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 LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas agus as a chuid freagraí. I thank the Minister for his statement. I heard his comments earlier about the extra allocations to education. To come back to that point, will the Minister therefore guarantee that pupil:teacher ratios in schools will now be protected in light of that investment?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra chuimsitheach sin. Thanks very much to the Minister for his comprehensive statement. I also place on record my thanks to his officials for their help, particularly with St Joseph's in Donaghmore and the Rainey Endowed in Magherafelt. I have to put on record that they have been very efficient. <BR /> <BR />He mentioned Edendork earlier, but can the Minister give us some indication as to progress being made with Holy Family Primary School in Magherafelt?”
“Further to that, can we have some detail on the projects that the Minister intends to deliver in the constituency, particularly the capital projects?”
“Thank you for giving way, Mr McCrea. Could we also establish, either through the Department or through the Minister, what assurances or securities have been sought or given from Westminster that the moneys that were available for the project through Westminster will still be there?”
“I am sure that the Committee will agree to engage in that inquiry and support Departments in doing the work that is so necessary to help to attract trade and industry at times when we will see very substantial and significant cuts in the public sector, which will have major consequences for the posts that are declared vacant. Also, due to the lack of disposable income, the cuts will have further implications, especially for the retail sector. <BR /> <BR />A LeasCheann Comhairle, as, unfortunately, you still are, although I have no doubt that you could have complied with a much more elevated office — you are a good friend and a highly skilled politician — I will conclude on that point. Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“Amongst the issues for assessment is this: aside from upping general public sector performance and dealing with overseas investors, there are issues around skills and infrastructure, including water, roads, electricity, communications, broadband, mobile phone capacity and office accommodation capacity, especially for the areas that have been neglected and discriminated against in the past, such as rural areas west of the Bann. <BR /> <BR />I say with some assuredness that, tomorrow, the Enterprise Committee will discuss an inquiry into the implications of corporation tax and how we should prepare and upskill ourselves. It will be an inquiry that considers what the requirements are and takes evidence from key stakeholders in the area.”
“We have heard so much about that in recent times. That should become a priority. It is of major significance to the construction industry and the supply sector at a time when both could do with more than a little support from the public sector, especially from the reallocation of funding and the capacity to do so. <BR /> <BR />The second is to strategically prepare for the consequences of the devolution of corporation tax-varying powers.”
“InterTradeIreland has a key role in both parts of the island in helping to draw down funds, especially from Horizon 2020, for some of our more innovative companies and to support further innovation. Those two bodies have a very relevant role to play, but especially InterTradeIreland. That should provide appropriate evidence for the Executive to consider the budgets of the two organisations in more detail. <BR /> <BR />I will now speak in an individual capacity. In light of the revised financial priorities and commitments negotiated through the Stormont House Agreement, a cross-departmental task force, incorporating the Strategic Investment Board, should be set up to work on two interlinking and key areas. One is to prepare capital projects to avail themselves without delay of any new or reallocated funds.”
“The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development believe that, given recent high-profile tragedies, this programme should not be suspended. <BR /> <BR />Before considering reductions in InterTradeIreland and Tourism Ireland, there should be further assessment of the impact of austerity measures in the South on the budgets of these two organisations. The Committee has asked that the Department give us a detailed breakdown of actual out-turn of expenditure for the two North/South bodies compared with the Department as a whole and Invest NI. That is particularly relevant at a time when we are promoting research, innovation and development.”
“It would be helpful to receive an assurance from the Minister of Finance and Personnel that this is an accurate assessment. However, reduced activity by Invest NI will undoubtedly result in fewer opportunities being identified, leading to fewer worthwhile proposals for inward investment and, therefore, fewer jobs created. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is very concerned, as is the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, that the Health and Safety Executive has had to target programme expenditure disproportionately, as a large proportion of its budget is for administration. The Committee is concerned that, under the budget proposals, all farm safety campaign activity will be suspended.”
