George Robinson
East Londonderry · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for his answer. As this is a unique event that will never happen again and to recognise the outstanding service that Her Majesty has given, including to Northern Ireland, if the next Speaker agrees, can an invitation be extended to the palace for Her Majesty to attend this momentous event here in Northern Ireland?”
“Does the Minister agree that, if her party and others in the Assembly joined the DUP to oppose the protocol, the money could be distributed to all those clubs tomorrow morning? Clubs such as Coleraine and Limavady United need the money urgently to improve their grounds.”
“Could policing be looked at in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, where there is a shortage of officers on the ground to tackle antisocial activity, particularly in Limavady town in the evenings? We have had windows broken, street lights damaged and homes attacked. The situation is getting out of control.”
“Will the Minister commit to have her officials investigate Linenhall Street in Limavady, which is in my constituency, with a view to implementing a much-needed revitalisation scheme to overcome the dilapidated state of that street? Such a scheme would help existing traders and attract new business to the street.”
“Minister, no ifs or buts, you had plenty of time to release the funding long before the horrific protocol was implemented. You have heard at first hand from Coleraine and Limavady United football officials the absolute need for the long-awaited funding to help transform their grounds —”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome the rural community pollinator garden scheme. It is an excellent, forward-thinking policy that will increase biodiversity and, given the number of successful applications from schools, encourage and educate the next generation to understand and deliver biodiversity into the future.”
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“Who has the Minister engaged with to come up with innovative ways to help the sector? Some businesses in smaller towns such as Limavady have had a torrid time during and after the pandemic.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. As this is my last Question Time before retirement, I ask the Minister, again, to commit to the inclusion of a bypass for Ballykelly and a climbing lane at Gortcorbies on the Limavady to Coleraine route within the plan.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she consider a similar scheme at Greysteel in my constituency to alleviate the significant traffic congestion on the main route from Limavady to Londonderry?”
“I thank the Member for his answer. As this is a unique event that will never happen again and to recognise the outstanding service that Her Majesty has given, including to Northern Ireland, if the next Speaker agrees, can an invitation be extended to the palace for Her Majesty to attend this momentous event here in Northern Ireland?”
“Does the Minister agree that, if her party and others in the Assembly joined the DUP to oppose the protocol, the money could be distributed to all those clubs tomorrow morning? Clubs such as Coleraine and Limavady United need the money urgently to improve their grounds.”
“Could policing be looked at in the Causeway Coast and Glens area, where there is a shortage of officers on the ground to tackle antisocial activity, particularly in Limavady town in the evenings? We have had windows broken, street lights damaged and homes attacked. The situation is getting out of control.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Does he foresee blue carbon playing an important part in carbon capture to help to tackle climate change?”
“Will the Minister commit to have her officials investigate Linenhall Street in Limavady, which is in my constituency, with a view to implementing a much-needed revitalisation scheme to overcome the dilapidated state of that street? Such a scheme would help existing traders and attract new business to the street. I appreciate what you said, Minister, about the funding.”
“— for their spectators, players and wider communities. Minister, can you give us a definite date for when the funding will be released?”
“Minister, no ifs or buts, you had plenty of time to release the funding long before the horrific protocol was implemented. You have heard at first hand from Coleraine and Limavady United football officials the absolute need for the long-awaited funding to help transform their grounds —”
“Are there plans in place to protect against the spread of the disease should it reach our shores?”
“Will the Minister give me an update on the much-needed Ballykelly halt, particularly its location?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome the rural community pollinator garden scheme. It is an excellent, forward-thinking policy that will increase biodiversity and, given the number of successful applications from schools, encourage and educate the next generation to understand and deliver biodiversity into the future. Does the Minister agree that the scheme should be included in the future programme?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Could that highly successful voucher scheme be rolled out again next year around the Christmas period, provided that funding is found? I appreciate that there are many constraints on his budget for next year.”
“After her recent visit to Limavady High School, does the Minister have any update on the school's new sports hall?”
“Will my colleague agree that Wrightbus in Ballymena, which the Committee had the pleasure of visiting recently, is leading the way in manufacturing hydrogen buses?”
“My apologies, Mr Speaker. What is the First Minister's assessment of the recent meeting with the institutions about financial contributions? My apologies again.”
“Will the First Minister give his assessment of the recent meeting with the institutions about financial contributions?”
“Minister, owing to that meeting, will firms in Northern Ireland, such as Wrightbus in Ballymena, benefit from new orders for more decarbonised transport?”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, I am glad that the PAN has been withdrawn and common sense has prevailed so that rural dwellers can be assured of a more positive future. I also commend the Infrastructure Committee, led by my colleague Mr Buckley, for bringing this planning issue to a satisfactory conclusion.”
