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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“<BR /> <BR />The Minister will also say that he is allocating sufficient funding to the provision of preschool and primary places, but the issue is not just one of finance. As many MLAs have said, not just the Minister but elected representatives, teachers and the community all have a part to play in these issues, particularly in improving area planning. There should also be better coordination of the available resources, and, as has been mentioned, the provision of timely information to parents should be improved to assist them in navigating what is a challenging application process. I do not think that we can overstate that point. As other MLAs said today, we can go a long way to alert parents at the appropriate time about when the applications must be submitted.”
“That oversubscription has associated consequences, as many MLAs have pointed out today. It raises anxiety and confusion amongst families in our constituency, as well as a sense of a lack of fairness and common sense in the system. The Minister will, of course, respond to that ably and say that parents are advised of alternative options and that eventually most pupils will be placed in an appropriate preschool and primary school setting. The question is this: how reasonably located are some of those alternatives? As my colleague Judith Cochrane MLA suggested, how many parents and children does that exclude who have given up on the process altogether, such has been their frustration with it?”
“My understanding is that, in our primary school sector, approximately eight primary school settings in East Belfast are oversubscribed and that, whilst we are not discussing it today, there are also schools in our post-primary settings in East Belfast that are oversubscribed. Indeed, my colleague Anna Lo MLA made reference to what seemed to be quite a serious oversubscription issue at Lagan College this year. That, of course, also affects families in East Belfast who have a strong preference to send their children to an integrated school setting.”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to contribute on the issue of preschool and primary-school provision in East Belfast. I take the opportunity to pay tribute to the teachers and schools in East Belfast that are serving our children and young people so well. I also pay tribute to the parent-teacher associations, which are central to the life and well-being of our schools. <BR /> <BR />I understand that approximately 15 preschool settings were oversubscribed in East Belfast at the end of stage 1 of the preschool admissions process this year, and that included nursery schools, nursery units attached to primary schools, and voluntary and private settings.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. The motion clearly states that the concern is over-reliance. There is no confusion in that. Of course the Committee will support monitoring round bids, but the concern is over-reliance. Indeed, yesterday, there was a motion supporting the need for additional funds for disability transport schemes.”
“Is the Member seriously diminishing the need for a high standard of water quality in our community with his party policy on Europe?”
“We need him to show leadership; we cannot have a passive Minister in taking the tough decisions that are necessary, and we look forward to hearing how he intends to deal with these challenges today.”
“We have heard also that around £750 million is required for the Belfast drainage plan, so where is the leadership, and what are the Minister's alternatives for trying to deal with those particular issues? <BR /> <BR />My party absolutely acknowledges that the political intransigence around the Stormont House Agreement and welfare reform is costing the Executive and the people of Northern Ireland dearly, and we hope to see progress from Sinn Féin, SDLP and the Greens in that regard. We also need to see much more leadership from the Minister for Regional Development, and perhaps he can set out clearly today where exactly he believes the pressures are coming from for his Department for the Committee to work on those issues.”
“The Executive have taken a clear decision not to introduce any type of water pricing for the foreseeable future, and the Alliance Party was part of that decision, but at what point will the Minister show some leadership by at least exploring some of the alternatives and issues? <BR /> <BR />The Department for Regional Development is also at risk of EU infraction proceedings for failing to introduce a water pricing policy that encourages conservation. The infrastructure is not just at risk in Northern Ireland; the EU has commenced infraction proceedings against the UK on 17 sites, one of which is in Ballycastle. My understanding is that that is for a breach of the waste water treatment directive.”
“The Committee learnt last week that, should the Minister's bid for June monitoring funds be unsuccessful, his 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 />Of course there are tough decisions as to what should be prioritised, so simply sweeping aside water charges as unfair when the subsidy of £300 million a year for water pricing is being prioritised over issues that are essential to the safety and well-being of the public and to protect their properties is inadequate. We need to have open debate and discussion.”
