Paul Givan
Lagan Valley · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“The EA's enhanced support model has been out for consultation. The Member's party is the largest political grouping on the Education Authority, so his party supported the model's being consulted on.”
“Protections around strike action and action short of strike are firmly established in statute for all workers, including teachers. If the Member is referring to the Education Inspections Bill, let me be clear: nothing in that legislation removes or undermines that right.”
“The issue was covered at length at the Education Committee. The position is still not where it ought to be. When I came into office, the position that I inherited was much worse than it is today.”
“It is an area that I have had to navigate, as have many previous Education Ministers. Industrial relations is an area that needs ongoing work. I have outlined how we can address it, but I come back to saying that, when workload was undefined, trade unions struggled to specify the challenge.”
“That is not a fair characterisation. In fact, I was with Justin McCamphill, the leader of NASUWT, at the launch of the curriculum reform, at which he commended me for it and said that he thought that it was good. I have sat in many a meeting with trade union representatives during which they have said, "This is a good initiative.”
“That is exactly why there is a 16-week consultation period, rather than the normal 12 weeks or the minimum eight weeks; to allow the public and teaching profession to very much engage in that curriculum, which I commend to all Members.”
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“We are determined that victims and survivors will receive the acknowledgement, support and redress that they deserve, and we remain committed to the implementation of all the recommendations in the Hart report.”
“<BR /> <BR />In relation to the six institutions identified by the Hart report as being required to make contributions towards the cost of the redress scheme, we held a round-table discussion on 14 October that focused on progressing negotiations on contributions. The independent facilitator, Paul Sweeney, has met all six institutions and is continuing his engagements with victims and survivors' groups. <BR /> <BR />The delivery of an apology to victims and survivors remains a priority. We are giving consideration to the format and content of the apology, including how the review of the redress process might impact the delivery of the apology. Ministerial and official-level engagement with representative groups is ongoing.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will answer questions 3, 8 and 14 together. The HIA redress board opened to applications at the end of March last year. By the end of October, the board had received 2,100 applications for redress and had paid out over £26 million to applicants or their solicitors. Last week, the junior Ministers and I met the president of the board, Judge Huddleston, to discuss the work of the board and its engagement with victims and survivors. Responding to the issues raised by victims and survivors, the deputy First Minister and I have approved the terms of reference for the review of the HIA redress process, and the review should commence in the next few weeks.”
“Let us see over the coming weeks whether it is able to meet that test and show the respect and equality that it has often talked of as being required of other people.”
“The Member is right to keep the focus on where it should be, and that is to challenge republicans when it comes to the marking of this important celebration. That is where the focus should be, rather than on taking an opportunity to have a go on other issues. The Member may well be within his rights to do that, but let us keep the focus on where it is. He has highlighted, as I have, a number of opportunities that Sinn Féin has had to show respect, and it has not met the bar. I hope that it can reflect. This will be a test for it. Again, I am always an optimist that we can work these things out. There is clearly a need to have proper recognition of this important event, and Sinn Féin, as part of the Executive, has an important role in doing that.”
“After some good work by those in Sinn Féin who reached out to and met members of the royal family, I hope that they are not now recanting and taking a backward step. Let us hope that we are not moving to that position.”
“I am disappointed that there was not agreement in the Executive Office for a response to be officially communicated on my behalf and that of the deputy First Minister. However, that is for others to explain. <BR /> <BR />It is right that we mark the occasion. It will be a test of how republicans and nationalists in particular recognise and facilitate those in our community who want to pay tribute and celebrate what is a historic occasion for Her Majesty The Queen. Many people talk about respect, equality and celebrating diversity. It will be a test for Sinn Féin. How will it do that? How will it facilitate those who want to mark the occasion to do so? We had evidence when it came to marking the centenary on the estate: it was blocked.”
“We see the local councils as being one area in which support will be provided. It is right that we mark that very significant occasion in our history.”
