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 66 of 67.
“It is not a question of justifying a 100% cut to the fund. I wanted to give clarity to people in the sector that we were in a position where we could not find the funding to give an events fund for 2015-16. If that changes in the near future — I very much hope that it does — we will put out a call. However, this is a time of the year when applications would not ordinarily be forthcoming and, therefore, I wanted to give them clarity in relation to the issue.”
“Absolutely. The Member and the House will be aware that the Employment and Learning Minister and I have been asked by the Executive to engage with JTI. We hoped that we would be able to go up early this week. However, the company — we have to respect its processes — has others to consult before it speaks to us, and, therefore, it will be later on in the week. We will certainly go to Ballymena. I think that we very much need to engage in a skills audit as the first piece of work and see what we can do to help those affected.”
“I recognise that that is the case. One of those interviewed on BBC Radio Ulster on the day of the announcement was from Carrickfergus, as I recall, and he very clearly said that this is not just an issue for Ballymena but for further afield. The travel-to-work distance means that quite a lot of people will be impacted in a circle, if you like, right across the north-east of Northern Ireland. So, I understand that that is the case. <BR /> <BR />I further understand, having talked about supply chains earlier during the substantive questions, that many companies rely on JTI Gallaher for their businesses. Those companies will also be impacted. So, I have asked Invest Northern Ireland to do some work in and around that to ensure that we know which companies will be impacted by the closure of JTI.”
“It came to do some work there to perhaps take advantage of the very good tax relief schemes that we now have in place for making productions.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary. Indeed, we will want to work with all countries, wherever the people are, so that we can increase our output. As the Member will know, I have increased the budget for NI Screen substantially so that it can take advantage of what is there at the moment. I had a very useful meeting with the director general of the BBC last week when he was over in Northern Ireland to try to encourage him to do more in relation to national output so that we can see more Northern Ireland productions right across the network, because I think that that is very important, too. Indeed, some colleagues from the Republic of Ireland are investing in Northern Ireland. I am thinking particularly of JAM Media in Murray's Exchange in Sandy Row.”
“Following the successful implementation of new tax incentives under the creative industry tax reliefs, the local film and TV industry can benefit from a group of corporation tax reliefs. These include the film tax relief, introduced in 2007; the high-end television tax relief; the animation tax relief, introduced in April 2013; and the video games tax relief, introduced from 1 April this year. My Department, working closely with Northern Ireland Screen and Invest Northern Ireland, was instrumental in securing these new credits, and I believe that the impetus now exists for a truly export-focused screen industry for Northern Ireland.”
“I think that it is probably a mixture of both, if you do not mind me saying so, until we get the increased connectivity. Nobody is suggesting at the moment that we will be getting a direct flight from China into the international airport, so we need to work principally with Visit Britain to ensure that we get people to come across and they understand that the visa that they have for the UK covers Northern Ireland or, if they are coming in through Dublin, that they understand that they can come up to Northern Ireland. I think that that is the work that Tourism Ireland has to take forward because, as I said, the Chinese visitors are very important visitors. We want to welcome more of them and hope that they do visit Northern Ireland on their itinerary.”
“Absolutely. I was unaware that we had a newly appointed consul, so I look forward to meeting him or her in the near future to talk about this because we know that people from China who travel far afield stay for longer and spend a lot of money. Therefore, we want to encourage them to come to Northern Ireland. In the past, there was confusion over whether they could come to Northern Ireland on an Irish visa and what would happen if they had an accident or whatever in Northern Ireland. I think that this clarity is a very strong piece for Tourism Ireland to take forward. If the Member has some knowledge of the consul, I very much look forward to meeting them.”
“As the Member will be aware, direct connectivity into Northern Ireland is one of the priorities for how we grow our tourism numbers, and I am very much committed to increasing Northern Ireland's air connectivity. I have met and continue to meet Northern Ireland airports, and, indeed, I recently met the new managing director of the international airport, Graham Keddie, regarding the airport's route development plans. My officials are also in regular dialogue with our airports and, indeed, last month, we took a Northern Ireland stand at the World Routes conference in Chicago. So, we are out there and looking for new routes. We are trying to be innovative in how we attract those new routes to the international airport and, indeed, routes to the other airports. International connectivity is very much at the top of my agenda.”
