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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“Most people would argue, in fact, that, in Britain, for example, there has been an immediate rollback on environmental practices. Just a couple of weeks ago, we all witnessed the disgusting and shocking sight of English water companies dumping raw sewage into their rivers and seas. Will the Minister give a commitment today that, in his strategy, there will be no regression from environmental standards and practices that we are used to in the EU?”
“I was intrigued to read the line in paragraph 12 of the Minister's statement:”
“I have heard the Minister's answers to the previous two questions. However, it simply beggars belief that a project of the size of the gas storage facility that is proposed for Islandmagee would not have a significant environmental impact in an area of special scientific interest that is surrounded by other ASSIs and conservation areas. Given the need to move away from the use of fossil fuels and the British Government's announcement that new gas boilers will be banned from 2035, does the Minister now accept that this project should be scrapped?”
“— that are reducing planning opportunities in at least seven towns and villages in North Antrim.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. She represents Mid Ulster, which is a rural constituency that is similar to mine in North Antrim. She made an excellent point about the difficulties and stresses that are faced, particularly by young people, who are seeking planning permission. My constituents face the same obstacles that she is pointing out, and I see the impact that that can sometimes have on the sustainability of rural constituencies, with the withdrawal of rural services and the threat of closure of rural schools, resulting in the unsustainability of rural communities. <BR /> <BR />Does the Member agree with me that, had this planning advice notice been implemented, it would have compounded those difficulties? In my constituency, it would have compounded them even further because of the waste water infrastructure restrictions —”
“That is the problem emanating from Brexit. In light of your words, do you agree that the British Government have no plans to fix the crisis, which not only affects HGV drivers but is a problem for a number of industries, particularly the agri-food industry here in the North? It results from a hard Brexit immigration policy. Do you agree that the British Government care more about that than the economy in the North of Ireland?”
“Minister, in a letter of 27 September to the AERA Committee, you wrote:”
“Given the climate emergency that we are in the midst of, with its devastating local and global impacts, it was good to see the joint First Ministers and an Taoiseach attending the event on Friday that was jointly hosted by the two Chambers of Commerce on the island. Does the Minister see merit in a joined-up, all-Ireland approach to the climate emergency?”
“I also want the Minister and his Department to investigate how the situation arose in the first place and the governance rules that allow private investors to own the bricks and mortar of our care homes on the basis that they are being told that care home investments will provide twice the return of normal investments. We need a system here in the North that protects the residents of our care homes and ensures that care is always the primary purpose and is always placed over and above private profit.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that all residents of the Court Care Home in Ballymoney have now been relocated, but greater scrutiny is required to shed some light on how the closure of the care home came about. I ask the Health Minister and his Department to intervene and make sure that the staff of that care home are properly looked after. At this point, staff have received only 60% of their September wages and have received nothing beyond that for October, despite the fact that staff were turning up for work up until last Thursday to ensure that residents were being cared for. <BR /> <BR />Over 20 staff of that home, some with 17 years' experience and service, have yet to receive formal notice of redundancy. The Minister cannot allow those staff members to be collateral damage in this saga.”
“I primarily wish to raise the issue of staff at Court Care Home in Ballymoney. <BR /> <BR />Ach, ar an chéad dul síos, ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis na trí foirne ó Aontroim thuaidh a bhain cluichí ag an deireadh seachtaine. First, though, I want to pass on my congratulations to the three north Antrim clubs that achieved county hurling success over the weekend. GAA is obviously hugely important to many north Antrim parishes, so for Con Magee's in Glenravel, Carey Faughs and my own club, Cuchullains in Dunloy, this has been a special weekend. I suspect that the victory celebrations will carry on for a day or two and then the three clubs will get down to preparing for assaults on the Ulster title, so I pass on my congratulations and wish them adh mór in their Ulster campaigns.”
“More infrastructure in my constituency will improve the lives of the citizens whom I represent, so I will certainly do all that I can to help and support the Minister and her Department to demonstrate and implement ambition.”