“DETI officials informed the Committee that current proposals would mean that Invest NI will be unable to support its current level of activity, presumably resulting in fewer jobs being promoted and consequently leading to fewer jobs being created. This is at a time when the economy and the local business environment look to us to prepare for the devolution of corporation tax powers to the local Assembly. Officials stated that Invest NI would have to scale back its targets for any future Programme for Government and economic strategy, which is a concern for DETI and Invest NI. DETI's understanding is that the assurance provided that no worthwhile inward investment for job creation would be rejected due to budgetary constraints remains in place.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leat as an deis labhairt anseo. Thank you for the opportunity to speak in the debate. I will speak initially as Chair of the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment. <BR /> <BR />In DETI's assessment of the draft Budget proposals, its baseline position consists of an overall 15·1% reduction distributed pro rata across the Department and its arm's-length bodies. This assessment provides little indication of any prioritisation of expenditure in the Department. The Committee wants to see further analysis to ensure that the impact of reductions is lessened on areas of strategic priority for the Executive. <BR /> <BR />More than 90% of Invest NI's budget for the coming year is already committed.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as a freagra cuimsitheach go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for her comprehensive answers. In light of the collapse of the wind turbine at Fintona, will she provide us with some detail of what health and safety, construction and location guidelines are used by her Department in the construction of turbines on departmental lands?”
“I inform the Minister and the House that it is unlikely that the Committee will require the entire duration of the extension period to consider the Bill. However, given the considerable workload of the Committee, the extension until 13 March 2015 is being requested at this stage as a precautionary measure. Go raibh maith agat. Thank you.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. Thanks to the Minister for his responses. One of the difficulties that I have encountered in the delivery of domiciliary care packages has been the capacity of some private providers to deliver. That is in circumstances where the finance existed, including a recent case of very complex needs, where, despite numerous representations to the trust, they simply could not get anyone in the private sector to deliver. Has the Minister or his Department done any evaluation of the capacity of private providers to deliver care packages?”
“In the event of Euroscepticism prevailing, has the Minister made any assessment of its effect, positive or otherwise — I think it would be mainly negative, even with corporation tax renewed here in the North — in that we would be a fortress and not a gateway to the rest of Europe?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire chomh maith. Thank you very much, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the deputy First Minister as well. He made reference to David Cameron coming this week. Has any clarity been sought from the British Government, particularly with regard to their position in Europe and the implications it may have? The Irish Government have consistently portrayed themselves and the levers that they have at their disposal as being the gateway to Europe. One of those levers is reduced corporation tax.”
“The Committee will pay particular attention to those reviews and will continue to scrutinise the implementation of the non-domestic and domestic aspects of the scheme, especially in areas relating to eligibility criteria, compliance of participants, accreditation, metering and tariffs. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment therefore supports the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 and recommends that the regulations be affirmed by the Assembly.”
“The Department informed the Committee in October this year that the renewable heat premium payment scheme had received more than 2,000 applications with almost 1,500 offers issued by energy division, representing support of around £2·7 million and a total investment of £9·2 million. <BR /> <BR />The regulations will provide the legislative basis for the domestic renewable heat incentive, and that is to be welcomed. The Department has informed the Committee that the renewable heat incentive will have scheduled reviews built in to ensure that it remains fit for purpose.”
“Phase 1 concentrated on non-domestic installations, and, in the intervening period, the Department has introduced the renewable heat premium payment scheme for domestic installations, which the Committee considered to be a fair and equitable approach in the intervening period until the development of a domestic renewable heat incentive. <BR /> <BR />At the time that the 2012 regulations were introduced, the Department informed the Committee that phase 2 of the scheme was to be introduced in the summer of 2013. The Committee has closely scrutinised the development of the renewable heat incentive since that time and has requested and received regular updates from the Department.”
“To assist in increasing the level of renewable heat to 10%, the Westminster Government made £25 million of funding available to the Executive. <BR /> <BR />The introduction of the renewable heat incentive has provided a structured means to provide long-term guaranteed financial assistance for renewable heat installations. The incentive is designed to provide a cost-effective option for consumers to switch to renewable sources of heat. It also provides an option for any consumer to avail themselves of a source of heating that can lead to lower CO2 emissions, increased fuel security and an increase in local employment opportunities in the green energy sector. <BR /> <BR />The 2012 RHI regulations represented the first phase in a two-phase approach to incentivising renewable heat generation.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na moltaí seo a chur os ár gcomhair. I thank the Minister for bringing the proposal to us. The Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment welcomes the introduction of the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations (NI) 2014. <BR /> <BR />The Committee recognises that, although Northern Ireland has no binding targets under the EU renewable energy directive, we are expected to contribute to the Westminster share of that target. As part of that share, the strategic energy framework commits the Department to achieving 40% of electricity and 10% of heat generated from renewable sources by 2020. However, as the Minister informed the House last week, the 40% target is due to be reviewed.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire arís eile. I thank the Minister again. What assurances can he give that those large solar installations will be decommissioned, the panels recycled and the land restored at the end of that 30-year period? In other words, what I am asking is: can it be conditioned as part of any potential approvals that are issued?”
