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.”
The complete record
Every one of 3,345 lines we hold for Arlene Foster, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 34 of 67.
“Following the recent judicial ruling, we are working to address the concerns of the court by developing a strategy to tackle poverty, social exclusion and patterns of deprivation based on objective need. Significant actions have been taken forward to address poverty, social exclusion and deprivation. Through the Executive's Delivering Social Change programme, we have committed over £100 million. We have added £2 million from OFMDFM to projects jointly funded with Atlantic Philanthropies — in total worth almost £60 million over four years. This work has focused strategically on improving outcomes across a range of measures, including health, education and developing the economy.”
“I thank the Member for her good wishes. As she will know, we agreed the racial equality strategy just before Christmas. It was long-awaited, but we are pleased that it is now in place and are hoping that the subgroup will meet in the near future to take it forward. We are looking at a refugee integration strategy as part of that racial equality strategy. It will sit alongside it.”
“The public procurement process has been completed, and I am pleased to say that the Red Cross has been selected to administer the 2015-16 crisis fund. It has a £100,000 budget and will continue to deliver on the excellent and vital work that was carried out last year. It is good that the Red Cross has been successful in this procurement because it works right across Northern Ireland and is able to give that Province-wide support to groups, and indeed individuals, that may need to access the crisis fund. The broad geographical coverage is very good, and we are delighted that it will deliver that £100,000 budget across Northern Ireland.”
“As I say, we are very proud of the work that has been carried out to date.”
“I was pleased to meet, along with the deputy First Minister, the first group of 51 refugees who came to Northern Ireland just before Christmas. Eleven of them were children, some of whom were very young. They were delighted to be in Belfast. I was very proud of our team of officials from right across government for the way in which they had prepared for those good people coming to Belfast. Indeed, we have been commended by the Home Office for the way in which we welcomed those people to Belfast and Northern Ireland. They have full access to the National Health Service and will, if they have any needs, be accommodated. We are making sure that we stay very close to the group that is here and we are looking forward to helping those people to integrate into Northern Ireland society.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I share her concern about last year, but we all know that last year was a little bit different. We had difficulties around the Budget settlement and, indeed, very many other difficulties. This year, we are very focused on the fact that a new funding round will be available. Indeed, the budget has been set for 2016-17. It is now a case of working with the various groups, of which there are many — I was interested to see the number of groups involved right across the Province — to make sure that there is no gap between this year and next. I know that, last year, they had to wait until May or June and then look for back payment. We are hoping that that will not be the case this year.”
“Since the minority ethnic development fund was introduced, it has supported hundreds of projects and groups and has been a key contributor to our growing and vibrant sector. Our support will continue into 2016-17 and beyond. There will be a call for applications to the 2016-17 minority ethnic development fund once all obligatory governance requirements have been met. We are aware that there is a desire for a seamless transition from one funding round to the next and we will work to ensure that there is no hiatus.”
“It is truly humbling that the girl who was raised and reared in Fermanagh has been given the opportunity to lead the country and the people whom she loves so much. Today is a new chapter in Northern Ireland's story, but, when the history of this time comes to be written, let it be said of all of us that we fought the good fight, we finished the race and we kept the faith. Thank you.”
“I will work with anyone who can share that ambition of hope and will oppose anyone who would deny our people the future that they deserve. The people whom we represent deserve no less. <BR /> <BR />I am tired of Stormont being a watchword for arguing and bickering. That is not why our people elected us; they did so to provide a better future for us all. I will do all that I can to change the political culture of this place, but I cannot change it alone. We can do it only by working together. I know from experience that it will not be easy — real change never is — but I ask today that we find a new way of doing business, one that places a greater premium on consensus than on conflict. <BR /> <BR />It is with great honour that today I accept the nomination to become First Minister.”
“That is why it is no coincidence that support for our constitutional position has never been stronger. I believe in Northern Ireland and the people of Northern Ireland. We are a special people. <BR /> <BR />People ask me what I want to achieve during my time in office, and my answer is simple. Like every mother, I am a practical person. Above all else, I want to move into the future and to get things done. I want to make Northern Ireland a better place, and I want to strengthen our United Kingdom. I want to give our young people the future that has been denied to so many for so long. I want Northern Ireland to be a beacon to the world of how, by working together with political opponents and old enemies, we can create a Northern Ireland that we can all be proud of. I want to do all of that not in spite of my past but because of it.”
