Chris Lyttle
East Belfast · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“The Department for Communities, councils, the Department for the Economy, further education stakeholders, the Department of Health and the Department of Finance all responded with their perspectives on and experiences of the provision of free period products and with ways in which the Bill's provisions could be coordinated and funded.”
“That is an important start in support of the implementation of the provisions of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The Education Committee undertook Committee Stage scrutiny of this cross-cutting Bill — I am proud that we did — on behalf of other relevant subject Committees.”
“and fighting our corners in media studios. Perhaps the hosts of some of those programmes see fit to encourage that type of approach, but I am thankful for the level of cooperation between parties on the key issues and hope that that will be the legacy for the next Assembly.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to move the Final Stage of the Fair Employment (School Teachers) Bill. It will remove the anachronistic exception of teachers from the Fair Employment and Treatment Order (FETO) and ensure that it is no longer possible for any teacher to be discriminated against because of their religio…”
“This opportunity has been made possible by a collective effort from many people, and I put on record my thanks to research officer Connie Egan and constituency officer Nick Mathison for the work that they contributed to the Bill's progress.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank my Assembly colleagues without whom the Bill would not have progressed to this stage and would not pass. I thank Sinead for the role that she played as Chairperson of the Executive Office Committee and for the time that she made available to me outside of Bill stages and Committee meetings, which, as I said, made the…”
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“I ask the Minister whether he made representations to Four Seasons Health Care to request that they reconsider the closure, or timescale for closure, of residential nursing homes. How many of the residents affected by the closures are still to be relocated? I also ask for an update on his review of residential nursing care in Northern Ireland.”
“I hope that he or she and the Executive will begin to demonstrate their ability to take difficult decisions and govern for the good of everyone in Northern Ireland on these issues.”
“It is possible, therefore, that households are actually indirectly paying more for the current provision of water and sewerage services than if a clear and identifiable direct charge were applied. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Finance and Personnel said that our Budget left us with tough choices. Yet, by continually deferring difficult decisions on many issues — on this occasion, it is water services, but other fair revenue-raising and redistribution measures are being deferred — the Executive and the Minister are failing to be able to adequately invest in our public services. That means that there are serious challenges ahead for the funding and governance of water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland that will need real leadership from the Minister, who will be the Minister for Infrastructure in the new Executive.”
“The reports have been prepared, the recommendations made and the alternatives put forward, but they remain sitting on shelves. I understand the public concern in relation to potential additional charges. It has been estimated that, were they to be introduced and not deferred, as is the case with the Bill, they could be in the region of £400 per year. It is my understanding, however, that a failure to establish a municipal company, as recommended by the panel, means that DRD must continue its subsidy of taxpayer contributions of around £270 million. There most likely will also be a capital depreciation charge of around £200 million. As a result, this model leaves Northern Ireland Water borrowing capital at a higher rate and in a more limited way than if it was a stand-alone company.”
“He also said that the Executive had accepted the case made by the report that, without an uplift in what people currently contribute, other public services will be deprived of funding. That remains the case. There is a price for the populism around the issue. We recognise that and support the current position, but we think that there is an urgent need to address the issues.”
“Unfortunately, the Bill fails to take those hard choices. Consecutive Ministers have been unwilling even to discuss or bring forward alternatives for us to consider. That is despite the fact that previous Ministers, including Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy, agreed with the panel's message and agreed that there was a need to develop more sustainable ways of delivering clean water and disposing of our sewage. He stated:”
“My understanding is that the Bill refers to a deferral of raising investment for water services in Northern Ireland. That is why I am referring to recommendations that have been made on how that could be done alternatively. The panel stated:”
“I will seek your guidance on how that does not relate to the Bill, given that the Bill defers investment in water charges. I ask that sincerely.”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2007, the independent water review panel did detailed work on water policy. It recommended a government-owned company, or a municipal company, and that all households be required to pay a direct water charge. The panel was made up of substantial experience, knowledge and skills, from Utility Regulation to representation of consumers' interests, social justice, economic research, sociology and social policy.”
