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…”
The complete record
Every one of 1,655 lines we hold for Chris Lyttle, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 26 of 34.
“I welcome the opportunity to debate childcare at the Assembly. It is regrettable that not all parties appear to be represented here today. This is precisely the type of issue that the Assembly should be dealing with on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, and I thank the proposers of the motion for bringing it forward. I think that I overheard someone saying that I will attempt to pick holes in it, so I will flip that on its head and try to be as positive as I can, because this is an important issue and some important points have been put forward. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Employers For Childcare cost of childcare survey 2014, not least because I sponsored its launch at the Assembly. As people have said, it is an extremely important piece of work.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Does she agree that hunting with dogs is indeed a cruel, inhumane and ineffective approach to wildlife management and animal welfare? Will she bring forward legislation on that issue to be debated in the Assembly?”
“The deputy First Minister mentioned the key Programme for Government commitment on building a united community. One of the key commitments in the Together: Building a United Community strategy is tackling all manifestations of paramilitarism in our society. What more does the deputy First Minister think the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister can do to ensure that that is achieved?”
“We should have a vision for the Comber greenway to be an outstanding natural ecosystem and a linear park, to promote the active lifestyles needed for health and well-being, community, tourism and economic development in east Belfast, and well beyond. I hope we can hear that type of support for the Minister for Regional Development this evening.”
“There are walkers, dog walkers, joggers and cyclists, but we want to see a one-path initiative that will ensure proactive engagement with all users, awareness campaigns and, perhaps, the provision of basic equipment to promote and ensure mutual respect and understanding on the Comber greenway, delivering shared use without the need for segregation, and to ensure safe enjoyment of this fantastic asset. <BR /> <BR />If we can achieve that level of support for development on the Comber greenway, we can really maximise the immense benefit and potential of this outstanding, traffic-free greenway. It is, of course, a vital part of the cycle network, and will be vital to the Minister's cycling strategy, but it can be much more than just a transport corridor.”
“<BR /> <BR />Number two is capital improvements. There is a call to see, in particular, improvements to lighting on the Comber greenway, to assist with evening travel in winter months. Similar improvements are proving a real success on the other outstanding greenway in east Belfast, the Connswater Community Greenway. I hope that is the type of improvement that the Minister is minded to support. <BR /> <BR />Number three is the one-path initiative. There is a wide range of users on the greenway, and that is to be welcomed.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reason for the master plan is, in part, to see better connectivity to key areas across the Comber greenway, such as Dundonald, Ballyhackamore and Tullycarnet — as the proposer already mentioned — and North Road. It will ensure that the greenway can be made even more accessible to neighbourhoods and businesses in the surrounding area, as well as to the outstanding project of the Connswater Community Greenway at the Holywood Arches, where there will be a fantastic C S Lewis civic square, which will be a real nodal point of both greenways in east Belfast. Indeed, ensuring greater connectivity between greenways was a key recommendation of the Committee for Regional Development's cycling inquiry and, I am sure, something that the Minister would support as part of his cycling strategy.”
“It has been a pleasure for me to support the work of Sustrans, with the Minister for Regional Development and Transport NI — formerly the Roads Service — in working to ensure that we have installed toucan crossings throughout the journey of the Comber greenway, and at key points of the greenway, to ensure that walker and cyclist safety is maintained throughout its course. I am glad to support Sustrans' calls for specific support from the Minister for Regional Development, for the Comber greenway, and in three key ways in particular. Number one is to see a master plan for the development of the Comber greenway, a clear strategy, and a costed action plan. Two is to see modest capital improvements, and three is support for the one-path initiative.”
“I think that Oisin, in his tender seven years, summed up very well the importance of that traffic-free cycleway and walkway to the people of east Belfast and well beyond. It is an absolutely vital green space to support a natural ecosystem and sustainable active travel, and it promotes health and well-being, community development and community connectivity in an age when sedentary lifestyles pose a significant risk to all of that. It is essential, therefore, that we continue to protect, maintain and develop that outstanding community asset. <BR /> <BR />In my short time, I would like to recognise the excellent work of the active travel charity Sustrans in helping us achieve this aim, particularly the Sustrans volunteer wardens, who do sterling work to help maintain and promote safe use of the Comber greenway.”
