Simon Hamilton
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I have emphasised to the Member and the House before, that, whilst I accept that those are not good enough — that is why we have been developing the plan — there are alternative technologies in place that can present opportunities for those who just cannot get acceptable speeds.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. There are some initiatives that I believe will help and act as a driver to improve broadband access. One such intervention is the broadband universal service obligation (USO), which is being taken forward by Her Majesty's Government.”
“I thank the Member for his question. However, he is conflating two issues. I wrote to his party leader, and indeed to all Assembly party leaders, before making the announcement that I did last week about wanting to publish the details of the businesses in receipt of the non-domestic RHI scheme. It was my intention to do that tomorrow.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Chancellor, in his autumn statement, made some more funding available for telecommunications, and my Department is studying that and seeking to avail itself of that to the fullest possible extent.”
“In addition, my Department is managing a contract for the delivery of the superfast rollout programme, which, by 31 December, will provide access to superfast broadband with speeds of at least 24 megabits per second to a further 38,000 premises, both business and residential, across Northern Ireland, including in the Newry and Armagh cons…”
“I signalled the intention to do this a few weeks ago. The Member and the House will know that inspections of all installations would have taken place over the 20-year lifetime of the RHI scheme.”
The complete record
Every one of 3,625 lines we hold for Simon Hamilton, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 73.
“Mr Wells has been the last Member to speak.”
“I do remember him many years ago telling me that he was the last Member to speak in the 1986 Assembly, and I hope that, as he said, as I am the last Member to speak in this Assembly — I can see that he is trying to beat me here —”
“<BR /> <BR />The Chancellor, in his autumn statement, made some more funding available for telecommunications, and my Department is studying that and seeking to avail itself of that to the fullest possible extent. I think that my officials have also engaged with the 11 councils to provide information on what is already available and how it can be better utilised. Indeed, a meeting has taken place with councils that cover the Newry and Armagh constituency. I hope that that gives a view of what my Department is doing, specifically to benefit Newry and Armagh but also to improve broadband across Northern Ireland. <BR />Before I conclude, in the time that I have left, I welcome the contribution of my colleague Mr Wells. Down through the years, Jim has regaled me with countless stories, so many that I have forgotten most of them.”
“Consumers may be expected to contribute to those costs, where they go beyond a reasonable threshold. Recent advice from Ofcom indicates that the USO is likely to include a range of technologies. <BR /> <BR />My Department is also currently reviewing what has been achieved to date and is considering what will need to be addressed after the current initiatives that I have talked about have been completed. While still at a very early stage, it is already apparent that, if the Department's ambitions with regard to improving Internet connectivity are to be realised, the cost, no matter what technology is deployed, is likely to require significant public-sector investment. Therefore, if my Department is to pursue further interventions, related budgetary decisions will need to be made.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. There are some initiatives that I believe will help and act as a driver to improve broadband access. One such intervention is the broadband universal service obligation (USO), which is being taken forward by Her Majesty's Government. Through that, it is expected that, by 2020, everyone should have the legal right to request a broadband service of at least 10 megabits per second, subject to certain conditions. The Executive, in our draft Programme for Government, set a much higher target: to improve speeds to 30 megabits per second. However, the USO is, at least, a good initiative and puts a floor on service. <BR /> <BR />It is understood that the USO will be provided on the basis of a reasonable request from consumers, with services delivered using the most cost-effective technology available.”
“<BR /> <BR />Public funds can and will, therefore, and very much have been, invested in the development of telecommunications networks, but it is ultimately a business decision for providers to decide how, or if, they wish to participate in any scheme that is put forward. In that context, neither the Assembly nor I can direct or compel a network operator on where or when they should invest and what technology they should use. However, as I said, I fully appreciate the importance of, and am fully committed to, the improvement of provision in Northern Ireland, within the reality of budgetary and other constraints.”
“Mr Kennedy's former employers took a bit of a bashing in this evening's debate, as they would have done, I dare say, had we been debating broadband services in any constituency. Frustrated though Members may be, I hope that they appreciate the limitations on me, as Minister, when we do not have full responsibility for telecommunications matters. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, initiatives have to be designed in a way that meets European Union state-aid rules, which require us to be technology-agnostic and any procurement to be open and competitive, with the overriding aim of ensuring value for money and delivering the maximum benefit for public funding.”
“In January 2016, my Department launched a scheme that allows consumers with a broadband connection of less than two megabits per second to access a subsidy towards the cost of having a broadband service installed from a list of registered providers, subject to satisfying certain eligibility criteria. That includes wireless and satellite broadband suppliers. Details can be found on my Department's website. <BR /> <BR />It might be helpful to remind Members of the constraints within which any intervention by my Department has to operate. Telecommunications are a reserved matter, which means that my Department has only limited powers to intervene in a fully privatised and independently regulated market.”