“<BR /> <BR />Officials gave evidence at the Committee for Regional Development and stated that, if there is an ongoing inability to modernise the water infrastructure, and it does not keep pace, it could become an inhibitor of basic social and economic development. That clearly shows that there is a need to address the issue. There is a need to generate open, mature political debate on the two key issues facing water provision in Northern Ireland; namely, financing and governance. My understanding is that an investment of £750 million is required to address Belfast's waste water treatment alone. It is my understanding that the Living With Water programme states that Belfast's waste water treatment works is receiving more sewage than it is designed to treat. From where is the money needed to address those serious issues going to come?”
“At some point in the near future, the Executive, political parties and Members of the Assembly will have to get real about helping to address it. <BR /> <BR />We have heard that the Department for Regional Development is struggling to provide adequate funding for Northern Ireland Water for operational and capital costs. We also know that funds are only adequate enough to deliver the minimum required standards of street lighting, grass cutting, gully cleaning and general road maintenance, and that those services have been hard for the Department for Regional Development to deliver. All are essential services for public safety and flood prevention in our community.”
“We certainly do not want households to pay additional, fair water pricing simply to paper over the cracks of financial mismanagement. <BR /> <BR />The decision to extend the delay of water charges and indeed to pay a subsidy to Northern Ireland Water with taxpayer contributions in the region of £280 million a year does, however, come at a price. It has consequences and, indeed, it limits significantly Northern Ireland Water's borrowing capacity. That issue has been referred to in the Northern Ireland Water annual report, which finds that the hybrid business model that is required by the Department for Regional Development for Northern Ireland Water is unsuitable for the delivery of water and sewerage services. That is a serious issue, and one that the Bill has deferred to address.”
“Well, I thank the Member for his intervention regardless; it gives me an opportunity to differentiate between them. My clarification is for the benefit of John Dallat, who frequently comments on the Alliance Party's position on the issue, and the DUP, which has factually — I can produce them — produced inaccurate leaflets on Alliance Party policy on water in my constituency. I hope that that is adequate clarification for John. OK: John Dallat and the SDLP do not deliver leaflets on the Alliance Party position on water policy. Job done. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party policy on water charges is that, in line with the Executive agreement that we supported, we oppose the introduction of additional water charges at this time. This is primarily because other Executive parties have, frankly, failed to tackle waste and inefficiency.”
“There has been a failure on the part of consecutive Regional Development Ministers to generate full and proper consideration of appropriate alternatives and recommendations that are now almost 10 years old. <BR /> <BR />For the benefit of John Dallat, the SDLP and indeed the DUP, who are very fond of delivering inaccurate and inflammatory leaflets on my behalf in my constituency, I will make it clear: the Alliance Party —”
“<BR /> <BR />Some positive aspects of the Bill are to be commended, such as the water resource management plans and drought plans; the commitment to sustainable urban drainage; and powers to require new sewerage that will be connected to the public sewerage network to be constructed to standards that NI Water can adopt. Those developments will all be welcomed by the many constituents who live in fear of heavy rain. <BR /> <BR />There are, however, failings in the Bill. Whatever elected representatives want to continue saying in the Assembly, there is undoubtedly and clearly an urgent and well-overdue need to look seriously at how water and sewerage services in Northern Ireland are governed and funded.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill's Final Stage. The provision of water and sewerage services is indeed an important matter for everyone in Northern Ireland. Those services are central to health, safety, environmental protection and social and economic development. They maintain the housing infrastructure that we have. They allow us to add more housing. They allow us to maintain and generate greater economic development. They are central to flood prevention. People in my constituency and across Northern Ireland know painfully well that the current level of investment in water and sewerage infrastructure is not enough and they have suffered serious flooding in recent years as a result.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he accept that there may be legitimate concern about the DUP's commitment to inclusion when our now First Minister refers to colleagues as "rogue" Ministers and that there are barriers such as that for us to overcome?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. His party has just made a case for why there should be no reductions in this institution for the next five years but sweepingly criticised "quangoland" for not making reductions. How does that stack up?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. We understand that the reason why the DUP supports 2021 for the change to be made is that it was unable to get agreement for 2016. It might want to reflect on why people were unable to agree with them about 2016. I ask the Member whether he sincerely and genuinely thinks that it would be helpful if we got more of an explanation from those parties as to why they have concerns about 2016 rather than 2021.”
“In conclusion, the Alliance Party is clear that the Bill will be for the common good. It will also be in the interests of effective power-sharing government and in favour of well-resourced, efficient public services for everyone in our community, now in 2016 rather than delaying it until 2021.”
