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 67 of 67.
“<BR /> <BR />As with most regions, South Down has not been immune to the impact of the economic downturn. A number of businesses have either had to reduce their workforce or take an unavoidable decision to close completely. Initiatives like the jobs fund provide support to business owners and new business starts across Northern Ireland. Where one or two jobs are available, we can come in and help to try to sustain jobs and to tackle rising unemployment. We have been proactive in addressing the economic downturn and have sought to provide fast-track support to help companies across Northern Ireland to deliver new jobs on the ground as quickly as possible. In South Down alone, the jobs fund has promoted 223 jobs, with 194 jobs created by March this year.”
“<BR /> <BR />We continue to prepare and to make available land for economic development in South Down. Of the 280 acres of land we hold there, 67 acres are available to support economic development in sites like Carnbane business park. That significant investment is a clear demonstration of our commitment to South Down by holding or developing land for industrial use in locations where the private sector is unwilling or unable to do so. We proactively market those sites to foreign and local investors. I have been encouraged by the interest shown by businesses in acquiring land in Carnbane business park, with enquiries received from three businesses about locating to the new lands at the business park. We will continue to work with those interested parties.”
“We were able to help to support seven new jobs in management, administration and production roles in Clonallon, allowing it to build up its capacity to look for those rising sales. <BR /> <BR />Our help and support extends, of course, beyond job creation, and many programmes and interventions are aimed at improving the overall competitiveness of the economy. In South Down, over the last five years, that has resulted in just under 170 offers of support to help companies to engage in research and development or to invest in improving the skills of their workforce. It was Mr Hazzard who said that it was important that we have an element of self-help and look to the future to make sure that we have the appropriate skills in place. That is very much the case.”
“Many people in the region have benefited directly or indirectly from the new employment opportunities that are being created by Invest NI. One such company, of course, is Finnebrogue, which is creating 65 new jobs in Downpatrick following an offer of support of £233,000. Another is Clonallon Laboratories Ltd, a Warrenpoint medical supply company — a very innovative company — that I had the pleasure of meeting recently. It provides a wide range of custom sterile procedure packs, surgical instruments and medical supplies to the health care industry and recently won a contract to supply £250,000 worth of procedure packs in Kuwait. I hope that other orders will come from that region in the near future.”
“I want to thank my official from South Down who is here this afternoon and will have listened very carefully to the points that Members made about Invest NI and small businesses.”
“That was something that the SDLP Members and I had been very much involved in, given my connection with Enniskillen and Mr Bradley's connection with Newry. Unfortunately, that has now come to fruition. <BR /> <BR />Turning to private sector jobs, for which of course I am responsible along with Invest Northern Ireland: between 2009-2010 and 2013-14, Invest has made some 1,147 offers of support to businesses in the constituency. That amounts to £14 million of assistance and will lead to an associated total investment of some £60 million. The support of Invest has led to the promotion of over 1,200 new jobs, including those from the Regional Start initiative. We very much acknowledge the work that goes on locally with a lot of small businesses and a lot of people who are starting their own businesses across the South Down constituency.”
“I give them my assurance that I will do all that I can to work with them and JTI to minimise the damage that has been done to the local economy and indeed to the whole of the Northern Ireland economy because, as I pointed out in a letter to Jeremy Hunt just last week, actually, there are 200 companies in the supply chain of JTI, which benefit to the tune of £20 million each year. Now, that is gone. This is a huge story tonight. It is right that the House should take account of it. <BR /> <BR />Turning to South Down in particular, I know that many in the Chamber share my concern at the recent closure of the driver and vehicle licensing offices in Northern Ireland and the resulting losses at Rathkeltair House in Downpatrick and indeed at the tax office in Newry as well.”
“With your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker, before I turn to the important issue of the economic challenges in South Down, I place on record my concern for those people in Lisnafillan in Ballymena who have received the devastating news tonight that their jobs have been lost and that the JTI plant is closing as a direct result of the European directive on tobacco. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that much finger pointing will be done over the next couple of days. My concern is about the many, many families, some of them with two or three members who work in the factory, who have had that news delivered to them tonight.”
“I beg to introduce the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill [NIA39/11-15], which is a Bill to amend the law relating to insolvency; and for connected purposes.”
“There is an element of fracking, and we have to be honest with ourselves and say that. Frankly, we cannot have a hysterical reaction every time that fracking is mentioned, with people going into a tizzy about it. We need to look at the science, the facts and the evidence. <BR /> <BR />I will finish with the ending of the Tamboran licence. Some of us do take decisions on evidence; some of us do look at the science; and some of us do look at the facts. I know that some Members opposite may have difficulty with that. Some of them seem to live in their own special little world. However, I took that decision on the evidence that was in front of me, and it was all about the facts. When this is all over, that will be abundantly clear to everyone in the House.”
