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 43 of 67.
“I have commissioned the Ulster University's economic policy centre to carry out an independent audit into the costs of division, and I anticipate that a draft report will be available later in this calendar year.”
“I am not sure whether the Member asking the question has expertise in the NCA inquiry. I hope that he is not suggesting that he has some expertise that the NCA does not have. We have been engaging with the National Crime Agency and are sharing the information — all of the information — that the Department has. <BR /> <BR />The Member mentioned fees, but I am not sure what he was talking about. Nothing I have seen talks about fees in any one way. We have shared all the information that we have held in order to seek confirmation that its release will not, in the NCA's determination, be prejudicial. Everybody in the House should be concerned that that is the case. They want to ensure that the NCA is able to do its job in the most efficient and effective way possible.”
“I absolutely agree that there is a need for transparency. There is also a need to respect the ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA). I imagine that Mr Bradley, being the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, would appreciate that it is important that that proceeds in the proper way as well. Therefore, there is a need to make sure that we do not directly, indirectly or inadvertently do something that will cause difficulties for that investigation. That is my sole concern in terms of DFP.”
“As with all business matters, I expect my officials to cooperate fully with the Committee as it continues with its inquiry into the sale of NAMA assets in Northern Ireland.”
“My view has always been that we need to agree welfare reform to allow us to move forward with the Budget that we agreed at the end of the summer. As you know, that Budget was predicated on welfare reform going ahead. Therefore, we need to have that agreement and, indeed, all the other flexibilities in place so that we do not breach our control totals by the end of the year. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, we heard from the deputy First Minister that we should, "Put up or shut up." That applies in many other cases as well.”
“In addition to the flexibilities that I referred to, we will lose £150 million over five years to pay for institutions to help us to deal with the past, which is a significant issue that needs to be dealt with, and dealt with quickly; and £500 million over 10 years for capital projects to support shared and integrated education. That is a significant amount, and we really could do with that for capital projects for shared education. I am aware of some of those, and they were very worthy.”
“We are working hard to deal with those issues, but, as you can see from my substantive answer, there is quite a challenge ahead in dealing with our resource DEL.”
“I am hoping that we do not remain on the current trajectory and that we are able to deal with some of the financial issues from the Stormont House Agreement. We really need to have the flexibilities that were agreed in the initial Stormont House Agreement to allow us to proceed with our Budget. We do not want to breach our control totals at the end of the year because, of course, that would be looked on in a very bad light by the Treasury and might have impacts for us in following years.”
“With your permission, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I will answer questions 8, 10 and 13 together. <BR /> <BR />Failure to implement welfare reform has put at risk the Budget flexibilities negotiated in the Stormont House Agreement, which included the flexibility to repay both the £100 million reserve claim in 2014-15 and the £114 million reduction in our Budget for the non-implementation of welfare reform from capital budgets. In addition to these central pressures, Departments have registered resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL) pressures in the June monitoring round of £234·6 million, with only £10,000 of resource DEL reduced requirements declared by Departments.”
“I understand that the documents that the Finance Committee has asked for are currently being gone through. Indeed, we are in discussion with the National Crime Agency to make sure that we do not hinder any investigation that it is involved in. That is where we are at present.”
“I am waiting for the Member to finish. Minister Wilson simply responded to a request from the Irish Government to put forward nominations for NAMA's Northern Ireland advisory committee, and Mr Cushnahan was one of those nominees. There is no mystery surrounding that issue. I think that the Member was referring to my colleague Minister Hamilton in relation to what he had to say: obviously, that is an issue that he will have to take up with Minister Hamilton. I cannot say what was in Minister Hamilton's mind at that time, because I am not Minister Hamilton.”
“Yes, well, I think it would do him good to read 'The Chronicles of Narnia' as well, with its Christian basis. In any event, when Minister Wilson —”
“I know that Jim is fond of fiction, and I am sure that he enjoys 'The Chronicles of Narnia' on an ongoing basis.”
“I am sorry; I did not catch the last bit of the question. As regards my permanent secretary, Mr Sterling, hiding from the Committee, he has been to the Committee on two occasions now and has been very helpful to the Committee, as I understand it. I am not sure where the Member is coming from in relation to her question.”
