Michelle O'Neill
Mid Ulster · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“We are shocked and deeply saddened for both the victim of the horrific incident in north Belfast and the people who have been impacted on by the disorder that we have witnessed since. There is absolutely no justification for racism, violence or intimidation.”
“It is the latest chapter in a political psychodrama. It has been playing out in Westminster for forever and a day but particularly over the past 10 years. Tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of Brexit, which inflicted so much damage to the wider economy. We are now on the verge of having a seventh British Prime Minister in 10 years.”
“We cannot look at things in isolation. Whether it is the refugee integration strategy, the framework or the legislation, all those things need to move together and at pace.”
“I agree with the Member about the ugly language that was used to describe some people in our community. Like the Member, I have met many people from the black and ethnic minority community in recent times. I do that on an ongoing basis, but I did so recently given what happened over the last number of weeks.”
“There is not just one answer to it, as the Member knows. We need to come at it from every angle. That could be a policing response initially, for which additional funding was secured. I agree that this is the third year in a row in which we have had that type of racist behaviour on our streets. Likewise, I would describe it as a pogrom.”
“Building on that progress, the Executive Office is contributing £3·3 million towards the Derry on the North Atlantic Museum, which is due to open in 2027 and will further enhance Ebrington’s role as a heritage and tourism destination. <BR /> <BR />Ebrington is also continuing to develop as a vibrant events space.”
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“I have been witness to those efforts and to their example of leadership in recent years. Just as the Queen and Prince Philip did, we in the Chamber, 23 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, must redouble our efforts to achieve reconciliation as we forge a path together, giving a new generation of young people hope that opportunity and a brighter future exists.”
“<BR /> <BR />Saturday past marked the twenty-third anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, and, despite the challenges along the way, there is no denying that huge progress has been made over that time. While we have an imperfect peace — it is a work in progress, if you like — the agreement has provided an alternative to conflict. I acknowledge that the Queen, Prince Philip and their family were directly impacted by the conflict and, regrettably, endured sorrow and pain as a result of their personal loss and bereavement. Each of us knows that the tragedies of the past have left a deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering for so many families, which we are still trying to confront and address. Yet, having endured such personal loss, the royal family set about working towards advancing peace and reconciliation.”
“Then, in 2014, the state visit to Britain by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, occurred. That was the first state visit of a president of Ireland to Britain. As part of that, Martin McGuinness and I travelled to London's Royal Albert Hall to take part in the Ceiliúradh (Celebration) concert, where we met Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Since those important and historic moments, the political landscape has changed. Brexit has unfolded over the past five years, testing British-Irish relations. Its implications for both islands are far-reaching. I hope that we can overcome those challenges through the efforts of us all, and, not least, by the two Governments working closer together, which is something that I believe is undoubtedly required at this moment.”
“<BR /> <BR />During the course of this decade, from 2012 to 2022, we are marking the centenaries of seminal events that have shaped modern Irish history over the past century. These events have defined our relationship over the past 100 years, too. It is a relationship that has been characterised by colonialism, partition and political division but towards peace, reconciliation and renewed cooperation. I was reflecting over the weekend on events, recalling that, in 2012, the late Martin McGuinness, as a leader of republicanism, met Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Belfast. That marked a very important step on our journey to reconciliation on this island and between our islands.”
“I start by extending my sincere condolences to Queen Elizabeth and to her family on the death of her husband, Prince Philip. Over the past two decades, there have been significant interventions by the British royal family to assist in the building of relationships between Britain and Ireland. It is appropriate that this contribution to the advancement of peace and reconciliation is rightly recognised. I have acknowledged the sense of loss that will be felt in our community and across these islands by those of a unionist tradition and a British identity and those who value and cherish the royal family. Given Prince Philip's long service of duty to the monarchy, a tapestry of memories remains for the British people, which, over the days since his passing, has been shared through the media.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. What we as an Executive, as an Assembly and as political leaders need to do is focus on working together and say very clearly that there is room for everybody at the table. I will, however, tell you whom there is not room for: there is not room for armed gangs and criminal gangs who care nothing about the future of this society. Those people are enemies of the peace, and it is our job to make sure that all generations and future generations feel the benefit of the peace. It is incumbent upon us as political leaders, to whom the public give their support, to work together.”
