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 9 of 67.
“Businesses are asking for access to their main market in Great Britain, and to make sure that they get their goods over from Great Britain into Northern Ireland as well. That is, of course, my priority, and to make sure that we use my good office to do that. Of course, we will take any benefits that flow from the protocol. It has been a very difficult period for us all around this, and it is important to look at access to UK trade deals. Those deals are now beginning to become a reality, and it is very important that we have full access to those trade deals. That is part of the ongoing work to ensure that we have access to those trade deals.”
“As the Member points out, there is certainly no consent for the protocol from the representatives of the unionist people at Westminster. We voted against it on every single occasion. However, given the scope of the Conservative and Unionist Party's win at the last general election, when it got an 80-seat majority, the protocol could not be stopped. We had to make sure that we mitigated the worst excesses of the protocol. We have made some progress on that but, of course, there is still much work to do. I assure the Member that this leader and First Minister will not be found wanting when there is work to do to mitigate the worst excesses of the European Union and the protocol.”
“Those issues are therefore not for joint agreement but for the UK Government, if they believe that Northern Ireland is being damaged by the operation of the protocol.”
“Article 16 of the protocol is not for the Joint Committee. It is actually for the UK Government, if the UK Government believe that it will lead:”
“First, I hope that she knows that the Belfast Agreement is about east-west as well as North/South, and, of course, our biggest market is with Great Britain. I welcome the fact that the unfettered access promised in the Command Paper is now something that seems to be protected by the recent agreement. We also need to ensure that there is also unfettered access from Great Britain into Northern Ireland, and we will continue with that work, because it is very important for our businesses and citizens. When we talk about the Belfast Agreement, it is important that we reflect on the whole of the Belfast Agreement, not just on parts of it.”
“As the Member well knows, they are not brought in in perpetuity. They can be revisited again by this place. The whole point about our leaving the European Union is that the Assembly can revisit those regulations, and that is in the protocol. <BR /> <BR />Let me be very clear: my party voted against the protocol and opposed it at every level. Having the sea border did not once pass through the House of Commons when we held the balance of power there. A general election then happened, and we were faced with the protocol and the withdrawal agreement as it is. We have worked very hard to mitigate the worst excesses of the protocol, and we will continue to do so. We have made some progress on those matters, and I hope that we can make more progress.”
“I take it that he means second-hand car dealers and cars coming across from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. That is an issue that is still being considered in Westminster. I understand that Robin Walker, the Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, is dealing with the matter with Her Majesty's Treasury to try to find a workable solution. Of course, there is always the stopgap of article 16 in the protocol, which states that, if there is any damage to the economic well-being of the people of Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom Government can intervene in an appropriate and measured way. I will certainly be reminding the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Government of that commitment in article 16 of the protocol.”
“As you know, the Executive have different views on Brexit. Of course, the Executive Office does not have an agreed position on Brexit. In my view, there are many opportunities to be had from leaving the European Union and all the regulations imposed on us by the non-accountable EU Commission. I look forward to taking up those opportunities. Undoubtedly, it would be much better if we had a negotiated settlement, and we hope that that will be the case at the end of these negotiations.”
“I hope that I have set out the Northern Ireland protocol and the agreement that was reached between the European Union and the UK Government in the form of Maroš Šefcovic and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Michael Gove. As I said, we are analysing the text from that agreement, and, of course, we also hope that the current negotiations will bring us to a free trade agreement. We are watching very carefully how those negotiations take place.”
“Our preparations for a non-negotiated outcome are being taken forward in conjunction with the COVID-19 response and the normal planning for winter issues to ensure that we are prepared for any concurrent risks that may arise.”
“An understanding of the text was published last week, and further clarity is needed on any agreed deal to inform our planning. Our officials have worked with officials from other Departments to scrutinise readiness issues and identify possible mitigations. The Executive have considered the outcome of this work and agreed to focus on the priority high-impact risks to operational readiness. <BR /> <BR />On the basis of our planning for operational readiness, Departments have also identified the residual risks that would remain in the event of a non-negotiated outcome, and those form the basis of cross-Northern Ireland Civil Service contingency plans.”
“The draft joint decisions of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee have been published, and we are analysing the text. It is expected that these issues will be brought formally to the next meeting of the Committee, the date of which is expected to depend on the outcome of the negotiations on the future relationship. <BR /> <BR />Over recent weeks, the UK and the EU have intensified their negotiations, with the aim of securing an agreement. Yesterday, the Prime Minister and the president of the European Commission announced that the negotiations will continue to see whether an agreement can be reached. We recognise that the talks could still result in a non-negotiated outcome and that the delays to this process have added further pressure to the already challenging timeline to prepare for the end of the transition period.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission I will take questions 1, 4 and 10 together. <BR /> <BR />The EU rules that will apply here following the transition period are set out in the protocol. The Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee has responsibilities regarding the implementation and application of the protocol. The UK and the EU announced on 8 December that they had agreed in principle on key decisions to be made by the Committee relating to at-risk goods, agricultural subsidies, customs exemptions for fish and aquaculture, and EU oversight. <BR /> <BR />After the announcement, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster spoke to the deputy First Minister and me, and he explained those decisions and how they will help to ensure that the daily lives of our businesses and citizens will not be adversely affected.”