“In the North, it would be great if we could get 248 jobs; that might be ambitious, but it is something that the Minister should look at. Perhaps she should engage with Sustrans or other groups that can help and be funded to carry out that work. We need to push the greenway projects and all other active travel and cycling-only infrastructure that I have mentioned. <BR /> <BR />I know that the Minister is committed, but she needs to test the rest of us on the projects. In a previous debate we talked about funding coming from the Executive. I want the Minister to test the Executive and MLAs and push the boundaries in her Department and in wider society. Active travel is a success in many places across Europe, and the sky did not fall down.”
“I want to see the same vigour from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. I commend the community of Glenravel, who have put a section of that greenway in place connecting the GAA pitch to the chapel. That community is ahead of the game and is benefiting as a result. We now need to see the rest of that greenway connected to Ballymena on one side and Cushendall on the other. <BR /> <BR />One of the issues, Minister, that seem to slow down progress on greenway development — other, obviously, than securing funding — is the intensive consultation engagement work required to get everybody on board. In the South, this year, the Government announced funding for up to 248 new jobs to work with local authorities to expand walking and cycling facilities all over the Twenty-six Counties.”
“I am 11 and a half minutes in, and I am only getting round to mentioning the two greenway schemes now. I have spoken at length in the Assembly on the subject; I have asked questions and met you, Minister; and I have handed over a public petition about the North Antrim greenway projects. Those two projects could be truly transformative for the local communities and the whole economy across North Antrim. Towns like Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Dervock, Stranocum, Armoy, Ballymena, Cargin, Martinstown and Cushendall will all be boosted if those projects become a reality. <BR /> <BR />We need the Ballycastle to Ballymoney greenway to become a reality. I welcome the increased vigour from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, which now has a commitment to a development timeline.”
“<BR /> <BR />I could go on, Minister, to identify other schemes and gaps in North Antrim, but, with new town centre plans and redevelopment in Ballymoney on the way, as well as consultation on the Ballycastle master plan, I urge your Department to ensure that pedestrian zones and safe walking and cycling infrastructure are central to both schemes, moving forward. At a time when we are looking to revitalise our high streets and begin a green recovery, active travel can help achieve that. <BR /> <BR />I should say, Minister, that your Department needs help and buy-in from local government — some of the schemes are the responsibility of councils — to make some of what I am talking about a reality. That is certainly the case with regard to two greenway schemes in North Antrim.”
“Adults, parents and children in villages like Rasharkin, Portglenone and Cloughmills in my constituency are forced to get into their car and drive relatively short distances out to Gortgole Road, Ballyveely Road and Townhill Road to their local GAA pitches because, again, it could be deemed unsafe to allow their children to walk or cycle there. It is madness that, while we encourage children to engage in sport and physical activity, we have to drive them to those activities. I picked those three examples, but there are many other similar ones across North Antrim that, no doubt, my colleagues will point to. Those are the three that I and my Sinn Féin colleagues on the council have been pushing for years — in some cases, 20 years.”
“Not only are too many unnecessary journeys being made by car to schools in the mornings, but we are missing an opportunity to ingrain the habit of being active among our young population — a habit that could stay with them for a lifetime, creating healthy, sustainable citizens. My constituents, just like me, are forced to make too many journeys by car because it is unsafe to do otherwise. We need to integrate active travel policy into wider infrastructure plans and demands in an effort to enhance communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, you appointed a cycling champion, and I welcomed that initiative at the time. If I am being honest, however, I now feel — this is no reflection on any individual — that that role should be given to someone outside the Department who has the freedom to be a real champion, who can be vocal and who can not only carry the argument to the Department but help to convince the public of the merit of those schemes. It should be someone who is not afraid to praise you when you get it right and to criticise you and the Department when that is needed. <BR /> <BR />I know, Minister, that you are rolling out the 20 mph scheme around schools, which I applaud, but we can and must go further.”
