Trevor Clarke
South Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“For recruitment to the current Youth Assembly and on the basis of research on the youth demographic in Northern Ireland, a minimum of 10 young people with disabilities were sought in order to be representative of the data. Of the 90 young people appointed to the Youth Assembly, 18 have a disability.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Youth Assembly regularly uses social media to promote its work, and, when preparing for a new mandate, targeted multimedia recruitment campaigns are used to engage young people and encourage participation.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission also has an apprenticeship and placement framework that provides the opportunity for people with a disability to avail themselves of short-term supported placements.”
“In 2025, 770 tours were delivered and the number of events hosted in Parliament Buildings almost doubled to 583. <BR /> <BR />Our Education Service promotes its programmes to schools and colleges through an annual September mail-out, outlining provision for the relevant Key Stages, including a focus on inclusive engagement for children wi…”
“Mr Speaker, I may require an extra minute to answer the question. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for her question. The Assembly Commission's school work experience programme is facilitated through a partnership between our internal education services team and an organisation called Futures For All, a social mobility charity.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I may need an extra minute to answer the question, and I thank the Member for it. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission's public engagement strategy 2025-27 aims to increase awareness, improve understanding and enable participation in the work of the Assembly.”
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“The SDLP had an opportunity to deal with waste in Northern Ireland, but, on two occasions, it interfered in a planning process that would have allowed a site to be built on this island to deal with waste. That energy-from-waste plant would have dealt with all the waste and would have meant that people from Warrenpoint, Cottonmount and your constituency, Mr Speaker, did not have to suffer the stench from landfill sites, but, no, those representatives chose populism. They chose to take the waste to Warrenpoint and ship it from Northern Irish shores to other parts of the world. They chose to put the waste in a boat, which is environmentally irresponsible given the amount of fuel that is needed to transport it for miles, and dump it at sea, as evidenced by a documentary some months ago. It a case of out of sight, out of mind.”
“During yesterday's Members' statements, I listened to the Member opposite from South Down talk about Warrenpoint; indeed, one of my colleagues has talked about Warrenpoint and the waste that is rotting on the quay. Many trucks arrive daily from across the Province to dump waste in Warrenpoint. <BR /> <BR />That brings me back to last week's judgement on the A5, when climate targets were key. The best way to describe those who supported those targets is "environmentally illiterate", because there were options, but they decided to support targets that have made things much more difficult in Northern Ireland. On the one hand, they are climate fanatics, and on the other hand, they are climatically irresponsible.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given what he said about how his Executive colleagues pontificated about that at a different time and had competing Bills, what confidence does he have that, when the issue goes back to the Executive, they will find a solution so that he can deliver the housing that everyone in the Chamber has called on him to deliver?”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Last week, during Tuesday's plenary sitting, we debated Finance motions on levies and fees. It was previously the convention that, if Members indicated, by continually saying, "No", that they wanted to divide the House, a Division would be called. It seems to happen more and more frequently that a motion is agreed by acclamation. You were not in the Chair on that occasion, Mr Speaker; it was the Principal Deputy Speaker. The same thing happens with Deputy Speakers: on occasion, the motions are agreed by voice. I ask you to refer to Standing Orders, which state that, where a Division is continually called for, a Division should be called, and Tellers should be provided. I ask you to review the matter in Hansard.”
“There are currently no plans to do so. Some Members who have had the benefit of being here for a number of years will notice that work was done a number of years ago that got us additional parking spaces at the rear of the Building. Those spaces are no longer being utilised because of the works, but we will get them back in early 2026. Other than that, there are no plans to look at providing more parking spaces. <BR /> <BR />The number of visitors does say something about the success of the Building. Although Members are privileged to have spaces allocated to them and, indeed, to some of their support staff, it is unfortunate that some people have to travel a distance to enter the Building. There are no immediate plans to look at the situation any further, however.”
