Cathal Boylan
Newry and Armagh · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I also welcome Julie, wish her well in her role as a Foyle MLA, and extend my best wishes to Gary. <BR /> <BR />I take this opportunity to highlight Autism Awareness Month. This year, Autism NI is using this month to celebrate the spectrum and colour and to highlight unique differences.”
“I agree with the reviewer, and what needs to be recognised across all Departments is that the changes needed to better support people with autism do not always cost a huge amount of money. However, the changes require a willingness to adapt.”
“However, it has been disappointing that, in my opinion, the Department of Health was not prepared for the establishment of the reviewer's office, even though it should have been aware of what was in the legislation. Had the Department been in a better state of readiness, the reviewer could have got down to work before now.”
“The delivery plan must see measurable targets that can be monitored and delivered to ensure that people with autism see impact on the services that they access. <BR /> <BR />I look forward to reading the reviewer's first annual report in the near future.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. As the Minister is aware, one of the reasons why such schemes are so important is that nuisance parking can prevent emergency services or health and social care workers from accessing patients' properties.”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. <BR /> <BR />Minister, recent figures show that, in the last quarter of 2025, new house starts were at their highest level since 2018 and that the construction sector has hit a 15-year high, outperforming Britain.”
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“I will in a minute. <BR /> <BR />I brought up that point because single-tier is in effect happening in Belfast at the minute. Why is it happening? It has been happening for a number of years because of the lack of enforcement — simple as. I will get round to the Minister's comments in a minute, and I will let in Mr Eastwood in a minute, but I repeat that people have to realise that single-tier has been operating in Belfast because of the lack of enforcement over the past number of years.”
“All of that could result in the loss of jobs or livelihoods in the Belfast public hire sector, which provides a 24-hour service, seven days a week, not just on busy late nights at weekends. The Committee urged the Minister to look carefully at the proposed legislation to see how the sector could be facilitated. However, since he chose not to help Belfast public hire, we, unfortunately, have had to oppose the rules. <BR /> <BR />I thank all the Members for their contributions and will comment on some of the things that were said. It was interesting to listen to Mr Eastwood. On the one hand, he said that we were introducing a single-tier system that would facilitate more taxis in Belfast, but, on the other hand, he said that people could not get taxis.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I start by congratulating you on your new role. I wish you well in it. With your indulgence, I will speak first on behalf of the Committee and will then make a few remarks as an MLA. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate why the Committee agreed to table the motions on statutory rules 2014/302 and 2014/303: Members do not want to see the public hire sector disadvantaged by the high level of increased competition in lucrative city centre locations that will result from the introduction of single-tier taxi licensing. It will mean that that sector of the industry will become less able to cope with the additional financial commitments for new roof signage, taximeters and printers and training for the new driver tests that are included in the statutory rules.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I accept the point that the Member is making. In continuing, I was going to say this to the Minister: why, then, Minister, is that the case? We are waiting for a North/South Ministerial Council all-island report. The previous Minister requested it. Maybe the Minister can indicate, as part of his contribution, why it has only been in relation to smoky coal. Maybe he will have something to say on that. <BR /> <BR />It is a good debate, and it is a welcome debate, but I cannot support the motion at this time. As I stated from the start, once we get all the facts, I will be happy to come back to the Chamber and debate it. Let us see what is in the report. Let us see all the things that are in the terms of reference. Let us bring it forward and see exactly what they say. I am happy to debate it again.”
“I certainly take on board the Member's points, and I agree with him that, if we are to have a bigger debate on pollution, let us have it. Why then was there not any reference to it? He is correct: if you read the reports, you see that other forms of air pollution are a major issue for us. Out of 28 references in the research document, 20 relate to fuel, cars and transport pollution. I do not mind having the bigger debate on that, but the Member who moved the motion has talked particularly about smoky coal. That is the debate.”
“If we are serious about all of that, that is why I would appreciate seeing what is in the report. We certainly could not bring anything forward unless there was an alternative and a way of supporting those people. Whether it is a subsidy or not, I do not know, but I would like to ascertain and assess all the information in relation to that. That is why I said to the Member that I was concerned about the issue.”
