Patsy McGlone
Mid Ulster · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“Limiting the power to dismiss charges involving the death of or serious physical harm to a vulnerable person will enhance the fairness and integrity of those criminal proceedings.”
“The SDLP welcomes the provisions for the long-overdue establishment of a statutory Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime. That is a significant step forward in the development of our justice system.”
“Putting the office on a statutory footing will ensure that the commissioner's role is legally recognised and accountable to the public and the justice system. The Minister outlined a number of the measures in the process of accountability.”
“OK. I thank my colleague — indeed, the Minister — for responding. It is, as the Minister said and my colleague highlighted, a sensitive area. People who are approached to give a reference should think long and hard about the implications of the references that they give: where they might wind up; the circumstances in which they give them;…”
“The SDLP welcomes the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill and the opportunity to debate it, alongside the Chairperson — or should I say, "Mr Amendment" — at its Second Stage.”
“I accept that the Minister's Department, as she has stated repeatedly, does not have the capacity or resources to develop those legislative provisions during this mandate.”
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“It was always recognised that a no trade deal with the EU would cause chaos, particularly on the island of Ireland, and a number of Members referred to agri-food and its importance for our local economy and to the free flow of those economies and trade in Ireland, which, in fact, happens daily. That is why it was necessary to include the Northern Ireland protocol in the withdrawal agreement. That protocol was the balance and produce of long, difficult and detailed negotiations and represents a delicately balanced compromise by all sides. It was necessary because of the many complex and sensitive issues that Brexit raised for everyone living on the island of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The UK Internal Market Bill plans to drive a coach and horses through that delicately balanced compromise.”
“It was clear, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, that a trade deal between the UK and the European Union was critical in order to protect the interests of everyone living in Northern Ireland. Securing an economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic would be difficult enough in the best of circumstances. The withdrawal agreement that was reached between the UK and the EU may not be the best of those circumstances, but it is the only circumstance that both sides could agree on. <BR /> <BR />The implementation of that agreement in full remains an obligation under international law and is an obligation that the current British Government, under Boris Johnson, signed up to. Crucially, it addressed the prospect of the chaos and uncertainty that would accompany a no trade deal between the EU and the UK.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The thread of what he is saying is that it is important that businesses are informed and incentivised, as is happening, thankfully, through CAFRE. Has he considered the third option, which is where Ms Mullan was taking us, of enforcing a reduction in the use of plastics that are not required?”
“Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra chuimsitheach sin. I thank the Minister for her comprehensive answer. Specifically, what measures can be introduced or speeded up at River Road, Draperstown and at the Broagh, Castledawson?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answers. With regard to enhancement of the roads network, it is good to see progress on the A6, which is a strategic road for travel across the North. Was the progress of that work unduly affected by COVID? Will you provide a time frame for completion of that route?”
“I thank the Minister for that. He has provided part of the answer to my follow-up question, which is whether he will give full consideration to providing support for the eel fisheries and the scale fishing industry on Lough Neagh.”
“In the interests of protecting customers and staff alike, I ask the Minister to expand on the level of collaboration that exists between his Department and the likes of the HSE and the Public Health Agency around such matters.”
“I am glad that the Chair of the Committee has outlined the role of the Committee in working with the commissioner and overseeing the work that will be produced and presented to the Committee in regard to the openness, transparency and ethics that are expected of us all as public representatives. I am delighted to see us get there eventually and look forward to working with the commissioner on the way forward for the Assembly.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I am glad to stand here today. Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I thank you for your support over the past number of months when circumstances meant that I could not, unfortunately, be here. <BR /> <BR />I am delighted that, after such an extensive period, we have eventually got there. It is very important that such a highly qualified person as Dr Melissa McCullough, who has extensive experience from different walks of life in the public sector, from her work in law and ethics and indeed from her published works, will take up the role of Commissioner for Standards; she is the appropriate person. It is good that she will be there because it is an integral part of the work that we, as MLAs, all do.”
“There are special educational needs to be addressed. There is a requirement for schools to reopen, but there is also a need for additional university places to accommodate those who have been left out so far.”
