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 thank the joint First Minister for her answer. I note the comments about not only the hurt to the person to whom the comments are directed but the wider hurt that is caused to the person's family. Does the Minister agree that, although it is wrong for anyone to engage in that kind of sexist and misogynistic abuse, it is entirely reprehensible when it comes from an elected representative, as was the case recently with DUP councillor John Carson?”
“The implementation plan to deliver the recommendations from the Gillen review of serious sexual offences in July last year revealed that only 11% of the recommendations had at that point been implemented. I heard what you said, Minister, about the balance of the CJINI report and the press statement, but do you agree that much more could and should be done in a quicker fashion to implement the outstanding recommendations?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. In a number of his answers, he mentioned RRI borrowing. Can the Minister outline the reasons why the Executive agreed to an additional £30 million of RRI borrowing for NI Water?”
“I thank the Minister for the detail in his statement. I also commend the work of the men and women of the fire service in the difficult and dangerous task in which they were involved over the weekend. In addition to that, I reflect on the heartbreaking loss of biodiversity and natural habitat in the Mournes that we have witnessed. I represent North Antrim, which, as the Minister stated, has been the scene of a number of wildfires in recent years; I think of Craigs Road outside Rasharkin, Slieveanorra in April last year, and, as the Minister mentioned in his statement, Moneystaghan block near Portglenone forest very recently. Minister, over and above the work of the management plans that you detailed in your statement, will you give an assessment of whether the current legislation is robust enough to thwart wildfires?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and look forward to seeing the report's outworkings and the benefits for citizens and businesses along the corridor. <BR /> <BR />The Minister mentioned a high-speed train from Belfast to Dublin: as part of that work and work on an all-Ireland rail network, will he outline some of the benefits of having such a train?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement and providing the updated information. As other members of the Finance Committee have done, I commend the Minister and the Department for ensuring that the total resource budget was fully allocated to Departments. <BR /> <BR />Minister, in your statement, you say that there were four opportunities after January monitoring to look at spending and that Departments took the opportunity to surrender reduced requirements for reallocation in those four exercises. Can you confirm the total amount of reduced requirements surrendered by Departments since January?”
“The Minister stated the fact that we have a shortage of vets here in the North. Over and above that, perhaps the Minister can outline the benefits of having a veterinary school here for animal health and welfare and for the agri-food sector.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement, in which he rightly identified that staff were essential to the delivery of our health services. It is welcome that one of the five principles in his rebuild plan is ensuring that staff have the opportunity to take their entitlement of annual leave. However, that would need to be the very minimum in supporting and retaining our staff. Following on from that point, what progress has been made with the COVID-19 recognition payment for staff? How many staff have received that award so far?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and the issues and actions that it contains. Will the Minister give an update on the British Government's application to rejoin the Lugano convention, which we lost access to as a result of Brexit? Would she have any concerns, should that application not be successful?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Given her response and commitment, does she agree that, as a society, we must deal with the underlying misogyny that gives rise to violence against women and girls, and that that would best be achieved through the development of an Executive strategy?”
“Minister, I welcome the announcement today of £178 million of support for businesses. I also welcome your statement on Friday that announced a £230 million allocation for rate relief, and that will be welcome news to many businesses. The allocation means that businesses across many key sectors will have benefited from a rates holiday for two full years. Minister, can you detail the total amount of rate relief funding that has been provided to businesses since the start of the pandemic?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. I note that the statement refers to the fact that everyone is at risk when it comes to the dangers posed by online threats. Will he elaborate on the importance of online safety, given the growing problem of cyberbullying and online abuse?”
“Minister, given the answers to questions that you provided today and the work that you have previously been involved in, it is clear that improving housing quality for tenants in the private and public sectors is something that you are committed to. You mentioned the cavity wall insulation plan and gave a time frame of March. Over and above the consultation period, what progress has been made and are there any implementation time frames?”
“I also noted comments that were made during evidence to the Finance Committee from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, as I mentioned, and Ulster University's economic policy unit, which talked of the uncertainty of the standstill Budget for this year and next year, and the impact that that will have on our public services. Sinn Féin believes that we need the full transfer of economic and fiscal powers to the North. We want greater emphasis on all-Ireland integration and cooperation in the delivery of public services. Regardless of whether it is this year's Budget or next year's Budget, or any Budget in the future, one thing is clear: relying on a British Government, especially a right-wing Tory Government, will never be good for citizens on this island.”
