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.”
The complete record
Every one of 414 lines we hold for Martina Anderson, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 9.
“Amendment No. 11 closed down an awful lot of the hospitality and other sectors. That is why those people are desperately trying to get access to a scheme. They feel that there has been a protracted delay in getting money into the pockets of their workers and their workers' family. Those are the people who are calling on us, as we come forward with restrictions like those in amendment No. 11 and others, to take account of the fact that there are people who have not received a single penny in nine months. <BR /> <BR />When we are talking about trying to get collective support in the Chamber, we need support for amendment No. 11, amendment No. 12 and amendment No. 3 on face masks from the people outside who are listening to us.”
“Given that the Minister has received substantive funding for such schemes from the Finance Minister to implement the amendments that are before us today —.”
“As we stand here talking about the restrictions, representatives from Excluded NI, which is one campaign of many that I could name, feel like they are howling at the moon, because — this might be uncomfortable for you — almost daily they are calling on Minister Dodds to introduce new schemes for businesses that have been left out and that the Minister herself said have fallen through the cracks, yet they see nothing coming forward.”
“I am very conscious of what the Audit Office said in relation to the schemes and the kind of mistakes that were made. We know what happened, and we know that apologies were given for the three Sinn Féin offices that received those grants. I do not know what has happened with the other 450 or so people who received grants by mistake; I assume that all of them have returned the money. The Audit Office says that the percentage of risk was small. There are thousands of businesses and people out there who are desperately looking for and need some help.”
“This is not about singling out a Minister, but I want to add my voice to those who have been calling for the Economy Minister to get schemes in place for the newly self-employed and sole traders. Regardless of what constituency you come from, you must all be being lobbied by people who fit into those categories and want to work but are prevented from doing so by restrictions like these. The delays in devising a scheme are unacceptable.”
“It is hoped that the amendments and restrictions that we are dealing with today will take the pressures off Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry and other hospitals across the North, where we know that hundreds of staff members are off sick or self-isolating, which is putting further pressure on the health service. So, whilst some of the amendments before us, including the amendment No. 3 and No. 11 regulations, are tough, staff in hospitals, who have been on the front line for nine months, are demanding that they be supported. <BR /> <BR />During debates like this, as MLAs, we raise impacts that COVID and the restrictions have had on people's lives and livelihoods, and we have heard some of that today. The amendment No. 11 regulations clarify what businesses can and cannot open and is already in place.”
“<BR /> <BR />When we talk about poverty killing people, we know that those on low incomes who work in the high-exposure facilities do not feel like, "We are all in this together", and some of them feel quite offended when they hear some of us say it. If you are a key worker on a low wage who is living in poverty or you are a porter in a hospital or a domiciliary care worker and, thus, are more exposed to catching the virus, you do not feel like we are all in this together. <BR /> <BR />The chair of the BMA, Dr Black, told us that some hospitals are hanging together by a thread.”
“Of course, we must take all of that into account. We all have people in our family settings who are struggling with lockdown, but poverty is not new, inequality is not new and vulnerable people are not new. We know that we have to have greater interventions. When we look at the inequality report, we can see how the 10% most deprived areas have been affected. Why do we have to tackle regional equalities? Why do we need an anti-poverty strategy? Why do we need collective agreement to tackle all of that? So that people can cope a bit better. No one is making a decision to try to keep people away from their civil liberties. I find it quite challenging that we have removed people's civil liberties, but we are doing it because we are in a global pandemic. Of course, it is about getting a balance, and we have to try to get it right.”
“<BR /> <BR />We also know from the COVID-19 inequality report that the infection rate in the 10% most deprived areas has been one fifth higher than the rate in the 10% least deprived areas and that the hospital admission rate of patients with COVID-19 in the 10% most deprived areas was almost double the rate in the 10% least deprived areas.”
“That all goes without saying, but we recognise that we are in the middle of a global pandemic, and things do not move in the way that they should. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, 351 people tested positive for COVID-19. Unfortunately, some of them will end up in hospital beds and in intensive care. NISRA confirmed that, within a one-week period, 100 people died, and we all heard that last week. However, some people have questioned the COVID-19 death rate. I mentioned Mr and Mrs Ward in Strabane, and other family members have died within hours of one another. We all should challenge those kinds of questions. Of course, people have the right to question, but the evidence on the number of people who have tragically lost their life is there for us all to use.”
