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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“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Guím breithlá sona duit fosta.”
“The PSNI have confirmed that they are treating the incidents as sectarian attacks. I appeal to everyone to, at some stage this week, stand together, shoulder to shoulder, to condemn those attacks, to call them out and to give support to the residents, who are living in absolute terror.”
“We learned at the weekend that at least two other families have been intimidated into leaving their homes. Nearly all those residents have small kids. The news reported that one of them had been waiting for a home for eight years and had moved in last November. All of this came out of the blue. <BR /> <BR />There is no place for hatred, bigotry or sectarianism in our society, regardless of where it emanates from. In North Belfast, we have done, and continue to do, our level best to work together to ensure that we keep the peace. However, when attacks happen, they need to be called out and the residents need to be supported. Such actions, particularly in an interface area, undermine that work. They undermine peace. More importantly, they strike fear and terror into the lives of families.”
“As we speak, John Finucane MP is convening a multi-agency meeting in North Belfast to try to give support to the residents in Annalee Street and Alloa Street who, last week, were subjected to attacks. In case people do not know, a mob of masked men attacked houses with bats and masonry, shattering the windows of rooms where small children were sleeping and residents were watching TV. There was no warning, no provocation and, certainly, no justification. I put on record my thanks to Brian Kingston, who visited the families. He has made his apologies for not being able to be here today. I ask that, collectively, as North Belfast representatives, we stand together to call those attacks out. As if one instance of attacks was not bad enough, the second was reprehensible.”
“Minister, will you give us an overview of the other Executive-specific issues that you raised with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, please?”
“I am also concerned about the impact that it may have on people who are genuinely seeking asylum and refugee status. That was not laid out in the paper yesterday. <BR /> <BR />Again, I thank Matthew for bringing the matter to the Floor today. I look forward to seeing a bit more detail on what the White Paper will bring, but, from what I have heard thus far, it is really concerning.”
“Therefore, the removal of doctors, nurses, health and social care workers and allied health professionals (AHPs) from our health and social care system through the suggested policy is really concerning. Our agriculture sector — this is the week of the Balmoral show — will be severely hit, as will our food-processing sector. As Matthew outlined, it will have an impact on tourism and greatly affect the number of people who come here to see the sights that we are all trying to promote. <BR /> <BR />We need to get as much advice as possible on the potential impacts. We all must use whatever influence we have, particularly those who sit on the green Benches, to stand against such a worrying and, in fact, right-wing approach to the immigration system.”
“I thank Matthew O'Toole for bringing the Matter of the Day to the Floor of the Assembly. I agree: the British Government's announcement in the White Paper that sets out their intentions for a new immigration system is really worrying. I want to be clear — we all need to be clear — that it needs to be human rights-based and comply with and adhere to international law. No state has an open immigration policy; rules and controls are set. The latest announcement is shocking and worrying. From what I heard yesterday, there needs to be a more compassionate approach. <BR /> <BR />Our health and social care system is, as we all know — we have debated it a lot of times in the Chamber and will continue to do so for the rest of the mandate — at a point of real concern.”
“Let me be clear: sectarianism, regardless of where it presents itself, has no place in our society. Anyone who intimidates or threatens people simply because of their faith or identity needs to be challenged and called out by all of us. Political leaders here need to make it clear that they reject that vile behaviour and, indeed, the thugs behind it.”
“My understanding is that at least one family has moved out and others are talking about doing the same.”
“<BR /> <BR />Genuine fans were caught up in those incidents. We have been contacted by many people who were at the game on Saturday afternoon, including some who were part of three generations of the same family and had brought their grandkids with them. They were caught up in the middle of it; it was really terrifying for them. They said that health and safety concerns need to be addressed at a minimum. We will discuss the policing operation on the day, both prior to and post the match. <BR /> <BR />I also take the opportunity to condemn the people who were behind threats to Catholic residents in the Skegoneill area of North Belfast. There are reports that the PSNI visited several homes in the area to inform residents that they had been targeted by a criminal gang.”
