Alastair Ross
East Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Over the weekend, she supported an independent investigation into everything that is going on in the RHI scheme. She has been working with the Economy Minister to try to make sure that we have something in place in early January to stop the costs of the scheme and reduce the cost.”
“There is no doubt that it has been an incredibly difficult time over the past two weeks for anyone involved in politics. It is quite clear that the public are, quite rightly, angry about a scheme that, with hindsight, was poorly designed and badly administered.”
“I know that, for some individuals, the old habit of asking questions rather than trying to answer them, dies hard, but what we had was not an opposition-driven policy or an attempt to hold the Executive to account; it was a media-driven thing, and some of the opposition parties tried to jump on the bandwagon.”
“Again, I hear the leader of the Alliance Party chirping away in the background. I listened to her contribution, and she must have had 10 or 11 questions she wanted answered.”
“That is why some of the hyperbole that has been around today is hard to stomach. <BR /> <BR />What we heard from my colleague Joanne Bunting was a thoughtful and considered first contribution to the Assembly, and I think that it was one that shows that she will be a valuable asset to the Chamber.”
“They abandoned their seats, and they failed to discharge their duties or ask the questions that their voters might, quite rightly, want them to ask. The public care very little about procedures, points of order or Standing Orders.”
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“Mr Irwin mentioned that Northern Ireland is a welcoming place, and that is borne out by conversations that I have had with people who have resettled here. He talked about a particular incident in his constituency — an incident that, of course, should be condemned — and the importance of working with the police to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions and dealt with appropriately when brought in front of the courts. This is Hate Crime Awareness Week, and junior Minister Fearon and I will join the Justice Minister later this week to highlight some of the issues around race crime and look at how we can tackle those attitudes in society. <BR /> <BR />Mr McPhillips talked about the failure to tackle the issue. We all have a responsibility for this.”
“I will not give way, because I have only five minutes left, and there are a lot of contributions I want to get through. I hope that the Member forgives me for that, because I generally do give way. <BR /> <BR />The racial equality strategy subgroup has a significant role to play in making sure that action plans, timetables and priorities are moved forward at a quick pace. The subgroup will advise the Executive Office and other Departments on the implementation of the strategy, and it will be tasked with working with Departments, and vice versa, to develop an implementation plan, and with monitoring and reviewing progress on implementation. That is an important role. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on some of the other comments made by Members.”
“The draft Programme for Government (PFG) sets out, in outcome terms, the improvements in well-being to which the Executive aspire for everyone living in Northern Ireland, and we remain committed to the implementation of the racial equality strategy. Over the coming weeks, we will work to explore how the strategy's implementation can support the achievement of the PFG outcomes, with particular reference to addressing the issues raised by minority ethnic communities.”
“It has been successful: over 200 people from Syria have resettled here under the scheme and, as I said, been made to feel welcome. The feedback has been very encouraging, and we expect to consult on the refugee integration strategy later this year.”
“That is an important point to make. The statute book is an incredibly messy thing. There could be piecemeal approaches taken to different pieces of legislation that could be encompassed in a consolidation Bill of some sort. That is something that the Executive Office will look at. We are going to examine the statute book to see what legislation is there. If a consolidation Bill is required, that can be something that we will give consideration to. <BR /> <BR />Talking specifically about refugees, I mentioned the courage that it takes to come here. The Department has assisted the humanitarian crisis through the vulnerable persons relocation scheme (VPRS), which is currently the only formal scheme through which we receive refugees.”
“I know that there have been media reports about that in the past few weeks, and a number of other Members mentioned that as well. The Executive are aware of the suggestion of gaps in the legislation. The racial equality strategy commits to a review of the current legislation, including a review of the current Race Relations Order and fair employment legislation, and Mr Agnew, Ms Hanna and others commented on that.”
