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 15 of 73.
“I had good engagement with the Secretary of State for International Trade, Dr Liam Fox; the new Business Secretary, Greg Clark; and, as I mentioned before, David Davis. We are working with them directly, and with their officials at official-to-official level, to ensure that they are well aware of and very familiar with the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland and the issues that we want them to have to the forefront of their minds as they enter into negotiations in the weeks, months and years ahead. <BR /> <BR />I personally, and the officials in my Department, continue to consult with business, particularly through a liaison group that Invest NI has set up. We have been meeting sectors and individual companies.”
“Clearly, we are dealing with a range of issues as a result of the referendum in the UK and the democratic will expressed by the people of the UK to leave the European Union. <BR /> <BR />This is another example of nothing but negativity. People must have had a very bad holiday across the way: there is nothing but negativity and talking down Northern Ireland and the opportunities for our economy. I believe that a huge number of opportunities for our economy flow from Brexit. What I am focused on, and what the whole of the Executive is now focused on, is getting the best deal for Northern Ireland. We are seeking to influence, and are influencing, Her Majesty's Government's position. I had the good fortune over the summer to meet not one but three Cabinet Ministers, not including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.”
“I will therefore continue to work with the sector. It is an incredibly important sector to our economy, and one that I want to see continue to grow.”
“Let me be clear about having a manufacturing sector strategy for Northern Ireland. If I believed that it would make a difference to combating, as I said, downturns and slowdowns in markets in South America or China, or that it could deal with falls in commodity prices such as that of oil, I would have started work on a strategy weeks ago. I am pretty sure, however, that the Member cannot tell me, never mind the House or the people working in the manufacturing sector, how a specific strategy for manufacturing could do anything to deal with those particular problems. What we will continue to do is to work very closely with the sector. Invest NI has provided £270 million of support since 2011, and that has unlocked £1·9 billion of investment in the manufacturing sector and created 13,000 jobs.”
“I am very proud of particular successes that manufacturing companies in Northern Ireland continue to register: that one in three London buses is made in Ballymena; that 40% of the world's mobile crushing and screening equipment is manufactured in Northern Ireland; and that 30% of the world's airline seats are made down in Kilkeel. I am very proud of those successes and will continue to celebrate them.”
“It is pretty sad to hear the Member, the Ulster Unionist Party and others talk down the Northern Ireland economy, or parts of it, in the House and elsewhere. After bad news such as this from Caterpillar, it is difficult to appreciate that the manufacturing sector as a whole in Northern Ireland has been doing well in recent times. Jobs are up to 80,000 for the first time since 2008. Sales have increased by 1·7% on 2014. Exports are at £6·3 billion, which is up £350 million on the previous year. In particular, on output, which is up 2·4%, our manufacturing sector is outperforming the rest of the UK, having increased hugely since 2009. I am very proud of those figures.”
“This is not something that is affecting Northern Ireland specifically; it is affecting a company that is having particular difficulties at this time. <BR /> <BR />After you listen to that and appreciate the impact on 200 to 250 families in the community and on people in the Monkstown area, it is difficult for me then to say that we have a very successful manufacturing sector as a whole in Northern Ireland, but the truth is that we do. Some want to do the sector down, but I as Minister will not do that, particularly when it is doing well.”
“That results from a significant, sustained downturn in Caterpillar's business, which has seen its revenues decrease by around 21% over the last five years. That is a huge chunk of revenue, and any business would have to respond accordingly. In particular, there have been slowdowns in its business in China and South America, which are both key markets, and the collapse in oil prices has had a knock-on impact on many of the products that Caterpillar makes. <BR /> <BR />There have been huge numbers of plant closures right across the company, including in Germany, Japan and Indonesia. The day after the Northern Ireland announcement, a plant employing 2,000 people in Belgium was closed, and, even in the US in its home town of Peoria in Illinois, there were job losses.”
