Caitríona Ruane
South Down · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I support outdoor pursuits and education centres. I remember, many moons ago, when I trained as an outdoor education facilitator in an outdoor pursuits centre on Achill Island, which was funded by the education system. I have some of the best memories of those times. That centre is still open and still funded by the education system.”
“The Minister has a substantial budget — and I note he is pointing at the Minister for Finance — and money should be found from within his budget to fund these centres, rather than passing the buck.”
“<BR /> <BR />During difficult budgetary times it is important to focus where money should be focused, and that is why I ask the Minister to really think carefully about cutting money and closing these centres, because they do contribute to academic as well as physical education.”
“They told me how centres such as Killowen, Ardnabannon and Delamont, as well as other centres throughout the North, not only keep young people active but help with mental health, the obesity crisis, and academic achievement.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I understand the difficulty with budgets, as we all do, but does he agree with me that at a time of austerity, at a time when we have a serious obesity crisis, at a time when the Executive are working together to try to bring about changes, and at a time when we want to deal with underachievement, it i…”
“Cuirim fáilte roimh an ráiteas. I welcome the statement and, if the Minister is looking for a rural town for the scheme, Warrenpoint will be very open to having it. Will he outline in more detail his interesting proposal to enable companies to access rate relief by accrediting with the Living Wage Foundation?”
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“They say, "Let's not redefine marriage", but if you look at civil marriage over the years, of course it has been redefined as society evolves. None of us would have wanted the civil marriage that existed in the past; times are changing. <BR /> <BR />The other debate we get is, "My conscience won't allow me; what about religious belief?" To be honest, with the greatest of respect, they are mixing up their religious belief and their job as politicians. We can have a debate about that; I heard different people speaking. All parties in this Assembly that vote yes to this motion support freedom of religion; Claire Hanna said it. The Catholic Church does not support divorce, but it supports civil marriage. Let us be honest about this.”
“I would say the same to my colleagues in the Alliance Party, but I want to pay tribute to Trevor Lunn's leadership. He has shown huge leadership. I hope that everyone in the Alliance Party will abide by their party policy and vote a resounding yes. <BR /> <BR />The tone of the debate is a far cry from the first debate in which I participated in the Assembly, when the fires of hell were visited on the LGBT community and some very choice and disgusting language was used. Thankfully, we are now having the debate in a much better environment. The arguments against have changed slightly as they realise that they are so out of step with society and particularly with young people. We have heard them say, "They have civil partnership, why do they want marriage?" or "It is a lifestyle choice".”
“For me, that is very strange leadership. I am sorry; I do not want to be dismissive, but it is poor leadership. It is a bizarre and contradictory position, and it does a grave disservice to the LGBT community. The question is this: is the leader of the UUP playing to the media gallery, talking out of both sides of his mouth? <BR /> <BR />I would like to thank the SDLP for this joint motion. I welcome Colum and Claire's contributions, and I agree with many of the comments that they made. I hope that all the other SDLP Members will join with them today in voting. The last time, we lost by two votes, and five Members of that party did not vote, but I hope that those days are over. That is all that I will say about that, and I welcome the fact that we are presenting a joint motion today.”
“The DUP is saying its usual no. It is citing civil partnerships, saying that there are only a few little differences, but it was opposed to civil partnership, and it has never said that it supports civil partnership. There are fundamental differences between civil partnership and civil marriage. It is using a petition of concern to discriminate against an entire community. Let us call it as it is. It is very disappointing to see a Government Minister, who has taken a Pledge of Office, urging people to vote no for equality. <BR /> <BR />I welcome Andy Allen's contribution today, but what is the leader of the UUP doing? Mike Nesbitt, the leader of the party, feels the hand of history on his shoulder and warns the party that it should not be on the wrong side of history, yet he tells us that he is going to vote no.”
