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 accommodating me and enabling me to speak to some businesses in his constituency on Friday. I found it very useful, and I thank him for that. I was alarmed at the extra costs that those businesses have to incur. Some of them are passing those on to consumers and clients, which is very worrying, so we are seeing a reduction in choice and an increase in cost as a result of the protocol being implemented in the fashion that it has been. <BR /> <BR />We have heard already from the chief vet in Northern Ireland that the number of checks that he would be required to do if the grace periods were to come to an end would be unworkable. The checks being carried out at present are completely disproportionate to the risk to the single market. We are all very aware of that.”
“The solution and the way to deal with all the huge difficulties that businesses are facing is to replace the protocol. That is very clear because just when you think that you have answered one issue with the protocol, another arises. That is the difficulty with the protocol because, as the European Union continues to implement regulations, we will diverge from the internal market of the United Kingdom. Therefore, the protocol needs to be dealt with, and I support businesses in doing that. <BR /> <BR />I spent some of Friday hearing about the extra costs that businesses are having to absorb as a result of this iniquitous protocol, and it is long past the time for our Government to act to make sure that the protocol is gone.”
“Throughout all our engagement, we have taken every opportunity to highlight the need to resolve issues and to ensure that the additional burdens and costs for our people and our businesses are minimised. <BR /> <BR />One of the key agreed objectives of the Executive is to ensure, in so far as is possible, unfettered trade between ourselves and the rest of the United Kingdom. As an Executive, we regularly review related issues to the end of the transition period as well as preparations for the end of the grace periods, including those that the United Kingdom Government unilaterally extended in March 2021.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 4 and 10 together. Since the end of the transition period, it has been a priority for our Department and the wider Executive to identify, assess and seek to resolve issues that are having an impact on our businesses. The deputy First Minister and I met Michael Gove and the European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefcovic to outline the challenges that we face, and I note their public commitment to find solutions and to engage with our business groups and civic society. <BR /> <BR />We continue to engage at ministerial and official level with the United Kingdom Government and others as relevant.”
“Again, with your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister Lyons will answer the question.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister Lyons will answer the question.”
“I thank the Member for her question. A range of engagements with key stakeholders go back a number of years to before the Assembly was reconstituted in 2007. We took a number of views on the exemption in the last mandate. Officials will re-engage with the work as soon as they can, given the pandemic pressures, particularly on staffing in our office and, indeed, in the Department of Education. There is a clear need to deal with the matter, and I hope that the Member understands that that is my position.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary and, indeed, his original question. I share his frustration. It seems like we have been talking for ever about the fair employment exemption and, indeed, the certificate for religious education in the maintained sector. Of course, we understand why the maintained sector seeks to have that for a number of teachers, but why should all teachers have to have the certificate for religious education if applying to the maintained sector? I share the Member's deep frustration. I feel that this needs to be dealt with, and I say that clearly because the Member asked where the blockage was: it is certainly not with me. I believe that there is a need to deal with the issue. He is right: if we are to have sharing across Northern Ireland, we should, of course, have it for our schoolteachers.”
“The provision has been part of our law since 1976. It was introduced to maintain a balance in the religious composition of the teaching workforce by allowing schools in the controlled sector to have regard to the community background of teachers when making appointments. Schools in the maintained sector may be able to rely on the occupational requirement of a religious education qualification for appointments to posts in that sector. Things have changed since 1976, and we need to review the provision. Our officials have had some preliminary engagement with the Department of Education, as any such review will be taken forward collaboratively with the education sector. Progress on that work has, of course, been impeded by the current crisis and the pressure on staff and ministerial time.”
“He fulfilled his pledge, he kept his word, and we are all the better for it. That is our common debt to him. His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh truly had a life well lived to the full. <BR /> <BR />In closing, Mr Speaker, I welcome the respectful way in which you and the parties have responded to the passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh. I think that the unity of spirit has been evident. So, let us all harness and channel that spirit moving ahead as the Assembly and Executive work through the very real and significant challenges that face us. The Duke of Edinburgh demonstrated the desire for a better future, particularly for our younger generation. Let us embrace his legacy to positive effect as we all go about the job of seeing Northern Ireland reach its full potential in the century ahead of us.”