“I thank the Member for that intervention. I am very conscious of Mr and Mrs Ward from Strabane. That family has been left devastated by the parents' deaths within 12 hours of each other. It is a very sobering thought for us all. How could anyone not come together and have a unified position on these kinds of restrictions? The hope is that the vaccines that have been or are being clinically trialled will receive authorisation and soon become available for us to use safely. <BR /> <BR />As other Members have said, once again, we find ourselves in the Assembly talking about regulations that are already in place. There is not one Member in the Chamber who is not frustrated at that kind of process, because it is not how we want to do scrutiny.”
“<BR /> <BR />People to whom I have spoken in Derry oscillate when they talk about further restrictions coming in. I am sure that many Members have found the same. There are people who are absolutely fed up after nine months of restrictions after restrictions coming in. When they think that things are moving on, they have to be rolled back. At the other end, I meet people who just say, "I want a total lockdown. Lock us down for three or four months, try to sort this out and see if we can get back to some kind of near normal". They do not want to see any more of their loved ones ending up in hospital. Thousands and thousands more people have ended up in hospital, and, as we said, unfortunately — tragically — many of them ended up in the morgue.”
“They all agreed that more interventions were necessary before the end of November in order to curb the spread of coronavirus and prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed. Before COVID, hospitals like Altnagelvin Area Hospital in Derry were already struggling with awful waiting lists and, at times, people being left on trolleys or being taken home by their families rather than having them left there waiting to be seen. It is without doubt that COVID has made a bad situation worse. <BR /> <BR />The journey to the restrictions in amendment Nos. 11, 12 and 3 was somewhat unedifying. We witnessed the DUP, the largest party in the Executive, use a veto to hinder the majority of the power-sharing Executive, who represent the overwhelming majority of people in the North, from taking that decision forward sooner.”
“Before I talk about the amendments and restrictions, I, like others, want to send my heartfelt sympathy to the loved ones of all those who have died of COVID on the island of Ireland and, indeed, across the world, and also to the many more people who have ended up in hospital. We know that people are struggling with what is now called "long COVID". We also know of young people in particular who had COVID and thought that they had come through it OK, but now we hear that a pattern may be emerging with some young people ending up with pneumonia and other illnesses. <BR /> <BR />It is in that context that we all remember that the five parties in the Executive have to make difficult, challenging decisions that impact on our daily lives.”
“Minister, following on from that, I acknowledge the fantastic work done by the community sector in Derry. Many of those organisations access the European social fund and are deeply concerned about the loss of that. Minister, you have talked about the consultation. Will there be a role for community organisations in the PEACE PLUS programme?”
“Thank you, Minister, for that statement. In the statement you talk about the additional financial support that is in place for individuals and businesses that have been affected. However, Minister, there is the failure of the Economy Minister to release the funds for those who are recently self-employed and those in the supply chain. Given the comments that we have heard, especially over the last week, about poverty and deprivation, does she realise and could you please relay to her that some of the people who have not received a single penny need to put food on the table and to pay bills?”
“Minister, most people will be glad to hear you say that you want a social value Act taken forward in this mandate. I believe that something in the region of £3 million is spent year-on-year on procurement, so, in the propositions that you mentioned, are you engaging or will that board be able to engage with other Departments to ensure that they embrace social value?”
“Go raibh maith agat, Minister, for the statement. You said that Brexit was one of the items that was discussed at length. Given that a no-deal future relationship would be the worst outcome for citizens and for businesses, what discussions took place at the BIC on addressing the growing prospects of a no deal, particularly its impact across these islands?”
“If we are to build back better, we need to make sure that we do not leave the most deprived behind.”
“OK. I will apply the regulations to deprivation and to deprivation for those who live in Derry and Strabane, which has some of the highest levels of deprivation. I will also speak about the restrictions that have been put in place and COVID-19. There is a correlation between deprivation and what happened in Derry and Strabane, why we needed the interventions that we had, and why community transmission was so high. <BR /> <BR />I return to the point about the need to ring-fence resources and allocate them where they are needed in places such as Derry, where the people have suffered from chronic and persistent levels of deprivation. We had the spike, and restrictions were put in place in the way that they were. I believe that that is the work of the Executive and the Assembly.”
“I am; it is all part of the regulations, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am not challenging what you are saying.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many strands are needed to pull this all together in order for these restrictions to be effective in the long term whilst ensuring that Derry and its services, both public and private, are not, as Dr Black said, overwhelmed and brought to their knees. The restrictions show that there is no good coming out of COVID, but we need to work to build back better. "Build back better" should be our motto for improving the quality of life of our citizens, for protecting and enhancing the environment and for resetting the economy. That means tackling regional inequalities with ring-fenced allocations and policies, such as the Communities Minister announced last week with the reintroduction of —.”