“It is vital that the benefits of the peace process are safeguarded and built upon for future generations, and that all of our people feel the benefit. <BR /> <BR />The Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) has now, we are told, withdrawn its support for the agreement. What is its logic and, more importantly, what is its alternative? Unionist leaders have withdrawn their support for the Chief Constable, demanding that he resign. When we see that manifest itself, with young people from working-class loyalist areas attacking the police, it seems to me and all who are watching on that those things cannot be entirely divorced. Surely unequivocal support for the police and their leadership is the responsible thing to guarantee today from this democratic Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Political unionism cannot blame Brexit —.”
“They are outdated and antiquated and are caught in a time warp, which has no bearing on where the vast majority of people across this society now are or, indeed, where they want to be. They are holding back their people and their community. <BR /> <BR />It is only through dialogue and through the democratic institutions that political solutions to problems can be found. This Saturday marks the twenty-third anniversary of the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which created the democratic institutions, based on power-sharing, and guaranteed equality and parity of esteem between both traditions and the right for citizens to be Irish, British or both. It also created an alternative to conflict. It gave today's generation the precious gift of peace and hope.”
“It is not right; it is dangerous; it is unacceptable; and it is a miracle that, as we stand here today, no one has been killed. <BR /> <BR />I commend all those who are working really hard on the ground in our communities to try to provide diversionary activities for children and young people, because we know that that can help to prevent further antisocial behaviour by those who face the highest risk of influence. We all know where that influence is coming from: it is coming from illegal loyalist paramilitaries and criminal elements. They are orchestrating this violence and are sending youngsters out to do their bidding, while they stand back. Those people are no role models for our youth.”
“Nobody could fail to be alarmed by the fact that these are young people — children as young as 13, barely teenagers — who have been involved in rioting at Sandy Row and, last night, in similar scenes at Lanark Way.”
“There is an onus on every MLA and on other public representatives to assume our responsibilities, to address the tensions as we see them, to restore calm and to work with credible community leaders and the police to provide the leadership that is required to confront these problems. As political leaders, we must stand united in appealing to all concerned to refrain from further threats or use of violence and recognise that it is only through democratic politics that we can solve our problems and concerns and call together on those organising young people to engage in violence to stop and call on the young people themselves to exercise restraint.”
“It is a time when they are out on the front line, tackling difficult situations on the ground and trying to protect people in our communities from harm and protect property I also reaffirm support for the rule of law and those who are charged with upholding it on our streets. <BR /> <BR />I am glad to say to the Assembly that the Executive met just this morning and, as I said, had the Chief Constable there. As a result of that engagement, we have issued a joint Executive statement. Our words are powerful, and it is really important at this time that the Executive have sent out that united front.”
“I also welcome the opportunity to speak in today's debate, albeit that I am saddened by the fact that we have to have it. It is incumbent on us all as Assembly Members and political leaders to meet and publicly express our deep concerns relating to the recent violence and the ongoing street disorder over Easter week across Belfast, Derry, Tyrone and other parts of the North. What we saw last night at Lanark Way interface was a dangerous escalation of the events of recent days. It is utterly deplorable. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I met the Chief Constable, Simon Byrne, who then briefed the special meeting of the Executive, where he gave an operational update on the police response. As we speak, 55 police officers have been injured. I send solidarity to those officers and their families at this difficult time.”
“The progress that has been achieved is entirely due to the support and the concerted effort of everyone. As a result, we have now reached a key turning point in the management of the crisis, when the Executive's attention is now able to move from purely controlling the public health response towards planning for economic, health and societal recovery instead. My sincere commitment is to continue with that work, and that remains my number-one priority.”
“The events of that day were investigated by the police, to whom I gave, as you would expect, my full cooperation. The report published on 30 March by the PPS set out its judgement, which was made independently and impartially by the team of senior prosecutors, assisted by senior counsel. I now understand that a review of that judgement has been requested, and I will await the outcome of that. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that the matter has divided the Executive and the Assembly that many of us worked so hard to bring about and to restore, in order to get on with delivering public services to the public whom we serve. <BR /> <BR />We have made good progress in suppressing the virus and establishing a route map out of restrictions and in vaccinating the population, despite all of the difficulties.”