“He redefined the role of a royal, working with hundreds of different causes and organisations, with younger people, service and driving British innovation at the centre of his efforts. His work with the World Wildlife Fund was literally decades ahead of its time, and over two million young people have gained a Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Proudly, Northern Ireland boasts the highest participation levels in the award scheme in the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />So, there is a true intergenerational legacy to our youth, our United Kingdom and the world's environment. Yet, as we remember our much loved monarch and her family in our prayers, our nation's deepest gratitude is for what His Royal Highness did on 2 June 1953 and every day until his death. When Her Majesty was crowned in Westminster Abbey, Prince Philip pledged to:”
“He served with the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean, the North Sea and the Far East, even being present at the Japanese surrender. After the war, romance blossomed with his life partner, Queen Elizabeth. He was her bedrock as they served us, our country and our Commonwealth. All of this was carried out with dedication, humanity and humour; a sometimes blunt humour, which we got to appreciate here on the many occasions when he visited Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />In this era, too many too readily pour scorn over the traditional values that he exemplified. When you see what his values achieved throughout his life, you see how traditional values can shape a better world. He showed, of course, that you can believe in the best of tradition and in the inevitability of change at the same time.”
“The life of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was shaped by history, consciously and unconsciously. The ramifications, disruptions and consequences of the First World War resulted in his family's exile from Greece. In his childhood, he was effectively alone. He was taken under the care of the Mountbatten family, principally Lord Mountbatten, someone of whom, of course, he was robbed later in life by a PIRA bomb. Such momentous disruption could easily have led that young child to withdraw from life, but each burden was borne on his young shoulders. As he came of age, the world entered its second war. He joined the fight against fascism and put into practice the values that he would exemplify for the rest of his life: duty, loyalty and service.”
“In the Assembly, our democratic forum, we will always have our differences and our different legitimate expectations, but the only bedrock on which we can move forward successfully is to recommit ourselves to redoubling our efforts to solve each and every one of the challenges that we face through politics. A stable and prosperous Northern Ireland requires a solution to all our challenges built on the firm foundation that every citizen is equal under the law and is equally subject to the law, regardless of background or status.”
“We cannot allow a new generation of our young people to fall victim to that path or be preyed on by some who prefer the shadows to the light. Political problems require political solutions, never street violence. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland is faced with a number of deep and significant political challenges in the time ahead. We must work through those challenges collectively. Responsible leadership will not cherry-pick the problems that are easiest. Responsible leadership means actively listening to views that people may not agree with or want to hear. Responsible leadership will not deny the existence of the most politically difficult challenges or wish them away. Responsible leadership will not leave things to fester or worsen.”
“We are indebted to the police officers who stand between order and those who prefer anarchy. We are also indebted to all the political representatives, community leaders, parents, pastors and others who have sought to calm tension and urge restraint. Rioting, criminality and wanton destruction destroy lives and livelihoods and bring fear and misery to local communities It is not in the name of the people who live in the areas impacted on. I have spoken to some of those people, and it is certainly not in their name. <BR /> <BR />Today is not the time to rehearse the arguments of the last number of weeks, save to say that we should all know well that, when politics fail or are perceived to be failing in Northern Ireland, those who fill the vacuum offer destruction and despair.”
“I apologise for my voice today. I hope that Members can at least make out some of what I am saying. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the motion before the House today. The scenes that we have seen last evening and on previous evenings in various parts of Northern Ireland are totally unacceptable. There can be no place in our society for violence or the threat of violence, and it must stop. Just as it was wrong in the past and was never justified, it is wrong now and cannot be justified. The injuries to front-line officers, victims being terrorised, damage to people's property and harm to Northern Ireland's image in this, our centenary year, have taken us backwards. No brick, bottle or petrol bomb thrown has achieved, or can ever achieve, anything but destruction, harm and fear.”