“No, the issue that needs to be addressed relates to when you go down and then across. There is some concern about ownership, and people have the right not to consent to that. We need to discuss that. <BR /> <BR />The Republic of Ireland has prepared a geothermal Bill, but there is no timescale for its introduction. <BR /> <BR />I mentioned the difference between district heating systems, which use shallow geothermal and sometimes go throw porous rocks, and electricity. I did so because the generation of electricity from enhanced geothermal systems would require the drilling of boreholes to between 3 and 4 kilometres and a form of fracking. Anyone who listened to 'Talkback' last Wednesday will have heard an expert from Keele University point out that geothermal energy means fracking granite, not just shale gas.”
“Of course, we all know that stable and effective regulation is necessary for investor confidence, as is underground access for directional drilling. That issue came up in Fermanagh, and people were concerned about it. Geothermal legislation is desirable, but it is not an issue that I am in a position to address now. The rest of the UK is looking at geothermal legislation. There is nothing in place at the moment, but I understand that the coalition Government want to introduce legislation in 2015 on directional drilling below 300 metres both for geothermal and for oil and gas. I understand that, although the Republic of Ireland has —”
“Gas to the west is hugely anticipated by businesses there, particularly by those that are very energy-intensive, such as some of our agrifood companies and the former Quinn glass factory. <BR /> <BR />In any event, I want to move on. Mr Agnew said that we were giving incentives to the gas pipeline to the west. We are giving a one-off grant of £30 million for gas to the west. Last year alone, the renewable industries received over £50 million in subsidies. That is an annual figure, and the money comes from consumers. We need to be honest with people and say that that is the case instead of trying to hide away from the matter. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that the lack of legislation and corresponding regulatory system may be a potential barrier to the development of deep geothermal energy in Northern Ireland.”
“In relation to Mr Agnew's point that we are providing —”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I remind the Member that he thought that the gas pipeline to the west was some sort of Trojan Horse for fracking in the south-west of Fermanagh. He is on record as saying that, so I do not know what he is talking about. In relation —”
“The record of the House will show very clearly that, in the past, you thought that —”
“No, thank you. My current assessment is that —”
“A renewable installation in a gas area will receive the same incentive payments as an equivalent installation in a non-gas area, and the development of the natural gas market and the increase of renewable levels are both essential for Northern Ireland to enjoy a more diverse, secure and sustainable heat market. <BR /> <BR />I was interested to hear Mr Flanagan's comments in relation to the natural gas market. First of all, he was opposed to gas for the west; then he came online and said that he was in favour of gas to the west; and today we are hearing again that he may not now be in favour of gas to the west. His constituents, particularly those in Derrylin, will be interested to hear his comments today.”
“Ground-source heat pumps utilise shallow geothermal and are already in use to heat many local businesses and homes. Examples are the new library at Queen's University and the Lyric Theatre. The Northern Ireland non-domestic renewable heat incentive scheme provides incentives for businesses to install geothermal heating systems through the tariffs set for large ground-source heat pumps. Whilst there are none installed to date, I look forward to seeing suitable projects come through under the RHI in due course. <BR /> <BR />Much has been made across the way of our statutory objective to promote the gas industry. That objective does not impair the future development of deep geothermal energy, as the RHI does not differentiate by geography.”
“They do not need to frack in Oman. Actually, I was talking about Qatar, if the Member wants to go back to the actual discussion that we had. I said that the gas that they found off Qatar had made it the richest place in the world. I never mentioned fracking. I said that they had a fabulous natural resource there and that is what they were using. Mr Attwood needs to get his facts right before he comes to the House and accuses me of things like that. <BR /> <BR />The ROCs mechanism will close to new applicants from April 2017, and large-scale renewable electricity generation, including deep geothermal, will then be supported under the UK-wide feed-in tariff with contracts for difference. <BR /> <BR />Energy from ground sources already plays a role in heating our homes and businesses through the renewable heat incentive.”
“I wanted to take up this point in relation to Mr Attwood's solar PV consultation, which has just closed. As the Member will know, we put forward the appropriate ROCs depending on the evidence that comes forward to us in consultations, and that is certainly the case for the solar PV. It has been an evidence-based consultation. I have been very clear with the industry that, if they have evidence that requires us to intervene in the fashion that we have been intervening in, they need to bring us that evidence. It is back to Ms Overend's point that incentives have to be paid for by the consumer and, if we are over-incentivising solar PV or, indeed, any other technology, we are doing a huge disservice to our consumers. <BR /> <BR />Can I just clear up the issue about Oman and fracking? As if I would talk about fracking in Oman.”
“Nevertheless, electricity generation from deep geothermal energy is eligible for incentives, although you would think, hearing some of the people in the Assembly today, that there are no incentives available. There are incentives available in the form of renewables obligation certificates, although, as I have said, no schemes have come forward thus far.”