“In addition to the challenges of Brexit and the pandemic, Tory austerity has meant that the block grant has not kept pace with demand, so our capacity to deliver public services has been undermined, and the Minister of Finance's ability to provide a Budget that delivers improved public services to our people has been limited. I noted Robin Newton's comment about Sinn Féin labouring that point. While others may not use the phrase "Tory austerity", it was clear from listening to the chief executives of the health trusts yesterday that they are concerned that budget impacts could cause damage to the health service.”
“The ICTU representatives outlined a valid and vital point. <BR /> <BR />A green economy is affordable, and we cannot afford not to do it. Although getting the economy back up and running will inevitably mean an initial decline in the environmental improvements that we have seen over the past year, we must not let them roll back too far or for too long. Enhancing environmental health through better air quality, water quality, sanitation and waste management, along with efforts to safeguard biodiversity, will reduce the vulnerability of communities to infections and pandemics.”
“<BR /> <BR />One of the many things that COVID-19 has shown us is the direct effect that we can have on our planet's ecosystem. As lockdowns took place across the world, we saw dramatic improvements in air and water quality and biodiversity, with the pandemic even leading to a major decrease in noise pollution. While we are all eager to return to normal once the pandemic ends, it must be a new normal. We cannot revert to the practices of the past. <BR /> <BR />I will quote from representatives of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) when they gave evidence to the Finance Committee on the draft Budget for the incoming year. They said:”
“As Sinn Féin's environment and climate spokesperson, I put on record again that we cannot let the tragedy of COVID distract us from preventing the current and future climate-based tragedies that will occur if we do not act. While addressing coronavirus and providing relief to affected businesses and workers must be our most immediate concern, the post-crisis recovery programmes present an opportunity to align public policies more closely with climate objectives and to limit the risk of locking in carbon-intensive infrastructure. Recovery packages can be designed to orientate investment towards sectors and technologies that can accelerate the transition to low- or no-carbon alternatives, improving resilience to future shocks from climate change and creating new industries and jobs here in the North in the process.”
“I note that the Finance Minister stated in the past that the British Government have made no commitments to replace those vital structural funds. <BR /> <BR />I will move on from Brexit to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has also been particularly challenging to our agriculture industry. The £25 million support scheme for farmers facing financial difficulties, including £7 million for beef farmers, is welcome but does not go far enough to address the challenges faced by the sector. I represent a rural constituency, and I think that it is important that we continue to mainstream rural and equality needs by maximising them and making them fully understood in all Departments and all government decisions. <BR /> <BR />A vital part of the AERA Committee's work obviously encompasses our environment.”
“<BR /> <BR />The DUP supported the end of the EU CAP funding, and we are now left with only a Tory manifesto commitment that direct payments will continue until the end of this British Parliament. However, as the Government have repealed the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, that may provide further instability for farmers and rural businesses, who do not know what the situation will be beyond 2022. <BR /> <BR />We currently have the tackling rural poverty and social isolation (TRIPSI) programme. That is hugely important for rural communities, and, while it is welcome that the budget of £1·8 million has been confirmed, it needs to be baselined into the future. <BR /> <BR />Rural policy in the North has largely been shaped and influenced by the EU since the 1970s. EU structural funds are worth £100 million per year.”
“That is made worse by the loss of the EU fund for disease eradication, which contributes to the cost of our TB programme. While the AERA Committee has been advised that reduction in funding will not impact on the current rural development programme, it will impact on any future agriculture policy framework for the North. <BR /> <BR />The South will receive approximately €10·73 billion in European Union funding under the common agricultural policy over the next seven years. The North is now obviously out of that policy, while our neighbours in the South remain in it. That will leave an uneven playing field on the island and could pose a threat to our Northern farmers' ability to compete.”
“The British Government have dragged the North out of the EU against the wishes of the 56% of the population of the North who voted against it. In that context, the protocol has been an important mitigation that reduces some of the negative impacts of Brexit. The AERA Committee received evidence from departmental officials on the significant threat that Brexit represents to public services. The budget allocation for what was CAP pillars 1 and 2 is £315·6 million. There is a shortfall of £14·4 million, which we would have received had we remained in the EU. The North of Ireland will lose out on £34 million of funding over the next three years because the Tory Government have netted it off our budget. <BR /> <BR />The British Government are penalising the North for using flexibility under previous rules.”