“A new British-Irish visa scheme was launched by the Secretary of State for the Home Office, Theresa May MP, in conjunction with the Republic of Ireland's Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, on 6 October. This positive development was an action in the G8 economic pact and enables, for the first time, Chinese and Indian visitors to come to Northern Ireland through the Irish Republic on an Irish visa, as well as through Great Britain on a UK visa. This is very welcome news, and Tourism Ireland and Visit Britain will be working very hard to promote the scheme.”
“The Member is absolutely right to reference the supply chain to Bombardier, because Bombardier has 6,300 direct employees, but many, many hundreds of other people are reliant on Bombardier in Belfast. We have a very strong working relationship with Bombardier. Invest Northern Ireland has a client executive embedded with Bombardier, so any changes in relation to Bombardier are fed directly into the system, and we will work with any companies that have difficulties. <BR /> <BR />I think that around 80 companies, particularly in precision engineering, rely on Bombardier. That is not taking into account the services that are provided to Bombardier; these are just supply chain people. So, yes, any time that there is a reduction in manpower in Bombardier, we look at the wider picture around the supply chain.”
“So, whilst I accept that the announcement that has been made in relation to the restructuring of Bombardier globally is regrettable, Bombardier has a very strong presence in Belfast and continues to play a major role in virtually all the aircraft programmes across the world. I think that that diversity is part of its strength.”
“I can indeed. On 10 September, Bombardier announced that it intended to make up to 90 permanent posts and 300 agency-employed staff redundant. That was a huge blow. I do not think that a lot of people realise that the company has six manufacturing sites in Northern Ireland: Airport Road and Airport Road West in Belfast; Dunmurry; Newtownards; Newtownabbey; and Monkstown. Currently, it has a workforce of around 6,300 people, making it the biggest private sector employer in Northern Ireland. It is planned that the redundancies will be implemented by the end of the year. <BR /> <BR />Despite the impending job losses, it remains encouraging to note that, in the past four years, Bombardier has increased the total workforce by over 1,200 people in Northern Ireland.”
“Advanced, or high-value, manufacturing makes a major contribution to the success of the Northern Ireland economy. My Department encourages and supports businesses that are capable of investing in knowledge-based, innovative technologies and developing capabilities that can ensure they remain internationally competitive and successful, supporting jobs and creating wealth in the economy. <BR /> <BR />We have many excellent examples of businesses that are investing in world-class facilities to sustain and build on Northern Ireland's strong international reputation and manufacturing heritage. Examples include Bombardier, Schrader Electronics, Magellan Aerospace and Wrightbus.”
“I concur with the Member's view on those matters. It is my hope that the Irish Rugby Football Union will acknowledge the contribution that Ulster makes to rugby, because we make an incredible contribution to the Irish rugby scene. I hope that that is acknowledged in Dublin, as it is in Ravenhill, or the Kingspan stadium, which I have difficulty getting used to calling it, but I will have to get used to. It is a rugby team for both jurisdictions. Therefore, I was keen to ensure that we had proper representation on the working group. I am satisfied that we have that now. Once we have had the chance to consider the report, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and I will come together to decide if the current way forward is the best way forward.”
“I have heard some of the arts groups say that their funding has been cut. This application had to be made every year, so, in any year, there was no guarantee that these groups would be able to access funding. On every occasion, they had to apply in a competitive process. <BR /> <BR />At the moment, we do not have an events fund open call for next year. However, let us see what happens in the 2015-16 budgetary discussions over the next period. I would certainly like some sort of an events fund, but we will have to see whether the money is available for it.”
“I thank the Member. If Kyle Lafferty is listening to Question Time, I am sure that he is saying, "I have been called many things in my time but never a tourist attraction". Anyway, I congratulate the Northern Ireland football team on being top of their group. It is a very nice place to be, and we look forward to them continuing that success in tomorrow's match in Greece. <BR /> <BR />Events funding, of course, has caused a lot of angst, and I am the first to acknowledge that. We are facing a very difficult financial time right across government. Given the current budgetary climate and the knowledge that future years will be very difficult, it was necessary to review the position right across the Department. We need to take account of all the circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Ordinarily, people would be applying for funding at this time.”
“It is on record that I am a supporter of Ulster Rugby. I very much want the Rugby World Cup to come to the island of Ireland in 2023. However, as I am sure that the Member would want me to do, I need to ensure that Northern Ireland gets as much out of this event as it possibly can. I will look at the report given to me in the context of making sure that a number of teams are located and based in Northern Ireland for the Rugby World Cup. We recognise that there are more stadiums available in the Republic of Ireland, but that does not mean that we cannot be creative about what we can do in Northern Ireland. If we are to assist in funding the bid, I certainly want to ensure that we get good value for money.”