“The route would link the recently renovated Portglenone marina, via a new pathway adjacent to mature woodland and the River Bann. We also want to see a footbridge over the River Bann connecting to the "Fisherman's Walk" in Portglenone become a reality. <BR /> <BR />In the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council part of North Antrim, I and, more importantly, the local population want to see a path connecting Ballycastle to Carey village. With Barnish Primary School being forced to close recently, could we not make it safe and easy for the children who now have to travel to Ballycastle to do so with an active travel option? The people of Rasharkin cannot understand why the path from Ballymoney town along the Finvoy Road and beyond Finvoy is not connected to the path that comes from Rasharkin; it just ends for no reason.”
“How transformative would a north Ballymena cycle loop, via Ecos park, be for the citizens of Ballymena town? That proposal is for an entirely motor traffic-free route and has great potential to link people to the Ecos Visitor and Conference Centre and to link the south of Ballymena town to the neighbourhoods north-east of the town centre. The route would also pass close to Castle Tower School, the Northern Regional College, the former St Patrick's barracks site and sports facilities at Ballymena Showgrounds, all of which have the potential to generate local walking and cycling trips. <BR /> <BR />Also in the report is Glenone riverside walk. That entirely motor traffic-free route has great potential to provide traffic-free riverside access for Portglenone residents and visitors.”
“Meanwhile, the North's budget pales in comparison. Last year, only 2% of the Department for Infrastructure budget went towards active travel, and the Department committed only approximately £6 million to active travel schemes. If we could get to 10%, that additional funding could help make a reality in my constituency of the recent recommendations contained in a Mid and East Antrim Borough Council commissioned report, 'Prioritising New Walking and Cycling Routes'. In that excellent report, designed by Sustrans, there are proposals such as creating a link path between Galgorm Castle and Cullybackey via the Maine riverside walk. There is also a proposal and a design for a path from Galgorm to south Ballymena via the Braid riverside walk.”
“When I engage now with local offices and the local division, I sense the growing importance being given to the topic. However, progress is still slow, and, at times, the process is overly bureaucratic. As an elected representative, I find it frustrating that active travel is always subject to the leftover finance that amounts to crumbs in real terms. <BR /> <BR />I met Sustrans recently re its hopes for manifesto commitments from politicians. There was nothing earth-shattering in what it was asking me or other politicians to do. In Scotland, the Government spend 10% of their transport budget on walking, wheeling and cycling. The Southern Government have committed to investing €360 million per year over the next few years in walking and cycling, which equates to €66 per head or 20% of their transport budget.”
“Yet, every September, I am guaranteed to receive calls from parents of primary-school children in places like my village of Dunloy, Glenariff and many other North Antrim villages who want to allow their children to cycle or walk to school but feel that it is too unsafe to do so. The lack of any segregated infrastructure to cycle on or perhaps the lack of a pedestrian crossing, as is the case in Dunloy, to make it safe for children to cross the road create unnecessary car journeys. Some of the solutions are simple and virtually cost-free, yet they are sometimes met with resistance from the Department for Infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />I want to be fair, so I need to state that I believe that the Minister is trying to implement a step change.”
“In the paper, the principal, Fiachra Ó Donghaile, said:”
“All those places deserve much better cycling and walking infrastructure than they have, but, in North Antrim, we do not even have the opportunity to really criticise the Department for substandard cycling-only infrastructure because the reality is that, at the minute, it does not exist. <BR /> <BR />I have tabled this debate because rural constituencies such as mine in North Antrim cannot be left behind or, worse, left out. I want the citizens whom I represent all across North Antrim — children going to schools, adults making a short journey to the shops and commuters travelling to and from work — to be able to avail themselves of the benefits of active travel opportunities. How uplifting was the article in last week's 'Derry Journal' about the children of Gaelscoil na Daróige cycling and scooting to school during Bike to School Week?”