“When people put forward alternatives, we are misrepresented by the Minister, unexpectedly. I expect better from the Minister than resorting to misrepresenting Alliance Party policy on these issues. When we put forward alternatives, they are brushed aside with the comment that water charging is the only suggestion that the Alliance has. That is a grossly inadequate contribution and I expect more from the Minister. <BR /> <BR />There is an over-reliance on in-year monitoring.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Member for his intervention and I note the comments of Mr Hussey. The fact remains that there are at least four political parties here, perhaps even more, that are expressing their concern on this issue. To reduce it to the critique of political point scoring is inadequate in itself, but I am sure we will hear more of that. Indeed, yesterday, we heard plenty from Mr Beggs and Mr Swann, who were criticising the lack of alternatives and the lack of collective responsibility. Where was the Ulster Unionist Party's support when the Alliance Minister for Employment and Learning brought forward sound proposals on the rationalisation of teacher training and the savings that could be made? Where was the collective responsibility then?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I think —”
“I support the motion. It is only right that the Committee for Regional Development express its serious concern that the Minister for Regional Development is operating a budget that is at risk of exceeding its limits. I listened with interest to Mr Hussey raise concerns about the DUP playing "silly games" with Ulster Unionist Ministers. That did not seem to stop the Ulster Unionist Party entering headlong into electoral pacts with the DUP, so it is a bit late in the day to be playing that fiddle.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will the Member explain why he feels that a Minister who is at risk of spending beyond his budgetary control limits is playing the correct financial game?”
“— potential changes to water pricing, which takes up £300 million of the Budget every year. I think it is time that we recognise the impact of these decisions on the most vulnerable in our community, and I look forward to hearing from him today.”
“My understanding is that, in Wales for example, the comparable mobility centre is receiving in the region of £280,000 per year funding and is delivering a similar level of service. So, we want to hear from the Minister about how he is going to address that. Unfortunately, the reduction to the mobility centre also means that we will have a decrease from eight centres across Northern Ireland to only three. <BR /> <BR />We need to take into consideration the impact of delays and intransigence from Sinn Féin, SDLP and the Greens on welfare reform, but the Minister must also show leadership in considering other issues in his Department. He has shown little leadership to consider —”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. He is inaccurate. Alliance Party Executive Ministers voted against the Budget and expressed concerns in relation to it. I will come to his question later in my contribution, but what we are detailing here is a disproportionate reduction to services for older people and people with a disability in our community, which, ultimately, will affect the mobility and independence of the people who need that most. <BR /> <BR />The mobility centre is providing a vital service as well. It is delivering driving assessments for people with disabilities to ensure they are able to gain adaptations to drive safely; driving lessons in specially adapted cars; driving theory courses, and essential information and advice for older people and people with a disability. It has experienced a 100% cut in funding from DRD.”
“That, I am afraid, is simply not the case. In the Committee, we are hearing of fare increases from £1·50 to £2·30 per trip and of reduced hours of service. Currently, the service runs from 7.30 am to 11.30 pm Monday to Saturday and from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm on Sunday. Unfortunately, the proposed reductions are to 8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 5.00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. A 5% reduction —”
“In his response, he said that he believed that with "continued efficiencies", it would be possible to "minimise the impact on service users."”
“<BR /> <BR />The Disability Action transport scheme is a service for people with disabilities or for those who find it difficult to use mainstream public transport. Services provided are targeted at those over 80 and those who are registered blind and/or in receipt of either the mobility or care component of disability living allowance, which is a vital service in our community. It has been provided across Northern Ireland by Disability Action in partnership with community transport organisations. Disability Action had, of course, anticipated a reduction in funding but not to the level that we are talking about and not with the timescale that was given to address those reductions. <BR /> <BR />What will the impact be on services? I asked the Minister, in a question for written answer, for a rationale for the reduction in those services.”
“DRD can also, in accordance with the Transport (Northern Ireland) Act 2011, provide grant funding to bodies that provide transport services that are wholly or mainly for the benefit of members of the public who have a disability, are elderly or live in rural areas. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, in 2014-15, the total funding allocated to support community and disability transport services after in-year allocations totalled £7·45 million. However, the starting budget for 2015-16 totals only £4·99 million, which represents a reduction of 33%. That reduction will impact on rural community transport partnerships and on Disability Action's disability transport scheme, which will experience a reduction of 21%. The group service will be a 100% cut and the mobility centre will be a 100% cut as well. Those are the most startling facts about the issue.”
“It is also responsible for the implementation of the accessible transport strategy from 2005, the vision for which states:”
“I rise to support the motion and to add my voice to the serious concerns about the disproportionate reduction of the Disability Action and community transport budgets and, indeed, express concern about the impact that it will have on people with disabilities, older people, vulnerable people and those isolated in our society. I add my voice to the call on the Minister for Regional Development to redress that funding issue. Indeed, I believe that he has made bids in June monitoring that may permit him to do that, and I look forward to hearing more about that from him today. <BR /> <BR />Let us consider the policy and legislative context of the issue. The Department for Regional Development is responsible for implementing the transport programme for people with disabilities.”