“<BR /> <BR />It has been said here that we owe a debt of gratitude to our healthcare workers, who have, without doubt, been to the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Although we once again face the very serious challenge that this deadly virus presents, there remains an onus on us to ensure that other vital services — I have referred to the orthopaedic service in Altnagelvin Hospital — continue to operate in hospitals, wherever they are, even when we are seeing a rise in transmission. When restrictions are being put in place and services in hospitals are being curtailed as a consequence, we need to look seriously at the support that is needed for our health service.”
“We talk about the restrictions and the orthopaedic service being closed as a consequence of Altnagelvin Hospital being overwhelmed, but people have had a pathway to try to obtain a service. With the Brexit transition period finishing in 52 days, however, people are worried that we could have further restrictions: that these restrictions will still be in place and that there will be other restrictions. They are therefore asking this question: what will happen to that kind of cross-border service? COVID is bad enough, and, of course, the restrictions have been tough, but when you layer Brexit on top of that, you can understand why people are so deeply worried about where we are at now with the restrictions that are in place and about possible other restrictions being put in place.”
“Despite the news today that the rate of community transmission of COVID is down by 70%, Altnagelvin's COVID surge plan remains on red alert. That is still its status as of today. When the restrictions were introduced, Altnagelvin Hospital repurposed ward 21, which is a vital, state-of-the-art, recently opened and much-needed orthopaedic service. The waiting time for a hip replacement or any other orthopaedic surgery is alarming. I have raised in the Chamber the example of one constituent who has been waiting for five years. That is just not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />Being in the EU has afforded quite a number of people the opportunity to avail themselves of the cross-border healthcare provision. I personally know two people from Derry travelling to a hospital in the South of Ireland today for healthcare provision.”
“<BR /> <BR />When these restrictions came in, we said that people could not attend family gatherings and that people could not go into each other's homes. Although carers were able to go in, we know that the restrictions had a detrimental effect, particularly on the most vulnerable and those with dementia who live in Derry and Strabane. Minister, although the restrictions were necessary and supported, we also need to find a safe COVID pathway, just like in the hospitals, for family members to visit residential care homes. I know that the homes have been trying to facilitate that, but it is one of the areas that is very traumatic for people. <BR /> <BR />Minister, Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry needs additional support to stop it getting to the point of being overwhelmed every time that the R rate rises.”
“I mention people with dementia because information from NISRA has clearly stated that dementia is the most common underlying condition associated with the deaths from this virus. <BR /> <BR />I have talked to many carers and agency workers who are working flat out and feel burnt out. Many of them are not getting a proper night's sleep. They certainly do not feel, and have never felt, that we are all in this together. What COVID-19 and these restrictions have done once again is laid bare the dire state of our social care, whilst those who work in it go beyond the call of duty. Social care can be seen as the poor relation of the health service, yet it is one of the most vital elements. The people working in it are dealing with the most vulnerable in our society.”
“We cannot keep telling people that they have to self-isolate but not provide them with some kind of financial support if their employers are not paying them sick pay. <BR /> <BR />The discretionary grant that has been put in place by the Minister for Communities is very welcome. It is actually better than any other grant that is in place anywhere. However, the Communities Minister understands — I have talked to her — that, if you have a partner who earns over £20,000, you cannot apply for that discretionary support grant, even if you have two, three, four, five children or more. All the carers out there whose partners earn more than £20,000 are not getting any kind of financial support. <BR /> <BR />I am not the only one in the Chamber who has raised the valuable contribution that our carers make to people with dementia.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to acknowledge the communication from the two junior Ministers to us, as representatives in Derry and Strabane, since the restrictions were introduced. You have had almost regular weekly engagements with us, and that is very much appreciated. I also want to put on record that I acknowledge the work of other Ministers. Conor Murphy, the Finance Minister, met business stakeholders in Derry and Strabane more than once. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I know that you understand and appreciate that we need to protect our front-line workers, including our carers. To this day, those who are on low wages still do not qualify for statutory sick pay if they have to self-isolate.”
“However, Minister, I would like you to bring this back to your ministerial colleagues: enough is enough. They have waited for far too long. The Economy Minister needs to get moving to put in place such a financial package for the newly self-employed. <BR /> <BR />I heard the Economy Minister say today that she would be taking something forward to the Executive this week. I hope that is the case for all those in our constituency and other constituencies who have been dealing with these restrictions since March and waiting desperately for a package. They do not want any more excuses. They do not want any more dilly-dallying. They are giving out to each and every one of us, because they are absolutely disgusted and fed up with having to wait as long as they have waited. There should have been a scheme in place long before now.”
