Martina Anderson
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Ba mhaith liom labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin. To fully comprehend the falling numbers of taxi drivers in the industry, as the motion notes, it is important to mention what the industry has gone through over the last year.”
“As far as I know, not one operator in Derry received a single penny from the COVID restrictions business support scheme from the Department for the Economy. <BR /> <BR />On 1 April last year, in an open letter to taxi drivers, the Minister said that she would support taxi drivers and continue to press for more assistance.”
“The second scheme deducted the time during which they could not afford insurance from the £3,000 grant. <BR /> <BR />It took almost six months for a financial scheme that provided financial support for drivers who had paused their insurance to take effect.”
“We need urgent and decisive action so that more drivers will join the industry, and there must be incentives for drivers to return to it. <BR /> <BR />Access to taxis is not just about ensuring that people have a safe way to get home after a night out in Derry, although that is a large part of it.”
“If the taxi sector no longer has drivers available to meet demand, there will be a massive implication for the rest of the economy and for our communities and constituencies as people struggle to get from A to B. <BR /> <BR />As is noted in the motion, we need to make the industry "more attractive to new entrants".”
“Fares across the city of Derry are consistently low. Many drivers who work very long hours do not feel that they are getting a fair wage. That is why a review of fare structures is needed, and that is what I am calling for.”
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“Minister, can you give an assurance to my constituents in Derry and others across the North that those who are being transferred from legacy benefits to universal credit will have a transitional protection? What would that transitional protection be?”
“As we ease the restrictions, it will be crucial to look at that programme to make sure that we get it right. <BR /> <BR />Go raibh míle maith agat. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute.”
“There is a perception that we are playing catch-up. We are discussing regulations that have already come into place, but that is how things have been progressing. <BR /> <BR />Another section of people that I would like the Ministers to address is student nurses and domiciliary care workers in the private sector. There is still confusion as to whether they will receive all the £500 appreciation. We all know that domiciliary care workers and student nurses, like others in the health service, are the salt of the earth, and we need to give them clarity. <BR /> <BR />Finally, in relation to the point made by Pat Sheehan on test, trace and isolate, we said at the beginning of this process that it was necessary to get that right. I do not think that we did.”
“I would like the Chair of the Health Committee, as well as Ministers, to take that up. In my constituency, trying to get an OT service assessment is close to impossible. An 88-year-old constituent of mine finds it very difficult to use stairs. She cannot physically do so. Yet she has been put on a waiting list of 18 months. She will be 90 by the time she gets an assessment. On top of that, a number of my constituents need OT support because long COVID has impacted on their mobility. We need to look at the lack of OT and GP services. A number of doctors have been involved in COVID-19 duties throughout the pandemic, but, given where we are, some of my constituents still find it difficult to get access to a GP. <BR /> <BR />I raise these issues only in the context of the easing of restrictions.”
“All of us have constituents who struggle with long COVID.”
“They are not getting rate relief, nor are they getting Land and Property Services (LPS) support. They are adversely affected and are struggling. I would like the Ministers to look at that when they are looking into support for businesses. <BR /> <BR />We know about long COVID.”
“Thankfully, they know that they will be supported up until that time, but, as has been mentioned, they need more support even as they come out of the restrictions. There are some businesses that I would like to give a shout-out to, because they as yet do not understand what has happened. There are some small wholesalers that may have got support from some other grant relief, such as the COVID restrictions business support scheme (CRBSS), but have not had rate relief, because of hereditament. Apparently, that is the categorisation of a business where, if you sell it to another business as opposed to selling it to the public, you are classed as being different. There are a number of businesses, including a few in my constituency, that are small wholesalers with a net asset value of £15,000.”
“I support the regulations. In reflecting on the past year, I will say that, when we stood here at the beginning of the pandemic, we were talking about hundreds of people having lost their lives. As I stand here today, it is coming close to 3·5 million people who have died globally. The enormity of that is somewhat overpowering. When we look at the images on our screens of what is happening in India and elsewhere, we know that that number will only increase as time rolls on. <BR /> <BR />As we, thankfully, experience an easing of our restrictions, there are a couple of issues that some Members have raised that I will speak about in the context of my constituency of Foyle. Karen Mullan and I have been inundated with questions from businesses that want some clarity about what will happen after 24 May.”
