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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“Does the Minister agree that the completion of the much-needed road project will enhance the tourist and economic potential of this large area of Northern Ireland, including smaller towns such as Magherafelt, Dungiven and Limavady?”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. Does she believe that the Budget will put Northern Ireland on a stable financial footing?”
“I welcome the First Minister to her first Question Time and thank her for her answer. Will the First Minister support calls to ensure that there is no budget reduction to the Victims and Survivors Service, which is essential?”
“Will the Minister outline what overall impact the autumn statement will have on our health service?”
“Considering the potential job creation at Ballykelly, will the Minister outline what discussions he has had with Executive colleagues regarding the provision of good vehicular access and public transport provision, including a small rail halt, to the Shackleton site?”
“This may be a bit hypothetical, but, if the Minister's bid was successful, would that money go back into universities whose funding has already been cut?”
“Would teams such as Limavady United and Coleraine Football Club be eligible to apply for some of the funding to upgrade their grounds?”
“Thanks for the answer. Can you outline the number of people trained to use defibrillators and how often their skills are updated?”
“The Limavady area has three areas of high social deprivation and a large rural hinterland. Surely that should warrant a reconsideration of Limavady library's opening hours.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Will the Minister give the House an update on the relocation process and the rebuild situation of DARD headquarters?”
“Why were no organisations based in rural areas included on the ministerial advisory forum?”
“Of course, if that line were reopened, I would urge the establishment of a halt adjacent to Belfast International Airport, depending on funding being made available or in a joint venture with the international airport. It is a question of finance being made available. What impact would that have on the existing Dublin services, especially considering the rebranding of the Enterprise rail service that is occurring? <BR /> <BR />I support the motion.”
“It is easy to criticise, but a word of congratulation on concluding major capital projects is well deserved. There have been problems with the signalling on the Coleraine to Londonderry line. Commuters acknowledge that, but we should all concentrate on bringing the signal upgrade to a successful conclusion. The hourly service proposed by Translink will be welcomed by commuters. The Minister will not be surprised to learn that I still support the establishment of a rail halt adjacent to Shackleton barracks to aid commuters to the new DARD headquarters at Ballykelly. However, I am aware that there would be a substantial and unwelcome budget implication for the Department. Ideally, that project should be shared by other Departments, such as DARD. <BR /> <BR />I note the reference in the motion to the Antrim to Portadown railway line.”
“<BR /> <BR />I certainly agree that the development of good transport infrastructure will be of immense benefit to the north-west in attracting inward investment. However, the reality is that this, too, is dependent on finances. I live in the real world and have to accept the limitations that come with being a realist. I am on record as saying in the House that I fully understand the need for the Dungiven bypass, for health reasons and to ease traffic congestion, even as a stand-alone scheme. My support for that has not changed. However, a climbing lane at Gortcorbies on the A37 would reduce travel times and accidents on the road between Limavady and Coleraine. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to the rail infrastructure in the north-west, I congratulate Translink on the work that it did recently and is still doing.”
“I welcome the Minister to the debate. I speak for the motion, but I do so with the warning that the projects identified are subject to the necessary funding being made available. I stress just how difficult a task the Minister and her officials have due to the financial implications that she has to grapple with. The welfare reform situation certainly has not helped the Minister's financial situation. <BR /> <BR />The projects in the motion are but a few of the infrastructure projects needed in the north-west. I add to the list the need for a dual carriageway from Coleraine to the Drones Road junction outside Ballymoney and from Coleraine to Londonderry, with an emphasis on the Gortcorbies climbing lane between Limavady and Coleraine. Those are also essential targets to aim for, but the finances have to be made available.”
“I understand that the same applies in cases where mental illness occurs. The best way to address that is to educate our population as to the need to be proactive with mental illness. Bearing a condition only leads to suspicion and stigma. The sooner a problem is identified, the sooner that work can begin to address the situation and put support in place. <BR /> <BR />I urge all Members to support the amended motion, as I see it as the best way to provide and continually develop the services required for those with mental health issues.”
“I fully agree with Mrs Hale and acknowledge that all pathways to mental health services must be available to serving and ex-serving members of our armed forces. I believe that the Minister will address that particular issue later in the debate. <BR /> <BR />I ask Members to support mental health today. The best way to do that is to vote for the amended motion. That will give staff and patients a world-class service, which will have clear, strategic goals that will benefit those in need of, and those manning, the service. I welcome an emphasis on prevention, as a preventative model is always better than a curative one. <BR /> <BR />I would like to say a few words about the stigma attached to mental health. As chair of the all-party group on epilepsy, I have learned how damaging stigma can be for individuals and families.”