“I had a very useful conversation with Robert Kennedy, the managing director of Caterpillar's operations in Northern Ireland. It was very clear that the decision is not a vote of no confidence in Northern Ireland as a place for the company to invest in, although some may wish to portray it in that way. It is quite the opposite: the company recognises the efforts of the workforce here and the competitive opportunities that investing in Northern Ireland presents to the firm. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear: the disappointing job reductions and the closure of the Monkstown plant come as a result of huge global restructuring by Caterpillar, through which 10,000 jobs are being lost across the company over the next number of years.”
“The employment service is already working with the company to be in a position to deliver specific support measures to the workers impacted. All relevant Departments and agencies will help those affected to find alternative employment or equip them through retraining to compete in the labour market. <BR /> <BR />Caterpillar is one of our leading manufacturing businesses and will continue to make a valuable contribution to manufacturing in Northern Ireland, not least through the employment of more than 1,500 people in Belfast and Larne. Invest NI will work closely with the company to help to strengthen this important presence in Northern Ireland.”
“Invest NI’s chief executive met representatives of the company's local and US teams in Belfast in May this year and again met US senior management at the company’s US headquarters in August. <BR /> <BR />The decision by Caterpillar to seek 200 to 250 redundancies as well as the potential closure of its plant at Monkstown is very disappointing. I am mindful of the very direct and personal impact that this devastating news will have on the workers affected and their families at this time. <BR /> <BR />I spoke to Caterpillar’s managing director for the Northern Ireland operations last week to confirm that my Department stands ready to provide all appropriate support to the workers affected at this difficult time.”
“Caterpillar has been a significant employer and an important investor in Northern Ireland for 50 years, for many of those years as F G Wilson and, since 1999, as part of the global US company. Given its strategic importance, Invest NI has always maintained a close relationship with local and US management. Invest NI staff work with the company on a regular basis at an operational level and at a higher, strategic level, where potential new investment opportunities are sought.”
“I cannot speak for the AERA Minister, but I am sure that she will want to keep in close contact with counterparts in Wales, Scotland and other jurisdictions as she moves forward.”
“My discussions have not covered that specifically. That is probably a question that would be better put to the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, who I am sure will be very keen, in developing a way forward for the industry, particularly in the post-referendum context, to discuss the issues closely with the UK Government. I am sure that she took the opportunity to raise issues about the whole area of agrifoods. In fact, I know that she took that opportunity in the meeting that she had with David Davis, the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, to make sure that he was aware of the particular circumstances that our agrifood sector faces.”
“I am very excited about the plans, and they have my full support. I look forward to working with the fishing industry in Kilkeel to take them forward and bring them to fruition.”
“It would, of course, bring employment and income to the area, particularly through repairs and maintenance and in processing. As well as the processing side, there are other business units that would be part of that and would help to revive the local economy. <BR /> <BR />I plan to visit the area to see the latest on the plan for Kilkeel harbour. I understand that two studies are required: a feasibility study and an environmental study. I am happy to inform the House that Invest Northern Ireland has commenced that feasibility study in concert with the Strategic Investment Board. <BR /> <BR />As Mr Wells said, the plan is all about regenerating Kilkeel with the aim of putting fishing back at the heart of the local community and building a better future for Kilkeel and the fishing industry.”
“I thank Mr Wells for his question. Unlike others, who want to perhaps shackle the fishing industry in Northern Ireland to the road to nowhere, I want to help. Alongside the AERA Minister and the whole of the Executive, I want to try to restore our fishing industry to its former glory. <BR /> <BR />I am aware of the plans that Mr Wells has referenced, and I am excited about them. They show a very positive vision for Kilkeel, the fishing industry in South Down and the whole of Northern Ireland. I am aware that the plans would facilitate large, modern herring and mackerel boats to land in Kilkeel. It would be only the second port on the whole of the island of Ireland where that could be done, with the only other port being, I think, Killybegs.”