“Minister, you were in the town I love so well yesterday, and people were delighted to see you there. As you said, the NDNA commitment to the Derry to London route was widely talked about. We look forward to hearing about the NDNA commitment to 10,000 students in Magee; hopefully, that will come forward at some stage as well. <BR /> <BR />Has the Department for the Economy received funding for the high street voucher scheme? Like all Members, we look forward to our constituents receiving that.”
“As the Minister will know, for me, it is always about standing up for Derry. There is a lot of goodwill for all that she has said about our constituency. As Members for that constituency, we thank her for a very positive meeting with the arts sector. There are fantastic community arts organisations. I know that the Minister has met Studio 2 and the Nerve Centre, for instance, and many others, not to leave anyone out. Compared with Belfast, Derry receives less than £21 per head of population in the allocation of arts funding. Will the Minister ensure that there is a robust and dedicated strategy to tackle that stark inequality?”
“Given the devastating impact of Brexit on fishermen and fisherwomen, what exactly is the current position for fishing vessels that go from the North to the South, and vice versa?”
“I said that we were discussing reports of ambulances being stoned: that is the difference.”
“Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker.”
“— inevitably the violence will be too. Tá mé ag tacú leis an rún. I support the motion.”
“Young people enraged by dangerous and provocative rhetoric are easy prey for the crime gangs involved in drug dealing, extortion and intimidation as well as attacks on journalists, bus drivers, photographers and representatives. It will be the young loyalists who will face the wrath of the criminal justice system, not those who shamefully stoked and orchestrated the violence. <BR /> <BR />Today, we must stand together to condemn without equivocation the violence on our streets, which serves as a sobering reminder that peace is a process that needs to be constantly safeguarded. If leadership is shown today and every day and if the rhetoric is toned down —”
“We all know that our young people and people collectively deserve a society in which tolerance, equal treatment and the rule of law are standards that govern all institutions and everyday life. <BR /> <BR />I have listened to people in the PUL community who feel that their identity has been undermined by changes brought about by the British Government and political unionism. Those changes have happened and challenge us, but they have to be managed. So, my appeal, on behalf of the many people in Derry whom I have the privilege to represent, is for us to work together and use dialogue to meet those challenges together and shape a future that addresses the needs of all of our people together. I do not want to see any young person from any tradition having their life ruined by a criminal record.”
“Today, in the Chamber, we need to demonstrate a generosity of spirit; outreach to one another; dial down the rhetoric; build on the common ground on which we all stand; and, as political leaders, recommit to upholding a culture of lawfulness in actions and words. Twenty-three years after the Good Friday Agreement, we are, thankfully, in the privileged space where dialogue can be used to build relationships between orange and green and all other traditions who call our society "home". From political representatives, leadership is essential at all times, in good times and in challenging times. The key to that is dialogue and proactive engagement between all traditions and none.”
“Afterwards, we issued a joint statement calling for an end to the ongoing cycle of violence. <BR /> <BR />I and Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson were in small, mainly nationalist areas in the Waterside, such as Currynierin and Shepherds Glen, with residents who felt utterly terrified in their homes as attempts were made to restrict access into and out of their estates, putting lives, families and communities at risk. There is no doubt that council and departmental support is needed for the besieged community of Currynierin, for youth services and to build community capacity. <BR /> <BR />When violence occurs in nationalist areas of Derry, it is community activists, youth leaders and Sinn Féin who are on the ground, assisting to de-escalate the situation and challenge bad behaviour.”
“The violence that erupted in Derry was mainly in the Waterside Protestant/unionist/loyalist (PUL) areas and was orchestrated by crime gangs. To demonstrate unity of purpose, political leaders — me, Gary Middleton, Karen Mullan and Sinead McLaughlin — met the PSNI district commander, the Chamber of Commerce, the City Centre Initiative and other statutory agencies to discuss reports of ambulances being stoned, petrol bombs being fired at cars, petrol bombs being put into the hands of 12-year-old children and police officers being injured.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as a fhreagra. I thank the Member for his answer. Does he agree that Irish language signage in the Building would be reflective of the community that it serves?”