“It might seem strange coming from me, but I congratulate Dungannon Swifts Football Club on its victory in the Irish Cup final. Well done. It was a mighty achievement for the team, the whole club, its loyal supporters who have stuck with it through thick and thin, and, indeed, the whole community, so well done. Bad luck to Cliftonville Football Club. Like many people, I had hoped that we would bring the cup back to North Belfast. Regrettably, it was not our day. <BR /> <BR />I want to address the post-match incidents. I reiterate what Cliftonville FC said in its statement; it will engage fully with all relevant statutory bodies. It had those engagements prior to the match and it will certainly have them post-match. Like the club, I condemn, on record, the completely unacceptable behaviour of a small minority of fans.”
“<BR /> <BR />I appeal to all Members who speak on this issue, should it be in the Chamber, in the media or outside, to remember that we are talking about human beings. We are talking about our brothers, our sisters, our cherished family members and cherished friends. Regardless of how they define themselves, they deserve the same love, equality, respect and compassion that we claim to strive for on behalf of every citizen. That should be the watchword, regardless of how people define themselves or whom they love.”
“The issue that is the subject of this Matter of the Day, in my opinion, needs to be approached with compassion, understanding and dignity. We are all aware of the British Supreme Court ruling on 16 April, which applies to England, Scotland and Wales. Sinn Féin is committed to having an inclusive society based on equal rights and opportunities for all our citizens in all our diversities. It is important that we have effective equality protections that work to protect everyone in our society as we carefully examine the details of the British Supreme Court ruling in that context. It is really important, in the first instance, to await guidance from the Equality Commission in light of its consideration of whether there are any implications here of the British Supreme Court ruling.”
“On a personal note, I thank you very much from my time as Whip and in the office of Deputy Speaker. I have no idea what lambing sheep entails — I am from the New Lodge Road, and not many sheep are lambed in that area — but I have no doubt that you will work as hard at that as you have at your job here. You are well respected across the House and by all parties, and you will be missed. Thank you very much. Enjoy your very early retirement. Good luck.”
“Like Joanne, I was shocked to find out this morning that you were going, Alex. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I wish you all the very best. I was Sinn Féin's Chief Whip twice. As we know, it is not easy, and, as you know, we are not easy.”
“I appreciate that the Minister is still looking at the report, but, at this stage, can he indicate what actions he may be minded to take after his consideration of the report?”
“The Minister will be more than familiar with the fact that the credit unions are a vital part of that enterprise sector and with the role that they play in helping people who are, for the best part, financially excluded. Will your Department work with credit unions to strengthen their legislative base, which will, eventually, allow them to offer more services to the people who need them most?”
“People are beyond apprehensive: some are petrified. Will the deputy First Minister commit to working with the First Minister and the entire Executive to urge the British Government to reverse their punitive cuts, which many see as being Tory lite?”
“No, I will not give way again, Mark, if you do not mind. Colin will make a winding-up speech later. I know that the Opposition want the same thing: more houses for families who need them most. <BR /> <BR />Other Members have spoken about rent and everything else, but, at the minute, more children are living in the private rented sector than in the social sector. Those children have no stability and no security of tenure. I know that it is a mammoth task, but we need a housing summit, on behalf of the Executive, to pull everybody together. We need to get our finest and brightest people and people with experience together to see what else we can do, because tinkering from one mandate to another is not cutting it for anyone. I support the motion.”
“I will take the Member's word for that. I cannot remember the full amendment, but I remember that your party removed the ring-fencing of houses in areas of highest housing stress and need. None of us can cover ourselves in glory. <BR /> <BR />The point that I am making is that, collectively, we are dealing with constituents who, across generations, are living with systemic housing stress, and it needs to end. It can end only when there is full participation, including from the collective —.”