“People also had to fight for their rights and change civil marriage so that there could be marriage between different races. <BR /> <BR />Today's motion is a joint one with the SDLP. Previously, it was with the Green Party. I am honoured to make the winding-up speech on the motion. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the debate. I genuinely welcome the tone of the debate. I am now calling on everyone in the Assembly to join us and make history. If a majority of the Assembly votes yes to equality, notwithstanding the knee-jerk reaction of the petition of concern, it will send a powerful message around the world; the same powerful message that reverberated around the globe when the South of Ireland voted yes a few short months ago.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin wants to see this island be part of a progressive world where all citizens can be married regardless of their sexual orientation. We want to join the nations that have supported marriage equality: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, England, Scotland, Wales, Uruguay, the United States of America and the South of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />This is the fifth time that we have played our role in bringing this motion forward. We are very proud of that. The suffragettes had to bring many motions forward before people listened to the right of women to have a vote. People, many of whom were on the opposite Benches, opposed interracial marriage or supported apartheid.”
“Do you agree with me that polygamy is illegal and that nobody is calling for polygamy?”
“It has found industrial waste, netting that is dangerous to animals, lobster pots and corrosive materials. We need to take the improvement of our beaches very seriously, because it will benefit tourism across south Down and north Louth. Investing in our beaches is good for people, the environment, tourism and the welfare of animals. <BR /> <BR />I share everyone in the House's disappointment that the Minister is not here. I look forward to hearing what he will do about the debate. We had been informed that he would be available, and now, unfortunately, he is not. He owes us an explanation as to why he is not in the House. I am sure that he has a very good reason, but it would be good for him to share that with us, because he is the Minister of the Environment and has a job of work to do on our beaches.”
“I have been on various beaches, such as Templetown and those on the northern side of the lough. That is people power. Like John, I was amazed at what we picked up on the beach — the amount of rubbish. I felt like a beachcomber, because you did not know what you would find. One of our councillors, Sinéad Ennis, and I have met representatives of Love Your Lough on a number of occasions to discuss its work and what can be done to help our coastlines. <BR /> <BR />As my colleague Chris Hazzard said, Sinn Féin brought a motion to council this month that proposed a task force to tackle the recommendations of the recent report on the state of the coastline. Love Your Lough is documenting every single piece of waste that it has picked up on the beaches.”
“That shows what the authorities thought of the people of south Down. We need just look at what happened at Sellafield, or Windscale as they called it — change the name if there is an accident — and what happened to the waters of south Down and Louth. Again, that shows the disdain with which local people have been treated. <BR /> <BR />The villages that I mentioned — Kilclief, Coney Island, Killough and Ballyhornan — have now gained funding through the Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership to pursue applications for the Green Coast Award and EU bathing water status. At Carlingford lough, we have a Love Your Lough campaign that has been ongoing for months, with clean-ups taking place in Killowen, Rostrevor, Warrenpoint, Omeath and Carlingford. I have been on some of those clean-ups on both sides of the lough, at Greenore and Omeath.”
“We want a place where we have safe bathing environments for us and our children. It does not make sense that the gold coast beaches in north Down have the highest level of protection by NI Water yet the beaches in south Down have some of the least protection. <BR /> <BR />I welcome Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's cross-party motion for it to help in having our beaches nominated for EU bathing water status. Six of the beaches, including those at Coney Island, Ballyhornan, Killough and Kilclief, took part in the Lecale Big Swim and Paddle in August to highlight their campaigns. <BR /> <BR />We need just look at how Ballyhornan has been treated by the authorities. It has been treated disgracefully by the British Ministry of Defence, with former military housing sold off willy-nilly, without any protection.”