“Of course, he was critical of the Executive, which has been a running theme since we returned following the Assembly election. He talked about his experience of living abroad and the challenges that there are for ethnic minorities or newcomers to Northern Ireland in living here. That is absolutely right, for it is quite a courageous thing to move to a new country and a new culture. However, I am continually encouraged by talking to people who have started a new life in Northern Ireland, particularly those who have been part of the refugee resettlement programme, and by how welcoming they have found people in Northern Ireland. Undoubtedly it is challenging for them, but they have emphasised how welcome they have been made to feel. <BR /> <BR />He mentioned the review of legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is encouraging that the 2015 life and times survey, which was mentioned earlier, showed that 61% of people living in Northern Ireland think that the culture and traditions of minority ethnic people add to the richness and diversity of Northern Ireland society. It also found that 68% of people here said that it is important to them that public bodies such as local councils, hospital trusts and Departments take into account the needs of ethnic minorities. That has also been my experience from attending some of the events that took place around Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week, where many people participated to learn more about what is going on there. <BR /> <BR />Mr Beattie proposed the amendment.”
“Again, it is important to put on record that the post-Brexit spike in race hate crime in England and Wales is not reflected in Northern Ireland. That received considerable media coverage, but the evidence that we have has suggested that racist attacks in Northern Ireland are falling, and that should be welcomed. It is also important to say that the referendum did not create racism. The calling of the referendum did not cause it, and the result is not going to bring about more racism or get rid of racism. I caution against drawing that link, because in all societies there are always those who resent, fear and hate those who are different from them based on race, gender or religion. Those people are wrong, and they are misguided and misinformed, and, as I said, we have to challenge that.”
“It also shows that there is more confidence in the police. However, irrespective of what is behind the statistics, it remains a source of shame and causes damage to our society's reputation and to our economy, and it must be challenged. <BR /> <BR />Although hate crime is, first and foremost, a matter for the criminal justice system, the Police Service, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and the courts, we must all play our role in challenging it at every turn. I am aware that, behind statistics, there are real individuals who have been abused and insulted, who are frightened and intimidated and who increasingly can be isolated in society. A number of Members raised specific issues in their constituency, and it is important that they did that. <BR /> <BR />Mr McPhillips mentioned the European referendum.”
“It is important that the subgroup has a voice that will be heard at the very highest level of government. I am pleased with the feedback that we have already had from participants, and I know that it is meeting again next month. <BR /> <BR />A number of Members talked about hate crime. Of course, the motion is explicit on reports of an 87% increase in hate-related crimes over the past four years. Mr Lynch also talked about "silent voices", and that is something that we should recognise. Historically, racism and racist incidents have been under-reported. We can look at statistics in different ways, but, in one sense, an increased number of reported incidents shows that people from ethnic backgrounds are now more confident in coming forward when they have been the victim of such racist attacks or abuse.”
“We must be clear that it will take the work of society as a whole to achieve racial equality, and to ensure that we work towards that common goal, it is important that the opinions of everyone are taken on board. By sharing experience and knowledge, we can collectively address the issues of racial inequality and work towards a fully inclusive society, and that is exactly how it should be. <BR /> <BR />Mention was also made of the subgroup. I was pleased to join my junior Minister colleague and the First Minister and deputy First Minister recently at the inaugural meeting of the equality subgroup.”
“The old ways of seeing things and the old prejudices are falling slowly away, and, hopefully, they are being replaced by a much more cosmopolitan and complex take on life and society. <BR /> <BR />Mr Lynch, in opening the debate and proposing the motion, talked about the importance of the racial equality strategy, and many Members touched on that as well. That strategy was, of course, launched last December, and it is full of ambition and high expectation. It establishes a framework for Departments and others to tackle racial inequalities, to eradicate racism and hate crime and, along with the Together: Building a United Community strategy, to promote good relations and social cohesion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mrs Cameron, in her contribution, spoke about migration to Northern Ireland over a long time. Over the last decade, of course, we have had people from a diverse number of nationalities, cultures and ethnic backgrounds come to Northern Ireland to make a new life, joining existing community and minority ethnic families, including the Chinese community, the Indian community and the Jewish community, who have lived here for many generations, and, of course, Irish Travellers, who have been here for many centuries. <BR /> <BR />Mr McGuigan, in his contribution, talked about that diversity being reflected in the 2011 census, which reported that there are now over 90 languages spoken in Northern Ireland. So, our society is changing.”
