Fra McCann
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I want to thank everyone for the help that they have given me over the years, which has made my time here a lot easier. I also thank Assembly Members for the friendship, help and assistance that they have given me, from right across the Assembly Floor. I would love to say that I will miss everybody here; I probably will at times.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. <BR /> <BR />It was interesting to listen to Robbie, who has first-hand experience of what firefighters go through. To have someone like that speaking in the debate is invaluable.”
“The statistics tell us, as Members have said, that firefighters are four times more likely to develop cancer due to their regular exposure to pollutants in the work that they do on behalf of society. Further preventative measures are obviously needed, and that is what the Sinn Féin amendment addresses.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly needs to send a message that that is not an acceptable way to treat front-line workers who put their lives on the line day and daily.”
“Better decontamination measures and modern, accessible facilities will improve the working lives of firefighters and help to reduce their risk of cancer and other illnesses. <BR /> <BR />I thank the DUP for bringing the motion to the Assembly, and, in conclusion, the Sinn Féin amendment strengthens what is a good motion.”
“I would have thought that such organisations, which play a vital role in local government, would have been able to tap into the consultation on the Bill, because it has been debated widely not only at Committee but in the Chamber.”
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“A similar approach has been adopted to the protection of tenancy deposits. I understand that many thousands of landlords have joined the scheme, depositing millions of pounds, but, again, many thousands have ignored the scheme. We need to be told what action is being taken to deal with the landlords who ignore these pieces of legislation. How many have been brought to court, and what has been the outcome of those actions?”
“The second was defeated by those who believed that the market should control this sector. Look where that got us. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin has always argued for robust legislative change to bring the private rented sector into line with other housing providers. Other parties opted for a light-touch approach to the sector. The introduction of the landlord registration scheme, which had the final date of February 2015 to register, still has a way to go for full registration. It would be interesting to find out what action has been taken to penalise landlords who have ignored the deadline. It is my understanding that, by 20 March, 39,000 landlords had registered. They provided details of 85,000 private tenancies; a shortfall of thousands, given that there are an estimated 130,000 tenancies, or over 17% of all households.”
“He spoke of regulation being required, but where has this gone in the past year? I just noticed this morning that a briefing is scheduled for 10 December. Again, that puts this whole issue on the long finger. It would have been much better if the Minister had come here this morning and taken part in the debate to bring us up to date and tell us where he is going with this important issue. We need action to give confidence to a growing number of people who are being directed towards this sector. In 2006, there were 65,300 houses in the private rented sector. This has increased to over 130,000 in 2014. I tabled a motion back in 2007 calling on the then Minister to implement the registration scheme, which was supported by the Assembly. In fact, it was the first of two motions on the subject.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I ask Members to support the motion, which highlights the serious problems that exist in the private rented sector across the North. The motion speaks of concerns at the continued growth in the private rented sector to the position of being the biggest supplier of socially rented accommodation in the North. It also highlights the fact that this unregulated sector receives upwards of £300 million in housing benefit annually. It also calls on the Minister to move ahead with the promised review of the private rented sector that he announced on 6 November 2014. <BR /> <BR />This is too important an issue not to have the Minister's full input into its outworkings. In his statement, he spoke of the need to deal with this growing sector.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement to the House this morning. It is always a subject that gets a lot of interest, not only from Members but especially those in the Department for Employment and Learning who are dealing with the post-19 SEN inquiry. Most of the questions on the statement have been asked. Believe it or not, I have been fairly cynical about the whole question of consultation and the effort that is made to try and get the type of response and information that you require. What difference is being made in this consultation to ensure that nobody is left out, that people have that opportunity to have their input and that those suggestions are listened to at the end?”
“It seems strange because, if that is her view, she was quite happy to work with the same Ministers over the past eight years.”
“Does the Acting First Minister have any appreciation of how damaging her reference to her ministerial colleagues as "rogues and renegades" was?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer but does he not accept that his current solutions are not delivering for those who are in long-term unemployment but are merely handing significant sums of money to companies to deliver schemes that are often of no benefit to the individuals?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. It was interesting, and I am happy that he intends to move beyond the usual groups that normally apply to consultations. I ask him to ensure that, when doing that, he includes in the process the many education projects dealing with deprivation in areas such as west Belfast; the likes of alternative education projects that encourage people into further education; and community-based education projects that do the same but experience blocks and blockages.”