“Reducing air pollution and traffic congestion and helping to tackle climate emergencies are some other non-health-related benefits. <BR /> <BR />Before I get labelled a hippy or, maybe worse, a zealot boring people with my favourite subject, I will state that I am not some dreamer devoid of reality searching for a two-legged or two-wheeled utopia. I am also not anti-car. How could I be? Whilst I may accumulate 10,000 miles a year on my bike for fitness purposes, most of my functional journeys in North Antrim and beyond are made by car. Despite how I would like things to be, that is the reality of life in rural North Antrim. <BR /> <BR />A lot of the debate on cycling issues over the air waves and on social media focuses on Belfast and, to a lesser degree, Derry and perhaps Newry, and I understand the reasons for that.”
“I am not sure if Minister Mallon has read the books 'Bike Nation: How Cycling Can Save the World' or 'The Miracle Pill', but, if she has not, I recommend that she does; in fact, I recommend those books as essential reading not only for our Health Minister, the Infrastructure Minister and other Ministers but for every MLA. <BR /> <BR />Cycling, walking and active travel, if properly utilised, could be, as it is often described, the magic pill and could provide a sensible long-term solution to many of our current problems. They could save us millions of pounds in funding for our health service and would create a healthier environment and produce a healthier population, both physically and mentally. Type 2 diabetes, strokes, heart disease and cancers are just some things that being active can reduce.”
“What we do not do as well, in my view, is give as much attention to policy decisions and preventative directions that are not directly within the remit of the Department of Health but could and would have a major impact on reducing the demand on our health services, save us money and improve the health of our population. <BR /> <BR />Sometimes, as politicians, we need quick wins, measurable successes and instant results, and I totally understand that. It is not easy to measure the results or success of an illness that does not occur because of a policy decision taken years before, but what is that saying? Prevention is better than cure.”
“<BR /> <BR />The debate is about greenways and active travel, specifically in my constituency of North Antrim, but I want to take a few minutes, a Cheann Comhairle, with your indulgence, to set the context and outline the importance of the subject. As elected reps, we rightly place a huge focus on the state of our health services. Rarely, if ever, does a day pass in the Chamber without a debate, statement or question about a health-related issue. It may be the length of our waiting lists and how to deal with them, the type of health services we need, where those services should be located and how we fund them.”
“Whilst it is not a debate about cycling per se, it is close enough for me to use the opportunity to begin my contribution by passing on my congratulations to the glens of Antrim cyclist Kevin McCambridge, who won the Irish national under-23 time trial championship in Wicklow last week. I also pass on my congratulations to George Peden from Ballymoney, who came second in the same event. Both are impressive young athletes who will hopefully have a bright future in cycling. I also congratulate Katharine Smyth and Sharon Bird from Ballymena Road Club for their performances at the same event in the women's road race. Sharon finished an impressive fourth, and Katharine won the national masters title. All are brilliant performances and results from cyclists connected to North Antrim, and they are worthy of congratulations from Stormont.”
“It seems to be the opportune moment to allow the Member to congratulate the Sinn Féin Finance Minister for giving increased funding this year to NI Water.”
“<BR /> <BR />If we want to grow in a balanced and sustainable fashion, we need to address this issue in a way that does not facilitate further regional inequality or impacts on rural communities. That is why many communities in North Antrim, such as Armoy, Dervock, Mosside, Rasharkin, Stranocum. Martinstown and Cargan, will wonder why they have been left out of investment plans for the next five years. I am deeply disappointed that that is the case. On their behalf, I urge Minister Mallon to look at ways to improve the current NI Water plan, to explore ways to draw down additional funding without imposing a further burden on families, to incorporate multi-year budgets into investment planning and to deliver urgently a fit-for-purpose waste water infrastructure that delivers for the citizens and communities of North Antrim.”
“I think that it was a smile in agreement with my colleague, unlike her party colleague, who gave her version of the now famous single transferable speech, in which she blamed Sinn Féin for everything. I think that she even blamed the Sinn Féin Finance Minister for allocating additional money to the Infrastructure Minister this year. Years of historical underinvestment in our water and sewerage infrastructure and the British Tory-imposed austerity on our block grant are the root causes of the current problem. It is not a problem of Minister Mallon's making, and I do not think that my colleague made any aspersions that it was Minister Mallon's problem.”