“Over the past nine months, I have worked tirelessly to rebuild trust and confidence with the public as a result of undermining the public health message. I will continue to work every day with ministerial colleagues and will continue to work across the five parties to take us through what is a global health pandemic to save lives and to protect livelihoods. <BR /> <BR />I am truly sorry that my actions have contributed to the grief or the heartache that has been felt and experienced by many people who have lost a loved one during the pandemic. That was never, ever my intention, and, for that, I offer my heartfelt and unreserved apology to the families who have lost a loved one. <BR /> <BR />I take very seriously my responsibility as a public office holder and as deputy First Minister and joint head of government.”
“First, I confirm that I speak in the Chamber today in my role as an MLA. I take the opportunity to contribute, as I have done on every available opportunity over the past nine months since the death of my friend Bobby Storey. I have done so in the Chamber on many occasions, at the Committee for the Executive Office, at the Executive, at the party leaders' forum and via the media press conferences. <BR /> <BR />I wish to say again today and to put it on the public record that I am truly sorry for the hurt that has been caused to so many families who have lost a loved one during this time. My attendance at the funeral of Bobby Storey was to support a family during their grief as he was laid to rest.”
“I thank the Member for her question. It is really important that we continue to work through the funding issue. It is really important that the victims and survivors hear that the Executive are committed to the scheme and are determined to get the money paid. However, the advances that have been made from the Secretary of State in the last week are not sufficient to allow us to move forward on the financial commitment that is needed to develop the scheme. We have asked for another cross-departmental meeting, as TEO, Finance and Justice are working together. We are still asking for that meeting, and we need to have it as soon as possible to progress the issue.”
“It is all in the mix; it will all be part of the caravan conversation. As part of our ongoing deliberations, I will ensure that your points are factored into the conversation.”
“The Member is a poet, and he did not know it. <BR /> <BR />The issue of caravans has been raised quite a lot recently because the weather is turning and people want to get back to their caravan sites. I know that the issue has been raised with Minister Dodds, who has the responsibility for caravan parks. It is too early to say when caravan parks will open, but, as we have always said, we will not keep restrictions in place for any longer than is necessary. <BR /> <BR />There are already some categories where people can go to their static caravan. I cannot give you the date today for the removal of restrictions. However, I can say that we will continue to work through the issues, and, as soon as we think it is safe, we will make an announcement.”
“People should realise that there is nothing to fear from the future. There is something for us all to work for — something better — where previous generations have been failed. My final words to the Member are, "Work with me". Let us make this a more inclusive place where we all live comfortably together side by side.”
“Let us make this place a more inclusive society, do all we can to make sure this place is welcoming and make sure that today's young people do not fight the battles of the past. I encourage people to continue to look forward and see how to share this place and demonstrate through mutual respect, generosity of spirit, good grace —”
“The debate over the stone — the monument proposed by unionists to mark the centenary of the establishment of the northern state — has once again highlighted the need for continued transformation of this society. We need to create a shared and inclusive society. For me, it underlines the importance of inclusive discussion and dialogue and the need for political discourse and ongoing engagement. I am sure that the Member or anybody with an objective view of this place to which I am elected will know that it is not an inclusive or welcoming place for people from a nationalist or republican background. It is more important that we work together towards the future. Yes, we reflect on the past, but someone from your generation and age category should be more concerned about working to build a better future. I encourage you to work with me.”
“This is not an agreed Executive position of course, but, yes, my personal view is that we need to make the power-sharing institutions work, as we do all strands of the Good Friday Agreement. I wholeheartedly believe in the Good Friday Agreement, and I believe that the British Government should not undermine power-sharing by establishing offices in Belfast that interfere with the devolved responsibilities of Ministers here.”
“Yes. We have always said that we will support that position. I do not think that that position has been advanced by the Department of Health yet, but getting the vaccine out as quickly as possible is top of all our agendas, as is making sure that we are protecting people. I am therefore open to supporting such a proposal.”
“I made my position clear to your party colleague earlier when I said that access to the vaccine should be based on need. Anybody who needs the vaccine should have it. It should not be a commodity. It should not be there to be traded. It should not be used as a bargaining chip. I therefore encourage everybody to work together to make sure that we vaccinate all people globally, because what happens in this part of the world during a pandemic has an implication for what happens elsewhere, and vice versa.”
“There are no conversations of that nature at the moment, but, again, let me get the details of the report and write to the Member about its status: where it sits and where it will go next. There have been no discussions for some time about new Departments or even about establishing an independent climate change Department. Let me look at the report, and I will then write to the Member.”
