Sydney Anderson
Upper Bann · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for coming along today in relation to the issue. Bannview Medical Practice in Portadown is in crisis. It is a serious situation. When you come along and put out statements that a contactor has been secured and suchlike, people stop believing anything. They tell me that they are being told lie upon lie.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. Minister, you will be well aware of the damage that was caused to land, property and businesses in upper Bann. I am referring to the area along the lough shore at Kinnego, and at the Birches and Maghery areas of Portadown. In light of your answer, what assurances can you give to those people?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. The recently published report on the announced visit to HMP Maghaberry in September 2016 noted that no significant progress had been made in addressing the concerns on the abuse of drugs raised in May 2015 and restated in January 2016.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I will not be asking a question about Brexit. She mentioned animal health and welfare in paragraph 9 of the statement. Will she give us an update on the bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) eradication programme in Northern Ireland?”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. We all recognise that the agriculture sector plays a pivotal role in the Northern Ireland economy, with approximately 70,000 people employed in the agriculture and food processing sectors.”
“This committee will be useful because it formalises discussions between the Government and key industry stakeholders so that open discussions and debate can be taken account of as policy and negotiating positions are developed.”
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“I thank the Minister for that response. I sat on the Justice Committee in the previous mandate and heard many debates on this. Do you agree that much more needs to be done to bring the legal aid bill down further?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. I declare an interest as I have family working in nursing and midwifery. Minister, do you agree that there needs to be a much greater focus on encouraging our young people to enter the nursing profession? Do you also agree that they should be paid a proper wage for the difficult job they do, and that less emphasis should be put on agency nurses and nurse banks?”
“We all want to see more and more people engaging with the political process and exercising their vote. By closing our regional electoral offices, we will only be further hindered in our efforts to encourage voter registration and political engagement. If the closures take place, I firmly believe that democracy in Northern Ireland will be dealt a severe blow. That cannot be allowed to happen, as no one benefits from democracy being damaged. I support the motion and encourage everyone in the Chamber to support it too.”
“If the proposed closure of regional electoral offices takes place, I, as a political representative, am fearful that democracy could be damaged, because the Electoral Office would simply no longer be able to play a key role in our communities. Moreover, it is highly likely that a significant number of staff would lose their employment. That tends to contradict the statement taken from the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland's business plan 2015-16. <BR /> <BR />We must all recognise that the staff in our regional electoral offices do work of significant importance not just at election time but throughout the year. We have to understand that, if many of the Electoral Office services are centralised in Belfast, engagement with the wider Northern Ireland public would be severely impacted.”
“I therefore firmly believe that the complete centralisation of Electoral Office functions is not the way forward. <BR /> <BR />In the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland's business plan for 2015-16 it is stated:”
“It also has to be noted that a number of people would find it difficult to secure access to such technologies and therefore successfully complete registration in this way.”
“Thank you. I thank my colleague for that intervention. I agree with everything that he said: we cannot allow any further erosion through the proposals that they are bringing forward, which will further damage the electoral process. I agree with his comments. <BR /> <BR />Significant focus has been put on increasing the use of technology to carry out online electoral registration. Whilst I welcome the fact that there are some positives from adopting that approach, it has to be recognised that there are other points to consider. Whilst we have seen enhanced rural broadband provision recently, we still face many challenges as we seek to enhance provision across Northern Ireland.”
“The office has four full-time staff and nine part-time employees, who provide a key link for the public when they are doing things such as vote registration and receiving and submitting postal and proxy vote applications. They have also carried out a range of registration and electoral ID events, which have focused on enhancing the number of people on the electoral register. <BR /> <BR />I commend the regional electoral office for getting in contact with places of education to encourage the younger generation to become registered so that they can fully participate in elections by exercising their democratic right to vote. Activities carried out by my regional electoral office in Banbridge are replicated across the other regional offices.”
“I welcome this opportunity to speak on this very important matter for people across Northern Ireland. My colleagues and I brought this motion before the House, because we recognise the important role that the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland plays in our democracy. <BR /> <BR />We are deeply concerned about the current proposals, which, if implemented, would see the closure of regional electoral offices in Ballymena, Londonderry, Newtownabbey, Newtownards, Omagh and Banbridge, which is located in my constituency of Upper Bann. We have witnessed electoral offices having to deal with a 25% reduction in budgets over the past six years, with an additional 17% reduction proposed for 2020. <BR /> <BR />I am fully aware of the important role that the electoral office in Banbridge plays in democracy and political procedures.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for his response and for the answers he has given to me. I think we all agree that, whatever happens, it is essential that delivery is at the forefront as we move forward over the next mandate. Does the deputy First Minister also agree with that?”