“If we are to do what is right, we must unite around that principle with no exceptions and no special favours for Sinn Féin or anyone else. While the deputy First Minister, the Finance Minister and their colleagues have tried to justify their behaviour and excuse their elitist attitudes to everything that has happened, we cannot tread that path. <BR /> <BR />I and my party stand with the families who sacrificed so very much for the common good of Northern Ireland. The battle to defend and protect the principle of equality before the law is more intense than ever, but it is a cause that we must win for everyone.”
“I was not confused about the regulations. We had many discussions about policy. We took advice from our Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and our Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA), and there are many funerals that I should have been at that I was not. <BR /> <BR />Many will say that Sinn Féin has no sense of shame. That may well be true, but it cannot be the way forward. It is important that we start the journey forward today with a common rejection of the idea that there are different rules and laws for different groups of people. For our part, we hold strong to the cherished ideal that all citizens are equal under the law and equally subject to the law. If we are to build a better society for all, it must be fair for all.”
“That really concerns me, because it is the failure of the PSNI command that has become the primary justification for the PPS's refusal to prosecute, allied with the absurdity from the PPS that ignorance of the law is a defence in general. The Northern Ireland public were not confused about the law, and yet we are asked to believe that those who enacted the laws were confused.”
“<BR /> <BR />When someone believes that they are above the law and where clear and premeditated breaches of COVID regulations are made, everyone has a rightful expectation that the police and the justice system show that such people are not above the law. To add insult to injury, that rightful expectation has been failed. Sadly, the police abdicated their responsibilities before the funeral, at the funeral and since the funeral. Decisions not to gather evidence; collaboration and knowledge of the plan to break regulations, facilitating the breaches of thousands; foot-dragging on the investigation: individually those are unacceptable but, collectively, they show that something is very wrong. Much work will be required to rebuild community confidence in the Police Service of Northern Ireland.”
“The actions of senior Sinn Féin representatives, the Sinn Féin deputy First Minister, Sinn Féin's Executive Ministers and Sinn Féin members of the Northern Ireland Policing Board sparked the political crisis, and, once again, the message from Sinn Féin was clear: Ourselves Alone — ourselves first — regardless of the cost of undermining the public health messaging. <BR /> <BR />The wake, the funeral procession of thousands and the political rally were clear and premeditated breaches of the COVID regulations. The prioritisation at Roselawn over other grieving families was hurtful, ignorant and callous in the extreme. Acts of arrogance, acts of self-entitlement, acts of privilege: Sinn Féin calls for equality, respect and integrity, but actually demonstrates the opposite.”
“It is to the immense credit of the bereaved and their families, and of communities right across Northern Ireland, that the most difficult limit on our lives was abided by throughout the pandemic by the vast majority. They bore a heavier burden than us, they protected us and they acted in the common good. The credit that they deserve is matched only by the shame that members of Sinn Féin should feel for their actions last June. <BR /> <BR />I take nothing away from the grieving family on that occasion. Sinn Féin, however, chose to act in a way that breached the regulations on funerals at that time, and, in so doing, happily sent a signal to everyone else in Northern Ireland that it was one rule for Sinn Féin and another rule for the rest of us.”
“Often in Northern Ireland, too much is made of what divides us, but what we do hold in common is a reverence for life, for family and for community. That is demonstrated by how we remember people in death and is displayed in the support for those who grieve, whether it is at the wake, at the funeral or in the time afterwards. These are unspoken obligations, inherited right down throughout the generations. <BR /> <BR />All of us who made the decisions and set the rules knew that the regulations on wakes and funerals would be the limits on life that would cut the deepest, ask the most of those at their lowest moment and frustrate the most basic human response: to console the grieving.”
“It grieves me that there are many homes across Northern Ireland where there are women and young children living in fear of violence. It is an issue that we can unite on, with a firm commitment to work collaboratively to do all that we can as public representatives to help and support all those women and girls to live a life free from fear, pain and violence.”