“I am pleased that we are well on track to deliver our interim target of 20% renewable electricity by 2015. Contrary to what Ms Overend said, our figures are in for last year — April 2013 to March 2014 — and show that we had 19·5% of our electricity from renewable sources, so we are very close to the 20% target that we were to hit by 2015. <BR /> <BR />Deep geothermal energy, both for power and heat, is a low-carbon sustainable resource that has the potential to play a role in our future energy mix, although, at present, it does not feature in our energy mix. Power generation requires higher geothermal temperatures than for heat, and it remains a very capital-intensive technology. Whilst there is some potential, there is less so than in the more volcanic regions such as Iceland, North America and New Zealand.”
“I welcome the opportunity to respond to the motion on geothermal energy for heating and electricity. It is important that we look at both those elements, and that goes back to a point that Mr Agnew raised in his interjection just a few minutes ago. It is a pity that we did not have a pump available today in the Assembly, because we would have got quite a lot of hot air. I think that you recognised that, Mr Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />In pursuing the Executive’s targets of 40% renewable electricity and 10% renewable heat by 2020, we have put forward a framework that is technology-neutral. That allows the market to bring forward the most cost-effective renewable energy technologies. That is a very important consideration — Mrs Overend also made the point — as we are asking consumers to contribute to costs through their electricity bills.”
“The Member might like to reflect on what he has just said, Mr Deputy Speaker. At no time did I mention fracking in the Middle East.”
“— because we need to debate the matter. It affects us all as Members.”
“I am glad that I brought this to the House —”
“— and that is wrong. The Collegiate is sharing in a very meaningful way in the Fermanagh learning project, which I commend and want to see continuing. I hope that the Minister will recognise the fact that it shares in a meaningful way when he makes his decision.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let me say this to the House: if it happens in this case, then the new board for Northern Ireland could decide that other controlled schools should be closed as well. This is not just about Fermanagh or Enniskillen today; there is a wider issue for controlled sector schools across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />This debate has not been as well informed as we would have liked. Much has been said that has not been correct. Statements have been made that the Collegiate is not sharing —”
“Well, I know that the children who attend Portora and the Collegiate are inherently proud of the history of those institutions. It spurs them on into the future, and they should rightly be proud of that history. <BR /> <BR />Somebody said in relation to the closure of Portora that it was just the beginning of a new chapter. It is not the beginning of a new chapter; it is the end of the book for Portora Royal School. It will be the end of that school. It has been made perfectly clear, for example, that it will be up to the new board of governors to decide on the name and what way it will go forward with regard to academic selection and what have you. Do not be fooled in the House today into thinking that this is an amalgamation. It is not an amalgamation; it is the closure of two oversubscribed, well-performing schools.”
“As for Portora, it is well known that the closure of the Collegiate has been a long-term aim. It was tried in the early 1990s. Mr Elliott referred to it going on for 10 years: it has not; it has been going on for in excess of 20 years. In the early 1990s, it was put forward that Portora Royal School and the Collegiate would amalgamate. Thankfully, it was rejected by the then Education Minister. Instead of focusing on a vision for the future, the board of governors of Portora has decided to retrace old ground and look to close the Collegiate Grammar School. Then again, it is not retracing old ground because this time it is closing the Collegiate and Portora Royal School, a school with over 400 years of history. Yes, we can say, "You are talking only about institutions. You are not talking about the children".”
“We welcome that, but why does Devenish seek to close the Collegiate and Portora and to reduce the numbers at grammar school in Fermanagh? Only Devenish can answer that. I cannot answer that for them.”
“The Sinn Féin amendment wants to do that again today. It wants to bring Devenish into the procedure, despite the fact that the development proposals are quite separate from Devenish College. For some inexplicable reason, the board of governors of Devenish College believes that its future is inextricably linked to the closure of the Collegiate and Portora Royal School. How sad that is. Instead of wanting to see all schools flourish in County Fermanagh, the board of governors decides that another school has to close for its school to exist. Of course, that is not what the Minister has said. He has confirmed in the House today — I thank him for it — that Devenish College will go ahead, that it will be a new school on the Tempo Road site and that the economic appraisal is with DFP.”
“That is basically the procedure that has happened here. The Western Education and Library Board has singularly failed to find consensus on the matter. Therefore, it will go ahead anyway. <BR /> <BR />The email from Mr Morton's account makes much of the fact that Lord Morrow and I did not contact him or the board of governors of Devenish about our motion. Lord Morrow and I are fully aware of the views of the boards of governors of Portora Royal School and Devenish College. What they fail to recognise is that their view is patently not the view of the community in County Fermanagh, as the wider public have affirmed in numerous public consultations over the past 10 years, and that has been very clear. <BR /> <BR />What is particularly sad about the process is that it has pitted schools against each other.”
