Philip McGuigan
North Antrim · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I concur with the Minister that patient safety is ultimately the top priority, but patient safety is also important, as the Member said, in terms of assessments. If you cannot get assessments, your safety is compromised.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Further to my party colleague's point of order about the DUP's internal investigation, what is the point of doing an investigation if you are telling us that you have nothing to answer for? You were the leader of the DUP at a time when accusations were levelled against Jeffrey Donaldson.”
“Minister, in your previous answers you talked about the pressures and the difficulties. You said that you were looking for a fair funding model, and you spoke of the need for taxpayers here to be treated equitably.”
“Minister, the inquiry found systematic abuse, neglect and serious governance failure at Muckamore Abbey Hospital over many years — failures that were not isolated incidents but reflected systematic issues across leadership, staffing, safeguarding and oversight that resulted in decades of physical and psychological abuse.”
“When I engage with health service sectors as my party's health spokesperson, there is not one that does not talk about workforce pressures and problems with staff recruitment and retention. That is clearly the case with doctors.”
“First Minister, you have spoken previously about the opportunities created as a result of our unique economic and trading position and about the increased potential that comes with all-island cooperation.”
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“I have no intention of going into the detail that constituency MLAs went into. <BR /> <BR />I am my party's tourism spokesperson, so I will say just a few words. Obviously, East Antrim has plenty to offer in tourism. Some of that has been talked about, including, to name a few, the Gobbins cliff path, the Causeway coastal route, the 'Game of Thrones' filming locations and Glenariff forest park. Golf tourism has some potential, and I know, from discussions that I have had, that there are exciting additional golf tourism opportunities in East Antrim. As we know, tourism in general has a key role in driving economic growth, addressing regional imbalance and creating jobs.”
“I am disappointed that Slemish has gone in the same direction. Most people are not politicians and so do not care about electoral boundaries and see no difference. From a North Antrim perspective, my club, Dunloy, had many a clash at all ages in hurling with clubs from the glens, and I am pretty sure that they consider themselves to be North Antrim in spirit. <BR /> <BR />As well as being lucky enough to represent any part of County Antrim as an elected representative, I am lucky enough to be healthy enough to be able to cycle on a regular basis to some of the places that we have talked about, covering all parts of County Antrim and along the north coast. I am not going to argue with anything that anybody has said about the unique landscape and nature of that part of County Antrim.”
“This is a timely opportunity to debate tourism as we head into the busiest time of the year for our tourism and hospitality sector. I thank Ms Brownlee for securing the debate, which is specifically about East Antrim. Obviously, I am not an East Antrim MLA, but I am my party's tourism spokesperson and I was elected to represent the neighbouring constituency of North Antrim. I will not get into a bunfight with Stewart Dickson on which part of the north coast is the most beautiful; we will leave that for another time. <BR /> <BR />It is interesting that, in 2003, when I was first elected to the Assembly, Cushendun, Cushendall and Glenariff were in the North Antrim constituency and helped to get me elected. Those places have been lost to East Antrim.”
“which would clearly be beneficial, although the short timeline, such as the six-month deadline included in the amendment, could mean rushed, high-level proposals rather than costed, achievable solutions. On the whole, however, we are content to support the overall principles of the motion and the amendment.”
“The motion also references the Utility Regulator, which certainly has a key role to play in ensuring that the transition to net zero is a just one. If we can increase the scoping powers to allow it to do that, we should do so. <BR /> <BR />The amendment calls for:”
“Workers in energy-intensive industries must be protected through initiatives such as upskilling and retraining. Lower-income families must not be penalised. The public should be encouraged and, through grants and other schemes, supported when it comes to adopting such schemes. Ultimately, the cost of moving towards renewable energy sources should fall not on the shoulders of ordinary people but on the industries and companies that use the majority of energy here. <BR /> <BR />The motion's ambitions to achieve net zero and energy security go beyond the remit of the Economy Minister. Others have clearly indicated that, and I know from discussions in Committee that we need to look at the planning process and at how it can be adapted to assist with those ambitions.”
“It will also allow us to strive for energy independence, which is particularly important, taking power out of the hands of the profiteering corporations and putting it into the hands of ordinary people, potentially through initiatives such as community energy projects, co-ops and microgeneration. Additionally, a wealth of opportunities can be found, as others have said, in the green energy sector, and, with proper investment, some of the recognised challenges can be addressed, such as planning, storage and capacity. On this island, we have the potential to become leaders in the field. We are known for our innovative engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and we need to harness and maximise the benefits for the environment, our citizens and the economy. <BR /> <BR />The transition to renewable power must be a just one, however.”
