Carál Ní Chuilín
North Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“To continue the theme of undermining public confidence and public effectiveness, I ask you this, Minister: why do you and your DUP colleagues continue to block the 'good jobs' Bill, particularly the measures for parents whose babies require neonatal care and, indeed, other measures that will support workers who are struggling with the cos…”
“At the end of the day, guns were used to kill Catholics — Davy Payne; surface-to-air missiles in South Africa and Paris and then some. I will give the deputy First Minister another opportunity not to deflect but to condemn her party's involvement in Ulster Resistance and with the red berets that they wore.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. I have a close family relative who is in need of a SPiMS unit in an Irish-medium school but cannot access one in North Belfast at all. Apart from access in P4 and P5, they will have to go to an English-speaking school, even though Irish is their first language.”
“You mentioned some of the issues that are important: trade union representation, the banning of zero-hours contracts and employees being able to have their tips and service charges. Anyone who cannot get behind these proposals needs to be clear — concerns for some, and hiding behind the industry for others.”
“First Minister, I know that, recently, you were in Ardoyne for the sod cutting of the new £3·4 million purpose-built youth facility for Ardoyne Youth Enterprise. Further to your response to Brian Kingston, can you give us an update on that project and, indeed, any others?”
“I agree 100%, Linda. That is something that we all agree on. We met many people. The Bill was published and was based on the report of the truth recovery process.”
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“I thank the Member for his question, and I also want to put on the record that I thank the Member for the way he has presented his question, not just today but in previous questions around the Irish language. It is important that Members from the other side of the House in particular ask questions about the Irish language in a very respectful manner; so, I pay tribute to the Member for doing that. <BR /> <BR />The work of Foras na Gaeilge and, indeed, the restructuring of core funding has been a very important step, but it has been a fundamental change in the way that the sector has been organised. That is one aspect. The other aspect is, as the Member will be aware, the Líofa programme that I have progressed in my Department.”
“With your indulgence, Principal Deputy Speaker, I am here to answer questions on my statement and not on Members' statements. Therefore, I am not responding to the first part because I feel that it is overtly political. In fact, it is rubbish. Indeed, the Member is consistent because the second part of his statement and the subsequent questions are also wrong. I have not incurred illegal spend in my Department.”
“It is important, however, that we keep that momentum going to ensure that the gaps that were made in the early 2000s are not made again and that the mistakes made then are not repeated in the future.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am aware, as the House has been aware, that, even since the previous mandate, there has been an ongoing delay in trying to get the accounts and all the subsequent reports brought up to a better level. To that end, we consolidated all of the processes and procedures. We tried to intervene at an earlier stage to try to have the accounts and reports brought before the Assembly and both Houses of the Oireachtas. I am delighted that, even since June of last year, we have had at least six sets of accounts and reports brought up to date. That work has to be commended, particularly the work of staff of agencies and the work of officials in both jurisdictions to help them to do that.”
“I know that there is increasing demand for Foras na Gailege and the Ulster-Scots Agency to go into schools right across the board.”
“There was a preliminary evaluation, and one of the things it indicated to me was that the demand for the work of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency within those schools has increased and continues to increase. It has also increased outside the integrated sector, which is very good. I have absolutely no doubt and have full confidence that any additional evaluation of the work of the two agencies will demonstrate that, not only is this project good value for money, but that both groups are providing, as well as good leadership, opportunities for children and young people, in particular, to find out about each other's culture; to debunk some of the myths out there; to learn something new; to have a better appreciation of who we are, where we are from and how we describe our culture; and to get a better understanding of communities.”
“I am happy to write to the Member on the full costs, but the lead organisations have almost completed, although they are not there yet, in my opinion, in terms of the full complement of staff, particularly in the North. I know one of the groups; I have met one of the groups that is very active in Conradh na Gailege, which is based in west Belfast. Overall in terms of groups in the North, in the rest of them, in my opinion, too many people are asking too many questions about the services that should be provided across the North, so I have asked for an urgent update on all the groups. I know they have secured premises in Newry and elsewhere, but what I need to know is what staff have been recruited and how they are working with existing groups. Within that urgent update will be included the costs to date.”