“The Minister knows that there is a lack of capacity in Derry. Some 3,000 homes in Skeoge need sewerage capacity and are being delayed as a consequence of that. What plans are in place to accelerate that work? "No drains, no cranes; no cranes, no drains", as some say, whatever that is all about. In the Infrastructure Committee, we know what it is all about. We are very aware of the need for waste water sewerage capacity in Derry.”
“I note that the monitoring rounds have been agreed by all Executive Ministers. That is something that should be taken back there. <BR /> <BR />I note, Minister, that you received £280 million, the largest ever capital funding for your Department. Has the Minister ever bid, during any of the monitoring rounds, to kick-start the upgrade of the A2 Buncrana Road?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for that answer. How advanced are the plans for the second grade A office accommodation in Ebrington Square?”
“Going forward, that is what our society needs.”
“We view our past differently, and we have different narratives that conflict with one another, but we can respect each other's differences, and we can agree to disagree. Reconciliation in a new Ireland is rooted in timeless republican core principles. Sinn Féin is working to build an outward, positive and inclusive rights-based society. However, political parties that seek electoral support from sectarian politics cannot achieve a cohesive, united community if they continue to whip up their base into a toxic, sectarian frenzy in, perhaps, an effort to stop their votes haemorrhaging. I am an Irish republican, driven by an absolute commitment to anti-sectarianism now and in the future.”
“Sinn Féin has adopted and published detailed policies and concrete proposals for tackling sectarianism, and that is what we bring to the discussion on flags, identity, culture and tradition. That is Sinn Féin's contribution to overcoming sectarianism and engaging in conversations about the continued transformation of society towards reconciliation and Irish unity. Now is the time for other parties to bring forward their proposals to end sectarianism, promote reconciliation and to engage others in that debate, which is a debate that we are committed to having. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that the legacy of our past political conflict continues to cast a very long shadow over political and communal life.”
“Anti-Irish diatribe has been characteristic of some unionist politicians who proudly light bonfires that are bedecked with Irish flags, boastfully insult Irish republicans and nationalists with such remarks as "Coronavirus is a Taig plague", "Curry my yogurt" and "Feeding the crocodiles", stop bursaries for aspiring Irish language speakers and even change the Irish name on a boat. That was not any of us going out of our way to be offended; that was offensive. <BR /> <BR />We need equal expression of all identities on this island in council chambers, in this Building and on this estate. That is the test for political leaders, and all political parties need to confront sectarianism in all its ugly facets.”
“Therefore, the centenary stone proposal, in the shape of the partitioned Six Counties, was insensitive, to say the least, to the identity, culture and tradition of people who viewed it as symbolic of the past failures of political unionism and of a statelet that discriminated, excluded, oppressed and gerrymandered. <BR /> <BR />No effort at reconciliation has been made by the state to address the violence and suffering caused during that era, and, to this day, DUP politicians continue to treat with disdain the flag, identity, culture and language of the Irish tradition.”
“Tá mé ag tacú leis an rún agus leis an leasú. I support the motion and the amendment. The issue of flags, identity, culture and tradition are multifaceted. I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate as it is timely or, some might say, well overdue. There is no doubt that there has been a lack of leadership from the state since the partition of Ireland. This statelet, once referred to as an orange state, had no intention or desire to be inclusive. It instilled in the republican and nationalist tradition a deep understanding that we were born into a little sectarian state that neither wanted nor welcomed us. The violent imposition of partition led to the creation of an exclusionary orange state that was built on institutionalised sectarianism.”
“The Sinn Féin Members in the Assembly and thousands more in society are very proud of Minister Deirdre Hargey.”
“If the DUP is genuinely concerned about poverty mitigation measures, I hope that it will support the Minister's request for further funding. I also hope that, when the anti-poverty strategy comes forward, the DUP will not only support a ring-fenced budget for its delivery but will ensure that its Ministers allocate resources in their Departments towards addressing poverty. <BR /> <BR />Thankfully, it is a Sinn Féin Minister of the calibre of Deirdre Hargey who is at the helm of the Department for Communities, works every day to protect the most vulnerable in our society and is determined to deliver the welfare mitigation review, as stated in 'New Decade, New Approach'. Sinn Féin Minister Deirdre Hargey will go down in history as a Minister who has played a vital role in tackling poverty and working to create a fair and just society.”