“However, Ofcom does add that the deployment of my Department's superfast programme will change that landscape rapidly. It is anticipated that, by the time those projects have completed, some 87% of premises across Northern Ireland will have access to superfast broadband services compared with 77% when the project began. <BR /> <BR />Alternative networks can also offer a viable option for the delivery of broadband services in the most difficult-to-reach and less densely populated areas. Over recent years, my Department has supported projects that have extended fixed wireless and satellite broadband networks across Northern Ireland.”
“In addition, my Department is managing a contract for the delivery of the superfast rollout programme, which, by 31 December, will provide access to superfast broadband with speeds of at least 24 megabits per second to a further 38,000 premises, both business and residential, across Northern Ireland, including in the Newry and Armagh constituency. Under those recent initiatives, work has led to broadband improvement work at 169 exchanges across Northern Ireland, many of which are in the Newry and Armagh constituency. <BR /> <BR />Members may be aware that Ofcom reports that 28% of rural and 1% of urban premises in Northern Ireland cannot achieve speeds of 10 megabits per second or better. That is largely due to Northern Ireland premises having some of the longest line lengths in the UK as a result of population spread.”
“For instance, under the broadband improvement contract, BT will reinvest certain revenues received when take-up exceeds specific thresholds. Using these funds, plans will be developed to further improve the coverage of faster broadband connectivity across our region. This amount is in the region of £1·67 million. In addition, residual funds of £1·56 million have been identified for reallocation, bringing the total further amount that can be used to improve broadband infrastructure to £3·2 million.”
“<BR /> <BR />To set this in the wider context of our investment in improved services across Northern Ireland, my Department's broadband improvement project has already ensured that some 38,000 premises, largely in rural areas, have received access to a broadband service of at least 2 megabits per second, and that almost 25,000 premises can now access services of 30 megabits per second or better. BT reported that, at 21 June 2016, almost 7,000 premises across Newry and Armagh could access new broadband services delivered through this project. <BR /> <BR />While this is encouraging, I recognise that more can always be done to increase the coverage of faster broadband services in Newry and Armagh and other rural locations across Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />My Department is committed to working to deliver improvements to our telecoms connectivity. Over the last eight years, my Department has channelled some £64 million into a number of projects that have significantly raised the reach, speed and quality of broadband services across Northern Ireland. These initiatives have undoubtedly had a positive impact in the Newry and Armagh constituency. The figures provided by Ofcom in its recent 'Connected Nations' report show that Newry, Mourne and Down and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council areas have superfast coverage of 72% and 79% of premises respectively. In addition, it is reported that 94% and 97% of premises respectively have broadband coverage of greater than 2 megabits per second.”
“Principal Deputy Speaker, I join with others in wishing you well in your retirement. <BR /> <BR />I should like to begin by stressing, as Minister responsible for the Department for the Economy, that I fully recognise — sorry, it would be remiss of me not to congratulate the Member on securing tonight's debate. I fully recognise the importance of access to fast, dependable Internet connectivity in the world of business, as well as the growing reliance on online access for various educational and social needs. Broadband, as many Members have said, has quickly become an essential for everyday life. I am, of course, familiar with many of the issues, particularly with regard to broadband provision in rural areas, and tonight's debate has focused very much on them.”
“I hope that, in spite of the circumstances that we find ourselves in at this critical time that mean that our voice will not be heard perhaps as clearly as it should be, those representations that have been made to date will still be heard and be listened to and will be reflected in the upcoming negotiations.”
“The Prime Minister has outlined her objectives in respect of negotiations. The former First Minister and, indeed, others in the House have emphasised the need to have the common travel area remain in place. It is welcome that one of the 10 points that the Prime Minister pointed out last week was to maintain the common travel area, which has existed since the 1920s, between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />There is still much to do and many miles to travel on the road to the UK exiting the European Union. I am confident that, with the work that has been done to date, Northern Ireland's voice, the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland and the unique history and geography of this part of the world have been heard loudly and clearly in London.”
“I think that it is well understood by the Prime Minister and her team what those particular circumstances are and what the unique history and geography of this part of the world are. I hope that that will be reflected in any ultimate deal, and I also think that that is being viewed very sympathetically in Brussels.”