“Therefore, it is important that the policy meets the requirements. There can be no doubt that rural planning applications must be treated sensitively. There should be a positive and beneficial policy that will help people who wish to live and work in the countryside while offering the protection of the environment that is also required. <BR /> <BR />My conversations with a range of interested parties have led me to believe that the current policy, reinforced by the PAN, has almost demonised rural building. People who wish or need to live in the countryside should be assisted when possible. The refusal mindset should change, and a positive approach to applicants should be developed. To achieve that, we need a new consultation.”
“The number of concerns about the negative impact of this planning advice note is clear to me due to the number of conversations and phone calls I and my office have received. It is very apparent that rural dwellers, architects, farmers and others are united in their concern about how this planning advice note has impacted rural communities. As there is no change to PPS 21, why was the planning advice note issued in the first place? Minister, I suggest that there needs to be a fresh consultation carried out with all the interested people before a PAN is issued. <BR /> <BR />Paragraph 12 of the note emphasises that everything has to be resolved in line with the SPPS. That is why the PAN should not have been issued in the first place. I firmly believe that there needs to be a positive and sensible approach to development in the countryside.”
“First and foremost, I congratulate my colleague Deborah on her excellent maiden speech.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Can he give me his assurance that a sufficient supply of booster vaccines will be available? Health professionals and constituents have expressed to me their concern that there may be a shortfall.”
“<BR /> <BR />Figures show that only 12 out of 27 economic hub towns will get investment in the next six years. Another 91 towns have similar problems, but only 37 will receive improvements to their water infrastructure. With another 30 towns due to join the list, no progress will be made in addressing the chronic capacity shortage in the water and sewerage infrastructure. The Minister must develop a plan to ensure that the shortcomings in the current system are addressed as a matter of urgency. I support the motion.”
“I take your point. Thank you. <BR /> <BR />I also think that the Finance Minister needs to step up to the mark to provide some much-needed extra funding to help the Infrastructure Minister to tackle this serious water and sewerage underfunding situation throughout Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Water intends to direct £2 billion towards capital projects in the next six years, yet over half of towns and villages will see no direct benefit. That is a disgrace. Outside Belfast, regional differences make that figure even more startling. Regional variation means that anyone living outside the greater Belfast area will experience greater inequality. An effective investment strategy will see businesses expand, boosting the construction industry and associated industries and, of course, employment.”
“I understand that, throughout Northern Ireland, hundreds of schemes are stalled due to the lack of capacity in our water and sewerage infrastructure. Will the Minister give a figure for developments that have not even made it past the Northern Ireland Water pre-development inquiry process? I am sure that that figure is substantial. <BR /> <BR />Housing Executive developments are affected as well, so this problem involves quite a few Northern Ireland residents. We need a proactive solution from the Minister to tackle gross underfunding, which costs jobs and housing. <BR /> <BR />I also think that the Finance Minister needs to step up to —.”
“The state of Northern Ireland's water and sewerage infrastructure does Northern Ireland a great disservice. To say that it is hopelessly outdated is being polite. My East Londonderry constituency is a prime example of how the current infrastructure is keeping Northern Ireland from developing and is causing damage and inconvenience to private property when there is heavy rainfall. That is unacceptable and has to be rectified. <BR /> <BR />I know of major housing developments that have been severely delayed due to the lack of capacity of a 21st-century water and sewerage network. Housing pressure is increasing, and this is unacceptable. Nothing that is being examined will change that situation. Chronic underfunding is costing jobs.”
“The traffic light system that facilitates the A6 roadworks at the entrance to and exit from Dungiven causes long delays. How long will that arrangement be in place? While the work is necessary, given that roadworks are also taking place between Ballymoney and Ballymena, motorists coming from the north-west to Belfast and beyond are severely inconvenienced.”
“There has been some discussion about how the scope of the Bill should include parents of children over the age of 18 as well as miscarriage. Does the Minister think that that is achievable in the timescale, or will he pledge to investigate the issue more broadly?”
“What guidance has been developed on the implementation of the new continuing healthcare policy, and how were service users and families consulted as part of the process?”
“Will the First Minister detail what progress has been made over the summer to relax restrictions and return to a degree of normality after the horrific pandemic that we have all been experiencing?”
“It will enable people to support business as normality begins to return.”
“The Member has made a very good point. I fully endorse what he said. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I ask that the Minister and her Executive colleagues review the decision not to award financial support to operators due to COVID-19. The taxi industry has seen a drop in driver numbers, partly because the pandemic has made it not possible for drivers to earn a living. While the very limited support given to the taxi industry was welcome, it was nowhere near sufficient to prevent the exodus of drivers. With live music, hopefully, resuming shortly, the need for taxis will increase, and drivers will be needed for contract work. A package of measures for the taxi industry from the Executive in city, urban and rural areas is a must for the Northern Ireland economy and is the best chance for a speedy recovery.”