“We need to be more ambitious in the way in which we deal with the situation. <BR /> <BR />Our local development plans in councils could be one way of doing that. Belfast City Council has certainly led the way in managing land that it has, and it will hopefully get the development status. However, the thing, for me, is the revitalisation of the Housing Executive. Indeed, Ciara talked about ending the right-to-buy scheme, which is currently the case in housing associations but not in the Housing Executive. We need to align that.”
“For example, in Union Street in North Belfast, managed student accommodation of 780 units will go ahead with no opposition from NI Water, but, if we are looking to build houses on the Crumlin Road or elsewhere, there is opposition to that. Why is that? To be frank, I am suspicious. Over 4,500 people are on the housing waiting list for North Belfast. At least 3,800 of them live in housing stress. That is hopelessness that we are passing on from one generation to another. We all deal with families, but we now have three or, at times, four generations of one family living under one roof. Children have no access to privacy, nowhere to do their homework and nowhere to bring their friends. That is absolutely horrendous, and I do not believe that any Minister wants to see that happen on their watch, nor would I anticipate it.”
“I want to see the Housing Executive get more land-assembling powers so that it can act almost in a way in which it can look at public land for public housing and take responsibility for and ownership of it, as well as potentially getting other assets in order to build housing. Land is just sitting there in areas such as North Belfast, but it is in private ownership. Private developers are willing to go into partnership, but the obstacles that are put in front of them are horrendous. <BR /> <BR />Kellie Armstrong made a point about NI Water. It is very suspicious that the areas in which, NI Water says, it will hardly ever build are those with the highest need.”
“There are lots of figures. The Minister probably has them all in his lines to take, and they do not really change much, to be fair. The areas with the worst housing stress have typically been in North Belfast, West Belfast, Foyle, and Newry and Armagh. Undoubtedly, there are needs across the board, but, in North Belfast, which is my constituency and Brian's, housing stress has remained persistently stubborn. There are many reasons for that. The revitalisation of the Housing Executive needs to happen at pace and in conjunction with everything else. More focus needs to be put on that.”
“I respect that, but the question I asked was approximately when you will take the strategy to the Executive. I will follow up with a question for written answer. <BR /> <BR />You have been in office for over a year, and Conradh na Gaeilge has repeatedly asked for a meeting with you about progress on the strategy. Will you confirm whether you have any intention of having that meeting?”
“Will the Minister provide an update on the refugee integration strategy, please?”
“We all must call for an increase in humanitarian aid. We need to put measures in place that will allow sick and injured children to evacuate Palestine and travel to the North of Ireland for treatment, similar to schemes that are already in place in Dublin and London. <BR /> <BR />We also call for the restoration of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funding to support Palestinian refugees. We need to ensure that work continues with international bodies to support a just and lasting solution that is based on equality and human rights. It should be on all our lips that every child, every citizen, Israeli or Palestinian, deserves to grow up feeling loved, happy and safe. We call for that pledge to continue throughout all legislatures.”
“It further asked us to raise the concern that ongoing arms sales enable genocide, saying that those sales need to end and that that also needs to be done in line with international law. It also asked for our support for a ban on trade with illegal settlements in the occupied Palestine. Advocates for businesses in the North and public bodies also need to look at their ethical procurement policies. That includes looking at firms that provide goods to businesses that are complicit in the occupation of Palestine. We all should call for and defend the rights of individuals, institutions and businesses to engage in boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) without legal restrictions.”
“Last week, Pat Sheehan and I met Mothers Against Genocide. On behalf of Sinn Féin, I thank that group for the meeting. Mothers Against Genocide is a cross-community group of women who have come together to call for solidarity in ending genocide. It is a collective of women from across all religious and political viewpoints and classes that is calling for an end to genocide in Gaza and for the promotion of a lasting peace in Palestine. Its aim is to have all legislators recognise the need for Palestinian rights and to end, under international law, Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. It asked us to call for the protection of humanitarian workers, journalists and health and social care staff in line with international humanitarian law.”