“That is my understanding; I read that in the media somewhere. However, I suggest that those matters are best dealt with through an inquiry at the Committee, or possibly the Public Accounts Committee; it may well be best referenced there. <BR /> <BR />We are in the position now — I am sure that this has been repeated, so give me a wee bit of forbearance — where CCEA must get those results out as soon as is humanly possible.”
“The other point raised was whether there is any differential in the algorithm or model devised by PwC for £100,000, between grammar and non-selective schools. <BR /> <BR />There is, of course, as I referred to, the impact on the mental well-being of already stressed pupils and their parents.”
“I thank the Minister for that. <BR /> <BR />Another point raised by the same principal was:”
“That was from one principal. Another principal referred to the little consideration that was given to teacher-predicted grades — I will not go over that again — no consideration being given to pupil performance and improvement, especially with pupils taking resits, and there always being a significant percentage difference between AS and A2s in that specific school. That factor does not seem to have been considered.”
“I know many who have never gone near university but who have gone on, adapted and moved to very successful non-academic careers. Many of them are in my constituency in the field of manufacturing and they are being absolutely creative with the skills they have been gifted. <BR /> <BR />However, the message that I am still receiving is that this could have been done much, much better. The school principals with whom I have been tic-tacking about this have been trying to manage this emotional and professional roller coaster. Some of the schools are deeply resentful. One principal wrote to me:”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, thank you for realising the situation that we were in and making the decision that you made. It was not an easy decision for you, I have to say, Minister. I watched your performance at the Committee last week, but you did what you needed to do when you were faced with the reality of that situation. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, I had a young mother in with me, who was very emotional. That was at about 2.00 pm and I said to her to wait until about 4.00 pm because an announcement was to be made in GB, more specifically in England, that may have had consequences for us. <BR /> <BR />We are at this point now, however it has created a lot of distress among young people. We have to emphasise the point that university for young people is not the be-all and end-all. Many young people will go on to have very successful careers.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Agus mo bhuíochas leat, agus is deas tú a athfheiceáil ar ais sa chathaoir. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am glad to see you back in the Chair. I am delighted. <BR /> <BR />All of us have been inundated with the queries, questions, problems, issues and raw emotion of students and families generated by, as people are calling it, the A-level fiasco. <BR /> <BR />I have to compliment the Minister for realising that it was definitely going in the wrong direction, because I was contacted by schools facing an absolute avalanche of appeals. Frankly, all you would need to have thrown into the middle of that — the Minister will be well acquainted with this from his legal background — would be a judicial review or two. That would have left us, maybe at Christmas time, still sitting and nothing resolved.”
“The employer is an exceptionally good employer who wants to make sure that agency staff are treated in the same way as the permanent staff who are on site.”
“I thank the Minister for her detailed response today. I thank her particularly for raising the issue of the self-employed, specifically in regard to the business support scheme. An issue has been raised with me of those who use their homes for business, and I have been asked whether there is an entitlement or an eligibility under the scheme for that. Another issue that has been raised is that of electricity supplies where a business has closed. There are standing charges that still have to be ongoing and paid by that business or it falls on the supplier. Is there any chance that there could be discussions, presumably with the help of the regulator, on derogation of that? <BR /> <BR />Finally, we have just had a message about staff who, under the furlough scheme, are being advised to go home.”
“I will leave those issues with the Minister, and I commend her on her initiative in bringing this forward, subject to those matters being clarified.”
“Secondly, what provision has been made or is being made for people who face that dilemma this morning of having no work? The major announcement yesterday by the Prime Minister has left an awful lot of people with no shop door to open this morning. That falls into two categories: one is the employees — there is that HMRC scheme — and the second is the self-employed. Thirdly, we have heard that provision has been made for renters and people who are homeless. We have had inquiries in our constituency office from students who live in Belfast, principally, but in other cities as well who have had to return home. They have consequent liabilities in Belfast or wherever their rental accommodation is, and, of course, they are on a low income.”
“Basically, I welcome the scheme. I thank the Minister for taking the initiative to deliver it and to try to get help out to where it is most needed. I am sure that all of us have been inundated via Facebook, email and everything else by people who faced a dilemma this morning and could have nil income — zero — coming into the house. <BR /> <BR />I want to ask the Minister a number of questions. The first relates to staffing and resource, an issue that was raised by Ms Bradley. Does the Minister feel assured that she has adequate resource to deliver and get the money out there to the people who need it at this time? Previously, discretionary support was a great idea, but, often, there was huge difficulty in getting through on the lines.”