“There is no one disagreeing with that proposition today, despite what Mr Allister falsely said to the contrary. The real challenge is to deliver the guidance and regulation necessary to ensure that access to the highest standard of service possible is provided within the law. <BR /> <BR />I and my colleagues are fully committed to working to protect all life in Northern Ireland, but I do not believe that the amendment moves us any further towards meeting the challenge that I have outlined, and I will not be supporting amendment No 34 today.”
“<BR /> <BR />MLAs say that much time has now been spent on this amendment. Perhaps if DUP Ministers of Health had spent the same time on guidelines and regulation, we would not today be debating this ill-conceived proposal for the second time. Let us be clear: if regulation needs to be enhanced, it is for the Minister of Health to show leadership and enhance it. I imagine that we will hear more about that further in the debate. <BR /> <BR />The real issue here is the failure of consecutive DUP Health Ministers to deliver the guidelines and regulation needed on these matters. Surely, it is self-evident that, in any democratic society, an individual should have the liberty to elect to choose the type of service they avail themselves of, provided that it operates within guidelines, within regulation and, most importantly, within the law.”
“No. I have just heard enough from you to last me a lifetime. <BR /> <BR />I am in favour of quality, multi-agency and comprehensive, appropriate, relationship and sex education crisis advice and support and healthcare within the law. I am also in favour of clear guidance and robust regulation to ensure that any abortion services are provided within the law. I am not in favour of ill-conceived prohibition of private service provision that this amendment would introduce. The real issue here is that consecutive DUP Health Ministers have wholly failed to deliver clear guidelines and robust regulation of abortion services, and, ironically, it is two of those former Health Ministers that we have heard most from tonight, despite a complete failure to show any leadership on the issue.”
“I think that is a dangerously vague provision, and my colleague Trevor Lunn has already gone into why that is the case in some detail. <BR /> <BR />I want to clarify for the public record again, given the DUP's infatuation with misrepresentation, that the Alliance Party position on abortion is, indeed, a matter of conscience for its Members. For the record, my position is that I am against any significant extension of the current law on abortion in Northern Ireland. I hope this satisfies Mr Wells's insistence on misrepresenting most of us on this side of the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />The amendment includes the rather vague term of prohibition:”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate and to oppose amendment No 34 and support the other amendments. I had not intended to speak this evening, but the ongoing DUP infatuation with misrepresenting the Alliance Party, ably assisted by its electoral pact sidekick Jim Allister, continues to reach the level of hysteria, and the inaccuracy and tone of some of the contributions serve no argument or cause whatsoever. <BR /> <BR />It is false for anyone to say that opposition to this amendment equates to support for all things Marie Stopes, and it is false for anyone to say that opposition to this amendment is support for abortion. Opposition to this amendment is opposition to a potentially dangerous prohibition of access to private healthcare provision that is delivered within the law.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What impact is the current impasse on welfare reform and the uncertainty over budgets having on the economy and the potential investment that he will be working to achieve in Northern Ireland?”
“I add my congratulations to the Minister on his recent appointment. I thoroughly enjoyed scrutinising and supporting his work in his former Department and look forward to working with him in his new post. I also add my congratulations to him and everyone involved with the successful Irish Open at the weekend, perhaps in particular to Rory McIlroy for being the ambassador that he has become for this region.”
“I have had the privilege of visiting the Belfast Metropolitan College Tower Street facility. In what is clearly a vibrant learning environment, I met acting and dance students from Belfast, Donegal, Austria and America, some of whom have already performed in shows like 'Vikings' and 'The Fall'. What would the Minister say to students and professionals who genuinely believe that it is a wrong decision by Belfast Metropolitan College to apply a 100% reduction to this provision and who are genuinely concerned and have reasoned arguments that the provision at SERC Bangor is not an appropriate alternative?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I am sure that every MLA recognises that we have to incur budgetary reductions, but how can the Minister justify a 100% reduction to the early years fund?”
“I welcome the much needed funding for football stadium facilities across Northern Ireland. Will the Minister give us a bit more detail around the likely timeline for the allocation of that funding?”
