Maeve McLaughlin
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“However, as the Minister outlined, the Bill widened somewhat as a result of its passage through the Assembly, with the inclusion of the provision on smoking in cars carrying minors, the promotion and reporting of organ transplantation and organ donation, and the study by the Department on a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks.”
“Our amendment, which has been further amended by the Minister, provides an evidence base of the impact and details how a levy on sugar sweetened drinks would be administered, and I welcome the fact that it has progressed to Final Stage.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. On behalf of the Committee, I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The objective of the Bill, as the Minister outlined, is to modernise the model of the code of conduct used by the Social Care Council to bring it into line with other health and social care regulators.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee considered the provisions on transplantation and organ donation as part of its scrutiny of the Human Transplantation Bill. The majority of the Committee supported the duty to promote and report on transplantation and organ donation.”
“This is simply to protect children from the effects of second-hand smoke or from even taking up smoking. The stark fact remains that 2,300 people die every year in the North from tobacco-related illnesses.”
“However, stakeholders were content with the provisions as made. <BR /> <BR />There was significant comment on what was not included in the Bill: the banning of smoking in cars carrying minors.”
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“There are lessons in that about the geographical issues. <BR /> <BR />In the Committee's learning through the process, we listened to individuals such as Colin Knox and many others, who, quite often, cited inconsistency and significant dissatisfaction with the area planning consultation process. Much was said about the process in the Western Education and Library Board area and about the low level of agreement among respondents. Reference was made — we would be foolish to ignore it — to the 7,629 people in the Western Education and Library Board area whose views were ignored. The messages were stark and challenging. Many stakeholders argued that the consultation was tokenistic and failed to meaningfully engage.”
“The process started with the viability audits, and there were indications that 46% of primary schools were evidencing stress, either in formal intervention or in enrolment. There were similar scenarios when we looked at secondary schools and, indeed, grammar schools: stress in either educational attainment or formal intervention. <BR /> <BR />It is important, however, to reflect on what we have learned through the process to date. We need to be mindful of the level of response to the consultation: almost 50,000 responses. It is also worth noting the geographical differences in those responses. Those from the Belfast Education and Library Board area were largely positive about what was proposed, but there was a stark difference in the responses from my region, the Western Education and Library Board area, which were largely negative.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to reflect on the context that took us to this point and the fact that, in 2013-14, there were approximately 162,000 primary-school pupils in 839 schools. It was clear at that stage that enrolments in one third of primary schools was falling below the Department of Education's sustainable school threshold. We need to be mindful of the indications that we were given of the almost 67,000 unfilled school places: 12,000 in post-primary schools and 55,000 in primary schools. That was a key challenge for all of us, legislators and otherwise. <BR /> <BR />It was right that we moved to a position of commissioning the education and library boards, CCMS and the other sectors to engage in the area planning process.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I speak as a member of the Education Committee on what is an important topic. I recognise the Chair's comments, and it is worthwhile that we reflect on the fact that area planning processes are necessary to advance accessibility and the educational attainment of all our children and young people. It is worth reflecting that the tone coming from the Committee is that things will change in future. It is important to acknowledge that we need to move forward to an inclusive and evidence-based process. We also need to reflect on the additional statutory powers that will exist in relation to area planning processes and, indeed, the Education Authority's responsibility in that.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for the detail in her answer. Has the Minister considered further exploiting the potential of our forests, particularly in tourism and recreation?”
“Organisations locally, such as HURT and Divert, are invaluable in getting the message across, but what makes the issue increasingly serious is that these drugs are purchased online. Quite simply, the young people who I engage with on a fairly regular basis can tell me that these drugs are simply delivered to their door. <BR /> <BR />We have a duty of care to respond with appropriate legislation. We have seen models of best practice in other places, and we have a duty of care to protect the health and well-being of our children and young people. We need to move with a degree of urgency on this very complex and dangerous issue. I support the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />We look, for example, at a similar fashion in Poland, which passed a new law last year eliminating the open sale of these drugs, and while we can and should reflect on and praise the endeavours of Belfast City Council in relation to the general product safety directive, they have taken that initiative. In my city, Derry City Council, in partnership with the PSNI and the environmental health agencies, has moved to carry out a number of initiatives around head shops, resulting in the closure of one. All that work is very welcome. Through the north-west addiction task force, there have been a similar number of operations resulting in the closure of local premises, and I have no doubt that here is a huge amount of work ongoing across our communities.”