“I met a group recently — it has yet to go to Foras na Gaeilge — that is trying to protect and enhance the language through music, particularly in schools and through nursery rhymes for preschool children, and is trying to maximise opportunities for European funding. Groups in the community are much more active and robust in trying to source opportunities, and I will ensure that that activity and robustness is reflected by Foras na Gaeilge.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as a cheist. I will provide an update in writing both on money spent so far on Foras na Gaeilge's dictionary project and on how to access the app. Needless to say, Foras na Gaeilge and groups on the ground are actively exploring opportunities for additional funding. I know of one group in Belfast that is not in receipt and is not one of the six lead groups. Other groups have gone over to Europe to try and access funding. Certainly, Foras na Gaelige, as I said in my statement, is looking at the literary project, at partnerships producing literature for minority languages and at tourism opportunities through the teanga or Irish language. <BR /> <BR />Musical opportunities are also being explored.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Certainly, at the minute, Foras na Gaeilge, as part of its statutory functions, has responsibility, as the Member knows, for bringing those programmes forward. Both Departments are considering proposals submitted by Foras na Gaeilge in relation to revising scéim phobail Gaeilge. I have a big interest, particularly in the revision of such a scheme. I have encouraged, and will encourage, that any revisions will not be detrimental, particularly to the development and protection of language for groups in the North.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council approved, within the existing budget, a revised timetable for the English-Irish dictionary project to ensure the provision of a more comprehensive end product, including a choice of print, online and app formats. The Council noted the updated targets, comprising publication of 120,000 sense units in 2015, publication of a further 10,000 sense units in 2016, with particular emphasis on the primary and secondary curricula in both jurisdictions, and the publication of the print version of the dictionary for the start of the academic year in 2017. <BR /> <BR />The Council agreed to meet again in language body sectoral format in November 2015.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council welcomed the fact that collaboration between agencies and officials in both jurisdictions can continue to maximise drawdown of EU funding and encouraged officials to continue to seek new opportunities for potential projects that can attract such EU funding. <BR /> <BR />Ian Crozier, the CEO of the Ulster-Scots Agency, delivered a short presentation outlining the work being progressed by the agency in building capacity and supporting community development through its community impact programme. The programme involves supporting a small number of full-time development posts in an effort to provide more targeted and sustained support to community groups.”
“The agency is liaising with the transnational/interregional programmes regional contact point at the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) regarding potential funding for the project. <BR /> <BR />Ministers noted Foras na Gaeilge's success in securing EU funding under the Creative Europe programme for a literary project entitled Other Words, in cooperation with Spain, Slovenia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Sweden. The project will be launched in July, and it will raise the profile of minority language literature throughout Europe, in the original language and in translation.”
“The Council also noted that the field audits for the 2014 accounts have been completed for the Ulster-Scots Agency and will commence for Foras na Gaeilge in June/July 2015. Ministers noted that the agencies of the language body are continuing to engage in the identification of possible opportunities to maximise the benefits of EU funding. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the Ulster-Scots Agency's exploratory discussions with a number of interested parties about the potential for a project relating to entrepreneurship with young people in isolated communities under the Northern Periphery and Arctic programme. Possible partners include Mourne and East Donegal linking with the Scottish Highlands and Norway.”
“Ministers also noted progress on collaboration between Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency: the safeguarding policy and code of practice for funded bodies has been reviewed and updated by external advisors; and, under the joint project for integrated schools, six workshops were delivered to Priory Integrated College in Holywood, County Down during November/December 2014, providing 25 year-8 students with an insight into the Irish language and the Ulster-Scots culture and language. The roll-out of the programme continued with Shimna Integrated College, Ballymena in May/June 2015, and plans are under way for other schools. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted that the 2013 consolidated language body annual report and accounts were laid in the Houses of the Oireachtas and in the Assembly on 5 June 2015.”