“I have no qualms about dealing with it in the Committee. <BR /> <BR />The Member mentioned a few important things. I have been on the Committee for a number of years. I have not heard anything from the Minister to say that he intended to bring forward legislation on banning smoky coal at any point. Over the last number of years, some of my constituents who were under pressure because of the price of oil have reconverted to back boilers and open fires. The party certainly would not support any legislation that uses a big stick approach; we would not support legislation that would cause those people any undue economic problem.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I congratulate you on your new role. I certainly welcome the debate. The Member who proposed it was on fire earlier but he is only smoking tonight in presenting it. <BR /> <BR />We are not trying to wriggle out of this. The motion is premature. We are waiting on a body of work to come forward and we will analyse it. It does not matter whether it is through the Committee or anything else; we will assess it and see what comes out of it. The Member mentioned the terms of reference. I thank the research team for bringing forward the report. I was trying to figure out where the Member was bringing his arguments from about a flawed report. Some things in the terms of reference hit the mark, which is why I would have preferred to have held off the debate until we receive the report in May this year.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. The Minister sounded positive in his response but how confident is he that other Ministers will fully engage with the panel and participate?”
“I thank the Minister for her reply. A lot of people in the Armagh area talk about transport infrastructure and infrastructure itself. These are barriers that prevent economic investment in Armagh. Can you give an assurance that you intend to talk to other Ministers to try to overcome those barriers to economic growth and development in the Armagh area? Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. How can the shared education process benefit from the recent agreement? Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Has the Minister assessed the impact on jobs if some of the grants do not go to local authorities?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. Why is there a need for a new arts strategy, particularly in light of recent budget constraints?”
“<BR /> <BR />I put on record my thanks to the all-party group, the postmasters and all who are trying to provide services and do their best to support communities, particularly the rural communities. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Obviously, I have signed the Keep Me Posted campaign. I know that it will sustain jobs. Having been in the delivery of the postal service, I know that it will certainly sustain jobs. People should have the right to receive paper bills if they so wish. I am certainly in favour of that, but there is one thing that people do not recognise. Once again, I will champion the rural cause here. A big percentage of people cannot access online services. It is as simple as that. There is no broadband coverage. Surprisingly, there are still areas in the rural North that have dial-up connection. I know that there is funding to try to address that issue. In the absence of all that, I certainly support the Keep Me Posted campaign.”
“I see Belfast and, thankfully, Armagh City and District Council, which is in my area, and Limavady Borough Council. However, I think other council areas could do more. There are a number of services, and I think we should be working and supporting and encouraging Departments and local authorities to use the postal network to deliver those services. <BR /> <BR />The motion also urges the Executive to establish a diversification fund. I see that Wales and Scotland can certainly make big changes and gains in capital, revenue and resource, for a small amount of money. So, I certainly support the motion's proposal to ask the Executive for a diversification fund. The paper clearly shows the results, how some businesses have grown and how well some have done with support. That is to be supported.”
“I express my thanks to all the postmasters who are doing a terrific job in supporting local communities. <BR /> <BR />I want to pick up on the points in the motion. Like the proposer of the motion, I was a wee bit disappointed with the response that he got back from some of the Departments. More could be done in relation to working with Departments to deliver services through the postal network. I thank the research team for its paper. Having looked through the paper, I saw the number of Departments that responded and their one-line responses. That does not encourage you. <BR /> <BR />Pam Cameron took an intervention on councils from her colleague. I looked through the services that the councils could support and deliver by supporting post offices. They could certainly do a lot more.”
“Most post offices are a hive of activity, from the construction worker who comes in in the morning to get a cup of tea or a paper before he goes to work to a little old lady who goes in to get her pension. Post offices deal with pensions, tax credits and loads of other services. We should support the motion.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin seo. I will speak in favour of the motion. <BR /> <BR />I commend the work of the all-party group on postal issues and wish the chair success in her new role. I speak from the point of view of working in the delivery side of the postal service for a number of years. It is a very important service, especially in rural areas, and, but for the likes of post offices, those areas would not be serviced at all. In moving the motion, the former chair said that 68% of post offices were in rural areas; I certainly experienced that when I was on delivery. <BR /> <BR />People tend to forget the number of services that are available in post offices and that can be delivered through them.”
“No, I will not give way to anybody. You had 10 minutes to speak. <BR /> <BR />They prefer to see argument and division in this matter rather than progress and assistance. In spite of such blatant efforts by political opponents of Sinn Féin to draw the party into dispute over the matter and cheaply to pitch the party at odds with the interests of the Quinn family, I think that most people will see those attempts for what they are. As a party, Sinn Féin holds nothing but sympathy and support for the Quinn family. Nothing should be allowed to distract attention from their fight for justice at this time.”
