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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“Over the course of the next two days, Members will see a significant difference in the Executive's response to ensure that people get key messages and that they are shown where to go to get those messages. People will see a great improvement in that over the next couple of days. <BR /> <BR />We are taking very seriously the situation with regard to PPE. At a meeting this morning, we were told that, through Finance, we have been able to secure a contract for additional PPE. That is good news. We will continue to keep those matters under review. It is crucial that we have enough and that people and staff are not fearful that we do not have enough. We will continue to work our way through that. The Member referred to carers — people on the front line — who go from home to home. They need protection, too.”
“We will have one information portal to which people can go to get information, whether that be advice on health, economics, benefits, the school situation for key workers, and all those issues. It is a one-stop shop that will be launched over the coming days. I think that it went up this morning, but it will be built upon. That will be helpful. We will ensure that all Members get notification on how to access that information. It is vital, because everybody has so many questions right now. It is difficult to get the information out. There is a lot of noise, and we have to give people key, essential information. Hopefully, the portal will be helpful. <BR /> <BR />We will also roll out a communication plan. We have taken steps to enhance the communication output.”
“I thank the Chairperson of the Committee for all that. First, I concur and will restate again — we cannot say it strongly enough — that we need people to follow the advice. The actions of some individuals over the weekend endangered lives. Going to beaches, caravan parks and doing any of those things puts more and more people's lives at risk. We, collectively as the Executive and Assembly, need to send out the strongest possible message: you are killing people by doing those things. It is time not for soft language but for us to be very straight with people. We need to keep driving home that message. <BR /> <BR />With regard to information, I understand that it is frustrating. It is frustrating for me. We are involved in a situation that is changing rapidly, minute by minute, hour by hour. We are endeavouring to pull all that together.”
“Please help us to protect our health service and our health workers so that they can help us and our families. <BR /> <BR />We realise that we are sending out very difficult and very worrying messages, but we will get through this when we work together. We will come out of this, because we have looked to every part of society to play a role. That is because this is a great place and we have such a wonderful spirit in our people. <BR /> <BR />The First Minister and I, along with the entire Executive, recognise that we do not have all the answers today. We are working tirelessly to do the right things. We are asking all our people to work with us and to do the right things. Our commitment to the Assembly is that we will keep you up to date as things develop. We thank you again for the opportunity to update you today.”
“<BR /> <BR />I suspect that most, if not all, families have had to think about how they will cope as this situation unfolds. I am confident that most, if not all, people have already thought about how they can help someone who is less fortunate. We can do these good things because we are part of the giant spirit that makes this a very special place. This situation will bring out some wonderful acts of kindness; of that I have no doubt. We can see it already. At the end of this, we all want to look back and say that we all did the right things. <BR /> <BR />Tougher times are coming. We can look at other countries to know that we are only at the start of what is going to be the most difficult of times. We cannot make this situation go away unless we all do the right things now. Every day that we do not follow the advice, the risk increases.”
“Please, please do not be involved in irresponsible shopping. There is enough food to go round for everyone. Be generous to others by buying only what you need. Leave supplies on the shelves for the elderly, the vulnerable, and our front-line workers. We do not need our nurses and doctors, after working long shifts, and all the people who work in the health service — hospital cleaners and those who look after the most vulnerable for our families and for our communities — at the end of a day to go to the shops and not be able to buy food for themselves or for their families. Please be kind. Look out for your neighbours and the most vulnerable in your communities. If you can, leave one or two items in the food bank box in your community.”
“The Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has put in place measures to protect citizens and staff accessing DAERA Direct services. We also recognise that, to ensure the best response, we must not work in isolation. Through the North/South Ministerial Council, we have agreed that everything possible will be done in coordination and cooperation with the Irish Government and our Executive and with the active involvement of the health administrations across both jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />A total societal approach is the only way forward. Every person in our society has something to do. Every person in our society has a very important thing to do now to help us to beat COVID-19. We need all people to follow the advice: stay at home, wash your hands, and practise social distancing. <BR /> <BR />We need responsible shopping.”
“That will be an important measure to ensure that the supply chains can continue to operate effectively and to maintain flows of food and vital supplies. That change now applies to the items being delivered directly to consumers' homes and will help to support those who are self-isolating. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Finance, the Minister for the Economy and the Minister for Infrastructure are also working hard to support our airports and are pressing the British Government to provide specific support for the aviation sector. That sector faces significant challenges at present, but it is vital to ensure that air connectivity is maintained in the short and longer term. Our aviation industry will be essential in the times ahead.”