“We really regret the fact that our businesses were left in the position they were left in last week. A lot of them have been challenged in terms of stocking up and the amount of money they have spent in dealing with COVID-19 restrictions. We want to be as clear as possible, so we will continue to engage with the retail sector, the hospitality sector and, indeed, with our faith sectors, as we do, to get as many messages out as possible and to hear from them about what they can do to help us in this terrible time.”
“I think that we have found a balanced and proportionate way forward. We need to continue to find that balanced and proportionate way forward. When we have the testing regime to a higher level of capacity where we can test staff in healthcare, social care and care home settings more frequently, that will help. It will also give them a sense of worth that we are concerned about their well-being and want to know what is happening in those settings. The testing regime is very much part of what we need to do. As I said in reply to an earlier question, it is important that we take the learnings from the Liverpool experience and use them in Northern Ireland so that we can be more focused on using testing as a mechanism to cut transmission of the virus.”
“I thank the Member for her question. She has put her finger on the matter. I know that the Member has family in positions in ICU and will, therefore, be fully aware of the difficulties that our nursing staff face. <BR /> <BR />I say again that we absolutely support all those who put themselves in harm's way. We know how restrictive all this is not just when they are working but in their home lives, and we very much appreciate everything that they do.”
“Not that I am aware of. The only suggestion that I recall was from one of the smaller parties to reduce the threshold for such protections from three Ministers to two. We all know that there are those who want to apportion blame on the use of vetoes and all the rest of it. The truth is that we should never have got to that point, and I hope that, in our discussions in the coming days, which, again, will be difficult and controversial, we can get to a position without the need to invoke any of that.”
“However, it is lawful that that is used, and any impression created that the sufficient consensus requirement applies only to so-called unionist or nationalist issues is entirely bogus and is, frankly, at odds with the Northern Ireland Act. People might like to revisit the Northern Ireland Act and have a look at it.”
“Given our history in Northern Ireland, a number of protections are built into the operating of the Assembly and Executive. There is also an obligation in the ministerial code to try to seek consensus rather than to simply drive through controversial matters by a simple majority. That protection is written into the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to ensure that sufficient consensus is achieved. That safeguard can be triggered by any three Ministers of any parties when they are opposed to a course of action on any topic. <BR /> <BR />The determining factor subsequently becomes the fairly blunt tools — I accept that — of parallel consent or weighted majority.”
“No. I do not accept that. The Member will not be surprised at that. As I have said, it was a very difficult week; it was a tortuous week. However, it is right that we try to take decisions that are balanced and proportionate and take into account the enormous pressure that our healthcare staff and hospitals are under but also recognise that people need to earn a living, otherwise they fall into poverty and fall into health outcomes that are very bad as well. So, look, I make no apology for trying to get to a balanced and proportionate place, and I think that that is where the people of Northern Ireland want us to get to as well.”
“Given that we only came back on 11 January — much to the delight of the Member — and that we then faced a global pandemic and given that we are in a five-party coalition, we are dealing with the issues in front of us. As leaders in our community of all five parties, we want to see resolutions happen. Sometimes, it does not look too pretty — we accept that — but that does not take away the fact that we want to find solutions and a way forward because we recognise that the people of Northern Ireland have put their trust in us.”
“We continuously speak with the Health Department from the Executive Office and, indeed, across the Executive, and, if specific issues have arisen in relation to surge planning, testing or the roll-out of a vaccination, we will very much want to assist the Health Minister to deal with those issues because we recognise that COVID is an issue for all of us. It is important to say that because we want to tackle it together. Whatever about what happened last week, we all recognise that there is a need to step up and to deal with all of the issues in front of us, because we are in a very difficult situation at present.”
“I have not heard Professor Scally's comments, and I am sure that he would not be surprised by that. It is important that we have plans in place to deal with the issues in front of us. I join the Member in paying tribute to our health and social care staff, all those who have put themselves in harm's way for the community. There was a huge outpouring of support during the first wave, and I think that many staff got through on adrenaline and a recognition that there was huge support. In this wave, I understand that a lot of them are tired. They have worked long, hard hours, and I want to tell them that their work has not gone unnoticed and that the House and the Executive deeply appreciate it.”