“Those corporations, while claiming that market volatility meant that they had to cover their increasing costs, have managed, year-on-year, to make record profits while families struggled to heat their homes, fill their cars and keep the lights on. <BR /> <BR />Short-term interventions, such as the energy support payments, which were necessary, are not sustainable in the long term. As we look to address growing fuel poverty, with the ultimate ambition of its eradication and meeting the targets in the Climate Change Act and the path to net zero energy strategy, it is clear that we need to progress at pace towards clean, renewable and affordable sources of energy. That will not only assist us to protect and improve our environment but provide us with reliable and sustainable energy.”
“Following on from the Chair of the Committee, I think that it is important to say that the members of the Economy Committee have had a good working relationship, as is reflected in the numerous motions that we have debated in the Chamber that were within the Economy Minister's remit and focus. There has been broad consensus, and I do not expect that to differ today. I thank the Alliance Members for tabling the motion, which is on an important subject that is worthy of discussion. <BR /> <BR />Undoubtedly, the significant increase in the cost of energy has had an adverse impact on many households and businesses and deepened the cost-of-living crisis. While there have been global factors at play, our over-reliance on fossil fuels has made the North particularly vulnerable to price rises and put us at the mercy of major corporations.”
“I encourage everyone with an interest in their future and the future of the people of this island to attend Saturday's event at the SSE Arena in Belfast.”
“I encourage all MLAs to read a number of insightful documents published on its website that cover topics as diverse as rights, citizenship and identity; planning for a strong all-island economy; and the potential for a world-class, all-island national health service. This Saturday's event, entitled "Pathway to Change", will cover those subjects, as well as hosting discussions on the labour movement,; arts and culture; and disability matters in a changing Ireland. There will also be an important discussion focused on perspectives from those in the Protestant community. <BR /> <BR />The conversation for constitutional change in Ireland is getting louder. It is getting more detailed, and its benefits are becoming increasingly apparent.”
“On Saturday, I will join others from all over the island at a major event in the SSE Arena in Belfast organised by Ireland's Future. The event is a significant and important opportunity to engage in the conversation about how we shape the path towards a new Ireland. Ireland's Future is a group established to advocate, promote, debate and have discussions about Ireland's future, particularly focused on the potential that exists for new constitutional arrangements on the island. <BR /> <BR />I commend Ireland's Future for organising this pivotal event and providing opportunities and spaces for this important conversation to flourish.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer to question 4 and for her commitment to introduce legislation for a statutory public inquiry and redress scheme as soon as possible. Will she commit to engaging with key groups in advance of the publication of the public consultation?”
“Minister, how will you ensure that the scheme will promote and advance regional balance?”
“We need the power, including fiscal power, and the sovereignty to do so. I look forward to that day coming.”
“<BR /> <BR />As we look to the future, we need the required fiscal levers and multi-year Budgets to enable long-term planning and proper investment in our people, businesses and public services. The Finance Minister has done a very good job recently in getting the British Government to recognise that we have been underfunded and in securing commitments that should give us additional funding as part of the interim fiscal framework. However, we in the North are often left to deal with the consequences of insufficient funding or bad decisions or inaction at Westminster. We are in a Westminster election campaign, but it should be clear to all of us that the best people to take decisions on behalf of the citizens who live on this island are politicians who are elected on this island, exercising power here in Ireland.”
“The British Government's Shared Prosperity Fund falls short, leaving the Executive £90 million short of the £195 million that was received when we were in the EU. British Government schemes such as the Shared Prosperity Fund and the Community Renewal Fund gave the Executive little, if any, scope to shape skills funding to the needs of businesses and workers here. I am confident, however, that the Minister for the Economy will use the limited resources that he has at his disposal effectively and as efficiently as possible to deliver the highly productive, zero-carbon, regionally balanced economy with good jobs that is set out in his economic vision. A strategic and focused approach will be required to ensure that it can make a meaningful impact on people's lives.”
“<BR /> <BR />Speaking as a member of the Economy Committee, I welcome Conor Murphy back to the role of Minister and put on record gratitude to Deirdre Hargey for her contribution to the Department in that role over the past few weeks. I thank the Economy Department officials for their Budget briefing at last week's Committee meeting, and I echo and agree with much of what the Committee Chair, Philip Brett, articulated earlier in his remarks on behalf of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />I have to point out, as I did in a previous debate, that over and above the impact of austerity and funding shortfalls, the loss of EU funding as a result of Brexit will particularly hit the Department for the Economy, especially its skills programmes, apprenticeships and business support programmes.”
