Robin Newton
East Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. The Member is aware that the Education Committee took on the very early role, as he requested. Mrs Dodds made the point that the Bill does not have a natural home, and that many suspect that its required budget will be much greater than that outlined in the Bill.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. She is absolutely right about how despicable a crime human trafficking is and about the attempt, via the Bill, to address it.”
“That is not the type of language that we expect to see from such respected bodies. Their overall concern is the education of our children. They represent schools, and they say that the Bill is "flawed" and "not fit for purpose", but it looks as though we will vote it through. <BR /> <BR />I move now to the history of the Bill.”
“Thank you. There seems to be a similar attitude to this legislation. We, on this side of the Chamber, and indeed others, have consistently argued that a private Member's Bill is not suitable for this type of legislation. The ramifications of the Bill are significant.”
“Again, it has been referred to that the chief executives of the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools; the Controlled Schools' Support Council; the Governing Bodies Association, which is the body covering voluntary grammar schools; the Catholic Schools' Trustee Service; the Transferor Representatives' Council, which represents the Presb…”
“As we have done at every stage, we oppose the Bill. Mr McCrossan is not in the Chamber at the moment, but I am not unlike him in the sense that I believe in all our children being educated together.”
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“It is so because it is the future of the children, the economy and the well-being of this whole society. As such, it should demand our time. <BR /> <BR />Mr Lunn has a passion for integrated education. That is fine, but his passion is not shared by the vast majority of parents in Northern Ireland.”
“That is evidenced by the fact that we had such a major response to the evidence sessions: there were over 100 written submissions; there was a keenness to give evidence during informal sessions; and there were 24 formal evidence sessions, five school visits and a number of research papers commissioned by the Committee. That indicates the importance of this subject to the future well-being of education in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Like other parts of the world, education can be an extremely emotive area. It raises concerns; the bringing together of children for education has to be treated in a sensitive and thoughtful manner. Much effort has been put into the subject matter. It is difficult to say whether there is a subject that demands more time of the Assembly than education and the future of our children.”
“I welcome the report and pay tribute to Peter McCallion and his dedicated staff, who carried out their duties not only in a very professional way but in a pleasant manner, which made it extremely easy to work with them. I also welcome the new addition to his staff, Paul Stitt. <BR /> <BR />I say to Mr Somerville that the work of the Committee was carried out in a very professional manner. The interests of education, the schools, the pupils, the parents and the teaching staff were at the heart of the deliberations of the Committee at all stages.”
“The project has the potential to not only realise the Northern Ireland cycling strategy and the Belfast Active Travel strategy, but to make a major contribution to the health and well-being of our people, to the recreation of our people and to the development of business potential and offer something to those who live in that area and further afield. That would be a major flagship project.”
“Finally, the action plan makes a point about connected communities. It states:”
“I believe that this project offers a partial solution in that area to Minister Kennedy's cycling strategy. It requires a degree of joined-up thinking, and Belfast City Council may have a role to play through the 'Belfast Active Travel Action Plan 2014-2020', which is, obviously, current. It asks why active travel should be a priority. I will mention two aspects, the first of which is "healthier people". It says:”
“It was launched back in June 2000 by a very young looking Minister for Regional Development from the time, Mr Peter Robinson. The introduction to the strategy says:”
“There is also the potential for the Minister and other Ministers who might be involved to apply for European funding. <BR /> <BR />Just in closing, I want to refer to the Minister's strategy at this time, the Northern Ireland cycling strategy.”
“If this were to go ahead, there would be the potential for small shops around the Holywood Arches to benefit and, indeed, for other businesses to emerge as part of the strategy. There is the old Neill's Hill halt. The base, the platform waiting area on the Comber greenway, is still there. Right on the edge of it, in the Dundonald area, is the Hanwood Centre, which has the potential to exploit the walkers, cyclists and joggers who might use the area. It is a community asset with the ability to offer much more than it does at this time. It is unique in how it is organised, run and funded. It did not receive any funding from Castlereagh Borough Council, but is a self-sustaining project. There would be opportunities for other small businesses to emerge along that seven-mile stretch.”
