Pat Ramsey
Foyle · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“In light of the extensive reporting of the investigation, there is deep worry and concern amongst the families of staff and prisoners. Can the Minister give us an assurance that he is doing everything in his power to ensure the safety of the staff and prisoners in Maghaberry?”
“On her death, Lisa was awarded an ambassador role by the Singapore Government because of the level of donations she was able to give. Around 50 people got some form of donated organs from Lisa as a result of her untimely death.”
“I hope that, if the Bill passes, the number of transplants will seriously increase, as Jo-Anne Dobson outlined, and I have no doubt that it will. Lives will be saved. <BR /> <BR />I will take personal and political pleasure in supporting the Bill's passage to the Committee.”
“I say to the Member again that there is an opportunity for DUP members of the Health Committee to pose questions and to challenge. If they have concerns, they can raise those concerns. Like other Members, I would like to see an opportunity for the Bill, and I believe that it is a good Bill.”
“The increased awareness and discussion coming out of this is very helpful, as it will encourage and stimulate debate among the medical fraternity and clinicians. Alastair, you have been in some of the meetings where we had senior clinicians voicing their clear support in Northern Ireland for the Bill.”
“I am delighted to be able to talk in the debate today. I declare my membership of the all-party group on organ donation. <BR /> <BR />I have watched with interest over the years the political role that Jo-Anne Dobson has played in, and the passion that she has had for, elevating and promoting organ donation.”
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“I welcome the Minister's detailed response and declare an interest as chair of the all-party group on disability. It will be encouraging and motivating for all those in our community who have disabilities, who struggle with public transport at the best of times and who depend on taxis. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister outline any discussions he has had with the taxi disability groups across Northern Ireland in relation to the single-tier system that is coming into place soon?”
“The proposed changes in appointments, entitling intended parents to take unpaid leave to attend up to two antenatal appointments is another way to help parents to develop a bond with their child. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the legislation will be beneficial not only to parents, adopters and surrogates but to the business community. The fact that the legislation aims to mirror the current arrangements already in place is also beneficial to many. We support the Bill.”
“I am happy to say that the Bill will also ensure that parents, including adopters and those using surrogates, will be able to avail themselves of shared parental leave, but I believe that we must ensure that more is done to help different family situations. I raised the issue of kinship carers with the Minister. It will not be possible through this legislation, but I think that, in future, we should be minded of the many thousands of kinship carers across Northern Ireland who we should be legislating for. <BR /> <BR />I was glad to see that those who are planning to adopt or are in the process of adopting are considered in the Bill. The change in adoption leave rights and the enhancement of statutory adoption pay will give adoptive parents the ability to spend much more time with their child.”
“The introduction of legislation will go a long way to help to rebalance the nature of parenting and provide greater equality to everybody involved in parenting. In the past, I have commended the Bill for presenting Northern Ireland with a real chance of addressing the inequalities of parenting in our society. This legislation will help to reduce women's disproportionate caring responsibilities and go some way to tackling the discrimination felt by many women in the workplace. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate the CAB's belief that it will allow families greater flexibility, control and choice over care arrangements.”
“We, therefore, argue that support for the family structure is central to positive childcare policies, and, once again, we clearly and, from the Committee's perspective, consensually welcome the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Not every family operates within the same context or circumstances, and I believe that it is important that the legislation remains flexible enough to benefit everyone. It is crucial that the Assembly supports hard-working families, and I welcome the Bill in helping to ease the external pressures that many of them face. <BR /> <BR />With regard to shared parental leave, as we have heard through the Bill's passage, one such external pressure is the matter of parental leave.”
“Such a website would provide stakeholders with the online tools and guidance necessary to allow them to properly understand and, ultimately, implement the legislation. I believe that it is crucial to the success of the legislation that such mechanisms are put in place immediately, and I am keen to hear what the Minister has to say on that, before any law is enacted. I call on the Minister to implement that as quickly as possible. <BR /> <BR />Families are at the heart of the Bill, and the SDLP remains committed to ensuring that standards in early years development are raised. We believe that good parental leave policies must be complemented by good family policies, including childcare, early years and nursery provision.”