“Those in positions of responsibility in government cannot do everything, but we can act as an example to others. If only we believe in ourselves, all things are possible. <BR /> <BR />I make no apology for being a unionist, but my role as First Minister calls on me to serve the whole community. I see that not just as a legal duty but as a moral imperative. I want the same opportunities for every child in Northern Ireland as my own have. I want no section or part of the community in Northern Ireland to be isolated, marginalised or left behind, whatever their background or way of life. That was Edward Carson's vision of the Union, and it is mine too. The best way to safeguard our history, culture and traditions is to make sure that we can create a society in which everyone can have a say and play a part.”
“When I travel across Northern Ireland, I sometimes see people with abundant gifts and talents being held back by nothing but a lack of confidence and a poverty of ambition. The only thing that they lack is belief. I want to use this office to restore that belief and give new hope. I want to instil a new confidence in our people and a pride in our Province. I want everyone to love this country with the same passion as I do. <BR /> <BR />Leadership has many facets and many responsibilities, but there is no greater challenge than to motivate, encourage and inspire. I want to bring hope to those who lack it and help to those who need it. I want us to live in a more harmonious society, where we seek accommodation with one another, not conflict.”
“The challenges of our time are great, but they are different from those of the past. The challenges of our time are great, but the opportunities for the next generation are greater still. The challenges of our time are great, but there are none that we cannot overcome. With Northern Ireland's position in the United Kingdom secured, devolution safeguarded and the economy growing again, we can have hope for the future. Over the years, people from this small corner of the world have done remarkable things, and we can do that again. <BR /> <BR />In my role as the economy Minister for seven years, I travelled the world, seeking to bring jobs and investment home. I am proud that, in that time, we created more jobs from international investment than at any time in our past. One thing that made that easy was the quality of our young people.”
“That is our responsibility now: to create a better future than the past and one in which we can live together in a society free of strife and conflict.”
“They have laid the foundations for the new Northern Ireland that we seek to build, but, at this moment in our country's history, it is time for a new generation to step forward, to build on all that has been achieved and to move our country forward. Abraham Lincoln once said:”
“Far too often during my earlier years of life, I saw the devastating effect that terrorism and violence had on our community. We cannot, however, allow the past forever to blight our future. That is why I want to make sure that we never, ever go back to the bad old days. I believe that the duty on me to make Northern Ireland work is all the greater for the sacrifice that they have made. The reward and legacy of those who gave their life defending our country is a stable and secure Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />I also pay tribute to those who have served our community so well in positions of leadership over the last decades. It is because of what they have done that we have the hope for the future that we do.”
“That experience has prepared me for the challenges that will undoubtedly lie ahead. <BR /> <BR />Last autumn, we published the Fresh Start Agreement, and we make a new start today, with our eyes focused firmly on the future. In looking to the future, we will never forget the past. I am conscious of those who have not lived to see today; of course, I think particularly of my father, who would have been so proud of what has been achieved. I also think of all those who served the community in the security forces during the dark days of the Troubles and those whose lives were cut all too short. I make this promise: in all I do, I will honour their memory. We are all shaped by our history and our experience. Many of us live with the scars, emotional and real, of what we had to endure.”
“The challenges that this generation faces are very different from those that our forefathers faced a century ago, but our fundamental values remain the same. In just five years' time, the challenges will be different again. Although I may be the youngest holder of this post, Mr Speaker, I am not new to ministerial office. You will be aware that this is not the first time that I have taken the Pledge of Office: over the past eight years, I have done so as Environment Minister, economy Minister and, most recently, Finance Minister. I have learned much in those roles that I will bring to my new office, but I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that Dr Paisley and Peter Robinson gave to me to serve the community in ministerial office and the rich legacy that I inherit in this office.”
“For my part, I want to make sure that what is possible for me is possible for any young girl or boy growing up in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />For so many reasons, this is an historic moment. I take great pride in the fact that, since Northern Ireland was created almost a century ago, I am the first woman to hold such a post. It was with even greater trepidation that I learned that I am also the youngest person to have assumed this post. I hope that I can bring the perspectives of both those attributes to the office. Indeed, at this turning point in our country's history, as we seek to address the challenges of the future, I believe that the moment is right for the next generation to assume leadership.”