“We need to move, with a degree of urgency, on the recommendation from the expert panel that we need a general ban to be enacted. We need to learn from others and, as the proposer of the amendment has quite rightly outlined, the 26-county Government responded to community and public outcry by introducing the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010. It is right to reflect that that Act banned a long list of drugs: somewhere in the region of 200. The new law passed to prohibit the sale, in general, of any dangerous or harmful psychoactive substance and, as a result of that work, overnight and in the few weeks following that Act, 150 head shops closed: a very positive outcome for community safety and in upholding the health and well-being of our children and young people.”
“As has been spelt out, it is the stark reality that Ireland has the highest use in Europe of these so-called legal highs. Much of that has resulted in death and grief for many families, across all our communities. There is no doubt that the issue is affecting our communities, right across the island and further afield. It has brought untold grief and pain to many families. <BR /> <BR />The fact is, as has been pointed out, that the current law is inadequate and that we need to move to enhance the legislation to a general ban. In dealing with the motion and the amendment, both of which I support, it is right to reflect on the fact that the key piece of legislation is the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, which remains the responsibility of Westminster.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the proposer of the motion. This is a topic that we as a society all grapple with to develop our understanding and, primarily, support our children and young people.”
“Go raibh agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer. Given his previous comments on the budgetary spend in Health and the Chief Medical Officer's comments today in relation to a very clear need to radically review the system, what needs to change? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for giving way. In relation to that relationship between the community and voluntary sector and the Government here, would the Minister consider lobbying his Executive colleagues, particularly in Finance and Personnel and Enterprise, Trade and Investment, on the introduction of the Social Value Act into the North of Ireland?”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Member for giving way, but I question his analysis of what I said. Those were Ulster University figures, and they were used to reflect the fact that only 41% of the cases looked at involved alcohol consumption. I make that point. The issue about addiction was raised in the context of the case made by the Member who introduced the topic about detoxification for Derry. The very point that was made was that detox is only part of a solution, and, if the Member reflects on my comments, he will find that they were very clear about early intervention and crisis.”
“I look forward to the Minister's response on that. <BR /> <BR />Addiction does not respect gender, class, disability, sexual orientation, religion or borders. It is vital that, as part of the debate in dealing with addiction issues, we reflect on and move towards making the facility in Donegal operational.”
“That intervention is often about a crisis intervention model or what is increasingly being called a safe space model, where a young person can go with trained counsellors in a safe environment until the next intervention is agreed and not missed. That is a similar model to what is proposed through the FASA project in Belfast. <BR /> <BR />I will make this point about detox: what is ironic about the debate is that Derry has a purpose-built detoxification unit based on our doorstep. The White Oaks facility in Muff in County Donegal was purpose-built for detox in its layout, yet it is not in operation. I appeal to the new Health Minister to bring freshness and a fresh approach to the debate. I throw out an invitation to the Health Minister to visit the facility, which has been purpose-built for that function.”
“Our city needs support for early intervention work that tackles the root causes of addiction, and it needs crisis intervention models. We collectively need to understand and target early the root causes of mental health problems and addiction, and we need to look at models of crisis intervention and at the crisis intervention services when those gaps appear. <BR /> <BR />Over the last year, Sinn Féin has established an addiction task force in the city. To date, 20 statutory, voluntary and other organisations have signed up to the urgency of that task force. The aim of the task force is very clear: to provide the evidence-based case for the city. In essence, it will examine what works — as the proposer said, a lot of services work — where the gaps are and how we can address them.”
“Another figure that was quite stark was that just over half of those who died by suicide — 50·1% — were known to have a mental health disorder. That is a direct correlation that needs to be reflected on. <BR /> <BR />When I reflect on my city, I think that, generally, although addiction is not always linked to suicide rates, it is nonetheless important for us to reflect that the nature of addiction has changed. For many generations, addiction in most cases was to either alcohol or drugs. Now it is polysubstance. Therefore, interventions, responses, rehabilitation and detoxification need to be altered accordingly. <BR /> <BR />There has been much very vocal debate, as the Member said, about the need for a detox facility for Derry. Detox, however, is only one very specialised part of treating the issue.”
