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 Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Thank you for giving way. I just want to clarify your point. That happened in spite of the fact that, as has been clarified to me, DAERA and DFI met 13 times over that period to discuss the project.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does the Member agree that part of the strategy will be for the judiciary, so that those found guilty of some of the worst, most obnoxious hate crimes and racist crimes are given increased sentences? That is a key part of all of that to send out a clear message from society.”
“I agree absolutely with you, Minister. The issue is for political leadership, but involved in that will be the extra resource that the police and others require to tackle the issue. What ask has the Chief Constable made in that regard? How have you been able to facilitate that ask?”
“Minister, how have you responded to concerns that were tabled by the Mineral Products Association's highway maintenance and construction group in a series of meetings with you in June this year on the 2025-26 road maintenance budget, which, potentially, will put 500 jobs at risk and leave roads in the North in an even worse condition?”
“Minister, it appears that, since the centralisation of services — that is what it has been — there has, in fact, been a deterioration of those services for many women who are deeply concerned about their health. What additional resources are being allocated to trusts and health services in order that people who are deeply concerned about their health can be seen as soon as possible?”
“<BR /> <BR />Our approach recognises the urgency of the environmental situation, but it also acknowledges the realities on the ground. In addition to the necessary upgrades to the waste water and sewage network — we have already spoken about that — any sustainable policy must be co-designed and must not be imposed. That is the only way in which we can achieve lasting change. It must include key issues, such as collaboration, education, support and financial incentivisation. Again, it is back to the Minister to advise whether that support is forthcoming —”
“God knows that those of us who try to work with and support farmers do our simple best for them. That is why the Assembly and the Executive need to step up to the plate and support those farmers who are willing to conserve our environment and are committed to doing so. <BR /> <BR />I have to mention one thing, and it is a fact. Moy Park is owned by a US multinational company. It is not a local company. Its profits rose by 151% in 2023. Can anyone name any farmer whose profits rose by 151% in 2023, or in any other year for that matter? There is not a pup's chance. In the meantime, however, there have been hundreds of breaches of legal limits of environmental pollutants by that same company. Please square that circle for me.”
“Totally. We need to hear NI Water's proposals and about the departmental drive behind those proposals, from an investment and a scientific point of view. The methodology of monitoring the water supply came up at the meeting last night as well. Furthermore, monitoring what is being ingested by humans definitely came up last night. <BR /> <BR />The only way in which to address all that is by drastically reducing the excessive levels of nutrients — phosphorus and nitrogen — in the lough. Over 60% of the phosphorus in the water originates from agriculture, while one third comes from waste water treatment facilities and septic tanks. <BR /> <BR />On the issue of agriculture, I need to emphasise the point that much has been made of farming in the debate.”
“Are they giving him the money to support the farming community, the fishing community, new methods of on-farm practice and other methods and innovative measures, scientific and otherwise, that will be required to reassert the ecological and environmental value of Lough Neagh?”
“It is a crying shame to see that industry evaporating before our very eyes. There were fishermen there last night, and I hope to hear from the Minister about support for the fishing industry. It is a crying shame to see what is happening on our lough. That cultural symbol of Lough Neagh and the island is disappearing. Everything that the public are seeing demands action, but it must be the right kind of action and be collaborative. It is a complex crisis that requires partnership, innovation and shared responsibility across all sectors. <BR /> <BR />I want the Minister to clarify whether he is getting support from his Executive colleagues. Are they are ponying up?”
“There were wildfowlers there last night who were afraid to take their dogs out to the lough on the first morning of the shooting season. There were families and young people there who are deeply concerned about the quality of the water supply. They were concerned for themselves, their families and the very animals in the agriculture sector that we are talking about. The clear message from the people at the meeting was that they do not want arguments. They want action, and they want us to get on with taking it. <BR /> <BR />Brown eel fishing closed down during the summer. The brown eel is a symbol of the Lough Neagh economy, but it is also a cultural symbol. It is a symbol of the resistance of Irish fishermen, who took to the courts to establish their right to fish their own lough.”
“Last night, I was, I think, the only MLA who attended a meeting in Moortown at Kinturk cultural centre. That is exactly the sort of stuff that people there said that they did not want to hear: ping-ponging back and forward on ideological grounds; you blame, he blames, she blames. No disrespect, Jonny, but the message from the hundred-odd people in that room was unanimously clear. <BR /> <BR />I am a lifelong resident of the lough shore. I have represented the area for 32 years. I know and respect the views of the people whom I spoke to last night. One man told me that he was thinking of moving out of his house this summer because of the stink that was coming off the lough.”