“Again, the key is to have areas designated, where walkers can walk, joggers can jog and cyclists can cycle, and you get a harmonious relationship between all three that delivers the benefit. <BR /> <BR />I accept that the Regional Development Minister is here tonight and that, if it is to be delivered in the longer term, this project might well need a joined-up approach from various Departments and that there would also need to be a strategic look at the overall benefits. <BR /> <BR />I will just speak for a few minutes on the economy. Investing this amount of money to provide this type of facility offers us an opportunity to deliver something for the economy as well. I have referred to investment around the Holywood Arches and to where there is the potential for more.”
“Selling the advantages involves looking at the health benefits, the educational benefits and the potential for it to become a community-owned asset, in which the community will invest its time in the early stages of the project, to advise what would be of benefit to the community and how any changes that had to be made would be viewed and, indeed, to ensure overall success in delivering it. <BR /> <BR />I was approached today by the BBC about this debate, and they made the point that dog walking in these areas is controversial because of dog fouling. They also mentioned that people have been injured. I know of one gentleman who was knocked off his bicycle when using the Comber greenway and, in fact, ended up with a broken leg.”
“<BR /> <BR />More people are using the parkway and allowing themselves to exercise, which has implications and benefits for the Health Minister, who I welcome, even though he is sitting on the Back Benches today. The parkway can be used for walking, cycling and jogging, and has the potential to be used by primary and post-primary schools for the study of wildlife and nature, as is happening on the Connswater greenway. <BR /> <BR />One of the features certainly of the Connswater greenway and potentially of the Comber greenway is community buy-in. Whether a project is in Northern Ireland, England or America, getting the community to buy into the project is key. That means communication and selling the advantages.”
“For the Minister, it has the potential to be a jewel in the crown of his cycling network. You could describe it as a top prize, but, to deliver the project, a visionary approach and a cocktail of funding are required. <BR /> <BR />What might the route deliver in the longer term? It has the potential to improve, given that it is brought up to standard. The standard that one might think about is the standard of the Connswater Community Greenway, where the figures indicate huge increases in people using Belfast City Council parks and river walkways, enjoying them to such an extent that some figures show a 73% increase in people going past specific points.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Comber Road continues towards Dundonald, the route diverts briefly from the old railway line along a section of riverside path known as Millmount Road. Millmount Road will be featured on Saturday as part of Second World War celebrations to mark children being evacuated from east Belfast to a place of safety from German bombers. <BR /> <BR />The route skirts around the Enler river and farm lanes, using a number of bridges that have been reinstated. It is virtually flat and offers a wonderful opportunity for investment, potentially, by the Minister. It would not be hard to describe it as the potential flagship project going through the three areas that I spoke about. It has the potential to be a leading-edge project in all that it could bring to the table.”
“It offers us an opportunity for traffic-free cycling. The better part of it is a stretch of tarmacadam that was laid following the railway surfacing being dug up and major sewerage pipes being laid. It runs from the Holywood Arches, a feature that is starting to develop as a hub in that part of the city. It is a hub that has a large amount of potential. Part of the area is being developed by the East Belfast Partnership and will include in the not-too-distant future, via social investment fund money, a tourism facility, and it will be a focal point within the area. There are other investments planned for that area. They are certainly not major investments in the sense of what government sees but investments that will help to lift the area. So it is the starting point from this side of the city.”
“It runs through some traffic intersections, but those are relatively small, where they cross over a main road. It is also designated as part of the National Cycle Network running from Belfast. It is known as the Comber greenway because it was the Comber railway line at one stage.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for staying on after such a long day and, indeed, given that this is the last day of term. I also thank the Minister for being here. I recognise that, out of his time and very busy schedule, he has taken the opportunity to be here. <BR /> <BR />I think that this project potentially has real benefits for the entire community and particular benefits for the east of Belfast city, those parts of the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area where it runs through and, indeed, the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. It is referred to as the Comber greenway. I want to refer to it as a starting point in the east of the city at Holywood Arches. It runs from that point through to Comber. It has a seven-mile stretch that is free from all traffic.”
“However, I could also use another word instead of those three, and that word would be "champion". <BR /> <BR />The political context is where the debate was taking place, and Mr Wilson has nothing to apologise for.”
“It is a matter about which she knows absolutely nothing, except what has been reported in the media. It is the very, very minimum. <BR /> <BR />The question has been asked about how that party treats its members. We have just been through a process that shows how the party leader has been treated and the respect that has been shown to him. Surely Mr Speaker — you mentioned this in the Chamber in the last number of days — you do not want to stymie robust political debate in here but you are demanding that respect be shown in the Chamber. That should underpin every aspect. <BR /> <BR />The word that was used was used in a political context. I could substitute other words in other contexts. I could use the words "combatant", "belligerent" or "bully".”