“It is a remarkable achievement that Her Majesty The Queen will celebrate her platinum jubilee next year. I am sure that many throughout Northern Ireland are looking forward to witnessing that historic and unprecedented event. The Northern Ireland Office is engaging with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the plans to mark the platinum jubilee, and I anticipate further information on those. <BR /> <BR />I understand that the main focus of the jubilee celebrations will be from 2 June to 5 June, which will include a bank holiday that will be observed in Northern Ireland. That will provide an opportunity for organisations and local communities to design their own events to mark the occasion. I look forward to the opportunities that we will have to mark that historic event. I know that Departments will look at that.”
“The Executive Office was not able to reach an agreed response to the question.”
“An evaluation has been done of what was the first phase of the project, a report on which is in the latter stages of being drafted. There will therefore be that work to review the impact that the initial phase has had, and it will shape the second phase. Those are difficult areas in which people are having to work. They are trying to assist communities to transition and to undermine the corrosive power that paramilitary organisations have had in communities for far too long. It will require considered and painstaking efforts, and it will take time to see the benefits being realised, but there is evidence that those efforts have made a positive impact in parts of Northern Ireland.”
“I think that that might be for a later question on historical institutional abuse. I will answer it when we get to that question.”
“The Member is right to highlight again from where employment opportunities can be gained. I know that that legislation has been raised as an issue, but it is still under consideration. The Member highlighted the point that recommendations were made on that, but legislative change will be required if those are to be taken forward.”
“The Member is right: one of the key ways in which we can try to help young people is through that educational approach, particularly when it comes to underachievement. He will know the work that is taking place in our own constituency through the Resurgam Trust and its early intervention project, which is now yielding real, tangible benefits. He is right to highlight that. <BR /> <BR />This is also about employability and giving people the opportunity to gain employment, and that is a key part of the work that is ongoing in the eight CIT areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />In May of this year, a series of public procurement competitions was initiated that resulted in the award of 22 new interventions. More recently, two further interventions were awarded, while others are being evaluated.”
“Communities in Transition is a vital element of the Executive's work to tackle paramilitarism, criminality and organised crime. The programme continues to have a transformative impact on communities and is making a positive difference in people's lives. It is increasing the number of people participating in community life, improving skills and confidence and reducing the space in which paramilitaries and criminal elements can operate. <BR /> <BR />As with the rest of the Executive's tackling paramilitary activity, criminality and organised crime programme, the Communities in Transition project has moved on to its second phase of activity. That phase will last until March 2024 and will be supported with an initial contribution of £10 million over that period. We will continue to consider options to augment that budget, where possible.”
“We have not had any indications from the Department of Education about the time frame by which it will have carried out the necessary engagement with stakeholders. It is unlikely that we will see change within this mandate, but the Department of Education is engaging with stakeholders on that.”
“It is accepted in the Executive Office that that issue requires review. The Department of Education, obviously, has a significant role in that, and I know that that Department has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders about FETO and the current exemption when it comes to the recruitment of teachers. There is a historical context for this, as the Member will know. In the past, exemptions were sought because of the nature of the education system in Northern Ireland in reflecting a particular ethos. It is accepted that the issue needs to be reviewed, but that requires work to be carried out by the Department of Education.”
“I want to have good North/South relations, and I want to see institutions operating in good faith. As I indicated to the House earlier, because of the protocol and because of the disruption on an east-west basis, that inevitably has consequences for North/South matters. What is being talked about in respect of the meeting that was held in June, when it came to North/South Ministerial Council meetings, were indicative meetings that were to take place. They were not legally scheduled, and Ministers were not put under obligations at that meeting. Diary offices and private secretaries cannot put Ministers under legal obligations. There is a process set out under statute so that, when meetings become officially scheduled, Ministers are placed under legal obligations. That has not happened.”