“We appreciate their commitment and dedication to the entire community at this time.”
“I want to make sure that, if that programme goes ahead, consideration is given to the many inmates in the prison sector who suffer from mental health problems, addiction issues and such difficulties. I do not want to see a situation where those people, with their vulnerabilities, are dumped out on the street. It is crucial that there be tic-tacking between the health service — the Minister of Justice gave an undertaking to do that — the prison service and the DOJ to make sure that that situation does not happen and that people do not find themselves going from a bad situation to a more difficult situation. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I support, as my party does, the legislative consent motion. I, again, convey our sincere support to you, Minister, to your Department and to the healthcare system for what will be difficult times ahead.”
“Many issues have come up and have been touched on here today, such as the stresses that this will bring about in the mental health system. There will, no doubt, be issues such as domestic abuse and mental health problems in homes, and that will have implications for children. I realise that there will be huge pressures and huge stresses on the Department. Whatever support any of us can give, we are there to provide that. Minister, you can pass on our goodwill to the Departments at this difficult time. <BR /> <BR />There is one other thing that came up at the Committee for Justice. There is potential on that front for the early release of prisoners, and the Minister of Justice dealt with that yesterday. That may be under consideration further down the line.”
“I refer particularly to east Tyrone, where many people who have children in the schools are defined as "essential workers" in the agri-food sector and domiciliary care; indeed, one school has been in touch with me because it has been left in an impossible position, given that upwards of 75% of its pupils' parents fall into the category of "essential worker". That is just not viable for schools. I contacted the Department of Education over the weekend. I have not heard anything back yet, but there is pressure on it too. A hothouse situation could be created. That is not what the Department of Education is trying to do, but, if the schools implemented this, that could be the outcome. I would like that to be relayed to the Department of Education. <BR /> <BR />I do not intend to say much more.”
“Yes. That is useful. I am sure that your colleague will relay that, as I will, to the Minister for Infrastructure. We are working through difficult times, and that will require difficult measures. We are talking about protecting life. The danger of the virus should not be underestimated, and we need extraordinary measures. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Colin McGrath referred to whether the Minister could tic-tac with the Department of Education. Some areas have very high densities of people who are referred to as "essential workers".”
“Thank you for that, Mr Humphrey. It is unfortunate that that is coming back to us, but it is a reality. The enforcement message — I think that Mr O'Dowd mentioned it earlier — must get out: if it is not being done, people have to be compelled to do it, and, if they are not compliant, the necessary rigours of the law must be taken against them. <BR /> <BR />I see that the Construction Employers Federation (CEF) made a statement this morning about what it defines as important, necessary works. That distils the situation a bit more effectively for us. What is necessary to one person's may not be so necessary in someone else's eyes. I see construction works for the health service, police stations, the Prison Service and others of that ilk as definitely being necessary. I am glad that the CEF has distilled that today.”
“Enforcement is crucial. That lady is at home; she is the principal carer for her mother; she is the only child; her mother is not well. You can see what she is going through with regard to what her husband might or might not bring into the house. <BR /> <BR />I ask the Minister to check with other Departments and the Public Health Agency to ensure that contractors who are carrying out work for Departments, including the health estates — I will maybe speak to the Minister one-to-one about that later — do so in accordance with the proper guidelines. Concerns were relayed to me this morning that some contractors in some instances — most of them are good, effective workers — are simply not complying with social isolation guidelines.”
“<BR /> <BR />I listened carefully to what the Minister said about a range of vital additional powers for the Public Health Agency. Will the Minister advise us whether those powers will be extended to the likes of environmental health officers in councils? They are probably best placed to evaluate and see what is happening in their locality. I will give an example that, I am sure, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs may well be interested in, as it relates to the agri-food sector. Last night, a lady contacted me. She said:”
“Healthcare workers, front-line staff and medical and domiciliary care workers are deeply valued by all of us, but there is an issue with PPE. Many domiciliary care workers, in particular, have been in touch with me to say that the PPE and hand wipes that they require as they move from house to house, providing important social and community support for people who are at home, are not yet available to them. I was told this morning that that equipment may be on its way to them: I hope that that is the case. I implore the Minister to ensure that that be done ASAP, and I know that he will, because he is grounded in his communities and sees it as it is. Domiciliary care workers are concerned that their views and worries are not being reflected. The sooner that is done, the better for them.”