“<BR /> <BR />The skills, talents, fresh perspective and energy that migrants and minority ethnic people bring benefit all of us. Since being appointed as junior Minister, I have had the privilege of attending many events with our ethnic communities and seeing first-hand the important role they play in making Northern Ireland a better place for all of us. Of course, I have long recognised the important role that migration plays in many important sectors here in Northern Ireland, not least the agri-food sector, as some Members referred to. <BR /> <BR />I want to emphasise that, whilst we often use terms like "minority ethnic communities" or "migrants", we are, of course, talking about families, individuals and colleagues, and I think that it is important to put that on the record as well.”
“I want, first of all, to thank everyone who participated in this morning's debate. I think that the tone highlighted the fact that, as Mr Stalford said, everyone in the Chamber is committed to welcoming minority ethnic communities and those working in our society here in Northern Ireland. I mentioned last week during Question Time how we need to have a greater aspiration than simply building a tolerant society. We need to have one that recognises and celebrates the diversity and cultural richness that modern Northern Ireland is all about. As Members said during this debate, we must recognise that migrant workers and ethnic minorities contribute not only to the economic life here but to our social, political and cultural life, and that contribution is incalculable.”
“It is better for my health that way, but I will be sure to have a look at the transcript.”
“No, I did not. I do not make a habit of listening to 'The Nolan Show'.”
“Of course — I absolutely do. Some of the work that I have been doing in this Department has allowed me to go out and see the activities that are going on with ethnic minorities across Northern Ireland. I had the privilege of helping to launch, along with junior Minister Fearon, the community relations and cultural awareness week. That was a fabulous week of activities. Over 160 events across Northern Ireland allowed ethnic minorities to come together, explain more about their cultures and allow those conversations to take place. <BR /> <BR />I am also assured by listening to comments directly from some ethnic minority groups, and some of the refugees who have come and created a new life in Northern Ireland, of how welcoming they have found Northern Ireland. We should all be immensely proud of that.”
“<BR /> <BR />What we are doing collaboratively with those ethnic minority groups is recognising and identifying their key needs and how we can ensure that we continue to work towards creating not just a tolerant Northern Ireland but one that celebrates diversity and the cultural richness that we now have in the modern Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Member for raising the issue. I am pleased to say that, unlike in England and Wales, Northern Ireland has not seen a spike in racially motivated attacks against our ethnic communities. Indeed, the general trajectory is of a decreasing number of attacks. That said, we cannot be complacent. Too many attacks are still happening. We want to make sure that we continue to work with the Justice Minister and the PSNI to ensure that those sorts of attacks are not tolerated. We have a racial equality strategy, and the racial equality group met last month for the first time. It will meet again on 8 November.”
“We have already moved to reassure those EU migrants living in Northern Ireland that they are very much welcome and are helping them to understand their rights. As Members will know, immigration is a reserved matter, so it is not a matter for the Northern Ireland Assembly. However, the immigration policy will have a practical impact on many companies in Northern Ireland. That is exactly why the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in the joint letter to the Prime Minister, indicated the priorities from a Northern Ireland perspective and the importance of migrant workers for many key industries, including the agri-sector. That will be a continuing part of the discussions that we have with Her Majesty's Government.”
“In most cases, this means that they should remain in the region to improve their chances of being reunited with their families. We have demonstrated our commitment to assisting with the humanitarian crisis through the Executive's participation in the resettlement of refugees, including families with children, through the Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme. That scheme is the first formal refugee resettlement programme in which the Executive have participated. We will consider what role we may play in any plans to resettle child refugees once more detailed proposals emerge. This would include an assessment of our capacity to meet the specific needs of child refugees.”