“Although the Commission will continue to look at ways in which those difficulties might be eased, there are no immediate plans to increase the number of spaces available, as doing so is simply not possible, owing to the topography and the limited space in general around the Building. A number of parking spaces are currently unavailable as a result of the scaffolding at the rear of the Building, but that is a temporary situation that should hopefully be resolved by early 2026.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Assembly Commission currently has the use of four car parks in the vicinity of Parliament Buildings. They are the two upper car parks, located on either side of the main Building, with a third, which is referred to as the lower east, or visitors', car park, situated a short distance away from the main Building, in close proximity to the search facility. Finally, an overspill car park near the lower east car park is also readily accessible. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission fully acknowledges the difficulties experienced with parking, particularly on sitting days.”
“I am not sure which question to take. I will go for the first one, on hybrid working. <BR /> <BR />The balance between working in Parliament Buildings and working at home varies depending on the post, business need and the preference of the member of staff. Assembly staff carry out a wide range of varied roles, and staff in some business areas will be required to work up to and including 100% of their contracted hours in the week in Parliament Buildings. For other roles, consideration is given to up to 60% of contracted hours being worked from home. During recess periods, greater flexibility may be considered subject to business need.”
“The parental leave policy enables an eligible staff member to take a set period of unpaid leave from work to care for a child. The shared parental leave policy sets out the rights of staff members to take shared parental leave. Finally, the annual leave policy makes provision for the carry-over of annual leave, which may assist staff who are aware that they will need a long period of annual leave during the following year for caring purposes.”
“The staff hours at work policy affords staff members the opportunity to accrue additional time worked that can be taken during recess or when business is quieter. The flexible working and partial retirement policy allows staff to adjust their working pattern either permanently or temporarily. The support for carers policy sets out the support available to staff with caring responsibilities. The special leave policy gives staff the statutory right to time off for the care of dependants. Although the statutory right is to unpaid time off, the Assembly Commission may, in certain circumstances, give staff a limited amount of paid time off work. In addition, the policy provides for non-statutory time off for domestic reasons.”
“I thank the Member for the question. The Assembly Commission recognises the importance of a family- and carer-friendly working environment, as it contributes to a healthier, more engaged and more productive workforce. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission's employees can avail themselves of a number of policies, including a hybrid working policy that offers staff the opportunity to work from home where possible, carefully balanced against the realities of business need and the importance of colleagues being together for strong team dynamics. The balance between working in Parliament Buildings and working at home varies depending on the post held, business needs and the staff member's preference.”
“I thank the Member for commending the Education Service's work. Many of us have brought schools up from our constituencies, and the children really enjoy the interaction with the Education Service and the opportunity to see round the Building. <BR /> <BR />During the 2024-25 academic year, 7,700 pupils visited Parliament Buildings, and a further 825 joined an online session. Those pupils came from a range of schools across all 18 constituencies.”
“The education programme affords Members the opportunity to participate, giving young people the opportunity to meet their elected representatives and to see democracy in action. Schools are also invited to get involved in the work of the Assembly, and, in recent years, over 80 schools have taken part in Committee consultations on the issues of a bill of rights for Northern Ireland, the impact of the school lockdown on young people, and climate change. The Education Service also provides tailored programmes for school councils and Eco-Schools. <BR /> <BR />The Education Service promotes its programme widely to schools via mailshots, email and the C2k noticeboard, and Irish-medium schools now receive mailshot information in the Irish language.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The Education Service provides education programmes and resources to support teaching and learning about the Assembly. It also encourages and facilitates the participation of young people in the work of the Assembly, with education programmes for young people from primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities. <BR /> <BR />The schools programme supports the Northern Ireland curriculum, the subjects of government and politics at GCSE and A level and of learning for life and work and history at post-primary level, and learning areas including the world around us and personal development and mutual understanding at primary level.”
“Minister, those are nice, warm words about improving road safety. However, today's court judgement has shown that your party's support and that of others for the climate change policy has had a major impact on that. How do you judge that the impact seen today will affect your work going forward to improve road safety through road upgrades in other areas of rural Northern Ireland?”