“To deliver on those commitments, we must have a clear vision of what the electricity generation mix and the electricity market will look like in 10, 15 and 20 years. <BR /> <BR />Go raibh maith agat a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle as ucht an ama. Thanks very much, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, for affording me the opportunity to present the report.”
“Perhaps the Member would want to address that to his party colleague the Minister. That Department introduced the renewables obligation certificate (ROC) system. I thank him for his intervention. That is an anomaly that the Executive would probably need to address if it requires addressing. There are a lot of businesses out there that are highly dependent on the ROC system, and the Executive has made commitments — indeed, the Member may even have been a Minister when the Executive signed up to them. <BR /> <BR />To emphasise the point, we must also make a commitment to consumers that we will look after their interests by providing the most appropriate long-term solutions to achieve a reliable electricity supply with the lowest possible electricity prices.”
“We must also make a commitment to consumers that we will look after their interests by providing the most appropriate long-term solution to achieve a reliable electricity supply with the lowest possible electricity prices. <BR /> <BR />To deliver on those commitments, we must have a clear vision of what—”
“I can further report that the first indications from NIRIG are that the new system provides much more detailed information and is a much improved tool for developers. It is early days, but the signs are good. The Committee will keep a watching brief to ensure that the new system does what developers need. On that point, NIE is to be commended for its efforts. <BR /> <BR />The Executive has made a considerable commitment to renewable electricity through the 40% target. To achieve that, we must make a commitment to renewable electricity developers that they will be supported to deliver connections at the least cost within the shortest possible time frame.”
“To finish on a positive note, one of the most frustrating problems for developers that was identified during the review was the lack of detailed information that was provided by NIE to enable developers to make informed investment decisions. The Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group (NIRIG) informed the Committee that NIE has a heat map that provides information to developers on where grid capacity is available for developers to connect. The problem was that that heat map did not provide enough detail for developers to make an accurate estimation of cost. <BR /> <BR />The Committee recommended that NIE introduced a revised heat map with more detailed information, and I am happy to report that NIE has implemented that recommendation and that the detailed heat map can be accessed on its website.”
“Those delays and uncertainties can add considerably to development costs. The Utility Regulator and the system operator must work with NIE to help it to review and improve its policies and processes on grid connections for the benefit of renewable electricity development.”
“Compared to Britain, the time taken here to get a project from feasibility to connection is considerably longer, and time frames are much less certain.”
“The absence of a clear and transparent strategy in NIE for communicating with developers is contributing to a climate of uncertainty and is leading to considerable problems in the industry. For example, there is evidence that delays and uncertainty about the time frames and costs are leading to withdrawal of investment. The Utility Regulator must ensure that NIE has an appropriate and effective strategy for communicating with developers. <BR /> <BR />Much of the problem surrounding transparency and communications seems to stem from NIE's policies and processes, which do not seem to provide the most appropriate mechanisms for developers who are seeking grid connections. Processes contribute to delays, and they contribute to the costs being higher than necessary.”
“It is also essential that NIE is allocated sufficient resources in the next electricity price determination to fund smart grid solutions, similar to the way in which funding is provided in Britain and the Republic. As a region with ambitions to be a leader in the development of renewable electricity, we should be at the forefront of developing advanced solutions to support those very ambitions. <BR /> <BR />On transparency and communications, the Committee found that considerable problems are being created for developers because they simply do not know where they stand with NIE. There are perceptions of inconsistencies in NIE's charging. There are perceptions that NIE's charges are higher than they should be, and there are perceptions of reluctance on the part of NIE to provide information to developers.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee recognises that the electricity grid infrastructure needs to be reinforced to maximise the use of renewable electricity. However, this is a long-term plan. In the shorter term, much more needs to be done to take advantage of smart technologies such as micro grids to help to get more renewable electricity connected and to reduce the cost of connections. Little is currently known about micro grids in this country, and the technology seems to be developing very quickly. It is essential that all key stakeholders get to grips with micro grids and their potential to assist in providing an effective addition to the electricity network.”
