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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“You had your say. <BR /> <BR />— what the motion seeks. It is an important way of dealing with the 37,000 households awaiting homes. <BR /> <BR />I wonder whether those who moved the motion have had discussions with the Finance Minister regarding the funding of the new-build homes. It is an unpleasant reality that all plans need to be funded and that the financial cake that we have in Northern Ireland is already divided thinly. In the previous mandate, 2011-15, £400 million of public-sector money and £315 million of private-sector funding was spent, resulting in over 8,500 social and affordable homes being constructed during the period. That is a respectable record. <BR /> <BR />We also have to look at bringing empty properties back into use.”
“The debate refers to one of the most pressing problems that many people experience today; that of finding social housing that is suitable for their needs and at a price that they can afford. The motion states that a further 2,900 affordable housing units are desirable. I would ask the Member who signed it to read the DUP's 2016 manifesto, which states that my party wants to see 8,000 affordable homes delivered in the Programme for Government period to 2020. That is 5,100 more than the motion states. I am sure that those who proposed the motion will be relieved to learn that. When it comes to new-build properties, there is no doubt that that is an important way of achieving —”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Did he use the opportunity of his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates to seek to develop an air route from Northern Ireland to the Middle East? I thank him for mentioning Eglinton as well.”
“Will the Minister state whether he will consider as a priority the dualling of the A37 Coleraine to Londonderry road at Gortcorbies, including the Greystone Road and Broad Road A37 junction roundabout scheme, to aid in attracting inward investment to the north-west of the Province and to help road safety?”
“I apologise to you and the House, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, for not being able to complete my contribution on epilepsy due to a throat problem.”
“Minister, in 2014, 35 people died in Northern Ireland as a result of epilepsy. That is unacceptable. With any other condition, there would be a public outcry. This debate is partly about preventing those deaths. It is up to you to spearhead the solution. I ask you to do that. <BR /> <BR />A major step is making a database the central core of service planning for the future. The all-party group report points out that exact figures were not provided by any trust on many issues. I ask the Minister to plan a database as a matter of urgency to address the situation. That single action will lead to service development that benefits patients and saves money.”
“Most debates are littered with impressive facts and figures about service provision, patient numbers and even mortality rates. However, those facts cannot be used today because they do not exist: no definitive information is gathered on a Northern Ireland-wide basis about the number of people who live with epilepsy, misdiagnosis, or the incidence of sudden, unexpected death from epilepsy. We need a database; we need facts in order to accurately deliver services to people with epilepsy. <BR /> <BR />In June, the new Minister told me in answer to a written question that there are no plans to develop a database specifically for epilepsy. There are databases for renal cancer and for MS patients, and I welcome those because they accurately inform the Department how to plan future services.”
“I declare an interest as chair of the all-party group. I welcome the opportunity to bring the debate to the House and to highlight issues that need to be addressed in order to ensure a positive future for people living with epilepsy and value-for-money, targeted health services. I must begin by paying tribute to all those in the medical profession who are grossly overworked but still care without complaint for people who have epilepsy. Neurologists, specialist nurses and the Epilepsy Action advisory council for Northern Ireland all work diligently to improve lives, health services, and public awareness of the condition. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls for the creation of a database especially for people with epilepsy, as that would be the cornerstone of future service development.”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. Does she agree that the bureaux will play an increasingly important role in attracting investment and jobs to all areas of Northern Ireland, including the north-west of the Province?”
“<BR /> <BR />To ensure that the legal framework is fit for purpose, a review into the current legislation would be helpful, possibly to identify areas where the law needs to be changed. I would support such a review because the law needs to be fit for purpose. The law also has to be enforceable. It is worth noting that, if the law is to be enforced, there must be enough police officers or other agency officials to be able to enforce the law equitably. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion as it could be beneficial in reducing accidents involving these machines.”
“<BR /> <BR />In July this year, the danger of the misuse of scramblers or quads was brought into sharp focus by the tragic death of Valerie Armstrong. This family are living with the reality of scrambler and quad bike misuse, and I realise that this is a very sensitive legal issue at present. At this stage of my contribution, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the bereaved families of Valerie Armstrong and, indeed, of Daniel Sheridan, who died recently on a quad bike in the Magilligan area of my constituency. Sadly, these are not the only families in Northern Ireland who have had to deal with accidents on these bikes, and it would be ideal if the number of incidents could be further reduced. For this, there is a need for robust enforcement, as the motion states.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in this important debate. In my constituency in recent years, there have been incidents of death and noise pollution from scramblers and quad bikes. It is a problem that householders and others find disruptive and intrusive, and I realise that a balance has to be struck between illegal scrambler activity and legitimate users. Incidents have occurred on private land and public roads, so there is a difficulty in tracing offenders. The police play a vital role in combating the problem, so, where the problem exists, the police need to be more proactive, as they were in Limavady recently. It is forbidden by law to ride scrambler or quad bikes in public spaces such as playing fields or public parks, so it is essential that any problem with them is tackled immediately by the police.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree that the recent financial package announced for Londonderry airport is vital investment in the north-west's economic future?”