“As a member of the Employment and Learning Committee and on behalf of the SDLP, I thank the Minister and departmental staff. It was an easy passage in many ways because a lot of the groundwork was done during a number of meetings, with key people from the Department briefing us and taking on board our concerns. <BR /> <BR />In the past, I have spoken about the impact that the legislation will have on businesses, and I would like to reiterate my views on that. As I have said before, it is crucial that businesses are made fully aware and educated so that they can react positively to the legislation. Committee members and stakeholders talked about the need to see the creation of a one-stop shop. I hope that that will enable businesses to be more informed and to be able to deal with the legislation as it comes forward.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. It is very clear that senior Prison Service staff do not believe in any way that the principles of the agreement will compromise the safety, security and integrity of Maghaberry prison. Does the Member not accept that?”
“— it changes the lives of families who are visiting prisoners as well. I think there is an opportunity to make a difference, to enable prisons, particularly Roe House, to ease the pressures, allow management to do their job but allow the prisoners to be in a good environment.”
“This report is suggesting that that number should be increased, and if it does increase, and if there are difficulties, then the challenge to the prisoners is this: if you do not step up to the mark, they will be reduced again. <BR /> <BR />I appeal to the Members across the House. There are absolutely no circumstances where the SDLP or any Member of this Assembly want in any way — I say this directly to Paul Frew — to compromise the security or integrity of the Prison Service. <BR /> <BR />I have visited Roe House on many an occasion. I saw them when they were on dirty protest, and it is not a nice environment to be in for anybody. Now we are not only easing the pressure in the prison, there is a window of opportunity to ease the pressure outside the prison as well. Sammy Douglas talked about a life changing forever —”
“I thank the Member for his comments. I think he makes a good point. Raymond McCartney talked about an opportunity. There is a window of opportunity here, and the challenges will be up to those republican elements in the prison now to come up to the mark. My understanding, and the understanding of independent assessors, is that they are behind the principles of the fine points that the independent assessors have made. That is ensuring that the prison is freer: free from violence, free from fear and free from intimidation. So time will tell how honourable the prisoners are. <BR /> <BR />There are some fundamentals here that are important to reference as well, which the stocktake has highlighted. They include free space on the landings. We have a large volume of prisoners, close to 100 prisoners, with two being allowed out at any given time.”
“If I had known that, I might not have let him in.”
“<BR /> <BR />It would be unfair not to acknowledge the contribution of the Prison Service, prison officers and the independent assessors — Alban named them, so I will not name them again — and their tireless work to try to do what you, Paul Frew, talked about: to ease the pressures on everyone, but particularly the prison staff, so that they can go to work without having to look under their car and are not looking to get on to the special purchase of evacuated dwellings (SPED) scheme to get their house sold in order to move. That is the basis of the agreement.”
“in the stocktake report. <BR /> <BR />I think about what Stewart Dickson said. Anyone who has been to Roe House since 2010 will know that it has a few dozen books that are as old as the hills. It has computers that, in any other environment, would have been condemned and dumped years ago, and it is only in recent times that prisoners have had access to them. The so-called 3G pitch would not inspire anyone to do training or anything else. However, things are progressing in the prison — even in Roe House.”
“I support the SDLP amendment. I have reflected on some of the comments made by my colleagues across the way. I understand where they are coming from. I understand the anger and frustration. If David Black's family are listening today, the SDLP is saying to them that what happened to their husband and father was entirely unjustified. The continued use of threats, abuse, violence and intimidation against Northern Ireland Prison Service staff or any of the health-care staff working in our prisons is unjustifiable. <BR /> <BR />I note the Prison Service response to the agreement. It states that it should reaffirm everyone's:”
“I thank the Minister. Following on from Tom Buchanan's question, have any lessons been learned or are there measures that the Minister could bring in in light of the most recent and awful tragedy on our roads that saw death coming to a family's door? There has to be, Minister, better ways of doing this.”
“I thank the Minister for her detailed response, which is most welcome. <BR /> <BR />Is the Minister aware that the Irish Government's Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney, visited China recently, bringing great hope to many food producers in the South? There is a hope and desire that our own Minister will also take the opportunity to visit China to promote the same concept and to increase the quantity and quality of produce that is going to China.”
“I thank the First Minister for his response. Clearly, there will be victims and survivors across Northern Ireland who are disappointed that we are not progressing this matter. First Minister, we do not want a rerun of the previous appointment that caused a lot of distress and discomfort to the victims. Can you outline to the House any time frame on going forward, taking the point that there have been delays? Is there any time frame in which you can assure the House that that will happen?”