“We know that, when the restrictions were introduced, there were bars, restaurants and sole traders who were worried about their businesses and livelihoods. They are still worried. We all talk to them; they contact us. The emergency financial scheme that was put in place quickly by the Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, was welcome. However, in Derry and Strabane — this is probably not just in Derry and Strabane, but in all constituencies — we are being contacted by people who are designated as the "newly self-employed". They have heard that a financial scheme was going to be put in place to help them when these restrictions came in. They have been waiting and waiting, and they are getting very frustrated. They are still waiting. They heard from the Economy Minister that they are the people who fell through the cracks.”
“Their families are distraught with worry, and they cannot get into the hospital to see them. I am conscious of the appeal that was made today by the vice Chair of the Health Committee, because it is important that we try to find a COVID-free pathway so that families can get in to visit their loved ones. <BR /> <BR />I say to those anti-maskers who are sending and spreading nonsense that they should stop sending me emails, because I, for one, do not want them. I do not want to hear that argument. I support what was said, and I support my colleague Pat Sheehan when he said that, at times, we acted too late with wearing face masks, but, thankfully, we are there. I support the need for us to wear them where we have to.”
“Thankfully, as I stand here today, the good news to report is that, five weeks after the restrictions were introduced, there has been a 70% reduction in COVID infections in Derry and Strabane. That shows that the restrictions worked. <BR /> <BR />The restrictions are draconian. Who wants to introduce them? There is not one person in the Chamber who wants people's civil liberties or rights taken away. However, when you hear how we were back then and think about where we are now, it is very clear that it has worked. <BR /> <BR />However, it has not gone away. Most of us know someone who ended up with the virus or self-isolating or, who, unfortunately, ended up in Altnagelvin hospital. I am thinking of two friends of mine, Moira and Neil, who are in ICU.”
“There is no doubt that the rate of COVID transmission in Derry and Strabane was alarming. It was out of control. The regulations that are before us today were vital in bringing the rate of transmission of the virus down. I acknowledge the people of Derry and Strabane, because when the restrictions were introduced, I said that I had confidence that our people would do what needed to be done. They responded and reacted in such a manner that meant that they curtailed the transmission of the disease. We were reminded that, if we needed to be, when the restrictions were introduced that we are the people who carry the virus and that, therefore, we are the people who transmit it to one another.”
“As the Minister knows, principals in Derry and across the North are doing their utmost to protect pupils. They have carried the burden of tracking and tracing. I have been listening to the Minister's comments today, but I do not see that dedicated support is being given to the principals in Derry and elsewhere who are carrying that burden on their shoulders. I do not think that what the Minister has outlined today tells them that enough support is being given to them.”
“Minister, I remind you that your Department will be making arrangements to comply with official control regulations in order to ensure that controls can be performed by Commission experts in accordance with article 116 of the Irish protocol. Minister, do you not agree or even understand that some people feel that you are behaving more like a Brexiteer than a Minister?”
“Will robust monitoring be put in place in order to ensure that that policy is delivered, given its importance in addressing persistent and chronic inequality in housing in Derry and in north and west Belfast?”
“I am blown away by the statement. It is the most important housing statement that I have heard in years. The Minister is delivering not only on a strategic level but on the ground. I got her response in relation to the Triangle area in the Waterside, and I am pleased to see that that is moving forward. I would love to take this opportunity to ask a number of questions, but I know that I will not be allowed. I will stick to one. Paragraph 23 of the statement mentions the Minister's intention to reintroduce ring-fencing and states:”
“Go raibh maith agat, Minister, and thank you for that full and complete answer. Passers-by in Derry will have seen the new construction of grade-A office accommodation taking place in Ebrington. Will the Minister provide an update on the second building that is proposed for grade-A office accommodation in Ebrington, please?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, as you will be aware, there was a debate in the Chamber about north-west rail connectivity. You talked in the statement about high-speed rail and the loss of European funding. Do you envisage having further conversations with Minister Ryan about the western arc to ensure that Derry, Letterkenny and Sligo are connected? You could hear from the debate in the Chamber that there was cross-party support for that.”
“Minister, I am sure that you will agree that it is time to be ambitious, time to be visionary, time to deliver rail for Derry and time, once again, to unite the people of Derry, Donegal and Dublin.”
“As the world looks to recover from COVID-19, the first thing that investors and businesses will see in our beautiful city of Derry is our infrastructure and connectivity. Without rail, Derry will once again lose out. <BR /> <BR />Minister, we talked about this before, and your Department has received its highest ever capital allocation. As a member of the Infrastructure Committee, I acknowledge the pressures, but we need a time frame for when it is anticipated that construction work will begin on upgrading the Derry to Coleraine track. We need another time frame for the high-speed rail feasibility study, and we need a guarantee that work will commence. We need a third time frame for the advancement of the western arc concept.”