“The Minister of Education is also working with the Minister of Health to ensure that vulnerable children and young people in the education system continue to have access to the services that are necessary for their well-being. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for Communities is working to develop a COVID-19 community contingency fund to help groups that support those who are socially isolated, those who struggle financially or those who cannot access food supplies. She has also made arrangements to suspend the face-to-face assessment for benefits over the next three months and has temporarily removed the waiting period for statutory sick pay and new employment and support allowance (ESA) claims. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for Infrastructure has temporarily relaxed the legislation on drivers' hours.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister of Education has taken steps to close schools to pupils, with the exemption of children of key workers who have no alternative childcare provision. We appreciate that that causes disruption, but it is a necessary step. The Minister of Education is working with the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments (CCEA) and other awarding bodies to put in place robust processes for awarding grades. <BR /> <BR />We also recognise that there are vulnerable children and young people in our education system. The Minister of Education and the Minister for Communities are working together to put in place alternative arrangements for free school meals, and we expect to hear more about that throughout the course of today.”
“All non-urgent services have been reduced, and steps are being taken to make greater use of the telephone and other digital technology for patients who need follow-up care as outpatients. Trusts will work to ensure the prompt discharge of medically well patients from hospitals to ensure that beds are available for any increase in admissions. <BR /> <BR />Initial support measures have been announced for businesses through grants, the support around workers' salary costs and the measures to provide rate relief. They will provide much-needed breathing space for our business community. We continue to work with the British Government to further enhance the assistance available and are lobbying hard to ensure that our businesses and workers receive the support that they need.”
“We ask parents to help get our advice across to young people: "Stay home, wash your hands, and stay apart". <BR /> <BR />The economic support that is becoming available will help to cushion our businesses and family incomes. It will help to keep our economy able to function again when normality finally returns. We are conscious that we cannot entirely insulate ourselves and our economy from the pain and the hurt that COVID-19 brings. It is a dreadful disease with dreadful consequences. <BR /> <BR />There are many things that we can do now. The Minister of Health has already taken steps to free up resources in our health service to provide hospital care for the most serious COVID-19 cases.”
“Please think about and understand the motivation. Closing pubs and restaurants is about keeping people well and protecting our health service. We made clear requests to pubs and restaurants on Friday to close. We are grateful to all those who closed their doors, those who distributed their supplies to people in need and those who are looking after their staff. <BR /> <BR />We say to parents and to young people, "Please do the right things, now that the schools are closed. Young people are not immune to COVID-19. COVID-19 does not care about your age, so you need to care about yourself and the potential for you to catch it and to pass it on. Young people need to follow exactly the same advice. The schools are shut, but education, learning and planning for your future should be at the heart of what you do in the coming weeks".”
“We need to slow down the spread of COVID-19 by keeping the pressures on our health service to an absolute minimum. We must make space for our health service to look after those who will need care now and in coming weeks. That is vitally important. This is about keeping people alive — this is about keeping people alive. It is about making space for our nurses, our doctors, our hospital cleaners and our social care staff to do their job and follow their vocation. We are asking an awful lot of them now, so we need to do everything that we can to support them. <BR /> <BR />Other key decisions such as closing schools and limiting pupil attendance to key workers are focused on protecting our health service so that they can protect us. We totally appreciate that this is a difficult situation for parents.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are taking part in COBRA discussions, and the announcements from London are being supplemented by local solutions that we need for the problems that we face here. We are looking far beyond the normal ways of working and policy development and how decisions are made. We are doings things now in days and hours that would normally have taken months and weeks. We are being responsible with our finances, making sure that decisions are quick and that the front line has what it needs to keep people well. That requires new real-time thinking, and it is absolutely the right thing to do in these circumstances. We are working across departmental boundaries in new and important ways. <BR /> <BR />To be absolutely clear, the top priority is to protect our health service because it protects us.”
“There are financial worries and worries about our loved ones, our neighbours and our communities. We ask everyone to please do the right thing and to carry on doing the right things in the weeks ahead. <BR /> <BR />Extraordinary times need extraordinary steps. Ministers and officials are meeting every morning and will offer very regular updates to the Assembly and to the media. We have made the health and well-being of our citizens our number-one priority. Our economic well-being and the well-being of society are also at the heart of our discussions. We need to maintain, as far as we can, other critical services, and we need to look after our people who are working on the front line.”