“Thank you very much, Minister, for that answer. If I heard you right, you said that it represented a 0·2% increase on what was outstanding, but you did not tell us what percentage of the total amount of rates is outstanding. Given the time that it has taken to get this in order, is it fair to continually make it a priority to make people who are suffering financial difficulties pay their rates while there are those who continually flout the rules to avoid paying them? If we take those two figures, a historical figure of £96 million does not suggest that the Department is doing much to recover that.”
“It would be wrong for the Member to make that point without identifying for many in the Chamber today who Sinclair Mayne is and what position he previously held in the Department.”
“The Member makes an interesting point about the support. The issue is that, even if they had the financial support, that support means that their inputs will be less. They are being asked to invest money in their farms to bring in less.”
“Does the Member accept that it is strange that, given that the Minister is responsible for it, it is in his gift and power to take action himself through the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), as opposed to passing the blame on to the Department for Infrastructure over what it is doing?”
“to try to restore calm and peace. Sorry, maybe —. I apologise. <BR /> <BR />I listened to the radio on the way here this morning and heard that 10 police officers were injured. Those 10 police officers left their families yesterday to do a day's work to protect our communities. They put themselves on the front line to restore calm and order on the streets of Ballymena last night. Unfortunately, those 10 officers were hospitalised or went home with injuries. That is despicable, and we call for calm, but we still stand in solidarity with the family who called for the protest last night, as they were entitled to do. <BR /> <BR />The actions of a few, as Members have remarked, are unacceptable. They need to stop — stop quickly — before this gets out of hand.”
“I join Members in condemning the actions of last night. This time yesterday, we were all aware of one family who were suffering the consequences of what happened in Ballymena. They had a protest last night and were right to do so, as many Members have recognised today, but, as the night unfolded, there were more victims. No one has mentioned the police officers who put themselves on the line last night”
“I join the previous Member in saying that no one should personalise those things against anyone. I am sorry to hear your comments around that, Minister. That should not be the case for anyone. I do not support that commentary. <BR /> <BR />In your response today, you referred to water quality and to your scientists. What do you say about your former Chief Scientific Adviser, Dr Sinclair Mayne, who was appointed in 2016, being there last week among the other 900,000-odd people who were arguing against the science? He is an esteemed character who is renowned in his field. Do you have confidence when a former colleague of your scientists was on a platform last week disagreeing with the science that is being used for the proposals?”
“I will take the Minister back to the original question around legacy and rebuilding trust and confidence in policing. I concur with her remarks about supporting people from all sections of the community to continue to apply to join the police. However, in the Chief Constable's comments, it is obvious that there is a financial pressure greater than no other in respect of policing. What representation has the Minister made to the Treasury directly around the legacy piece to see whether we can come to a conclusion around funding that can support the police to allow them to rebuild trust and confidence in other areas?”
“Minister, given that that application has been in the system for some years and that successive Ministers have made various decisions on it, will you play politics with it, like other Ministers, or will you adhere to the planning policy and that of your officials?”
“There is a big birthday in the Building today; someone is celebrating 60 years. Of course, that is you. I wish you a very happy birthday, Mr Speaker, and many more.”
“There should have been an investigation at the time to clear the names of those serving officers. Whilst it was a sorry saga that "Sean" continued to push out the allegations, supported by a law firm, I am glad that he has withdrawn the comments. I am equally glad that he is receiving support for whatever he is going through as an individual. I wish him well, and I am sure that the officers that he worked with wish him well and will be glad that the whole saga has been brought to an end. Considering all the changes that have been made in the police, it is disappointing that sectarianism was ever brought to the fore. I am glad that this has been brought to an end. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, I am sure that you will give me a degree of latitude to introduce another topic.”