“Those sound like noble ideas and projects. What methodology will be used to measure improvement in services and will that be provided to the Assembly?”
“Did you avail yourself of the opportunity to engage with the Ministers from the Republic, who are your colleagues, on measures that can be collaboratively taken or learned from how they have engaged significantly and supported the agriculture sector towards finding creative new measures?”
“Minister, I attended a public meeting last night along with a number of other elected Members. There were over 100 people there in Kinturk in Moortown, County Tyrone. As you will be well aware, the issue is Lough Neagh and the priority to have action on Lough Neagh. The statement is an opportunity for you to detail when you liaised with colleagues from other parts of the island. The Irish Government have been engaging with agriculture, the farming sector and other environmental stakeholders on how the issue, which is also at Lough Sheelin, can be addressed.”
“Was that discussed at that meeting, or will the Minister chat to the Education Authority to establish whether, insofar as it is practicable, it could issue special bus passes in those circumstances?”
“Mr Speaker, I note that Deborah Erskine's question has been withdrawn, and, with your forbearance and permission, I take this opportunity to personally wish her all the best. <BR /> <BR />I will move on. Thank you for your answer, Minister. We have had a number of queries from constituents whose children have to walk along busy roads where the speed limit is 60 mph and there is no pathway or footpath.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tommy was a man of great faith; indeed, he visited Lourdes a short time before his death. He was deeply committed to his faith. Tommy was also a dedicated family man. Anyone who spent any time in his presence would know that and learn that from him. He was deeply, deeply committed to his wife, Eileen; his children Clora, Thomas and Donogh; and his grandchildren and wider family. That was so obvious to anyone who spent any time in his presence. To them, we offer our deepest heartfelt sympathies. Ar lámh dheis Dé go raibh anam Tommy.”
“He was driven by a passion for helping people, looking after people and serving the community that elected him and by a deep, deep commitment to achieving peace by the only method by which it could eventually be achieved: a peaceful methodology. <BR /> <BR />More recently, Tommy was on the phone to me about people who had a problem or a particular issue in his locality that needed a bit of a push. He was always there to help and support people. If anyone turned to him for help, he gave his time willingly and freely and used whatever means he could to help that person along their journey. During the negotiations that ultimately led to the Good Friday Agreement, Tommy's dedication to peaceful means and achieving a peaceful outcome was prevalent.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your kind and respectful comments about Tommy and for facilitating the opportunity to pay our collective respects to him and the entire family. <BR /> <BR />Tommy was a good friend to many, me included, and a mentor to many in his role as teacher, community advocate, public representative and stalwart GAA supporter, coach and player in football and hurling. Of course, he was delighted with the recent progress of some of his local teams. For Tommy, his teaching life was a vocation to inspire, nurture and help people. Therefore, it was no surprise that Tommy went on to become an elected representative, first as a councillor and then an MLA.”
“Anybody who has a heart at all will feel for animals, whether they be cats, dogs or — well, I do not know about ferrets; they can nip your finger now and again; nonetheless, they are animals. They say that a good person is one who treats animals well. Hopefully, in our role as public representatives, we can do our bit to ensure that animals are treated well. I look forward to the Department's introducing additional legislative measures to give effect to the principles that we are being asked, at least, to endorse.”
“I thank the Minister for tabling the LCM. We are being asked, as we were asked at Committee, to agree in principle to the commitments that the Minister has just outlined on the welfare of dogs, cats and ferrets. The legislation that we are dealing with — in principle, at this stage — will hopefully deal with many of the animal welfare or import issues that have been raised, close off smuggling loopholes and help to protect animals. Hopefully, it will ensure better animal protections, improved biosecurity and regulatory alignment. <BR /> <BR />I am glad that, as the Minister explained, the Department has worked with police, harbour police and transport industries to tighten processes and ensure that animals are protected.”
“First Minister, what analysis will be done on the creativity of AI to ensure that there will not be any job losses in the public sector?”