“We must remember that a properly maintained road network helps to reduce potential fatalities or serious injuries on our roads. The backlog is reportedly £1 billion, and maybe the Finance Minister could request additional targeted funding from the Chancellor to help address that. Extra money would be welcome for road maintenance. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, there is much to be done. It is a difficult balancing act to deliver maintenance and new road projects, and the key is finance. However, until more money is available, we must, unfortunately, live within budget.”
“That creates a huge problem with reaching the aims stated in the motion and the amendment. I ask both parties what Departments' budgets they wish to see cut to achieve their aims. Is it Health, Education or Agriculture? Both parties appreciate fully that the Executive have to live within the block grant settlement. All of us wish to see more money for Northern Ireland, but I think it would be difficult to convince the Chancellor, Mr Hammond, to part with additional funding. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the rural roads initiative and the £10 million that is allocated to it. Rural roads are essential links for farmers, rural dwellers and others for going to work or delivering their produce to market or buyers. They have a pivotal role to play in Northern Ireland's economy, and it is only right that specific attention is paid to maintaining them.”
“There is no question that Northern Ireland's roads could do with additional funding. Many roads require updating or repairs, and there are some that need to be upgraded or made into a dual carriageway. The major difficulty faced in achieving all that is required is finance. I welcome the motion's call for the ring-fencing and allocation of our budget for road maintenance, but I must point out that that is already the case. The amendment calls for the development and publishing of a costed plan, and we already do that, so I have no problem accepting those two items. <BR /> <BR />In achieving road maintenance and new-build roads, there is the common problem of finance. I hope the SDLP and Alliance Party appreciate that there is not a bottomless pot of money for any Department.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Can he provide information on the 19 community groups funded under the heritage in the community grants programme? How many of the groups are based in Northern Ireland? What have the groups been funded to do?”
“I thank the Minister for his response, which sounded fairly positive. As this is a vital tourist and economic road link between Londonderry, Limavady and the north coast and there is road accident potential, will he try to prioritise this stretch of road for the provision of a climbing lane when roads funds become available? I know that money is short, but it is essential that this part of the road is upgraded.”
“Thirdly, are there any proposals in development to lay out minimum staffing levels at breeding kennels? Fourthly, what action is being planned to increase sanctions for licensed dog breeders who break the law and cause suffering? Those are important points that I would appreciate the Minister addressing. At this stage in my contribution, I wish her well in her new post. I would also appreciate it if she could outline what steps have been taken to establish an accessible central register, as mentioned in the motion. <BR /> <BR />I believe that all of us want to ensure animal welfare of the highest standard to protect pet animals, in particular, and to avoid unnecessary suffering of or cruelty to all animals. I support the motion.”
“In a previous debate, I mentioned how the Internet could be a positive tool to help local businesses develop. This animal welfare debate flips the coin, and we see that there is, on occasions, a darker side to the Internet. Sadly, that includes selling, giving away or transferring animals. My concern is to ensure that vulnerable animals, including family pets, are treated in the correct manner, given our duty of care. I commend the various animal cruelty organisations for the sterling work that they do. <BR /> <BR />The report highlights issues of concern that I would like to raise. First, how is the socialisation of a puppy sold online monitored and quantified before sale? Secondly, are there any plans to have online animal sale points specifically registered so that additional welfare checks can be carried out?”
“<BR /> <BR />The website of the former Coleraine Borough Council says that this effectively makes Coleraine and Limavady an attractive digital suburb of the major cities in the USA, Canada, the UK and continental Europe. I hope that, with interdepartmental approaches, where required, all areas in Northern Ireland will soon be able to benefit from high-speed broadband and state-of-the-art mobile connectivity, and become a base for business. Not only would that help the Northern Ireland economy, but it would help to make rural businesses sustainable and create employment. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Minister is aware, I am committed to bringing employment to my constituency, but I am firmly convinced that the communications infrastructure needs enhancement to achieve this. I ask that he does what he can to ensure such improvement is supported. <BR /> <BR />Today's business relies increasingly on technology for transactions and product information, so limited high-speed broadband coverage places rural areas at a disadvantage. What is particularly annoying for people in East Londonderry is that Project Kelvin runs close to some of the areas that experience difficulties. Will the Minister consider looking at the possible use of the fibre-optic system of Project Kelvin to help to boost the connectivity in rural areas to high-speed Internet?”