“Maybe we are both right, John. Notwithstanding that, wherever you consider it to be, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and our beaches are a major part of that. <BR /> <BR />I look not just at south Down but at Carlingford lough and Louth and at the building of tourism in both counties. They are different sides of the same coin. <BR /> <BR />We want to see EU bathing water status there. We want to see NI Water, the Department of the Environment and the various agencies working together. Although some work has been done, it is not enough. It simply is not good enough that sewage is pouring out into the sea. NI Water has a job to do, and I look forward to hearing from the ex-Minister about the work that his former Department maybe could or should have done in the past and about where improvements can be made.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas le mo chomhghleacaí, Chris Hazzard, as an rún seo a chur faoi bhráid an Tí anocht. I welcome this Adjournment debate and would like to thank my colleague Chris Hazzard for bringing it to the House. I have to say that I agree with John. South Down is a very beautiful area. Where I disagree with him is that he thinks it is in the United Kingdom and I think it is in Ireland, but we will not fall out over that.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. It might be a good idea to start with DRD.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an bhfreagra sin. I thank the Minister for that answer. Will she outline how the brucellosis-testing measures will be completed from now on?”
“Gabhaim buíochas as an fhreagra sin. I thank you for the answer and absolutely support the work that needs to be done to integrate fully the refugees who are coming. We said in a debate in the Chamber that it needs to be underpinned by financial support. Will the Minister outline whether any assessment of the associated costs has taken place?”
“That will continue. Sinn Féin supports the five key actions that have been developed by the Refugee and Asylum Forum and endorsed by the 16 organisations. We very much welcome the work that they are doing and look forward to ongoing partnership working.”
“I also pay tribute to the Department of Education, which has been leading from the front. Indeed, during my time, we brought forward the English as an additional language report and Every School a Good School, and extra resources were given to schools for every ethnic minority child that they had so that they could put in place special programmes.”
“We know what it is like to flee in the coffin ships and the boats. We know what it is like to arrive in a country with nothing but the clothes on our backs. That is what our ancestors did. We need to open up our doors, and our Governments in Ireland and Europe need to follow the citizens. As usual, the citizens are leading from the front. <BR /> <BR />I put on record and pay tribute to what Martin McGuinness and the deputy First Minister's office are doing. As the proposer of the motion will know, they are meeting NGOs, community-based forums and representatives from councils across the North. Officials from OFMDFM are also involved in a joined-up approach to support refugees who come here. John O'Dowd — I welcome the fact that the Minister is in the House — has tasked his officials with making preparations for children and education.”
“The crisis needs a global response. It needs a human-rights-based response. It is not good enough for Europe to say that it will not play its role. It is not good enough for countries like Hungary to build fences to keep people out, a bit like Israel does. <BR /> <BR />We need a twofold approach. We need conflict resolution. The superpowers need to be challenged. They are the ones who have caused the conflict. As Ms Lo said, we need to look at the root causes of conflict. We need to challenge the superpowers and the arms manufacturers. We also need to provide sanctuary for refugees. Citizens across Europe are ensuring that their voices are heard. We have seen them on this island, in Dublin, Belfast, Newry, Fermanagh and Derry — all over Ireland. Their voices are saying that refugees are welcome — tá fáilte romhaibh — to this island.”
“Men, women and children are leaving their homes because of policies made thousands of miles away in England, the United States, Europe, China and Russia, the bigger superpowers. They are fleeing because of a global crisis, because of deep injustice and because of repression.”
“They are as follows: Turkey, Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran and Ethiopia. The developing world hosts 86% of the world's refugees. For example, of the four million Syrian refugees, 1·2 million are in Lebanon; that is one fifth of the entire population of Lebanon. Six per cent have sought asylum in Europe. It is paltry and tiny, yet look at how the European Governments, with a few exceptions, are dealing with this. <BR /> <BR />Look at how many people have died coming to our shores. Look at how many people are on rafts and boats that are so dangerous for them and are coming from Libya to Italy on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a risky, dangerous journey, and they are fleeing from a war that was not of their making.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank Anna Lo and her party for bringing forward the motion. I absolutely agree with Ms Anna Lo that no one chooses to be refugee. None of us in the House would choose to be a refugee and leave our homes and our families and bring our children with us for many thousands of miles. <BR /> <BR />Let us look at the global trends report from 2014. These figures are outdated at this stage. In the world, 59 million people are being forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict, generalised violence and human rights violations. We have 19·5 million refugees and 38·2 million internally displaced persons and asylum seekers. <BR /> <BR />To put the debate in context, which countries are the top hosts of the refugees? I can tell you that they are not in Europe.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Thankfully, democracy ruled, and, on four occasions, the Business Committee ruled to continue business as usual. I would be interested to know whether the DUP will continue with the tactic of nominating and resigning. Will the newly appointed Minister for Regional Development resign or carry out her duties?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Could you outline some details about when the consultation will begin and how long will it last?”