“Other tangible supports made by Minister Hargey include the removal of the seven-day wait for new claims for employment and support allowance; changes to the rules for sickness and maternity pay; and the much needed funeral expenses scheme. Food boxes were delivered to 200,000 homes in need, and 220,000 people recently received an additional £200 fuel support grant. <BR /> <BR />Poverty has not just materialised from the COVID-19 pandemic; it existed as a result of deep-set regional inequalities and a lack of jobs and opportunities being targeted where they were needed the most, especially in places like Derry. All of that was layered over by a decade of cold, calculated Tory austerity from London that has stifled economic growth and wages.”
“To date, almost 85,000 people in the North have benefited from the mitigation package that Sinn Féin demanded, including the 47,000 homes protected from the bedroom tax. The Comptroller and Auditor General painted a stark picture of what the alternative would have been without the protections secured by Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />Minister Hargey also wants to end the British Government's scandalous two-child policy and wants the £20 uplift in universal credit to be maintained. Minister Hargey is acutely aware that, in places like Derry, the number of people claiming universal credit has increased by 50% since December 2019 — an increase of over 2,100 people.”
“The Minister has already confirmed that she not only intends to continue mitigations but wants to strengthen them by legislating to close loopholes in the bedroom tax and benefit cap provisions so that more people will benefit. It was Sinn Féin that put up a fight for vulnerable people and vulnerable families across the North against fierce opposition by the British Government and, indeed, the DUP, and you know that. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin negotiated and secured £585 million for welfare mitigation of Tory austerity. The British Government were adamant that unmitigated welfare cuts would be imposed without top-up payments and with full-blown sanctions: Sinn Féin refused to let that happen.”
“I must admit to having a wry smile on my face when I saw the DUP motion. Traditionally, the DUP has consistently positioned itself against Sinn Féin on many social and economic issues, including welfare mitigation. I hope that the concern expressed by the DUP is a real change of heart. Whatever triggered it — opinion polls, who knows? — it is welcome. The DUP now realises that poverty affects people across the North and that Sinn Féin's efforts to mitigate the worst impact of Tory austerity were the right thing to do. <BR /> <BR />During the past year, Minister Hargey has put in place a range of measures to mitigate the adverse social impact of the pandemic. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that welfare support is made available to the households that have been hit hardest.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I appreciate what has happened with regard to the appointment of Colin Jess. It is deeply appreciated by those who work in the social enterprise industry. As you know, Minister, 94p of every pound that is spent by the social enterprises is kept in the local economy in places like Derry. Minister, will you engage with representatives more widely? I am thinking of John McGowan in Derry who is very keen to explore additional ways for social enterprises to increase their capacity to compete for public contracts.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, as you know, the Finance Minister has made social value a mandatory component of procurement contracts. Can you confirm that there will be social clauses in the procurement contracts coming on stream and that social value will be an integral part of the capital funding for Derry?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, on behalf of the near thousand businesses in Derry, I want to thank you for the grant support that they have received. It has been a lifeline. The owners of the businesses that previously received £10,000 will deeply appreciate what they heard. Will you give more details to the owners of those businesses that were not eligible before for any of the grant schemes but who will now be eligible? They would deeply appreciate getting more information.”
“I thank the Minister. Waste water capacity is one of the biggest issues facing housing and planning in the North. Plans are under way to build a waste water treatment pump at the Derry/Donegal border, for instance, so that the lack of sewerage capacity does not literally block the development of 4,000 housing units in the border area of Skeoge. That could benefit from the collaborative spatial planning that the Minister's statement addresses. Was the collaborative development and collaborative spatial planning development, rather than back-to-back development, with regard to sewerage in such places as Derry and Donegal discussed or raised at the meeting?”
“Minister, we have tragically seen that the make-up of those who have died from COVID has disproportionately been those who have suffered from dementia. I am conscious that you said that, in response to the last question, the reform is ongoing. Do you intend to bring forward plans to transform adult social care? When will we get an opportunity to hear those plans?”