“As well as being grossly unjust, such discrimination is costly and inefficient. All of us, one day, will be deemed older — many of us probably already are by many of the younger generation. None of us would like to think that our age would stop us contributing positively to society. I will continue to promote the rights of older people in every aspect of work in the Assembly. I welcome the commissioner's report and wish to fully support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />The commissioner's report also takes account of the associated costs of older age-related spending, including benefits such as pension credits, disability living allowance, attendance allowance and winter fuel payments as well as protected housing and health and social care costs. The projected spending over the next 50 years is £92·2 billion. <BR /> <BR />The report challenges the one-dimensional view of ageing and tells the untold story of the positive ways in which older people contribute to our society day in and day out and how they will continue to do so for years to come. The report is based over 50 years; therefore, it is in everyone's interest to change the way we as a society view and talk about older people. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP wants to see an end to discrimination against older people in the workplace.”
“<BR /> <BR />In my constituency, there are many examples of good volunteering by older people who play key roles, including the Culture Company volunteers who ensured the smooth running of events during our wonderful City of Culture year last year. Many of them were over 60, they brought maturity and a sense of perspective to their job, and they acted as mentors in many regards to many of the younger people who participated in the events. Many older people continue to work and, therefore, continue to contribute to the economic fabric of our society through their taxes and other financial contributions.”
“The motion offers an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the fact that older people actually contribute more than they cost — a staggering £24·7 billion over the next 50 years. <BR /> <BR />Among the contributions included in the report were caring, childcare, volunteering, replacement parenting, kinship care and working, as well as paying taxes that, over the next 50 years, will amount to a staggering £117 billion. We all know someone who looks after their grandchildren, a spouse or a family member. In 2012, older carers saved the Northern Ireland economy almost £1·02 billion. We are all aware of many older people who volunteer.”
“The SDLP welcomed the establishment of an older persons' commissioner and would like to thank her for the work that she has done to ensure that the voice of older people is heard and that they are involved in all policy-making decisions at that level. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland is an ageing society, with the most rapidly ageing population in the UK. Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) figures show that, by 2062 — a long way away — there will be an additional 318,000 people over 60 in Northern Ireland than there are today. For too long, we have heard just one side of the story: that older people cost money and that they are an economic burden. When cuts to public services need to be made, it is often older people's services that are cut.”
“This is an all-party motion, and we thank the Business Committee for facilitating and prioritising it, given the timing of it and the launch of the recent report. I welcome the junior Minister Jennifer McCann to the debate. Her presence and comments are important. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to highlight the positive contributions — and Jonathan, thank you; both of you are very welcome — made by older people across Northern Ireland and to recognise the many and varied roles that they play in our lives. The report clearly attaches an economic value to the many and varied contributions that they make.”
“<BR />However, I take his point on board and, as a result of the matter being tabled, I will check whether there is double pricing or double charging that I am unaware of. I presume that the price that the Assembly Commission is paying, over £360,000, is the total cost of having the police here.”
“I thank the Member for his comments and I agree with him about the excellent service that the police officers give us all in ensuring that we are protected. We constantly keep all policing here under review, depending on circumstances. At the present, we are reasonably content. However, I can assure the Member that the recent review, which was completed within the last few weeks, has made significant savings of £160,000 for the Assembly Commission. That is no mean task, given that we are receiving the same level of staffing in Parliament Buildings. <BR /> <BR />It is also a matter that Member could raise, as he is a member of the Policing Board, and there may be other members of the Policing Board present.”
“The cost of policing in the Oireachtas is not met by the Commission there, but in the Assemblies of Wales and Scotland, and the Parliament of Westminster, the cost is paid by the appropriate Commission for each House.”
“Those questions came up at the Assembly Commission. I do not have the exact pricing, but in the Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament, the costs are based on national pricing, which I referred to in answer to the original question. Those are proportionate to the level of policing here. The level of policing in Westminster is considerably higher than it is here, and it is also considerably higher in Wales and Scotland. However, at the same time, we are confident that we can meet the challenges, considering where we have come from. In late 2006, there was an incident here with Michael Stone that forced us to change course to ensure that those using the Building, whether that be members of staff or MLAs, were protected. So, we made that investment.”