“No, I will not give way. You will have plenty of time to speak. I am sure that you have got your name down. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, the people who are responsible for the construction of the motion seemingly prefer to see argument and division in this matter rather than —”
“There is little disguising the fact that the motion has less to do with helping the Quinn family uncover the truth about what happened to their son than with trying to fashion some sort of political point. The pain of the Quinn family deserves better than the current approach being pursued by the motion. What has been diminished here has been an opportunity for everyone to call on those with any information to come forward to the authorities and an opportunity for us all to show sympathy and solidarity with the Quinn family.”
“To that end, I add my voice to those of my colleagues before me who have called on anyone with information on the murder of Paul Quinn to present that information to the PSNI and an Garda Síochána. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin has always been clear on that point, but unfortunately we have seen a sustained effort to politicise the issue as far as possible. In some quarters, it has been done not in any authentic way to try to assist the family in bringing those responsible to justice but as a means to try to make political capital out of this tragic event for political ends. The motion has been constructed, again, by the SDLP, in a manner that purposely sets out to be as divisive and inflammatory as possible.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá. I would like to say a few words on the motion. First, through you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, I place on record my condolences and extend my sympathy to the family and friends of Paul Quinn. I can only imagine the pain and suffering that they have gone through over the last seven years since the tragic death of their son, brother and friend. I condemn the manner in which that young man lost his life. There is no justification and there never can be for taking a life, certainly not in that manner. I sincerely hope that the family finds the justice that they deserve.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire. I welcome the Minister's statement. In light of the increase in road fatalities — across the island, there have been nearly 250 road deaths this year — will he consider using media outlets like they do in the South — for example, some of the radio stations in the South notify the number of deaths — to try to get the message out again. I do not believe, Minister, that the message that we have is working, given that there have been 20 more deaths this year than there were at this time last year. Will he consider using other media outlets to get the message out? Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“The sad fact is that most border areas — I will use Armagh city and district as an example — are totally reliant on public sector jobs. The infrastructure is not in place. How will we grow the private sector? Here is an example of taking money and charging more. If we want to get into a debate about how we support businesses, let us be realistic. I know that next week or the week after I will hear the same people who spoke today about opposing the prayer of annulment and introducing legislation fighting for ordinary individuals, housing and every other right. <BR /> <BR />I ask the House to support the Sinn Féin motions.”
“The sad thing about the process is that we never got an opportunity to debate or consult on any of it, and now we find ourselves just enforcing it. The message that I want to get across is that the consumer, unfortunately, will pay for all that. Once again, it will impact on border areas. <BR /> <BR />Interestingly, for some reason or other, a report was leaked to 'The Stephen Nolan Show' the other day, and there was a debate about the possibility of losing many public sector jobs, giving much money to DETI, growing the private sector and everything else. In this situation, we are taking money and charging private business more money to conduct business. <BR /> <BR />I want to use this point if we are serious about private industry.”
“Mickey Brady mentioned that, in his experience at shopping centres in Newry, all the money goes out of the country, so it is nothing new. He asked us to present a united front. I want the Chamber to consider that in supporting us to get this over the line. <BR /> <BR />Phil Flanagan also asked for a united front and articulated his points on issues in respect of the SDLP. I thank him for his contribution. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the Minister said that he would look at the issue again and that there may be mitigating measures. However, I previously asked why an economic assessment was not carried out before the legislation was brought forward, instead of talking about mitigating factors now, seeing how it impacts and how it is paid. Clearly, we did not get an opportunity.”
“Some Members across the House said that Sinn Féin Members kept using Donegal as an example, but at least Mr McAleer and Ms Boyle were contacted by people on how this would impact on them.”
“He knows that the reality of the debate is this: he represents his constituents, just as I do mine, and our constituents are going to pay for this levy. It is as simple as that. So this is another tax on the people. So, if we want to talk about reality, let us get it right. <BR /> <BR />I picked up on the point made by Mrs Overend, who said that there are tolls in the South and across Europe. She said it is up to people and it is their choice. However, Mr Flanagan made a very good point about that when he said that cars and hauliers use the tolls and they pay. That is by pure choice; so I do not think, to be fair, that Mrs Overend has an argument. <BR /> <BR />Mr McAleer and Michaela Boyle spoke about their experience of how this would impact on businesses in their areas. They were contacted by businesses.”