“The working group has prepared a report based on its analysis of the feasibility study meetings with key rugby union officials and other relevant organisations. The Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and I have received copies of the report and are considering it. In agreeing to bid jointly for the 2023 tournament, I will wish to ensure value for money and be convinced of the economic benefits for Northern Ireland.”
“The enterprise zone in Coleraine has not yet been confirmed by Her Majesty's Treasury. It has been put forward by the Executive to Treasury for designation as an enterprise zone. So, it is too early to determine its impact in the area, but I am sure that those who have been working for the enterprise zone will want to ensure that it is in place as soon as possible.”
“I have been very pleased to make a number of job announcements in Fermanagh, most recently in G R White and Son in Tempo and Webtech in Enniskillen just a couple of weeks ago. I hope to make further announcements in the near future. It is about working proactively with those companies in the region to ensure that we portray a positive view of the region so that we are attractive to inward investors when they come to look at the area and to have a good product and available people who are willing to be positive about their areas. All that shows that we are moving forward, in particular in the south-west. I look forward to working with the Member to make sure that Fermanagh and the whole of the south-west is promoted in a very positive way.”
“We have had a particularly good period. Over the past six months, we have had 1,200 new jobs by just 10 new inward investors. We are not talking about indigenous companies that have decided to expand or companies that are already here. They are new inward investors, and those jobs have come from Puppet Labs; Baker and McKenzie; Proofpoint; Alexander Mann Solutions; and Convergys. Those have all been very good announcements for right across Northern Ireland. We are pleased that those new companies continue to look to Northern Ireland for growth and expansion, many of them for the first time, into the European area.”
“A number of studies have been carried out, not least by the Department and by the Department for Employment and Learning. If we are to have a huge spike in the number of companies that will be looking to Northern Ireland, we will want to ensure that the appropriate skills are available to those companies when they come. The economic advisory group, led by Kate Barker, has been doing some work in that area. We will be able to achieve some 50,000 jobs over a relatively short time, all things being equal. We will be able to provide the appropriate young people and skills that those companies will need. There is no doubt that it would be a huge boost to the private sector in Northern Ireland. We want to rebalance and rebuild.”
“So there are other ways in which we can help, but, if corporation tax were devolved to Northern Ireland, we would automatically have a step change as to what we could do.”
“The rules for selective financial assistance and the amount of funding that we can give have already changed. We are still an assisted area in the European Union, but we are now curtailed as to how much repeat assistance we can give to those companies. As the Member will know, companies often came with 20 or 30 people, realised that we had a very good offering here and decided to expand further. If it is a large company, we will not be able to give that selective financial assistance in the future, but there are other ways in which we can support companies. We can look at skills and training in conjunction with the Department for Employment and Learning. We will look at how we can support people with research, development, innovation and tax credits, depending on the sector that we are talking about.”
“Invest Northern Ireland offers assistance to new investors to support the creation of new jobs, often over a period of three to five years, sometimes longer. It is the responsibility of the company to create the jobs at a schedule that supports their development and growth. Therefore, Invest NI is not able to meaningfully forecast the likely number of jobs to be created in any year. As of 31 March 2014, Invest NI has promoted 9,108 jobs from inward investors since the start of its current corporate plan in 2011.”
“As I indicated to Ms Dobson, I am very aware not only of the claims made by Ms Hoey — I intend to follow up on that article with Ms Hoey and to talk to her about those claims — but of other claims. The Member will not be surprised to know that Tourism Ireland marketing Northern Ireland in Great Britain is not of my choosing. It is something that I inherited from the Belfast Agreement. Certainly, it is something that, I think, needs very close scrutiny. It is something that I will be looking at.”
“I am aware that there is some unease around the marketing of Northern Ireland in the Great Britain market by Tourism Ireland. I assure the Member that I am looking into that. Over the coming weeks, I hope to meet the chairman of Tourism Ireland to discuss some of the claims that have been made. With regard to tourism figures, we had a good year in 2013 in relation to visitors from Great Britain. The figures were up and, importantly, the spend was up as well. Not only do we have targets for the number of visitors, we have a very stretching target for spend by those visitors who come to Northern Ireland. It is important that we continue to work with Tourism Ireland, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and other partners to ensure that we get the maximum coverage. Our biggest market is GB, and we should not forget that.”