“If it was an insult, and Mr Allister will tell us whether he felt insulted at that time by the terminology, is it not strange and sad that there is such pettiness from an experienced parliamentarian that she would run off to defend not herself or any other member of her party but an experienced parliamentarian such as Mr Allister? Indeed, why is it, when we are debating one aspect, one accusation against Mr Wilson, that that experienced parliamentarian, the deputy leader of the SDLP, finds it appropriate to bring other aspects of the report into it and accuses the DUP of having disregard for her party, accuses the DUP of having disregard for the House and accuses the DUP of having disregard for the other Members? In fact, she named the Member.”
“He is on the run. He is here waiting for the hangman. He has been accused of the very minimum that the Standards and Privileges Committee could impose on him, which is that he should apologise to Mr Allister. Mr Allister has not been running around seeking an apology, but Mrs Dolores Kelly said of Mr Wilson:”
“He has moved. Where has he gone? He is here anyway, waiting for the hangman.”
“I think it is indicative of the attitude of the Chair, and a similar attitude has been prevalent the whole way through this debate. <BR /> <BR />Anyway, here stands the accused. Here he is. Where is he?”
“It is an abuse of privilege for the Member to ask me to give way and, when I do give way to her, she abuses that privilege by criticising another Member.”
“Obviously, I oppose the motion. I am a fairly recently appointed member of the Standards and Privileges Committee, like my colleague Mr Buchanan. The Standards and Privileges Committee has a role to play. It has the remit of being one of the pillars that supports the Assembly. It has to perform that role in a transparent and open manner, and it has to examine the behaviour of Members against the standards agreed by the House. That said, as Mr Alastair Ross said, underpinning all that is the freedom of speech. <BR /> <BR />I cannot understand where the Deputy Chair of the Committee is coming from in her remarks. She indicated that it is not to defend party interests and she accused the DUP of an abuse of power. How, when we lost the vote, is it an abuse of power? I do not understand that at all.”
“I thank the Minister for her comments. I know that she will understand, from her previous role in Enterprise, Trade and Investment, the absolute need of those small businesses that are suffering as a result of the traffic diversion measures that are in place. Is the Minister minded to raise the matter around the Executive table and, perhaps, urge the appropriate Minister to see whether anything can be done to accelerate the scheme and alleviate the problems for the small businesses that are being impacted upon?”
“The Minister will be aware of the unique situation with Strandtown Primary School and, indeed, the three feeder schools of Belmont, Dundela and Greenwood, where temporary variation owing to potential development plans needs to be kept in place. To encourage what are very good schools offering a very good education base and, indeed, a very good social mix, will the Minister allow the temporary variations for the period of the development plan's implementation?”
“I am going to welcome the fact that there are two display cabinets where gifts that are given to the Assembly are put on display and are recorded as such. Those are not gifts to the individual post holder but to the Assembly itself. That principle needs to be included in all aspects of life. <BR /> <BR />I will end with these few remarks. The public expect integrity from their politicians and expect politicians to behave in a manner that is perceived to be professional, whether in the Chamber, in Committees, in the public domain or through the conduct of office staff. They expect that professional standard. What we have got in the review of the code of conduct helps us to move in that direction.”
“In two particular areas, there is use of the word "gifts". I have to say that I do not think that anybody has ever offered me a gift, but, anyway, where there are gifts, the public expect a standard. It is quite obvious, particularly in your role, Mr Speaker, where gifts are given to the Assembly —”
“They have to be, within the code of conduct, more accountable for their behaviour or actions. Indeed, within the 21 points and 11 principles, stronger action can be taken against an MLA who is adjudged to have broken the rules.”
“It also recognises that freedom of expression is absolutely necessary in public life, but it does not allow MLAs to step across a boundary.”
“One might see that as moving towards what is regarded in other areas of work as professional standards. That is to be welcomed. We all use the word — a very important, very small, but very significant word — "trust". People put their trust in politicians at election time, and they look to politicians and this House for good conduct and, indeed, to set an example, both in the Chamber and in the environs of the House, not forgetting that MLAs and politicians from all backgrounds have a private life. Indeed, good guidance has been given in the code on how that should be separated out. <BR /> <BR />The code offers greater clarity to MLAs and provides for a greater ability to scrutinise the openness and transparency of the work of MLAs.”