“This motion has been floating about for a considerable time. It was put on the agenda today because we have not effectively dealt with some of the major changes that are going on. <BR /> <BR />You rightly talk about some of the stuff that is going on in east Belfast, but, through it all, we have been told that any new structures that will be put in place will be a political decision. That has effectively been denied us because of the continuing changes that are going on. The separation of regional and landlord services is a classic example of that because they are now two separate organisations.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have had occasion, especially more recently, to speak to quite a number of people who have spent a lifetime working in the Housing Executive and who have told me that the Housing Executive is being hollowed out from within. This creates some serious difficulties. On the one hand, we are being told that it is a political decision, but on the other hand, those decisions are being removed from us. As an Assembly, we need to claw that back and put it on the record that we are not happy. We also need to ensure that we take control of the direction of social housing over the next 30 or 40 years.”
“<BR /> <BR />Homelessness provision, which is one of the most sensitive areas, has been removed from local offices into a more central operation. As I said earlier, its title has been changed. Local officers, who have built a lifetime's experience, will no longer have any connection with people who declare themselves homeless, many of whom have mental health problems and other difficulties. <BR /> <BR />I believe that people have laid out visions for the future of housing. There are problems that can be overcome. If we work together, we can bring that vision to fruition. However, that can only be done by political parties coming together; it cannot be done by an organisational structure that is changing.”
“The division of regional and landlord services that has taken place effectively makes them two separate organisations. Internal changes have also changed how the Housing Executive works on a daily basis, such as in the delivery of homelessness services. That is going through huge change, and the new working name is "housing solutions". <BR /> <BR />Last week, we had another briefing on the social reform programme. During that meeting, the Department's representatives re-emphasised that making any changes to structures is a political decision. However, there have been huge changes in the way that district offices are run. If you look at how maintenance is being delivered, you see huge changes there. The major changes that have been made to the senior structures in the Housing Executive have implications.”
“PricewaterhouseCoopers went on to make a number of recommendations for consideration, which many believe would have formed part of the backdrop for a future strategy on housing across the North. So, where did it all go wrong? How did it become a barrel of rotten apples, as was said? <BR /> <BR />I have worked with the Housing Executive over the past 30 years on behalf of my community. Like many in the House, I have had huge arguments with it on a wide range of matters, but I have found it professional in its approach and dealings on matters of housing. It has built an understanding of its tenants and a service that is second to none, but that is changing. Change has already taken place that has huge implications for the Housing Executive's structures.”
“I understand that problems existed in the Housing Executive. I still try to work out where everything went wrong, and I have no doubt that much of it stemmed from the information provided for the Minister for Social Development on an overspend of £18 million to contractors. The Minister brought that to the House and made serious accusations about contractors carrying out work for the Housing Executive. Yet, a short time before that, PricewaterhouseCoopers carried out a review of the Housing Executive on the instruction of the former Minister Alex Attwood. Its report was completed on 24 June 2011. It is interesting to read what PricewaterhouseCoopers had to say about the Housing Executive. <BR /> <BR />In that report, it said:”
“I have been concerned that changes contained in the social housing reform programme are already being implemented by the chair of the Housing Executive. I have also been concerned that those changes will be that far along the road that the Housing Executive we know will no longer exist, thus removing any political input into the final structures. I believe that we need to get this right because we are dealing with the future housing of our citizens, including the most vulnerable in our society. Any changes will have to survive the pace of time over the next 30 or 40 years. <BR /> <BR />The present chair comes with a housing association agenda. In the past, he has made it quite clear that the Housing Executive was not fit for purpose. He has set about making changes that will change the Housing Executive beyond recognition.”
“Most of the information is gathered in the form of putting that out for consultation. I have raised concerns in the past about how these consultations have been conducted. In fairness, the most recent consultation went some way to gather a wider opinion from citizens than had previously been the case. I have also been concerned that consultations are produced and advertised but, in the end, you get the usual suspects answering without getting the wider opinion that is essential to the final strategy. <BR /> <BR />Running through all these briefings and discussions and in questions that I have put to the Department has been that any decision on the future structures will be a political decision taken by Members of this House.”