“I am committed to being a champion for supporting meaningful actions to produce real results. I am fully supportive of the task force that will examine all the suggestions that have been made today and that will look at those and other strategies in other jurisdictions in order to identify what we need to do and what actions we need to put in place. <BR /> <BR />It is a matter of huge sorrow to me that, once again, there are families and friends grieving today due to violence against women.”
“It is not just sexual violence that young women at university have to deal with; it is general violence as well, and, unfortunately, for some political activists whom I have been associated with in my party, there is also politically based intimidation and threats towards young women who are identified as vulnerable because they are young unionists in a university setting in Northern Ireland. That is totally unacceptable. We always have to make space for difference and for people to be allowed to articulate their political viewpoint. I find it so offensive that young women who identify as unionists at Queen's University in Belfast are under threat and are intimidated. It has to stop. I hope that we can also address that in any strategy. <BR /> <BR />I welcome that the Assembly and Executive are considering all those matters.”
“Undoubtedly, the issue will require the careful consideration of all the potential implications. In that context, we are debating the specific issue of the dedicated strategy to tackle gender-based violence and abuse. The action is urgent and most needed. We recognise that our neighbouring jurisdictions, as pointed out, have strategies in place, and we will, of course, look at them and take them into account. Northern Ireland also needs to take action and give dedicated consideration to how best to change behaviours and protect women and girls. No woman or girl should live in violence. <BR /> <BR />I listened very carefully to what the Member for East Londonderry Ms Hunter had to say about students and their experience of sexual violence.”
“That is a very important point. Part of the delay is, obviously, because this place was not functioning for three years. If you look at some of the strategies that are in place, you will see that they came into being around that time, albeit the Republic of Ireland's strategy has been in place for longer. Certainly, the strategies in England, Wales and Scotland were made at that time. It is good that we can learn from what is in place in those jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />As I say, there has been consideration of the hate crime review. We will look at those recommendations and take into account what is happening across the UK. It is also important that any proposed action on this is workable and that it genuinely tackles violence against women and girls.”
“That was a recognition of the serious issues that are involved, the lack of progress on them in Northern Ireland compared with elsewhere and the need to take urgent action. I also note what has been said today about hate crime and misogyny. I know that there has been some consideration of those in the hate crime review, and we will closely examine those recommendations and the consideration of the proposals that I know is happening elsewhere across the United Kingdom.”
“We need to make cultural and societal change in order to ensure that there are healthy behaviours and attitudes towards women and girls. We need preventative initiatives that build on positive experiences and work with a proven track record that actually makes a difference. While good work is being carried out, I agree absolutely that more needs to be done. It is critical that we tackle those attitudes at the earliest opportunity through education, community initiatives and in homes right across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I welcome that the Executive and the Assembly have been able to prioritise action to tackle domestic and sexual violence and abuse as well as stalking and harassment since the restoration of the institutions in January last year.”
“It needs to be dealt with, and I agree with my friend, the Member for Lagan Valley, Mr Givan, when he says that Westminster must take steps on the matter. I know that colleagues in Westminster are raising that issue. <BR /> <BR />It is the underlying sexism and misogyny that give rise to domestic abuse, violence, injury and the murder of women and girls.”
“I thank the Member for that point. It is important. I remember one terrible sexual assault and rape case involving a pensioner. It was horrendous to listen to the details. I absolutely agree with the Member that there is a need to speak to older people and even, perhaps, to engage with the Older People's Commissioner as well. <BR /> <BR />Social media has been mentioned, and I and many others have spoken in the House about the personal abuse that we have suffered as public representatives, much of it based on sexist and outdated attitudes; indeed, it is a sad reality that women in public life endure that type of hate on a regular if not daily basis. It is indicative of the sheer extent of the problems in society and demonstrates a deeply rooted hate and prejudice that is, sadly, something that social media seem to have exacerbated.”