“It also reported on the launch of the new Ulster-Scots web portal for visitors, which includes an ever-expanding range of visitor attractions, including Bushmills Distillery, First Derry Presbyterian Church and St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast; the new Ulster-Scots gallery at the North Down Museum, Bangor, which was funded by the agency and opened on 14 May 2015; and the funding provided for the delivery of Ulster-Scots music and dance tuition in 42 primary schools, in addition to the delivery of 24 Ulster-Scots after-school clubs and 11 Ulster-Scots school workshops.”
“It also reported success in securing European funding under the Creative Europe programme, in partnership with four other organisations, to foster creative writing in minority languages; further progress with the new English-Irish dictionary and the design of the app specification, which will be available for the academic year beginning September 2015; and the publication of new guidelines for best practice in serving the Irish language community, which were issued to the new super-councils at a conference that was held in Armagh on 25 March 2015. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster-Scots Agency reported on the organisation of the Burns Night concert, in partnership with the Ulster Orchestra, in the Belfast Waterfront Hall in January, which was subsequently broadcast on BBC Two.”
“<BR /> <BR />The meeting dealt with issues relating to the language body and its two constituent agencies. Ministers noted progress reports from the chairpersons and the chief executive officers of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, which include the following achievements relating to the period November 2014 to May 2015. <BR /> <BR />Foras na Gaeilge reported on continuing progress on the new funding arrangements, including 12 meetings to date of the partnership forum and three meetings to date of the language development forum, the recruitment of staff and the establishment of offices by the six lead organisations in Belfast, Newry, Dublin, Ráth Chairn, Athenry, Casla, and Dungarvan.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. With your permission and in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council language body meetings, which were held in the Ulster-Scots Agency office in Belfast on 10 June 2015. <BR /> <BR />The Executive were represented by me as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and by former junior Minister Michelle McIlveen from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. The Irish Government were represented by lead Minister Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht affairs, and Heather Humphreys TD, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This statement has been agreed with former junior Minister McIlveen, and I am making it on behalf of both of us.”
“I will meet Dawn, the chief executive of Waterways Ireland, hopefully over the next couple of weeks, to try to get a better sense of what we need to do more of. We obviously have a smaller budget, but we certainly need to try to do a bit more.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He is right: there has been some concern among all the North/South bodies, particularly on the availably of additional resources, and even among big-spending bodies like Waterways Ireland about the availability of capital. <BR /> <BR />We have kept marines open, certainly on the North side, and the Member will be aware of some of the preliminary works that we are trying to initiate and keep going on the Ulster canal. I will happily get the most recent update possible and furnish him with that. <BR /> <BR />The Member and other Members have raised that point before. It is important that we invest, particularly in capital infrastructure that will help to attract tourism and more local people to our waterways.”
“Keeping the navigation is one success, but marrying potential opportunities with DCAL, DETI and the tourist boards across the island will help not only local council areas but local residents to ensure that the corporate plan period is met and that we go beyond that and do a bit more.”
“I thank the Member for his question. He will have seen, even through the statement, that 99% of the waterways were open for navigation. That, in itself, is extremely good. I suppose that the priority is to manage and maintain the navigation to make sure that it is open and accessible to the public. <BR /> <BR />It is also, as I said in response to Seán Rogers, to ensure that the public have opportunities to enjoy the potential recreational activities on the waterways. It is also about unlocking opportunities, maximising our resources and continuing to develop the waterways. Basically, for us and for me, the corporate plan is to ensure that we maximise all the opportunities.”
“I will continue to do that and continue to meet Minister Bell and other Ministers who have responsibility for this to ensure that there are no gaps, because there is really no need for gaps at this stage, particularly four years into a mandate when we are accompanying Ministers for each of our Departments and have that role. We are all very keen to maximise those opportunities, particularly around waterways.”