“<BR /> <BR />Brexit, as pushed by the right wing of the Tory party and supported by the DUP, presents a potential threat to agriculture and rural development here in the North. In the sector, the negative implications of Brexit will have the greatest impact on our rural and peripheral communities. As we have left the EU, there is no long-term certainty about the future of the single farm payment, which, if discontinued post-2022, will plunge nearly 25,000 farm families into poverty.”
“<BR /> <BR />No doubt, I, like others, will be regularly contacted in this difficult year by concerned businesses and members of the public who are struggling as a result of the pandemic. Some of those have not even received any support from the various schemes. So, it is vital that all is done to ensure that the money is allocated in the short time ahead and in a way that helps those who need it most. The Minister for the Economy is key in that responsibility. <BR /> <BR />As Deputy Chair of the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, I support the comments made earlier in the debate by the Chair of the Committee and want to add a few points. As a member of that Committee, I find it impossible to talk about finances or the Budget without referring to the impact of Brexit.”
“Despite the high level of support provided by the Executive, there is no doubt that the pandemic has left our economy in a difficult situation. <BR /> <BR />I am conscious that today's debate is primarily on the Budget and spending in this current financial year, though it makes provision for the initial months of the 2022 financial year. Due to COVID, there are very good reasons for the number and value of in-year reallocations that have taken place this year. Given the late announcements from the British Treasury, there are many reasons why, at this late stage, considerable amounts of money are left by the Executive to spend. In the past few months, I have noted that the Finance Minister has repeatedly called on his Executive colleagues to come forward with bids to ensure that that money is spent prior to the end of March.”
“I am conscious of the Budget debate taking place in the most challenging of circumstances. We are in the midst of an unprecedented global health and economic crisis. In the space of the last 12 months, COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on many families and communities as the virus has spread throughout our population. Unfortunately, the human cost has been devastating, with over 2,000 deaths, and my thoughts are obviously with the families of those who have lost a loved one in the past year. <BR /> <BR />Necessary action to deal with the pandemic has also meant hardship, worry and difficulties for some businesses and employees. In the midst of a global pandemic, this was never going to be a straightforward year for the North's finances.”
“Despite the passing of time, Bobby Sands was 100% correct when he wrote in his diary entry 40 years ago today as he started his fast that only when the Irish people, as a unit, can:”
“I was particularly struck by the comments of the Health Committee Chair, detailing the impact of a decade of austerity on our NHS during the pandemic and on waiting lists for other vital health services that affect the lives, and the quality of the lives, of our citizens. Relying on a British Government, especially a right-wing Tory Government, will never be good for citizens on this island. <BR /> <BR />In the short term, the Executive need greater financial flexibility in public spending and financial tools to do a better job for the people whom we represent. I welcome the Finance Minister's recent announcement that he is setting up a fiscal commission to explore that very possibility. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, today — 1 March — is the 40th anniversary of when Bobby Sands began his hunger strike.”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />The Executive have priorities — we have a Programme for Government — but, as everybody has pointed out, this is a year like no other. In a lot of cases, it has been about firefighting, getting money out and reallocating money. The important point is that the money that the Executive have should be spent in a fair and equitable manner. <BR /> <BR />I follow on from the point about continually attacking the Treasury. Any time that I speak on the Budget under the current arrangements, my key point is that we are almost entirely dependent on the British Government to pay for public services through the block grant. I have listened to a few Members during the debate, particularly the Committee Chairs, talk about the impact of Tory austerity over decades on our public services.”
“That decision not to show flexibility has, undoubtedly, caused problems for Departments trying to manage their budgets as that money arrived late without notice.”
“It is vital that all is done to ensure that that money is allocated in the short time ahead in a way that helps those who need it most. <BR /> <BR />I have listened during the debate to other Members talk about the need for multi-year Budgets and strategic planning. I totally agree; I would be surprised if anyone disagreed. However, it needs to be continually pointed out that we do not have multi-year Budgets, and nor will we have the ability for such in the forthcoming Budget, because of decisions that have been taken by the British Treasury. We have also heard that the British Treasury has refused to allow upwards of £200 million of COVID money to be carried over in to next year.”