“As a Member of the Assembly for East Belfast and chairperson of the all-party group on cycling, I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak strongly in favour of protecting, maintaining and developing the Comber greenway, which is an outstanding approximately seven miles of traffic-free cycleway and walkway in east Belfast and beyond. I thank the Member for bringing forward the debate this evening. <BR /> <BR />On the wall of my Assembly office is a letter from seven-year-old Oisin Doran. It was received by my predecessor and deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Naomi Long, and it inspired much of her work to ensure that the Comber greenway was not used for the Belfast rapid transit bus system, as previously supported by some Members of the Assembly. It reads:”
“I thank the Minister for acknowledging the hardship that has been caused to residents and businesses alike in Mersey Street and, indeed, on the Castlereagh Road. I appreciate her answer about not being able to issue a blanket rate rebate, but will she raise the issue at the Executive table with the Ministers who have responsibility for some of the agencies involved in those works to ensure that any other compensatory schemes that may be available are expedited as quickly as possible?”
“We also want leadership from the Minister for Regional Development on these key issues, and I hope that that will be possible at the Committee Stage of the Bill and, indeed, that the Executive will begin to demonstrate their ability to take difficult decisions and to govern for the common good of everyone in Northern Ireland.”
“The Minister for Employment and Learning put forward courageous, forward-thinking proposals on teacher training, but support and collective responsibility from the Ulster Unionist Party was lacking on those issues. Indeed, the Minister of Justice and the Minister for Employment and Learning have shown leadership in shared future-proofing every policy that they bring forward. <BR /> <BR />My party has also, however, acknowledged that the political intransigence of Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Greens on the Stormont House Agreement and welfare reform is costing the Executive and the people of Northern Ireland dearly, and we need urgent progress on that issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Executive Budget, as put forward by the Minister of Finance, shows that tough decisions are needed. This demonstrates a Minister who is reluctant to debate and put forward the difficult decisions that are needed on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland. The Alliance Party has been accused by the Ulster Unionist Party of politically motivated comments about some of these issues and of lacking collective responsibility. To that, I can say only that the Alliance Ministers in the Executive have endeavoured to show leadership on some very difficult decisions on difficult issues. For the Minister of Justice, legal aid budgets have been a very difficult process.”
“That shows clearly that there has been a failure on the part of the Minister to generate full and proper consideration of appropriate alternatives and recommendations that will be around 10 years old by the time this deferral is extended. The Committee Stage represents an opportunity for the Regional Development Committee to show leadership on the issue, to take evidence and to generate open, mature public debate on the two key issues facing water provision in Northern Ireland: financing and governance. How do we cover the full cost of water services, and what model do we need to bring forward to improve the capacity of Northern Ireland Water? Despite that, the proposals defer financing for yet another year, and, as far as I can see, they say absolutely nothing about governance. We need to see significant improvements in that regard.”
“We heard recently that the Department for Regional Development was struggling to provide adequate funding to Northern Ireland Water for operational and capital costs. We heard recently that, should the Minister's bid for June monitoring funds be unsuccessful, the Department could be around £20 million short of the funds necessary to deliver only the minimum required standards on street lighting, grass cutting, gully cleaning and general road maintenance, all of which are essential services for public safety and flood prevention in our community. <BR /> <BR />We also heard, when officials gave evidence at the Committee for Regional Development, that there is a wider issue. If there is an ongoing inability to modernise the water infrastructure and it does not keep pace, it could become an inhibitor on basic social and economic development.”
“This would provide a clearer picture of how our water and sewerage system is being paid for, with protections for vulnerable households. Northern Ireland Water may then have in part an improved borrowing capability for capital investment in its vital service. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Finance and Personnel said that the Budget was about tough choices, yet by continually deferring difficult decisions on many issues — on this occasion, water services, but on other fair revenue-raising and redistribution — the Executive are failing to adequately invest in our public services.”