“I am very fortunate to have family from Ardglass, and I remember sitting in my grandmother and grandfather's house many years ago when I was a young man — not that many years ago — looking down at the port and seeing a thriving fishing industry. I remember tens and tens of boats coming in and landing their catch and it being processed and benefiting the economy of the south Down area. The same was true in Kilkeel and Portavogie. What do you see today? Nowhere near the same industry. What is the primary reason given to you by the fishermen? It is Europe and the common fisheries policy. Many fishermen, me, others in the House and other representatives will be glad to be free from the common fisheries policy and to develop a more sustainable future for fishing in Northern Ireland.”
“I have to acknowledge that there has been investment in our fishing ports from Europe, much of which had to involve match funding from our budgets to access it. As the Members behind me have indicated to the Member — they are absolutely right in what they are saying — he should talk to fishermen in his constituency; he should go to the ports of Ardglass, Kilkeel and Portavogie. The one story that I have heard in all my days representing the people of the area of Portavogie is their hatred — that is not putting it too strongly — of the common fisheries policy and the damage, the absolute damage, that it has done. <BR /> <BR />The Member shakes his head.”
“The group includes representatives of the fishing industry and the fish processing industry in Northern Ireland. As I said, it is incredibly important that their voice is heard as we develop our thoughts and the way forward in dealing with the negotiations as they crop up.”
“I understand that the initiative is now live and will complement DAERA's maritime and fisheries fund with support for capital and export marketing projects. <BR /> <BR />In the negotiations regarding Brexit, there are huge opportunities for the fishing sector in Northern Ireland. As the Member knows, I represent Portavogie and from listening to fishermen down there before and after the referendum I know that they see huge opportunities for their industry as we move forward. To ensure that the interests of the whole agrifood sector in Northern Ireland, particularly fishing, are looked after, the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and I have set up a liaison group, which met for the first time a few days after the referendum result and will meet again tomorrow morning.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He obviously represents a constituency that has two — sorry, three: there is Annalong as well, of course — of Northern Ireland's four big fishing ports. As I outlined, it is an incredibly important sector in our economy. It is a shared responsibility, in many respects, for me and the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. We will continue to work closely together on a range of agrifood issues because we think that there are huge opportunities for Northern Ireland as we move forward. <BR /> <BR />Invest NI works closely with other Departments in providing support to the sector and recently gained approval to offer support to the fish processing industry through a new fish and aquaculture processing and marketing scheme.”
“There is no doubt about the positive contribution that the sector makes to the local economy, and the quality of the products caught should be recognised. During 2016, two fish processors achieved success in the Great Taste awards in recognition of the quality of their products. Rooney Fish, which is based in Kilkeel, achieved a top 50 listing and was awarded three stars for its Pacific oysters, and Ewing's from Belfast won two stars for its organic smoked Irish salmon. <BR /> <BR />Over the past five years, Invest Northern Ireland has offered £1·1 million support to the fish and aquaculture processing sector, which has levered in investment of £5·7 million and promoted 70 new jobs.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is estimated that gross turnover in the fish processing sector in 2015 was £76·1 million, representing 1·7% of the total turnover generated by Northern Ireland's food and drink processing sector. Export sales made by the fish and aquaculture processing sector were £41·2 million, representing 4·2% of the total food export sales. In 2015, in Northern Ireland, there were 25 registered processing facilities employing 484 full-time and 232 part-time staff and paying an average wage of £17,875. <BR /> <BR />Invest Northern Ireland actively engages with the fish processing sector and offers a wide range of support, acknowledging the quality of the produce that is caught and processed in Northern Ireland.”
“The fish sector in Northern Ireland provides excellent, high-protein products and is well placed to take advantage of the increasing global demand for food. The sector includes the catching and processing of fish and makes an important and valuable contribution to the local economy, particularly to rural, coastal communities, creating direct employment and supporting growth in its wider supply chain. <BR /> <BR />In 2014, the total volume of fish caught and landed by Northern Ireland-registered vessels home and abroad was 57,300 tons, worth £55·7 million. During 2015, the total volume of fish landed in Northern Ireland ports was 22,500 tons, worth £28·2 million. The fishing fleet comprises 364 vessels and, in 2015, employed 708 full-time and 151 part-time fishermen.”