“Let us act now. Let us show the world that Ireland is a place of welcome for refugees.”
“Again, people in the United States and other countries were way ahead of their Governments, and they formed the Sanctuary movement. They were even willing to go to jail rather than support migration policy at the time. I was also present at a refugee camp when they went back to their country. They were delighted to go back once the war was over. Some chose to stay; the vast majority chose to go back, because people do not want to leave their homes. They want to be in their homes, in their country.”
“We know that people were very happy to reach a land where they felt safe and could rear their children. <BR /> <BR />Governments need to match the response of people. It is not enough to say that it should be left to NGOs or civic society. They need to provide services, and the British Government, as a major protagonist in this, need to provide funding. We should not be arguing over how many we take in or how many we do not take in. We need policies. The time for talk is over and the time for action is now. <BR /> <BR />I worked with Salvadorean and Guatemalan refugees in the eighties, and there was some unfortunate language used then by some political leaders who should have known better. I visited and worked in those refugee camps.”
“<BR /> <BR />Over the last number of weeks we have seen a failure of leadership by many of those in power who should know better. We have seen the British Prime Minister use language to describe people that he should never have used, but, thankfully, people are way ahead of Governments. It is heartening to see the response of people all over Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales, and right throughout Europe. People want to open up their homes. There is a wonderful four-city initiative on this island, and the Irish people are saying, "You are welcome here. Tá fáilte romhaibh anseo." We know what it is like to suffer. We know what it is like to have to flee. We know the coffin ships that crossed the Atlantic, and many people died on those dreadful journeys.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. We are living through one of the worst humanitarian crises that we have seen. I am not going to dwell on the pictures that we have all seen but, for each of us as a mother or father or grandmother or grandfather or brother or sister, it tears our hearts to see young children lying in water, dead. <BR /> <BR />People in Syria and other parts of the world are being indiscriminately bombed. They are leaving with the clothes on their backs, with children in their arms. European Governments have an enormous responsibility for triggering many of these conflicts. They supported in some cases, and they remained silent in other cases. They did very little when there was indiscriminate bombing, torture and other dreadful human rights abuses.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. When devising their LDPs, will communities be able to secure local policy flexibilities, where appropriate, that are aimed at reflecting local and particular circumstances?”
“I know from my time there that the vast majority of the people of Tunisia will be outraged at the attack. They were certainly outraged at the attack that happened a couple of days before I visited. The vast majority of people from the Muslim world, here in Ireland and across the world will also be horrified and reject the activities of ISIS. The onus is on us to reach out to progressive and representative voices to address the issues that allow that sort of extremism to exist. <BR /> <BR />Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I join others in saying that my party is shocked at the slaughter that happened on the beaches in Tunisia. Sinn Féin's deepest sympathies go to all the relatives who have lost loved ones and also to those who have been injured. I am hearing that 38 people were killed, but we will obviously have to wait for the final tally. British and Irish people were killed. Three from this island were killed. They were Laurence and Martina Hayes from Athlone, County Westmeath, and Lorna Carty from Robinstown, County Meath. <BR /> <BR />I also recently visited Tunisia, following the shootings in March. I was there for Easter weekend as part of a seminar, meeting political parties, Ministers, other elected representatives and non-governmental organisations from across the Middle East and north Africa.”
“It is good to see the work that has been done, but, obviously, there is more work that we can do.”