“If it had not been for John Burrows's continued pushing, the allegations of a sectarian police force would have stayed on the record. I am glad that, eventually, "Sean" withdrew the comments and cleared the names of his former colleagues and, indeed, those who continue to serve. Many in the Chamber should apologise for continuing to appease that narrative and keeping it in the public domain. They should be ashamed of themselves. <BR /> <BR />I see that the Chief Constable made efforts to bring the issue to an end. I do not think that he did enough; he should have been clearer and firmer in what he said. Last week, at the Policing Board, he indicated that "Sean" is a decent man — I am sure that he is — but more could have been said to stand up for the officers.”
“I rise following what many of us hope is the closure of the "Sean" saga within the tactical support group (TSG) in the PSNI. For weeks, many people have pushed the narrative of sectarianism within the PSNI. The closure would not have come had it not been for the efforts of retired police officer John Burrows and the 'News Letter', which continued to campaign to try to clear the besmirching of the PSNI and the officers, Catholic and Protestant, who continue to serve on a daily basis without fear or favour. It is disappointing that some decided to continue to back one individual, when, as I said, others from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds in the TSG, current and retired, came out to condemn those words and said that they were a falsehood.”
“I welcome that proposal from the Minister and the idea that has been put forward. I presume that, despite having rejected the proposal, GPs will receive the money. Does receipt of the money come with the precondition that they must follow the proposal? If not, what sanctions can you impose, as Minister, if GPs do not follow the ideas that you have laid out in relation to that funding?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and congratulate him on his initiative that engages with schools directly, which is, as he said in his speech, the first of its kind in a long time. Will the Minister outline why he chose those particular priorities for this engagement, or why some of those things were chosen as the way forward for the Department of Education?”
“I hear what the Minister is saying about business cases. However, in the Programme for Government, all Executive Ministers commit to addressing the shortfall in police numbers. There was an original commitment of 7,500, but the target is now 7,000. Regardless of what the business case says, what support will he give to the strong case that has been made by the Chief Constable, which is supported by evidence from across the water?”
“That number is quite high. What steps are being taken to reduce it and allay the fears of a large number of parents?”
“I heard from the Minister's response about a consultation process, but is there any indication about how long it will be before there is a launch date for the policy?”
“I agree with the Member. That is why a consultation was held on the usability of the current system. There was a recognition that work needed to be done. The project was brought forward for that very reason.”
“It is anticipated that the formal tender publication will be in place within weeks, with the work anticipated to start in July 2025. It is expected that the project will last at least 18 to 24 months. <BR /> <BR />A parallel enabling project commenced in October 2024 to modernise the Assembly information management system (AIMS) platform, which will make a step change in the way in which IT applications and services are delivered. That will be closely linked to enabling many Assembly business-related functions of the new website.”
“I thank the Member for his question. A project is under way with the aim of creating a new Assembly website that will be a trusted authority on all Assembly business and a modern online tool where people can come to learn and engage. The redesign will support the Assembly Commission's corporate objectives to make the work of the Assembly more accessible and to communicate the impact of the Assembly's work. <BR /> <BR />A discovery phase aimed at gaining user views of the present site was completed in 2024 to inform future requirements and functionality. A digital agency is being procured to design and deliver a new public-facing Assembly website, supply a replacement content management system and implement effective modern search facilities.”
“I welcome the Member's question. As I said, it is very topical because of what we have seen recently. It is not something that has been specifically considered by the Assembly Commission. Hopefully, the Member will agree that the provision is more robust than what many Members may have believed was available. Members may need a better indication of where to get the service. When I read the briefing folder today, some of this was new to me, because I had never gone looking for it. The Commission could look at a piece of work to promote the service and make it more visible to Members and their staff.”
“The Member raises an important question that is also topical, given what we have seen in the media recently, particularly about the abuse of Members. Indeed, our constituency workers also suffer that. Inspire Workplace Services is an independent organisation that specialises in providing a range of welfare services across the public sector. The services include an independent, confidential counselling service, which includes a 24-hour, 354-day-a-year advice helpline and up to six face-to-face counselling sessions per person. It also involves a telephone counselling service, mediation and conflict coaching, therapeutic support, well-being absence management support and coaching. Hopefully, the Member will agree that the Commission has provided a wide range of options for Members.”