“When it comes North/South issues, Jeffrey Donaldson made it clear that health is one area that we would not seek to thwart. Indeed, it would not be appropriate for us to thwart other Ministers who decide that they want to participate in North/South bodies, the Minister of Health being one of them. That is why the subsequent meeting took place — because they were not DUP Ministers who were attending. They were other Ministers of the Executive who wanted to attend that meeting.”
“I have proposed that there should be an Executive subcommittee, which my party would attend, at which these things could be considered by those who are elected, through the Assembly, into the Executive so that we can find a position that is more reflective of where the people of Northern Ireland are on these issues. The directions that were issued by the Secretary of State were abhorrent.”
“The Secretary of State lost court proceedings in respect of this issue. Judgement is awaited on another judicial review taken by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC). That has fed in to the Department of Health's consideration of a paper that is its responsibility to bring forward to the Executive. <BR /> <BR />The Secretary of State should respect the devolved settlement. He said in his interview that this is a devolved issue, and, therefore, he should not interfere, as he did when he issued the directions. He should resist the temptation to overstep his role and should allow the Executive to deal with what is a sensitive issue.”
“That is an important strategy and one that the Member and I talked about when we were on the Justice Committee together. Progress is being made in developing the strategy. Recently, an official was appointed to lead that for us. A lot of engagement work is being taken forward, and a specific lead official is now responsible for that.”
“The Member knows full well that there is an active case in the courts in respect of these issues. It would be inappropriate for me to use the Chamber to make points that ought to be made in the courts. This is a case that is under active judicial proceedings, and information is being provided to the courts. <BR /> <BR />I wish that I was able to have legal representation to reflect what I and my colleague Gary Middleton have been doing, but that has been denied on not one but two occasions in terms of the legal representation that should be coming from the Executive Office, and that blockage has not come from my side of the office.”
“I politely remind Mr O'Dowd that, in 2008, Sinn Féin boycotted Executive meetings. It was not that long ago when Sinn Féin pulled down these institutions and deprived the Assembly from sitting, British-Irish Council meetings from taking place and, indeed, North/South bodies from being able to operate in any shape or form. When it comes to thwarting the activities of the institutions created by the Belfast Agreement, Sinn Féin has been the master of that.”
“When I met Maroš Šefcovic, I made this point, and when I met MEPs this morning, I made this point: when it comes to the democratic deficit, the lack of democratic legitimacy of the new arrangements is not acceptable, nor should it be, for any democrat in the House who values the mandate that they have. The laws that impact upon the people of Northern Ireland should have their basis in Northern Ireland or as part of the wider UK framework from which we derive our authority. That is encapsulated through the European Court of Justice, which represents the apex of that governance arrangement. We need to see progress made in respect of the governance issues as well.”
“The Member is right to raise the matter. The Assembly debated four motions, I think, calling for the rigorous implementation of the protocol. Delegations from Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the Alliance Party and the Green Party went down to Dublin to demand the rigorous implementation of the protocol, yet, now, at last, there has been a recognition that there are very serious problems with how it has been implemented. Had the protocol been implemented in full, had a DUP Minister not been able to thwart efforts to implement it and had we not got the grace periods, there would have been much more serious impacts as a result of the protocol. Let us hope that, over the next number of weeks, we will get the progress that we need and that the UK Government and the European Union will find a permanent resolution.”
“It was not a DUP Minister who was found guilty of discriminating against people from the Protestant community who were seeking positions. Our party does not discriminate against anybody; we have not done so in the past, nor, indeed, will we. The Assembly's Ad Hoc Committee on a Bill of Rights has been looking into this issue. I understand that it has consulted extensively with people who have been able to provide information to it and a course of work has already been carried out. The issues to do with the appointment of the panel have certainly not been to the detriment of the Assembly and the Ad Hoc Committee in carrying out their work.”
“First, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on any individuals who have applied in a process that is private and confidential. I have not been presented with a list of names for me to select from. As I understand it, the history of this is that there was a potential panel of five people. An agreement was reached in the Executive Office that it would have three members. No list of the number of people who applied or their identities has been presented to me.”