“Taxis are not just to take people shopping or home after a night out; they are a foundation for the economic success of many sectors of the economy. They are an essential support to a good quality of life for mobility-impaired people, and they help to meet the needs of a rural population. To ensure that we meet all those demands, there must be a proactive drive to recruit taxi drivers as a matter of urgency, with some of the possible measures that I have outlined. Please remember that taxis are essential for travel in many areas, including health and education, as well as economic well-being.”
“That can be fully addressed only by a cocktail of measures, from a temporary postponement of theory and driving tests — not the other checks that are required — and a review of the fares. The review of fares is to ensure that the industry provides a financially secure job for people who have families to support. It is important for any industry that participants can make a living from it. Therefore the review of a fare structure that is about 10 years old is essential for the industry to attract new entrants. <BR /> <BR />There is also concern that the loss of drivers is putting contract work, such as that for Education and Health, in jeopardy. There have to be enough drivers to cover that essential work, as it often involves dealing with vulnerable people who are dependent on taxis for everyday life.”
“As a new member of the Committee, I am privileged to speak in the debate. The debate is aimed at ensuring that Northern Ireland has a viable taxi sector capable of meeting the needs of the public as well as contract work for the Health and Education Departments. Currently, there is a risk to the viability of the sector. In recent years, there has been a dramatic drop in the number of taxi drivers throughout Northern Ireland. Some reports suggest that a drop of almost 50% has occurred. That has resulted in taxi services becoming more difficult to sustain, whether for the general public or contract work. <BR /> <BR />Ways have to be found to make the taxi industry capable of meeting every demand placed on it.”
“Will the Minister provide an update on the ongoing work of the Council?”
“Our NHS has always been there for all our citizens, no matter creed or class, in particular over the last year and a half to help to fight this vicious pandemic, which we have never endured in our lifetimes. This is due recognition to the life-saving work that those dedicated NHS staff, be they doctors, nurses, cleaners or ambulance crews, who have all gone the extra mile. In some cases, they even lost their own lives trying to save others. <BR /> <BR />Well done, with the recognition of the George Cross, to all our brave NHS staff.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will the Minister agree to visit Drumrane Primary School in my constituency with Councillor Scott and me to see at first hand how the lack of some facilities — that is, an additional classroom that is needed due to rising pupil numbers — impacts on the issues that the report addresses?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer and congratulate her on her elevation to her new post. She indicated that an additional £5 million has been made available for another COVID well-being fund for 2021-22. The last round of that funding was widely welcomed, and schools have been quite creative in how they have used the money. Will the Minister outline how the new fund will be allocated and what conditions there are on how the money is to be spent?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Coming out of the pandemic is creating both distress and opportunity for businesses, and I am eager to see support being given to businesses that need it to survive. Will the Minister come to Limavady to visit an innovative scheme at the North West Regional College to help to establish small businesses?”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. The DAERA headquarters in Ballykelly, which I intensely lobbied for, is an impressive building. Using it to the greatest capacity is essential, but it also plays a significant economic role in job potential for Ballykelly and the wider north-west. Minister, will you undertake to optimise the use of the Ballykelly headquarters where possible?”
“Could one of those clinics that was proposed a few years ago be located at the outpatient health centre at Scroggy Road? I have always been of the opinion that such a facility in Limavady would drastically reduce the pressure on the outpatient and A&E facilities at the two local hospitals.”
“I heard the Minister's answer to the previous question, but will he give an undertaking that, equally, GP practices should fully reopen so that patients and constituents can access GP surgeries and services?”
“I hope that a collaborative approach would see a positive result for residents.”
“I want to mention the former MOD housing sites on the former Shackleton Barracks in my East Londonderry constituency, where there has been a long-running issue of roads and other services not meeting adoption standards. I ask you to consider that families purchased those properties on the understanding, rightly or wrongly, that the Department would take over the adoption process a few years ago. That never materialised, much to the disappointment and frustration of those residents. Minister, I fully appreciate that full funding is not available from your Department, but could some investigation not be done into the possibility of a collaborative approach between the Executive, residents and the MOD to try to break the deadlock so that top-quality infrastructure can be delivered to all residents of Northern Ireland?”
“There should be no major impact on public finances due to inadequate bonds. <BR /> <BR />Any changes, as proposed in the 2012 report, must include a timetable for the time-constrained package of guidance and enforcement. That would ensure that residents who are affected by road and service adoption have a timeline that will be adhered to. It is also essential that that package of measures is enforceable by the Minister's Department. Otherwise, they are pointless and cause additional frustrations. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I also ask you to look at how progress could be made for, and, possibly, financial assistance given to, people who have purchased former MOD homes.”
“There is also an issue with the levels of bonds that are required. I am aware of one developer who went out of business and the bond was not sufficient to cover the cost of the road finishing that was required. As the motion states, there must be a system that ensures:”
“It is essential that a hard and fast time limit is established to ensure that problems are rectified as a matter of urgency.”