“These Tory cuts, as I suspect the Tories know, will always have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable, many of whom are also struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis. Families are struggling to make ends meet and businesses are struggling with increased costs. Those are the conditions, the constraints and the stark reality faced by the Executive and the Finance Minister in bringing forward this Budget. All that said, I welcome the fact that we have got to the point of agreeing a Budget, and I commend the Finance Minister for making that happen. Despite the ongoing challenges experienced by all Departments, the Budget will bring a level of certainty and allow for forward planning.”
“I will speak primarily from the perspective of a Sinn Féin member of the Economy Committee. <BR /> <BR />It is important to state clearly, at the beginning of my remarks, as others have done before me, that the Executive have for years, and continue to be, substantially underfunded by the British Tory Government. That Tory austerity policy continues to have a detrimental impact on the Executive's finances, our public services, our economy and, ultimately, our workers and families. That the Finance Minister outlined in her opening remarks that bids by Executive members were three times the available allocation is a clear indication of the harm that Tory austerity is having on all our Ministers' ability to fund their Departments in the best interests of our citizens.”
“I note in the First Minister's comments the fact that the international interest in what we have to offer here continues to grow and that we are an investment destination of choice. Therefore, will the First Minister outline what international partners Ministers have met since taking office?”
“Looking back at recent decades, let us not kid ourselves that any of these conflicts were about defending the shores of Britain. <BR /> <BR />At the beginning of my contribution, I stated that Sinn Féin wants to deliver an economy based on creating good jobs, increasing productivity, tackling regional imbalances and transitioning to net zero to help to improve the quality of life for workers and families here. I want to add to those factors and state that ethical procurement and ethical investment should be a key focus of policy. There are many ways to grow our economy that do not make the North complicit in the promotion or expansion of Britain or any other nation's war machine.”
“We can build a strong economy without endorsing or helping to grow the arms trade, an industry that, let us face it, depends on and, in fact, needs profits from the perpetuation of conflict, destruction and death. We can see that with devastating effect and, tragically, its impact on human life every might watching the news. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin is clear in its view that the USA and Britain must stop arming Israel, and it is also clear in its view that Invest NI government policy should not be supporting anything that ends up being used to carry out genocide. We cannot ignore Britain's track record in conflicts across the globe. In Britain's case, defence can mean intervening in conflicts or attacking nations around the world whenever and however it decides.”
“Utilising and building on the potential of the all-island economy, we can grow our tourism and hospitality sector, our manufacturing sector and the green economy, which, as we have said in the Chamber on many occasions, has huge potential for our SMEs, our economy and our population. <BR /> <BR />I recognise the highly skilled engineering jobs and workforce in the aerospace and shipbuilding sectors, the employment and apprenticeship opportunities that they have created and the significant innovation, research and development into aircraft and shipbuilding as well as cybersecurity. However, it is the shifting of the focus in this motion, and therefore the limited economic resources towards strengthening Britain's arms industry, that I must take issue with.”
“Sinn Féin wants to deliver an economy that is based on creating good jobs, increasing productivity, tackling regional imbalance and transitioning to net zero to help improve the quality of life for workers and families who live here. Given years of Tory austerity and their attacks on public services, and our budgetary challenges and limited powers, that will not be without its challenges. It will require a strategic and focused approach if we are to make a meaningful impact on people's lives. <BR /> <BR />That impact must be positive. It must be about improving people's quality of life. It has to include reducing poverty and addressing the existing skills deficit, and it should mean investing in all geographical areas of the North.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. What is her assessment of the British Government's delay in formally associating to Horizon Europe, and how that has affected local participation?”
“He gave the example of his nephew's car insurance being three times the cost of the car. He talked about the need for the Assembly to have a united voice in sending a clear message. That has certainly been the key point of the debate. <BR /> <BR />Everybody said the same things and articulated the impact that this is having on the people whom we represent. The people who are supposed to be looking after the community and regulating insurance companies do not seem to be doing a very good job, and they need to be held to account. That was the basis of the debate.”
“As Phillip said, the ABI is coming to the Economy Committee tomorrow. John also mentioned that insurance premiums for not just car drivers but businesses continue to rise extortionately. He pointed out that it not the case that premiums need to rise; he clearly explained that the dividends and profits of a number of the companies continue to rise and that insurance companies continue to make huge profits. <BR /> <BR />Phillip Brett talked about how the insurance companies are coming to the Economy Committee tomorrow after he and others wrote to them. He talked about the unacceptable levels of the price hikes and said that people in his constituency of North Belfast cannot continue to afford paying for car insurance alongside paying for heating, petrol and other cost-of-living pressures. He also referred to businesses being hit.”