“I too rise in support of the code. I open my remarks by paying tribute to the Committee staff, who have, in my short time on the Committee, done an excellent job. They have been diligent in their work; they have been excellent in their communication; and they have offered excellent advice to the Committee. I also thank Jimmy Spratt, who has been Chair since I joined the Committee and, indeed, Alastair Ross for the work he has done. <BR /> <BR />I would like to take a slightly different tack. Rather than delve into aspects of the work that has been done, I will talk about the need, or the perceived need, for the work to be done. Let us remember that this is a review of the code of conduct and that the Assembly already had a code of conduct in operation, which it willingly undertook to review.”
“It is his former compatriots who say that he, the president of Sinn Féin, authorised murder. <BR /> <BR />The case of Jean McConville was the most high-profile case, and one of the most infamous cases of the Troubles. There is information within Sinn Féin on the case. Sinn Féin has a knowledge of everything that happened around the murder of Jean McConville. If they want to use the high and mighty words that they have used in their motion, let them apply them and reveal the information around on the murder of Jean McConville. Let them say who dragged Jean McConville from her crying children. Who kidnapped her? Who tortured her? Who disappeared her?”
“Many might see that as them having a conscience seared by a hot iron. <BR /> <BR />Slowly and surely, the real picture of the IRA is being revealed. As time goes on, more and more information will come out. Many of us on this side of the Chamber look forward to the revelations in the Boston tapes as they come out. The one interview that has come out is that of Brendan Hughes, who was referred to as "Darkie" Hughes. Of course, we all know about the double life of Freddie Scappaticci. <BR /> <BR />Reference has been made to the 17 cases of the disappeared, particularly that of Jean McConville. Gerry Adams has long denied being a member of the IRA. However, his former compatriots in the IRA claim that he authorised murder. That is not something being said by the DUP.”
“There can be no doubt that this is a motion based on hypocrisy, pretence and duplicity. Those are the foundations of the motion. <BR /> <BR />Mr Kelly said that it is hard for innocent victims to understand. Yes, it is hard for innocent victims to understand the motivation of Sinn Féin and this motion. Actions speak louder than words. If they mean what they say in the motion, actions speak louder than the words that are down in the Order Paper. Many will believe that it is by their deeds that you know them. If they are not prepared to come forward with all the information that they have about all the cases, it is by their deeds that you know them.”
“There is no respect — no respect — for those who suffered at the hands of terrorists, from whatever source the terrorism came. Ms Ruane has tried, by the words of the motion, to limit the debate to that aspect that she sees her case resting on: the 'Panorama' programme. She calls in the motion for a "thorough and independent investigation" and for legacy institutions to be set up as:”
“I looked at this motion and the underlying principles, and what has prompted Sinn Féin to bring the motion forward; what it signed up for as general principles in the Stormont House Agreement is what it is basing its motion on. The four aspects that I want to highlight are that it signed up to promoting reconciliation; it signed up to upholding the rule of law; it signed up to acknowledging and addressing the suffering of victims and survivors; and it signed up to facilitating the pursuit of justice and information recovery. Of course, Ms Ruane, in proposing the motion, wanted only to limit the motion, and as she read out her list of names, she limited them to ones that are perceived by her to be more favourable to her case. <BR /> <BR />That indicates that this is not a motion of concern but only a motion of Sinn Féin propaganda.”
“It was the objective of the report to ensure that that recommendation can be taken forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to mention a couple of the report's recommendations. The Committee recognised, as the genesis of the report, the critical importance of education for parents and pupils. Indeed, it accepted that extensive costs were associated with the sectors in our education system and that those needed to be managed judiciously to get the maximum benefit for our young people. <BR /> <BR />Recommendation number one stated:”
“It was admitted in the report that this is a complex problem because of the disparate nature of our education system and the various sectors that we operate in. <BR /> <BR />The report indicated that the Minister should not take an approach to area planning that was, as one witness described it, a cut-and-paste exercise. Whether that is valid or not is for the Minister to judge, but that was recorded when the Committee took evidence on the report. The report indicates that there needs to be a holistic approach to area planning and there can be no clauses for schools to opt out of area planning for whatever reason. The benefits of addressing the issues that we are talking about this afternoon can be achieved, providing stability for children, teachers and parents. All the school estate should be included in area planning.”