“She is heartbroken that she cannot get back in to fulfil her duties in the hospital that employs her. A simple test could confirm whether that nurse is able to go back in and fulfil her duties. She sees colleagues who are off in similar situations, and she sees that that test could lead to her going back in. She is committed and dedicated and wants to do her best for society at this time, but the non-availability of that simple test prevents her from going back into work. Minister, I know that you are doing your best — I sincerely thank you and your Department for your activities at this time — but the test is a linchpin to the success or otherwise of what the health service and other key workers do over the next while.”
“As the Minister has said, this is necessary legislation. It is incumbent on us all to send out our message of sympathy to those who have died as a result of the coronavirus and to wish those who are in hospital being treated a good and full recovery. These are difficult times. Legislation is necessary. It is vital, and, indeed, the actions of some have driven us to the point of it being vital. <BR /> <BR />I do not intend to repeat a lot of things that have been said by others. They have said them very genuinely, and this is a cross-party and an entire community response. <BR /> <BR />One message that is coming across is "Test, test, test" for key personnel. I will give you an example. I was contacted by a nurse over the weekend. She is at home, and she has a sore throat. She had a bit of a cold, and she feels like she is recovering now.”
“Can the Minister advise when that testing will be available to those front-line key staff?”
“Thanks very much to the Minister for all her efforts and those of her staff; we heard some of them at the Justice Committee this morning. Very briefly, I will raise two major issues. The Member who spoke previously touched on the first of them. There is mention of the potential for a release scheme, and many of the individuals who are in prison suffer from addiction and mental health problems. Some of them have a lot of vulnerabilities and even tendencies to self-harm. Can the Minister advise what measures are being taken to ensure that, upon release, those people will have the necessary support? That involves collaboration with the health services. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, we heard that there may be an announcement on testing for front-line staff in the PSNI and the Prison Service to ensure that they too, as key workers, are kept safe.”
“<BR /> <BR />I ask Members to join me in supporting the regulations, and I thank the Minister for his efforts in this regard. Without them, farmers would be even more severely prejudiced against in future. However, although we accept the need for the legislation and that it is now inevitable, we cannot accept that it is an ideal situation. Much work remains to be done.”
“We must be mindful of the pressures that they already face when it comes to making decisions that influence heavily their futures. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned that farmers may be somewhat in the dark as to exactly what their income is likely to be beyond this year, and I would be grateful for the Minister's comments. Like any other business, farmers need to make a profit. With regard to our environment, can we realistically expect our farmers to go green if, in fact, they are in the red? In the future, I look forward to schemes that will hopefully allow us flexibility, are focused on outcomes and, where possible, are tailored to the needs of individual farmers, particularly those in upland and less-favoured areas. Those farming communities are often forgotten.”
“Can the Minister provide assurances that support will not drop off dramatically for a key sector of our community? In the current health climate, there will be increasing uncertainties. Local food supply will be a key element in making sure that we get over the coronavirus crisis. <BR /> <BR />For our farming communities, the prospect of losing perhaps 60% of their income with no real certainty about what their replacement income will be will certainly not be an incentivisation. It is possible that many small farmers may decide that now is the time to quit. As we all know, farming is not an easy career option. It is increasingly difficult to attract young people into the industry, and we do not want to have a bad situation become worse. We are all too painfully aware of the increase in poor mental health among farmers.”
“The detail to be set out in regulations will need to be drafted and approved before farmers can be sure about what the new payment system will mean for them. If we want to ensure that any new scheme is robust, properly monitored and measured and transformative, we need to engage in a purposeful manner with our main players in the agriculture sector. As we all know, that takes time. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the direct payments legislation for 2020 is entered in the statute book. We need to think carefully about the years ahead, as our farmers need to be able to plan ahead. Once again, I welcome the regulations and the fact that the UK Government will provide upwards of £250 million of support for 2020. However, there is no mention of what support will be provided in the following years.”