“I thank the Member for her question. The outworking of such a report has to have more Executive discussion, but we all have a responsibility to play our part in tackling climate change. Every Department will have a responsibility. I welcome the fact that the Climate Change Bill will receive large support in the Assembly Chamber when it is debated. We are living through a climate emergency, from which there will be disastrous effects across the board, so we all need to tackle it. I am open-minded when looking at these things, but I do not have the details of the report with me. I am happy to write to the Member about where the report goes next and at what stage it sits.”
“The Member will hopefully know that, under the remit of the Department of Justice, Minister Long will have responsibility for bringing forward such a strategy. I will work with the Minister to make sure that we get a fit-for-purpose strategy. It is not good enough that this part of the world is the only place that does not have a strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, so let us ensure that all political parties work together to bring forward a strategy in the most timely manner possible.”
“As I said in my previous answer, it is incumbent upon us all to work together to make society a safer place and challenge outdated claims. Misogyny is treated almost as though it were an acceptable everyday occurrence. That is not the case. It needs to be stamped out and called out collectively. The Member asked about action. There is no one solution for how we deal with that. It needs to be across all Departments. There needs to be a societal approach that starts with individual, personal responsibility: for example, even for me, as a parent, educating my children. We all have a job to do to try to make this a better, safe place for women. I am committed to playing my part in working with others to ensure that we come at this issue. The starting point has to be the gender-based strategy on tackling violence against women and girls.”
“It needs to be eradicated through a coordinated and sustained approach across all parts of society, from educating children and young people to adopting a zero-tolerance approach to those who seek to abuse women and girls in that way.”
“I absolutely agree. It is vital that the Executive develop a gender-specific strategy to address the many complex issues that give rise to violence against women and girls. The Member is absolutely right to say that dealing with misogyny must be at the heart of all that, because the ingrained misogyny that prevails across society is not only damaging to women but very dangerous. We must all say very clearly that none of us should ever stand for it. An Irish saying — Ní neart go cur le chéile — means that there is no strength without unity. We must stand together on this issue. <BR /> <BR />Dismissing the discrimination and denigration of women simply as outdated thinking, which is, often, how it is described, is really not good enough. It has to be flushed out.”
“We cannot stand still while women and girls continue to come to harm. To do so would be a dereliction of duty by all of us in public office. Yes, I absolutely agree that the Executive must take unified and determined action to tackle the critical issue of gender-based violence, which needs to be progressed in the right way as a matter of urgency. I assure the Member that it will have my full commitment.”
“I thank the Member for his question. First, I extend my sympathies and, I am sure, those of everyone in the Chamber to all those who have been bereaved in the most harrowing circumstances. We must always remember that, at the very heart of all those stories that we see breaking on the news, there are people, families and loved ones. Those women have tragically and avoidably lost their lives, and all those families have been robbed of that person. Although we appreciate that each circumstance is individual, such incidents are by no means isolated. Gender-based violence is the appalling truth for countless women and girls right across society. Domestic abuse of every form is the daily lived experience of many women. This comes at a time when the levels of domestic violence across the North are at a record high.”
“With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, junior Minister Kearney will answer that question.”
“We anticipate that the development opportunity will be publicised and, hopefully, formal expressions of interest sought by early April.”
“As part of the planning approval for the current grade A office accommodation, permission has been granted for a second office building on the same enabling platform above the underground car park. There is, therefore, scope for a further development of that nature, should the market support it. <BR /> <BR />Given the high level of interest for investment on site following previous marketing exercises, we are making plans to dispose of the car park and remaining land as a development opportunity. That is expected to be via a marketing exercise in line with the well-established process used for the disposals of other land and buildings on site. We are keen to bring that to the market as soon as possible, and work is already well under way in preparation.”
“We very much look forward to seeing the benefits of the regeneration to come for many years.”
“Construction works on a proposed hotel are scheduled to commence in the summer, and a business case to develop a maritime museum on Ebrington is being progressed by Derry City and Strabane District Council. Subject to approvals and budget, it is hoped that the council museum will open in 2024. <BR /> <BR />A new site entrance road and service road opened last year, and the provision of essential utility services is nearing completion. Those works have helped to attract private-sector investment to the site, with three businesses opened in 2020 and more scheduled to open when the tenant fit-out works are completed. <BR /> <BR />We will continue to advance all our main development works and progress the phased transfer of the site to the council in due course.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Executive Office is taking forward a number of important projects, including the major redevelopment of Meenan Square through our Urban Villages programme; a new arts and culture centre at New Gate in the Fountain; and the redevelopment of the Ebrington site, which is a crucial part of our vision for the north-west. We have made significant progress since the Executive Office took direct responsibility for the regeneration of the site in April 2016. All buildings on site now have a lease agreement for lease or preferred developer identified. <BR /> <BR />Construction of the grade A office accommodation building is well under way and is due to be completed in March 2022.”