“Assembly Commission staff can also avail themselves of confidential support and advice that are provided by the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) welfare support service.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have a proactive organisational development and learning team who regularly promote activities, including courses on mental health awareness for staff and their line managers, to assist staff in managing their health and well-being. In addition, we have held several virtual learning events relating to health and well-being as part of our interparliamentary networks with Scotland, Wales and Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission has external support through an employee assistance programme that is provided by Inspire Workplace Services. Staff can avail themselves of a number of services, including 24/7 counselling, online training and a range of electronic resources that can be accessed through the Inspire support hub.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission recognises the importance of having a strong framework to support a healthy and resilient workforce. To support the delivery of quality services to staff, we have a corporate health and well-being framework. That framework seeks to achieve positive physical, psychological and social health and well-being outcomes for staff via a focus on prevention, intervention and the promotion of support. <BR /> <BR />A health and well-being group comprises staff from across the Assembly Commission, and we also have a network of mental health first-aiders and harassment contact officers who are trained to offer confidential guidance and support to staff who are dealing with mental health issues and general work-related concerns.”
“On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Last week, I inadvertently missed my opportunity to ask a question at Question Time due to other business in the Assembly. I apologise to you, to the Speaker's Office and to Members for not being in attendance.”
“Like others, I welcome the statement. The strategy is ambitious, and it is welcome that you are putting children first. <BR /> <BR />You referenced in your statement the difficulties with the inspection regime. We cannot wait any longer, so when will you move to reintroduce inspections in our schools?”
“When all of that has been done, there will still be families with family members in Muckamore Abbey Hospital, as there are today. I urge the trust to move forward with its plans to get suitable accommodation and to get those loved ones out of Muckamore and placed in a proper facility that can care for their needs and afford them a quality of life that they have not enjoyed for many years while in Muckamore Abbey Hospital.”
“It is shameful that all of this has taken so long whilst families continue to have their loved ones placed in the care of Muckamore Abbey Hospital. <BR /> <BR />The chairman's remark that he "hopes" to present a report by the end of this year is disappointing. Given that the families have waited so long and fought so hard for the inquiry and have been diligent in their attention to it since June 2022, it is shameful that it will take so many months for a summary of that report to be concluded. However, I hope that they will not have to wait that long. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the inquiry will present its findings, and there will be concern from those who have loved ones in the hospital that they get justice for the harm that has been done.”
“Many of them made representations individually to each of us about what their loved ones were going through. Of course, they made many and various complaints to the trust, but those fell on deaf ears. It has taken all of this time to get to the stage where they can get their voices on the record independently at an inquiry. <BR /> <BR />Running alongside that, there was a separate investigation that started in 2017, which was by no means a small feat. As a member of the Policing Board — I declare an interest — I challenged the length of time that that was taking a number of times. Police were trawling through thousands and thousands of hours of footage to identify some of the abuses or alleged abuses that were going on in that facility.”
“Members will be aware of Muckamore Abbey Hospital but always for the wrong reasons. Everyone is aware of the debacle that went on there for many years and of the abuse and scandals. The long-called-for inquiry began in June 2022. After sitting for 120 days, the inquiry finally comes to an end this week. However, it will not come to an end for the families until it reaches its conclusions. Oral evidence was given by 181 witnesses, and 45 statements from staff and patients were also read into the inquiry. <BR /> <BR />In giving evidence to the inquiry, the relatives of patients at Muckamore had an opportunity to have their voices heard for the first time.”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. Minister, given that there have been lots of conversations about transgender males going to female prisons, and given that none are housed in our prison system, is now the time to make a clear decision that, if you are a biological male, you stay in a prison for biological males and that, if you are a biological female, you stay in a female prison?”
“I am glad that the deputy First Minister did not indulge us on the lack of progress that the former Minister made when he was in office. However, that said, Minister, could you indicate when the investment strategy will be published?”
“<BR /> <BR />I look forward to Members' contributions. On behalf of the Assembly Commission, I commend the Bill to the Assembly.”