“With the saturation of advertising from particular companies, some people perhaps think that fibre-optic is all that is available and that, if you do not have that, you do not have decent broadband. I am looking at this actively. We have been working with local councils, but I am also looking at how we can better promote those alternative technologies and use the network of Assembly Members and other elected representatives and their advice centres around Northern Ireland to help communicate the alternative technologies that do exist and can provide decent broadband speeds and reliability to people in many rural parts of Northern Ireland.”
“We have made huge strides. I accept that speeds in some parts of Northern Ireland are still not as good as they should be. We should acknowledge the investment that has been made, particularly through the broadband improvement project, which has helped 7,000 additional premises in his constituency to get support. <BR /> <BR />As I have mentioned to other Members, I am very keen to ensure that everybody is aware of the range of technologies that are available. To go back to Mr Boylan's question, the thinking is not only of fibre-optic broadband. There are alternatives that they may be able to access to get a decent broadband speed. I accept that there has perhaps been a failing on our part in not promoting those alternative technologies properly.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is right, and I accept the points that he is making. This has developed in recent years. The Member has been in the House for some time. If I recall rightly, when he first came into the House, we did not have broadband speeds even in this Building at the level that we now experience in many parts of Northern Ireland, such is the progress that has been made. Somebody behind me is saying that they are still not great.”
“I mentioned the 44,000 households across all parts of Northern Ireland that do not have speeds in excess of 2 Mb per second. I want to improve that, and the Executive have an ambitious target in their Programme for Government. The Member will appreciate that to do what he is asking will require considerable investment. I want to discuss with Ofcom and providers like BT what is possible and, more importantly, affordable as we look at budgets moving forward.”
“I stand here charged with seeking to try to improve Internet connectivity and broadband speeds. I do so with a range of limited powers at my disposal. The Member is talking about putting fibre-optic broadband into largely rural parts of his constituency of Newry and Armagh. The same would ring true, I am sure, for all parts of Northern Ireland. However, that comes at a considerable cost. The Member will acknowledge that, over the last number of years, we have made significant improvements as a result of the £64 million that has been invested since 2008. I do not want to rehearse all the improvements that we have made, but we have made some. I accept, though, that there are some parts of his constituency and others that have not felt those improvements.”
“<BR /> <BR />It was part of the First Minister's plan for Northern Ireland that we invest in making sure that there is no digital divide. I do not want two classes of Internet connectivity in Northern Ireland: one in urban areas; another in rural areas. It is worth noting, as I said, that alternatives are available to customers in those parts of his constituency. I am happy to work with the Member in trying to ensure their awareness of alternative technologies that they might be able to avail themselves of.”
“It is not acceptable that, even after the £60-odd million worth of investment that we have made over the last number of years, some 44,000 households still have speeds of less than two megabits per second, particularly in rural areas. A lot of them are in the west of the Province, but not exclusively. I could take the Member, you, Mr Deputy Speaker, and others to parts of my constituency — an area that might be perceived as having better speeds — that do not have good Internet access. <BR /> <BR />I have written to the Advertising Standards Authority regarding the accuracy — or what I believe to be the inaccuracy — of some BT broadband adverts, particularly those advertising an "up to" speed. They should be advertising, particularly in the areas of his constituency that he mentioned, an average rather than an "up to" speed.”
“I am not sure whether Mr McQuillan intended to raise some mirth in the Chamber when he asked that question, but I see some smiles. As I said to Mr McNulty, I will take note of the areas that the Member raised and I am happy to discuss with him how we might be able to improve the service that customers in those parts of his constituency, which are rural, I know, have received from BT. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we acknowledge the work that BT has done and the considerable investment that it has made, especially in urban parts of Northern Ireland. The improvement that I was able to outline in my first answer is a result of not only pump-priming by government here in Northern Ireland and, indeed, by DCMS but of the investment that BT has made. However, it would be unfair if I did not say that I had concerns.”
