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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“<BR /> <BR />During discussions, Ministers collectively reaffirmed the importance of the Council as a key institution of the 1998 agreement and an important and unique forum to share views, enhance cooperation and strengthen relationships amongst all member Administrations at this time. They reiterated their commitment to facilitating harmonious and mutually beneficial relationships among the people of these islands. It was agreed that the Council should be fully utilised to ensure that all member Administrations work together to this end. The Council also agreed that an update on developments following the referendum result, including for the BIC work sectors, would be facilitated at the next BIC summit. <BR /> <BR />As a final item of business, the Council noted that the next BIC summit would be hosted again by Wales in November 2016.”
“Council members offered their condolences to the people of France following the terrorist attacks in Nice in July and to victims of conflicts around the world. <BR /> <BR />Member Administrations discussed the result of the referendum and reflected on the implications for each individual BIC member Administration, including those Administrations that are not part of the European Union, as well as for the Council as a whole. The Council noted that implications arise in a number of priority areas, in particular, the economy and trade, the common travel area, relations with the European Union and the status of all citizens affected by the change. It further noted that the process for implementing the referendum outcome would become clearer in the coming months.”
“The Scottish Government delegation was led by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon. The Isle of Man Government were led by the Chief Minister, the Hon Allan Bell MHK. The Government of Jersey were led by the Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, and the Government of Guernsey were led by the Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier. A full list of delegation members is attached to the copy of this statement provided to Members.”
“This was an extraordinary summit of the Council, hosted by the Welsh Government and convened specifically to consider the outcome of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union. The heads of delegations were welcomed by the First Minister, the Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM. The Irish Government delegation was led by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD. The UK Government delegation was jointly led by the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Rt Hon Alun Cairns, Secretary of State for Wales.”
“Mr Speaker, in accordance with the requirements of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, I wish to make the following statement on the 27th summit meeting of the British-Irish Council, which took place in Cathays Park, Cardiff, on 22 July 2016. The deputy First Minister and I attended the summit, and he has agreed that I make this statement also on his behalf. <BR /> <BR />The British-Irish Council was established as part of the multi-party agreement reached in Belfast on 10 April 1998. The Council plays a valuable role in developing and furthering links between its eight member Administrations. It provides a dynamic forum for exchange of information and collaboration on policies of mutual interest, and it fosters positive, practical relationships across these islands.”
“We will continue to work for all the citizens of Northern Ireland and that is our clear mandate.”
“Representatives from our three international offices in Brussels, Washington and Beijing will consider implications from their perspectives and provide briefings to us shortly. <BR /> <BR />We are determined to use our influence to build for the future, provide stable leadership at home and reassure those concerned that Northern Ireland will continue to be an excellent place to do business. The coming weeks and months will, I have no doubt, present many challenges both to the deputy First Minister and myself. However, we have both made it clear that, whatever the outcome of the referendum, we would work to do what was right for the people of Northern Ireland. We said that before the referendum. We told the Committee that that would be our position. Our position has not changed.”
“<BR /> <BR />You will know that our proposition majors on two key factors, talent and cost, and those have not changed. We expect to continue to drive forward on foreign direct investment. If you consider the list of FDI successes over the past five years — Allstate, Concentrix, Alexander Mann, Deloitte, PwC, EY, CME Group, WhiteHat Security, Capita, Cayan, Baker McKenzie, Allen and Overy, Herbert Smith Freehills, and Teleperformance to name but a few — you find that they are all servicing either the United States of America or the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />Sir Malcolm McKibbin will also travel to Brussels later this week to meet our Members of the European Parliament and British, Irish and European Union representatives, as well as meeting senior Whitehall representation next week in London.”
“<BR /> <BR />For our part, as leaders of the Executive, we are agreed and determined that our specific circumstances in Northern Ireland must be accounted for in any new arrangements that are developed. <BR /> <BR />The chief executive of Invest Northern Ireland is, this week, in the United States and will establish a liaison group with the business community in Northern Ireland. In foreign direct investment, we almost exclusively target cost-centre opportunities, as we do not yet have a tax profit advantage, something that we hope to have in the future. Cost centres are mainly offshore services centres for their parent operations, and the majority of them are based in the United States of America or GB, so market access is not an issue for them.”