“Parents are concerned initially when they get a letter saying, "Your child has been rejected. Please apply for ... ". An example that was given was a facility in Millisle — 25 miles from where those folk live. That needs to be addressed so that we provide stability in our education system for teaching professionals, parents and children. <BR /> <BR />I think it has been mentioned that the Committee has produced a report on area planning. To my mind — the Minister did not dispute this to any great extent when we debated it in the Chamber — the report suggested a positive approach to area planning and outlined how a rational and professional look at the school estate not just across east Belfast but across Northern Ireland needed to be taken.”
“I thank the Member for bringing forward a debate on an issue about which there is much concern currently and, indeed, about which there has historically been much concern. There has been an improvement in the situation, but further improvement is required. Many points have already been covered, so I will approach this generally rather than being specific. <BR /> <BR />There is a need for the Minister to address the issue, which has been going on for some time. The first question that I asked on this was in 2008 or 2009, yet the problem continues. There is a need to build confidence in parents and in school professionals that there is a solution to the problem and that next year we will not face the same situation. There is a need to address the ongoing issues.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that never again should a consultation process be undertaken by an area learning partnership or whatever in the sense that pupils, teachers and parents perceive there to be a predetermined outcome to that consultation process and, indeed, that, as indicated under recommendation 6 of the report, sharing, cooperation and innovative solutions ought to be sought in area planning?”
“The Chairman has indicated the need for area planning, and the report sets that out. I do not think it is anything other than a basis on which to build for the future.”
“<BR /> <BR />Then there is the ongoing Elmgrove/Avoniel school situation, which involves the closure of one and merger with another. There is a great need for communication with parents to involve them in decision-making, so that they can at least see the rationale to make an argument, and a need for communication with and support from elected representatives. A degree of planning needs to take place, so that we can all benefit from this.”
“That was in the case of the closure of Knockbreda High School and its amalgamation with Newtownbreda High School to form the new Breda Academy. That was really about the concerns of pupils, again, with the merger of a school from the Belfast Education and Library Board area with one from the South Eastern Education and Library Board area or, rather, the closure of one and the formation of a new school. Currently, there is a lot of concern among parents whose children go to the three feeder schools of Strandtown Primary School: Dundela, Greenwood and Belmont primary schools. I hope that that can be sorted out via some degree of area planning, but it is causing a lot of concern to parents and the pupils who attend those schools.”
“<BR /> <BR />The same is true in the case of Orangefield High School. The Belfast Education and Library Board went along and recommended closure to the school's board of governors, the parent board of governors and to the school parents in general. Indeed, it indicated that, in other schools in the area, the cap would be lifted to allow the pupils to transfer in. That was not correct. The cap was never lifted, and the pupils had no chance of getting into the favoured schools, despite the fact that pupils were taken along to the schools and it was indicated to them that they should sit a test to decide which class they would go into in their new secondary school. School uniforms and transport were discussed, but that was not part of an area plan. <BR /> <BR />In another case, the Minister was threatened with judicial review.”
“However, that anger turned into a very positive area of work, and the work that parents did along with their elected representatives was recognised by the Minister, who reversed his decision or, rather, made the decision to keep the school open. One of the factors that came out of that, in terms of area planning, was that, while that school served pupils from the local estate, it also served pupils from the Belfast Education and Library Board area. Had Dundonald High School closed, some of its pupils would have gone to Belfast schools, yet there was no consultation or communication between the South Eastern and Belfast education and library boards, prior to that recommendation coming forward. That not talking obviously indicates that there is no real area planning taking place.”
“I support the report. I want to come back to a couple of things that the Chairman said, but first I would like to outline some of the experiences in area planning that my constituency has had over recent years and to indicate that although, obviously, area planning is essential — taking up some of the points that Members have made — it has to be holistic area planning that covers every sector of our education system. <BR /> <BR />I will mention a few experiences, Mr Deputy Speaker. I turn first to Dundonald High School, which was recommended for closure by the South Eastern Education and Library Board, and the reaction of parents to that closure announcement or "consultation on closure", as it was put. The school served the community in the largest or second-largest estate in Northern Ireland, and there was a lot of anger about that.”