“Obviously, there are key stakeholders, and many have mentioned the wonderful work of Women's Aid across Northern Ireland and others. However, I feel that it is important that we also engage with young women in the design of the strategy so that we hear their voices and experiences and that we are not just hearing from the stakeholders, important as that is.”
“<BR /> <BR />The terrible murders at the weekend show once again not only that women feel afraid or under threat from danger and violence on our streets but that, for so many, the danger is in their home. For far too many women and girls, the home is not a place of sanctuary where they can feel safe but rather one of harm and violence. Those of us who live in the safety of our home and who, sometimes, long for its safety find it very difficult to understand that as being the case. Not only should we send a clear message of zero tolerance of violent behaviour, it is critical that we tackle the root causes of the behaviours that women and girls experience in their daily lives. <BR /> <BR />Members have spoken quite a lot this afternoon about co-design. That is important for the new strategy.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a young lawyer, I was often given the non-molestation applications — as you can imagine, it was a case of, "The young woman in the office can deal with those" — so I have some personal experience of how women were treated in the legal system, albeit about 20 years ago now and, as a young lawyer, of presenting cases to magistrates, as they were at that time. If I am honest, it was not always a positive experience, so I was pleased to hear Members — for example, the Member for Lagan Valley, Mr Givan, who was the first male to speak in the debate — reference training for the justice system and the police family. That is so needed, but, of course, we always want to do more.”
“When I was at Queen's University, one of my favourite books as a law undergraduate was 'Eve Was Framed', by Helena — now Baroness — Kennedy, who was shining a light on the legal system and what the experience was for women, whether they were defendants or complainants or, indeed, practitioners. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. She was pointing out all the experiences that she had had as a young barrister, but she was also reflecting on the experience of female defendants and complainants at that time. There is much more that needs to happen so that women's voices in the legal system are heard in an appropriate and effective way.”
“I am not that old that I cannot remember being at university and walking home late at night and being worried about who was watching me. I had my keys in my hand, ready to put them into the door the minute that I got there. Of course, it is totally unacceptable. We must all unite to send a clear message of zero tolerance for this behaviour, and we should all stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims. As an Executive and a community, we need to work together to address this scourge.”
“It is very important that we remember that families are grieving, because their names, like that of Sarah Everard, will be said over and over again. Sometimes that is very difficult for families to hear, but families are in such grief today. Sadly, they are not alone. A new report shows that, in the United Kingdom, a woman is killed by a man every three days. <BR /> <BR />I also share the many concerns expressed today by Members across the Chamber. I thank those who have shared their experiences. We have heard some of them. There have been some terrible stories about the experiences of too many women and girls. The Member for South Belfast Ms Bradshaw said that, after the murder of Sarah Everard, people wanted to come forward and talk about their experiences of when they were out on a Saturday evening or walking home in the evening.”
“I thank everyone who has taken part in the debate today. It is always good to come to a debate where there is, more or less, unanimity on where we are going. I stand here today as a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister and a friend. It grieves me that we are still having this conversation about the unacceptably high levels of violence towards women and girls in Northern Ireland and, of course, right across the globe. That is the reality that we still face. <BR /> <BR />I want to join colleagues from across the Chamber and extend my condolences to the family and friends of Karen McClean and Stacey Knell at this terrible time of sadness and grief. I note, from today's local media, that the families have said that they do not want us to politicise their deaths but, rather, see them for what they were — murder.”
“As I indicated, the "Stay at home" message is in place until 12 April. Of course, there are people who cannot stay at home; they have to be in their place of work. They will, of course, be expected to do that, rather than staying at home, and that has always been the case. <BR /> <BR />There has certainly not been any disrespect for school staff from the Education Minister. A great deal of disrespect is shown by the Education Committee for the Education Minister. I noted that many of the members were hugely disrespectful to the Education Minister as he attended an Executive meeting. The Education Committee thinks that it should take priority over an Executive meeting. That is not how it works; the Executive take priority. Many members of the Education Committee should apologise to the Education Minister.”