“Anna Lo, the Chair of the Committee, talked about having a level playing field, and that is grand. However, although we talk about level playing fields and all these businesses, at the end of the day, this charge is going to be put onto consumers and customers. Not one person — except Ian Milne, Mickey Brady and Barry McElduff — acknowledged that, at the end of the day, the customer and the consumer will pay for all those charges. The reason why hauliers have come to us is that they are reluctant to put that charge onto the consumer. <BR /> <BR />Colum Eastwood is not in the Chamber at the minute. He said that he wanted to bring reality to this debate in that it is already dead and gone, it has been agreed, and we are only bringing forward the enforcement laws.”
“I was hoping that Mr Durkan would have picked up on that again and mention something about it. However, Mr Durkan said that he would strive to look at this issue again and look at other exemptions. He is committed to that, and we will hold him to it. <BR /> <BR />The key points from Mr McElduff's contribution were that DfT is not listening and this is bad law. He is absolutely right. We have sat in the Committee talking about European directives, and all the Committee members have known this point for a long time. It is up to the member state to derogate those directives, in whatever way, so that it can facilitate exemptions if they wish. So there is an opportunity here. I call on all Members to support that. <BR /> <BR />I have a couple of other points.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention but clearly the Member has not lived in the area, though perhaps at one point he got on the train and came across the border. He does not know the working relationships, and he is being very narrow in his thinking. These businesses have been built up and have gained experience for long and many a day. That is what we are talking about. <BR /> <BR />You have given this debate a fair hearing, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. You will be delighted to know that I am not going to speak until 8.00 pm. I just want to pick up on some of the comments that have been made. <BR /> <BR />I want to praise the contribution of Mr McElduff. His remarks about Mr Goodwill were entertaining. Mr Goodwill did nothing for us at all; he showed no goodwill. Mr McElduff complimented the Minister on his speech in the last debate.”
“It is from Mr Seamus McMahon of Linwoods, which is a giant bakery to the south of Armagh. For those Members who do not know the area, it is on the Middletown road and it employs more than 250 staff. Mr McMahon said that it could affect southern hauliers bringing in packaging or ingredients, and that it could lead to pricier bread and other products. Throughout the debate, Sinn Féin Members were supporting hauliers, businesses and long-term business relationships, which have been built up for a long time and many a day in those areas. The reality —”
“I live in a border constituency, and Louth, Monaghan, Donegal and all the other counties will be impacted by this. Those are the people who are trying to protect. This is nothing new to Committee members because we had this debate there. <BR /> <BR />I was a wee bit disappointed in Mr Maginness, who told us all about Europe. I would not like to pay the fees to travel around every European country that he mentioned in his contribution. I want to remind him about this point, which Mr McElduff brought up.”
“The irony is that we cannot even enforce the Taxis Act, but, still and all, we can put a team together to stop people on border roads. I was hoping that the Minister would expand on how exactly he proposes to introduce enforcement measures on all of those roads. Maybe the Committee will receive that information in writing. <BR /> <BR />I enjoyed Mr Flanagan's contribution, which he made in response to comments from some of the parties. Members got away from the subject and were allowed some leniency, which was grand. I want to compliment the proposer and my colleague Ian Milne. We tabled the motions because we have genuine concerns. The impact that the levy will have on people was highlighted over and over again. To be fair, Donegal was mentioned a load of times.”
“To be fair to the Minister, he was quite positive during the previous debate on this matter and committed to looking at ways to move forward and to looking at exemptions and everything else. Nobody is jumping forward to answer the question, but I can safely say that his party would be voting with us on this matter. <BR /> <BR />I commend the proposer. He sat down, methodically thought this out and brought a very good presentation to the House today. Basically, all of this boils down to a load of enforcement notices. Enforce the levy, collect the penalties and be done with it. That is what it is. The reality, and this is a sad reflection for us, is that this Westminster legislation is being enforced here by DVA.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I suppose, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, that I have only an hour and half to wind on all of this stuff, so maybe we will sit back and relax until 8.00 pm and see how it goes. <BR /> <BR />The point that I want to start with is that, as elected Members, it is our duty to protect the needs and interests of local people. The debate has been interesting, and I will get to some of the points made. Maybe I will refer to the boxing match between Mr Flanagan and Mr Maginness as well. It was a good wee bout that went 15 rounds. This is the only point that I will make about the SDLP, and maybe the Minister will answer on his party's behalf: if the prayers of annulment had come along and the SDLP did not have the ministry, what would it have done?”