“Yes, tougher enforcement, probably, and more resource. I think it is common cause across the Executive that, if we need to put further resource into dealing with the issue, we will try to do that. <BR /> <BR />Enforcement is an issue for a number of agencies. The junior Ministers have been leading on enforcement and compliance. It is important that we see people called out if they are simply rule-breaking and not listening to the messages on why is it important to be COVID-secure. We will want to look at that important issue continuously.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I am pleased to say that there has been proactive and meaningful engagement with local government, principally through the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) and the two junior Ministers. I am pleased to see the way in which there has been engagement, and I am pleased that it wants to play a role in dealing with COVID-19 by helping us to get COVID-secure businesses and helping with community champions and ambassadors, as well as assurance schemes to de-risk some of the issues out there. I am pleased to say that local government is working proactively.”
“I thank the Member for that. Of course, if there is a free trade agreement, that will make the operation of the protocol, to which, he knows, we are opposed, easier on the people of Northern Ireland, and we will not have to deal with some of the issues that we have been talking about, such as goods at risk coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, which, of course, is a complete anathema, given that we are part of the same country. However, hopefully, if there is an overall agreement, we will not have to deal with those thorny issues.”
“I very much want — I hope that the Member took this from my comments to Mr O'Dowd — to see a deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union, because it would be better not just for us in Northern Ireland but for all the countries and institutions involved if we reached an agreement.”
“Thank you for raising that issue, which is of great concern to me and, I believe, to other members of the Executive. We know that women are disproportionately hit by the COVID-19 restrictions, given that many of them are in part-time, low-paid jobs. The lady whom I referred to in my first answer was seeking to take her own life because she felt that there was no purpose left to her life. We should be very concerned about that. Absolutely, I am happy to follow up on that issue with the Member.”
“I am disappointed to tell the Member that I have not read the document, but, if he would like to share it with me — he has clearly read it in great detail — I would be only too happy to come back to him about it.”
“We now face another challenge on pre-prepared meat products, with which the European Union says that there is a difficulty. The Member may recall the famous issue of lasagne going from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. Frankly, it is a nonsense. As far as I am concerned, lasagne comes over in a supermarket truck that goes to a destination in Northern Ireland and is sold in sterling to a consumer, so what is the difficulty? I hope that there is enough flexibility shown by the European Union to find a solution to the problem. I also hope that it is not using it as a way to get its own way in the main negotiations.”
“I thank the Member for his question, which he raised with me when I made my statement, last week, on the British-Irish Council. We felt that there was a need to write to the vice president of the Commission, Mr Šefcovic — if I have got his name right — on the issue of goods coming from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. We are particularly concerned about the fact that the Joint Committee has not reached agreement on goods at risk.”
“I do not agree with the Member that he has not had any idea about what is expected of the Assembly and the Executive. We have been very clear that a number of statutory instruments will have to be brought forward. The different Committees are working their way through those statutory instruments. Nobody is pretending for a second that, if there is not a negotiated outcome, it is not going to be a very difficult period ahead; of course it is. It is very important that we all work together to make sure that we get through this period of great uncertainty, so that we can go into next year in a much more positive frame of mind.”
“We ask for flexibility, but we also hope that the negotiations reach a good outcome.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Actually, before COVID hit, the Northern Ireland economy was performing well, and we were pleased to see that happening. Of course, we need to see an overall agreement being reached. We very much encourage the negotiators to find that way forward. We know that there are still some very significant sticking points, particularly around fisheries governance and the issue of a level playing field. We hope that solutions can be found to those issues in the coming days, because, if not, we will have a hugely significant task ahead of us, running up to the end of the year. The Executive are agreed that flexibility needs to be shown by others so that we do not reap the harvest of the protocol, which could cause us severe difficulties, particularly with foodstuff coming from Great Britain into Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />A key challenge for Departments in this planning process is the urgent clarity that is needed to implement both the protocol and any agreed deal with the European Union. Our officials have undertaken bilateral meetings with officials from other Departments in order to scrutinise readiness issues and to identify possible mitigations, including where interventions would be required from the UK Government, and assurances around continuity agreements or bilateral agreements. An Executive action plan to address high-priority readiness issues is in the final stages of development.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 5 and 12 together. <BR /> <BR />Over recent weeks, the UK and EU have intensified their negotiations with the aim of securing an agreement. Discussions on the future relationship have continued since then. For an agreement to be in place for the end of the transition period, we understand that it must be negotiated by mid-November in order for the EU to complete internal processes. We welcome the commitment of both sides to continue discussions, however, we recognise that the talks could still result in a non-negotiated outcome. We are, therefore, continuing our operational readiness planning to include that possibility.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister Lyons will answer this question.”