“The Member quite rightly mentioned the University of Ulster study, which showed that 77% of all suicides that were looked at were by males and 23% were by females. There was evidence of alcohol consumption in at least 41% of the cases. That is across the Six Counties, but, nonetheless, we need to be mindful of that figure.”
“The European average spend on mental health is around 12% of the budget, and there is an onus and responsibility on us to bring our budgetary lines into line with that average. It also needs to be reflected that the gap between suicide rates in deprived areas and less deprived areas can be as much as 73%. As the Member pointed out, the child poverty statistics for Foyle highlight that, in some areas, more than 60% of children are living in poverty. There is a direct correlation with some of these issues. <BR /> <BR />We should reflect on the statistics. In 2011, there were 39 deaths by suicide in the Western Trust. In 2013, there were 51. So, there is a challenge in our city and region.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Member for the opportunity to speak on this topic. However, it is a difficult and emotive subject for all of us but one that, nonetheless, requires the House's reflection and, indeed, action. <BR /> <BR />I want to take the opportunity to welcome and congratulate the new Health Minister on his appointment. I appreciate his attendance today and look forward to his response on this very important issue. <BR /> <BR />As the Member said, suicide is an issue that blights and has blighted our island, and almost every city and, indeed, village knows the pain of losing people through suicide. Right across the island and right across our health systems, mental health protection is considerably lower down the importance scale, and that is a challenge for our society in moving forward.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. I note that the Minister is reviewing the findings of the independent review of Sure Start. I will maybe push the Minister on when the review and recommendations will be published.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she give us an assessment of what the emerging themes for Foyle might be? Will we see a subregional strategy for the city and the wider region?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Following on from that, will the Minister confirm the success or otherwise of integrated transport, including community transport, particularly in the mid-Ulster area?”
“I thank the Minister for the update. The recent statistics from Macmillan show that survival rates in the North for people with lung, breast, colon and stomach cancer lag behind some other European countries by as much as 10 years. What is the strategy or plan to tackle that stark statistic? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister and welcome that clarification. If the Minister is saying that he can see clearly that higher wage levels would feed into boosting the economy, could he outline how he, the House or the Executive could promote that line of action?”
“I will. I welcome the growing consensus that has taken place in the debate; I welcome the mature approach that, for the most part, Members took to the debate; and I welcome the clear opposition to the Tory-led Westminster cuts and policies of austerity. I support the motion in its totality.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to reflect on the fact that there has been progress: progress in opposition to privatisation; in protecting people from water and prescription charges; in ensuring that older people benefit from free transport; and in retaining the education maintenance allowance to support young people from poorer backgrounds to stay in education. We have protected people, invested in business and created jobs, and we should acknowledge that work. However, that work has not happened because of Westminster; it has happened despite Westminster.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. As the Member well knows, some of the debate within our departmental budgets is about where money goes and whether it goes in the right direction. The Member is familiar with some of those similar issues in relation to the current spend of our health budget, for example. A huge debate, which has been validated by the Finance Minister himself, needs to take place. We need to have the hard and tough conversations around where our current spend goes in relation to maximising outcomes for all of our constituents.”
“This is an important point in the debate today: we could change course. There are alternatives. There is an alternative — there is a very clear alternative. It is within the power of the British Exchequer to restore the Budget. I hope that the developing consensus in the Chamber today will encourage us to demand that that is done. It is within that power for the British Exchequer to drive forward a policy of economic stimulus. In our respective constituencies and legislative frameworks, we must demand no less for the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The £1·5 billion cut to our budgets has been well documented today. It is important to reflect on the fact that we have maintained public services. We have protected our health service from privatisation; we have —”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Again, I go back to the point about the protection of the most vulnerable. Members from other Benches have noted the issue around the lack of clarity regarding the money that is raised here and, indeed, the gap of the alleged £10 billion from Westminster. Let us look at it in terms of the consensus that is coming from the House. Often, we do not even know how that money is raised or how it is spent. Members on the opposite Benches and other Benches have commented on that lack of transparency. Again, there is an opportunity for consensus in the House around challenging issues of fiscal powers to the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As I said, the human cost has been much higher than is stated in some of the statistical reports that we have seen.”