“<BR /> <BR />These are not normal times. This is a time for cool, calm heads and for big, warm hearts. The First Minister and I were so grateful to everyone who did the right thing yesterday on Mother's Day, despite the difficulties. They did the right thing to keep mothers and other vulnerable people safe. We definitely understand the difficulty for many people, but it was really heart-warming when you saw images of people and how they got in touch with their mums. We are grateful to all those mothers who worked for us yesterday on the front line in critical services. That is a demonstration of us at our best. <BR /> <BR />We know that there are more difficult developments to come, and, in our families and communities, there is confusion and hurt.”
“We will need to keep people up to date to keep people safe. <BR /> <BR />Very sadly, we had our second COVID-19 fatality yesterday. The thoughts and prayers of all of us across the Assembly will be with the families of the loved ones who are deceased. <BR /> <BR />The situation as of 2.00 pm on Sunday 22 March is that testing has resulted in 20 new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 128. The total number of tests completed is 2,484. <BR /> <BR />Our messages today are simple and cannot be repeated often enough, and I commend all elected representatives for trying to get that message out to their communities: "Stay at home if you can. Wash your hands. If you have to go out, practise social distancing. Stay apart. Protect our health service so our health service can protect us".”
“A Cheann Comhairle, I apologise for the lateness of the statement. It should be being placed in Members' pigeonholes as we speak. I apologise for the statement not getting to you sooner. It is a rapidly changing situation, and things are evolving. We are trying to be up to date and to give people as much information as possible. <BR /> <BR />I make the joint statement today on behalf of the First Minister and me. The entire Executive are behind the enormous efforts being made to keep us all safe. I thank you for accommodating our statement today. We recognise that our people need information, and we have given a commitment that we will update the Assembly and our people as often and as speedily as we can. Undoubtedly, things will change and develop on a daily basis — even on an hour-to-hour basis.”
“Yes, three distinct, separate pieces of legislation will come through the House and move together. <BR /> <BR />The legislative proposals will be subject to the established procedure for Executive referral and consideration before their introduction, and they will, of course, also be subject to consideration in the Chamber and in Committee. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Executive Committee, I commend the legislative programme to the Assembly as a positive start to our engagement and that of the Ministers responsible for the Bills with it on legislative matters and as a framework for the delivery of our shared obligation to improve and protect the well-being of our community. We look forward to providing the Assembly with a report on progress in due course.”
“To clarify, that is an oversight in the written statement that was previously produced. I am happy to confirm that the three pieces of legislation will move together through the legislative process. <BR /> <BR />As I said, we will introduce three Bills. They will make provision for the office of identify and cultural expression, an Irish language commissioner, and official recognition of the status of the Irish language, and a commissioner to enhance and develop the language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster-Scots/Ulster-British tradition. Those Bills represent important milestones as we move forward together as a society on the basis of mutual respect and parity of esteem for each other's traditions, national identities and cultural difference, whether British, Irish or newcomer communities.”
“A domestic abuse Bill will create a new domestic abuse offence, which will capture patterns of controlling and coercive behaviour against a partner, former partner or family member. This is a very important issue in our society, and the Executive are firmly committed to confronting it without delay. <BR /> <BR />Finally, we, as First Minister and deputy First Minister, will introduce three Bills to implement commitments given in the New Decade, New Approach deal. They will make provision for an office of identity and cultural expression, an Irish language commissioner, and official recognition of the status of the Irish language, and a commissioner to enhance and develop the —”
“That Bill will introduce a number of reforms to address alcohol misuse and support our growing hospitality sector, which plays a vital role in our economy, and acknowledge the role played by licensed premises and private registered clubs in their local communities. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Finance has already introduced the first of the two Budget Bills — an essential part of the annual financial cycle. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Justice intends to introduce a criminal justice Bill to reform the committal process by abolishing oral evidence at the traditional committal hearing stage and providing clarity regarding the operational outworking of direct committal.”
“They concern welfare mitigation, housing, pension schemes and liquor licensing respectively. Considerable urgency attaches to the welfare mitigation Bill, which would extend the mitigation for the social sector size criteria, otherwise known as the bedroom tax, and the housing (amendment) Bill, which is needed to reclassify housing associations to the public sector in accounting terms and thus remove a potentially considerable financial impediment to the funding of social housing. The pension scheme Bill will provide overdue protection to those who are saving for their pension in master trusts. <BR /> <BR />Members will recall that a licensing Bill had previously been introduced in the Assembly but fell on dissolution in 2017.”