“He said that, while this is a reserved matter, we could have a role in better education and the promotion of driver safety. <BR /> <BR />John Stewart talked about the need for the further regulation of insurance companies. He said that the increases were having an effect on the most vulnerable in particular. I think that everybody came to the conclusion that, in this case, the most vulnerable and lowest-paid working families suffer the most. He said that he did not understand how the FCA can justify the fairness principle, and he gave examples. <BR /> <BR />Daniel McCrossan talked about his experience, where his insurance went up by 65% despite him having made no claims. Again, he talked about the discriminatory effect on low-income working families. He and Phillip Brett said that the ABI reached out to them after they raised the matter.”
“My colleague Cathal opened the debate and talked about the spiralling costs, as did everybody else, and the impact that they are having on workers and families who are already struggling. He mentioned geographical discrimination and pointed to the West Belfast constituency in particular. <BR /> <BR />Diane Forsythe talked about young drivers, in particular, being priced out of the market. She said that, in some cases, the insurance premium is more than the cost of the car. A few Members gave examples of that. She also said that we could learn from the example of other countries, such as Australia. <BR /> <BR />Eóin Tennyson talked about how the industry has been trying thus far to justify its price increases but that, when they are looked at closely, its arguments simply do not stack up. He dissected its arguments.”
“The British Government also need to step up. So far, they have done extremely well out of the crisis through the collection of the insurance premium tax, which has doubled from 6% to 12% in the past decade. Last year, it raked in a staggering £8 billion for the British Treasury, an increase of 10% on the previous year. People have done the calculations: it has added an average of £220 to household bills every year. The FCA and the British Government need to take action to support workers and families. We will continue to press the insurance industry on those spiralling prices and stand up for workers and families who are struggling to afford those costs. <BR /> <BR />I talked about the single transferable speech. My contribution has added to what has already been said, and I will now quickly encapsulate what others said.”
“As we debate the motion today, none of those regulatory bodies has carried out an investigation of the insurance industry to ensure that customers in the North are not being subjected to unfair business practices. That needs to happen. If it does not, those bodies risk undermining public confidence in their ability to hold the industry to account and protect customers.”
“I am talking about the FCA: it needs to take responsibility and investigate. Thus far, the response and action from the FCA have been lacklustre, to say the least.”
“As other Members pointed out, the average insurance policy for drivers in the North is now over £1,000, which would have been unthinkable just a number of years ago. For many younger drivers, it can be £3,000. <BR /> <BR />The rising cost of insurance is simply unsustainable. Customers cannot be expected to keep paying those costs alongside increased fuel prices and other costs. Insurance companies need to do more to protect their customers. It is simply not acceptable for them to pass the buck and say that it is out of their control. Insurance is a reserved matter — it is under the control of Westminster — so, unfortunately, the Executive have no authority to intervene in the insurance market. However, as other Members said, we can send a strong message to those who should be taking responsibility.”
“I, like others, can quote numerous examples of people who have come into my constituency office to say that their insurance quotes are more than double the previous cost of their insurance. I can also point to the increasingly ludicrous high quotes given to young drivers on passing their driving tests. <BR /> <BR />Workers, families, businesses and people for whom having a car is essential in order to work, attend hospital appointments or run their kids to school are already dealing with a cost-of-living crisis and a crisis in the cost of doing business. They cannot help but feel that they are not being treated fairly. Indeed, many feel that they are being ripped off by astronomical insurance premiums.”
“Phillip with two Ls is probably the easiest way to distinguish. <BR /> <BR />I was not expecting to speak. I am just counting, and six Members have spoken so far. John Hume used to talk about a "single transferable speech", but, on this occasion, Members added in the names of family members or constituents. Everybody talked about exactly the same thing, and that highlights just how important an issue this is and how it is affecting all the people whom we represent across the North. <BR /> <BR />As Members said, it is important to highlight, as the wording of the motion does:”
“Given its location along the north coast and the fact that it is linking two tourist towns, Bushmills and Portrush, this is a great tourism project. Does the Minister agree with me that, beyond tourism, the greenway will provide many benefits to the local community, including an improvement in the quality of life?”
“Sinn Féin, obviously, wants to see VAT rates harmonised across the island. We want to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy for all — an economy that supports small local businesses, promotes regional balance and creates high-quality jobs. We believe that the hospitality and tourism sector is a key element of that. Therefore, supporting it in whatever way we can is vital.”