“I appreciate the Member talking about toll roads in the South, but here is the reality of it: that is by choice. You can travel on a number of roads in the South, but if you want to use a toll road, you pay the toll. That is a simple argument for anybody travelling in the South, so the Member should be mindful of that: it is by choice.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answers. Will he provide some details on the strategy for the teacher development programme?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. Given the demand for creative learning centre support, can the Minister advise whether any community planning by her north-west team will factor in specific outreach of areas of funding to Strabane and surrounding areas?”
“Minister, in order to increase our local resources and maintain our front line provisions, can you outline any proposals for targeting local levies that will assist our budgets at this time?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his previous answers. Will he outline the extent of the working partnership between his Department and the Road Safety Authority in the South? If there have been any discussions, what were the thematic priorities in addressing road fatalities that arose?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabahim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, that is welcome news about Armagh, but can you update us on the planned refurbishment of Crossmaglen library? Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“She alluded to the fact that it has been four years since some reports and there still has been nothing done. I hope that the motion will put something in train, along with the motion that is coming forward from the all-party group in the future, and that it will lead to some success. <BR /> <BR />Mr Dallat gave us a very entertaining contribution, going back to the horse and cart. I was just waiting for him to mention Dick Turpin, but he did not take the opportunity to do that. He talked about over 100 and whatever number of years — I did not catch the exact number of years — and said that it took only two days then and takes five days now. Mr Bradley also said that it took five days to send a letter 12 miles. <BR /> <BR />I will wind up on that. I support the motion and thank my colleagues for bringing it to the Chamber today.”
“There are other matters that we could discuss, but I think that this matter is just as important to people out there as any other. It is vital that we discuss this because it would not have been brought to the Chamber unless the matters had been raised by my colleagues or other Members who have made contributions today. It is important that we take the opportunity to discuss that. He talked about the 47% increase in the price of second-class stamps and the number of people who now use them. That has risen, I think, over the last three years, so it is a big increase. <BR /> <BR />Megan Fearon, my colleague, outlined a lot of the issues from the environmental side of things right through to banking and the challenge that people face. She lives in the border region, as I do, and she understands well.”
“I thank the Member for the intervention. No doubt, we will take the opportunity to debate those issues when that comes to the Floor. <BR /> <BR />Mr Dunne said that, despite the digital revolution, we were still reliant on the postal service, and he is correct. As a former postal worker, I still talk to my former colleagues. The service is growing, and, as I said, it is very important in rural areas that this service continue. On the intervention that his colleague made about this being a reserved matter, regardless of that we as a devolved Government need to do all that we can to work this through and reduce fares. Some of the contributors to the debate highlighted that. <BR /> <BR />Mr Elliott said that there were other matters that we could be discussing.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr McGlone talked about the threat to universal service obligation, and I have shared that with him. We certainly try to fight a strong argument on that. I do not think that it is the intention of my colleagues who tabled the motion today to cause any issues in relation to the universal service obligation. <BR /> <BR />Mr Dunne opened up —”
“My colleague Mr Flanagan opened up by talking about a family member who was going down South to post invitations. The cost up here compared with the cost down there is an absolute disgrace. It is disgraceful that that happens in these times. To be fair to him, he also highlighted the opportunities for business. I know that Mr Flanagan talks to local businesses daily and that he fights and campaigns for the people in the west. For me, it is sad that the major issue from Mr Flanagan's contribution was the fact that he and my colleague Megan Fearon have put this together and the Minister did not see fit to be here to listen to it. That is very sad. I know that he is on the all-party working group, which is trying to assist on delivering for his area and other areas. The Minister was not here to listen to the debate.”
“Whilst I recognise that there are financial considerations for deliveries from England, Scotland and Wales, which require air and sea transport, here the extent of those additional costs cannot be justified and should not be inflicted on customers. This is an obvious and significant obstacle to local trade and services in the border areas and, indeed, the whole of the region. It is high time that this matter was addressed properly and adequately by the stakeholders. I support my colleagues in calling for a fair single pricing structure for deliveries on this island, one that removes all obstacles for trade and provides a good value-for-money service for our citizens. <BR /> <BR />I want to turn to some of the comments made by some of the contributors.”