“That has not been discussed at the Executive, nor, indeed, has the Minister for Infrastructure brought forward such a proposal. I am not anticipating one coming forward.”
“I have not had an opportunity to look at the Member's private Member's Bill. As someone who has introduced a private Member's Bill, I know that a lot of work goes into that. Without commenting on its substance, I commend the Member for developing a private Member's Bill. I will, obviously, look at what it contains. <BR /> <BR />On the broader principle, when it comes to tackling climate change, having clean energy and driving forward our environmental strategies, we need to ensure that Northern Ireland is energy sufficient and that we have our own security of energy supply. Therefore, we need to make sure that we make changes in a sustainable way.”
“I absolutely appreciate it. When I was in Glasgow, I made the point that the next generation of younger people absolutely get that. At times, they can be the strongest advocates, because they challenge us, just as my children challenge what I do or what their grandparents do in our home environment. Our schools have a fantastic eco scheme right across Northern Ireland, and that has a real and positive impact. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to all the issues, as I highlighted in my original response, we are signed up, as an Executive, to delivering on a wide range of different strategies that have meaningful objectives and will have tangible impact. Collectively, as an Executive, we take that seriously.”
“We need to achieve a balance in sustainable living, protect the environment and develop economic opportunities. That will be a theme throughout the next Programme for Government. <BR /> <BR />Our actions include introducing the Executive's Climate Change (No. 2) Bill, which is now with the Assembly, and the green growth strategy, which was developed in consultation with many stakeholder groups, particularly young people. The Executive have also endorsed our environment strategy, which will be one of the main strategies underpinning our overarching green growth agenda. An energy strategy, sustainable transport and other plans will not only provide the strategic basis to reduce carbon emissions but create new jobs in the green economy and drive innovation.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will answer questions 6, 8, and 10 together. <BR /> <BR />We attended the opening ceremony of COP26, along with leaders from participating countries, and held discussions with the UK Government and the other devolved Administrations. We also met the US delegation and discussed potential economic opportunities from using clean energy. The discussions provided the opportunity to share best practice on the challenges of climate change. We also met some of our local organisations and, hopefully, helped to highlight their expertise in addressing climate change issues. We discussed the Executive's plans and our recognition of the need for action. <BR /> <BR />The New Decade, New Approach commitments include a strategy to address the immediate and longer-term impacts of climate change.”
“The Member speaks from experience about the impact. I remember well the profile of the north-west, the city of Londonderry and all the different cultures, businesses and so on that were put on show right across the United Kingdom and attracted media attention. We have a legacy from that. We can see that there is significant investment coming to the north-west. We have the expansion of the university at Magee. The Member rightly commends that, and we hope that ABC council will be successful in its bid and can benefit in a similar way to the Member's constituency.”
“The Member is right to raise that. The Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon council area has a very rich heritage. It has a very strong sporting heritage, but, in particular, it has a cultural heritage. When I think about the Orange institution, its birthplace in County Armagh, Dan Winter's cottage, and things like that, I, of course, expect Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to include the Orange Order, as it very much brings its rich diversity to that part of Northern Ireland.”
“I will let the Department for Communities engage with the council on financial resources, commitment in kind and whatever that will look like. The primary responsibility on how the Executive can support the bid will come through the Department for Communities. As I said to Mr Beattie, the Executive Office will be happy to assist where it can, but it will be led by the Department for Communities.”
“I will comment on the timing of the letter and say why we were not able to respond as soon as we would have liked. The letter came in on 9 July and requested that a response be made in less than a week. We sought input from the Department for Communities, as the Member rightly raises, but it was over a month before we got that back from that Department. Having said all that, we, as First Minister and deputy First Minister, are communicating and have communicated to the chief executive of the council our full support and the work that we can do with the Departments in seeking to support the bid. The Department for Communities will be and is the primary Department with responsibility for that, but where the Executive Office can assist, the council will get our support.”