“Can we really expect to have a settled agriculture policy and a replacement payment mechanism in place by the end of 2020? That is one of the reasons why the SDLP has sought a transition period extension. Why are we not seeking breathing space for our farmers by requesting that the basic payment scheme extension be much longer? <BR /> <BR />The payments have already gone some considerable distance towards improving public health, animal welfare and environmental standards, but there remains a lot more work to be done. Whilst few would argue that there has not already been a welcome shift in emphasis on improving the environment, adapting to climate change and protecting the welfare of our livestock, we need to be mindful that this is enabling legislation.”
“Whilst the common agricultural policy had its weaknesses and imperfections, at least it provided our farmers with some sort of security on a year-on-year basis and an ability to forward plan with some degree of certainty. With the ever-increasing impacts of climate change and extreme weather patterns, the last thing that farmers in our rural economy need is further uncertainty. Our farming industry is about to be opened up to unprecedented global competition. Our farming communities have uncertainty regarding their future funding and the competition that they may now face. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the legislation is welcome at this moment and provides some hope, the uncertainty seems destined to continue, with the legislation providing welcome months — months only — of clarity.”
“As soon as the referendum result in 2016 became clear, SDLP representatives consistently pressed the Government to outline their plans to replace this vital income; indeed, colleagues, these payments and the millions more we received from the EU are part of the reason why the SDLP resolutely opposed Brexit. It is clear that the uncertainty caused by Brexit over the last three years has impacted negatively on many different sectors, not least farming, given the uncertainty that has been created. Today, we have the opportunity to finally provide some clarity to farmers across the North by continuing to fund direct payments.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for this. <BR /> <BR />The direct payments to farmers legislative continuity regulations before you are of critical importance to farmers across the North. Crucially, the payments make up a significant proportion of the income generated by our farmers. They have been a lifeline through many difficult months and are worth more than £280 million of farm income. Let us not forget that farmers have been in receipt of basic payment scheme payments because it was a widely held belief that what they were doing was in the public interest and, therefore, it was imperative that they should be supported, correctly so. <BR /> <BR />Brexit now raises so many more uncertainties for our farmers. That is undeniable.”
“Following the UK Budget this coming Wednesday, when will the Minister have an opportunity to update the Assembly on its consequences?”
“Is the Minister aware of research by Professor Mark Handley of University College London, who compared the rates of coronavirus infection in Italy, which is in crisis, with those in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, the US and Switzerland, and found that they are growing at the same rate? What advice is the Minister guided by? Is he aware of that specialist research? Is it wise for people to send their kids to hotspots of coronavirus outbreak?”
“Barney contributed hugely to sport, to business and to society in Northern Ireland. At the right hand of God may he be. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.”
“He is a cousin of my mother's, so my entire family will be sympathising with the Eastwood family at this time.”
“When the city closed down early at night and very few people even ventured out, he managed to ignite an interest in people right across the communities in Belfast. Of course, that culminated with the success of Barry McGuigan becoming world champion in June 1985. That success was a symbol of hope through the darkness and bad days of the Troubles. It did not end there: he managed four other world champions, all from a small gym on Castle Street. <BR /> <BR />Not so well known were his generous, charitable deeds that were carried out, as would be expected, with discretion. He is survived by his wife, Frances; his sons Brian, Peter, Adrian, Stephen and Fearghal; his daughter, Fiona; 23 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. I extend our sincere sympathy to them all.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, as a ligean do an rud seo a thógáil inniu. Thanks very much, Mr Speaker, for allowing me the opportunity to raise the matter of the sad departure of Barney Eastwood. Born in Cookstown in 1932, Barney was known principally for boxing, as you will know, Mr Speaker, but Gaelic football was also his passion. He was an All-Ireland winner with Tyrone minors in 1948, when he scored four points in the Croke Park final. <BR /> <BR />As we know, he was a very successful businessman. At one time, he employed 400 people in Northern Ireland. However, his biggest achievement, and what he is best remembered for, was reviving boxing in Belfast during the worst years of the Troubles.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Can I seek assurances from the Minister that, through her engagement with the PSNI, the amount of money that she has sought for policing has been, in some way, prioritised to be directed towards community policing?”