“Given the late announcements from the British Treasury, there are, again, reasons why, at this late stage, considerable amounts of money have been left by the Executive to spend. The Estimates that we are debating contain levels of headroom that will ensure that Departments have the flexibility needed to get that money spent. The Finance Minister explained in his opening remarks the rationale for that. He has repeatedly called on his Executive colleagues to come forward with bids for funding to get that money spent prior to 31 March. <BR /> <BR />I am regularly contacted — I am sure that everybody else is the same in this difficult year — by concerned businesses and members of the public who are struggling as a result of the pandemic and have not yet received any support.”
“In the year that we are in, it is quite right that the clear priorities for the Executive have been to save lives, keep people safe, protect the NHS and attempt to thwart the spread of coronavirus. In the midst of a global pandemic, that was never going to be straightforward for the North's finances. <BR /> <BR />I am conscious that this is a debate on the Supplementary Estimates, which, in a usual year, would be a debate about money that has already been spent. This year is slightly different, so I will make a few general points about our fiscal situation. Due to COVID, there are very good reasons for the number and value of the in-year reallocations that have taken place.”
“Do you bear any responsibility for the heightened tension that has seen a rise in threats to elected representatives in recent days and weeks?”
“Minister, leaving aside the legality of the decision and the fact that it was made without discussion with your Executive colleagues and has resulted in further unnecessary worry and uncertainty for retail business and trade in the North for those who want to see the protocol work, you will be aware that Ian Friary, my party colleague on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, was visited yesterday by the PSNI, who told him of a threat to his life after disgraceful sectarian graffiti appeared in Ahoghill village linking him to the Irish protocol. We have seen your decision, the decisions made by your predecessor, other decisions made on unionist-dominated councils and public utterances and comments made by unionist politicians.”
“The disappointing stand-still Budget provided to the Executive for next year seems to indicate that the British Government intend to use COVID to justify a return to austerity, just as they did with the financial crisis of 2008. Does the Minister agree that austerity is a self-defeating, right-wing ideology that will hamper economic recovery from the health pandemic?”
“A green economy will create additional, well-paid employment, harness our abundant renewable energy resources, lower costs for families and businesses, create warm homes for those in fuel poverty and provide public transport for all, including those living in isolated areas. <BR /> <BR />Five minutes is nowhere near enough to outline all that needs to be outlined in such an important debate on the economic future for citizens. Tory austerity over 10 years has had a severe negative impact on public services in the North and on our economic prospects. We need further devolution of fiscal powers to the Executive and to see those powers used wisely in the interests of those who live here.”
“When we are rebuilding and building for the future, some of the lessons that have been learned must be implemented and used to tackle climate change and build an economic future that creates better cities with less traffic, cleaner air and better air quality for all citizens who live in them. When I look at the infrastructure developments and active travel policies that have been introduced in other European cities throughout the past year, I cannot help thinking that, moving forward, we need to be much more ambitious in the North. <BR /> <BR />An Executive recovery strategy must not only deliver a green new deal but do so by delivering a just transition. The strategy must allow businesses and workers to buy into that and participate in a better way of doing things.”
“We need to encourage, through as many avenues as possible, people into businesses and people into employment. I certainly am optimistic that any Executive recovery strategy will do precisely that. That is what is needed. It must be based on supporting workers and their families, and it must support businesses here, including SMEs. As other Members have said, it must, of course, tackle regional imbalances. <BR /> <BR />As Sinn Féin's environment and climate spokesperson, I think that it should go without saying that we need to build back better and greener. Our recovery must be built on working towards a zero-carbon future. If any positive can be taken from COVID, it is that it has shone a light on how work practices, transport and infrastructure can be redesigned to deal with a pandemic, as has been done.”
“Whilst the Economy Minister is clearly responsible for economic policy, any recovery strategy must have buy-in, input and contributions from all Executive Ministers. As our amendment states, any recovery strategy must:”
“I thank my constituency colleague for allowing me the opportunity to clarify: a hard Brexit has been imposed on us by the Tories and the DUP. <BR /> <BR />Nobody could have predicted the current worldwide COVID pandemic or its impact. Whilst the first priority of the Executive and the Assembly has to be protecting public health and the lives of our citizens, there is no doubt that COVID has brought harsh economic conditions. This is a worrying time for many businesses and workers concerned about their current financial conditions and their financial conditions on the other side of the pandemic. Add a disastrous Tory/DUP-imposed hard Brexit and the threat of climate change into the mix, and it is clear that we need a comprehensive economic recovery strategy.”