“We are absolutely committed to the regeneration of the north-west. We want to be able to move the region forward and improve the lives of all the people in the area. <BR /> <BR />Through a sustained programme of investment and development, good progress is being made. The £250 million investment through the Derry/Strabane city deal will be really transformative. The graduate entry medical school at Magee, which is on track to receive its first cohort of 70 students in September, will deliver far-reaching benefits for the regional economy and for wider society.”
“The plan is designed in such a way that we are able to say, "This is what we think is coming next", and we can start to work with the sectors. I do not know specifically. I would guess that it is the phase 2 cautious first steps because it is outdoors, but I would like to clarify that with officials. I am happy to write to the Member. It makes sense: outdoors is safer than indoors, so those are the first areas that we will be able to focus on and make some relaxations. I will write to the Member and make sure that she is informed.”
“The principal engagement with the tourism and hospitality sectors falls to the Department for the Economy, and there is ongoing engagement there. However, at the level of our task force, there is continual engagement across the sectors, and we know that tourism and hospitality are two sectors that have been absolutely decimated as a result of the pandemic. We need to continue to engage with them. We want to have conversations about preparedness and getting ready to open, so that people know that they have something to work towards. We continue to do that. I cannot remember the last time that I met representatives of the sector, but I engage, for example, with Hospitality Ulster, on an ongoing basis, as do junior Ministers and officials from the Executive Office.”
“The answer is that no decision has been taken as yet, but I hope that it will come to the Executive — probably Thursday's Executive meeting will be the next opportunity. We have set out specific dates at different intervals, but the cross-departmental task force group meets every week. It looks at current issues, and I know that that is one of the issues that is on its desk. We want to be able to support families that need that additional support. There are other areas around children and young people needing support in the community. That is another area that we should look at.”
“We will keep making progress by adding to them, and we will find our way out of this sooner, rather than later. However, it will be only with continued public adherence and the public working with us. We understand how difficult it is, and we will not keep restrictions in place for any longer than is necessary.”
“The pandemic has caused untold damage, from a personal point of view to lives and livelihoods and people's mental health and well-being and to the economy, small businesses and businesses that have been closed for the best part of year. The pandemic has been cruel and unforgiving in its impact. There is a huge amount of work to be done. I assure every business that we want to have them opening their doors as quickly as possible, but we must do so safely and sustainably. In other parts of Europe, over the weekend, people went back into restrictions. We want to avoid that. We do not want to be in that position, and the best way that we can attempt to avoid it is by going forward, "Steady as you go". There will be gradual easements.”
“I am fearful for their mental health and well-being. In the last number of weeks, the First Minister, the Health Minister and I met the Royal College of Nursing. Representatives expressed their depth of feeling, in the strongest possible terms, on the anxiety, exhaustion and general feeling of a lack of well-being among the nursing staff. I am really concerned about that. We have a big job of work to do in trying to support people in the post-COVID recovery era.”
“You are right. Those same considerations apply to all the children and young people who are returning to school today. They have gone so long without those interactions and the chance to engage with people and be their normal selves. The Executive have started a conversation and a piece of work on the things that we need to focus on as part of the recovery. The needs of many people who have been impacted by the pandemic have to be taken into account. You referred to those who have been furloughed in, for example, the retail and hospitality sectors, for the best part of a year. <BR /> <BR />We also have to look at the situation that faces nurses right now and those who work in the health service. It is quite alarming to listen to the lived experience of those who are working on the front line in dealing with the pandemic.”
“That is, of course, the remit of the Health Minister. You will have seen commentary from the Health Department over the past number of days about the concerns that it has. The roll-out plan as originally envisaged may be delayed by a couple of weeks, but I am hopeful that the vaccination programme will continue to go as well as it has been. We can only hope that we get to the point where the maximum number of people have been vaccinated. That will, obviously, allow us to marry the programme with our pathway out of restrictions.”
“Families and workers on low incomes must be core to our recovery strategy. The Member will agree when I say that we owe it to all the people in our society to make that happen.”