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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“The debate is about an essential way in which parents can continue to get access to the workplace, including promotion opportunities. It is, therefore, an essential part of workforce and personal development. For many parents, especially mothers, childcare is the only way in which they can continue to work or to seek employment. Those parents have gained their education and must be aided to use it to the maximum. I have stated in previous debates that I want everyone to reach their maximum educational attainment. However, there should be ways to ensure that their ability to use their education are maximised. <BR /> <BR />One way to ensure that is for affordable childcare to be made available to help them to obtain employment. Good childcare is beneficial not only to parents but to the child.”
“I thank the Minister. Will he outline what steps he is taking to keep schools and parents informed of developments?”
“I thank the Health Minister for his very important statement. Can he give an assurance that all hospital staff and other health staff who are treating and in contact with patients with the virus are all supplied with the appropriate clothing? He may have answered that before, but I will ask it again. I commend all the health staff for the terrific work that they do for us all.”
“Given the challenges in agreeing a joined-up position on 14-19 education and training, what can we expect to be addressed in a strategy?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she outline any planned projects that her Department has to improve access to accredited training for young people in my East Londonderry constituency?”
“Does the Minister agree that staff and inmates require a new prison after asbestos was found in prison buildings?”
“Will the Minister give an assurance that staff and visitors are following the correct hand-washing or hand-cleansing protocols to minimise the spread of infection in hospitals and other health facilities in Northern Ireland?”
“What is the First Minister's view of the United Kingdom mandate for negotiation that was published last week?”
“I appreciate that that is a near-impossible task, but I urge you, where possible, to make the level of budget available to all Ministers to address the issues that I mentioned, in an attempt to begin addressing the very real needs in Northern Ireland and, in particular, in my constituency.”
“<BR /> <BR />Magilligan prison in my constituency has long been promised a rebuild, and the former Justice Minister Claire Sugden knows how long I have lobbied for that project to become a reality. Again, it is long overdue. <BR /> <BR />I also want to highlight the many difficulties that surround the provision of housing, to which Mr Storey alluded recently. In my constituency, we have hundreds of people on waiting lists who require homes, but no homes are being built to address the chronic waiting lists in my constituency. We also have problems with repairs and adaptations to Northern Ireland Housing Executive properties. I will be meeting your colleague in a few weeks to discuss those urgent issues. <BR /> <BR />Minister, all we need is for you to acquire the necessary finances to cure many of our ills.”
“Somewhere in the region of 12,000 to 14,000 street lights are out throughout Northern Ireland. In my home town of Limavady, we will soon need torches and candles to get around. Infrastructure certainly needs finance to address those health and safety issues. <BR /> <BR />On education, numerous schools need long-overdue repairs carried out to ageing buildings, so the Education Minister needs resources to progress those projects. One project in my constituency is a school that has never had a gym, and it has been raising that issue for a decade. Our education system is our children's future, and we must try to give our young people the best opportunities for the rest of their life.”
“My contribution is mainly based on the budget problems in my constituency. Minister, while every constituency has many budgetary needs, I believe that my constituency of East Londonderry sometimes tends to be overlooked. East Londonderry has a large tourist element to its economy, so easy and safe travel is essential throughout all parts of the constituency. Minister Mallon has made it clear that she needs more finances to tackle the infrastructure problems. Those include the Ballykelly bypass in my constituency, which is long overdue, and the Gortcorbies climbing lane between Limavady and Coleraine, which you are well aware of, Minister, and for which I have lobbied for many years. <BR /> <BR />In all the years that I have been an elected representative, I have never known our street lighting to be in such a dire state.”
“Will the Minister meet me to discuss outstanding Housing Executive issues in my constituency?”
“Will the deputy First Minister give a time frame for victims to benefit from this new service?”
“In the years after Harry became a legend of the Manchester United team, he was a hero, most of all, in his Northern Ireland home. He never saw himself as anything but Harry Gregg. That is what made him such a special individual. <BR /> <BR />While it is his family who will miss him the most, I hope that it will be of comfort to them to know how greatly appreciated Harry was as an individual throughout Northern Ireland and far beyond. Today, Northern Ireland has lost a gentleman, a sporting hero and an inspiration, but, through the Harry Gregg Foundation, his name will live long in his native land. Again, I extend my deepest sympathy to all his family.”
“First and foremost, I express my sincere sympathy to the family of local football legend Harry Gregg OBE. It was with huge sadness that I learned of the passing of a man who could be described only as a legend and a hero. I consider it a huge privilege to have personally known Harry and his passion for his hometown team, Coleraine Football Club, which, ironically, won the league cup the night before his untimely death. <BR /> <BR />Although Harry was much too modest a man to call himself a hero, this is simply the truth. During the awful events at Munich, which robbed the world of football of some of its rising stars, Harry Gregg put his own safety aside to try to rescue friends and colleagues. For me, that labelled Harry as a hero, even if he did not want that title.”
“I am sure that the Minister agrees that, at such a traumatic and difficult time for parents and families, parental bereavement leave would provide much-needed time for parents to grieve for their loved one and sort out domestic problems for the bereaved family.”
