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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“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire chomh maith. I thank the Minister. In the light of the uncertainty that has already been created on the issue of Europe through the return of the Tory party to absolute power in Britain, will the Minister accept the report's key recommendation that a North/South retail forum should be established to bring together key retail business groups and relevant Ministers to ensure that there is effective communication around key policy issues, such as Europe?”
“Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra, in ainneoin nach freagra é. Thanks very much to the Minister for his answer, even though it was not the correct answer. That being the case, what is the obstacle preventing the paper at the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister being presented to the Executive? That was the question I was asking in the first place. Was the paper presented to the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister by the DOJ?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom cheist a chur ar an Aire. An bhfuil aon bhuiséad leagtha i leataobh i dtaobh bhunú na n-acadamh seo? Has the Minister set aside any particular budget for the establishment of the academies?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Will the Minister give the House some detail on the delay and what has caused it? Will she also tell us what measures have been put in place to make sure that things eventually speed up?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Agus mo bhuíochas leis an Aire chomh maith. My thanks to the Minister. Has the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister raised the plan to cut preschool funding with the Minister of Education? That has caused great concerns for parents and employees in the childcare sector, including the Early Years organisation. Would his Department be prepared to support a bid for extra funding for that sector in the June monitoring round?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Will the Minister agree that, in some of these instances, the new councils in effect bought a pig in a poke when the powers were transferred, in so far as, undoubtedly, there will be additional costs to them? Indeed, can the Minister advise us on what compensatory measures were provided to them for the enhancement of those car parking facilities in the amounts of money that were provided to them?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Given the constraints that the Minister has to work within from the DUP/Sinn Féin budget that has been handed down to him, can he give some indication as to what progress has been made at Hydebank in regard to providing further or proper education and training skills for young offenders?”
“During the debate, my colleague Mark Durkan said:”
“<BR /> <BR />Only last month, there was a debate on cross-border crime in the House of Commons.”
“That is the sort of activity that is ongoing to fuel the build-up of assets of those criminals and fuel their property empires at extreme cost to our environment and, worse again, to our animals and, more importantly, human beings. <BR /> <BR />Organised crime is not confined by geographical boundaries. Cross-border crime presents serious threats to the economic prosperity of our country and risks to the population. The SDLP believes that more needs to be done to tackle cross-border crime and criminal organisations. We need to disrupt and dismantle these organised crime groups, which are engaged in or are seeking to engage in fuel laundering and the smuggling of tobacco, alcohol, drugs and counterfeit goods as they add to their existing asset bases and empires.”
“Those who are involved in this show no concern for the environmental damage done: absolutely none. Their actions include pumping directly into the Fane and Lough Ross water systems for Dundalk and Crossmaglen; dumping in disused quarries and bogs, all of which leak into the shallow drumlin water table; and disposal along roads via tubes hooked up to containers in the backs of vans. More worryingly for Irish agriculture, in some cases — thank God most of our farmers and members of the farming community are highly responsible — it is being mixed with slurry and spread over fields. Apparently, there was a situation last month in the Knockbridge area, south-west of Dundalk, where it stank for over a week. The fumes were smelt as far away as Dundalk after that happened.”
“Turning to the motion, I am very concerned about the high levels of organised crime across this island. In 2013-14, 38 fuel laundering plants were closed. Although that was an increase on the previous year, we should be very wary, as the oil and fuel laundering plants have become larger and more sophisticated. The process of fuel laundering has definitely become more industrialised. There is a very unusual feature about raids made on these premises. Have you noticed the number of times that there does not seem to be anybody there? Nobody seems to be about. Computers, oddly or quirkily enough, have either been scrubbed or have disappeared just before the raid is made. <BR /> <BR />On illegal waste dumping, the increased cost of the legitimate disposal of wastage caused a black market development.”
“We are calling for a demonstration that that is the case.”