“I extend my thoughts to the workers and the families who have been affected by the outbreak and wish them a speedy recovery. I also commend Harland and Wolff for the prompt way in which it responded to the incident. I ask the Minister to confirm that his Department will be doing all it can to support Harland and Wolff to ensure that workers are provided with all the advice and treatment that they need to protect their health and safety and that the company will be able to get the assistance to manage this infection and maintain operations.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Given his last comments, will he put forward suggestions about where additional money can come from to meet some of the gaps that our community and voluntary sector is suffering?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. She spoke about the cumulative impact of cuts. Would she agree that the Executive must be more strategic in budgeting and that Departments must communicate with one another to be more aware of the scale of that cumulative impact of departmental cuts on individual organisations?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I can advise him that a number of nursery schools in East Belfast are oversubscribed for 2015-16. After round 1, I received a number of calls from parents seeking help — right across East Belfast, from the Newtownards Road to Dundonald — because their children had not been offered a place. What work is he doing to improve application guidance and provide additional accessible nursery places in East Belfast?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for the work that he is doing to deliver a modal shift to public and sustainable transport. Can he update the Assembly on what he is doing to improve the integration of sustainable transport, in particular to improve the carriage of bicycles on buses and trains and to include cycle provision in the upcoming Dublin Road improvement scheme?”
“I commend the Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill to the House.”
“I will make the winding-up speech on the debate. I support the motion that the Ombudsman and Commissioner for Complaints (Amendment) Bill proceeds under the accelerated passage procedure. The Chair has set out well the reasons necessary for this procedure, and there seems to be cross-party support for that proposal in the House. I hope that Members agree with the Committee's view that permitting the amendment Bill to proceed by way of accelerated passage provides the best means of managing the risk of a vacancy arising in the current offices whilst work on legislation to create the new office of the Public Services Ombudsperson is being completed. I commend the motion to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />I hope that today's debate and Members' contributions will help to inform further work on the Bill. I commend the Bill to the House.”
“In closing, I thank all the Members who participated in the debate today. The Committee looks forward to further engagement with colleagues on the Bill and in particular with the Ad Hoc Committee, which will, with the Assembly's approval, scrutinise the Bill and report to the Assembly. I also express the Committee's thanks to Ministers, Assembly Committees and stakeholders who made valuable contributions to the development of the Bill being discussed here today. In particular, I thank the current ombudsman, deputy ombudsman and their team for their encouragement to commence this project and continuing support for it. I also add particular thanks to the Committee staff and the Bill Office team, who have put in hours of invaluable work towards the Bill. Their work will ensure that we see robust legislation completed.”
“The office first appeared in Northern Ireland in 1967, and in a relatively short period it has become an established and essential part of our constitutional and administrative arrangements. Members of the public have received much help and assistance and redress of public sector maladministration from the Northern Ireland Ombudsman. I am sure that many MLAs have received helpful assistance from that office on behalf of constituents, and we look forward to seeing that work improving and going forward. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will introduce a number of important changes, such as own-initiative investigations, which are also being considered for the corresponding offices at Westminster and in the Welsh Assembly. Hopefully this will add a higher level of accountability for public office and public administration in Northern Ireland.”
“As Deputy Chair of the Committee, I am pleased to be able to make the winding-up speech in today's debate. The Chairperson has set out comprehensively the proposed role, remit, eligibility, terms and resources of the new office, and we have seen today from the contributions of MLAs the cross-party endeavour and support that has taken the Bill to this stage, notwithstanding objections raised by Sinn Féin in relation to two particular issues and, indeed, some concerns and proposed amendments that have been put forward, particularly in relation to universities. <BR /> <BR />Ombudsmen occupy a unique constitutional position. Few countries operate without one, and many have more than one.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Given the significant public support for maintaining the 2014-15 level of public funding for the arts, how does the Minister propose to secure appropriate funding for the arts and creative industries in Northern Ireland?”
“I welcome the extension of the review of the implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act by the Minister to include consideration of the serious issue of puppy farming. Does she agree that dogs are not a commodity, they should be bought from licensed breeders and, if there are recommendations from the review of animal welfare legislation in Northern Ireland on reform, she will action them without delay?”
“Does the Minister know when the Housing Executive maintenance programme to install cavity wall insulation in homes in the Braniel estate in east Belfast, which was scheduled for October 2013, will be delivered?”
“I welcome the Minister's commitment to adequately resource the advice sector in response to welfare reform. Given that the deadlock on welfare reform is costing the Northern Irish taxpayer around £2 million a week, what discussions are currently taking place to make progress? Can the Minister assure the public that this issue has not been parked during the election campaign?”