“I am one of the accompanying Ministers with the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, particularly on the sectoral end of it, and that information has been fed into Waterways Ireland and vice versa. Minister Jonathan Bell and I asked that opportunities, particularly for our waterways, are explored and exploited as well as possible, and that has happened. We work very closely with Fáilte Ireland, as does Waterways Ireland, to ensure that we not only provide opportunities for local communities to be involved in marketing and promotion but that some tangible benefits arise from that.”
“<BR /> <BR />I can confirm that both sectoral formats that I am responsible for have been fairly active in trying to maximise EU opportunities. They are looking at transitional programmes in terms of INTERREG, LEADER and Horizon. They are looking at the programme for social change and others. Indeed, under INTERREG IV, Waterways Ireland had very successful European bids met and had very good partnerships with other European countries that visited here and visited our waterways. Dawn Livingstone, the chief executive of Waterways Ireland, and her staff have been very active in trying to ensure that we maximise, as well as possible, any opportunities in Europe for funding.”
“First of all, the Member will be aware, as Chair of a Committee, that the statements are really highlights and headlines of the North/South meetings. There is absolutely nothing stopping the Member, in between the sectoral meetings, asking questions on detail that is not there or raising a request to have any of her concerns addressed. There is absolutely no need to wait for the statements on the sectoral meetings to try to ascertain that. That format has been agreed for all the sectoral meetings. I appreciate the Member's interest, particularly in the environment sector and how it impacts on the role of the Environment Committee. The offer is open: if there is any part of the statement that the Member feels is amiss or needs to be filled in, I am happy to try to respond to her.”
“We will work closely with all representatives across this island because, as I said to Mr Ó hOisín, the full restoration of the Ulster canal is one of the very few projects that, regardless of where people are sitting politically, enjoys support from everyone right across this island.”
“I apologise to the Member if he could not hear. What I said to Mr Ó hOisín — and the Member will also remember — is that some years ago, when the full restoration was announced, the Irish Government said that they would bear the full cost. The economic situation has changed, certainly in terms of the cost. However, preliminary work has started. The project has received full planning permission in both jurisdictions. All county councils and local councils have been involved in work, not only to have the Ulster canal fully restored but, as the Member mentioned, looking at areas of opportunity, including greenways, blue ways and how each council area can maximise opportunities in preparation for the restoration. Work has begun. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Michelle O'Neill has met officials in the South about getting this advanced.”
“The anticipated cost of restoration of the Ulster canal was over €171 million. The Upper Lough Erne to Clones section was over £45 million. That cost is expected to be slightly higher, including the optimism bias. <BR /> <BR />The Member will remember that at the start the Irish Government indicated that they would bear the full costs, and that was some years ago. This is one of the most active items during the sectoral meetings, particularly the restoration of the Ulster canal. I think it enjoys the support of all parties across this island. I am content that preliminary work has started to try to secure the full restoration of the canal. It is certainly something we are keeping a close eye on.”
“Waterways Ireland's annual report and draft accounts 2014 have been submitted to the Comptrollers and Auditors General, and, following certification, will be laid before the Assembly and the Houses of the Oireachtas. <BR /> <BR />The Council consented to a number of property disposals. It agreed to meet again in inland waterways sectoral format in November 2015.”
“The Council also agreed to Waterways Ireland undertaking the role of lead partner on that project with the support of relevant councils and other stakeholders. <BR /> <BR />Ministers noted the update on Waterways Ireland's work to maximise the benefit of EU funding opportunities. The Council approved Waterways Ireland making an order to amend Lough Erne by-laws in order to enhance its ability to manage the navigation effectively and ensure a safer waterway for all users. <BR /> <BR />Ministers noted that the Waterways Ireland annual report and accounts 2013 were laid before the Assembly and the Houses of the Oireachtas on 11 March 2015.”