“Indeed, it is also important to tackle the assets that have been accrued over many years by those criminals, sometimes fronting as patriots. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP has been at the forefront of NCA negotiations. We secured accountability on the National Crime Agency. In early February, we voted for the NCA to have full powers in Northern Ireland. That vote was possible after lengthy negotiations by our party. We have ensured that the NCA will work here in the North. The Home Secretary has made a lot of commitments on the NCA. The SDLP notes those commitments and intends to ensure that they are honoured. If the public are to accept and trust the NCA, it needs to prove that no one person or organisation is off limits or protected when it comes to criminal assets. They must be pursued and prosecuted.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis na daoine a chuir an rún seo os ár gcomhair. Thanks very much to those who brought the motion. It is a very topical and important issue that affects many people's lives in the literal sense of the word — the very literal sense of the word. <BR /> <BR />I support the SDLP amendment, which aims to ensure that the National Crime Agency deploys its full powers and resources against any and all persons and organisations involved in fuel laundering. We are talking about a massive criminal empire with tentacles that, in some instances, have been there for 30 or 40 years. It is important that resources are deployed to tackle the difficulties that fuel laundering is creating for many people — the poison, the dumping and the cost to the public purse.”
“Thanks very much. I have it from good, reliable sources that the toxic waste that is produced is being pumped directly into the water system for Dundalk and Crossmaglen. In fact, it is poisoning people. These people are poisoning their neighbours, friends and family with this stuff because they want to cream off extortionate amounts for themselves. That is seriously not on, and I am glad that the motion is before us today. The waste is being deliberately leaked into the water system: it is a disgrace, and they should hang their heads in shame.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will he accept that a sample that the 'Sunday Independent' took and that City Analysts of Dublin tested showed that the water was 400 times over the EU toxicity limits for waste water, never mind drinking water?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement. In setting the strategic targets for the objectives, will he advise what work has been undertaken by both Departments to ensure that these are realistic and achievable? I will pick up on Ms McGahan's point about trying to bring carers back into work, and many already appreciate that those carers have substantial and significant duties. What work has been done in consultation with the likes of Carers NI and representative bodies to establish what support mechanisms could be put in place to facilitate the transition to the acquisition of additional skills?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra chuimsitheach sin. I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Can he give us some more detail about the prosperity agreement that exists with Lafarge in Cookstown? How does that work and when did it come in? That is the type of detail that I am asking for.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for his answer. Given the experience of geographic clustering in the Republic subsequent to the reduction in corporation tax, will the Minister work with businesses and, indeed, Executive colleagues to ensure that the business growth is not concentrated in the greater Belfast area to the exclusion of other areas outside Glengormley?”
“Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire chomh maith. I asked what the Executive's financial commitment was to the project. Perhaps the Minister does not have those details to hand.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Aire. Thanks very much, Minister. If there was no deficiency in the recruitment process, if two applicants were deemed appointable under the appointments criteria, what objective reasons for no appointments can be given?”
“That funding support accounts for 8·4% of our annual GDP. If we were to leave the EU, there would be severe social and economic implications.”
“In that regard, we rely very heavily on the flow of specialist information from Europe, which could always be improved. Europe is a vast, wide policy area that has many implications for the North, but, in turn, Northern Ireland gets so much out of membership of the EU. The Northern Ireland economy has been underpinned by funding support from the EU.”
“We want a renewed and integrated approach for the single market to deliver further integration and improve mutual recognition and standardisation in key industrial and services sectors where the economic potential is greatest. In doing that, the Committee will, again, keep a particular focus on SMEs. <BR /> <BR />The Committee will also conduct a comprehensive review of the EU's trade policy strategy and, in particular, its contribution to jobs, growth and investment. It will also review the outcome of negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership and how those will impact on the economic strategy of Northern Ireland businesses and inward investment. <BR /> <BR />The Committee will spend a lot of time on European priorities during the upcoming year.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee has also decided on a strategic framework for the energy union and will focus on investigating energy supply security, which is a very important issue for our businesses; the integration of national energy markets; a reduction in European energy demand; the decarbonisation of the energy mix; and promoting research and innovation in the energy field. The Committee will continue to scrutinise the introduction of the integrated single energy market and the Department's renewable energy targets. <BR /> <BR />Another Committee priority for 2015 is the internal market strategy for goods and services.”
“That is what we face: Euroscepticism at its worst. The important thing is to be there to vote against that and to do what we can to represent our communities. <BR /> <BR />I will move on to the priorities of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. In February, the Committee agreed its 2015 European priorities, including the concept of setting up a European fund for strategic investments through the promotion of cooperation with national promotional banks and improving access to funding for SMEs. The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment plans to scrutinise and investigate how SMEs from Northern Ireland can avail themselves of a range of measures to improve access to finance.”
