but as the deputy First Minister said in relation to the previous statement, we intend to have a full and active voice at the table to get what is best for all the people of Northern Ireland.”
“Those are concerns that we share as well. Just because I campaigned for Brexit does not mean that there will not be short-term issues that need to be dealt with. However, in the medium to long term, I believe that it will be right for the United Kingdom to be outside the European Union. That does not mean to say that we do not have to deal with short-term challenges. Of course, we set out those short-term challenges in our letter to our Prime Minister on 10 August, and those challenges are shared across the Administrations. Of course, we will have the additional challenge of having a border with the European Union once we leave Europe, and we intend to make sure that that does not present an impediment to trade and to people wanting to visit Northern Ireland in the future.”
“I look forward to working alongside my Executive colleagues to present a positive front for the future of Northern Ireland and what we can do for all our people.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It amazed me slightly that some Members of the House — not just Ministers — took the opportunity after the European Union referendum to talk down Northern Ireland as a destination for foreign direct investment. They should hang their heads in shame, frankly. For them to call themselves unionists is quite beyond me. <BR /> <BR />As an Administration, we will continue to seek further foreign direct investment because our proposition has not changed. Our talent, our young people, the skills that we have, the fact that we have a low-cost base to do business out of and have attracted so much foreign direct investment over this past period stands us all in good stead.”
“That is of interest to me, and I intend to have further discussions about that with Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. It was a very useful meeting, and that, of course, is what the statement is about.”
“That question is not relevant to what happened at the meeting in Wales. That meeting was formatted to discuss the outcome of the European referendum in the United Kingdom. Part of the benefit of meeting in that format is that we get to speak to those member Administrations that are not members of the European Union and to learn from their experiences in how they deal with members of the European Union. I found it very interesting to hear from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man as to how their protocol 3 rights are dealt with in Europe and how they manage to deal with other issues on which we have been able to deal directly with Europe because of our membership of the European Union. However, they have managed very well outside the European Union.”