“Unfortunately, we were unable to provide a formal letter of endorsement to the council on behalf of the Executive in advance of its opening bid. However, we are pleased that that did not impact on the council's bid and were delighted to learn that it has been successful in making the longlist in the 2025 UK City of Culture process. Success in that competition would create a once-in-a-generation platform to showcase to a wider audience the wealth of the culture, arts and heritage that the heartlands of Armagh and Down, their communities and their people have to offer. In light of that, we have written to the council offering our full support, and we wish it the utmost success with its submissions.”
“I invite junior Minister Middleton to answer this question.”
“That did not come from anyone on this side of the House or, indeed, from the processes of the United Kingdom Government. Let us encourage them to continue to intensify the talks process this week. They really do need to make progress on those issues quickly.”
“I will resist ratcheting up the rhetoric by using the word "war", given that Ms Brogan said in her supplementary question that we should dial down the rhetoric. I note that it was the European Union that said:”
“<BR /> <BR />On the broader point that the Member makes, I say that it should not be beyond the realms of possibility to protect the European single market and for the integrity of that market to be upheld without having the checks that are in place and that, indeed, would be much worse had not the grace periods for the east-west dimension been extended.”
“I thank the Member for the question. The most recent meeting of the Joint Committee took place on 9 June, which was before the UK Command Paper was published. The deputy First Minister and I discussed with Lord Frost and the Secretary of State having another meeting of the Joint Committee. The indications were that that would be premature, given the issues that are now being discussed and negotiated. That process needs to come to a conclusion for there to be value in having any such Joint Committee meeting.”
“The Member raises an interesting point that the media picked up on last week. It dismisses the myth of the Irish Government's position of not wanting to have a border on the island of Ireland, because, when it comes to this issue, they want a border on the island of Ireland and to carry out checks at that border. I do not believe that any Member of the House has said that the Irish Government are in violation of the Belfast Agreement as a result of their desire to put in place those checks; I certainly have not heard any Member say so. I hope that that translates to the talks process that is under way and that the Irish Government use their influence to persuade the European Union to take a much more pragmatic approach to finding solutions.”
“— about a range of issues that affect them. You need only look at the UK Command Paper, which I commend, that was published before the summer. It gives great detail on the impacts that the protocol has had. The Member raises his eyebrows and dismisses that, because he is blind and deaf to the reality of what the protocol has done, such is his sycophantic nature when it comes to being pro-European. He should look at the devastating impact that the protocol has had in diverting trade away from coming from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. If the Member is so concerned about our pharmaceutical companies and medicines, he should listen carefully to the Health Minister. Over 90% of our medicines come from Great Britain, and, when it comes to his position on the protocol, the Member should reflect on that rather than lecture me on the issue.”
“Yes. Many have, when it comes to the engagements that I have had with businesses”
“Beyond the headlines that accompanied the EU proposals, the proposals lack the substance required to address vital issues, not just constitutional matters when it comes to governance but issues with the provision of goods, including medicines, that affect all our communities.”
“The Member is absolutely right to indicate that the proposals put forward by the European Union fall short of addressing a range of issues, not least the matter that he has raised in respect of medicines. There is an issue with the role of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in matters of patient safety. The EU proposals failed even to put forward anything in respect of veterinary medicine to provide the medicines needed to address animal welfare issues. There are also issues in respect of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) arrangements around certification, definition and scope.”
“The deputy First Minister and I met Lord Frost and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 22 October and again on 9 November to receive updates on the ongoing discussions between the UK and the EU, during which we raised the issues that needed to be addressed regarding the protocol and reiterated the need for certainty. Junior Ministers Middleton and Kearney also regularly attend ministerial Cabinet Office meetings to ensure that our views on the protocol are heard and understood by the UK Government.”