“How have we done in relation to that key element of promoting inclusion and a shared society in Northern Ireland? Mr Attwood mentioned that he had heard no mention of the importance of inclusion. I have not heard any great deal of detail about how else we will deliver that in Northern Ireland, outside of the numbers in the Assembly.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I absolutely respect the hard work that has taken place to build peace in Northern Ireland. I genuinely remain at a loss as to the difference between 2016 and 2021 and the impact that the change would have on inclusion here in our society. If there is a concern that it will impact on inclusion here in 2016, what will have changed by 2021? That is my question. <BR /> <BR />There are other equally, if not even more, important tasks for the Executive and the Assembly in order to build a united community here in Northern Ireland. I was specific in responding to the challenge for having in any way brought disdain on achievements that were made. I specifically asked about that explicit aim of the Good Friday Agreement to encourage and facilitate integrated education and mixed housing.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reduction should also take place in line with the reduction in Departments and the rest of government reform here in Northern Ireland. Perhaps, most importantly, at a time when this Executive and Assembly are seeking to distribute scarce resources, this reduction, I understand, could save around £11 million over five years. Some may say that that seems like modest savings, but resources could go a very long way for a lot of hardworking families here in Northern Ireland. The saving could be £11 million over five years. My understanding is that the childcare budget for 2011 to 2015 was around £12 million. That puts into perspective the scale of savings and resource reallocation that the policy could make here and now in 2016, if the parties showed some courage and leadership on this particular issue.”
“What has their delivery towards inclusion been on those particular issues, which are equally as important as how this Assembly and Executive are made up? <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party, I think, supports the proposal in principle, but, again, I see no adequate explanation as to why it needs to be delayed until 2021. For me and my party, the rationale is clear and strong: Northern Ireland is over-governed. We have substantially more MLAs per head than Scotland and Wales. It has been said that we have a unique context as a deeply divided society. We agree with that, but we think that it is just as important that OFMDFM delivers a robust good relations shared future strategy for the whole of Northern Ireland to build a united community, just as much as the numbers in this Assembly.”
“The SDLP and Mr Attwood spoke at length in relation to the important principle of inclusion. That is at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement, and it is a principle that the Alliance Party stands over wholeheartedly. He said that we should not, therefore, reduce the issue to one of numbers. I agree with him, but, at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement in relation to delivering inclusion and a shared society here in Northern Ireland, was also writ large the task for all of us to stand over solely peaceful and democratic means and to encourage and facilitate integrated education and mixed housing. How does Mr Attwood assess the offices that have been primarily responsible for those particular issues, most notably OFMDFM, which has included, at times, the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP?”
“It is, of course, for the principle of inclusion to continue to be at the heart of our power-sharing Government and Assembly in Northern Ireland, but it is absolutely for more efficient and more effective government that delivers here and now in 2016. So I ask this again: why is that being delayed until 2021? <BR /> <BR />If I am being fair to them, I think, from Mr McIlveen's contribution, that the DUP has suggested that it perhaps supports the change for May 2016, although no one has made that clear. They seemed to imply that disagreement from other political parties was what was holding them back on the issue. Again, I give them an opportunity to make it clear, because as it stands, their position is to delay this until 2021.”
“Junior Minister Mrs Emma Pengelly rather skilfully misrepresented my position in the last section of the debate as wanting to have more talk on the issue and skilfully presented her position and that of the DUP as wanting to get on with it. As I say, their getting on with it amounts to delaying the issue until 2021, which, to date, I really have not understood. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party has long supported a reduction in the number of MLAs. We support the proposal that has been set out. We see no significant impediment to that reduction taking place for the next Assembly election in May 2016. It would appear that this is a reasonably straightforward issue. All parties appear to agree in principle, the public sentiment is for more efficient and more effective government and the parties seem to agree on that as well.”
“This has been one of the most surreal debates that I have been involved in during my time in the Assembly. I think every contributor so far has said that they support the principle of reducing the number of MLAs in line with this proposal from 108 to 90; that is, from six MLAs to five MLAs for each of the 18 constituencies. Yet, to date, I do not think that anyone has adequately explained why that needs to wait until 2021, rather than for the next election in May 2016. I am happy to give way to people so that they can make a better effort at explaining it, because I genuinely have not heard an adequate explanation. <BR /> <BR />I am grateful for the opportunity to respond on behalf of the Alliance Party.”