“<BR /> <BR />Although the Utility Regulator's work plan contains an objective for contestability, the regulator informed the Committee that the delivery of contestability arrangements would require a two-to-three-year time frame. The Committee fails to see any justification for such a long delay, given the widespread support for its introduction. Indeed, NIE reached an agreement with SSE for the contestable delivery of a large-scale wind farm at Slieve Kirk, so a precedent of workability has already been established. The Committee would like to see NIE developing similar informal arrangements for contestability and will encourage the Utility Regulator to develop formal arrangements in a much shorter time frame than the three years currently proposed.”
“Many developers believe that they could save a considerable amount of time and money if they were permitted to have these assets constructed by other companies. <BR /> <BR />In the South of Ireland and in Britain, there are more open arrangements, where developers can contest the costs for connections, and, if connections can be provided at a lesser cost, developers can arrange for them to be constructed by a third party. There is wide support for similar contestability arrangements here. The industry wants contestability, and the system operator, SONI, is in favour of it. DETI and the Utility Regulator are content to see it introduced, and NIE informed the Committee that there are no major obstacles to the introduction of contestability. Why, then, is it not happening?”
“Developers complained about the long delays, sometimes running into years, before they got a decision from NIE about the viability of a development. Often when a response does come, it turns out that the cost of connecting the development renders it completely unviable. High costs and long delays are crippling the renewable electricity industry for many developers. <BR /> <BR />Under current regulatory arrangements, NIE is the only company permitted to construct grid connection assets. Generators must pay NIE to construct assets and connect them to the grid. The cost is dictated by NIE through its regulated statement of charges, and NIE also controls the timescale for making connections.”
“<BR /> <BR />The two key themes that continuously arose in relation to grid connections were problems associated with the cost of connections and problems associated with delays for developers in getting connected.”
“The Department established the sustainable energy interdepartmental working group to ensure a coordinated approach to sustainable energy across government, but despite the increasing importance of renewable electricity and the need for a more coordinated approach to renewables to ensure our long-term electricity security, this group has not met for some time. Given the growing importance of renewables in our energy mix, it is important that the sustainable energy interdepartmental working group meets regularly and is seen as a valuable contributor to the development, implementation and management of the Department's vision and strategy for electricity.”
“It ends in just over five years, and it does not tell us what our energy mix will look like in 20, 15, 10 or even five years. It does not tell us how DETI will work in the long term to achieve an appropriate energy mix with fair prices and fair and transparent returns to developers, suppliers and network operators, and it does not tell us how it will achieve security of supply. Neither is it a strategy, as it does not provide a road map for how DETI will achieve a vision for energy in the long term. <BR /> <BR />Renewable electricity is an important and increasingly essential part of our energy mix.”
“If the Department has a long-term vision and strategy for electricity, it must now share that with the industry, with electricity consumers and with this House. If it does not have a long-term vision and strategy for electricity, as seems more likely, there is a considerable piece of work to be done, and I hope that the Department recognises the importance and urgency associated with that work. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the Department may argue that it has the strategic energy framework, and on that it is, of course, correct. The strategic energy framework has the goals of building competitive markets, ensuring security of supply, enhancing sustainability and developing our energy infrastructure. It tells us that DETI will do a lot of ensuring, promoting, encouraging, supporting and working with others. It is not, however, visionary.”
“We expect DETI to constantly monitor that strategy and we also expect it to keep an eye on the horizon and adjust the strategy as required to navigate smoothly around the uncertainties and unexpected barriers that the long-term future will undoubtedly bring. <BR /> <BR />During the review, it became apparent that there is little, if any, evidence of a clear, agreed, long-term vision and strategy for electricity. A number of key stakeholders informed the Committee that they could see little evidence of a vision. The Committee itself was able to find little evidence, too. Departmental officials told the Committee that they disagreed with this view that there is no long-term vision or strategy for electricity, but the Department provided no evidence to back this up.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given these complexities, given the uncertainties and given the time it takes to develop a full understanding of the key elements of the electricity market, we expect those who know, those who are the experts and those whose job it is to develop and agree policy for electricity — namely the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment — to have a clear long-term vision and strategy for where they see the electricity market in 10, 15 or 20 years' time, and that this vision and strategy would be widely communicated and agreed with key stakeholders in the electricity market.”