“However, I take this opportunity to assure the Assembly that this programme does not represent the last word on legislation during the remainder of this mandate. It is in no way an exhaustive programme. We are aware that Ministers wish to bring forward additional legislative proposals, which will be admitted to the programme when they have reached a state of readiness and have obtained Executive agreement. <BR /> <BR />The programme will be monitored regularly to assess progress and to identify emerging legislation. We anticipate, therefore, providing the Assembly with an update and, if necessary, a revised programme at an appropriate point later in the year. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to the programme. I will briefly set out the purpose of each Bill as set out in our statement. The Minister for Communities wishes to introduce four Bills.”
“As we usher in a new kind of politics, we want this legislature to make laws that benefit our people. For the purposes, therefore, of the legislative programme that we have published, the Executive have focused on those legislative proposals that we believe can be introduced as Bills before the summer recess and that, with some degree of certainty, can consequently complete their passage before the Assembly is dissolved in 2022. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that the programme is focused on a number of Departments and that some Members with an interest in a particular issue may be disappointed at the absence, at this stage, of legislation relating to those. However, we believe that it is of no benefit to the Executive or the Assembly to include proposals at this time, the timescales of which are still speculative.”
“At the same time, those constraints will place a discipline on all partners in the legislative process — Departments, Ministers, the Assembly and its Committees — to progress legislation efficiently and accord the progress of Bills due priority.”
“As the mandate progresses, this factor and the risk of nugatory activity will be important considerations.”
“<BR /> <BR />Since 11 January, Ministers have been briefing themselves not only on outstanding issues, but also on the commitments arising from the New Decade, New Approach deal and from the Programme for Government, when it is agreed. These are, therefore, still early days, and whilst the Executive is committed to restoring the work of this Administration to full capacity as soon as possible, the situation will obviously determine the size and content of a legislative programme at this time. <BR /> <BR />We are also, unlike previous years, not at the beginning of a mandate, but over halfway through. That has both advantages and disadvantages. The two years remaining to us obviously place a constraint on the number of Bills that will be able to complete their passage before the end of the mandate.”
“The continuity in policy and legislative development, which could normally be maintained between different mandates and sessions of the Assembly, has undoubtedly been disrupted by the hiatus of the last three years. <BR /> <BR />Ministers have inherited responsibility for a wide range of issues that may ultimately require the enactment of legislation. Departments have not, however, in the absence of Ministers, been able to develop policy, in many cases, to a point where it can yet be translated into firm proposals for Bills. Therefore, there is a great deal of work to be done across Departments in reinvigorating the policy development process, and Ministers are now actively doing so.”
“On 11 February, the First Minister and I made a written statement to advise the Assembly of the legislation that Ministers of the Executive Committee intend to introduce in the remainder of this 2019-2020 session. In doing so, we fulfil the obligation placed upon the Executive by the New Decade, New Approach deal to publish a legislative programme within one month of their operation. Within that statement, we also committed ourselves to table a motion for debate on its contents. <BR /> <BR />It might be useful to Members for me to begin my setting out the principal considerations that informed the preparation for government. The context in which this programme is being presented differs significantly from that of previous years.”
“Funding awards fall into three broad categories or tiers. Tier 1 covers smaller amounts of up to £10,000. They may be for one-off events or for projects lasting up to one year. Tier 2 covers amounts of between £10,000 and £45,000 per annum. Funding is intended to meet central management, development and administrative costs to enable organisations to develop and provide services and projects. Tier 3 covers awards between £45,000 and £75,000 per annum. Similar to tier 2, funding in that category is intended to meet central management, development and administrative costs to enable organisations to develop and provide services and projects. However, tier 3 applications must also include clear proposals to provide a mentoring role with smaller or less-experienced organisations and/or to work collaboratively with others in the sector.”
“The budget for the minority ethnic development fund is just over £1·2 million. Funding awards run from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020. Sixty-nine applications were received to the 2019-2020 fund, and 38 were successful. The fund continues to be a key element of our policy for racial equality and good race relations in our society. It is intended to be aligned with and support our racial equality strategy, which runs from 2015 to 2025. The fund continues, and will continue, to support voluntary and community organisations to address the needs of people from ethnic backgrounds, including the Travelling community.”
“The full impact of the projects will take longer to evaluate, but, so far as we know, over 45,000 people have benefited from the revenue projects: over 5,000 people through employment and training; over 28,000 people through early intervention; and over 12,000 people through projects focused on education. The physical improvements in the capital projects will continue to benefit communities for years to come.”
“The social investment fund aims to make life better for people living in targeted areas by reducing poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration. The fund will run up until March this year. The full £80 million budget has been committed to a total of 65 projects across the nine SIF zones. These include 46 capital projects, which are delivering improvements to 107 premises, and 19 revenue projects. To date, 34 capital projects and 17 revenue projects have completed and are delivering the benefits to the local communities. Total spend to date is £72 million, of which £35 million is capital and £37 million is revenue.”