“As the Member will be aware, 200 refugees have come to Northern Ireland; to Belfast, Londonderry and Craigavon. I had the opportunity to meet one of those individuals, who relocated to Northern Ireland quite recently, at an event in Dungannon. I must say that I was incredibly encouraged by the fact that he has found Northern Ireland to be a very welcoming place. Although it is difficult to come to a new country, he has found it a very welcoming place. <BR /> <BR />For child refugees specifically, we are aware of Home Office plans to establish a resettlement scheme for refugee children at risk. There is a range of complex issues to consider regarding the resettlement of children. The UN and other humanitarian charities are clear that efforts to reunite children with relatives of extended family should be given priority.”
“We can assure people from European countries and other migrants living here that they are very much welcome and valued in Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you. A number of actions were taken immediately after the referendum. As the Member will be aware, the First Minister and deputy First Minister provided assurances to our valued migrant and minority ethnic communities in a joint statement. We continue to work towards a society of welcome and belonging. In September, junior Minister Fearon and me launched the community relations and cultural awareness week, supported by the Executive Office, which brought together communities through the arts, open days and discussion. Our officials are in contact with representatives from the EU migrant communities to help them assert their rights and continue our long-standing relationship of appreciation and respect.”
“There is regular contact with victims' and survivors' groups and, indeed, individuals. I have met them, as has the First Minister. That engagement is absolutely crucial in making sure that we deliver appropriate services, and it will continue over the months ahead.”
“That partnership agreement is under development and will cover areas including the interface between the voluntary and community sector and the health and social care trusts, referral protocols, linkages, monitoring and evaluation and funding.”
“The Member will be aware that the Stormont House Agreement included commitments on victims and survivors. The setting up of a leading mental health service was announced by the former Health Minister on 10 September 2015. That position was reaffirmed by the Minister at a conference on 23 and 24 November. Additionally, initial funding of £175,000 for early set-up costs for the new mental trauma service was announced by the former Health Minister on 24 February this year. The new service model will support the delivery of an effective range of services through an integrated service step care model and governed by a partnership agreement between the Victims and Survivors Service, the statutory service and voluntary and community sector providers.”
“We will work to continue, throughout this year, to progress the strands of work of that collaborative design project. Input will be sought from the sector on the development of the most appropriate service delivery model.”
“That collaborative design programme has been made up from personnel from the Department, the Victims and Survivors Service and the Commission for Victims and Survivors to ensure that development of an improved service delivery model is capable of meeting the needs of victims and survivors. Work will continue throughout 2016-17 to progress the strands of work. We will seek input from the sector on the redesign of the service delivery model. There has been and continues to be extensive engagement with the victims sector on how those services can be improved, including a series of workshops that have identified key priorities, such as the greater need for partnership working. The recommendations of that report will improve the service delivery model over the period from 2017 to 2020.”
“The Member is right that a total of £17·6 million is being allocated to the victims element of the Peace IV programme. The Victims and Survivors Service stage 1 application was successfully approved by Peace IV on 11 May. A detailed stage 2 application must be submitted by today. I recognise why he raises the issue, but of course he will understand that we have at least two more years for that programme to run, given that article 50 will not be invoked immediately. We plan to continue to make sure that we get the funding from that Peace IV initiative. In the meantime, we will also make sure that we have a more sustainable programme moving forward, so that victims and survivors, individually and in groups, maintain the levels of funding.”
“Our Department has been working in close collaboration with the Victims and Survivors Service and the Commission for Victims and Survivors to develop a comprehensive, sustainable and responsive service that meets the needs of all victims. This has achieved significant improvements in the delivery of services, maintaining required levels of funding whilst improving and extending partnership working on the ground. This financial year, over £14 million has been allocated to victims' services, demonstrating our continued commitment to ensuring that victims receive the best possible services.”
“I affirm the terms of the Pledge of Office as set out in schedule 4 to the Northern Ireland Act 1998.”
“My thoughts this evening are with the Ismay family and Adrian's colleagues across the Northern Ireland Prison Service. <BR /> <BR />Reports came out of Maghaberry prison this afternoon that dissident republicans were celebrating and smoking cigars at the news that broke this morning. Not only will that appal most normal people, but it reflects the fact that prison officers work in extremely difficult circumstances, both in the prison and outside it. Can the Minister assure us that he will continue to work with the Prison Service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to ensure that there is adequate protection for those who wear a uniform to protect the law-abiding citizens of Northern Ireland?”