“None of that will change for at least the next five years, which has real-life consequences in rural communities and small villages. It means no homes for young couples and young families who want to live in the communities in which they were reared. In some instances, it means numbers dwindling in village and rural primary schools. It means local GAA and other sports teams struggling with numbers. It means services, facilities and funding opportunities being curtailed. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that investment is needed in NI Water and in our infrastructure. I noticed that the Minister smiled when my colleague congratulated the Finance Minister on his allocation to her Department.”
“<BR /> <BR />Worse still is the fact that there are no plans for investment in the majority of these villages, not this year, not next year nor the year after. Indeed, there are no plans to invest in most of these North Antrim villages in NI Water's development plan, which takes us up to 2027. Investment is, at the very least, five years away. Again, that is totally unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />The outworking, or should I say the consequence, of this is that, without upgraded waste water and sewerage infrastructure in, for example, Armoy village, no social housing can be built. Similar restrictions will be imposed on Cargan and Martinstown and all the other places on the list. So, no social housing will be built, and, as others said, developers are seeing planning permission being refused, constrained or delayed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Eight villages are at capacity, Bushmills and Rasharkin are heading in that direction, and there are network problems in Ballycastle and Ballymena. All are in my North Antrim constituency. <BR /> <BR />I would not be doing my job properly if I did not say that I find that totally unacceptable. Water and sewerage infrastructure, even though mostly underground, is essential. It is not only essential to enhancing the quality of life for citizens, it is required and, indeed, vital for driving local economies through development and expansion. However, because this important infrastructure has reached capacity in the locations that I mentioned, housebuilding and building for business development across North Antrim are, or very soon will be, at a standstill. Again, I find that totally unacceptable.”
“I welcome the debate about the crisis in our waste water and sewerage infrastructure, which is certainly a reality for many of the communities that I am elected to represent. <BR /> <BR />According to NI Water, as of January 2021, in my constituency of North Antrim, the waste water treatment works in the villages of Armoy, Dervock, Mosside, Stranocum, Clogh, Grange, Cargan and Martinstown had reached capacity. NI Water also states that, in addition to the treatment works that I have just mentioned, network capacity issues are emerging in Ballymena, Ballycastle, Bushmills and Rasharkin. It goes on to state that, as a result of these capacity issues, new planning applications may be declined in parts of these catchments — "no drains, no cranes" is a catchy phrase that has already been used.”
“I would like you to provide clarity today that the independent sector will receive the payment and a date and timescale for that payment.”
“Minister, you used the word "challenging" a number of times in your initial response. I accept that, but you also need to accept that it has been over eight months since the COVID recognition payment was announced, and many staff, particularly in the independent sector, are in a state of limbo. I, like probably every other MLA in this House, receive daily messages asking for an update on it. You said that you cannot provide a date. I think that is disappointing.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Like all colleagues in the Chamber, my engagements with farmers over the last while raised a lot of conversations. Some farmers, indeed, raised the climate Bill, but the majority, particularly in north Antrim, were more concerned about trade deals with Australia and the likely loss of their livelihoods because of trade deals that the British Government are doing as a result of Brexit.”
“<BR /> <BR />As others have said, we will not obstruct this Bill, as it is vital that the Assembly produces a climate Act prior to the conclusion of this mandate. However, the Minister needs to realise that that is not to say that this Bill is not weak, nor is it to say that it is ambitious; it is both weak and unambitious. The Bill is flawed. Many changes will be required to ensure that we can consider supporting it at a later stage.”
“I know that the Minister mentioned a just transition, but the Bill has no mention of a just transition. Major changes to all sectors are required to help us tackle the climate crisis, but those changes will be effective only if they are made in partnership with industries and communities. A just transition is necessary for that and for protecting livelihoods, and if we are to take advantage of the many economic opportunities that are offered by moving to a net zero society. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, as others have outlined, this Bill is lacking. It does not contain a net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions, a requirement for climate action plans or a mechanism for independent scrutiny, and there is no provision for a just transition, which would help and is vital to support sectors to move to net zero.”