“There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, the Department has done some good work and has provided thought-provoking papers for discussion. I may not agree with everything that it has suggested, but that work will create a debate to widen people's understanding of where this is taking us. <BR /> <BR />The Department has been in front of the Social Development Committee to give briefings on numerous occasions, not least last week when it gave a briefing on the social housing reform programme. It says that the programme's aims are to create a sector that is tenant focused, provides quality homes, is sustainable, increases investment in social housing, is fit for the future and allows landlords to be creative and play a positive role in the services they provide.”
“We have seen the introduction of the social housing reform programme, which is a departmental strategy that is meant to develop debate around a number of themes, including a tenant participation strategy, a new regulatory framework, a social housing rent programme, principles for local government engagement and options for the future delivery of social housing. The vision put forward by the Department says:”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I rise to propose the motion and to ask that the House unites in sending a message that any decision around the future structures of social housing delivery and the delivery of housing services be a political decision. The motion proposes that the Assembly calls on the Minister for Social Development to instruct the chairperson of the Housing Executive to cease immediately the dismantling of the Housing Executive structures until full political debate has taken place on the future of social housing.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Recently, I have been speaking to relatives of prisoners in the greater Belfast area who are concerned that the reduction in funding, as the Minister said, will have an impact on their ability to visit and maintain relationships with their loved ones in prison, and that it will have an impact on prisoners' relationships with their children. My understanding is that there has been a considerable cut in the number of hours that this service will be available to those families.”
“I noted that the previous Member spoke about the need for tourism, which we all agree with, but do you not find it strange that a person who stands at Twaddell Avenue and is blasted all over the world is talking about tourism, and that, in itself, goes against people coming to this place?”
“Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. Ultimately, we are all losers in this because it sends out the signal that the Assembly cannot investigate the bad behaviour of Members. Even though most members agreed that a certain road should be taken to hold that member to account, the party then closes ranks. I hope that the new code of conduct is treated differently by party groups and individual Members alike. Not doing so would make a nonsense of not only the code but the credibility of the Assembly.”
“The Committee set a date for the apology of 29 May, but Mr Wilson informed the Committee that he would not apologise to Mr Allister for the comment. The report went on to say that it was highly regrettable that Mr Wilson did not apologise. Both the commissioner and the Committee concluded that a breach of the code of conduct had taken place. It has tabled the motion that Sammy Wilson be sanctioned. It was not a unanimous decision. The DUP people on the Committee would not support the findings, so we are where we are. Once again, we have the DUP putting in a petition of concern in order, not for the first time, to protect its members from censure.”
“This was not to be. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Kelly, in her complaint, pointed to the aggressive nature of Mr Wilson's behaviour. She went on to say that his conduct had done damage to the reputation of other Committee members and the Committee itself. The Commissioner for Standards gave a detailed breakdown of his findings in the Committee report and found that Mr Wilson, by his actions, broke the code of conduct and had damaged public confidence and trust in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />In the Committee itself, we had much debate on whether Mr Wilson was in breach of the code. I believe that, if he had offered an appropriate apology to Mr Allister, the Committee would have reported that the matter had been resolved, and that was included in the report.”
“No, thanks. <BR /> <BR />His behaviour led twice to the suspension of the Committee inquiry that was under way at the time. His outbursts during the Committee meeting totally upset the smooth running of the Committee, and his continued antagonism towards the Committee Chair, accusing him of being biased, added to the general feeling that his intention was to disrupt Committee business while certain people were in the process of giving evidence. There was a general opinion that his comments about witnesses being dodgy and his general approach to the inquiry poisoned the smooth running of Committee business. The complaint made by Dolores Kelly, which related to the meeting of 16 October, could also have been avoided, had Sammy repented and treated other Committee members with respect.”
“It is wonderful to stand here today and listen to the events according to Gregory Campbell, which certainly bear little resemblance to my memory of the Committee meeting. <BR /> <BR />I would like to start by expressing our condolences to Douglas Bain on the death of his brother. <BR /> <BR />The motion of censure before the House today could have been avoided. The Committee on Standards and Privileges would happily have dealt with this in Committee, but Sammy not only ignored this but ignored the Committee for Social Development's plea for him to apologise for his insults.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I welcome the decision to continue the funding. I know that a considerable number of organisations will breathe a sigh of relief. Will he tell us what will be put in place to continue discussions and consultation with local groups to get the benefit out of the extension of funding?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I also thank the Minister for his speech this morning. I have said that anything that enhances youth training has to be welcomed. I was reading some statistics from Include Youth, and I sometimes think that Pat looks over my shoulder and picks up on what I am about to say and then uses it. The statistics raised a couple of interesting points. Include Youth deals with people at the coalface, where most of the difficulties are, and it sometimes does that one on one. How does that fit into the new regime? How can we ensure that it will not be left behind as it has been in the past?”