“No, I will not. The Minister is not in breach of the ministerial code. He has previously spoken to the PSNI and an Garda Síochána, and has called on anyone who has information to bring it forward to both parties.”
“As I already said, Conor Murphy has apologised for his remarks and unreservedly withdrawn his remarks. His apology was heartfelt and sincere, and he has offered to meet the Quinn family. I think that that is the best way to proceed.”
“I am more than happy to continue to engage with all groups, and it is important that we listen to the needs of all victims and that we engage and show leadership. I am happy to take the Member up on that.”
“It is still in progress. We hope that phase 1 will be launched in the coming months. I do not have an exact date for the Member, but I am more than happy to keep him up to date on progress.”
“Discussions are ongoing between the different stakeholders on implementing changes to the regional trauma network's (RTN) governance structures to ensure that the voluntary and community sector groups for victims and survivors are better represented at all levels of the RTN governance structures. The RTN will deliver a comprehensive regional trauma service, building on existing resources and expertise in the statutory sector and in the voluntary and community sector. The network will focus on those who have experienced trauma and are suffering from PTSD, and we hope that phase 1 of the service will be launched in the coming months.”
“Both I and the First Minister are keen to get out to meet communities and engage with people. We are determined to do that as much as we possibly can. I am more than happy to continue engaging with the Member and others on the regeneration of Omagh, and west of the Bann in general, because there is a need to tackle regional disparities that have existed for many years. We are determined to do that, and that is why it is referenced in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document.”
“I did not see the programme last night, but we have to deal with the past in a way that is inclusive and that allows victims to move forward. We have to deal with the past in the way that we all agreed to in the Stormont House Agreement five years ago, which we are yet to see implemented. We have a commitment in 'New Decade, New Approach' to legislate within 100 days, and when we meet the new Secretary of State this week we intend to raise the issue with him. <BR /> <BR />I am more than happy to do whatever I can to support the Omagh families in receiving justice and getting access to what is important, because anybody who lost a loved one or was hurt during the conflict deserves to be supported in a way that is important to them.”
“As I said, I have had no input into the development of the regulations, which very much came from the NIO. The policy was designed in Westminster, and it is my firm view that it should also be funded from Westminster.”
“I am fully committed to providing for those who were seriously and physically injured during the conflict in an inclusive manner. On the victims' pension issue specifically, I have had no discussion with the NIO on the development of the regulations for the scheme.”
“I give the Member an assurance that it will not be that. We have an opportunity to demonstrate a different style of politics, and that is what we are committed to doing. I also believe very strongly in consulting experts in the sector who are delivering on the ground. As we develop all our Programme for Government commitments, we need to make sure that we have a proper consultation and that we resource the pledges that we make to the public, because there is no point having a lovely document that sits on a shelf but that cannot be translated into something that makes a difference to people's lives.”
“It is still in the early stages of development. I am happy to write to the Member to give her more detail. Sorry, it is remiss of me not to welcome the Member to the Chamber. This is the first time that I have had a chance to engage with her. <BR /> <BR />We have to be serious about tackling poverty, and, again, a holistic approach has to be taken. I am determined to make sure that we get the strategy delivered within the time frame set out in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document.”
“I am happy to take that issue up with the Minister of Education.”
“I absolutely agree about zero suicides. We have to do everything that we can to support people who find themselves living with mental ill health. It is also a fact — I am quite sure that the Member is aware of this — that many who die by suicide are not known to mental health services; they have never sought support, so there is a societal problem that we need to address. We need to encourage people to say that it is OK not to feel OK and that it is OK to ask for help. That is a collective responsibility that we have as elected representatives, along with the professionals who work on the ground, supporting and counselling people.”
“I do not have a specific figure, mostly because that work will come under the remit of the Department of Health. However, we will all input into it; we have focused an Executive priority on it. I mentioned a number of programmes across our Department that contribute to trying to promote mental well-being, such as Urban Villages and Communities in Transition. As we know, poor mental health arises as a result of a combination of factors, so we need a whole-society, cross-departmental approach to be able to deal with it. I am quite sure that, if you wrote to the Minister of Health, he could give you the actual figure.”
“The clear commitment from the Executive to each and every person is that your mental health is valued, that you are valued and that you are not alone. Therefore, the First Minister and I are committed, along with Executive colleagues, to making sure that we work continuously to maximise cross-departmental working.”