“I will highlight the difficulties that are being experienced by rural businesses when it comes to our telecommunications network. Last year, Minister, I had your DETI predecessor, Mr Bell, in the East Londonderry constituency to hear at first hand some of the problems that businesses experience. The Minister will confirm that yesterday I gave him the names of areas in Limavady where broadband provision is very poor. I deal weekly with constituents who are unhappy with their broadband and mobile phone coverage. In Limavady, it is often impossible to get good reception on some networks. Over the months, I have heard from the networks that relays are down or masts are giving problems, but there is no commitment to repairing the problem.”
“I wholeheartedly support that view. Democracy has to begin at a local level. Therefore, regional offices that understand the regions they cover are essential. I wholeheartedly support the motion as proposed by my colleagues.”
“The motion calls on the Northern Ireland Office and the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland:”
“Hopefully, that is an important means of engaging our young people in the democratic process.”
“I appreciate the service, advice and support that the Londonderry office gives to me and my staff, and I am sure that many other MLAs and elected representatives will provide testimony to the value of the regional offices. My East Londonderry colleagues and I have often organised registration events with the regional office, and that close working relationship could be lost by having a centralised office in Belfast. I commend the staff who work in the Londonderry office; they all provide a very good service. <BR /> <BR />I want to see more people on the register and voting: that, I believe, will be undermined by centralising the service — something that the Bain report was opposed to. Will the Minister guarantee that the registration work being done with schools will continue?”
“The motion is similar to the removal of the DVA office in Coleraine and the proposed closure of the courthouse in Limavady. More jobs being removed from the regions of Northern Ireland is unacceptable and will see a reduction in the already stretched services that constituencies receive. We must remember that the decisions have been taken without any proper or full consultation, which is absolutely undemocratic. <BR /> <BR />I can testify to the importance and value of the regional offices, especially during election time. A local office has local knowledge and relationships with parties that can prove invaluable. To remove that service would be a false economy and would limit the value of the Electoral Office in Northern Ireland.”
“Coming from the constituency of East Londonderry, I obviously welcome the development at Ballykelly. Can the Minister remind the House of the benefits of the scheme?”
“In line with the Bain report, these jobs will be created in an area of the Province's north-west that has lost hundreds of jobs, including those from Daintifyt, Desmond's, Seagate and the army camp itself. The relocation is coupled with the sale of the remainder of the site, where, hopefully, hundreds of essential and much-needed jobs will be created. <BR /> <BR />Without sounding too critical of a unionist, fellow MLA and his party, if an Ulster Unionist MLA had been recently elected in East Londonderry, I wonder whether the UUP would be making the same comments regarding the relocation of the Agriculture Department's headquarters. Or have they now forgotten about the north-west economy? I certainly am glad that my DUP colleagues and I supported the potential creation of much-needed jobs in the north-west.”
“A service that should be available until 11.00 pm each night closes, on occasions, at 8.00 pm or 9.00 pm, leaving the Limavady area without GP cover. I would like to think that the long-awaited A6 road project, encompassing a bypass around Dungiven and the much-needed Greystone Road junction roundabout in Limavady, where quite a few road accidents have taken place, will be built. <BR /> <BR />I was amazed to hear Mr Harold McKee, the Ulster Unionist, criticise the Executive's decision to relocate the DARD headquarters to Ballykelly in my East Londonderry constituency. I remind Mr McKee and the Ulster Unionist Party that this site was gifted by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to the Stormont Executive and that the move will create hundreds of much-needed jobs.”
“As an elected DUP Member for East Londonderry, I support Second Stage. I appreciate that, from Department to Department, it is not perfect because of Budget constraints, but we must all remember that, in 2010, the Tory Government took £4 billion from the Northern Ireland block grant, which left a massive hole in our finances. Successive Finance Ministers have been left with the fairly onerous task of trying to plug the financial gap. <BR /> <BR />Hopefully, the monitoring round will go some way towards helping Departments, including the Education Department and the Department for Infrastructure, which deals with roads, with the upkeep of vital services. From a health point of view, the Health Minister needs to look urgently at out-of-hours provision in my constituency.”
