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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“When a parent tells you that they feel that their child is being ignored, disregarded and overlooked by public bodies, it is clear that things need to change. I commend Inclusive Ability Trust for the work that it continues to do, and I look forward to working with it to send its message that it is time for change in the system. Clearly, that message needs to go to the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health.”
“What is more concerning is the fact that parents have yet to see any significant change in the SEN system. Therefore, I encourage the Education Minister to consider implementing a "SEN first" approach to school placements that would deliver real change in our school system. By doing that, assurance could be provided for parents, and clarity could be provided for schools. It would ensure that the proper support required for children with SEN is in place from the beginning of term. <BR /> <BR />Members of Inclusive Ability Trust also discussed the disconnect between Health and Education and the issues that that creates for services that should be supporting our young people. I will finish with this.”
“Last week, I met Inclusive Ability Trust, a local disability group that provides support, activities and advocacy to children with additional support needs in the community of Armagh. The group raised its concerns with me regarding the number of appropriate school places in the Armagh area for children with a statement of special educational needs (SEN). Members of the group told me that their concerns are compounded by less than satisfactory communication from the Education Authority. They told me that parents often feel left in the dark, and concerns are growing among many parents that their child will not have a suitable school place this September. <BR /> <BR />The additional stress and anxiety that many families experience because of a lack of SEN school places is not acceptable. Members will know that it is not a new issue.”
“I implore all parties to support our motion to support a change in the funding model for North/South bodies to see the benefit that additional funding would have on them and to ensure that they can all continue their good work”
“When the opportunity exists to ensure that bodies such as Waterways Ireland and the Loughs Agency have the funding that they need to continue to protect our waterways, educate local students and citizens on the importance of waterways and manage and research new and innovative ways in which to conserve them, I am baffled as to the rationale for blocking much-needed increased funding contributions from the Government in Dublin. <BR /> <BR />While some say that there is no reason to change the current funding model, I say that we are not in a position to blindly turn down funding. Every funding intervention should be harnessed as an opportunity to design a fair and sustainable funding model to support each of the all-island bodies.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am therefore bemused that, at a time when the Executive face ever-tightening budgets as a result of the continued austerity agenda of successive British Governments and when the Irish Government have shown a willingness to increase their funding allocation at no additional cost to the Executive, there is repeated resistance by one party to maximising the opportunities for each of the bodies that I have mentioned. <BR /> <BR />Take the Loughs Agency, which has responsibility for the promotion and development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford lough for commercial and recreational purposes. I fail to understand why anyone would not want to see that body receiving additional funding to ensure that it flourishes. The need to protect our beautiful waterways is often spoken about in the Chamber, and I agree with that.”
“The motion tabled by Sinn Féin is a simple one: it seeks to highlight the frustration that we should all share around the consistent blockage of additional funding for all-island bodies and calls for the changes that are needed to enable the Irish Government to increase their funding allocations at no extra expense to the Executive. The six all-island bodies, including Waterways Ireland and the Loughs Agency, undoubtedly serve to benefit the entire island: north, south, east and west.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. How is the local tourism sector performing?”
“<BR /> <BR />I ask Members to support our amendment and recognise the ongoing work by the Minister in carrying out the forensic audit of NIW's 2024-25 accounts. That is evidence that the Minister is serious about supporting NIW to deliver on improving and maintaining our waste water network as best she can. Therefore, it will be a better use of the Minister's finite resources in the Department to continue with the three-pronged approach that she has continually set out: to seek additional funding for NIW from the Executive; to consult on developer contributions; and to legislate to promote the use of sustainable drainage systems. I ask Members to support Sinn Féin's amendment.”
“I also welcome the motion's being brought to the Assembly, as it is a very important issue that deserves our focus. Debates such as these are also an opportunity for Members and parties to set out their stall on their plans and vision for NIW. The position of Sinn Féin should by now be clear for all to see, and our amendment reinforces that position. We are not supportive of changes to the funding model for NIW that would lead to mutualisation or privatisation. Those approaches, as taken by Thames Water and Welsh Water, have been a disaster. Those approaches would also lead to domestic water charges being placed on already hard-pressed families across the North. That is unacceptable.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“It is therefore important that we continue to explore the benefits of an infrastructure commission, alongside prioritising the delivery of signature projects in the here and now. I ask the Members to support our amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />While Sinn Féin is broadly supportive of the motion, it is important that we, too, reflect on the reasons why many major capital projects have been faced with delay. The amendment that we propose recognises that delays to major capital projects are multifaceted. We know that major road infrastructure projects such as the A5 are key to improving road safety and driving the economy. However, that project has been mired in legal challenges, causing delay after delay, while the majority of people wish to see delivery that will benefit us all. In addition to that, inflationary pressures, coupled with the impact of successive British Governments' austerity agendas in the North and the continued approach of single-year Budgets, have stifled the speed at which progress can be made on the delivery of major capital projects.”