“I can think of no greater honour than to have the opportunity to serve my country and the people of Northern Ireland as their First Minister. I am truly humbled by the trust and confidence that have been placed in me and am grateful to all those who have kept me in their prayers in recent days. <BR /> <BR />As a young girl growing up in rural Fermanagh, the most westerly constituency in the United Kingdom, in the days when we were plagued by terrorism and decisions affecting our fates and futures were taken far away, I could not have dreamed that I would be in this position today. Is it any wonder that, in politics, I believe that nothing is impossible? The real measure of success, however, is not in obtaining the office but in how it enables me to help others to realise their dreams, ambitions and aspirations.”
“Mr Speaker, it is with great humility, an enormous sense of responsibility and, indeed, the imagination of endless potential for Northern Ireland that I affirmed the Pledge of Office and take up this post today.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act.”
“You said late last year that listening to tributes to oneself was "surreal" and that you were still very much alive. Well, I hope that you enjoy listening to what we have to say today, because nobody — nobody — deserves the plaudits more than you.”
“Peter Robinson would have been a significant political figure no matter where he was born on these islands. It has been our collective good fortune, and to Northern Ireland's benefit, that he was born here. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I know that I speak for all on these Benches when I wish Peter well in his retirement, although I am quite certain that he will not be putting his feet up just yet. He can enjoy his well-deserved retirement in the knowledge that, when his time came to serve his country and community, he was not found wanting and leaves behind him a far better Northern Ireland because of his work. <BR /> <BR />Peter, we will never adequately be able to thank you for the service that you have given; we can only strive to build on the strong leadership that you gave us.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, I am certain that at critical moments over this last seven — nearly eight — years, there was no other unionist leader who could have held things together and ensured that devolution proceeded. Peter was never better than in a crisis, and, on more than one occasion, did not simply survive difficult events but prospered from them. It was almost as if he revelled in adversity and thrived in the face of impossible odds. At a political level, the return of 38 DUP MLAs was a remarkable achievement. To exceed the result of 2007 and elect more MLAs than any party since 1998 was truly historic. <BR /> <BR />In recent decades, few unionist leaders have been able to choose the time and manner of their departure from office; Peter has done so and leaves office with devolution and the Union secure.”
“In every era of history someone is called upon to fulfil the role of leadership. Never in the recent history of Northern Ireland was anyone so crucial as Peter Robinson. <BR /> <BR />On a personal note, I would not have had the chance that I had but for the work of Peter, first of all, in encouraging me to join the DUP, then helping me through the ranks of the party and, lastly, providing me with the opportunity to serve the people of Northern Ireland as a Minister. I will always be grateful for that. More than all, he has been a political mentor to me. I have watched and listened at first-hand, and I hope that even a little of his insight has rubbed off on me.”
“Few will ever know, or indeed fully appreciate, the lifetime of service and single-minded commitment that Peter has brought to public life. He has been a leader, not just of the DUP, but of unionism and, indeed, of Northern Ireland as a whole. It is a daunting task for me to follow him in not just one but two of those roles. There are many who deservedly share the credit for the Northern Ireland that we have now but few more than Peter Robinson. <BR /> <BR />His legacy is not just that he became First Minister but that he ensured that devolution survived the early rocky years. It is because of Peter's work that what was remarkable at one time now seems routine. Few believed that devolution led by the DUP and Sinn Féin would ever happen; fewer still believed that it would last. Yet it has, even through the toughest of times.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am delighted that, after you, I am the first to have the opportunity to pay tribute to Peter and thank him for his lifetime in politics, from Castlereagh Council, via Westminster, to the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />He leaves enormous political shoes to fill. Three minutes cannot do justice to the career of the person who has been the most astute unionist political leader of this or, for that matter, any era in Northern Ireland's history, but when the history of this time comes to be written, his leadership will define the period. In his time, he has helped redraw the unionist political map and has ensured a better future for Northern Ireland in the most challenging of circumstances. Few have endured more difficult political times and come out the other side successfully.”
“It is incredible and goes against the principles of fairness and value for money for the taxpayer, which should always be at the forefront of our minds as elected representatives. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the motion addresses the targeted but important need for exit payment arrangements in the public sector to be fair and demonstrate value for money. Legislative consent to those provisions will ensure that the same protections for public finances are applied consistently across the public sector while providing the fullest range of flexibility to respond to local requirements, which I have put in place in the regulations that were to come before the House for affirmative resolution. I cannot understand why Members across the way have decided to do otherwise, but I urge them, even at this late stage, to support the motion.”