“A lot of the focus has been on safety at the North West 200. Will the Minister assure the House that the Department will do all that it can to promote safer road racing throughout Northern Ireland?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. My colleague has made a very relevant point that I support fully. I am therefore happy to support the motion.”
“Their problem is that every town, village and city has a drug problem, so it is difficult for them to track down the suppliers. Somehow they manage to achieve many successes, and those successes save lives. I would encourage the general public to report any suspicious activity to the police, so that, hopefully, some of the drug dealers can be apprehended and taken off our streets. <BR /> <BR />I assure the Minister that she will have my full support on the actions taken against the peddlers of death who are drug dealers. I can also assure her that I support an interdepartmental agency approach in raising awareness of drugs and ensuring that tough punishments are handed down.”
“The sad thing is that this is only one of many drug finds, including a large cannabis find in a house in the centre of Limavady a few weeks ago. There are too many families who have lost loved ones to the scourge of drugs, so it is essential that robust action is undertaken, with the Court Service making an example of those who are apprehended for drug dealing. Another drug death is one too many. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the many organisations that work to address the drug problems in Northern Ireland. They all deserve credit, but I am aware of the excellent work done by community and voluntary groups, and I commend them specifically for the work that they do. The police are very proactive, and we can all read or hear of the drug seizures that they make.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, first and foremost, I congratulate the new Justice Minister on her appointment and you as the new Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, I speak in the debate shortly after a child's chocolate egg was found in Limavady with a packet of drugs hidden inside it. This is the reason each and every one of us should be concerned about the scourge of illegal drugs in our society. When depraved individuals consider it acceptable to hide drugs in children's sweets, it is obvious they have no regard or value for human life. On this occasion, it was a five-year-old who discovered the egg's contents. Thankfully, an older sibling took it to their father, who informed the police in Limavady. The possibility for a fatality here was immense.”
“Will the Member clarify if there is a first-aid station in the Building?”
“I thank the Minister for her reply. I commend her on her term of office as well. <BR /> <BR />That junction is very busy, and many road users find it very hazardous. I realise that the Minister is very busy, but I and some of my colleagues would greatly appreciate a site meeting with her at the junction.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. Will the Minister give a reason why he and NIE have refused to help two pensioners with critical repairs to their thatched cottage home, which is a vital part of our built heritage in the Magilligan area, after he visited them and promised to do everything he could for them? For some reason, he refused to meet my colleagues and me about the dire situation these pensioners are living in.”
“Will the Minister outline what actions his Department is taking to address vehicles with defective headlights that may lead to increased accident levels on rural roads like the Ballyquin Road from Dungiven to Limavady?”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he ensure that existing schools in the East Londonderry constituency will be given the funding for new builds, where required, such as Millburn Primary School and Killowen Primary School?”
“I commend the report to the House and pay tribute to the Committee staff for the excellent work they do on behalf of the Committee.”
“<BR /> <BR />I believe the recommendations that require a threshold of 100 signatures for an online petition and petitioners to be over 18 and on the electoral register will not adversely impact the numbers wishing to participate electronically. I hope that proposed development will ensure that younger members of society will feel that they have a channel of direct contact with their government. It is they who are our future, and their outlook has to be considered in future legislation. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the recommendation that the implementation date for the online system will be no earlier than September this year. I see that as a target date, but I believe that, if it takes longer to have the online system operational, we must accept that. I want an effective system, not a half-hearted one.”
“I believe that public petitions play an essential role in connecting the House with the public. They are a mechanism that allows people's concerns to be brought directly and in substantial numbers to MLAs and Ministers. <BR /> <BR />The review was comprehensive, and the recommendation to introduce online petitions is a positive step forward in developing the direct link with the public. While not everyone is comfortable with the latest technology, the traditional MLA-sponsored petition will still be an option. The two models running side by side will give people the opportunity to use whatever model is best suited to them and to the cause the petition is aimed at highlighting.”
“I thank the Minister for her reply. Does she agree that involvement in marching bands is a positive way for young people to learn a skill and to enhance their knowledge of their culture and heritage?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I want to ask him about the A6, which will reduce commuting times between East Londonderry and Belfast and, indeed, eventually provide a much-needed bypass for Dungiven. When does he expect that project to go ahead?”
“The Minister may have touched on my question in his response to the first topical question.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Have all the various staff members been appointed to the very welcome radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin?”
“I congratulate the Minister on his elevation to his new post. How is housing need calculated?”