“In particular the PSNI, local policing and community safety partnerships, schools, youth organisations and other community groups have a very important duty to challenge the problems that drugs pose. <BR /> <BR />Moving forward, it is vital that the PSNI's commitment to fighting the challenge of illegal drugs continues. As I have said, it should be a collaborative approach. I hope that this Chamber takes on board what everyone has said. The message must go out clearly from the Assembly that those who peddle drugs and inflict misery and pain on individuals and their families will not be tolerated.”
“On top of this, it is very worrying to note that drugs are being taken by a wide range of people, with some very young people getting caught up in drug-related activity. Unfortunately, the problems that I have outlined are replicated right across Northern Ireland and, regrettably, there are no quick-fix solutions to eradicate the scourge of drugs overnight. <BR /> <BR />Whilst it is important to recognise the ongoing work carried out by the statutory agencies, the Public Health Agency, and the voluntary and community sector to tackle the drug scourge, it is important to recognise that drugs continue to damage communities and devastate families. It is vital that the community as a whole unites together to fight this drug plague head on.”
“I have met the PSNI locally on many occasions on which the scourge of drugs has been continually highlighted as a major challenge. Between the beginning of May 2015 to the end of April 2016, 391 drug-related incidents were reported to the PSNI in the Portadown, Banbridge, Gilford, Lurgan and Craigavon areas. Drug-related incidents are consuming a significant amount of police time, and I know that the PSNI in the area has done much work to fight the local drug problem. <BR /> <BR />I am also concerned by the fact that, in many cases, members of the public are aware of the individuals who deal in drugs in our communities, but are fearful of providing the police with such information due to fear of reprisals.”
“Even though such substances could previously be obtained legally, they still possessed a dangerous and sometimes deadly effect. The police now have new powers to shut down head shops and UK-based online dealers. Additionally, there now exists a UK-wide blanket ban on the sale, supply, importation and exportation of such drugs, with those who deal in such substances also facing up to seven years' imprisonment. Whilst legislation is not a silver bullet, the new measures can, hopefully, help to tackle the problems that psychoactive substances pose. <BR /> <BR />Tragically, in recent years, numerous people in my constituency of Upper Bann have lost their lives because of drugs, and many families have been devastated.”
“Notably, the number of drug seizures has increased year on year since 2006-07 to reach a 10-year high of approximately 5,600 such incidents in 2015-16. <BR /> <BR />Whilst it could be claimed that it is welcome news to see an increased quantity of drugs being taken off our streets, it has to be recognised that the drug problem has not gone away. In recent years, we have witnessed what is formally referred to as legal highs presenting an ever-growing challenge to our society. We saw the Psychoactive Substances Act come into force across the United Kingdom last month. <BR /> <BR />From a personal perspective, when I met the PSNI in my constituency in recent times, they informed me that such substances pose more difficulty than the more traditional form of drugs on our streets.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I wish you well in your new role and wish the new Justice Minister well in her new role. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion today. Drugs have a significant and widespread negative influence not only here in Northern Ireland but right across the globe. On top of this, drug abuse and the peddling of drugs in our communities continues to put major pressures on our health service and the PSNI. Many families have also been destroyed and left with grief that will never be resolved due to the scourge of drugs. <BR /> <BR />We must all recognise that drugs continue to blight our communities despite the best efforts of the police and the community at large to tackle drug problems. For instance, it has been documented that, between 2003 and 2012, there were 838 drug-related deaths in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. During the flooding crisis, a listed thatched cottage in my constituency was greatly damaged and is still badly affected. I believe that you, Minister, may have visited the cottage. What further help and assistance can be given to protect and preserve buildings of that type from the effects of flooding?”
“We welcome such an innovative approach. Recommendation 20 therefore suggests that DEL engage with the health and social care trusts to develop the social farming initiative so that it might become a mainstream option. Recommendation 21 recommends that the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) provide training and support to those involved in the likes of social farming. <BR /> <BR />That is all that I have to say. I again thank everyone involved in the report, which I consider a great piece of work for the future. I commend the report to the House.”
“A representative of the health and social care trust told us that the trust on its own cannot provide the desired level of support. Councils and other statutory organisations must be fully aware of their remit from the outset and be clear about what they are providing. Opportunities must meet the needs of the target audience. <BR /> <BR />In its consideration of rural and local provision, the Committee visited the farm of Mr and Mrs Dolan in Garrison in Fermanagh. The Dolans are involved in a social enterprise, supported by the health and social care trust. The Dolans' farm provides training and work for a group of people with learning disabilities. There are opportunities to work on the farm in a safe and supervised environment. The work is both physical and educational and is based on small groups.”