“It would mean so much. That is obvious in the Bill's explanatory memorandum. <BR /> <BR />I will finish by thanking those who have worked so tirelessly for years. I thank the Minister and his officials for their work on the Bill. I want to say how impressed I am with his signing at the start of the debate. That will mean so much. It will have been the first time that deaf adults and children will have ever seen themselves properly represented in the Chamber, so well done. I thank people like Emma, who is the hearing parent of a deaf son, Patrick, who has pursued this on behalf of all the other families and, indeed, those in the Public Gallery. I just want to say this: well done and thank you.”
“That is really important. One young person said that sign language:”
“It was about someone's child or someone's spouse not having access to the things that we take for granted, so of course it was very personal. I hope that they will all feel that the Bill that the Minister and his Department have introduced reflects what they have been campaigning for for a long time. <BR /> <BR />In the 2021 consultation, young people from the National Deaf Children's Society reported the real impact that the legislation would have. For me, this sums it up:”
“I think of children and young people who have to go through family court proceedings when there is a divorce. They might have to talk to a guardian. I want to see that facility being brought to there as well. We have to think of where children and young people are and bring the services to them, regardless of where the service is needed. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the adults see their work in the Bill, particularly at Second Stage. If amendments are made, they will be made only to enrich and enhance the Bill and make it better. I believe that that will be the case across the board in this place. I certainly want to thank those adults for their perseverance and, indeed, dignity, because it was all very personal.”
“It was never legal to discriminate against deaf people, but the Bill means that each Department will have to fulfil its statutory obligations towards the deaf and partially hearing community. <BR /> <BR />Many have said that sign language is the only communication that people who are deaf have. It is something that we take for granted. Some things struck me from just quickly looking at the Bill today. I think of a youngster who might go to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). They might be very vulnerable, and they might be talking about things that really matter to them or struggles that they have. Rather than the responsibilities being on the child and their family, there will be someone who can sign. It would be even better if it were a professional in CAMHS.”
“Minister, thank you and well done. To your officials, who have been working in this area for at least 15 years, well done. Knowing those officials, I expect that they have put their heart and soul into the work right from the sign language framework. They have worked with many of the people who are in the Public Gallery — well done to them — and they persevered and did not lose patience with us when it would have been quite appropriate for them to do so. <BR /> <BR />The message across the Bill's Second Stage debate so far is probably one of pride mixed with regret that we could not bring the Bill forward sooner, because it officially recognises sign language, be it British Sign Language or Irish Sign Language. The legislation puts it on a statutory footing for our deaf community.”
“<BR /> <BR />We now see acts such as Kneecap who might have auditioned in the Limelight and the 'Belfast Telegraph' building. Kneecap are now getting mentions at the Oscars. Belfast did that. We did it, and we should be proud. The traders and vendors who took the risk of getting in groups such as that can now claim some success. We need to give them all something back. <BR /> <BR />I am happy to be a part of any development. We need to look at the dereliction in our city centre. It is not down just to the Economy, Infrastructure or Communities Departments to deal with that; it is down to us all. There have been decades of dereliction. Investors have been involved in land banking huge swathes of property. Either they need to invest and move on or that land needs to be taken from them and used to contribute to our economy. Thank you.”
“<BR /> <BR />Another thing that needs to be sorted out is making sure that our local traders and the people who work in the night-time economy have support. Belfast City Council has the Belfast agenda, which has an ambition to grow the city centre population by 66,000. That is a massive ambition that would mean more people coming into the city. However, people live in the city centre, and they need to be factored into everything. The residents in the Market area, Short Strand, Bridge End, Carrick Hill and Sailortown lived in those places well before there was the current city centre, and I ask that people take that into consideration. <BR /> <BR />I am glad that there is a night tsar. When you put value on something, it speaks volumes.”