“I will repeat what I said in response to Mrs Overend. I think that Northern Ireland, hampered as it is by the circumstances that we find ourselves in, will and should continue to seek a deal that reflects the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland and where it is located has a particular history and a particular geography that must be reflected, I believe, in any ultimate deal. It is regrettable that, for a while at least, the Northern Ireland voice will not be heard as clearly as it should be at a critical time in those negotiations. It is unfortunate that that is the case. As I said before, Northern Ireland's voice has been heard loudly and clearly, and Northern Ireland's interests have been heard loudly and clearly over the last number of months.”
“The Member, unfortunately, has once again proven how her party has not accepted the result and the verdict of the British people. I welcome the clarity that the Prime Minister has brought to our negotiating position. I think that there was some doubt for some time as to what she was going to do or what she was going to seek, and it is now very clear what her objectives are.”
“<BR /> <BR />I emphasise again to the Member and the House that I still hope to be in a position to publish details at some date in the future. I will look at suggestions that other Members have made about releasing somewhat limited data. Anything done will always be done on the basis of trying to have maximum transparency and instil public confidence.”
“As you would expect, we have been seeking to publish details of the recipients of the non-domestic RHI scheme, consistent with a range of legal obligations. At all stages, I have sought to abide by the legal advice that I have received. Whilst I have heard many say that the privacy policy allowed for the publication of business details and some limited information, significantly some of the legal advice that I received said that anything — even a business name — that could relate back to who the individuals associated were — obviously, nobody gave permission for their names to be published — could contravene the Data Protection Act. That is why the process, which was done in fairly short order, had to be undertaken to put all of the objections received against a public interest test.”
“I am not sure if the Member has appreciated or picked up the point I have been making. I appreciate that he, too, may not have seen the full judgement and will want to take a look at it. That is my publicly stated position, and it is a position that I stated in writing to recipients of the scheme. As I believed that there was a clear public interest in having maximum transparency, it was my intention to publish business details and geographical information as well as other information. I still hope to be able to do that, but obviously I will have to reflect on the judgement that has been made.”
“That is what I want to do, that is what my objective is, and I will look at the option that the Member has proposed, along with others, in the hope of achieving maximum transparency whilst keeping to the aim of instilling public confidence in the scheme.”
“I thank the Member for her question, which was asked in the appropriate spirit. The whole purpose of doing this was to seek to instil better public confidence. The Member said that it was foreseeable that it was going to be challenged, and I suppose it was. From what I have heard about the judgement, it states that it not permissible to publish the names of members of the Renewable Heat Association, which is slightly left field. However, I am happy to look at other options and will do so. <BR /> <BR />It is interesting that the Member said that something short of the full disclosure that the court is preventing may help to instil public confidence.”
“As I said earlier to others, including the Member's colleague, the ruling has just been made in the last hour. I have not seen it yet and will wish to study it carefully, as the Member would expect, before deciding what we do. I reiterate that I want to have the fullest possible transparency on the details of recipients of the non-domestic RHI scheme. It is with that in mind that I will look at the ruling and come forward with a decision as quickly as possible.”
“It was significant that he acknowledged the particular circumstances that Northern Ireland faces and pointed out that, in respect of the position in Brussels, it was one of the key priorities for Brussels to deal with the situation in Northern Ireland. I think that that bodes well for a positive outcome for Northern Ireland from the upcoming negotiations.”
“We have engaged at Secretary of State level with various Departments and, crucially, with David Davis and his Department, the Department responsible for Brexit. It is clear from that engagement that that message — the need for the particular circumstances that Northern Ireland faces and the clear circumstances created by our history and geography — is getting through, and we hear that verbalised by very clear support for Northern Ireland's position from the Prime Minister. <BR /> <BR />Before Christmas, I was able to engage with the Prime Minister of Malta, who is now the president of the European Council.”
“The Member makes a valid point. Here is an issue in terms of Brexit and Northern Ireland's position in seeking to get the best deal for Northern Ireland, which is clearly hampered by the situation that we are now in, with Sinn Féin walking away from the Executive. It is a critical time in respect of the triggering of article 50, however, and when that will be done by the Prime Minister. It is incredibly important that Northern Ireland's voice still be heard. Unfortunately, given the circumstances that we are in, that will become incredibly difficult as a result of what Sinn Féin has done in pulling out of the Executive. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Executive have, over the last number of months since the referendum result in June, bombarded Whitehall with information about the Northern Ireland economy.”
“I have been following other court proceedings today, as the Member might be aware, so I have not had a chance to fully look at and study the judgement that has been made by the Supreme Court.”
“I regret that the Executive have not been able to agree a tourism strategy, because of the circumstances that we are in, but tourism continues to go from strength to strength. I believe that, with some of the events that the Member mentioned, it will continue to do so.”