“My Department routinely engaged with NAMA to discuss a range of issues prior to the sale of the Project Eagle portfolio. The purpose of the discussions was to make representations about any known NAMA actions or plans that might have been detrimental or, indeed, damaging to the recovery of the Northern Ireland economy, including the local property market at that time.”
“As I said in my original answer, it is important that there is a thorough investigation by the appropriate authorities. I understand that Committee members are to meet representatives of the National Crime Agency in, I think, the coming week. It will be important to listen to the advice that they give them in relation to their inquiry to make sure that there are no issues that prevent the NCA completing its inquiry in the most robust way possible.”
“I absolutely agree that we have to have an open and transparent system of government. Indeed, the index that we use in that respect is the global competitive index. That looks at a number of key factors and has a particular focus on the importance of the macroeconomic environment. In that respect, I am sure that everyone in the House will agree with me that the absence of paramilitary activity is a key element of that macroeconomic environment. Therefore, we have to deal with paramilitary activity, if it is proven to be present, and that is a key element for the Stormont House talks, as you are aware, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker.”
“Everybody is confused today. <BR /> <BR />Many factors impact on the business environment and, crucially, business confidence. Some of the most important include the quality and stability of our political institutions, a supportive business infrastructure and a high-quality education system. Those are areas that the Executive have focused on, not least in delivering their economic strategy, for example. <BR /> <BR />It is right that any allegations in relation to the sale of NAMA assets are investigated thoroughly by the appropriate authorities. However, I am not aware of any evidence that suggests that they are having a negative impact on international business confidence.”
“Of course, it is very important that we continue to provide essential public services in the way that our citizens are used to. Therefore, a range of measures have been put in place, including redeployment arrangements in some cases to move staff into essential posts left vacant by staff who leave via the exit scheme at the end of the month and, indeed, in November. Each Department is undertaking an assessment of business continuity and is prioritising its work accordingly, so I can confirm that that is the case.”
“In total, the first two tranches of exits, which I have just indicated will come to about 1,630 individuals, will deliver a pay bill saving of almost £48 million per annum. Departments have indicated a requirement to exit around 2,700 full-time equivalent posts this financial year, and further offers will be made in due course.”
“For the Northern Ireland Civil Service, which has the largest of the public-sector voluntary exit schemes, around 867 staff will leave at the end of this month, with a further 763 scheduled to leave at the end of November.”
“The Secretary of State has confirmed that funding, as set out in the Stormont House Agreement, will be released to enable public-sector voluntary exit schemes to come into operation as planned. As a result, I have authorised allocations from the transformation fund to allow the first exits under the scheme to progress in accordance with the recommendations of the public sector's restructuring steering group. Executive colleagues were advised of the position on 7 September.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will understand that the Azores principle applies to the Northern Ireland block grant. Although the position of corporation tax was in the high twenties, as the main rate, as I call it, in the UK continues to come down, the cost to the Northern Ireland block grant also falls. An initial assessment of the impact of the Budget announcement back on 8 July, whereby the corporation tax rate reduction will be 19% in 2017 and 18% in 2020, means that the cost to our block grant will probably be, on full implementation, in the region of £240 million in 2020-21. That presumes that we set a date and a rate for corporation tax in 2018. Of course, we have not had that agreement as yet, but we are hopeful that we are moving in the right direction.”
“We have the Corporation Tax (Northern Ireland) Act 2015, which enables powers to transfer from April 2017. However, that, of course, is subject to the Executive demonstrating that their finances remain on a sustainable footing for the long term. For my part, I want to see the devolution of those important powers. My officials are engaging with their Whitehall Government counterparts to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to realise that ambition.”
“There is a need to have more women in the public eye and to make sure that we encourage young women — indeed, women of all ages — to become involved in public life.”
“Of course, the UN resolution refers to what happened here over the past 40 years in ways that we may disagree on, but we will endeavour to deliver the principles that lie behind what it speaks about. We hope the strategy will be more focused. It will be more integrated. However, to quote Hillary Clinton:”
“The gender equality strategy is moving forward. As the Member is aware, the new strategy will come into force, we hope, next year, when the old strategy runs out. The committee that has been set up to deal with these matters has met. The junior Ministers attended a meeting of the strategy committee meeting in June in a listening capacity. We are pushing ahead with the strategy because it is needed in Northern Ireland. The old strategy will stay in place until the new strategy comes forward.”