“Sir Malcolm McKibbin, as head of the Civil Service, has also held formal discussions with his UK counterpart this afternoon, and we have asked the head of the Civil Service to establish individual departmental teams at senior level and to put in place an overarching central administrative and political governance structure, as well as formal east-west, North/South and EU liaison teams that will report directly to me and the deputy First Minister. Each Department will establish a senior team to consider the potential implication for their departmental functions, legislation and regulations, as well as identifying future challenges and opportunities. Those teams will liaise with Whitehall, Irish and EU counterparts to ensure that we get the best possible deal that we can for Northern Ireland.”
“The deputy First Minister and I have also requested an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister in the coming weeks to discuss matters further. We will meet with the Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, next Monday to commence discussions on the nature of our relationship going forward. Executive Ministers have been in contact with one another throughout the weekend and over the course of today, and a full meeting of the Executive will take place on Wednesday, at which the main discussion point will be how we deliver the best possible outcomes for Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />The priority of the Executive will be to ensure that Northern Ireland's interests are protected and advanced and that new opportunities are developed as part of any arrangements with the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland as well as with other European neighbours. We will seek to work with Executive colleagues to plan for the new realities and maximise the benefits to Northern Ireland of this changed situation. <BR /> <BR />The deputy First Minister and I were elected with a huge mandate to work for our people, and we remain determined to do so. We have a window of opportunity in the coming months to ensure that we do all we can to deliver the best possible outcome for all our people. <BR /> <BR />We have already spoken to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not think that I will need 30 minutes. I am responding on behalf of the Executive. This has been agreed with the deputy First Minister. <BR /> <BR />Following the outcome of the referendum, the deputy First Minister and I will act to represent the best interests of Northern Ireland. Until such times as new arrangements are negotiated and take effect, we want to make it clear that business continues as usual and that normal arrangements for the flow of goods and services and travel remain in place. <BR /> <BR />We assure citizens from other European Union countries living here that we value and recognise the contribution they make to our society; I have already indicated that in response to a question from Mr Maskey earlier today, but it is important to underline the point.”
“Of course, the dealing with the past part of Fresh Start is something which, we regret, could not be taken forward at that time. We are engaged in trying to move that forward; I am hopeful that we will be able to move it forward. Then all victims, and indeed those who have suffered in a very real and tangible way, will be able to get closure on their issues.”
“Indeed, there are many families right across Northern Ireland who still pursue truth and justice. It is one of the saddest indictments of society in Northern Ireland that so many people who had loved ones cut away and murdered will never be able to have justice and closure. I spent some time with families yesterday in Killen, Castlederg. They lost loved ones to terrorism along the Tyrone border. My message to them was this: I will not allow the past to be rewritten. I am very clear on that. There are some attempts to do that, and I will not countenance it.”
“It was really very sad to watch the images of Darren Rodgers's funeral and that of the other gentleman who died of a heart attack. We recognise that there were moments of great sadness, as well, during the campaign. We hope that their families take some comfort from the fact that they are part of a much wider family.”
“At the start of the tournament, there was a lot of concern about fans because of some of the threats that were around and also because of, let us be honest, the English and the Russian fans. However, I am very pleased to say that the Northern Ireland fans, and Republic of Ireland fans, played a marvellous role. Both sets of fans were brilliant. They really lifted the spirits. 'Will Grigg's on fire' is now trending in France. Who would have thought it? And poor Will did not even get a kick of the ball. That just shows the quirkiness of our fans, and I thank them. There are many behind me who were out in France with the fans, and I thank them for their positivity and professionalism. <BR /> <BR />I also want to reflect on the fact that two fans lost their life when they were in France.”
“Because I am in this privileged position, I had the opportunity to go out and be with the team on two occasions. Let me say that I am so proud of Michael O'Neill and the Northern Ireland football team. I have to mention, in particular, Michael McGovern, who is from my home town of Enniskillen. My goodness, that game with Germany was difficult to watch. I think I was behind the settee for most of it. It was an absolutely fabulous masterclass in football. I take the opportunity to thank the support staff as well. They were marvellous in the way in which they supported the team and provided information to all the fans, so that we knew what was going on through social media. They had a marvellous social media campaign that allowed everyone to keep in touch.”