“Minister, this appointment will have the new chief executive oversee a range of capital projects, including the Ulster canal restoration. PEACE PLUS is coming through — hopefully in full — but, as we have been dragged out of the EU, it will potentially be the last funding of its sort that we get in the North. Is the chief executive considering any other projects to try to access Peace IV funding? You and other Ministers know that a lot of projects will be trying to get money from that fund.”
“— are reflective of your position and that of your party.”
“The fact is that 80% of our SMEs, which employ the lion's share of workers here, operate on an all-Ireland basis. It would be good if you clarified whether the comments that were made today by your MP —”
“I, too, wish Edwin and his family all the very best. I wish you luck in replacing him; you have big shoes to fill. I also acknowledge Gary Middleton, who is trying to step in to your brief for the time that you are away. <BR /> <BR />Like others have done, I condemn the threats that have been made. Those threats, in whatever way they have come about, need to be withdrawn. <BR /> <BR />Minister, there is no doubt that east-west trade is important, but as, I think, you recognise, the largest market that we have is the EU and the rest of the world. The statistics prove that. There has been a trading adjustment shock. We talked about that at the Executive Office Committee when you were a junior Minister. One of your MPs said that there should be a change to North/South cooperation. Is that the position now of the DUP?”
“Minister, I know that you are aware that members of the Infrastructure Committee have raised the issue of the second scheme being issued on a pro rata basis. Many taxi drivers who temporarily suspended their insurance did so because they were shielding or simply had no money to work. Therefore, picking up on what the Committee Chair said about the Finance Minister asking ministerial colleagues to come forward with further bids, are you anticipating or even organising and arranging an additional bid for an enhanced scheme? I am conscious that the second scheme is coming out, but taxi drivers do not feel that £3,000 over a year is sufficient.”
“Minister, many businesses in the transport sector have received insufficient COVID support or none at all. How many bids have you received from the Infrastructure Minister about those businesses that have been excluded? I am particularly mindful of taxi operators and taxi drivers, who have received insufficient funds during the COVID pandemic.”
“I especially send my deepest sympathy to Majella McCourt, who lost her soulmate and husband, and to her children, who lost their father, at the weekend. Derry lost a solid republican who will be sadly missed by all. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.”
“I ask that that stops and that they get the full grant like everyone else because they had to pay the full cost of the PPE once they renewed their insurance. <BR /> <BR />Every one of us in the Chamber knows that the last 12 months has been horrendous. Unfortunately, like many in the Chamber, I stand here heartbroken, having known many of those who have lost their life, particularly during this wave of COVID. I have been told that, during the first wave, not one death occurred in Altnagelvin Area Hospital of someone from Derry and Strabane council area, yet we are now looking at over 110 deaths — and I see my constituency colleague Gary over there. I send my heartfelt sympathy to the loved ones of all those who have lost their life due to COVID.”
“I ask that that issue is taken account of and that the Minister, please, feeds it back. <BR /> <BR />The amendment (No. 25) regulations permitted taxi hire to operate during the tighter restrictions. Taxi drivers who temporarily suspended their insurance but who were able to operate at that time because they renewed it are being penalised and will not receive the full grant. They will receive a reduced COVID grant. Either they were shielding or the stay-at-home message impacted on their customer base, and they simply had no money. It is wrong that the second grant that is going out under the taxi support scheme will penalise taxi drivers who temporarily suspended their insurance because they had no money to pay for it.”
“I ask the Minister to take account of hospitals, such as Waterside Hospital in Derry, that have units with dementia patients. We hear about the vaccine being rolled out to care homes, but the Waterside Hospital has wards with dementia patients and patients who have mobility issues, and they are not being vaccinated. I was given information by the trust to inform a family that their loved one would be vaccinated. The family wanted them home to form part of their Christmas bubble. The family wanted them home to take care of them, and the hospital needed the space. I told the family that their loved one would be getting vaccinated, only for the trust to tell them, two weeks later, "No, he is still not vaccinated because we do not have authorisation from the Health Minister".”