“We can all agree that the delivery of major capital projects is an area of concern for many of us across the Chamber and, more importantly, for the people we represent. That, clearly, was highlighted by the Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee, of which I am a member. <BR /> <BR />A commitment to improving our infrastructure is contained in the Executive's Programme for Government (PFG). Delivering major projects will be vital to delivering on other commitments in the PFG also. Investing in water and waste water, roads and transport and other major projects will encourage business to invest, enable housebuilding and improve connectivity across the island.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“No, I have not heard any explanations. I will not go back over it. Moving forward —”
“Thank you for the intervention. I wish that the Member had let me finish what I was going to say without jumping at me. I said that you, as a party and as a fully funded Opposition, have brought no proposals to the table. You keep complaining. Numerous Ministers have said to you over the last period —”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. However, at the outset, I will say that it is disappointing that, as part of the proposal of the motion, an opposition party that is fully funded did not consider bringing forward some proposals as to cost options in relation to —”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Does the Minister agree that the experience of privatisation and mutualisation in England and Wales has been a disaster?”
“Brexit has had a huge negative impact socially and economically here. With regard to lessons learned, will the First Minister detail what work is ongoing in response to the US tariffs to protect the regional and all-Ireland economy?”
“Moreover, statistics show that only 21·7 % of autistic people are in employment, despite autistic people having the ability, skills and will to be employed. In that regard, I commend Caleb's Cause NI and others that continue to push for post-19 services. <BR /> <BR />The issues facing people with autism and their families are cross-cutting. As chair of the APG, I will continue to implore the Health, Education and Economy Ministers to work together to develop supports, create opportunities and increase awareness of autism. As a society, we all must do more in relation to autism services and the inclusion of people with autism in everyday life.”
“The appointment of the independent autism reviewer ensures that monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the autism strategy and reviewing the adequacy of the services that are provided to autistic people, their families and carers across Departments, public bodies and the health and social care sector are front and centre. However, the real-life stories that we as MLAs hear and the engagement that we as an APG have had highlight the fact that there is much more to be done. <BR /> <BR />The recent 'Spotlight' programme 'I Am Not Okay' put a focus on the need to support young people with autism and their families. Parents should not have to broadcast their everyday lived experience in a bid to get help.”
“As chair of the all-party group (APG) on autism, I mark the beginning of World Autism Month today and the eighteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day tomorrow. The aim of the month and the day is to focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism by fostering worldwide support. As chair of the APG, I commend and put on record my thanks to the individuals with lived experience of autism, the groups that we meet that advocate for people with autism and, in particular, Autism NI for the work that it does in ensuring that there is increased understanding of the challenges and opportunities that autism presents. <BR /> <BR />There has been progress in recent years on autism services.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he outline how the Department is supporting childcare providers through rating?”
“Will she outline the health and connectivity benefits for border communities owing to the development of cross-border greenways?”
“I welcome the Minister to her first Question Time. For clarity, because there seems to be some confusion, will she clearly explain why she believes that mutualisation leads to water charges?”
“Minister, who is making the decisions on the proposals?”
“It is important to recognise the commitment in the PFG to invest £26 billion of public funding in the next decade, and I look forward to seeing more detail on that in the upcoming investment strategy. <BR /> <BR />The PFG is a positive step forward for the North, but our ambition and the potential of the North are much greater. Sinn Féin looks forward to playing its part in delivering for workers, families and communities in order to improve their lives and livelihoods.”
“I share the Executive's goal to make our planning system work for businesses, people and the environment. I look forward to continuing to work with the Minister for Infrastructure on the matter. <BR /> <BR />As we continue to work to achieve our climate change targets, it is clearer than ever that an improved public transport network will be instrumental in decarbonisation. It is therefore imperative that we create the opportunities for people in every community across the North to access reliable public transport across roads, buses and rail. We must see construction begin on the A5 western transport corridor and progress on the recommendations of the all-island rail review.”
“Years of underinvestment is showing, and I am therefore glad to see commitments in the PFG on waste water infrastructure investment and plans for managing our water and for delivering improved environmental outcomes. As the Infrastructure Minister and her predecessor have said, addressing waste water infrastructure and capacity will require support from the entire Executive. Progress on that issue will be a key component of housebuilding and enhancing the economy. <BR /> <BR />We are all aware that, since the reform of planning in 2015, issues have remained and that there is more to be done to improve the system. Therefore, I welcome the commitment in the PFG to the continuation of the planning improvement programme involving local government and other stakeholders.”
“I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for coming to the Assembly with the Programme for Government. Notably, it highlights the importance and value of having locally elected Ministers in place, doing all they can in challenging financial circumstances to deliver for workers, families and communities. <BR /> <BR />When we look at the PFG and its overarching aim of doing what matters most, it is clear that we need to do what we can to protect people and public services from the austerity of the past 15 years that was forced on us by the British Government. Never is that more evident than when we look at our waste water infrastructure and the work that needs to be done on it.”
“What impact will BRT2 have on city-centre congestion?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, what types of businesses and technologies are attracting most investment through the scheme?”
“Does the deputy First Minister agree that investing in infrastructure is the key to growing a thriving and prosperous economy and that any investment must be fair and balanced?”