“As you can imagine, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I have been looking very closely at the overall budget. As you are aware, we have come to some resolution on the in-year monitoring position. However, we still have to have a draft Budget for 2015-16. Once that happens, I will have more clarity on the issue. Tourism Ireland will face savings and, let us be honest about it, cuts, the same as any other part of my Department. That is done with regret, but it is something that I have to do across the Department.”
“We undertake cooperative marketing with the airlines and the ferry services. We work very closely with the ferry services that are in Larne and Belfast. I am quite happy to share those details with the Member, if those would be useful to him.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important that Tourism Ireland, in my opinion, increases its activity, including in England, for us to see further growth in visitor numbers from Great Britain.”
“Whilst I do not have details of English visitors, there were almost 1·2 million visitors from Great Britain in 2013, which was an increase of 13% on 2012. Great British visitors make up 56% of our total external visitors and are therefore a very important market for us. <BR /> <BR />Tourism Ireland has been highlighting visitor experiences that appeal to families, such as Titanic Belfast, the Giant's Causeway and Causeway coastal route, as well as our unique National Trust properties. It is using a wide variety of marketing tools to get its message through to GB families, including advertising on television, radio, outdoors, in cinemas, and in national and regional newspapers and lifestyle magazines.”
“I have indicated that, since 1 April 2014, the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland has responsibility for consumer representation on postal services in Northern Ireland. Before that, Consumer Futures was responsible. The Consumer Council has taken on this role. As it is a reserved matter, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is providing funding of £255,000 to the Consumer Council for 2014-15 to undertake its consumer representation role in respect of postal services in Northern Ireland. As I understand it, its work plan for this year broadly covers three main areas: the launch of the council's new role and responsibilities for postal services; the post office network, which is a very important part of rural life in Northern Ireland; and mail and parcels.”
“This is a matter that has been taken up by the Consumer Council. As I understand, it is carrying out work in the context of the fact that it has been given these powers by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Of course, it will respond to its sponsor Department when it has carried out that work. I have no doubt that it will also share its work with me and indeed with the Committee.”
“Postal services are reserved to Westminster under paragraph 7 of schedule 3 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 and are not therefore the responsibility of my Department. The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to represent consumers on postal issues in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />People are struggling to understand the morass that Sinn Féin finds itself in in relation to welfare reform, and this morning was another very good example of that. It can be summed up in a simple phrase, "We don't know how much welfare reform costs, and we don't care". That was basically the sum total of a 40-minute interview this morning from Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />Mr Acting Speaker, Northern Ireland deserves better, the House deserves better and the vulnerable people, whom the party opposite says it wants to protect, deserve so much better. So, let us get these issues dealt with. My party, under the leadership of Peter Robinson, will not be found wanting. It is up to others to see whether they will.”
“<BR /> <BR />The proposal put this morning, first to the party officers of the Democratic Unionist Party and then to the Assembly team of the DUP, was passed unanimously by all present. I think that the DUP has again shown that our strength and confidence in what we are doing for this country remains very strong. Sinn Féin appears upset that it is not immediately gaining a Speaker in the British devolved Administration, but the leader and First Minister has made it clear that this party will stand by its agreement when the agreements have come to fruition, but that we cannot allow Sinn Féin to break agreements that have been made without sanction or, indeed, to engage in unacceptable behaviour. Every action or inaction will have an opposite reaction or inaction.”
“Thank you very much, Acting Speaker. I listened carefully to the two proposers of the nationalist candidates here today. I am sure that they did not mean this, but what they said was that it was time for a republican or a nationalist Speaker. Of course, the Speaker should not have any affiliations. The Speaker may come from a republican or nationalist background, but, like William Hay, they should leave that at the door of the Speaker's office. However, maybe it portrays more of what they wanted from their candidates today. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the Member who has just spoken was not at the welfare reform negotiations, so I do not know how she knows what was agreed between the First Minister and deputy First Minister. A clear understanding was reached in those negotiations.”
“I hope that he has a speedy return to good health, and I am sure that I will still be lobbied effectively, albeit from the House of Lords.”