“An education officer has visited the Irish-medium post-primary school Coláiste Feirste and the Irish-medium unit in Scoil Chaitríona in Ard Mhacha — in Armagh. Two of the visits to Coláiste Feirste involved focus group workshops on behalf of the Committee for Education to consult young people on inquiries into shared and integrated education and the school inspectorate. <BR /> <BR />As part of the ongoing development of its website for schools and young people, the Education Service has been working with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on a translation of the primary section of the website. That is almost complete and will be launched in 2015. A number of education videos have also been produced by the Education Service.”
“Gabhaim buíochas as an gceist sin. I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, in any of the work that we are doing, we can always do more. The same is true of the Irish-medium sector. I absolutely support the Member's comments that the Irish language belongs to everyone. It is certainly not the preserve of any one community. I am delighted to see people right across the North, from all different communities, supporting and learning our beautiful language. It is our collective language. People from ethnic minority communities, who have brought such richness to our society with their languages, are also learning the Irish language. It is great to see that. <BR /> <BR />An education officer from the Education Service has been designated as Irish-language champion.”
“Ón 1 mí Eanáir 2015 bhain 272 grúpa feidhm as an tSeirbhís Oideachais; is ionann sin agus 8,901 rannpháirtí. Since 1 January 2015, 272 groups, comprising 8,901 participants, have availed themselves of the Education Service.”
“I am here answering as a commissioner, and I absolutely reject that I have abused my position in any way. The Member will understand fully that there are deeply divided positions and attitudes in this Chamber and on the Assembly Commission. It is for that reason that I believe that the Assembly Commission should answer to the Assembly, rather than make decisions at Commission meetings. <BR /> <BR />I am a proud Irish citizen. I respect the fact that people opposite consider themselves British. I ask the same for me.”
“The Member considers himself British. I consider myself Irish.”
“I am speaking as a Commission member here. However, the question was asked of me as a Sinn Féin representative, so I will answer the Member. I will not speak for the SDLP, because I do not think that that would be right for me to do. <BR /> <BR />I am a proud Irishwoman, and I believe that the Parliament should have the Irish tricolour and the British flag, or no flags; equality or neutrality. The situation at City Hall was that the original 365 days was being brought down to 18 days. Here, we had 15 days and the proposal by the Alliance Party was to increase the number of days. It is pretty logical that an Irishman or Irishwoman would not want to see an increase in the number of days, particularly when the Irish tradition is not reflected.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as an cheist sin. I thank the Member for that question. I do not believe that the flying of one flag is in the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. We have in the Chamber people who designate themselves as Irish and people who designate themselves as British. The current policy of the Commission does not give equality to Irish citizens, whether it is those in the Chamber or, indeed, party staff, the secretariat and workers in the Building. I believe that it has an adverse impact. <BR /> <BR />It is interesting that, in the consultation, the highest number of people, 1,512, opted for two flags. It is very disappointing that that was ignored in the report. I, as an Irish citizen, do not believe that my flag is being respected in the way that it should be.”
“Tá mé ar thaifead cheana féin nach é an Coimisiún an áit le déileáil leis an gceist seo. Tá easnamh ann fós i bhFoirgnimh na Parlaiminte maidir le gach traidisiún a chlúdach. Subsequently, we had a proposal by the Alliance Party for designated days. The DUP, the UUP and the Alliance Party supported this, the SDLP and Sinn Féin voted against it, and the motion passed. <BR /> <BR />I am on record as saying in the Chamber — I would like to reiterate it — that the Commission is not the place to discuss flags. In 2002, the Commission itself agreed that it should not discuss the issue of flags. There is a democratic deficit in decisions made at the Commission. Really, those decisions should come to the Assembly where we have cross-community voting.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as an cheist. Rinneadh comhairliúchán formálta ar athbhreithniú an pholasaí ar chrochadh bhratach an Aontais os cionn Fhoirgnimh na Parlaiminte mar chuid de mheasúnacht tionchair chomhionannais. Chríochnaigh an comhairliúchán ar 2 mí Feabhra 2015. I thank the Member for his question. The formal consultation carried out as part of the EQIA on the review of the policy of the flying of the British flag ended on Monday 2 February 2015. At our meeting on 17 June 2015, a proposal was put by the DUP to fly the flag for 365 days. This was supported by the UUP but failed to secure enough support, and the proposal was defeated. <BR /> <BR />Vótáil an DUP agus UUP agus Páirtí na Comhghuaillíochta ar son laetha ainmnithe; vótáil Sinn Féin agus an SDLP ina gcoinne.”