“<BR /> <BR />To date, policing arrangements at Parliament Buildings have worked very well, and it is envisaged that the change can be brought about without any loss in the overall service provided by the police, either in its efficiency or effectiveness. The management team and the Commission remain confident that the Assembly's policing needs will continue to be fully met.”
“I thank the Member for her question. A service-level agreement exists between the Assembly Commission and the PSNI on the provision of policing in Parliament Buildings. The PSNI provides a small team of police officers, known as the Northern Ireland Assembly police unit, and the PSNI applies charges on a monthly basis at national rates. Those charges are met from within the budget of the Assembly's facilities directorate. <BR /> <BR />Following recent discussions between the Assembly and senior PSNI officers, the latter provided a number of options for minimising the cost to the Assembly Commission. One agreed option came forward. The change, which took effect on Monday 3 November, should result in a significant reduction in overall policing charges from around £523,000 to £364,000 per year.”
“I thank the Member for his question. In preparation for the work, we examined a number of areas at an officer and Commission level. The combination of works undertaken will improve our carbon footprint by almost 30%, which is significant. That is a good exercise, given the extent of the project and the restrictions placed on the contractor to try to improve things. I think that we have had a good, safe landing with that 30% reduction in our carbon footprint.”
“I certainly apologise to the Member. I know that a number of Members have been inconvenienced and disrupted as a result of the roof project. That is something that the contractor, along with our staff, is very keen to minimise. However, I am not going to dare suggest that it will not happen again. Every effort is being made to minimise any disruption, including any further rain penetration to offices in the Building.”
“I do not have that information with me, but I think that there were quite a few. A contractor was approved under the procurement process, and that is the contractor who we have in place. I will provide the Member with further information on the number of people who put in a tender for the roof project.”
“There was a delay for a number of reasons, but we expect the roof project to be on schedule and concluded by May next year. It takes a lot of effort to do that, given that you are trying to manage parliamentary business here. You are trying to manage a series of Committee meetings and to relocate and decant quite a high volume of staff during the period. We can only be grateful for their cooperation, support and help.”
“On the latter point, which I do not mind responding to, there were some issues during the work, and there was further rain penetration. Given the nature of the job, one would expect that during a major construction. We have identified the issues and are dealing with them, and we hope that they will not occur again. <BR /> <BR />The overall estimated cost for the project was £5·4 million, and the tender document was for £5 million, so we are under target at this stage and hope to keep that going, depending, obviously, on circumstances as we progress with the contract. If there is any unforeseen work, the Assembly Commission will have to look at that, but, at the minute, we are under the estimated price of the tender by almost £500,000.”
“With work of this nature, some of that was inevitable. While the restrictions placed on the contractor have limited the impact on Assembly business, the Commission is very conscious of the noise and disruption that building users have had to tolerate and endure, and is very grateful to all members of staff and MLAs for their patience and tolerance. A number of staff had to be temporarily decanted, and we also thank them for their cooperation.”
“<BR /> <BR />The project team has been issuing regular postmasters to report on progress in an effort to keep all building users, members of staff and political parties up to date on progress. The primary objective of the project is to provide a waterproof solution to ongoing problems, but the works also include the refurbishment and replacement of all roof-mounted building services installations and incorporates environmental improvements, including the installation of photovoltaic panels. <BR /> <BR />Work to date has included the removal of the majority of redundant roofing materials, and the roof has been re-covered with the proprietary waterproofing product. There have been some unfortunate incidents whereby inadequate temporary waterproofing measures led to further water ingress during the recent heavy rainfall.”
“I propose to take questions 3 and 7 together. I thank both Members for their questions. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission appointed Tracey Brothers to undertake the roof project in April, and work on site started in late May, with a projected contract period of 52 weeks. Although the contractor has fallen slightly behind on some areas of the work, he is still reporting that the works remain on target for completion by the end of May 2015. The estimated construction cost, taking account of the working restrictions placed on the contractor — they are clearly obvious for Members on Mondays and Tuesdays in particular — was £5·4 million, and the approved contract sum was £5 million.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. In the social mix of new-build programmes, there is not much point in the allocation of 100 homes in my constituency to single parents and the social issues that are created by that. There needs to be a change of focus. Will the Minister be prepared to meet me and others representing disabled and older people to have a discussion around how we can improve those circumstances?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Are he and his Department committed to ensuring that social housing largely remains in the public sector?”