“It is my understanding that our Minister of Finance and Personnel made similar comments in recent weeks. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party — and perhaps Mr Dallat will be eager to hear my contribution at this point — have been clear that we oppose the introduction of an additional water charge at this time, in line with the Executive agreement that we supported. This is primarily because other Executive parties have, frankly, failed to tackle waste and inefficiency in their Departments. We certainly do not want households to be paying additional fair water pricing simply to paper over the cracks of financial mismanagement by other parties. <BR /> <BR />Existing charges for water should be more open and transparent. They should be separated from the rates bill in an identifiable way, and no household should pay twice.”
“<BR /> <BR />That is quite concerning and a level of detail that I hope the Committee for Regional Development will be willing to go into at Committee Stage, because it is unfortunate that the debate today does not seem to have gone into that level of detail. It might be for that reason that the Chair of the Committee for Regional Development was quoted on 4 October 2014 as saying:”
“<BR /> <BR />The chair of the panel, in recent conversations, went as far as to suggest that the failure to introduce a fair pricing policy for water and services, coupled with the failure to establish a municipal company as recommended by the independent water review panel, meant that DRD was paying a subsidy out of taxpayers' contributions of around £270 million — say, £280 million today — to Northern Ireland Water; most likely a capital depreciation charge of around £200 million; and as a result of that model, Northern Ireland Water must borrow capital at a higher rate than if it was a stand-alone municipal company. <BR /> <BR />All of this could mean that households are, indirectly, paying more for the provision of water and sewerage services than if a direct charge of an additional £400 per household was introduced.”
“That is fairly clear. Unfortunately, as the chair of the panel acknowledged, reports were prepared, and the numerous recommendations and detailed proposals for alternative considerations appear to be sitting on a shelf somewhere today. <BR /> <BR />It is correct that concern exists in the community regarding any potential additional cost, which some have estimated could be in the region of £400 per year if all households pay the same amount. It has also been argued that if alternative proposals were considered in a robust and mature way, it could be possible to introduce a more progressive system of payment based on the ability to pay and could protect the most vulnerable.”
“The Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy, as Minister for Regional Development, concluded by saying:”
“He said that the Executive recognised this and had agreed that from 2009-2010, there would need to be additional contributions from householders. He said that:”
“However, noting the panel's conclusion that the revenue from the regional rate did not — and indeed does not — cover the full cost of water services, Mr Murphy said that:”
“Referring to the panel, the Minister said that the Executive:”
“Unfortunately, they seem to be hard choices that, to date, the Minister has been unwilling to even discuss or bring forward proposals on for us to consider. <BR /> <BR />Interestingly, the Executive response to the independent panel's strand one report was led by the Minister for Regional Development at the time, Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy. In his opening statement, the Minister paid tribute to the work of the panel. He stated clearly that:”
“It had at the forefront of its considerations a desire to avoid any increase in the pain that would be felt by poor families or any proposals that would cause any further poverty to them. It was keen to balance economic, social and environmental objectives. <BR /> <BR />Its initial findings were that public services in Northern Ireland have two main sources of income — the block grant from Westminster and the regional rate — and if water and sewerage services were paid for from either of these sources, there would be less available for other public services. The initial report stated that:”
“I am glad to help to restore public confidence: the Executive announced that privatisation would not be an option. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for Regional Development at the time set up the independent review panel to carry out comprehensive analysis of the reform process and also to make recommendations on the two key areas for water policy: how to cover to the costs of water provision and how we should govern the model that will do that. The panel's first report covered costs and funding. The second report dealt with governance. 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.”
“Indeed, it was at a time when the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly were suspended and the direct rule Administration had announced far-reaching reforms in relation to water and sewerage services. It proposed that the Water Service would become a government-owned company and that all households would be required to pay a direct water charge. The aim was to make the service self-financing. Understandably, there was significant concern about these proposals. Some people objected that they had already been paying for water through rates and should not have to pay twice. Some argued that water was a human right, not a commodity, and so should not be treated like other utilities. Some saw the creation of a Government-owned company as a step towards eventual privatisation and were opposed to the selling off of public assets.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention, but I will continue with my contribution. Maybe he will make his mind up about what exactly I am calling for. To be clear, we need an open and honest debate. We have a contribution of around £280 million — out of a DRD budget that is struggling to make ends meet — going towards subsidising the full cost of water services in Northern Ireland. That is £280 million lost to other vital public services. We cannot put our head in the sand and pretend that it is a straightforward policy. We need to look at it in detail and be clear about the priorities that we are making via that decision. <BR /> <BR />Significant work has already been done in this policy area. In 2007, the independent water review panel did some detailed work on water policy.”