“That is ludicrous, given what we have talked about regarding environment and climate change on our small island. Air, soil, water, flora and fauna are not limited by political boundaries. The North and South of Ireland not only share the same unique environment; our economies, particularly agri-food production, are inextricably linked. This Bill makes no mention of biodiversity or the scientific community's unanimous assertion that climate change and biodiversity are interconnected and that neither domain can be addressed without effectively addressing the other. <BR /> <BR />As others said, the Bill lacks any kind of independent oversight. It is not enough to legislate for these targets. There needs to be independent oversight to assist with meeting the targets.”
“Not only would we be the only jurisdiction on these islands not trying to reach at least net zero by 2050, we would be the only corner of the EU not doing that. As a result, we will have worse air quality, worse water quality, worse soil quality and greater biodiversity loss than the entire continent of Europe. If our produce is coming from a region with lower environmental standards, what effect will that have on our ability to trade with not just the rest of Ireland but the rest of Europe? <BR /> <BR />Our agri-food industry is inextricably linked, North and South. It is also a reality that we are on the same island and have the same agricultural practices. Legislation in the South states that it can achieve net zero by 2050 at the very least. The Minister's Bill has zero all-Ireland elements.”
“Those were things including but not limited to wildfires, flooding, coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, threats to natural carbon sinks and an increase in pests, pathogens and invasive species. Those things will impact on all of us in our everyday life if they are not addressed, particularly those of us in rural and agricultural communities. <BR /> <BR />There is a very small window of opportunity to avert all of that. A piecemeal 82% reduction in emissions will just not cut it. Net zero should be the absolute bare minimum that we, in the Chamber, aim for. The Minister's Bill sets an overall target of 82% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. Far from being unique just in these islands as an environmental laggard, that would leave the North as the only corner of Europe that is not even attempting to reach net zero.”
“As somebody else said, the UN Secretary General has described it as "a code red for humanity." That is a worry not just for some far-off distant land; it is a worry for people, businesses, groups and organisations who live and work here in the North. It should be a worry for all of us because its impacts are going to be felt here. <BR /> <BR />The third climate change risk assessment report was released in June this year, and it identified 61 specific threats to the North that are caused by climate change. More than half were categorised as being in the most immediate level of urgency, while all but 11 have increased in urgency since the last report.”
“The 234 scientists from the 66 countries that compiled that report from more than 14,000 scientific papers were unanimous in their assessment that the world's governments are not doing enough and are not doing it fast enough. If I am wrong, I will stand corrected, but it is striking that, given the seriousness of that recent report, the Minister who is responsible for the environment in this jurisdiction, as far as I am aware, has not made any comment about that very serious report, which he certainly should have. <BR /> <BR />At our present rate of emissions, we will reach 1·5°C global temperature increases by 2040. That is the trajectory we are on. As has been said on numerous occasions in the Chamber, that will have catastrophic consequences for the planet: floods, fires, droughts and extreme weather will all become more prevalent.”
“The Minister will be aware that, prior to being taken out of the EU against our will, we would have been included in the single-use plastics directives. That is the kind of ambition, with regard to that legislation, that I would like to see brought forward. <BR /> <BR />In 2016, 197 countries signed the Paris agreement to limit global warming to 1·5°C and to reach net zero emissions by 2050. I am conscious that my colleague mentioned using acronyms on this subject, but it is very difficult not to do so. In August 2021, just a month or so ago, the IPCC released its sixth assessment report and revealed that we are already on track to miss the Paris target.”
“Given that I sit on the AERA Committee and we have two climate Bills as well as other legislation, I am not a glory hunter: if the Minister wants to interject to tell me that he will introduce something on the merits of single-use plastics before the end of the mandate, I will certainly give way to allow him to do that.”