“I am due to engage directly with Ofcom on a range of matters in the not too distant future, and I am sure that the USO will be one of the subjects that we touch upon.”
“It is important to note that, at 28·3 megabits per second, the average speed in Northern Ireland is quite close to the UK average, as I mentioned, but there are obviously a lot of people getting well short of that. <BR /> <BR />In some respects, Her Majesty's Government's ambitions are, perhaps, too low, reflecting, I am sure, the challenges that they understand there to be with rolling out broadband, particularly to rural parts of the United Kingdom. However, the Member will be aware that the draft Programme for Government target for Internet connectivity is that we should increase the number of people getting above 30 megabits per second. I, and the Executive as a whole, are a lot more ambitious about increasing and enhancing Internet connectivity and getting those speeds higher. <BR /> <BR />The Member mentioned Ofcom.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The universal service obligation was first mooted by the previous Prime Minister in November 2015. I know that the Member appreciates that the primary policy responsibility still resides with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). My Department, and the Executive as a whole, have the ability to act as a catalyst because we have some investments in broadband through a range of technologies, but the primary responsibility still resides with DCMS. <BR /> <BR />The Government's plan was to give everyone across the UK the legal right to request at least a 10 megabits per second broadband connection by 2020. I support the principle of a universal service obligation.”
“A range of alternative technologies is available, and I am keen to make sure that Members, councillors and other elected representatives and, more importantly, customers, are aware of those so that when they experience problems, they know about the full range of options available to them.”
“There is a particular challenge in rural areas, and that is why I am incredibly keen to make sure that Members who receive a considerable number of complaints, as the Member has identified, are aware of the full range of services available. <BR /> <BR />There is a bit of a view that if you cannot get fibre, that is it, you cannot get broadband or acceptable broadband speeds. There is support, through a range of different providers and technologies, primarily around using satellite and wireless as well. OK; those do not provide the speeds that you get through fibre in some towns and cities, but they will provide a decent broadband speed for people across Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He mentioned particular areas. I would say, not just to the Member but to any Members, that where there are more than one or two problems in an area that they are detecting through their constituency work, they should bring them to me. I will take a note of the areas that the Member has mentioned, but if he wants to give us a little more detail we can take that forward and try to raise those issues with providers. <BR /> <BR />He mentioned fibre specifically, and I acknowledge that it is not easy to provide fibre — certainly not superfast fibre broadband — to all premises in Northern Ireland.”
“It ensures that no household or business that meets the eligibility criteria need pay more than £400 to access a basic broadband scheme over a 12-month period.”
“My Department is also managing the superfast roll-out programme, which, by 31 December 2017, will provide access to superfast broadband with speeds of at least 24 megabits per second to a further 39,000 premises across Northern Ireland, again primarily in rural areas. <BR /> <BR />It is important to recognise that where fixed-line broadband is not available, other technology alternatives are, and details can be found on my Department’s website. We also intend to publish further information to promote better awareness of broadband solutions. For those premises that continue to have access to services of less than two megabits per second, my Department offers assistance with the cost of installing a basic broadband service using satellite or wireless technology.”
“While there is no doubt that this investment has brought significant improvements for many rural dwellers, I recognise that more needs to be done. <BR /> <BR />My Department’s Northern Ireland broadband improvement project has already improved broadband access for over 43,000 premises. That includes around 7,000 in Newry and Armagh and around 3,600 in East Londonderry. The contract, which was awarded to BT, has a mechanism that requires BT to return funding for reinvestment when take-up of service exceeds a certain threshold. That will allow more premises to see improvements.”