“In Armagh and Dungannon, community access workers were appointed to the Health and Social Care children's disabilities team, and greater links have been developed with the local schools so that school facilities such as swimming pools can be used. That has enabled partnership-working with parents and voluntary organisations such as Mencap. It was particularly encouraging to learn that the schools' A-level pupils were also able to offer support. In general terms, the evidence suggests that there needs to be a community element to service provision, building on local knowledge of opportunities, facilities and transport. <BR /> <BR />I will now turn to recommendations 20 and 21. During our evidence sessions, we became aware that rural areas are not as well provided for as our cities and bigger towns.”
“Two examples are given in the report: the Level Ground coffee shop in Dundonald Elim church hall and the Bobbin cafe in Belfast City Hall, which is part of the NOW project. Those sorts of initiatives are very worthwhile, as they are giving training and employment opportunities to those with learning disabilities. The Committee was also encouraged by the range of business organisations that employ people with learning disabilities. That is to be commended. <BR /> <BR />During evidence, it was suggested that community facilities are not being used as well as they might be and that there is clear room for improvement. One example of good practice is that highlighted in paragraph 227.”
“By way of example, they told us about schemes for community gardens, sustainability, and growing your own food. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to recommendations 18 and 19. In recommendation 18, we suggest that Departments and local councils should coordinate to conduct an audit of affordable local assets and facilities to raise awareness among providers of what is available. <BR /> <BR />Recommendation 19 suggests a joint development and roll-out of awareness-raising and training courses for front-line staff in community services and leisure centres. <BR /> <BR />We acknowledge that local community bodies are developing their own innovative solutions to increase community involvement for those with learning disabilities.”
“<BR /> <BR />Concerns were expressed that day-centre opportunities can tend to be quite inactive, and that can contribute to obesity and other health risks. There is a need for access to community leisure facilities to promote healthy lifestyles for mental and physical health. Sperrinview Special School believes that those in day centres should access recreational courses, which should be extended into the community, for example, trips to leisure centres and visits to cultural events such as exhibitions and concerts. Sperrinview believes that that should be seen as part of education. <BR /> <BR />Further education colleges pointed out that many of their courses are based in the community and that they work in partnership with local communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will speak to recommendations 17 to 21, which deal with social inclusion. We must ensure that everything possible is done to tackle social exclusion and to integrate those with learning disabilities more and more into mainstream society. In recommendation 17, we suggest that the Department for Employment and Learning broaden the remit of post-school education services in order to provide better support for physical activity and wider personal training for people with learning disabilities. <BR /> <BR />The evidence presented to us emphasised the centrality of the community, but it also indicated that there were problems. For example, facilities can be located separately from the community in industrial estates or on the edge of towns. Geographical location can, therefore, increase the sense of social exclusion.”
“I rise as a member of the Employment and Learning Committee to support the motion and the report to which it refers. I wish to place on record my thanks to the Chairman, the Committee Clerk, all the staff, and all those who engaged with us during our consultation and consideration of the issues covered in the report. <BR /> <BR />This is an important report. Our inquiry into post-school provision for those with learning disabilities highlighted a number of areas of concern as well as evidence of good work that is going on. Our aim is to ensure that meaningful progress is made. Our investigations into the issues led to the report's 44 recommendations. It is a cross-cutting report that will require action on the part of a range of Departments and other statutory agencies.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I appreciate the efforts by the Rivers Agency and other agencies during the flooding crisis since the beginning of the year. <BR /> <BR />Minister, farmers and those who work in farming businesses have told me that, if they have to face something like this again, it could the end of them in farming. It is OK to state that you are putting this and that in place. What consultation are you having with those farming businesses on the ground to help mitigate the greatly damaging effect of future flooding on their farms? It is OK to state that we have certain things to put in place, but will that help them going forward? If it does not, it could be the end game for a lot of them.”
“Junior Minister, now that all the projects are being progressed, can you confirm that the social investment fund objective of ensuring a wider benefit for all the traditional schemes, such as DSD's neighbourhood renewal scheme, has been achieved?”
“It amends the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 to ensure that any regulations that are made around deposits are done on the basis of affirmative resolution. <BR /> <BR />I also oppose amendment No 4, which is an amendment to clause 9. It does for clause 9 what amendment No 1 does for clause 5, and I oppose it for the same reasons as I oppose amendment No 1. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 18 and 19 amend schedule 3 and are technical changes that simply tidy up references to provisions that have been repealed. I leave my remarks on group 1 there.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 3, tabled by the Minister, is a technical amendment to clause 7, which deals with the extension of time limits to allow for conciliation. It makes a necessary change to clause 7(1), which amends the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and will remove an obsolete reference to provisions that have now been repealed by the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 5 relates to clause 9. It is also a departmental amendment and is similar to amendment No 2, which deals with industrial tribunals. Again, it has been tabled in response to Committee concerns about the need for affirmative resolution.”