“The racial equality strategy has finished its 16-week public consultation. I understand that it is currently with Departments for their commentary on it. Once that has been completed — I understand it is very close to that — we can move forward to the next stage.”
“I am sure everyone in the House has been moved by the plight of the refugees and the terrible way they have been dealt with over the past period. We are taking a collaborative approach with the Home Office. The Home Office is taking the lead on the matter, and officials are working with the Home Office to ensure that we play our part in the process that was announced by the Prime Minister.”
“Yes, we will continue to push the Foreign Office. I welcome the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee hearing, which has been hearing directly from victims of IRA terrorism. Most recently, my good friend Aileen Quinton was able to articulate how it had impacted on her life and how she wanted justice to come in terms of compensation. That is right and proper, and we will certainly do all that we can to support people like Aileen Quinton to get the justice they deserve.”
“That question was withdrawn by Mrs Dobson. It was down as question 5 for oral answers to questions, but I will answer it. There have been ongoing discussions, particularly by our party, in relation to Libya. We want to make sure that there is a just settlement on the payment of compensation to the victims of IRA terrorism, particularly in relation to product that has been delivered from Libya over the years. Of course, many victims have suffered at the hands of that sort of product, and therefore we need to push our Government into making sure that compensation is available.”
“The Department has been focusing on trying to make sure that the actions in the Department are delivered on. We have heard a lot about strategies today. The Chair of the OFMDFM Committee could not tell us how many strategies there were in the Department; I think that that is indicative of the fact that there are quite a few strategies. We should be focused on dealing with outcomes. Certainly, it is my hope that the next Programme for Government, which I have been working on in the Department of Finance and Personnel, will focus more on actions and outcomes than on strategies. We could have as many strategies as you want, but how would that affect the individual on the street? That is where we should be looking.”
“The High Court found in favour of the Committee on the Administration of Justice in a legal challenge against the Executive for failing to adopt a strategy to tackle poverty, social exclusion and patterns of deprivation on the basis of objective need. We have accepted that judgement by the High Court. It has been made clear, however, by the High Court that there are many current programmes and interventions dealing with the issues that section 28E of the Northern Ireland Act sought to address. However, the section creates a clear duty to have a particular strategy, and that view will be taken account of. The Department takes its statutory obligations very seriously, so officials will work to make sure that that is dealt with.”
“If the Member had agreed with us in the Business Committee, we would not even be here discussing business as usual; we would be in the talks dealing with the issues that need to be dealt with. Of course, the twin issues that need to be dealt with are, for the record, the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and the ongoing presence of paramilitary activity. I see this as an opportunity to deal with those issues once and for all and to get paramilitaries off the backs of the people of Northern Ireland once and for all so that we can move forward into a proper democracy. I look forward to his support in the talks to make sure that that happens.”
“I would have thought that, given that the Member is the Chair of the OFMDFM Committee, he would have had a clear view on that matter.”
“Because majority rules in the Business Committee and it has decided that business as usual will continue, it is up to this party to take action to make sure that we point out that it is not business as usual. A man has died. The finger of blame has been pointed at the IRA. Therefore, action needs to be taken. We will ensure that action is taken through the talks process.”
“It could have been so different. It could have been much more easily dealt with. We put forward a proposal to the Business Committee on 1 September that the Assembly would be adjourned so that we could get on with business on the talks process. We were not supported in that respect; at least, the Alliance Party supported us, but everybody else decided to vote for business as usual in the Assembly. Today, there was meant to be a round-table meeting of the talks at 1.30 pm, but it had to be put off. Do you know why? Because I had to be in this place answering questions for OFMDFM. It is already having an impact on the intensity of the talks. I regret that. I regret the fact that other parties did not agree to an adjournment so that we could focus exclusively on the talks process.”