“While they deal with the problems of others, it is rarely recognised that they need our support.”
“In speaking in favour of the amendment, I have to commence from the beginning and say that I hope that the proposers of the motion will agree a budget and allow forward planning by the Minister and all Departments. <BR /> <BR />As someone who had a close family member suffering from mental health problems a few years ago, I fully appreciate the trauma that the patient and family go through. For whatever reasons, there is a high level of mental health issues every year — about 400,000 in Northern Ireland — and it is a challenge to ensure services that are capable of dealing with that level of need. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has outlined the world-class mental trauma service in September. I believe that that is the way forward. I would like to pay tribute to the first-class staff who maintain our mental health services.”
“More importantly, it ensures that hygiene standards are positively addressed, which, I would hope, benefits the general public whom they are there to protect. I ask all Members to support this important Bill.”
“If an establishment receives notification that improvements are required and then positively addresses that notification, it is fair that they can request rerating between inspections. This should ensure that improved ratings can be published and will ensure equitable treatment for all businesses.”
“<BR /> <BR />There was also discussion on the criteria for appeal periods, which permits business owners to challenge an unfavourable decision. It is also welcome that a timescale is established for the FSA to be notified and publish final ratings online. More importantly, the businesses will have the same information, including the reasoning behind the ratings provided. <BR /> <BR />It is much more important that any areas for improvement are included so that proprietors can address them. As the premise of the Bill is to protect public health by way of ensuring top-quality food hygiene, I appreciate the public being able to identify the ratings that any premises achieves, and I sincerely hope that it will ensure that all businesses will gain top results and ratings. <BR /> <BR />Clause 4 deals with a request for rerating.”
“I will be fairly brief in my submission because the Chair has outlined most of the points that the Committee debated. May I congratulate all those people who assisted the Committee's deliberations for their diligent work on crafting the Bill, and I thank all those who gave evidence to inform the Committee decisions. I also commend and support the Health Minister's amendments to this very important Bill. <BR /> <BR />I will concentrate my remarks on clauses 2 and 4. Clause 2 deals with the notification and publication of a rating and the timescales surrounding the same. It is essential that there is a clear path for councils to follow and adhere to so that expectations are realistic from premises and owners of businesses.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree that small and microbusinesses will play a vital role in the economic and employment development of Northern Ireland in the short to medium-term future?”
“Does the decision to reduce the library's opening hours not go against the stated criteria of the consultation that the Minister's Department carried out?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she give an update on the victims pension?”
“Has the transfer of all the staff to the proposed new site been completed?”
“Can the Minister outline whether budget allocations will affect the Gortcorbies climbing lane project on the Broad Road between Coleraine and Limavady or Limavady and Coleraine?”
“Does the Minister agree, given the continuing rise in the prisoner population at HMP Magilligan to near-maximum levels, that it is essential that redevelopment at the prison is concluded at the earliest possible date for prisoner and staff well-being?”
“Will the Minister accept that usage of Roe Valley Country Park, a popular tourist attraction in Limavady, may decline if the level of upkeep is not maintained, including keeping paths open after trees fall, especially on the Limavady side of the park? I appreciate what the Minister said, but I have had complaints recently, particularly about paths never being cleared of fallen trees. People are trying to access the paths on which trees have fallen.”
“Could the Minister outline how she intends to ensure that the money will be equally distributed in all areas of Northern Ireland?”
“Does the Minister agree that the impact of information regarding slurry safety must be investigated to ensure that resources are being accurately targeted for best results?”
“Reading of the aftermath that these drugs have for individuals and families is a distressing requirement for the debate, but the facts are also a reality for many families in Northern Ireland. Legal highs ruin lives, end lives and destroy families. I believe, therefore, that they must be made illegal. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate the fact that my colleague the Health Minister has just taken up his post, which I congratulate him on, but I ask him to continue the work of his predecessors on psychoactive substances so that, at the earliest possible moment, we can take definitive action against the sale of these deadly drugs. I most definitely support this very worthy motion.”
“For me, the answer is a definite no to both questions. We must therefore act to stop these substances being made available, especially on the Internet, which, I was shocked to learn, still makes buying these deadly drugs relatively simple. Some websites even tell visitors which legal highs are already banned and cannot, therefore, be purchased.”