“<BR /> <BR />Amendment No 2 was tabled by the Minister in response to Committee concerns. It amends clause 5, which is one of the clauses covering industrial tribunals. It deals with the power to require a party to proceedings to pay a deposit. The amendment would ensure that regulations dealing with deposits are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure, and we welcome that change. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 1 would amend clause 5 by preventing multiple deposits. I oppose that amendment, because clause 5 provides an enabling power, and regulations will be made in due course. We should not tie the Department's hands at this stage in the Bill in the way in which amendment No 1 would do.”
“The Department believes that it will therefore be better able to prepare for the setting-up of that service. The regulations under new clause 9A will be made under the negative resolution procedure and will cover issues such as what the neutral assessment service will consist of and how it might deliver. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 7 would introduce new clause 9B, which deals with the review of the early conciliation service one year after its introduction and then on a three-yearly basis. The clause needs to be slightly amended to address confidentiality issues, but that can be taken forward at Further Consideration Stage. Amendment No 8, which would introduce new clause 9C, is not being moved today, and I suspect that we will take that back to the Committee.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will now offer a few comments on the amendments in group 1, which come under the composite heading of "Tribunals and assessments". Clauses 1 to 4 deal with industrial tribunals, in particular early conciliation and neutral assessment. I very much support early conciliation and neutral assessment, because we must do all that we can to reduce confrontation and encourage resolution. That overall aim is not affected by the amendments. The Minister has indicated that he will oppose clauses 4 and 8 and that they will be replaced by new clause 9A, which is tabled as amendment No 6. New clause 9A will provide the Department rather than the Labour Relations Agency with the power to make regulations for the neutral assessment service.”
“As a member of the Employment and Learning Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak to some of the amendments in group 1. The Committee has been favourably disposed to the Bill, and a lot of work went into the scrutiny of it. I record my thanks to the Committee staff and all who have helped to bring the Bill to this stage. <BR /> <BR />The Bill has been some time in the making, but we accept that there is a need to modernise employment law. If we are to be a growing economy, we want to see good industrial relations, which can only be in the best interests of employers and employees. We must also ensure that we reduce bureaucracy to a minimum so that businesses can develop and expand without the need to attend to endless regulations and red tape.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. He may have touched on this. What plans are there for future housing development on the Girdwood site?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Are any other park-and-ride facilities proposed for the Upper Bann area?”
“Hopefully, these issues can be further explored and addressed as the Bill makes its way through Committee Stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill also seeks to amend the law on the vexed area of disclosures. I welcome the proposal that disclosures must satisfy a public interest test. <BR /> <BR />The Bill addresses the issue of good faith when a person makes an allegation. That is a complex area. The Bill proposes that a claim can no longer fail if a tribunal finds that it was not made in good faith. Instead, the issue of good faith now shifts from liability to remedy and the tribunal will have the power to reduce compensation by up to 25% if it finds that a disclosure has not been given in good faith. <BR /> <BR />Overall, I welcome the Bill as it addresses a number of areas that need to be modernised and clarified. However, I have concerns, as I have outlined.”
“It also said that a two-year period would give employers more time to train and assess new employees. When an organisation as important and central to the debate as the CBI makes those sorts of assertions, I think that the Minister and his officials should take note. The Department tells us that there is no consensus or that it cannot see any link between the unfair dismissal period and employment growth. To me, there must surely be some link between the period and employment potential. I am clearly not alone in that assessment. <BR /> <BR />Still on the issue of unfair dismissal, the Bill does not follow the UK Government's decision to place a 12-month pay cap on any compensation that the tribunal might make. Instead, we are modifying the retail price index formula. Further clarification will be needed on that as well.”
“Extra staff would need to be recruited and trained for that new process. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to the important issue of the qualifying period for unfair dismissal. The Department has said that, having taken all views and available evidence into account, it will not use the Bill to bring Northern Ireland into line with GB. In April 2012, the qualifying period was increased from one year to two. We remain at one year. If I were the owner of a business considering where to locate, I would look at that difference as a factor in making my decision. The failure to change our law to two years could have an adverse impact on employment potential in Northern Ireland. The CBI stated that the failure to extend the qualifying period places Northern Ireland at a competitive disadvantage with regard to foreign direct investment and recruitment.”