“We are awaiting a judgement on the Minister of the Environment in relation to matters that he did not bring to the Executive, where he felt that he could take a decision as well without the consensus of the Executive. I am simply pointing out that, in an Executive made up of a coalition, you are meant to bring decisions to the whole Executive. Given that our Ministers have resigned from their positions, nationalist Ministers remain in place until such time that there is an election. Even were an election to be called, they would stay in place until that election was over. It is important to bear that in mind, and that was the reason for saying what I had to say.”
“I wonder whether the Member actually listened to what I actually said. I said the "possibility" in relation to these matters. I did say that there was form in this regard, and, of course, we recall that the Minister of Agriculture had to be taken to court in relation to CAP reform. The Minister of the Environment — I cannot hear what the Member is saying because I am answering the question —”
“You know, Mr Speaker, when I was a student of history at school, I always thought it was important to look at the original source material to find out what was actually said rather than to have it analysed and commented upon by other people. I have noticed that, when I said that I was the gatekeeper who was put in place to prevent the "possibility" of decisions being taken by rogue or renegade Ministers, all of a sudden nationalist Ministers in the Executive immediately identified themselves as such. <BR /> <BR />I do not know how "possibility" becomes "actuality", but there we are. I think that people should look at exactly what I said because, of course, there is form in this regard, and they need to remember that there is not a clear record.”
“I did not catch that. Can he repeat the question?”
“Again, I am sure that I could make that letter even longer by ensuring that those details are sent to him as well.”
“I do not have those figures in front of me. I will have them communicated to the Member.”
“Officials are working with promoters to expedite approvals, where possible, and to move to a letter of offer, subject to affordability.”
“There are five projects prioritised by the steering group in the south-eastern zone that will directly benefit those living in the North Down constituency. Of these, a revenue project called Transitions: Early Intervention has service-delivery organisations appointed and working to begin project delivery across the zone. <BR /> <BR />The four other projects are being considered for funding through the economic appraisal process. Two revenue projects, one called "employment and training" and another called "youth intervention" will operate across the zone. The community houses project will refurbish eight community houses, six of which are in North Down, and the community-operated sports project includes a proposal to develop a 3G pitch at Kilcooley, alongside two others in Downpatrick and Ballyhornan.”
“When people talk about processes, they sometimes forget the reason why the programme was put in place in the first place. The whole idea behind the social investment programme was to help those areas of disadvantage by giving people who had particular needs a hand up and putting in place infrastructure not previously present. We will continue to work with the project promoters to try to deliver those programmes and capital builds so that they will make a difference to those communities. We think that that will be the legacy of this programme.”
“It will be considered for funding through the economic appraisal process. Officials are working with promoters to expedite approval where possible and move to issuing letters of offer subject to affordability.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of the remaining three projects, one capital and one revenue project have been approved for funding. A capital project called Increasing Community Services (Rebuild) will build community facilities at St Enda's in Glengormley; Crusaders FC on the Shore Road; Westland Community Centre; PIPS on the Antrim Road; and Arts for All on the Shore Road. Letters of offer are being finalised. The revenue project, called Employment Fuel Poverty, aims to provide placement for NEETs and a training programme focused on the installation of measures to reduce fuel poverty. Discussions are ongoing to secure a lead partner for the project. <BR /> <BR />The last remaining project, Increasing Community Services, intends to support refurbishment works to four community facilities.”
“The Belfast North social investment fund steering group prioritised five projects within the zonal allocation following the area-planning process. Therefore, SIF was not subject to applications from organisations Rather, it focused on the development and prioritisation of projects to address need. Of the five projects prioritised, two are at an advanced stage. The first, a capital project called Childcare and Family Support will build two community childcare facilities, in Henry Place and Alliance Crescent. Design teams are being procured. The second, called Ethical Investment, is a social economy project aimed at helping community groups set up, support and develop market-ready property-based projects. A service delivery organisation has been appointed and delivery has commenced.”
“There was a pressure in the southern zone of around £2 million. I mentioned the rising cost of some of the capital projects in the substantive answer. That has now been minimised to £1·5 million. With budgets, there will always be pressures carried forward, but we are trying to work with the promoters and the steering groups to push those pressures down and deliver what is sustainable on the ground.”