“This is not the way in which any of us would have wanted to end the Assembly mandate. The targeting of Adrian Ismay at the beginning of this month demonstrates that, despite the progress that has been made in Northern Ireland over the past decade, there are still those in our society who will target a husband and father simply because of the uniform that he wears to work. There is nothing noble or brave about skulking around in the shadows and bringing death and destruction to communities that just want to get on with their lives. The only thing that those responsible for targeting Mr Ismay will achieve is to unite the law-abiding community in its determination and resolve to stand up to terrorism and work for a brighter future, rather than one full of the darkness of the past.”
“She has made a really positive contribution in her term of office here, and I am disappointed that she is standing down. I am quite sure that many of us will still have informal meetings at the Kingspan Stadium before games on Friday evenings, but I am disappointed that she is standing down, and I wish her every success in whatever she chooses to do afterwards. <BR /> <BR />I will certainly support the Final Stage of the Bill.”
“She did that with some of the residents around Ravenhill whom, I know, were at times quite concerned about what the Bill would mean — she should be commended for the consultation that she carried out — and with officials in DSD to make sure that they assisted her in making the Bill a reality. Fans of Ulster Rugby and other sports for which the Bill will have implications will certainly be very grateful. <BR /> <BR />I certainly welcome the fact that, from an all-party group on rugby perspective, she has been standing up for the Ulstermen. I am, however, disappointed that she is standing down from the Assembly. I genuinely mean that. She has brought a very sensible contribution to an Assembly that sometimes lacks sensible voices.”
“<BR /> <BR />At that meeting, Mrs Cochrane confidently declared, "Oh no, I can solve this; I will bring a private Member's Bill forward." I am not one to ever question Mrs Cochrane's ability — I am quite sure that you would do so at your peril — but even the most optimistic people at the meeting questioned whether she would be able to get it through in the very tight timescale. The fact that we are here at Final Stage, as the penultimate act of this mandate, shows the determination and ability of Mrs Cochrane to get the Bill through. Indeed, it also shows her ability to work with other individuals to make sure that it happened.”
“There had been a court case that summer as well, the outcome of which had unintended consequences for our regional stadia, particularly the Kingspan Stadium, because of its different licensing arrangements and fewer regulations around it than UEFA would impose on Windsor Park. I remember that, at that meeting, saying that we need assistance from the Assembly on the licensing laws. At the time, I suggested, as chair of the all-party group, that we should write to the Minister to see what we could get done, but it was a very tight timescale.”
“I, too, want to add my name to the list of those who have already congratulated the Member on the passage of her Bill. As others have said, we have had a rush of legislation through the Chamber in the last number of weeks. Sadly, sometimes people outside the House and, increasingly, in the House, judge the merits of this place on how many Bills we pass. I do not think that that is necessarily how we should judge our output. We should judge our output on the quality of the Bills and whether we are actually solving problems. <BR /> <BR />I remember the meeting of the all-party group on rugby at Kingspan Stadium after the summer break.”
“Perhaps, given that we are talking about a collaborative approach between Justice and Health today around the Mental Capacity Bill, it is a good opportunity to raise the issue that we want to see those Departments working collaboratively again in the next mandate around some of the funding on mental health courts and how we can actually help those individuals with underlying mental health issues and, at the same time, reduce the cost of putting some of those offenders into prison for short sentences. <BR /> <BR />I did not want to miss the opportunity to raise that issue, particularly as it was raised by the Minister and Mr McCarthy.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Mr McCarthy made a point towards the end of his contribution on funding for mental health issues. The Minister will be aware that the Justice Committee has, over the last year, looked at innovative approaches to justice issues, and one of the things that struck us was how many people who come into contact with the criminal justice system have underlying mental health issues. The Justice Committee has therefore asked the two Departments collaboratively to put into the Programme for Government funding for problem-solving courts and mental health courts and to look at treating some low-level offences with a healthcare rather than a criminal justice solution.”