“Brexit has been imposed on us by the DUP and the Tories. I just had to mention that.”
“Whilst there is a commitment in the Tory Government manifesto to retain the direct agricultural payment until the end of the British Parliament, there are no guarantees after that date. As has been pointed out by others, given that the British Government have appealed the fixed-term Parliament, we do not know what the situation will be beyond 2022. Our farmers and rural communities will undoubtedly face major uncertainty. <BR /> <BR />Our neighbours in the South remain in the common agricultural policy. As has been said, that could lead to an uneven playing field on this island and pose problems for farmers in the North's ability to compete with farmers across the island. Although I support the SRs, our farmers have hanging over them major issues and concerns, which we will no doubt be raising in the Chamber in the future.”
“DAERA officials addressed those concerns and stated that the proposed reduction will apply only to land eligibility and not to cross-compliance measures. It was explained that, due to COVID, inspection rates had to be reduced to 1% for basic payment schemes and 3% for greening payments, and that, due to greening requirements being removed, only 1% of inspections for the basic payment scheme will be carried forward for the incoming year. Officials told us that that provides adequate control after conducting assessments. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin will support both SRs. However, we note that that cover is for the incoming year only. We will have an annual budget, not the seven-year multi-annual budget framework that we previously had under pillars 1 and 2 of the common agricultural policy.”
“There are no policy changes in the SR, and farmers should not see any changes as a result. <BR /> <BR />The second SR on the simplifications was considered by the Committee, again on 4 February. It makes simplifications, changes and improvements to direct agricultural payment schemes for the incoming year in a number of ways. It removes greening requirements and maintains the ban on ploughing or conversion of environmentally sensitive permanent grassland. The basic payment scheme land eligibility inspection rate is now set at 1%. The development of future schemes, among other things, will be the responsibility of DAERA and not DEFRA. <BR /> <BR />As has been outlined, concerns were raised about the reduction in inspections to 1%.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the debate today on the SRs, the first of which is on direct payments to farmers. As a result of Brexit, the North is, obviously, now out of the common agricultural policy. The Direct Payments to Farmers (Amendment) Regulations will ensure the delivery of direct agricultural payments to farmers in 2021. I sit on the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee, and that SR was considered on 4 February. As others have said, the Committee was more or less content with the policy. The SR maintains the status quo, and the amendments introduced are merely technical in nature. It outlines how DAERA will continue to determine the annual financial ceiling and calculate payments beyond 2021. It will not be set in legislation, which means that we will have to align with Treasury's allocation.”
“I welcome the Minister's comments, and I would, obviously, welcome a deposit return scheme. We are currently in an environmental crisis. You may be aware, Minister, that I have tabled a private Member's Bill on single-use plastics. I would certainly welcome the Minister's view on and support for a total ban on single-use plastics.”
“I condemn any threats against workers, some of whom are constituents of mine, at Larne and Belfast ports. Everyone should be able to go about his or her work free from intimidation. I am a bit disappointed at the tone and comments in response to my party colleague, Minister, in equating a bit of pageantry with the threats that we currently have. Given the threats, does the Minister regret that some elected representatives whipped up themselves, and others, into a state of hysteria over the weekend after the non-triggering of article 16?”
“How about we match that ambition and funding?”
“<BR /> <BR />We in the Chamber often talk about active travel and our commitments to it but, in reality, not enough happens beyond that. When we see the other side of the COVID pandemic, we will still need to do more to tackle our health and to implement the practices that we talk about in the Chamber in order to create a healthier population and relieve pressure from our hospitals and NHS staff. <BR /> <BR />We also agreed in the Chamber that we are in a climate crisis, but we still prioritise infrastructure for cars over walking and cycling. If we are to match our ambitions, we need action, serious intervention and serious funding to do so. In the South, greenway projects received over €100 million in 2018, and, a week ago, the Government announced funding for 248 new jobs to create walking and cycling facilities.”