“The high street voucher scheme is still very much something that we plan to do. The money is still available to us from the Department of Finance. The Department for the Economy will decide when the best time is to reinvigorate. Obviously, our non-essential retail is not yet open, and we want to lead on the scheme when retail opens up again. <BR /> <BR />On practical support, a very clear commitment was given at the Executive last week to fund the recovery of Northern Ireland. The Economy Minister has put forward detailed schemes that she needs to do that, not least around skills, and I am sure that the Member will acknowledge that. We will need to do a lot more in the recovery phase. We are only stepping out of the restrictions now. Much support will be needed in the recovery stage.”
“I know that there are some in the Chamber who feel that they are too cautious, but we are led by the advice that is given to us by our medical advisers, and they are saying that this is what is available to us at this point. <BR /> <BR />I will certainly pass the Member's remarks on more clarity about data to the Department of Health. As I said, I do not disagree with him. I think that it is important that we are as open as possible with the community so that it can understand why these decisions are being taken.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I have a lot of sympathy for his point. As I think I indicated in my speech, "social contact capital" is a phrase from the Department of Health. My goodness, has this year not been a year of new phrases and new acronyms that we have become familiar with? I think that it is about the headroom that we have to make these decisions. <BR /> <BR />I wish that we had been able to have all children back at school before Easter. I think that I have been very clear on that. We are in a position now where we at least have certainty for those young people. All primary-school children and years 12 to 14 will go back before Easter, and the rest of the children go back directly after Easter. <BR /> <BR />We have, I think, set out that these are cautious steps.”
“I thank the Member for her queries. Yoga can absolutely take place outside after 12 April. I cannot see a reason why you would not be able to engage in yoga outside in groups of no more than 15. <BR /> <BR />As I indicated to my friend Mr Stalford, the request on the Sure Start development programme from the Department of Education has gone to the task force, so I hope that we will have a response from it. It is very important that those young people have that support, and I hope that that will be dealt with sooner rather than later.”
“Hopefully, people will be able to visit all the beautiful parts of Northern Ireland, but it is important that we continue to speak with the tourism sector. As I understand it, officials from our Department had a discussion with Colin Neill from Hospitality Ulster yesterday, and we will continue those conversations, because the Member is absolutely right to say that the sector needs to have advance notice. It does, because the businesses need to bring in their stock and their staff and train them up and get them into a position where they are ready to welcome guests. That is why there needs to be a space between an announcement and the time that they will open. We will continue that engagement with the sector. We know that it needs that advance notice, and we hope that we will be able to give that to it.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I acknowledge that there are towns and villages in East Londonderry and across Northern Ireland, including in my constituency, that are very dependent on tourism. We recognise that the tourism industry has taken a huge hit. Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, we had built the tourism sector up to larger than it had ever been, so we hope that a lot of people will decide to stay at home during the summertime for their holidays this year.”
“I thank the Member for his question. We decided that we should make sport available for people of all ages, so 10 people from two households can undertake outdoor sporting activities after 1 April. If the Member is talking about organised sport, then, after 12 April, outdoor sports training will be resumed, in small groups of up to 15 people, by sports clubs that are affiliated with recognised sports governing bodies. However, indoor spaces will be closed. We are listening not just to youth sports but to all sports. That is important for people of all ages.”
“Given that we are coming towards the end of March, I would be concerned if bodies have not received their letter of offer but which have been successful in gaining funding. If the Member wants to come to us about any body in particular, she should do so and we will look at that.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I, too, hope to take part in the Marie Curie day of reflection. We are thinking about the fact that we have been dealing with this issue for a year. I remember standing here and saying that I hoped that we would be in a much better place by Christmas. That was at the start of all of this. Here we are in March, still dealing with these terrible issues. <BR /> <BR />Our voluntary and community sector organisations and individuals have been absolute heroes in many communities across Northern Ireland and have gone the extra mile in delivering and in dealing with isolation. As the Member will know, the Red Cross brought us a report recently about the real problems of isolation that are being experienced. We hope that the task force can look at the issues with isolation. The Member also asked about funding.”