“The current model does little to help vulnerable households that live in fear every time we see heavy rain and have concern for the damage that flooding can cause to their homes. <BR /> <BR />We should not reduce the debate to misrepresentative political campaigning. I am glad that we have not seen too much of that yet today. We need mature, open and honest debate around what we are going to prioritise in the Department for Regional Development's budget and, indeed, in the Executive's Budget.”
“<BR /> <BR />The provision of water and sewerage services for everyone in Northern Ireland is indeed a serious and important matter. It is estimated that it will cost Northern Ireland around £2·8 billion to address waste water infrastructure issues. My understanding is that an investment of £750 million is required to address Belfast's waste water treatment alone. Those are indeed significant investments that are needed if we are to meet those targets. It is also a serious matter because it is central to health, safety, environmental protection and social and economic development in Northern Ireland. People in my constituency know painfully well that the current level of investment in water and sewerage infrastructure is not enough.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill also promotes more sustainable means of managing surface water to reduce the volume of surface water being carried and treated by Northern Ireland Water's sewerage system. Many constituents will welcome that provision. I know that many of my constituents in East Belfast have seen significant trouble when combined sewerage systems are in place. <BR /> <BR />The Bill also includes powers to require new sewerage that will be connected to the public sewerage network to be constructed to standards that NI Water can then adopt. The Minister has mentioned a keen commitment to introducing sustainable urban drainage. Again, many constituents who live in fear of heavy rain will welcome those particular developments as well.”
“It does mention that there will be consultation, but I think that is a significant development that the Committee will want to consider as well. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will also introduce measures to streamline obligations on NI Water to produce water resources management plans and drought plans. That is to be welcomed. It will give the Department power to remove the requirement on NI Water to install meters at domestic properties connecting for the first time to the public water supply. I think that needs to be examined in more detail as well. If there is to be any type of universal application of any additional fair water pricing in the future, that may well be a key component in relation to that, so it is important that we at least examine it in detail at Committee Stage.”
“As MLAs mentioned, there are the key proposals to extend the delay of water charges for another year to include 2016-17; the power for DRD to pay Northern Ireland Water in place of those deferred water charges with taxpayer contributions, which are currently around £280 million per year; and a proposal to give DRD an enabling power to pay a subsidy in future by way of subordinate legislation.”
“However, I think that the reason why that will happen is primarily because there is no viable alternative that could be delivered within the time frame that has been created by a lack of action by the Minister on the issue. That is disappointing. There is an urgent need to consider alternatives and to look at how the significant funding that will be required to invest adequately in our water infrastructure will be found. <BR /> <BR />There are some extremely encouraging aspects of the Bill; however, some cause me significant concern.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Water and Sewerage Services Bill and, hopefully, to get into the detail of the significant issues more than we have been able to do recently. I thought that it would be a fairly robust debate, but it seems that harmony has broken out across the Chamber, further to a few fairly robust debates in relation to the Minister of late. Maybe he will be glad to see that development, but, if I am honest, I am not sure that I will contribute to that harmony. <BR /> <BR />I foresee the Bill passing to Committee Stage, and I am certainly committed to interacting wholeheartedly with it at that stage and to ensuring that it is a constructive process.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I appreciate his contribution so far. He said that the Bill will ensure that the commitment to avoid the introduction of an additional domestic water charge in this mandate. It is my understanding that the Bill extends the deferral of additional domestic water charging beyond this mandate and into 2016-17.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and absolutely agree that the performing arts are to be supported, not least for the sector's potential for economic growth. What more leadership can the Minister and her Department show to support, and invest in, the performing arts in Northern Ireland?”
“Why, in a climate of such scarce resources, has OFMDFM failed to use around £8 million of a £12 million budget set aside for childcare in 2011-15? How will the proposed UK tax-free childcare scheme apply to Northern Ireland?”