“As I mentioned on Friday, the fishing industry will very much welcome the vote last Thursday. It has been given back some control over something that has been really constrained over the years, particularly when our Agriculture Minister was at the fisheries meeting in December. The industry will very much welcome that. I know that other ministerial colleagues are talking to their officials and asking them to assess where we can be more flexible and competitive. I welcome that. As I said before, I look forward to receiving information on how we can take that forward.”
“I am not suggesting that we have a free hand to do everything that we would wish to do, but there is more flexibility now and that is something that we need to explore.”
“Absolutely. I have been listening intently to the debate on the European Union and the UK's exit from it. I note that Mr Beggs talked about FG Wilson and the manufacturing that went on there. In the past, we were constrained, by state aid rules and energy policy, from stepping in and helping manufacturing companies. We all know that. We have been constrained in when we can intervene to help the mobile and broadband market because of state aid rules. I think that Mr Aiken mentioned air passenger duty as well: we have been really constrained in what we can do to increase connectivity while helping airlines and airports. So, there are opportunities. Of course, they all have to be costed; I recognise that fully.”
“We were aware of a threat from the European Union that it would insist that we brought in some charging for water services in Northern Ireland. That the threat has now been lifted by our leaving the European Union is something that I very much welcome. We opposed water charges again recently in our manifesto during the Assembly election. I note that the Republic of Ireland has been told by the Commission that it cannot get rid of water charges, and that is something for everyone to ponder on the opposite side.”
“Yes. Over the weekend — maybe this is a sad reflection on me — I was reading a very good book, which I recommend to all Members, by John Bew on Viscount Castlereagh. When he was developing plans for the Act of Union in 1799 and 1800, he talked about the potential and ambition that could come from it. Likewise, I absolutely and fundamentally believe that this vote gives us the opportunity for ambition, innovation, flexibility and imagination. I hope that everybody steps up to the mark and takes that opportunity.”
“Absolutely. It is something that we should send out a strong message on from here today. The vote on Thursday was to leave the institutions of the European Union; it was not to leave Europe. We have close ties with the peoples of Europe, and those close ties will continue.”
“I absolutely want to take the opportunity — I thank him for giving it to me, although I was probably going to touch on it during my wind-up to the debate, which is coming up soon — to reassure them that we absolutely value what they have contributed to Northern Ireland. I do not think that any right-thinking person would say anything different because we recognise how they have come into our society, how they have integrated, and how they are helping us to develop economically.”
“When I indicated what our party position would be, I said also — something that I repeated at the Executive Committee just a couple of weeks ago with the deputy First Minister — that whatever the outcome of the referendum, I would, after the referendum, work for the good of all the people of Northern Ireland in any negotiations. I know that there are a lot of people in Northern Ireland who are disappointed, there are a lot of people who are angry, and a lot of people who have made all sorts of terrible prophesies of doom. If others want to engage in navel-gazing, that is fine. My focus is on doing what is right for all the people of Northern Ireland in the negotiations that will be coming up very soon.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have heard a lot said today, principally from the Member's party, about respecting the 55% who voted Remain, and I will, as will the deputy First Minister, respect that view. However, the Member has to respect the view that 44% of people in Northern Ireland voted to leave, and the United Kingdom, which is the member state that engages with the European Union, voted to leave. <BR /> <BR />We can talk about all these different computations, but the campaign is over, the vote has been taken, and now our focus in the Executive, particularly between the deputy First Minister and me, is to make sure that Northern Ireland's best interests are preserved in the negotiations to leave.”
“Of course, the mandated instruction was not to this place. The mandated instruction was to the United Kingdom Parliament. As I think Mr Allister pointed out in an intervention earlier today, when we voted on Thursday, we were asked whether we wanted the United Kingdom to leave the European Union or to remain. I do, of course, accept that the majority of people in Northern Ireland — mostly in the west of the Province, which I represent — decided that they wanted to remain in the European Union. There is no real surprise there. At the beginning of the referendum campaign, we were told that up to 75% would vote to remain in the European Union. As it turned out, it was 56% and 44%.”