“I may come back to both of you in a second, after I make this point. What is very clear is that the austerity programmes have failed by any benchmark, and that is an important point to be made by this House today. Even by Westminster's own yardstick, austerity has failed. Lost growth and higher debt are just the financial costs of Westminster's failure, but the human cost has been higher still. Analysis, even by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, has found that the coalition's tax and benefit changes have indeed hit poorest households hardest. I give way, now, to Mr McCallister, if he so wishes.”
“No, I will not. Thank you. The Tories continue to offer tax breaks to the super-rich —”
“<BR /> <BR />In relation to the motion itself, as we have heard today from Members, there are plans for further cuts of up to £30 billion. We need to fight collectively, tooth and nail, to protect vulnerable people in our society, support our local economy and invest in public services. The Tories have promised a further £12 billion of cuts to welfare provision, and we do not even know clearly, or they do not even have the decency to tell us or outline exactly, where those cuts would come. What we know, from past experience, is that those cuts will be targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.”
“That is a very clear action in my view. <BR /> <BR />It was interesting that the Minister, in welcoming the opportunity to have this debate, noted that we do not often have enough debates around policy. I welcome the fact that that was a developing consensus in the Chamber. The Minister noted that a number of issues were missing. I agree with him in terms of the good work that has been done; I acknowledge that, and I will reference it. However, I suppose that I would make reference to his analogy that the motion had failed to acknowledge "Sinn Féin austerity". I suggest that the Minister's word "austerity" should be changed to "protection". And, if it is the case that money has been kept in the pockets of the most vulnerable, I and my party are very happy with that result.”
“Thankfully, Mr Girvan does not write Sinn Féin policies or strategies. He also stated that, as a party, the DUP would do all that it could to maximise the block grant. Again, I find that welcome. <BR /> <BR />Dominic Bradley highlighted how austerity has resulted in a huge fall in standards for people in the North of Ireland and that austerity was what he called "a dead hand" on our economy. <BR /> <BR />Judith Cochrane outlined how the cuts have caused major problems for the people of the North of Ireland, and Mr McQuillan also referred to living in very difficult economic times. <BR /> <BR />Fearghal McKinney, from a position that, in my view, was very pro-UK, took great issue with the fact that the motion calls for us to note a number of things, but he missed the fact that it declares opposition to austerity policies. Yes, but also:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. First, I welcome the tone of the debate. I think that it has been, for the most part, a mature and informed debate. I have to say that I welcome the developing consensus around the very clear focus on the policies of austerity that are coming at us hard and fast from Westminster. <BR /> <BR />I want to refer to a number of Members' comments. In proposing the motion, Alex Maskey very clearly highlighted the £30 billion cut that is pending. It is important for us to reflect on that, and on the £12 billion welfare cut that is pending. The motion calls for all parties to assert opposition to austerity. I welcome the fact that, from the DUP Benches, Mr Girvan supported the motion, albeit reluctantly, and called on Sinn Féin to take its seats in Westminster.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his statement today, and I want to acknowledge the continuing progress in Middletown autism centre. As somebody who comes from a border constituency, can I ask the Minister specifically: there is agreement, in principle, on the collaborative programme, but what needs to happen to make that approach more formal? Can the Minister give some indication as to how that would link with further and higher education?”
“However, the review did identify barriers to accessing the certificate, which may lead to inequalities for those who wish to attain it. The review highlighted three main reasons for students not taking up the certificate: financial outlay; time commitment; and lack of support. That is where our attention should lie — on making the process accessible for all. I oppose the motion and the amendment.”
“The place for that genuine debate is after the introduction of the single equality Bill to address all those outstanding equality issues. The Education and Skills Authority is now agreed. Such an approach would provide a basis for open dialogue with key interest groups and provide for ample debate in a neutral environment. <BR /> <BR />I — like many Members, I hope — welcome the removal of any barrier in front of aspiring teachers, but March 2013 provided the assessment of the impact of the religious certificate required to teach in Catholic maintained primary and nursery schools. As Pat Sheehan quite rightly pointed out, the certificate is a qualification. There is no statistical evidence to suggest that the certificate requirement has resulted in inequalities in employment.”