“Will the Minister outline the scope of his anti-bullying Bill?”
“These include a new rule that requires Members not to accept any gift, benefit or hospitality that might reasonably be thought to influence their actions as a Member. This brings us into line with many other public office holders. Members will cooperate at all times with any investigation and will not disclose details about such an investigation except when authorised by law or an investigatory authority. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, the Committee agreed that specific training and education should be made available to Members in a range of areas. The Committee believes that this work would be complemented by Politics Plus and recommends its approach to seek to put in place appropriate training for this range of standards. Overall, we are satisfied that the work that has been carried out will instil public confidence.”
“The seven principles of public life fulfil the purposes of promoting good behaviour in public life: selflessness; integrity; objectivity; accountability; openness; honesty; and leadership. <BR /> <BR />The new code includes 21 enforceable rules of conduct. These are clear and concise in spelling out what Members must do and what they must avoid. One new rule requires Members not to accept any gifts or benefits that might influence their actions. This brings us into line with many other public office holders. Some include avoiding conflict between personal interest and public interest; upholding the criminal law; upholding the law in relation to equality; and the Assembly's register of interests and all relevant issues. Members will not misuse any payment, allowance or resources that are available to them for public purposes.”
“<BR /> <BR />We also discussed Standing Order 69, which should be reviewed to determine whether it should be amended to reflect provisions of the new code and guide. The new code and guide should not come into effect until after the review of Standing Order 69 is complete. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly welcomes the independent financial review panel's intention to include in this determination for the fifth Assembly a provision for reducing the salary of a Member by 90% for any period during which that Member is imprisoned. The Committee on Procedures should review whether Standing Order 70 is necessary. It should liaise with the Assembly Commission to ensure that a code of conduct for Members' staff is agreed and introduced, to have effect from the start of the next Assembly.”
“In the end, the Committee was satisfied that all relevant stakeholders were approached to secure the widest possible participation. A total of 22 written submissions were received. I understand that Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionist Party were the only two political parties to submit written submissions, which included recommendations that the Assembly approves the new code of conduct and guide. <BR /> <BR />The new code and guide include managing conflicts of interest; upholding the law; registering a declaration of interest; prohibition of the receipt of certain gifts; paid advocacy; misuse of payments; guidance and instructions; treatment of confidential information; interference with the performance by the Assembly of its functions; the abuse of position by a Member; and subjecting others to personal attack.”
“Its purpose was to establish the principles of conduct of all Members, to set rules for all Members to adhere to and to provide openness and accountability, thus ensuring public confidence in the standards regime in the Assembly. That wholesale review was agreed with the aim of clarifying what the purpose of a new code of conduct should be. It would define the scope of the code, determine where it does and does not apply and, ultimately, come up with a new draft that is comprehensive, clear and enforceable. <BR /> <BR />The Committee wrote to key stakeholders, including all Assembly Members, all political parties in the Assembly, the Speaker and the Equality Commission. The Committee published issue papers on the Assembly website, released press statements and took out adverts in the main local papers.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I would just like to echo the thoughts and prayers that have been offered this morning for John Hanna. As a long-term councillor before I came into this place, I know about the difficult and hard work that is put in by councillors. I know that John had been an active member of NILGA and had worked to establish that organisation. From Sinn Féin, I would like to pass on our prayers and thoughts to the family of John. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Cathal Boylan was to lead the Sinn Féin position on the code of conduct but, unfortunately, Cathal is in hospital for an operation. We send our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. <BR /> <BR />On 14 March 2015, the Committee on Standards and Privileges announced that it would carry out a review of the Assembly code of conduct.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister give a breakdown of the current labour market information pertaining to specialist performing arts?”
“The percentage of pupils achieving GCSEs from A to C in 2009-2010 was 71·9%, which increased to 78·6% in 2013-14. That is to be welcomed, but can the Minister outline how his Department intends to continue that upward trajectory?”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Could the Minister tell us how DCAL will promote greater participation in sport and physical activity for older people, young women and people with disabilities?”