“In addition, 63 kilometres of canoe trail, with associated cycleways, will be completed by the summer on the Shannon-Erne waterway, and 106 events have been offered support under the 2015 sponsorship programme. <BR /> <BR />Ministers considered the action plan for the Grand canal dock and Spencer dock and agreed that Waterways Ireland proceed with its implementation, subject to available resources. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the progress to date on the restoration of the Ulster canal from Upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson in County Cavan. Ministers approved a proposal to facilitate the development of a greenway along the route/linear corridor of the Ulster canal from Castle Saunderson to Charlemont, County Armagh.”
“<BR /> <BR />The meeting dealt with issues relating to inland waterways and the constituent agency, Waterways Ireland. At the meeting, the Council received a progress report from Dawn Livingstone, chief executive of Waterways Ireland on the activities of Waterways Ireland, including the continued management and maintenance of waterways, with over 99% of the waterways remaining open for navigation; capital expenditure focused on major infrastructure repairs, with replacement lock gates installed at Tarmonbarry on the Shannon and bridge repairs on the Grand canal completed and progress on the installation of floating moorings at Galloon and Knockninny on Lough Erne. The Shannon Blueway won the Lakelands and Inland Waterways Sport Tourism Innovation Award at the Shannon Airport Sport Tourism European Summit.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. With your permission, Mr Speaker, and in compliance with section 52 of the NI Act 1998, I wish to make a statement regarding the North/South Ministerial Council inland waterways meeting that was held in Belfast on 10 June 2015. <BR /> <BR />The Executive were represented by me as Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and by the former junior Minister Michelle McIlveen from the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. The Irish Government were represented by lead Minister Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Minister Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Gaeltacht Affairs. The statement has been agreed with former junior Minister McIlveen and I am making it on behalf of us both.”
“In the first instance, I will try to get the definition, and then I will come back to the Member specifically about pigeons.”
“I certainly will. As the Member has pointed out, he has corresponded with me on the issue. As the Member will be aware, it happens across the board that I get questions about sports delivery in a constituency. When I give the answer, I quote the Recreation Order, which deals with councils. I do not want to be passing the buck. I will endeavour to find out where my responsibility starts and stops and where someone else's starts and stops and try to get a bit of clarity around this.”
“I am delighted at the overwhelming response, including from within the Civil Service, for people to volunteer in the short term until we go to a full public appointments process. With regard to the Member's concern, I have asked the governing bodies whether there has been any direct impact on delivery as a result of what is going on in Sport NI, and the answer has been no.”
“First, I have not had any indication that anybody has been impacted in terms of support as a result of this. I have asked that question. If anything, Sport NI enjoys a lot of loyalty and support from throughout the community, so no group has been impacted at all by this internal matter for Sport NI. In a sense, that is a good thing. However, public confidence in Sport NI has been tested, but I think that people were assured by the action that I initiated, certainly in the short term. The board members who did not resign have remained, and fair play to them. Indeed, credit to the people who resigned, who gave at least eight to 10 years of their volunteering time to the development of sport and Sport NI. I genuinely thank them for that. I am looking at a process to add to the board because I believe that the board needs support.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The interim chief executive, his team and the auditors are still working through some of the grievances that were brought forward. The Member sits on the CAL Committee, and, as she will be aware, I brought the initial report to the Committee and gave a commitment to come back. That process is still under way. The Member will also be aware that, of the three processes that are under way in relation to Casement and everything else but certainly the grievances that arose from this, the Audit Office is dealing with this. Sport NI is still working through it. I am really keen that it is given the time, latitude and space to get through that, because some of the issues that were brought to my attention are very serious indeed.”
“I can. PRONI is leading, particularly on some of the documentation. It has an archive, and there are people working there who have excellent skills that are second to none across this island. In the DCAL family, we are working very closely with museums and extremely closely with libraries. Libraries are based in most communities, and it is important that, if there is a possibility of having exhibitions in libraries, we exploit it. That may engender conversation and inclusivity, particularly among young people and people who are not so young who want to hear what people have to say and look at the historical facts. Other such events have been used to create good relations, particularly in communities that have been hard-pressed.”