“Indeed, figures recently published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) for the year ending September 2016 show that visitor spend in Northern Ireland is now at £821 million, 74% of which comes from external visitors, at just over £600 million. That is a 10% increase in overall spend year on year. <BR /> <BR />We now have 4·6 million visitors coming to Northern Ireland annually. Importantly, external visitors are up by 8% to 2·5 million, the highest on record. There is also a 10% increase in bed spaces sold. As I mentioned in response to Mrs Cameron's question, we have seen that reflected in air passenger flows going up at Belfast International and Belfast City airports. <BR /> <BR />I do not consider tourism in Northern Ireland to be a failure.”
“Quite a few. I regret that, because of circumstances, the tourism strategy will not be agreed by the Executive. Sinn Féin's walking away from the Executive has made that impossible. It has also obviously walked away from proceedings today; I am disappointed that my Question Time was not even enough to draw them back into the Chamber this afternoon. That is deeply disappointing. <BR /> <BR />I will look at how we can bring forward the tourism strategy in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. Let us not fall into the position, or belief, that the absence of a tourism strategy will inhibit tourism. It would help in setting clear targets and in focusing on key goals, but tourism in Northern Ireland has been a success story.”
“The tourism strategy has been working its way though my Department. Like the industrial strategy, it has been nearing the point where it could be published for some time. Obviously, in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, it is impossible to get Executive agreement, so it would not be an Executive strategy. I intend to discuss with officials what might be possible. In fact, there has been communication with Tourism NI to see whether we can bring it forward with officials in the Department, because it is important, no matter what is happening politically, that we continue not only to give a clear signal on the direction of travel for the economy through an industrial strategy but to improve our tourism, which has been performing incredibly well in recent times.”
“In 2015, exports by the sector were up by £350 million, and output has also been performing strongly. I am immensely proud, despite the difficulties globally and locally, of the success of manufacturers across Northern Ireland, including Wrightbus, in the Member's constituency, which has the honour of being able to say that it constructs one in three of all London's famous red buses. It is that sort of prowess in manufacturing that you will see emphasised, underlined, highlighted and, importantly, supported in the new draft industrial strategy published today.”
“I am well aware of the manufacturing job losses in the Member's constituency. I know that they have had a devastating impact on the local community and are still working their way through the local economy. The Member, if he downloads a copy of the draft industrial strategy and reads it overnight — it is good bedtime reading for him — will see that there is a significant emphasis on the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland. I do not dismiss for a second the impact that the sort of job losses we have seen in Ballymena has on individuals, families and local communities, but the manufacturing sector has still performed strongly across the board in Northern Ireland nonetheless. In 2015, there were around 80,000 jobs in the sector, and that is the best since 2008. Sales were up by 1·7% in 2014.”
“Members will be aware that a new economic strategy was being developed to align with the Executive’s draft Programme for Government. The strategy, which sets out an ambitious, long-term vision to transform Northern Ireland into a globally competitive economy that works for everyone, was nearing the point at which it could be released for public consultation. We now face a critically important period for the Northern Ireland economy. Now more than ever, there needs to be a strong strategic framework for growth in place. I can therefore confirm to the House that I have released today, through my Department, the draft industrial strategy for public consultation. The consultation will run for 12 weeks, and I encourage all interested parties to engage in the consultation process.”
“I will write to her with precise numbers but I think that in the range of about 30,000 premises across Northern Ireland, the majority of which are in rural areas, cannot get speeds of two megabits per second or more. That is not acceptable. I want to bear down on that and see it improved and that is why we were developing the plan. As I said to Mr Robinson, I hope that, in spite of the current political difficulties, we will still be able to take that plan forward in the not too distant future.”
“I have emphasised to the Member and the House before, that, whilst I accept that those are not good enough — that is why we have been developing the plan — there are alternative technologies in place that can present opportunities for those who just cannot get acceptable speeds. There is support from my Department to do that and I have said to Members before that they should contact the Department about that. Fibre is the gold standard, but it is not possible to get it in all locations. I think that sometimes people think that if they cannot get that they cannot get anything. That is not always the case. There are satellite and wireless technologies that can provide a decent speed. It is not necessarily the speed that people want, but it is at least a decent speed. <BR /> <BR />The Member asked about analysis. Some analysis has been done.”