“Does the Minister agree that members of the young farmers' scheme who have been working on the farm and are taking it over or inheriting it are disadvantaged by the six-year rule under CTY 10, which prevents them applying for planning permission for a dwelling, and that could seriously affect their ability to operate their business?”
“One parent has told me that an entire class will benefit from such an approach, as the training aids the staff in dealing proactively with autistic pupils and minimises the time required to deal with a specific pupil. All pupils will therefore benefit from teachers receiving training. Minister, I appreciate that budgets are very tight in your Department; however, some investment in this aspect of teacher training will provide tangible and very worthwhile benefits for those children with autism. I support the motion.”
“It is therefore eminently sensible that teachers are given the tools required to achieve the best education possible for the specific pupil. Regardless of what disabilities or problems pupils have, they all deserve to attain their maximum possible potential in an educational setting. Ensuring that teachers and classroom assistants are given the correct training is a step in achieving that. <BR /> <BR />We are all aware of the challenges that local education faces in general, but I ask the Minister to explore the introduction of mandatory autism training to ensure the best possible educational outcomes for all pupils, even those on reduced timetables.”
“First and foremost, I thank my colleagues for tabling this very important motion and, indeed, the amendments. I am sure that all MLAs in the Chamber recognise the challenges that come with autism. Therefore, it is essential that all staff working with autistic children realise that they are appreciated and valued by the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Looking through the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, I have been struck by the interdepartmental working that is required to ensure that people with autism have the best possible services. One Department specifically named in the Act is Education. This is entirely correct. Teachers have a challenging role, but when a child with autism is in the class, an additional level of expertise is required to ensure a good level of education for that pupil.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What does his Department plan to do to improve broadband speeds across Northern Ireland, particularly in rural areas such as those in my East Londonderry constituency?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer, and I congratulate him on championing the scheme. How did the process take on board the views of the locals?”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. Having experienced a lengthy delay on the railway and having observed at first hand the disruption to passengers and staff, I urge the Minister to have an urgent conversation with Translink about replacing the current strategy, because it is not fit for purpose.”
“My constituency has high deprivation. I am well aware of how devastating the changes to housing benefit would have been had Minister Givan not taken the action that he has taken to protect Northern Ireland and the most vulnerable. Many people will be relieved that the Minister has taken this brave step. I hope that all Members will support the Housing Benefit (Welfare Supplementary Payment) Regulations 2017, even those who have jeopardised their very existence.”
“I welcome the regulations, as they ensure that the most vulnerable in society will have the protection that was promised to them. The welfare reform mitigation group did an excellent job of highlighting where greater help was required. That was especially so for housing benefit or, as it is popularly known, bedroom tax. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we all note that the party that has created the political instability today could have cost the people who require the greatest help this essential benefit, the total cost of which will be around £91 million. I also note that it is a DUP Minister who has ensured that the legislation is brought today so that no one is adversely impacted on by the bedroom tax.”
“I thank the First Minister for her statement. Will she give her assessment of the contribution Northern Ireland has been able to make on early years?”
“Will the Minister give a commitment to prioritise this vital project in a rural area and area of high deprivation if she secures the necessary funding?”
“Can the junior Minister expand on what is meant by "natural capital"? Is the concept something the Department is embracing?”
“What does the Minister intend to do to support the future development of renewables in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he, as much as possible, ensure that local contractors will be employed to build this very important roads project that will also benefit the local construction industry?”
“In every constituency, there are sporting events and activity-based tourism: climbing the Mournes, surfing on our coasts, caving in Fermanagh, sea and river fishing or boating on our lakes, waterways and coasts. We have a huge sports activity tourist product to sell to the world. This is a base for our tourism economic growth. <BR /> <BR />I am confident that, with this Executive and Minister at the helm, Northern Ireland can be assured of the commitment to developing our tourism sector in all aspects and to utilising our sporting and activity-based tourism to the utmost. I support the motion and ask the House to follow suit.”
“As I have already demonstrated, much has been delivered and many events supported by the Executive. I congratulate them on their successes. I also point to the future and the 2019 Open golf tournament, which is coming to Royal Portrush. That is more delivery for our tourist industry. Again, my congratulations to the Executive. No one can say that the Executive are not successful in supporting our sporting events. The result is employment and economic development, the cornerstones of future development. <BR /> <BR />With a more peaceful Northern Ireland, the potential for developing the tourist sector is immense and, as stated previously, much has already been achieved. I want to see all sectors developed because this is one of the cornerstones of Northern Ireland's economic development.”
“My East Londonderry constituency hosts the North West 200, the Northern Ireland Milk Cup and the air show. It has top-quality golf courses, has been used as part of the Giro d'Italia route and is blessed with excellent salmon and trout fishing rivers as well as a stunning coastline that attracts sea angling. This is why I am particularly interested in speaking on this motion. <BR /> <BR />As my colleague Gordon Dunne said, we must also remember the recent magnificent achievements of our Northern Ireland football team in reaching the last 16 at the finals of the Euros. To add to that, we have had some great past sporting legends, such as George Best, Joey Dunlop, Alex Higgins and others, along with present sporting ambassadors like Rory McIlroy etc, who have put Northern Ireland on the sporting map.”