“With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will answer questions 1 and 4 together. <BR /> <BR />Since 2008, my Department has channelled almost £64 million to encourage private-sector upgrades to our telecoms networks, primarily in rural areas. Currently, 83% of households in Northern Ireland can access the Internet, compared to 86% across the United Kingdom as a whole. Ninety-four per cent of premises in Northern Ireland can now access broadband services of two megabits per second or better. Across the UK, the figure is 98%. <BR /> <BR />Broadband download speeds in Northern Ireland continue to increase. The average download speed now stands at 28·3 megabits per second, just below the UK average of 29 megabits per second.”
“It was an exceptional way of doing business in what were pressing circumstances, which is a point that has been made. <BR /> <BR />The proposed order will provide the legislative certainty that small-scale onshore wind developers require and will limit the risk of the Department of Energy and Climate Change using its backstop power, which I commented on earlier. Looking to the future beyond NIRO, I want to turn my attention to a new policy approach to renewable energy in the context of a refocused strategic energy framework. I commend the motion to the House.”
“However, I accept the points that have been made around the process leading to us being here this evening. I thank the Committee for nonetheless favourably considering the legislation. I put my hands up and accept responsibility for the delay that has taken place. Given the seriousness of the issue, which, again, was a point made by many Members, including those who criticised the delay in bringing this forward, I did what I thought was appropriate: I took the time, as a new Minister, to look at the legislation carefully and consider all the options that had been consulted on. I assure the House and, importantly, the Chair and Committee that this is not a way in which I intend to do business with the Committee in the future. It is not some sort of precedent that I want to set.”
“I thank everybody who contributed to the debate this evening. I particularly thank the Chair and Committee for their support. I accept the point made by the Chair and other contributors to the short debate this evening around the time given to the Committee to scrutinise the legislation. As the Chair and Mr Dunne pointed out, the previous ETI Committee had lots of familiarity with the issue. Much of that knowledge then transferred to the new Economy Committee. <BR /> <BR />I do not accept the point made by Ms Bradley that the process, imperfect as it was, which I accept, is, in some way, anti-democratic. The Member had an opportunity in Committee to express her view in a democratic fashion; indeed, she has also had that opportunity this evening, so I do not accept that criticism.”
“<BR /> <BR />The proposed closure order will provide the legislative certainty that small-scale onshore wind developers require and will reduce the potential for DECC to enact the backstop power. That will hopefully enable those projects to proceed to deployment, further increasing the amount of renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland.”
“That means that projects that can demonstrate that they have an accepted grid connection offer, relevant planning permission and evidence of land rights as of 30 September 2015 will be able to accredit their stations up to 31 March 2017. In some cases, if projects can meet further grace period eligibility criteria, they can seek accreditation up until 31 March 2019. <BR /> <BR />I listened to stakeholder concerns about the impact on investor confidence. Therefore, the legislation includes an investment-freezing grace period for projects that can demonstrate that they have been unable to secure financial investment in the period prior to the legislation being in place.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some 126 responses were received from a range of stakeholders, including members of the public, independent generators, developers, trade associations, energy suppliers and non-governmental organisations. I thank everyone who took the time to respond. Over 93% of those who indicated a preference chose closure on 30 June 2016, 1% chose 30 September 2016 and 6% chose 31 March next year. A number of responses were critical of subsidies for onshore wind in general. <BR /> <BR />In light of the overwhelming support to close as soon as possible and in order to reduce the risk of DECC enacting the backstop power, I have decided that the NIRO should close to new small-scale onshore wind-generating stations on 30 June 2016, in line with the minded position in the consultation proposals.”
“Subsequently, the market for such non-redeemable NIROCs would be limited to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the exact impact of that is hard, if not impossible, to predict with any certainty, it could destabilise the entire NIROC market. The most likely impact is a reduction in the value of NIROCs and hence the viability of renewables projects, both new and existing and wind and non-wind. In considering the options for closure, I have to be mindful of that threat; indeed, such is the magnitude of that potential threat to the renewable electricity sector in Northern Ireland that I felt it necessary to bring forward this legislation at short notice to be debated before the summer recess. I am grateful to the Speaker and the House for allowing me to bring it forward today at short notice.”