“<BR /> <BR />On the whole issue of mushroom growers and investment in their businesses, I remember that, on the final occasion, the Minister gave us assurances that he would engage with the sector with a view to trying to resolve issues and help things as we move along. I support the legislation at this stage. I ask the Minister for additional clarification and assurance on those two issues: discretion and engagement with the mushroom sector about their industry and the future of their businesses. I thank the Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />We had numerous debates around discretionary support and what that means. While I am aware of the implications and meaning of discretionary support in the context of what the Minister has to do within his remit, some growers drew our attention to the fact that anything that gave the impression that the support involved a level of short-termism could not be presented to funders or others as a meaningful long-term investment, and that that meant that their businesses could be seen as having uncertainty around them. I am sure that the Minister will take the opportunity to give the assurance that that is not the legislation's intention.”
“I thank the Minister for progressing the legislation. I also thank the officials for working through what seemed on occasions to be interminable question-and-answer sessions at Committee. We made some headway, but I remarked on one key factor very early on: the situation faced by the horticulture sector and the mushroom sector, which I will come on to in a moment or two. Many of those mushroom growers are in County Armagh, and there is a marked difference between the level of support that they get here and the level of support that other mushroom growers get just a few miles down the road in the Republic — in the EU. That difference is, of course, a result of Brexit. We pulled out, and it became apparent very early on that the support and market access that is available to growers south of the border — in the EU — is markedly better.”
“Thank you very much for that, Minister. Will you provide us with details of the number of occasions on which DFI officials sought advice on the A5 project and of the obligations that the Department had under that advice? Will you also provide that information with regard to other major projects, whether of DFI or others, where your Department, as the host Department, was asked for advice on the obligations to be met by respective Departments on those projects?”
“I thank the Minister for that. Minister, I heard your recent interview. The absence of adequate investment in infrastructure is causing serious problems with the new-build programme for social housing and for private housing new build. Indeed, it is affecting the market in that it is putting up the prices of existing houses. When will we see your proposals for a developer's charge, Minister?”
“Thanks very much, Minister. That is welcome news. Do you have any idea of what the waiting lists are and when those new appointees will make a meaningful impact on them?”
“Minister, can you clarify how the curriculum-led capital investment programme will address some of the long-standing infrastructure inequalities among sectors, especially in Irish-medium schools, which have failed to achieve enough capital investment despite growing enrolment and demand?”
“On any occasion when you met him, he always had a good and respectful word for you. The measure of anyone is how they treat others. There was never an occasion when Seán did not treat me or others whom I was with with respect, courtesy and civility and with a bit of a chat and maybe a joke. <BR /> <BR />I offer my sincere sympathies to Seán's family, his friends and his colleagues in the Alliance Party. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sé.”
“First, thank you, Mr Speaker, for facilitating this occasion. It is a sad occasion, but it is important that we remember the commitment to democratic principles of so many people who have since left this world, hopefully for a better one. I got to know Seán through serving in the Assembly. He had been on various Committees, and his dedication shone through in what he was doing. He knew my former colleague John Dallat — God rest him — pretty well too. John had a great word to say on him at all times. <BR /> <BR />One thing that struck me about Seán was that he understood the meaning of dialogue — of talking to people and, importantly, listening to them. That was vital; you could very quickly establish that from speaking to the man, and maybe that was a bit of his vocation as a teacher — a good teacher — coming through.”
“The approaches taken in the Republic have delivered real gains, because they have built trust rather than resentment and shown what is possible when farmers are part of the solution. Let me be clear —.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I agree, absolutely. In the South, we have seen the Government there working with the farmers. Look, it is not an easy process. In some circumstances, equipment worth £10,000, £15,000, £20,000 or more will be required for spreading slurry. That is just one example. If you are a farmer with an average income, which, as has been outlined, is £37,000 per annum, and you do not have huge acreage — these are not people with huge amounts of land — where are you going to get the money from for that? Those people need that support and incentivisation. Again, the question to the members of parties in the Executive who are speaking today is this: will you commit to your Executive colleagues underpinning the process with the support that is required to see it through? Otherwise, today is just about grandstanding.”
“Again, "incentives, advice and guidance" is the key message. My message to all the Executive parties is this: clarify today whether you will commit to the incentivisation — the financial underpinning — that is required. I ask that of DAERA and all the parties that are in the Executive. Will you commit today to that integral incentivisation and on-farm support, which will be required for the transition for the farming community in particular?”
“Point 6 of the annex to that letter states:”
“I have not finished my point just yet, Timothy. <BR /> <BR />On that last point, I would like to quote from a letter to the Minister from Dame Glenys Stacey of the Office for Environmental Protection, which states:”
“Farmers have real concerns about what is being proposed, including stricter phosphorus limits, mandatory low-emission slurry-spreading equipment and compulsory buffer strips. Regulation alone will not succeed; it must be accompanied by support. It is not enough to say to farmers, "Do better"; we must ask them, "How can we help you to do better?" That is exactly what our amendment sought to do through financial incentives.”