“As a party that fully stands behind and supports inclusion, how would the impact on inclusion be different in 2016 as opposed to 2021? Why does the Member believe that the change should be made in 2021 rather than 2016 on those grounds?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will he explain how delaying the decision until 2021 is grasping the nettle?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I welcome that £3 million has been taken out of the hands of criminals and returned to the community. Would the Minister encourage community groups to apply for the fund via the local PCSPs before the deadline of 29 January 2016?”
“Public sentiment is clearly for more efficient, more effective government, which raises this question: why wait until 2021? Why not deliver it for 2016? That is what should be accelerated rather than the need for accelerated passage.”
“The Alliance Party agrees that accelerated passage is not a good practice. The junior Minister has set out reasons why she thinks that it is needed: in my opinion — I think that the public will see this clearly as well — the reasons for the delay were the Sinn Féin blockage of the welfare reform deal that, subsequently, it appears to have agreed in large part and the DUP Executive hokey-cokey. As a result, two important government reforms — the restructuring of Departments and the reduction of MLAs — will have gone through via accelerated passage. That is not good practice, and the Alliance Party puts that on record. <BR /> <BR />This is a relatively straightforward issue. It is a proposal to reduce the number of MLAs from 108 to 90 and from six to five in each of the 18 constituencies. The parties agree with it in principle.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I extend sincere thanks for his attendance at the debate this evening. I echo the calls for a first-class cycle storage facility on the estate. Another issue raised with me was to request the presence of a defibrillator, given the extent of the events that are going on in the estate now, if, indeed, that does not already exist. I just want to put that on the record. Thank you again, Minister.”
“Hopefully, the Minister can commit to work on that, given the good positive working relationship that the estate management team has contributed to a wide range of provision on the estate. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the Stormont estate has significant economic, tourist, community, health and sporting potential on a local, regional and international level. My party and I are wholly committed to contributing everything that we can to realise that potential and to ensure that we maximise the public benefit of the estate for everyone in our community.”
“I also think of the reconciliation and reflection zone on Stormont estate. I know that many church groups come to Stormont estate to reflect and pray for the health and well-being of the Government here and of our community. <BR /> <BR />I think also of the Pavilion facility, which is associated with the Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association, and of the PlayBall facility, which opens up Stormont estate for sporting potential for people across the community and which has hosted international world-class cricket match events. It is my understanding that that organisation is in need of assistance from the Department of Finance and Personnel to ensure that that aspect of the Stormont estate is as accessible as possible to the public, particularly from the Upper Newtownards Road entrance.”
“I commend the vision of the now retired, I believe, Stormont estate manager, Sam McCready, for the work that he did with the parkrun staff and volunteers to permit that type of event to take place and to showcase the potential of the Stormont estate. I commend the new estate management team, which, I believe, is providing ongoing valuable assistance to ensure that the success of Stormont estate parkrun continues. I understand that there are a few park runners on the estate management team. I am grateful for the ongoing work in that regard. <BR /> <BR />There are many other assets to Stormont estate. The Mo Mowlam children's playground has been mentioned. I confess to making use of that playground regularly with my own children and to perhaps getting too involved and enjoying the facilities more than I should.”
“It is safe, easy and fun to take part in. It has real health benefits. It encourages volunteering and community cohesion. I was glad to be joined by Máirtín Ó Muilleoir at the inaugural event in August last year. It really is a great way to have fun, get healthy and meet new people. I think it is only right that Stormont estate facilitates that type of event for our local community. <BR /> <BR />On 16 January last, there were 172 participants in the Stormont estate parkrun. It is my understanding that, on New Year's Day, a new record for parkrun in Northern Ireland was set when there were over 500 runners participating in that particular event.”
“There has also been the Strive for Five by the Square Wheels Cycle Club, which is based in Moy and undertakes an Atlantic-coast-to-Titanic-coast cycle that has finished at Stormont estate on a number of occasions and aims to raise awareness and funds for Diabetes UK. <BR /> <BR />Stormont estate also has significant community benefit potential through a wide range of events that encourage community and volunteering activity. It was a privilege of mine to play a very small part in helping to establish parkrun on the Stormont estate. I pay tribute to volunteers like Mel Boyle and the parkrun staff, who were able to establish an all-ability opportunity for people in the local community to engage in a 5 km run every Saturday morning here in Stormont estate. Parkrun is a free weekly 5 km timed run that is open to everyone.”