“The Civic Forum, which operated for just two years between 2000 and 2002, was not then reconvened when devolution was restored in 2007. Back between 2000 and 2002, the purpose of the forum was to provide views on social, economic and, indeed, cultural matters. The Stormont House Agreement provides for the establishment of a civic advisory panel as the new model for civic engagement. I think that it will be more focused because it will be a lot smaller, and it is envisaged that it will be on a non-statutory basis. Every effort will be made to minimise administration costs in connection with the new civic panel.”
“Steps for the establishment of the civic advisory panel were set out in the Stormont Agreement and implementation plan. It anticipates a panel of six people, with members, including the chair, being identified and appointed by then OFMDFM — now the Executive Office — and the panel being tasked by the Executive to consider specific strategic issues relevant to the Programme for Government and report to the Executive, although it may also propose subjects that it wishes to consider and seek agreement from the Executive to do so. As I have indicated, consideration is currently being given to identifying and appointing panel members.”
“I believe that the Delivering Social Change project and programme has pioneered the co-design way of doing things, and the partnership approach that has been engaged in in that project is actually helping us to develop the way in which we want to roll out the Programme for Government framework. The Programme for Government framework is very reflective of the principles and objectives of Delivering Social Change. It really has led the way for the outcomes-focused Programme for Government, and I think that it offers real potential to guide further changes that we want to see emerging in respect of the Programme for Government. It has worked well, and we will use the processes now to help us to deliver on the Programme for Government whilst engaging still with our partners in Atlantic Philanthropies.”
“Three providers have now been appointed to cover the other four trust areas, and the contract for the southern area has recently been advertised, with a closing date of 4 July 2016. It is in place, it is working, and I value the work that it does.”
“Absolutely. Dementia has, I think, affected every family in Northern Ireland, not unlike cancer. I very much welcome the work that is ongoing through the project. It consists of three discrete work streams. The first is raising awareness and information and support. The second is training and development and delirium. The third is on short breaks and support to carers. I think that we all recognise that support to carers in particular is a fundamental piece of work. We are all too aware of the mental stress that is put on people who are caring for a loved one with dementia. They need help and support, and they need to get away and have respite. We therefore very much welcome the support for carers that is being delivered by all five trusts but led by the Member's own Southern Health and Social Care Trust.”
“A Delivering Social Change framework programme led by the Department of Health and jointly funded with Atlantic Philanthropies focuses on dementia services and includes a package of dementia projects that aim to transform the commissioning, design and delivery of dementia services. The programme makes a significant improvement in the quality of care and support for people — this particularly affects older people — to maintain their independence and to live independently with the condition for as long as possible and delivers an improved understanding of dementia in wider society. Policy responsibility for older people transferred to the Department for Communities on 9 May.”
“Absolutely. The deputy First Minister and I intend to have further discussions on the MLK site probably over the summer and into the autumn. It is very much in our in tray. We recognise the potential of the site. It is because we recognise the potential of the site that we want to make good things happen on it. So, yes, we will engage again to make sure that that happens.”
“To be blunt, other funds are available, whether it is private funding or other investors coming in from other parts of the world having shown interest in the MLK site. We need to find a way forward on the MLK site. I recognise that, and the deputy First Minister recognises that, therefore, for us, it is something we need to grapple with and get down to dealing with in the near future.”
“Of course, there is great potential on the Maze/Long Kesh site, but, unfortunately, there is not political agreement on how we can move forward at present. That does not mean that nothing is happening on the site. The Member, in particular, will be aware of the yet again fabulous Royal Ulster Agricultural Society show that happened on the Maze/Long Kesh site in May of this year. As with the three previous shows, this year's show was regarded as extremely successful. Attendance figures are not yet available, but the corporation has indicated that in excess of 100,000 people attended this year's show. Whilst we continue to hope that we can find a resolution on the future development of the MLK site, there is still activity on the site.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 5 and 7 together. <BR /> <BR />There is no current agreement on the Maze/Long Kesh site issues. It is a prime site in a key location, and we hope we can find a resolution that will see the site developed.”
“Certainly, it is our hope that we will have it by then. We are working with our colleague the Justice Minister to have the action plan in place. I think we have received a draft of it, and we are discussing it at the moment. We hope to discuss it further at the Executive Committee on Wednesday of this week.”