“I asked the Assembly Commission to carry out the gender action plan, because I know that there are serious gaps right across this institution in relation to gender. We just need to look around this Chamber to see that. <BR /> <BR />Some actions have been carried out. We have had public events, and I know that the Speaker has taken some action to ensure that we have more women in positions of leadership. In September, we will discuss gender action fully at the Commission meeting. I know that the Member, along with others in this Chamber, was with us in Sweden looking at how we can move forward on gender. Certainly I and, I know, other Commission members, would welcome any ideas that she has on this. It is a serious deficit that we really need to come to grips with.”
“I am aware of it. In fact, it was circulated to every MLA. I share the commissioner's disappointment in relation to women in public life. While we are looking at staff here in the Assembly and at the number of women politicians, of course there are not enough women on public boards. All of us in the Chamber need to make sure that we have more-representative public boards. I read the letter from the commissioner in detail and would like to pay tribute to him for outlining that to us and writing to each and every one of us.”
“The gender action working plan group is liaising with officials, considering Commission-related aspects of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee report. That is a review of women in politics and the Northern Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Lena chois sin, thionól an Meitheal imeacht le cainteoir inscne I bhFoirgnimh na Parlaiminte ar 1 Bealtaine 2015 le cur le cumas bhall na Meithle foghlaim faoi conas a thugtar faoi ceisteanna inscne in eagraíochtaí eile. In addition, the group held a gender guest speaker event in Parliament Buildings on 1 May 2015 to enable group members to learn about how gender issues are addressed in other institutions. It will be submitted to the Commission in September 2015 for its consideration.”
“The report contains a review of research, including international research, and best practice in other organisations, as well as the results of the staff gender questionnaire, all of which will inform the development of the action plan. I am sure that we all agree that, given the make-up of directors and that in our Assembly, it is very important that we take action, because we currently have gaps in relation to gender. <BR /> <BR />Subgroups have been established to take forward key themes. Identified in the findings of the report are caring responsibilities; decision-making structures; flexible working; gender identity; and learning and development opportunities. Of course, to make change, we need leadership from the top of the organisation to ensure success.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as an cheist. I thank the Member for her question. Agus tá an Meitheal um an Dréacht-phlean Gníomhaíochta Inscne ag forbairt dréacht-phlean gníomhaíochta inscne do Fhoireann na Rúnaíochta. Tá foireann sinseárach trasna an Tionóil ar an ngrúpa. A draft gender action plan for secretariat staff is currently being developed by the gender action plan working group, a group comprising senior members of staff from across the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />The development of a gender action plan is a recommendation arising from the working group's gender findings report, which was approved by the Commission in December 2014.”
“I cannot, and I do not think that cost should be the only factor in relation to translation. I hope that the Member is not saying that. We do not ask how much it costs us to put English on the website. Indeed, I believe that we should also try to make sure that we reach out to people from different countries who speak different languages. However, I do know that it is not an exorbitant cost, and it should certainly not be used as an excuse for discriminating against the Irish language community. I am sure that the Member is not saying that.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta Tionóil as an cheist sin. I thank the Member for that question. Unfortunately, we currently do not have an option in relation to tours, and this is disappointing for Irish language speakers and people who love our language. I believe that it is one of the direct results of the failure to have an Irish language strategy and of the Assembly Commission to fulfil its equality duties.”