“<BR /> <BR />I hear the Euroscepticism coming from England and the message that we should pull out of Europe and no longer embrace that concept of respect for difference that has kept Europe peaceful and has avoided the potential of two awful world wars happening on a third occasion. I thank God that people had the foresight to come together and work collaboratively for that aim. At present, there is a Eurosceptic wing in England that is intent on pulling us away from that concept. There are others who talk the talk but who are not prepared to walk the walk and vote against austerity and measures that will be of serious detriment to our community and our business sector. Borders would re-emerge and, indeed, there would be a border within our country, where some 60% of SMEs from the North do business with the rest of the island.”
“However, the net benefit to the North for the period 2007-2013 was in excess of £2·4 billion. Of that, we received almost £1·3 billion in single farm payments; £330 million through the Northern Ireland rural development fund; £18 million through the European fisheries fund; £180 million through Peace III; over £300 million through the European regional development fund element of the regional competitive and employment objective; £165 million through the European social fund element; and £77 million through INTERREG IV. That is the amount of investment that others have made in us.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh an deis labhairt sa díospóireacht seo. I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate. <BR /> <BR />I will be speaking primarily on the Enterprise, Trade and Investment Committee's European priorities for 2015, but, initially, as a Member, I want to take a moment to look at what we in the North get from our membership of the European Union. Those who are sceptical about our membership of the European Union need look no further than the amount of funding that the North has got from it. <BR /> <BR />For those of us who are pro-Europe, the true European concepts of embracing diversity, respecting difference throughout the European Union and bringing people of different backgrounds together are the important and overriding principles.”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I am sure that you have seen that in your previous role. There has to be a strategic approach between schools and businesses. The interconnection is sporadic at the moment. There can be good employers in an area that have no connection with schools. It is important that that link be formally and strategically developed and established, not just left to the goodwill of a good careers teacher. It can be hard to make that link, but the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment needs to work with the Minister of Education, the Minister for Employment and Learning, and, of course, Invest NI, to ensure that the STEM subjects that we teach in our schools, colleges and universities equips our young people with the skills that industry looks for in its employees.”
“Wearing another hat as Chair of the Enterprise Committee, I can say that, through our inquiry into the opportunities in a lower-tax environment, which we hope will be created through the lowering of corporation tax, the evidence that we have taken already shows that skills, including the acquisition of new skills and improved skills as part of a growing economy, has emerged as a key issue for many employers in the North. <BR /> <BR />A STEM qualification puts a person in a stronger position in a competitive job market. Studying STEM subjects opens up a wide variety of exciting and rewarding career opportunities. It can be hard to make the link between what you study in the classroom and the opportunities available in the world of work, and I think that a key element is going out to visit businesses.”
“Imbalance in STEM begins post-GCSE, despite the fact that girls are now more likely than boys to achieve A* to C grades in maths, core and additional science, and in each of the three individual sciences. Of girls who took GCSE STEM subjects, 76·3% achieved the higher A* to C grades compared with 75·6% of boys. Despite high achievements in GCSE and A level, it has been reported that females account for only 29·8% of those graduating from higher education in STEM subjects. More males tend to study STEM subjects, particularly computer science, engineering and technology. <BR /> <BR />That indicates that the issue is not a lack of ability and talent but a lack of information, opportunities and the support that is required to help people into those types of work. Individuals who have STEM qualifications are in demand.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are trying to overcome numerous barriers, which will take time. Although the motion specifically calls on the Minister for Employment and Learning to act, other Ministers have a role to play. As my colleague Mr Rogers highlighted, the Education Minister has a role to play to ensure that the seeds are planted early. We need to ensure that young girls are encouraged to take an interest in STEM subjects and are not led to believe that those subjects are just for boys. Tackling that misperception and capturing interest early on are key if young women are to keep on the relevant subjects up to A level. <BR /> <BR />There is a lot to be said for the importance of careers guidance in schools, especially considering that the age of 16 is the critical point at which women are lost to a potential career.”