“Of course, they were being quite aggressive on those issues, but, because of the vote on Thursday, the issue of second-round impacts, never mind the cost, is something that we will want to revisit. I am sure the Finance Minister will want to look at all those issues. This gives us an opportunity to revisit the issues where we were having difficulties with the second-hand effects.”
“My ministerial colleagues are already tasking their officials to look at where Europe has been a drag on our competitiveness, our flexibility and our ability to do business in an innovative and imaginative way. I look forward to hearing from ministerial colleagues on all those issues because, of course, that will form part of how we move forward in Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.”
“On the first question about the civic advisory panel, I can advise the Member that the deputy First Minister and I have spoken about that for a number of weeks and that we hope to be able to make an announcement about it in the coming weeks. That is in active discussions at present. As I said, we have made good progress on the paramilitary panel and the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition and, indeed, look forward to working with that commission. <BR /> <BR />It will not surprise the Member to know that I believe that we have a huge moment of opportunity, ambition and potential. It is up to us in the Executive Office to make sure that we are well equipped to deal with that potential and ambition.”
“Of course, one of the difficulties with a reduction in corporation tax was that we would have to pay for it out of our block grant allocation because of a European Union ruling — the Azores judgement. We will want to explore with Her Majesty's Treasury, as a matter of some urgency, what impact the decision on Thursday has to that removal from our block, because, of course, we have committed to the devolution of corporation tax powers by April 2018. We will want to try to look at the affordability of all that. I assure the Member that that is one of the issues that we wish to speak to the Prime Minister and the Treasury about. It is one of many issues, but it is one that we have on our radar.”
“We continue to make good progress on implementing the commitments that we made in 'A Fresh Start'. We are due to meet the Secretary of State and the Irish Government on Wednesday afternoon to discuss implementation, after which, it is our intention to publish a progress report. We believe that we have a good story to tell. In the last few weeks, for example, we have published the three-person panel report on disbanding paramilitary groups and appointed the co-chairs of the new Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition. We will also finalise the membership of the civic advisory panel shortly.”
“As everyone is probably aware, senior civil servants must approve draft responses to FOI requests. Departmental directors have been directed that they must allocate sufficient resources to ensure that FOI requests are responded to within the statutory timescales. <BR /> <BR />We are very much aware of the difficulties of the past and are trying to deal with those. We have also put in place enhanced systems for the tracking and monitoring of requests to make sure that we encourage adherence to deadlines. FOI performance is also reviewed at a weekly senior management meeting. We have put in place measures to try to deal with issues that have arisen in the past.”
“I hope — indeed, I believe — that we have started on a good footing in this mandate. Of four requests under consideration, none are beyond the deadline of 20 working days. We have made a good start. It is recognised that OFMDFM is not like any other Department. We receive a lot of requests that are sensitive, and many are very political in nature. In responding to requests, we have to give them all due consideration and make sure that we answer them in the appropriate way for the person making them. It also has to be recognised — it is political reality — that the ministerial input in releasing freedom of information requests has to be agreed between two political parties. We recognise that there were difficulties in the past and are determined to try to deal with those issues in the future.”
“Between 1 January 2011 and 17 June 2016, our Department received 763 valid freedom of information (FOI) requests, of which 373 — 49% — were answered within 20 working days.”
“With maths and English support at Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, and literacy support for primary-school children, we are making a very practical difference to the lives of those young people.”
“As I said, some revenue projects are very exciting. We are investing £18·5 million in employment-focused projects, and, through that, supporting over 500 people through training and paid work placements. A sum of £5·7 million has been invested in early intervention projects across the SIF zones, and almost 1,200 participants are availing themselves of those services. Feedback from parents has been encouraging insofar as we are changing the behaviours of young people who otherwise may even have found themselves in care — it is as radical as that — and I think that we should be very proud that we are helping those young people to realise their potential. <BR /> <BR />Another area that we are focusing on is education.”
“Of course, Mr Farry fails to recognise that we are in a different era now. We are in an era of working right across government and one in which the published Programme for Government includes firm outcomes. The deputy First Minister and I feel very strongly that we want outcomes as opposed to processes, and SIF will, I think, give us outcomes right across Departments. The Member said that other Departments might have been better placed, but that is not the era that we are in now. We are in an era of joined-up government, making sure that everyone knows where we want to be in five and 10 years' time, and we will use programmes such as this to deliver on that.”