“Does the Minister have a figure for drug offences committed inside HMP Magilligan?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree that rural bus routes help to maximise social inclusion where individuals do not have access to their own vehicles?”
“For many — unless you are Stephen Nolan — £90 can mean real financial hardship, even when the individual accepts that they were in the wrong. I ask the Minister to carefully examine the motion, taking into consideration the impact that parking fines and the cost of car parking has on rural towns, and to proactively address the problem as a matter of importance in developing our town centre economies. I support the motion.”
“As our economy begins to grow, we should encourage the population to come into our towns and spend money in the shops, socialise and have a meal or a coffee, though I fully appreciate that online shopping is a reality and here to stay. However, limited free parking and lower fines could help to boost the retail sector by encouraging footfall on our streets as the economy grows. It would mean more employment in retail and less dependency on benefits — a win-win situation. <BR /> <BR />My office deals with many people who are irate at the price of a parking ticket. This does not mean that they or I condone illegal parking, but I believe that the penalty should be lower. I have been told very definitively what people think of the fine level. Punishment can still be applied but at a level that would be seen as more appropriate.”
“Representing a constituency with a large rural economy, I fully understand the motion and happily support it. In many of our rural towns, street parking is essential for businesses to remain viable. In our medium-sized and larger towns and cities, which have substantial car parking availability, the need for a pragmatic approach is plausible. That is why I see a period of free parking as an encouragement to shoppers to use the car parking provided rather than blocking side streets. <BR /> <BR />The motion states that the first 30 minutes should be free, but I am aware that smaller towns would like that period to be extended.”
“After the extensive lobbying by my DUP colleagues and me, I warmly welcome and thank the Minister for her statement on reversing the decision on courthouse closure. Does the Minister agree that access to the justice system is essential in modern society, especially in rural areas like Limavady in her constituency?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Will the very welcome £2·5 million resource DEL allocation to Eglinton Airport be used for new national or international routes?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Can she outline the timescale for the additional GP retraining to impact on the front-line of out of hours care in areas such as the western out of hours? In towns such as Limavady, there have been occasions when there is no GP service between 8.30 one evening and 8.30 the next morning.”
“Those graduates are the future of our health service, and we must find ways of working with all relevant bodies to ensure that that future skill base is retained. We must also ensure that training and retraining are available for existing nursing staff, including time for each nurse to undertake that training, as that will enhance their skills set and possible future promotions. That will benefit staff, trusts and, most of all, patients. <BR /> <BR />As one who understands the demands placed upon our nursing staff and the struggles that they have due to staff shortages, I fully support this very worthwhile motion and ask all Members to support it too.”
“I often hear about the lack of nursing staff from patients and professionals, and one thing that I frequently hear is that the dependency on agency workers needs to be reduced. Agency staff are essential and help to keep wards and A&E units working. However, full-time staff are a less costly solution. I ask the Minister to look at how we can attract more young people into nursing and ensure they stay in the Northern Ireland health system when they qualify. We encourage those young people to stay and build Northern Ireland and use their specialist skills for the benefit of Northern Ireland people. <BR /> <BR />As the motion states, we must find ways to ensure that long-term planning is aimed at retaining the valuable group of young people who graduate with nursing skills.”
“<BR /> <BR />Nurses are the front line of our health service, dealing with the most direct and basic needs that a patient has; they are vital to the success of the entire health system. If there are fewer nurses, the medical profession is less effective. Our nurses are truly unsung heroes, and I thank all of them for the magnificent and, at times, thankless job that they do. We must also take into consideration the abuse, both verbal and physical, that nurses and other health staff have to endure in their line of work from day to day. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the University of Ulster and the Western Trust work well together, and the extension of that close working relationship should be examined. Many graduates find work in the trust and in Northern Ireland.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate, as I have a family member who is in the nursing profession and am therefore well aware of the problems for staff and patients due to the lack of nurses in our hospitals, health centres, care homes etc. There is a shortage of nurses generally, but there is a specific shortage of specialist nurses in many disciplines, which means that those with lifelong or life-limiting conditions are impacted the most. That needs to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />I praise my colleagues and former Health Ministers and health trusts who have intervened to boost nurse numbers, and I call on our current Health Minister to follow in their footsteps.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she tell us whether any other buildings at HMP Magilligan were found to contain asbestos?”
“Would the Member include the Foyle Hospice in his congratulations?”
“Can the Minister give an update on the A26 project, and does he envisage any delays?”
“In my town, I have seen quite a few void properties being repaired and returned to use and there was great appreciation from the families who were awarded them. When I look at this, I understand the value of that approach. There is also merit in looking at developing empty space above commercial premises. I appreciate that people moved out of our town and city centres due to the Troubles but, now that the bombings and firebombings have ceased, the time is right to utilise empty domestic properties in the centres of towns and cities. <BR /> <BR />There is a need for social and affordable housing, but, to solve the current situation, we must look at all possible solutions. We must ensure that what finance is available is used in the best way to reduce the level of families needing a home. <BR /> <BR />I cannot support the motion.”