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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“With that in mind, we must look at anomalies that can severely impact on those businesses' needs and, indeed, the value-for-money service that is provided to domestic and business customers alike. <BR /> <BR />For the purposes of Royal Mail costing, the Republic of Ireland is treated as a European destination in the same bracket as Kazakhstan, Greenland or Turkmenistan. That is utterly nonsensical and absurd. It costs someone from my home town of Keady £8·05p to send a 1kg package to Clontibret, nine miles away — the same price as somewhere in Azerbaijan. That is absolutely absurd. In comparison, it would cost only £3·20p to send the same package 550 miles to Margate in the south of England.”
“<BR /> <BR />The postal service is also especially relevant to small businesses, many of which continue to rely on it as a key component of their needs. In increasingly competitive markets, it is incumbent on us to find efficiencies that can help those businesses to develop and succeed. We need to look constantly at ways to help local businesses overcome the barriers and obstacles to trade that have resulted from the artificial partition and division of this small island economy. <BR /> <BR />Additional and unnecessary business costs quickly add up, especially for small and micro companies. Trimming those costs where possible can make a huge difference to the competitiveness of those companies.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle Ba mhaith liom labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin agus i bhfabhar an leasaithe. Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá. I would like to speak in favour of the motion and the amendment. First and foremost, being a former postal worker, I pay tribute to the men and women who day and daily provide an excellent service, particularly to people in rural areas. It is important that those people are facilitated. <BR /> <BR />There have been good contributions to the debate. It is important to recognise that having an affordable and effective postal service cannot be overestimated or overstated. It is a key service that many citizens continue to rely on heavily in their day-to-day affairs. That is especially so of people in rural areas, who do not have the same access to adequate broadband or Internet facilities.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. In light of the Minister's answer, how does he propose that that allocation should be used and is it best value for money?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Following on from his answers, will the Minister assure us that the model he has to deal with enforcement is fit for purpose in transferring to local authorities? Would he consider an extra role for a building control officer in local authorities to assist in the enforcement of cases?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. In light of what the Minister said, what discussions has he had with our newly elected and re-elected MEPs to look towards Europe about bringing in programmes and support to assist our young people in attaining employment?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. How long will it take to make changes to APHIS?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I welcome the review, because there were complaints about the east link from residents of the Newry Road. Can the Minister give us a definitive timeline? He is well aware of the traffic problems around Armagh city. What is the timeline for the east link? Also, can he —”