“I hope the Member is not suggesting that, because it was not done sooner, we should not do it at all. This should happen because of the very examples that he spoke of. The last legislative consent motion (LCM) that we brought forward made sure that people who left public service with a large handout could not be re-employed in the public sector. That went through the House, so that practice has been stopped, but, for some reason, people have decided that they are not going to support the £95,000 — £95,000 — baseline for public-sector workers. I am amazed by that. <BR /> <BR />However, I stand by what I brought to House today. It is for others to discuss the way that they vote.”
“What amazed me most about the debate as I sat here listening, incredulous at some of the things that came from across the way, was the fact that I heard a lot about public servants but not once did I hear anything about public service. Public service is what we are meant to be doing for people across Northern Ireland. What Bumper Graham has to say does not really surprise me; it never does. I believe that £95,000 — £95,000 — is a fair and reasonable baseline, and the regulations being proposed by the Department —”
“As I indicated in my speech, those will be made by affirmative resolution to the House, which still retains a veto on that affirmative resolution. <BR /> <BR />The consultation will also provide scope for further consideration of any equality matter, and it would also provide time for the House to consider the matter in detail. However, we are where we are. People have made their positions clear. Even at this late stage, I ask them to reflect. This policy will introduce some consistency across existing disparate arrangements in the public sector by establishing what I believe is a fair and reasonable baseline of £95,000, and the regulation —”
“I look forward to that. <BR /> <BR />Compensation and exit payments are not paid for by the employee; they are paid for entirely by the employer. On the waiver and guidance, I made it clear, as did my officials at the Committee, that there will be power to waiver the cap and that that power will be given to the respective Ministers for each scheme. Perhaps it would have been better for my Department to have that power, rather than to give the responsibility to the respective Ministers. <BR /> <BR />Lastly, contrary to what has been said, Scotland is planning to make regulations to introduce the measure, and Wales is already included in the Westminster Bill and regulations. <BR /> <BR />On consultation and equality, there will be full consultation on the Northern Ireland regulations.”
“I would like to be able to say that I have really welcomed the contribution today from Members on the proposed exit cap for public-sector workers, but, quite frankly, I am absolutely appalled that Members are not focused on protecting funding for the delivery of public services for the greater good of their constituents in Northern Ireland. They have instead concentrated on the impact the change may have on potentially 2% of those in the local government pension scheme. I look forward to seeing how those Members who are opposed to that measure, when they are campaigning in the elections in May, explain the choices that they made today to the electorate. I will also be interested to see how they deal with headlines when we have significant amounts of public money continuing to be paid to individuals to exit the public service.”
“I congratulate the Member for getting his question and all his various points on the record. I am sure that it will be read with great interest by the people who it is meant to target. As far as the LCM is concerned, I think it was the proper method to allow us to have the debate, one that he took part in in great detail, and I am sure that the record will reflect that.”
“Of course. I am happy to look at anything that comes forward from either the Department of Enterprise or, indeed, the private sector. I worked closely with the Northern Ireland Science Park in my previous role, and I have continued to do so. I want to see more investment, not just from banks but from non-traditional methods, because that gives more flexibility, particularly for young people who may not be able to access finance from the traditional route.”
“That is really more of a point for my former Department, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and how it looks at how to encourage start-up and angel investors to become more involved. Northern Ireland does not have a good network of angel investors. We need to have more of that, and I very much welcome any interest that we can gain. <BR /> <BR />In actual fact, I am meeting a young man today who was the beneficiary of investment from an angel investor. He is doing great things. He is only 18 and is striving with his innovative app — I think that that is what he has. I am meeting him later today, and he has been able to progress only because of an angel investment.”
“We will work with any organisations that want to come forward with new ideas that are sustainable into the future. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, no one likes to pay rates — if we could get away without paying rates, we would be very pleased about it — but we have to bring rates in to our Budget. Last year, in the region of £1·175 billion came in through the rates system. That, of course, is money that we allocate to public services. Therefore, we need to be able to recover that. Actually, the recovery rate has increased. We are pleased about that, because, for too long, a lot of the rates processes did not bring forward people who were avoiding rates. We are pleased that that is being dealt with effectively by Land and Property Services.”