“He was, as we heard, a fixer of problems who looked for solutions, and that should not be underestimated. The House will miss that. <BR /> <BR />As we heard, he had international standing. He went to Kosovo, chaired the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, had many events here and many people visited this House of ours. Indeed, he opened it in a way that had never been achieved before. A lot of people have been through the doors of Parliament Buildings who would not have been here had it not been for William Hay's insistence that this was to be a place for everybody in Northern Ireland and, indeed, for all our visitors from overseas. <BR /> <BR />I join colleagues in wishing William, Doris and their family every success.”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, with the greatest respect to you and your Deputy Speakers, I will miss William Hay in this place. William and I had a very good friendship. We represented constituencies from the west of the Province and always worked closely. Very recently, I was in the city at his request to open a flower festival at Clooney Church of Ireland. He used to call on me to come along to a number of things in the city, and I was more than happy to do so. <BR /> <BR />He represented his constituents tirelessly. Whether it was the Memorial Hall, St Columb's Cathedral or some small issue up in Irish Street, Willie was there, always making sure that his constituents' voices were heard. <BR /> <BR />As a Minister, I will, of course, miss William's friendship and guidance.”
“The Member can say "shame" from a sedentary position. Her nastiness and rudeness never cease to amaze me, but there we are. I am happy to work with Members who want to be proactive and positive about the region rather than sticking their head in the sand.”
“I had much more to come. I encourage Members to get behind Warrenpoint marina, which is a really good project and one that could be achieved, unlike the Narrow Water bridge, which unfortunately came out as uneconomic and therein lay the problem.”
“Am I over that? Sorry, I was not even looking.”
“It was a real shop window for the area, and I know, having spoken to the delegates, that they really enjoyed being in Newcastle and Warrenpoint. They were in Narrow Water Castle for one of their events and really enjoyed that as well. For many from the mainland, it was their first visit to Northern Ireland, and they said that they would come back because they really enjoyed not only the hospitality but the conference and what was achieved at it. <BR /> <BR />I spoke to members of Warrenpoint Port about the development of the marina there. They have achieved planning permission and are keen to seek European funding. It is something —”
“You will know the old arguments as well as I do. There is an argument that too much information on road signs confuses drivers. I take the view that, on major road signs, there is plenty of room for information, particularly about tourism. DRD and I have just agreed a policy, so I hope that you will see more openness on that matter. <BR /> <BR />Colleagues and I have been working with the Kilkeel Strategic Partnership. I think that there are huge opportunities there. I am pleased to see the way in which people in Kilkeel, particularly some of the fishermen's organisations, have taken up the opportunity to work with the renewable energy sector there, which I was able to reflect when talking to the British Ports Association at Slieve Donard last week. I commend Warrenpoint Harbour Authority for all the work that it did on that conference.”
“A lot of wide-ranging issues were raised today, and I will not get to some of them. The Member who said that the Giro not coming to South Down was a ministerial omission knows that that is not correct. We had many discussions about the issue, and it was the decision of the organisers that they would set the route. I hope that the Member will acknowledge that we had a good meeting on trying to take forward the Giro in the future, which we will continue to do. The Irish Open was mentioned, which is a very exciting opportunity that I look forward to next year. The fact that the Rory Foundation has come in behind the Irish Open opens up a lot of other opportunities. <BR /> <BR />I have raised the subject of brown tourist signs on the motorway with the Minister for Regional Development on a number of occasions.”
“You need the right ecosystem and the right attitude in the area to create those jobs moving forward. I commend the work done with Down District Council, Newry and Mourne District Council and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to progress those important economic issues.”
“The question asked this evening was this: what is it that councils can do to help themselves and to engage with Invest NI? I welcome those comments. As you know, when the new powers move from Invest NI to the councils, they will be more integrated on job creation. There is a real need, therefore, to have that close working relationship between Invest NI and the new councils. I hope that they will take the opportunity. We have been working with the councils, through the local economic development measure, to improve the capability of businesses in the area. That has been a good success. A collaborative approach to job promotion is the best way forward. I have said many times before in the House that, if people just stand back and think that they can leave it to Invest NI to create jobs, it is simply not going to happen.”
“Initiatives like the jobs fund and support for R&D projects encourage companies to bring forward activities that will enable them to compete more effectively and successfully, particularly in markets outside Northern Ireland. We are certainly not complacent about seeking to work with businesses outside our city centres and are engaging regionally to help businesses in more remote locations to grow and to develop. <BR /> <BR />Invest and our regional delivery partners are actively engaged in work across the constituency to encourage people to think about starting their own business. In the last five years, that has resulted in over 800 new locally owned businesses being set up in South Down. Most recently, Invest has been working with the local councils.”