“In addressing the gender imbalance, we need to initiate and, in some cases, strengthen collaboration between the Government, business and careers guidance in schools. Indeed, going wider than that, I venture that childcare certainly factors in to it for many families, when many young women especially are considering what career, if any, they should choose to go with. I also think that it is important that, at this particular moment when we are discussing so much about welfare reform, its true aspect is also looked at, which is to help and support people in their transition from benefits and into meaningful work. The requirement for improved childcare certainly cannot be ignored, and whenever you are out and about, you find that it is an issue that very frequently comes up with young families.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Thanks very much, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. I support the motion, and I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate. <BR /> <BR />Women are significantly under-represented in STEM, and the need for more to enter the sector is vital if we are to meet that demand. Indeed, if we are looking ahead to the future and if corporation tax issues get resolved, it is precisely that demand that will hopefully increasingly be in the local economy. It is particularly important and relevant that we start preparatory work for that now. In fact, it should have started long ago. <BR /> <BR />In his statement on 4 June, the Minister acknowledged that this is not a new issue, and nor is it a small issue with a quick fix. We are trying to overcome numerous barriers, which will take time.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire chomh maith. I thank the Minister for that. Can he provide us with any clarity at all? I realise that tender documents were issued on 7 January for the scheme. Has he any clarity at all on any sources of funding that might secure at least a wee bit more progress on this? I regularly travel that route, along with thousands of others, and it is really a problematic route.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Question 3.”
“Has the Department done an impact study, independently or in cooperation with the Irish Government, on our ability to attract passengers and, consequently, additional trade from overseas?”
“The Minister's statement refers to the role of air passenger duty (APD) in attracting:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá mé buartha nár thug mé an t-ainm sin ort roimhe. I am sorry if I miscalled you earlier; I think that I was somewhat distracted by Mr Campbell's antics to hit the media. There must be an election on or something.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas iontach cuimsitheach sin. I thank the Minister for that comprehensive statement, in which she said that 66% of public-sector contracts in the Republic and 80% in the North went to SMEs from both jurisdictions. An SME has up to 250 employees. Are there figures available for the percentage of public-sector contracts that go on to microbusinesses, which make up the majority of business in the North and have 10 or fewer employees? Does the Minister have detail on the net benefits to microbusinesses from the allocation of such contracts?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagraí. I thank the Minister for her answers. The Minister indicated her support for five wind farm projects. Could she give us an indication as to where those are, please?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra chuimsitheach sin. I thank the Minister for his wide-ranging answer. Given the diminishing funding streams for urban development, what facility or resource does your Department have to help potential developers or councils to identify other EU or private access funding streams?”
“The Minister almost stole my thunder when she said, "Whatever about superfast, what about the rest?". There are places where the capacity for towns to grow is being inhibited by the under-improvement of broadband. I am wondering whether the Minister or her Department has carried out any audit of those towns to see whether they are being inhibited. I have one example in mind, in Maghera, where a software development and computer company cannot expand because of the lack of broadband capacity. Has any audit been carried out to see where there are broadband hot spots, "not spots" or diminished spots where interventions could be required to facilitate economic development?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire chomh maith. I thank the Minister for his answers. Given the number of job fairs that are planned, can the Minister give us an indication of, first, the quantity and, secondly, picking up on Mr McElduff's point, the location of those for 2015?”
“— be fewer services to rural areas. There is real need, as the Committee recommends. I support the Committee's report.”
“There are real concerns that new councils may not always have a rural focus — some are big rural councils; others have an amalgam of rural and more urban — and that policy and service delivery may be concentrated on serving urban areas. <BR /> <BR />Expectations have been raised, particularly in my constituency, as a result of the community planning process, but limited budgets may result in disappointment, and rural communities are concerned that there may in fact —”
“It is basically about getting social services and care community packages into areas. All of that forms part of rural proofing or, more to the point, the extent and level of services that should be delivered to communities and people in rural areas. Therefore, the Departments and the wider public sector must consider those rural issues in respect of policy, services and resources. <BR /> <BR />The Committee further recommends that DARD develops an interdepartmental working group with the buy-in of senior civil servants in the relevant Departments. One area of particular concern that the Committee highlighted was the impact that the new super-councils will have on the delivery of services.”
“Many of the issues have cross-departmental elements and, as such, it is fitting that the Committee also recommends that DARD should undertake an evaluation of the extent to which other Departments and the wider public sector consider rural issues in respect of policy, services and resources. It is at that point, as Mr Buchanan referred to earlier, that rural proofing kicks in. Rural proofing has been about as a nebulous kind of notional issue for a long time, but when it comes to its implementation, some give a nod to its policy direction and some just mention it and do nothing about it. It is high time that we had it on a full statutory footing to deliver across the range of services, because it is not just DARD; it is health, transport, jobs, training, and skills for young people.”