“Last week in the Chamber, thanks to my DUP colleague Gary Middleton, we debated suicide. Today we are debating legal highs. I am forced to wonder whether there could be, in some cases, a connection between the two. Do legal highs lead to suicide or fatal outcomes in a minority of cases? I believe that they do. <BR /> <BR />This debate is all about people — people who think that it is acceptable to sell highly damaging drugs for personal profit without regard to the damage that is caused to other individuals and families. One report that I read described how a happy teenager was transformed into a suicidal teenager by legal highs. Does any Member present believe that that is an acceptable situation? Is it morally correct that, in Northern Ireland, we continue to let children as young as 11 have access to such dangerous substances?”
“Will the Minister state how the number of paramedics working in the health service in Northern Ireland has changed over recent years?”
“If trends can be found as to what leads individuals to end their life, we must try to ensure that preventative help is available at all costs. <BR /> <BR />The entire topic of suicide has no easy answer, as individuals appear not to discuss their feelings with families or friends. Could organisations be available to step in? The organisation that comes to mind is Samaritans, whose work has saved many lives over many years. It should be congratulated on its specialised and traumatic work. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I repeat my thanks to the voluntary organisations and their staff, who do excellent and difficult work. I also appeal to anyone who has suicidal tendencies to come forward and speak to someone — maybe a relative, an organisation, a doctor or a social worker — who, hopefully, can help the individual.”
“It is the ongoing effects of tragedy that make me realise how important it is that we address suicide. The distress for everyone begins with someone's decision to end their life, so that has to be the starting point. For me, prevention is better than seeing lives lost and families forever changed by an event that we may be able to avoid. <BR /> <BR />In my constituency of East Londonderry, suicides have increased and, as in Londonderry, there are river bridges. Perhaps we should take note of places that are used for this purpose and in some way provide a monitoring service at those locations — CCTV, perhaps, if none is already there. <BR /> <BR />The reasons why people end their lives are sometimes told by a note, or the reason may be apparent.”
“In 2013, there were 56 road deaths, but the resources targeted at minimising the road death figures are wisely spent and value for money, as proven by the fact that, in 2000, there were 171 road deaths. That proves that adequate resources made available to prevention and education campaigns can have a positive effect on highly specific areas of difficulty. Can we find similar resources to help to address the appalling figure of people taking their own lives? That would benefit all of Northern Ireland, not just Londonderry. <BR /> <BR />I also believe that we may be able to utilise voluntary organisations to help on the ground with a local approach to suicide prevention. Indeed, we should employ every possible resource to tackle that growing problem. Remember that behind every tragedy is a human story and a human being.”
“In the debate, we must all be mindful of those relatives. <BR /> <BR />I recently saw figures that showed that two bodies were taken from the River Foyle this year. There were numerous operations by Foyle Search and Rescue and its colleagues in Bann Rescue, which saved the lives of other individuals. I express my sincere thanks to those in Foyle Search and Rescue for the difficult and dignified work that they carry out so efficiently and professionally. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency figures make grim reading. One figure shows that, in 2013, there were 303 suicides in Northern Ireland, with 115 in the western part of Northern Ireland, including my home town of Limavady.”
“As a member of the Health Committee, I congratulate Gary on securing this debate on a very emotive and important issue and on his very commendable maiden speech. I express my heartfelt sympathy to all families who have been affected and left behind by a loved one whose death was in the most tragic circumstances.”
“Will the Minister comment on the underspend reported in the PSNI budget? I congratulate her on her new appointment.”
“Will the Minister give examples of environmental projects in my East Londonderry constituency that might benefit from the funds from the carrier bag levy?”
“Thanks very much for that answer. There may be some parents with transport problems. Is there any chance of having a word with Mr Kennedy to see whether transport could be provided?”
“Yes. Has the Minister any plans to hold educational evenings in my East Londonderry constituency similar to those in Omagh and Londonderry?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he undertake to explore the reasons why some people with hidden disabilities, despite receiving support, find the transition to economic activity problematic?”
“Does the Minister agree that consultation provides a more accurate picture of what changes are required for practical benefit to people with disabilities?”
“Can the Minister confirm whether the stand will be ready for 2016 or even before that?”
“Those words bring me reassurance, as I hope they do to all the staff and residents of the area. The Causeway Hospital has a positive and important future in health provision for the north-west of Northern Ireland. I and my colleagues, including the Health Minister, will always be available to support the chief executive, staff and others in their endeavours to keep a world-class health facility at the Causeway Hospital.”
“The most important people of all in achieving this are the staff, who form a remarkable unit of professionalism. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I quote the Northern Trust:”