“I think that the revaluation needs to take place more frequently; 10 years is too long. That is what caused a lot of shock for some retail businesses and, indeed, other businesses across Northern Ireland. The revaluation is not about bringing more money into the Department or to Government — it is neutral. Many people have seen their rates fall significantly, but others have seen them rise significantly. In conversations with me, some of the business organisations made the case that the revaluation should take place every three years. I do not know whether that is a little too short and whether it should be five years, but we certainly need to have more frequent revaluations than every 10 years. That is too long a period.”
“I am a great believer in sharing expertise, and I absolutely think that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, for example, should be pulling together all the agencies and, indeed, learning from other areas that have had to deal with specific instances of flooding. We did have a very bad case of flooding back, you may recall, in 2009. We had a task force set up at that particular time, when the former Minister of Agriculture Ms Gildernew and I were to the fore. We need to look back at that task force report and see whether it was completely dealt with at that time. But I think that it would be very useful if the lead agencies could come together in Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and work with other councils, if there is expertise there.”
“It is probably too early to say whether they will qualify for rates rebate. Certainly, it will be something that the Department will look at if an application is forthcoming. <BR /> <BR />I was thinking, when I heard that this is the fourth storm, I think, that we have had named in Northern Ireland, and it is the first male, that it seems to have done more damage than the three females put together, but that is a separate matter. Certainly, it has caused a great deal of pain and anguish to a lot of people right across not just Fermanagh and South Tyrone but, indeed, the west of the Province.”
“At present, the DOE scheme, which actually was introduced when I was the Environment Minister, back in 2007 to 2008, deals with householders; it does not deal with businesses or small businesses. I know that the Environment Minister is looking to see whether that should be changed in future. Of course, many businesses will have insurance in place to deal with the issues. As for those that do not, we will have to see how we can help them moving into the future. But I really do think that some of the causes of flooding could have been avoided. We need to look at that, and we need to make sure that there are effective plans in place to ensure that it does not happen again.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would hope, in answer to his question, that all the agencies will give support, not only to householders but to schools, community organisations and, indeed, businesses, not only to deal with the immediate aftermath but to plan for the future. I think that that is what most of them will want to see — an effective plan for dealing with this in the future.”
“First of all, I am very glad that he has mentioned the flooding issue, because, indeed, my constituency has suffered disproportionately on this occasion. Many areas that have not experienced it in the past have had to deal with flooding, particularly towns like Lisnaskea, which was totally unaware of flooding; and that is down to problems that have arisen in terms of the Rivers Agency. I think that we will have to have an in-depth look at what has occurred in those particular areas. There are other areas in Fermanagh where, unfortunately, flooding is no stranger to them, particularly Boho, where they have had a horrific time.”
“I do not think that it is "once again" in terms of the Budget process. Normally, we have a 12-week consultation period. We bring out a draft Budget, there is a consultation period and then we bring forward the Budget. I accept that that is not the case in these circumstances, and that is because the comprehensive spending review came only on 25 November. Of course, Westminster is dealing with its own processes. That leaves things very difficult for those of us in the devolved Administrations, whether in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. We have to bring forward Budgets in a very short timescale. I think that not to have a multi-year Budget is the right decision. We will have a single-year Budget so as not to tie the hands of the new Members who are returned to the Assembly in the next mandate so that they can set their own priorities.”
“I can do so for 2016-17. In the 2016-17 Budget process, as I have indicated in other substantive answers, we will have Budget bilaterals, hopefully before Christmas, so that we can take the issues forward.”
“Maybe not for 2026-27; I am not quite sure that I will be here then.”
“Those are the sorts of statistics that we should now take forward in relation to the corporation tax argument, and go into those companies that we have not been able to access in the past. We can now access them because we will have the tax product by April 2018 and that will certainly drive the economy forward.”
“There was a time when we were certainly not lagging behind the Irish Republic. Indeed, the Republic has had a pretty difficult time over this past five or six years. Look at its unemployment statistics, which are still at a rate that is much higher than ours. However, the Republic has a sovereign Government and, therefore, they can put in place policies to drive forward their economy. That is why it is critical that we all endorse the principle of a lower rate of corporation tax so that we can go out and sell it to the rest of the world and take up all the other advantages that we currently have. Those other advantages, frankly, allowed us to bring in the best rate of foreign direct investment per head of population in the United Kingdom in 2014.”
“I think that we can benefit from being on the island of Ireland but in the United Kingdom as well, so that we have the best of both worlds.”