“with no mention of Derry. <BR /> <BR />Minister, will you clarify the position, please? You appreciate that the people of Derry do not want piecemeal promises that are polished and spun to conceal inaction. The people of Derry deserve the delivery of high-speed rail from Derry to Belfast to Cork to Dublin and to Limerick. We also deserve the delivery of the western arc, from Derry to Letterkenny to Sligo and to Galway. <BR /> <BR />If we really want a just transition to a green, sustainable future, investing in rail is not only an option; it is a necessity. A good start would be to deliver the upgrade of the Derry to Coleraine rail line, ensuring that it is future-proofed for generations to come. We need this feasibility study to be completed at pace. It needs to be done yesterday.”
“However, upon investigation, I discovered that this was not an announcement of a study; it was an announcement of a plan for a study. Whatever the outcome of that study, it does not guarantee that work will automatically commence. Indeed, my party colleague Darren O'Rourke TD's reply from Minister Eamon Ryan specified only a study of rail speeds around:”
“In Europe, rail is the backbone of major economies, and it helps to prevent the decimation of rural communities whose people would otherwise need to move into the cities to be close to where they work. Affordable rail will cut pollution, reduce our reliance on cars and connect communities. <BR /> <BR />Earlier this month, I was impressed by the Minister's announcement of a feasibility study into high-speed rail connectivity:”
“In fact, there were over 3 million. Not only is there a demand for rail; there is a need for rail. Derry's rail line needs to deliver for workers, families and young people. Yet, in 2020, each train that leaves Derry takes over two hours to get to Belfast, and, believe it or not, that is an improvement on what it used to be. Only a single train leaving Derry arrives in Belfast before 9.00 am, when the workday starts. Not a single Derry to Belfast express train service runs. <BR /> <BR />We cannot escape from the fact that rail has the potential to play a massive role in the transport of the future. It is not in memory of Victorian antiquity, unlike what some, unfortunately, even some in the Department for Infrastructure, think, or thought, I hope.”
“Chris Hazzard, as Minister, contributed massively to improving connectivity in the north-west by developing an hourly Derry to Belfast service and delivering the north-west transport hub, not to mention ring-fencing funding for the likes of the A5, as well as getting the A6 under way. All of that was delivered within less than a year in office. <BR /> <BR />Minister, instead of trying to blame past Ministers, who clearly did deliver for the region, I suggest that you and your party would be better committing to delivering for rail in the north-west in the here and now. Sinn Féin will support you in that. That is what the people of Derry want to hear, and they are fed up hearing this ping-pong blame. <BR /> <BR />In 2019, the Department for Infrastructure projected that there would be shy of 2 million journeys on the Derry rail line.”
“Rail, starved of financial support, is not presented as a viable transport alternative by some officials, so what can one expect when officials have been trying for years to gut a service of regular timetabling, starve it of financial resources and allow the rail track to crack and buckle by not replacing stretches of it since the 1960s? <BR /> <BR />Despite the naysayers, since 2011, the number using the Derry service has increased exponentially. Sinn Féin's Infrastructure Minister at the time, Chris Hazzard, did play his part in that we saw passenger numbers increase by 40% in one year, smashing all estimates.”
“It will erode the devastating impact of partition and create a safe, clean and durable infrastructure for the people of Derry for many generations to come. If we are serious about developing a modern, thriving, all-Ireland economy, we must be equally serious about building a modern, durable, all-Ireland rail infrastructure network. <BR /> <BR />For too many years there have been a number of failed attempts to close the Derry rail station. Comments expressed by some, and the attitudes of some officials in the Department for Infrastructure, have concerned many. We were told that, "Rail is too expensive" or, "Rail is an old-fashioned idea" or, "There is not enough demand".”
“<BR /> <BR />Over the lockdown, like many people in Derry, I walked out what is called "The Line", for exercise. While surrounded by the beautiful sights of the River Foyle, of ancient oak and wild rabbits, you only needed to look down to see the decaying carcass of the old Derry rail line to Carrigans in Donegal. Thousands of people driving over what is called the Craigavon Bridge from the city side to the Waterside will pass the dilapidated ruins of the old Victoria Road train station that used to connect Derry to Strabane and onwards to Portadown and Dublin. That is the legacy of partition and underinvestment. <BR /> <BR />Developing rail infrastructure in Derry is essential to draw together the people of the north-west to our natural hinterland.”