“Minister, what steps is your Department taking to improve active travel?”
“That should include the submission of a report on the matter by the autism reviewer to the Assembly, as set out in the Autism (Amendment) Act 2022. <BR /> <BR />I commend the motion to the House. I look forward to the Minister's response and to support from other Members in the Chamber. On behalf of the autism community, I hope that we will receive a positive response from the Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />Those facts, which are from the latest research by Autistica, were the focus of the autism and mental health symposium in 2023. That was sponsored by the all-party group on autism, organised by Autism NI and attended by Department of Health officials. I remind the Assembly that the Autism (Amendment) Act 2022 created the independent role of the autism reviewer to aid implementation through commissioned research and data analysis. That resource will be a vital part of any credible path forward in planning and delivery. The motion therefore calls on the Minister of Health to utilise the resource of the independent autism reviewer to inform future planning and delivery in the development of an autism mental health service.”
“An autistic child is 28 times more likely to consider or attempt suicide than their non-autistic peers; autistic adults are nine times more likely to die by suicide than neurotypical adults; autistic women are more likely to die by suicide than non-autistic women; and approximately one in five women with anorexia is autistic. Mental health treatment needs to be adapted for autistic individuals, and those who work with autistic individuals need to be adequately trained on autism. Mental health issues in the autism community are often misdiagnosed due to poor communication and understanding between patient and practitioner. Crucially, being autistic or having a learning disability increases the odds independently of someone having mental health problems, but more so for people with autism.”
“I put it to the Minister: where are the plans for the other 70% of autistic individuals, who do not have a learning disability? <BR /> <BR />The motion urges the Health Minister to develop specialist autism mental health services. That call is supported by independent autism evidence, representatives from research and advocacy bodies, the mental health commissioner, the Department's own published autism data and unprecedented lobbying, as represented by over 25,000 petition signatories. This must be acted upon. <BR /> <BR />We are dealing with life or death for people with autism. Current research tells us that suicide is the leading cause of early death in the autism community.”
“Correspondence from the Department to the all-party group, dated 12 November 2024, clearly rejected the lobby for a specialist mental health service pathway for autism based upon need, but confirmed:”
“However, the deepening crisis in our autism community is all too evident when we see the failure to identify and provide the specialist interventions that are so crucial to supporting autistic individuals with mental health challenges. It is therefore imperative that the Department of Health plans for change based on identifying, validating and commissioning evidence-based, autistic-specific research to shape unique responses to the accelerating crisis identified by its annually published autism prevalence and incidence data. <BR /> <BR />The Department's learning disability autism report, which supports the establishment of a specialist mental health service response for autistic people who have a learning disability, has created inequality and a two-tier autism mental health service.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak once again on behalf of the autism community and those on the autism spectrum. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly passed the Autism Act 2011 and the Autism (Amendment) Act 2022 under the sponsorship of past chairpersons of the all-party group (APG) on autism. It thus acknowledged that the service and support needs of autistic individuals were unique and that measures to address them had been absent, which meant that the extreme measure of enacting the most comprehensive lifelong equality legislation in Europe was warranted. <BR /> <BR />As the current chairperson of the APG and its longest-serving member, I am totally invested in supporting the innovative implementation of legislation that we should all be proud of, as other jurisdictions look to us in the North for leadership on autism.”
“Minister, what is the timeline for a new electricity connections policy?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, can you expand a bit on the conversations that you have had with other jurisdictions and whether there has been any sharing of learning or ideas that we can incorporate into our plans?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he intend to use the THRIVE framework as a guide to developing a person-centred, needs-led approach?”
“We must be optimistic and ambitious about the opportunities that lie ahead and the potential that all-island rail and public transport have for this island. We need to develop our rail network in the North and the public transport infrastructure across the island to unlock economic opportunities and ensure that workers and families have greater access to public transport. I support the motion and the amendment.”
“However, while improved rail connections and a more frequent service between destinations will help with our goal of reaching net zero and to encourage more people to use public transport, it is undoubtedly the case that pricing is a factor in people's decisions on whether to use public transport. While prices have been subsidised in the Twenty-six Counties, the reality here is that all our public services are stretched because of the chronic underfunding of the Executive and an austerity agenda that we have felt the brunt of for many years. The effects of partition are felt across our public services, and public transport is no different.”
“On behalf of Sinn Féin, I welcome the motion. We all know the importance of public transport in each of our constituencies and right across the island. Improved connectivity, a boosted economy and further decarbonisation are all positive outworkings of an improved all-island transport infrastructure. As a small island, it is imperative that we seize those benefits. <BR /> <BR />Contrary to the motion, however, good progress has been made on all-island travel. That includes the opening of Belfast Grand Central station and the increased hourly train service between Belfast and Dublin. Most notably with regard to all-island rail, the endorsement of the all-island strategic rail review by the Executive and the Dublin Government demonstrates huge ambition for better rail infrastructure right across the island.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Can the Minister respond to this question about the regeneration of the site: will there be a need to improve the road connection?”