“I wish him a happy retirement, and I am sure that he will enjoy the freedom that that brings. <BR /> <BR />I leave it there. This is a significant Bill that has been passed. I hope that it will be implemented at some stage in the future, and I thank both Ministers and the officials for working so constructively with the Committee over the past number of months to shape the Bill into the form that it is in at Final Stage.”
“More often than not, it required the Clerk to explain to us some of the implications of different parts of this hugely lengthy Bill. A lot of work was put in by her and her staff, and I wanted to put that on record. <BR /> <BR />I also thank my Deputy Chair, Patsy McGlone, who is not here at the moment, for his support over the last number of months and the members who made a contribution as well. The fact that we had members from both the Justice Committee and the Health Committee meant that we were looking at the Bill from different angles, and that could have helped in how we assessed the Bill. I make particular mention of Mr McCarthy, who, I know, is not seeking re-election. Mr McCarthy was a little bit boisterous earlier in the day, which is unlike him, but I am sure that he will be forgiven because it is his last day.”
“<BR /> <BR />Along with Mr McCarthy, I recently spoke at a mental health summit, and I know that the Health Minister had spoken at it earlier in the day. Many of the delegates at that conference have helped us with the Bill and have put significant work and effort into shaping it, and we owe a debt of gratitude to them for their help and support over the last number of months. I also put on record my sincere gratitude to the Committee Clerk for all the work that she has done over the last number of months. Many members came onto the Committee somewhat reluctantly from the Health Committee and the Justice Committee, and, at times, there was difficulty in getting full engagement from members on some of the issues.”
“That may be the case using a strict interpretation of Departments' financial planning processes, but it would be unwise for the Assembly simply to ignore the issue until the Bill becomes an Act. We need at least to begin to think about how the legislation might be funded. As I just said, that, of course, will be a matter for the new mandate and a future Executive, and difficult choices, as always, will have to be made. <BR /> <BR />I want to conclude on a positive note. On behalf of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee, I am pleased to see the Bill reach its Final Stage after all the work that has been put into it on all sides. Mental health and mental capacity are not the easiest issues on which to legislate in a mature and constructive way, and I congratulate the Assembly on getting the Bill onto the statute book.”
“That is a decision that the next Executive will have to take collectively. It is a decision on whether or not this will be part of the Programme for Government to make sure that the Executive find the money for implementation. I suspect, speaking from a personal position, that there will be other priorities that may take precedence over the implementation of this Bill, but we will wait and see what happens in May. <BR /> <BR />Given the current financial climate, as I just said, and the likely climate over the next four to five years, the question that arises is whether we will be able to afford to implement this. When those issues were raised previously, the response from the Department was that it would not be proper to start to put resources against a Bill that had not yet passed into law.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention in as far as I appreciate that cost has always been an issue. The argument of having "to find the money from somewhere" is not one that any Minister will find convincing. I look to the person beside him, who has come under increasing pressure over closing courts for a minor sum of money. The cry of "Well, he has to find the money from somewhere" is not one that washes with that Minister, and I doubt that it washes with other Ministers. <BR /> <BR />In fairness, we have to be realistic, and we have to be honest with the stakeholders who engaged with the Committee about the substantial price tag of the legislation. In fairness to the Committee and, indeed, the Departments, we have been open and honest about the significant cost and the difficulty that it will present.”
“Again, the Committee believes that that amendment improves the balance between the autonomy of the individual and the protection of the public. <BR /> <BR />The final aspect of the Bill that I want to draw attention to is the cost associated with implementation. The introduction of the Bill will require a substantial change to practice and culture across the health and social care and justice sectors. Major change that will necessitate staff training, additional staffing, an increased legal aid budget and the establishment and operation of a review tribunal and an Office of the Public Guardian comes with a significant financial cost. Departments have estimated that between £76 million and £84 million is required for year one implementation costs and then between £68 million and £76 million for annual recurrent costs.”