“Changes to legislation, here and in Europe — the rest of Europe, I should say — impact on our generation mix. Also, the single electricity market across the island is still very much in the development stage. It has taken the Committee time to gain a sound understanding of the interrelationships and interdependencies between the various constituent parts that go to make up a utility that most of us take very much for granted. I think that every Committee member, past and present, would admit that they still have much to learn: I know that I can certainly say that.”
“Part I was on the security of electricity supply and part II was on electricity prices. Adoption of the recommendations in part III, which is grid connections, can have a positive impact on security of supply and electricity prices. <BR /> <BR />The structure of the electricity market is highly complex as an overall entity; sometimes one could wonder whether it is deliberately so. Nevertheless, each of its constituent parts is complex in its own right. That includes complexities associated with legislation, policies, strategies, processes, structures, infrastructure, markets, pricing, regulation and relationships between the various stakeholders. Not only is the electricity market complex, it is very dynamic. <BR /> <BR />Fossil fuel costs for generation fluctuate wildly as world events dictate prices.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank all those who gave evidence to the Committee during the review: those who provided written submissions; those who corresponded with the Committee; and those who attended the Committee to give oral evidence. In particular, I convey my thanks to the Committee staff, who were very dedicated in compiling the huge range of information and evidence that was given to us in a well-thought-out report. <BR /> <BR />The motion is about part III of the Committee's review into electricity policy.”
“Ongoing work is still needed in relation to the abuse of staff in the Prison Service, and I particularly condemn the targeting of prison officers in and outside the workplace. <BR /> <BR />That concludes our deliberations on the proposals in the SDLP amendment.”
“It is good to see, particularly, that progress has been made in the shared space and facilities in Roe House; the use of discretion in the requirement for full-body searching — the Minister referred to this — for those who are leaving prison in the case of a serious medical condition; the continuous review on the full-body search issue; and the use of prisoners' forums. The Northern Ireland Prison Service has agreed to the recommendations regarding the prisoners' forum. The report shows that improvement still needs to be made in some areas, including family visits and the ongoing issue of full-body searches. The SDLP supports the ongoing implementation of that agreement.”
“<BR /> <BR />The amendment tabled by my party means to ensure that the progress made by both prison officers and prisoners in Maghaberry prison does not go unnoticed. The problems are not completely fixed, but the report goes some way to show the changes that have been made there. I echo the comments made by my colleague about the stocktake report, but I also want to note the Northern Ireland Prison Service's response to it. Its acceptance of the report shows the progress that has been made in Maghaberry since this agreement. <BR /> <BR />As outlined by the Minister, the Prison Service accepts eight of the recommendations fully and one partially.”
“They are going absolutely nowhere, and seeing the heartbreak in that house would really bring that home hard and fast to anyone who needed it brought home to them. So, let nobody be in any doubt about the motivations of the SDLP. They are what they always have been: to try to bring about political solutions, engage through dialogue with people and bring an end to violence. <BR /> <BR />The Minister made a point about the SDLP amendment removing details from the motion. The SDLP amendment refers to noting the stocktake report. That report refers specifically to outstanding issues, including ongoing abuse of and threats to staff. That is included in the report that we refer to and suggest should be noted.”
“Despite the utter heartbreak in that family, my colleagues and I were very warmly welcomed to that house. As has happened on so many other occasions, I discovered that I knew his extended family and his in-laws, who are good, decent and well-respected people in that community. The hurt over that murder extended far beyond one community in that area, because the extended family circle are long-standing in that area and are well got and respected. <BR /> <BR />I genuinely hope that those responsible for that murder are caught and that they eventually see the error of their ways, as others have done in the past. They did not just pick up using threats and violence against prison officers and other members of the community at the hedge. As others have done, they should see the error of their ways.”