“Ours is a vision that is rooted in partnership, not punishment. It balances environmental urgency with fairness, recognises the scale of the crisis without scapegoating farmers, and affirms that any sustainable nutrients policy must be co-designed, not imposed. <BR /> <BR />The motion, while rightly concerned with water pollution, calls for the immediate withdrawal of the current nutrients action programme consultation. In my view, that is both premature and counterproductive. It is a consultation, not a conclusion. Withdrawing it now risks silencing voices rather than amplifying them. We should be pushing for deeper engagement, not cutting it short. Our amendment called for a multi-agency working group, which is exactly the kind of collaborative step that we should be taking.”
“However, it is one of the first symptoms that we see, aside from the numerous phone calls that many of us were getting when it was at its worst: "Can we drink the water?" or "Can we take our dogs near the water?" Wildfowlers were not able to conduct their normal practice on the morning of 1 September. Those are the real effects of what is going into the lough. <BR /> <BR />Everything from algal blooms to fish deaths demands action. It demands partnership, innovation and shared responsibility across all sectors. While I agree that agriculture must play its part, I am rather disappointed that our amendment was not accepted. It dealt with key issues such as collaboration, education, support and financial incentivisation, which I will come back to, as part of any nutrients action programme.”
“As I stand here, my initial thoughts are about what I found out recently about Lough Neagh. The eel-fishing industry has been a core part of the economy for a lot of people on the lough. It has sustained many families. It is part of our history and culture going back many years. Indeed, it was part of a very detailed court case that was fought largely with the assistance of my predecessor on Cookstown District Council: the late, great Paddy Duffy. I do not think that anyone in the Chamber denies that the condition of Lough Neagh is contributing to the demise — I hope, temporarily — of Lough Neagh fishing, particularly eel fishing. I hope that that is not the case.”
“However, if we are talking about having a system that is tailored to Northern Ireland's needs, support for clause 2 to stand part of the Bill must be subject to one sector's getting the attention and support that it deserves. I call on the Minister to reflect on methods and ways in which to support the mushroom sector. Agus sin an méid atá le rá agam. Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the Agriculture Bill, and I clearly support its intentions. It marks a long-overdue step towards bespoke agricultural policy for Northern Ireland — one that reflects our scale, land, climate and way of farming. The emphasis on food security, environmental sustainability, innovation and market resilience is timely and necessary. We have already seen how vulnerable food supply chains can be. Whether it is due to Brexit, the war in Ukraine, climate shocks or labour shortages, that can be a problem. <BR /> <BR />In theory, the Bill gives the Department the tools to act to support farming in a more forward-looking way.”
“To be more specific about the appointments process, do you have a timeline? There are many people, specifically in the Irish language community, like me and, I am sure, others who see a lot of delay in the process, which was anticipated to happen much earlier. A timeline or a time frame would be much appreciated by those communities.”
“Minister, on the issue of criminal assets and the like, what liability falls to the landowners on whose property the illegal activity took place?”
“The assurance that I seek from you, Minister, is that there will be no diminution of services or depletion of access to services, especially for those of us who live in rural areas.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Expanding on that theme, has the Minister engaged with local producers to understand the practical effects of the agreement on cross-border trade and, indeed, market access?”
“If we truly believe in protecting children, we must act as though their lives depend on it, because they do. The motion is a call not just for a law but for a culture change — for a road safety culture that places children first; for a public awareness campaign that leaves no ambiguity; and for a clear and enforceable message: when a school bus stops, so do you. <BR /> <BR />Let us honour the memory of those who have been lost. Let us support those who continue to grieve. Let us work together across parties and across communities to ensure that no other family has to sit in the Public Gallery because of something that could have been prevented.”
“The legislation must be robust, enforceable and developed in consultation with all the relevant agencies, including Translink, the PSNI and education bodies, and the Minister said that she intends to speak to the Minister of Education about it. Above all, it must be developed with urgency, hopefully within the mandate, because every day that we delay is another day that children stand at the roadside, hoping that the driver coming towards them is paying attention. That is not a sustainable position. It is not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that legislative change can take time, but I am glad that the focus of today's debate has acted as somewhat of a catalyst. We cannot wait until another family experiences the heartbreak that has already befallen those in the Public Gallery.”