“He also plans to create a tourism partnership board to help develop and oversee the implementation of an action plan to support the sector. He, and others, have called on the British Government to abandon their electronic travel authorisation policy, and he is considering the potential of setting up skills academies for the tourism sector. I wish Conor well and hope to see him back in the Chamber soon, after a speedy and full recovery, but I have no doubt that, in his absence, Minister Hargey will carry on that good work. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin and I support the call for the devolution of VAT for tourism. The Assembly should be granted the ability to tailor tax policy to suit the needs of people and sectors here. It makes sense that the VAT rates that are set are comparable with the economic conditions of this region.”
“Our tourism sector is bouncing back in the aftermath of COVID, but I acknowledge that it is a sector that is facing many challenges, not least the impact of Brexit and the pandemic; rising costs in overheads such as energy and food prices; challenges with the recruitment and retention of staff; and the potential negative impact of the British Government's electronic travel authorisation policy, which is, undoubtedly, going to turn tour operators and tourists away from visiting the North. Unfortunately, we see many pubs, restaurants and cafes having to close or reduce their opening hours. The sector needs help and support. <BR /> <BR />I am delighted that Minister Murphy recognised that and stated that he is putting together a tourism implementation group to work on issues that will support tourism and hospitality.”
“Whatever the reason for the visit, the hospitality and tourism sector in places such as Ballycastle, Bushmills, Ballymena and Ballymoney and in many villages depends on the number of visitors that can be attracted, and that can be helped by good government policy and support. <BR /> <BR />Tourism across the North is a key economic driver, and one that is yet to be maximised.”
“As an MLA for North Antrim, I am acutely aware of how important tourism and the tourism and hospitality sector are to the economy and life of my constituents. It could be such attractions as the Giant's Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, the Dark Hedges or the stunning coastal scenery or luscious glens of Antrim that bring visitors — in their tens of thousands — to north Antrim each year; or it might be a day trip to Rathlin Island, or the ability to play golf on a top course and stay in one of the luxurious hotels in Ballycastle or Ballymena; or it might even be an event such as this weekend's North West 200, which had thousands of fans travel through north Antrim and stop in Ballymoney to visit the shrines to Joey and Robert Dunlop.”
“Does the deputy First Minister agree that the international bureaux provide a key function in representing the priorities of the Executive overseas?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. On some of the things that she has detailed and other things, how will tackling climate change be reflected in the Budget?”
“<BR /> <BR />I can tell the Tánaiste that I use the MLA portal, that I contact the passport office online and by phone and that I email his office, but I know that, if we had an office in the North to which applicants could go to make their applications or deal with issues as they arise, those problems would arise less often or be resolved much more quickly. The whole process would therefore be streamlined and become more efficient for everyone. <BR /> <BR />I do not agree with the assessment of the Tánaiste. We need a passport office in the North, and we need it sooner rather than later.”
“If the experience of the past number of years is to be repeated, assisting constituents with passport applications by raising queries about delays on their behalf will be the greatest issue that my office will deal with every week over the summer between now and September. <BR /> <BR />I am currently dealing with passport applications that were submitted at the end of January — over 14 weeks ago — but have not been processed. The delays and worries for applicants are getting bigger. Whilst I appeal to people to apply for their passport in good time, I see, every year, families and children in particular miss out on dream holidays — in my view, needlessly — over issues that could have been dealt with.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is not good enough that those Irish citizens cannot speak to someone over the counter in a local passport office to discuss their application, should a problem arise. The Tánaiste implied that a low number of issues was raised through the new MLA portal and that there was therefore no issue and no need for an office in the North, but he used figures from the first three months of this year. He will know that, historically, those months do not provide a good example. <BR /> <BR />I will detail my experience. My office or I used the MLA portal on behalf of constituents nine times in the first three months of this year, but I have used it 39 times in the past five weeks. I have used it four times this morning already.”
“There is a massive need for an Irish passport office to be located in the North. Around 20% of adult first-time passport applications are made by citizens living in the North, many of whom come from my North Antrim constituency. According to the most recent figures, over 45,000 passport applications have been made from the North in the first few months of this year. I expect that number to grow considerably as we enter the summer months. As the number of applications increases, so will the number of issues that arise and problems that occur with applications. Delays, backlogs and difficulties in obtaining information cause panic and worry for individuals and families as their travel date gets closer.”
“In February, I raised and highlighted the need for an Irish passport office to be located in the North. I was disappointed to hear last week, in response to questions from my colleague and TD from Donegal Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, the Tánaiste respond by saying that such an office is not needed. I disagree.”
“I appreciate the update from the meeting. Will the First Minister elaborate on whether there was any discussion at the NSMC about our economy and, in particular, addressing regional imbalances?”