“In March 2012, there was an announcement that we — the Executive — would bring forward a decade of centenaries covering 1912 to 1922. Within that, we are looking at areas like the First World War, the battle of the Somme, the 1916 rising, the signing of the covenant, limited suffrage for women, the Irish Volunteers. There are many issues that we will cover. The important thing is that it is not open to interpretation and is based on historical fact. <BR /> <BR />I can only speak for DCAL, but I am working with some of my arm's-length bodies and great advocates in the Heritage Lottery Fund to bring forward a suite of activities and initiatives that will give honour and inclusivity to people who want to celebrate the different events as part of that decade of centenaries.”
“<BR /> <BR />Another aspect is that it would need to be cleared under urgent procedure because, as the Member is aware, there are no Executive meetings happening. This is an example of children and young people being penalised for something that is well beyond any of their doing.”
“Absolutely. That is already in progress: we are writing to the acting First Minister and the Minister of Finance and Personnel. As well as that, we are working with officials in those Departments. I am totally uncomfortable with this. We all looked the Commonwealth Youth Council in the face and said, "We'll do our best". I can put my hand on my heart and say that I am doing my best. I will ensure that not only will I do my best, but I will go that bit further. If the bid is successful, everybody will claim the credit, but if it is not I want to ensure that I did everything that I could to get as much support, resource and attention as possible. We are not there yet. Hopefully, we will have this concluded within a week or so.”
“I know that officials are talking to one other about trying to ensure that the bid happens, and I am certainly keen to support what I believe will be a great opportunity for children and young people.”
“First, since coming into this Department, my position has been very clear and consistent: athletes, regardless of how they describe their national identity, have my support. If they are from here, they have my support. How they describe their religious or political affiliation is, for me, academic. I believe that most people in the House are like that. <BR /> <BR />I have supported the Commonwealth Youth Games bid. I have met the council on several occasions. To be frank, the difficulty for me is — I am sure that the Member is aware of this — that it is in the gift of DETI to promote major sporting events. I understand that the ETI Minister gave his support for this event before he resigned.”
“First, I have reminded the Member on several occasions that I completely refute his allegation that I would discriminate against any child or young person. He hides behind parliamentary privilege and will not say that outside. <BR /> <BR />He is wrong. The Good Friday Agreement, which I supported from its inception, promotes a person's right to identify as British, Irish or both. People are entitled to do that. It is the governing body of each sport, not the Good Friday Agreement, that sets the rules. Those governing bodies are, in turn, governed by world-renowned organisations. The Member insists on providing information that is factually incorrect. I suggest that he needs to ensure that he gives the proper information to the families who come to him for support.”
“In the 2012 Olympics, the team was called GB and Northern Ireland. That was the official title. However, it is up to the governing bodies to put forward and recommend athletes for those competitions. The governing body of boxing in Ireland is the Irish Amateur Boxing Association. There are corresponding bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. I assume that the Member is taking about boxing. That is the pathway for putting forward athletes.”
“The importance of that has been demonstrated in the criteria for the recent boxing investment programme, which stated that clubs must be affiliated to the Irish Amateur Boxing Association at the time of the award, that is upon receipt of the final letter of offer. The aim of the programme, which received lottery funding of £3·27 million, is to help boxing to address the needs of local clubs: development, sustainability and the provision of suitable facilities and boxing equipment.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The recent success of boxers from the North at major competitions once again highlights the strength of the sport. I take this opportunity to congratulate Paddy Barnes, Michael Conlan, Carl Frampton and many others on their recent successes. <BR /> <BR />Moving on to the criteria for funding, I can confirm that affiliation to an internationally recognised governing body is a standard requirement for the majority of Sport NI's funding programmes. That ensures that a club’s activities are independently regulated and adhere to clear and consistent standards of safety, coaching and child protection.”