“<BR /> <BR />The lack of consensus was, in a bizarre way, underlined by the email that came to us at 5.20 pm on a Friday from the email account of Mr Neil Morton, under the names of the Bishop of Clogher and Councillor Alex Baird, wherein they say that there have been a number of meetings to decide on the way forward that have not succeeded to date. Therefore, they say that their way should be adopted. Well, that is some consensus. It reminded me of a quotation from one Brian Clough, who used to be the manager of Nottingham Forest football team. When he was asked about how he dealt with disagreements, he said:”
“Through the Chair, in the same way as all remarks from the Sinn Féin Benches are made through the Chair. <BR /> <BR />There is no public accountability in this process. The community in Fermanagh is not in favour of it, and the petition showed that clearly. One of the schools is vehemently opposed to the process. Mr Flanagan is right in one respect: this is the fault of the Western Education and Library Board. It pushed through the procedure. As I said to the board in correspondence when it was making its decision, it should hang its head in shame over the closure of both schools.”
“The experience of Devenish College has led the community to a position in which they do not have any confidence in speculative plans. The suck-it-and-see approach did not work for Devenish College. The Duke of Westminster High School was closed, and Lisnaskea High School was closed. And, Mr Flanagan, how dare you challenge me about Lisnaskea High School, when I stood up for it when nobody else was prepared to stand up for it. So, take that back.”
“That is quite incredible, and I hope that the whole House will agree on the part of the motion that states that both schools have provided excellent education for the young people in the grammar school sector in County Fermanagh. <BR /> <BR />I also pay tribute to the number of past pupils who have raised their voice about the proposals. That might annoy Mr Hazzard, who seems to have a problem with me being a past pupil. Those past pupils were taught that their voice mattered at the Collegiate, and they continue to make their voice heard. I commend them for that. <BR /> <BR />We have heard quite a lot of false protestations from the Benches opposite about Devenish College. I have never heard them being such proponents of Devenish College before, but there you are.”
“The Collegiate, in particular, feels it very keenly, because, as we have been reminded, Portora's board of governors has voted in favour of the closure of its school, but the board of the Collegiate Grammar School has vehemently opposed its closure, as have the pupils, the staff and, indeed, the wider public, as shown by the fact that I presented a petition here some time ago with over 7,000 names. <BR /> <BR />Despite that, both schools continued this year to provide outstanding success at GCSE and A level. Indeed, in the Collegiate, 85% of A-level entries were A* to C, and almost one third of the girls had at least an A* or two As in their results.”
“That is not what happens in an amalgamation. I should be surprised at that comment, but I am not, given the level of debate here today. We have had some very personalised attacks, starting with Mr Hazzard's attack on me and running right throughout Sinn Féin's contribution here today. The attacks are not from the Minister, I have to say, but we have had quite personalised attacks from all the other contributors. You know what they say: when you do not have an argument, personalise the attack on the person making the argument on the other side. That is fair enough. That is the level of debate from Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />Through the motion, we want to lift the cloud of uncertainty over the Collegiate Grammar School and Portora Royal School.”
“I will respond to the grammar-school boy's comments later, but I first want to say that the motion contains three proposals and nowhere in those proposals is Devenish mentioned, so the motion is about the Collegiate and Portora. It is about the closure of the Collegiate Grammar School, the closure of Portora Royal School and the creation of a new school. It is not about amalgamation. The word "amalgamation" has been used across the Chamber today, but it is not about that; it is about the closure of two grammar schools and the opening of a new co-ed grammar school.”
“The Member is wrong about that. The Collegiate is a member of the Fermanagh Learning Community and avails itself of sharing right across the education sectors in County Fermanagh. That is true of the Collegiate and, as far as I am aware, of Portora, so they do access that. They are the smallest grammar schools in Northern Ireland because their numbers are capped. If they were allowed to develop further, they would be bigger schools.”
“Yes, it will be quick. In response to Mr Allister, the Minister said that an economic appraisal for the new school at Devenish was based on 800 pupils. That has already been set, so the discussion on the closure of two schools and the building of a new school is not connected with Devenish College at all.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am sitting on the Back Bench for a reason: I am not the Minister in this debate.”
“Will the Member acknowledge that the email from the email account of Mr Morton, which I assume he is referring to, also refers to the fact that various meetings took place between me, Mr Elliott of the Ulster Unionist Party and all the heads of the boards of governors of the Collegiate, Portora, Devenish and the then Lisnaskea High School, which, as we know, was closed very recently? Because no consensus was found at those meetings, it has been decided that they will go ahead regardless of the fact that there is no consensus. Is the Member saying that we should not continue to find consensus, or is he just saying that, because two schools have decided on a way forward, the other schools should just sit back and say nothing?”