“I think that, as other Members set out, whilst it is important that we seek to host events of that scale, it is also important that we keep paramount the concern for the amenity of the local community and residents in the surrounding area when delivering those events. <BR /> <BR />Stormont estate has huge civic potential. There has been a wide range of charitable events on the estate. I think of Runher and Run in the Dark, as well as a running event that I had the privilege to sponsor for Chest, Heart and Stroke and Strandtown Primary School. I thank Principal McClenaghan for agreeing to run round with me in that particular event. I think that he had to slow down significantly. My running pace is not what it used to be.”
“The Stormont estate belongs to the public, and I believe that, as stewards of the Assembly, it is our responsibility to maximise the public benefit of it for everyone in our community. <BR /> <BR />Stormont estate has significant potential. It has significant economic and tourism potential. We have seen a number of world-class events associated with Stormont estate. I think of the Giro d'Italia in 2014. I remember lining the route of the competition. What a world-class event that was hosted in the estate and what an atmosphere it generated not only here in Belfast but right across the community. We had the Crashed Ice event and international concerts.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the use of the Stormont estate. Parliament Buildings is iconic in Northern Ireland and internationally. Indeed, the surrounding estate is beautifully managed and kept. I, too, pay tribute to the staff in Parliament Buildings and on the Stormont estate for the hard work and excellence that they bring to this place.”
“There are a number of important factors in relation to teacher training, including economics and public finance. Does the Minister think that it is fair to the dreams of the individual who sorely wants to teach in Northern Ireland that we are training far too many teachers in Northern Ireland?”
“Will the Minister update the House on the work of the financial services academy to provide people with the skills necessary to gain employment in the growing financial services sector? How many jobs has his Assured Skills programme managed to deliver?”
“Let us hope that that is not the legacy that the Minister leaves in relation to Cairn Wood.”
“Recently, the Minister revealed that there is opposition from various groups. I urge her to listen to those comments and to the thousands of people who have signed the petition, including, it would seem, her constituency and party colleague Jim Shannon MP. I urge her therefore to give urgent and serious attention to the issue before it is too late. As Peter Mason from Holywood stated:”
“Since then, Alliance's Councillor Muir has secured the support of Ards and North Down Borough Council in the campaign to stop the sale, and, last Wednesday, councillors voted in favour of his motion to call on the Minister for Regional Development to keep Cairn Wood forest in public use on the same basis as enjoyed by many people for decades. <BR /> <BR />I commend Councillor Muir for his work on the campaign and for establishing the petition, which has provided many people with an opportunity to submit their support for saving Cairn Wood. Debbie Nelson, for instance, said:”
“<BR /> <BR />It is my understanding that Ards and North Down Borough Council was offered the opportunity to purchase the site in 2014 but, sadly, declined, despite calls by my Alliance Party colleagues to consult users and to undertake an economic appraisal to establish viability and potential costs of ownership. With the council refusing to examine the issue, it appears that Northern Ireland Water proceeded to explore the sale. That was unknown to councillors until 20 November 2015 when my colleague Alliance councillor Andrew Muir received a phone call from a constituent concerned that Cairn Wood was up for sale on a property website.”
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to present the petition, which has been signed by over 2,500 people who are concerned with the planned sale of Cairn Wood forest. <BR /> <BR />Many people are involved in the campaign to save Cairn Wood forest, and I thank those who have travelled to the Assembly for the presentation of the petition. From speaking to them, it is clear that they strongly believe that, if Cairn Wood were sold to a private bidder, we would lose a valuable public asset and a haven that is enjoyed by many people from my constituency of East Belfast and from the constituencies of North Down and Strangford and beyond.”
“I thank the First Minister for her response. Given that she will be aware that the cost of childcare for families in Northern Ireland continues to be a significant expenditure, I ask the First Minister when will the full childcare strategy be published and will it include specific action plans, with clearly identified budget items? Will the Executive maintain the full level of funding for the women's centre childcare fund in 2016-17?”