“I remember when I was in the Department, and, at times when there were big events, people found a different way to access alcohol — I will just leave that there. <BR /> <BR />All I am saying is that we need to look at our city centre. As a woman, I feel unsafe in parts of the city. I do not want to pooh-pooh the debate, but that is how I feel. I would feel unsafe walking on my own, and I am sure that fellas would say the same. We need to look at the arterial routes and at lighting, but we also need to look at transport. We mentioned Translink, but we also need to make sure that taxis do not stick the hand in the further that people live outside the centre, because the fares are not regulated. That needs to be sorted out.”
“I remember the Harp Bar from the first time round, and I know it now since it has reopened. There is life after 9.00 pm, and being 60 does not stop you going out. I am just letting you know that. <BR /> <BR />Thank you for securing the Adjournment debate, Phillip. It is a very important topic. Deirdre hit on connectivity, and other Members mentioned it. Yes, the daytime and night-time economies are slightly different, but they are connected. I grew up in an area, Carrick Hill, that is right beside the town, and you can walk into and out of town from there. That is quite handy. However, we have certainly overcome the challenges that our city has faced over decades. One of the biggest revolutions that we had was the change in licensing laws. They were archaic and embarrassing.”
“I will start by saying that there is hope out there. Some of you might be going to bed at 9.00 pm, but, when the kids get older, there is hope. I am of an age where I am going back around again”
“I am delighted, as a North Belfast representative, that, at long last, the Westland community has received the resources that it is entitled to and deserves. Will the junior Minister outline what other projects have been added to update the Urban Villages capital programme, please?”
“<BR /> <BR />I put on record my support for all the boxing clubs and all the boxers. Hopefully, we can learn lessons from them that, once agreements have been made or matches have happened in rings, once you get out of it, that is it done. I invite every party to meet that delegation, hopefully on Monday 16 January, all being well.”
“However, it is well known and well accepted that any lessons that need to be learned will be learned from this. I am quite confident about that. I am also quite confident that, when it comes to competitions, we are all very inclusive about getting behind our boxers, and rightly so, given the medals that they have yielded for whatever jurisdiction they choose to represent. Our boxers are no different, and any political commentary around that should be done and dusted and then left, because it has caused a lot of concern in a lot of the boxing clubs. They have all said that it is not in keeping with the spirit that they have operated in for decades. They ask us all to get together to give them our support. They are more than willing to talk to us all, and they are happy to hear any challenges, feedback or concerns.”
“I will make a short statement in relation to some of the comments that Mr Phillip Brett made last week about boxing. On the back of that, I took it upon myself to meet some of the boxing clubs from right across the community, and then I received the statement on Friday morning. It is clear that a resolution was reached. It was clear last week when his comments were made, and rather than having verbal fisticuffs in this place, I have invited a delegation of boxing clubs, which are cross-community — they go from Bangor right up to our constituency and into south Antrim and other areas — to come up here, probably in the second week of January. <BR /> <BR />I put on the record that a resolution was reached, and, since then, some people have spoken outside that agreed resolution, which is a matter of regret.”
“Minister, will you confirm or advise whether, when you look at that report, social value in procurement will feature in the new action plan for the sector?”
“I hear what you are saying. You have a right to hear what your constituents and others say. However, I expect you to call out any racism, and I know that you would do that. I will leave it at that. I thank everybody who contributed to the debate.”
“Yes. I have little time left, but I am happy to give way.”
“People then say, "Well, there are legitimate concerns". That needs to stop. I do not care about faux outrage from anyone in the House. You cannot stand over that at all. I will leave my comments there.”
“<BR /> <BR />My other concern, regardless of where it happens — this needs to be said — is that very young children and young people were involved in those riots over the summer. Very young children and young people have been involved in riots at interfaces previously. People of our age, my age and younger and older, have said things, so those young people are being involved, and they are shafted. They are left to go through the criminal justice system, and nobody cares about them. That is a fact. <BR /> <BR />The people who are being terrorised and who look after us in our hospitals and schools are left devastated. Their lives are devastated, particularly if they come from countries that have seen war and terror. They have gone through the most traumatic of experiences but come here, get a brick through their window and their car burnt.”