“Does the Minister agree that the lack of transport infrastructure across Northern Ireland is the key element in the levels of social and economic deprivation that we have and that it is imperative that we have funding from external sources to deal with this matter urgently?”
“I warmly welcome the Minister's statement — he always brings very detailed statements to the House — and his recent comments on disabled young people. I am keen to hear what form pre-level-2 provision will take, given, referring back to the Chair's initial comments, that the requirement for entry to level 2 will be five GCSEs. How are you going to do that when the most vulnerable, such as those who leave care or prison, may not have any academic qualifications?”
“From the SDLP's perspective, we are fully in support of this Bill.”
“I know that the departmental officials who came to us were very keen to progress that area as well. I agree with the Department's response, and I suggest that those tools are introduced before the legislation comes into effect so that stakeholders are educated and aware of all the issues. I believe that that is vital for the uptake of the scheme and, more importantly, for the success of the legislation. For example, I welcome the news that small businesses will be able to recoup 100% of statutory payments that they make, plus 3% compensation. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, this legislation will be not only beneficial to parents, adopters and those using surrogates but will be as important to small businesses and business in our community. In fact, as it aims to mirror the content arrangements already in place, it is beneficial to users.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of representations were made to us from business. On the effects that the legislation will have on business, I reiterate the importance of creating a one-stop shop. One of the key elements that came out of the consultation that we had, certainly from the business community, was, Minister, that there has to be a website to ensure that, at an early stage, businesses are aware of the changes that are coming and, more importantly, of how those changes will affect them. <BR /> <BR />We heard from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, which stated that it was unaware of the need for guidance and online tools for businesses. DETI officials informed the Committee that they would aim to put those mechanisms in place as quickly as possible.”
“I take on board the comments on the legislation from, for example, Citizens Advice. It mentioned that the Bill will allow working families greater flexibility, control and choice over caring arrangements. <BR /> <BR />On the part of the Bill that deals with adopters and appointments, I believe that more must be done to help different family situations. I am glad to say that those who are planning or are in the process of adopting are considered in the parameters of the Bill. The change in adoption leave rights and the enhancement of statutory adoption pay will give adoptive parents the ability to spend more time with their child. The proposed changes in appointments, entitling intended parents to take unpaid leave to attend up to two antenatal appointments, is another way to help parents to begin to establish a bond with their child.”
“It is important that support be given to hard-working families, and government support for families should focus on easing external pressures on them. It is vital that the legislation be sufficiently flexible to benefit parents and children in the different social situations that they so often find themselves. <BR /> <BR />The legislation permits qualifying birth parents, adopters and intended parents in surrogacy arrangements to qualify for shared parental leave, which is crucial. The Bill is an excellent opportunity to address inequality in society by creating a culture of shared parenting. I welcome legislation that will help to reduce women's disproportionate caring responsibilities and go some way to tackling the discrimination too often felt by women in the workplace.”
“I welcome the Bill. Any Bill that comes to the House having gone through the Committee in a non-contentious way is most welcome. For that, we owe a debt to the Department for Employment and Learning staff who have been constantly briefing the Committee, our own Committee staff for their concentrated efforts over recent months and, clearly, to the Minister as well. It is a most welcome Bill <BR /> <BR />As regards families, the SDLP is committed to continuing to ensure that standards of development in early years are raised. We believe that good parental leave policies must be complemented by good family policies, including childcare, early years and nursery provision. The SDLP believes that support for the family structure is central to positive childcare policies.”
“Following on from Mr Wilson's question, I recently visited a very successful jobs fair in the Millennium Forum in the city, and it was clear that a number of companies were experiencing difficulties securing skills from people in the city. What discussions has the Minister had with Invest Northern Ireland? What are the outcomes of job fairs in respect of preparing and looking at lessons learned?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. There is clear evidence that it has been one of the most controversial sites, given that it is one of the most beautiful landmarks in the city. Is the Minister aware of proposals tabled via the council or via the residents' group for a land swap that might broker a deal that would enable housing to be built elsewhere so that that land would be retained as the beauty spot that it is?”