“It is very clear that our society and our education system are growing in culture, tradition and diversity. Our education provides for children from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. Therefore, the same opportunity must be given to those who want to teach in schools. <BR /> <BR />As a party, we have supported, and continue to support, the claim that the continuation of the exception is wrong and outdated, and we have called on OFMDFM to take forward proposals for the removal of the exemption in article 71 of the Fair Employment and Treatment Order following the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority. It is clearly now a matter for OFMDFM. <BR /> <BR />I agree with Mr McCausland when he talks about having a genuine debate and discussion.”
“I speak as a member of the Education Committee in opposition to the motion and the amendment. I welcome the opportunity to have the debate in the House, albeit for the second occasion. <BR /> <BR />I agree with the Chair of the Education Committee that there are two distinct issues here and that it is appropriate and important that we do not cloud one with the other. One of the issues, as has rightly been pointed out, concerns the Fair Employment and Treatment Order and the exemption issue. The second is clearly about the use of the religious education certificate in the appointment of teachers to both primary and nursery schools. As the proposer of the motion indicated, the exemption from fair employment law has well outlived its sell-by date. I think that there is consensus in the Chamber around that.”
“What is the entire investment in the city and the wider north-west, at this point?”
“Go raibh maith agat, and I thank the Minister for that detail. Indeed, I thank the Minister for her investment in the city and the wider region. Given the fact that the Minister has outlined the £12 million and wider legacy issue, as well as the fact that she had introduced a legacy plan for the city and the north-west, which was additional to the Executive's financial commitment —”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. On behalf of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, I support the motion. The statutory rule contains amendments to the Pension Schemes Act 1993 and the Occupational Pension Schemes Regulations 1996 to ensure that the new HSC pension scheme operates as intended. The Committee considered the proposal for this statutory rule on 4 February 2015, and we approved the subsequent rule on 18 February 2015. There were no issues raised by the Committee.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. On behalf of the Committee for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, I support the motion. <BR /> <BR />The statutory rule, as the Minister said, intends to make consequential modifications to primary legislation, which are required to ensure that new public-service pension schemes — in this case, the firefighters' pension scheme — will operate as intended in their interaction with the wider framework of pensions and tax legislation. <BR /> <BR />The Committee considered the proposal for the statutory rule at its meeting on 14 January 2015, and we approved the subsequent rule on 18 February 2015. There were no issues raised by the Committee.”
“I think that, given increasing need and the rise in the number of pupils with SEN, we have the opportunity through this Bill to modernise the approach taken so that schools, and educationalists generally, are clear and certain about their duties.”
“A survey in 2010 found that just 14% of teachers thought that there was a coherent approach across health and social care, and education. Whilst we recognise that no single Department can impose a duty on another, I would welcome the Minister's thoughts about how we can explore increased cooperation or coordination or how the system can be streamlined. <BR /> <BR />Three quarters of teachers who responded to the survey — again, I ask the Minister to comment on this — indicated at the time that they did not have the expertise to take on additional responsibilities relating to SEN, and they stated that schools do not have the resources.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to reflect on two of the principles of the Bill. The first is the enhanced duties for boards of governors, which will be required to prepare and keep under review a personal learning plan for each pupil with SEN. The Bill also places a duty on boards of governors to designate a teacher, as the Chair said, as a learning support coordinator. That role is currently filled by special educational need coordinators. <BR /> <BR />One of the key pieces of the proposed legislative framework requires the Education Authority to request help where it believes that the Health and Social Care Board could help in the discharge of duties. This is an important area, and I certainly want to explore that principle in more detail.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. As a member of the Education Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak on this stage of the Bill. It is suggested that the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill will give effect to the legislative changes necessary to support the revised SEN and inclusion framework. <BR /> <BR />It is important to reflect on the steady increase in the number of our young people with SEN over the last 10 years. The Minister alluded to some of the statistics, but it is worth reflecting that, in 2014-15, 74,435 pupils had special educational needs, and 15,972 had a statement. As the Minister pointed out, children with special educational needs now represent 4·9% of the total school population. Therefore, we must rise to that challenge.”
“The bigger lift is within the leadership of the political parties. They have a responsibility to be proactive and radical in not only attracting female candidates but retaining them, and not in a tokenistic type of way but in a way that means that women actively participate in political leadership at the very top of structures. <BR /> <BR />I think that delivery will be key to these recommendations for our way forward. I also think that our society and community will monitor this one very closely.”