“Can he assure me not only that it will be investigated but that there will be a proper strategy to deal with those problems in future?”
“Thank you, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer. I had heard that there were delays in the strategy coming through. That raises some serious concerns for people who live in tower blocks and live with poor heating, leaking windows, leaking roofs and the many other serious problems that people face in high-rise living.”
“You highlighted one of the big problems that has been there for many years: how we look at the worth of the community and voluntary sector and about the attitude that prevails in many Departments. We have to have that debate because many of us who have been involved in the community sector understand and appreciate the wealth of talent and work that goes on in communities. However, that is lost on Departments when they look at that type of work and, with the stroke of a pen, wipe away years of work in helping people in communities.”
“I am asking the Minister this: how can you deal with landlords who have hundreds of homes or apartments lying there that could be brought back into use to deal with homelessness?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. World Homeless Day was the week before last, and several events were held throughout the city of Belfast and a number of organisations marched to City Hall. Yet only yards from where that march took place, there are hundreds of apartments that have been lying empty for quite a number of years that could, if brought in to use, help to deal with some of the serious homelessness problems. <BR /> <BR />Many people who have —”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement. Any strategy to deal with the chronic unemployment that many of our communities face must be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />Theme 3 speaks about "Addressing wider barriers" and seeks to challenge and change societal attitudes to disadvantaged groups, especially older workers and people with mental health issues. That is something that people have been trying to get their head around for many years. Can the Minister say how he intends to do that and tell us what resources will be brought to this most crucial of problems?”
“The Careers Service plays an important role in STEM advice, especially for females, but it could be impacted on by budget cuts. Both universities are working to protect STEM, and £71,000 has been provided to help promote STEM among women. The Minister also spoke of the number of programmes that his Department is involved in that will help to promote STEM, especially among women.”
“There is a need to work together with a strategic approach. <BR /> <BR />Stephen Farry, the Minister, spoke at length, again, about the need to reinforce the work that he has done with his Department and the need to get better balance. STEM subjects are relevant. Female participation is important. It is the fastest-growing part of the economy. There is a need to maximise the workforce. We cannot go forward when 50% of the workforce is not given or does not take up the opportunity. His Department has led on the strategy. He spoke about addressing gender imbalance. A report contains a number of recommendations to deal with imbalance. Major companies have signed up to STEM programmes. He has initiated strategies that will help to deal with the gender imbalance.”
“Males go into STEM subjects while females go to different subjects. There are new elements of growth. The future will be built on STEM-trained personnel for new jobs. Events that promote STEM can be invaluable and need to be encouraged. He sees a key role for a number of Departments in the matter. <BR /> <BR />Patsy McGlone spoke of how women were significantly underrepresented in STEM programmes. There is no quick fix. There is a need to strengthen the connection between government, business, education and, of course, childcare. Childcare came through on a number of issues raised by Members. Other Ministers have a role. Young girls need to be convinced that it is not just a male programme. Females shine through with higher grades. Individuals involved in STEM are sought after. STEM subjects open many possibilities.”
“He asked whether society would ever get to grips with many of those imbalances. He spoke of the role of China in education in STEM subjects. <BR /> <BR />Chris Hazzard said that he hoped that the media would pick up on the debate. The stereotype of scientists needs to be tackled. We need to constantly assess the problem of imbalance. He congratulated the Employment and Learning Minister on his work on careers, especially on continued professional advice for educators, especially at primary level, building a model of scholarship that will encourage young women to participate. <BR /> <BR />Sydney Anderson said that every effort should be made to ensure that every child at primary and secondary school and university should advance in STEM. He spoke about the need to go into STEM subjects.”
“She asked where the childcare strategy to encourage women into the workforce was and spoke of the need to work together to achieve a proper gender balance. <BR /> <BR />Anna Lo said that the workforce of the future needed to be STEM-educated. Women and girls would have a much better chance at employment if they were involved in STEM careers. There needs to be a focus on women scientists as role models, and that could be one way of encouraging women to take up STEM subjects. By working together we can achieve the objective of dealing with the imbalance. <BR /> <BR />David Hilditch congratulated schools in his constituency that have excelled in STEM subjects. The imbalance of women in STEM could be dealt with effectively only when the barriers that prevent women from participating are dealt with.”