“In particular, I think that it is a good idea to introduce provisions in the Bill that would mean that most people would not be able to have a claim accepted by the industrial tribunal or fair employment tribunal unless they could show that they had gone to the Labour Relations Agency and the agency had offered conciliation. That would hopefully lead to a better outcome in some cases and prevent the need for formal procedures. I note however that the person is not under any legal obligation to actually engage in conciliation. All that they have to do is show that they have applied to the LRA. Perhaps that is an aspect for further consideration in Committee. For the early conciliation provisions to work effectively, it would be essential for them to be adequately resourced.”
“Our labour relations and industrial tribunal framework is not quite the same as that in GB, but the overall approach is similar. I am glad to see that we are putting more emphasis on the conciliation.”
“to quote the explanatory and financial memorandum. I want to be assured that everything possible is being done to help SMEs. The overwhelming majority of our businesses are SMEs, often family-run. As I know from personal experience, such businesses can face severe pressures in the marketplace. They need to be totally focused on growing and competing in a challenging market. The last thing that they want is to have to contend with red tape. I am keen to explore whether there are any ways that we can help via the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The Bill seeks to create a framework for early conciliation. That is something that I welcome. Formal proceedings are costly and time-consuming and can cause great stress to all concerned. They add to the burden on businesses and employees, who might feel under pressure to settle simply to avoid prolonged hassle.”
“It is crucial that we do all in our power to free businesses up to take full advantage of every opportunity and to make sure that they are not hampered by excessive red tape or by legislation that puts Northern Ireland at a disadvantage to the rest of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />I note that it was decided that no legislative action was required in the Bill to assist SMEs, as it was felt that that could be:”
“That seems to be a reasonable approach. I feel that, as far as possible, we need to strike a balance between the needs of employers and the rights of employees. However, another watchword must be "economy". The economy is a key driver for the Programme for Government; indeed, it is the key to our future as a society. If we can create wealth, we can rely less on the public sector and ensure a better standard of living for all our people. In my view, therefore, the Bill will serve the best interests of employers and employees if it helps to contribute towards the growth of our economy.”
“Just last week, we took evidence from a wide range of key stakeholders: the Department, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Law Centre NI, the Labour Relations Agency and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Employment and Skills. We will soon engage in detailed scrutiny in Committee, and I will restrict my comments today to the broader principles of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Under devolution, Northern Ireland is able to make its own employment law to suit its own needs. That gives us the flexibility to tailor our legislative and regulatory regime in such a way as it serves the best interests of employers and employees. The overall aim of the Bill is to modernise and improve the whole area of employment law and practice. Officials have said that the three watchwords in developing the Bill were "balance", "fairness" and "effectiveness".”
“I rise as a member of the Employment and Learning Committee to speak on the Bill. When I was a member of the Committee back in 2012, the foundations of the Bill were about to be laid. We had the Minister's review of employment law, and we had a good debate on the issues in the House in November 2012. Three years on and following a number of consultation exercises, the Bill was introduced on 7 December 2015. It is complex legislation, and, due to its late introduction, there is considerable pressure on the House and the Committee to make progress. <BR /> <BR />As a Committee, we have already given consideration to the Bill.”
“I would like to ask the Minister whether she accepts that there needs to be an urgent assessment — you talk about that — of statutory lough levels, which have not been looked at since, I am told, 1959. That is almost 60 years ago. Also, is there an opportunity here to make sure that the rivers, especially the River Bann at the mouth going into the lough, are dredged and that maintenance works are carried out in those rivers, which, the local community tells me, are contributing to a lot of the issues in Lough Neagh?”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, for accepting my question. I also thank the Minister for attending and for her response. I pay tribute to the sterling work that has been done by Rivers Agency staff and other agencies' staff since Christmas to try to protect homes and properties. <BR /> <BR />Focusing on the Lough Neagh issue, the flooding being experienced at this time is not just happening now but has been happening for a number of years. It is not just this year, although it has peaked at one of the highest levels at Lough Neagh for 30 years. We need to get something done, and done urgently. That is something that is coming through to me. I was out on the ground from shortly after Christmas until yesterday.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I note that Ministers discussed the ongoing issue of the lack of progress made on the management agreement. As the Minister is aware, that issue does not seem to be going anywhere, and the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee shares those frustrations. Can she confirm how many years have passed since we first sought to get the management agreement, and will she elaborate on what exactly she thinks writing jointly to the First Minister and the deputy First Minister will achieve?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. How do you plan to help existing businesses to prepare for the corporation tax reduction in 2018, especially in areas such as staff training, and I know that you have already mentioned apprenticeships? Can you give an indication of how your Department will work with DETI in preparation for 2018?”