“I thank the Member for her question. We do not have figures on a constituency basis but the north Down and Ards area includes most of the Member's and my constituency. On a global level, speeds in that area are not that bad. Some 98% of premises are able to get two megabits per second or more; 96% are able to get five megabits per second or more; 93% are able to get 10 megabits per second and 83% are able to get 30 megabits per second. That is one of the best in Northern Ireland. Clearly, there are still those who are getting intermittent or not strong speeds and speeds that are simply not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />There is a range of different alternatives.”
“Unfortunately, as we know, that has been hampered by the circumstances in which we find ourselves and that is not something that I believe we will be able to take forward in the next little while. It is an idea that is developing and growing in the Department. I hope that we will be able to take it forward on the other side of the election.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have had success before in being the first region in Europe to have 100% broadband capability, and we need to get back to the days when we had a broadband infrastructure that was among the best in Europe. A commitment contained in the draft industrial strategy that has been published today is to get back to the days when Northern Ireland had an enviable broadband infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />My Department has also been working on a comprehensive and ambitious plan to look at rolling fibre out to premises across Northern Ireland, whether in urban settings or in rural areas. It was an ambitious plan that I had hoped to bring forward through the Budget process and get commitment for.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I know that it is an issue that exercises him and, indeed, his constituents. He has written to me and contacted me on several occasions about poor broadband speeds in part of his East Londonderry constituency. <BR /> <BR />As I have done many times in relation to different parts of Northern Ireland — I will do so later this evening — I accept that the speeds that some businesses and residential customers get are not acceptable. They are slower and are not as reliable as they ought to be. The Executive have put considerable investment into broadband speeds over the last number of years. Some £16 million has been put in, which has helped to unlock private sector investment from BT and others.”
“Misleading advertising of broadband speeds by Internet service providers has been an area of concern for me. It is less than acceptable that residential and business customers cannot get accurate information on the broadband speed that they will receive when entering into contracts with service providers. <BR /> <BR />I wrote to the Advertising Standards Authority in August 2016 to offer my full support to the call by the Local Government Association for changes to the advertising rules for broadband suppliers. That is particularly relevant to Northern Ireland, as we are a largely rural community. Therefore, I welcome the news that the Advertising Standards Authority has taken the decision to reform or change the rules on advertising broadband speeds to offer better clarity.”
“<BR /> <BR />I hope that we can get through our present difficulties and form a Government not too far on the other side of the election of 2 March and that we continue to build on the progress. Substantial progress has been made over the past 10 years. Whether the Member and his party like it or not, huge progress has been made. Northern Ireland is an infinitely better place today than it was 10, 20 and 30 years ago. We need to continue to build on that progress and keep Northern Ireland moving in the right direction.”
“Well done to the Member on reading out his election material for the next month. I will not descend to the Member's level, although I take the point around having a Government. That is critically important. <BR /> <BR />Never mind 2021 and Northern Ireland's centenary, as important as that is. If Northern Ireland is to move forward, it needs a strong and stable Government here at Stormont. We find ourselves in difficult circumstances, but I know in my job, perhaps better than most Ministers, the importance of having an Administration here at Stormont to attract investment, and, as the Member highlights, to attract tourists to come here, who also want to see stability.”
“One thing that I will be instructing officials to take forward as part of our celebrations of 2021 borrows from a theme that was there in 1971 for our 50th anniversary — the Member might remember those celebrations — which was an expo in Belfast. There is a great opportunity to do something like that not just to celebrate our rich industrial heritage but to look to the potential of business, the economy and industry in Northern Ireland.”
“The Member is absolutely right that any celebration of Northern Ireland's 100th birthday should reflect on its great strengths and on what makes Northern Ireland a great place to live, work, visit and invest in. That is part of our industrial history as well. Sometimes we forget this, but we have a wonderful, rich and vibrant industrial heritage in this part of the world. <BR /> <BR />We should be immensely proud, if we are not already, particularly of the engineering prowess of people from this part of the world, and the entrepreneurial spirit that is very much evident in the Member's Upper Bann constituency. <BR /> <BR />We have to look to the future as well. I want to see us reflect on not only our past glories but the potential of the Northern Ireland economy and Northern Ireland industry.”
“I have known Sydney for a long time. My father worked with him for a time. I think that they were employed in the same place. I knew Sydney way back to the days when both of us were agitating in the Ulster Unionist Party —”
“I am not sure whether this is the Member's last contribution in the Chamber, but it is certainly one of his last. Of course, he announced last week that he will not be standing for election on 2 March. I beg your indulgence, Mr Deputy Speaker, to put on record my appreciation for the service that Sydney has put in down through the years.”
“My Department will play a key role in celebrating the centenary, and Tourism NI and Tourism Ireland will have their part to play in ensuring that the event is promoted to the fullest extent.”