“The Assembly should carefully consider that type of advice before progressing with such an amendment, and, indeed, it should consider the safety of our young people to be paramount. I therefore have concerns about the amendment and think that it should be given more full and proper consideration in due course.”
“That would, of course, meet the desire of many people to introduce young people to the sport and permit the development of competitive shooting talent from a reduced age. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, it may be worth noting that evidence that was given to the Committee by the Deer Society noted:”
“<BR /> <BR />Although it is, therefore, premature to go into too much detail on them, the Alliance Party believes that 11 years old is not an appropriate age for a child to be able to operate a firearm, or, indeed, to take part in live targeting, shooting and hunting. It is worth noting that the PSNI also indicated that it would have concerns about that proposition. <BR /> <BR />What is more appropriate is the departmental proposal, which, I understand, is for young shooters, beginning at the age of 12, to be restricted to inanimate object shooting. I understand that restricting young people to clay disciplines with shotguns can enable them to learn safe firearms handling in a controlled environment with suitable supervision.”
“Despite Paul Girvan's protestations about a lack of action on some of these issues, the Justice Committee will be aware that the Department of Justice is working towards the reform of shooting licensing laws in Northern Ireland. Those are issues that will be before the Committee and that can be given full and proper consideration in due course. <BR /> <BR />It does seem, therefore, that some Members have indeed jumped the gun on this occasion and sought to add amendments to the Further Consideration Stage of the Justice Bill rather than to allow that process to take its course. However, we heard a conciliatory contribution today, so there will be work to be done together on those issues.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on the final group of amendments. I am substituting for my learned colleague and Justice Committee member Stewart Dickson MLA today although, given that Paul Frew thinks that young people are listening to the Spice Girls, I may be doing so from a slightly more informed position than I thought. Indeed, I was expecting a slightly more contemporary calibre of cultural references, given that the Committee Chairperson also referenced a 1960's heavy metal band. However, that is something that they can consider in the round before taking a more targeted approach at the next stage. <BR /> <BR />I certainly express concerns on behalf of the Alliance Party about this group.”
“It is consistent with my experience of the people of Berkeley, of California and of America as a peace-loving, welcoming people with a special affection for the people of Ireland. I hope that the same level of compassion and professionalism will be demonstrated in properly investigating the tragedy. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party also supports the Mayor of Belfast and the US consul general, Greg Burton, as they open a book of condolences in Belfast City Hall today. I assure the families and all those affected by the tragedy that the Assembly stands with them and sends out a clear message of sympathy and support to them today.”
“As someone who studied at the University of California and spent time in Berkeley in 2001, on behalf of the Alliance Party I extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the students who died in such tragic circumstances in Berkeley, California last week. It is impossible to comprehend the grief and loss that the families are experiencing at this time, but I assure them that the Members of the Assembly extend their thoughts, prayers and support to them at this time. Indeed, the people of Ireland share their arm with those families at this time. <BR /> <BR />I recognise the professionalism and compassion with which the people of Berkeley have responded to the tragedy.”
“Can I ask the deputy First Minister what the outstanding issues with the EU Peace and Reconciliation Programme IV are? How will those be overcome, when will the programme open and how will it be linked with the OFMDFM regional good relations strategy, Together: Building a United Community?”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister of Education's recent attendance at the launch of the EastSide Learning Partnership, and I hope that that will be a collective effort between teachers, parents and elected representatives to work together to ensure that we improve provision in East Belfast and work along the key aims of raising aspiration and the value that we put on education —”
“We can try to provide them with the informal information on oversubscription that they need to improve the order of choices that they make about preschool and nursery provision. <BR /> <BR />I welcomed a recent opportunity I had with my colleague Judith Cochrane MLA to meet the Education Authority about the need for more places in East Belfast. I was encouraged by the Education Authority's responsiveness to the need to work up development proposals to increase admission numbers in East Belfast, in particular at Strandtown Primary School and, indeed, other primary schools. I, too, hope that the Minister will be able to give his commitment to deal with any such proposal as promptly as possible to ensure a resolution to that issue.”