“As I indicated, this appointment, like so many appointments, is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. As such, the process must comply with the code of practice for ministerial public appointments. It is carried out in that way to make sure that there is transparency and support for the process, and it may take up to six months to complete. That will ensure that everyone can have confidence in the appointment process and that it will be open and transparent.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The body corporate of the Commission for Victims and Survivors continues, and its chief executive officer will now be responsible for its day-to-day business. It is important to say that it still exists as a reference point for victims. If victims have issues, they should bring them to the commission. Moreover, the Victims and Survivors Service (VSS) will continue to deliver services to victims and survivors throughout Northern Ireland during this time. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, it will, because of the public appointments process, take probably up to six months to have the new commissioner in place. In the interim, however, we will want to work with the commission and with the Victims and Survivors Service to make sure that the voice of victims is heard.”
“The Victims' Commission continues in legal existence, even without the commissioner, and that will continue in the interim. It will work and interact with the forum. There were no fresh appointments to the forum, as I understand it, during the time when we were without devolution. That being the case, it may be time to look at the forum to see whether it is representative of the different strands of victims across Northern Ireland. That is something that we will be looking at alongside the review of the commissioner's office.”
“This is a key time for victims and survivors, with preparations for the victims' payment scheme progressing, concerns with legacy issues, and looking ahead towards the next victims' strategy. It is important that we consider all matters fully and move forward in the right way. Therefore we have decided to appoint a new Commissioner for Victims and Survivors. We have instructed our officials to begin the work required to commence the appointment process, and, alongside that, we have asked officials to consider terms of reference for a review of the office of the commissioner.”
“The Bills provide for three separate appointments — the director into the office and two commissioners to lead the three bodies. The office and the commissioners are therefore independent of each other, but the office may provide support services to the Irish language commissioner and to the Ulster-British commissioner. It is important to recognise that they should all work together because, if we are serious about representing the plurality of cultures and identities in Northern Ireland, there should not be any difficulties with the three bodies working together.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I feel your pain in relation to that issue. The report was submitted to us on 17 July. It was my 50th birthday present, and I really want to say, "Thank you" for it. In concluding its work, the commission was very much aware of the content of 'New Decade, New Approach' that I have just referred to. On 20 October the junior Ministers met the joint chairs of the commission to discuss the report and its recommendations. We are considering the content of the report and the appropriate next steps, including a decision on the full publication of the report.”
“Yes, I am confident. It is part of the 'New Decade, New Approach' agreement. Therefore it is important that the basis on which we came back is followed through on, not just in respect of this issue but on a range of issues where our Government, the Irish Government and other people have made commitments. It is important that we follow through on those commitments.”
“Our officials continue with preparatory work to legislate for the core elements of the rights, language and identity proposals contained in 'New Decade, New Approach'. This includes arrangements to progress a Northern Ireland Act 1998 (Amendment No. 1) Bill that provides for the establishment of the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression. We will progress the legislation during 2020-21 and establish the Office of Identity and Cultural Expression as quickly as possible thereafter. We will, of course, keep the Assembly updated on progress.”
“Well, it depends on whether you read the 1967 Act on its own or whether you read it alongside the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which clearly says that controversial, cross-cutting and financially significant issues will have to come to the Executive. Whilst he could, technically, make that decision, I think that he will be open to judicial review (JR). Let us just say that.”
“We very much want a coordinated approach across the United Kingdom.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is something that we discussed with other devolved Administrations and Michael Gove last Wednesday, because we recognise that it is a huge issue not just for young people but for families across the United Kingdom and, indeed, in the Republic of Ireland. We will want to make sure that people can come together at Christmastime. That is an ongoing discussion. It would be wise to have the same restrictions, messaging and communications on that issue so that there is no room for misunderstanding about how people can travel home for Christmas. I know, for example, that some students who finish their course at the beginning of December will be tested and then allowed to go home, and they may have to self-isolate for a period. Those conversations continue.”
“<BR /> <BR />We would always like just to flick the switch and get the money out immediately, but I am sure that Members would ask us questions about due process and public accountability for money if we did not do things properly, and, of course, they are very much entitled to do so. We will do what we can as quickly as we can, but we have to acknowledge that this is public money that we are dealing with.”
“Although I welcome the fact that the taxi scheme is now open, it took a considerable time to get there. I say to Members who have been waiting for that funding that we are disappointed that it took such an amount of time to get there but we are pleased that it has got there now. <BR /> <BR />Like all the schemes that were put in place to deal with what was to be the four-week intervention, the taxi scheme had to be dealt with from scratch. As I understand it, from the date on which the Economy Minister was asked to put it in place, the scheme was up and running and working nine days later, one day less than the Member said. The money is now going out in different tranches. I understand that the Land and Property Services (LPS) scheme, which deals with most of the money that goes out into the community, is moving now as well.”