Pat Sheehan
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that the Minister's School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill was poor legislation and a missed opportunity?”
“The last point that you made reminded me of one of the witnesses — a young girl — who came to the Committee. During the winter, she wore her own overcoat, but she had to take it off 100 yards from the school gate because she was not allowed to wear it into the school.”
“Agus iad ag ullmhú le haghaidh scrúduithe GCSE agus ard-leibhéil, féadann an imní agus an éiginnteacht sin drochthionchar a imirt ar a n-oideachas agus ar a bhfolláine.”
“Is scannalach go deo an foréigean ciníoch a chonaic muid le seachtain anuas. Tá ionsaithe ar theaghlaigh, ar thithe agus ar ghnólachtaí doleithscéil, agus tá siad dochosanta. Níor cheart eagla a mbáis a bheith ar dhaoine neamhurchóideacha mar gheall ar a gcine, a gcúlra ná a gcreideamh.”
“One of the reasons, Daniel, is that, if we were to have blocked the Bill at the Executive, the SDLP would be saying tomorrow morning "This place is dysfunctional. You're blocking legislation. Sinn Féin is blocking legislation, and the DUP is blocking legislation". No, we are not blocking legislation.”
“I have not once today argued against inspections. Not once. The Bill is about one thing and one thing only: intimidating and punishing teachers.”
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“For years, our public services have been undermined by austerity policies imposed by the British Government. Sinn Féin has been clear that we need proper funding for the North. Our Finance Ministers, past and present, have made that case to the Treasury time and again. We continue to call for the maximum devolution of fiscal powers so that we, in the North, can decide how to invest in our public services and our people.”
“The emphasis in the Programme for Government on making childcare more affordable is not just an aspiration. Rather, it has already been backed up by action. Prices are coming down for families, but more can and will be done. The Education Minister has been given £25 million in this financial year to deal with childcare, and next year he will be getting £50 million. That is a sign of the Executive's ambition. No parent should have to choose between work and their child's future because childcare costs are too high. No child should miss out on the early years support that high-quality childcare provides. <BR /> <BR />While today is a good day and we welcome this Programme for Government, we must also acknowledge the reality that the Executive do not have the resources or the fiscal powers to invest in public services to the level required.”
“The Programme for Government recognises the need to break it, and we must ensure that that commitment is backed up by funding and action. The Minister of Education must make tackling educational underachievement a priority. <BR /> <BR />Supporting children with special educational needs is another crucial element. For too long, families have struggled to access the assessments, resources and support that their children require. It is not enough to acknowledge the issue. Instead, we need a system that delivers by providing the funding, staffing and structures that are necessary to give every child, regardless of ability, the chance to thrive. <BR /> <BR />Childcare is not just a family issue but an economic issue, a gender equality issue and an education issue.”
“Education, like our other public services, has been starved of the vital and necessary investment that it has required owing to over a decade of British Government austerity. It is in that context that we have to be absolutely sure that we are spending money properly and getting bang for our buck. Investment in education must be based on objective need. That means directing resources to where they are needed most and ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds, regardless of their postcode, have access to the same opportunities as everyone else. <BR /> <BR />We know that poverty and education outcomes are linked. Children who grow up in deprivation are more likely to struggle in school. Without intervention, that disadvantage follows them into adulthood. We cannot allow that cycle to continue.”
“The publication of the Executive's Programme for Government is a hugely welcome step as we continue to drive forward on delivering for people here. The Programme for Government is ambitious, and rightly so. It focuses on critical issues such as delivering affordable housing, reducing childcare costs, cutting health waiting lists and transforming special educational needs provision. <BR /> <BR />As my party's spokesperson on education and as a member of the Committee for Education, I will focus my remarks on our education system. For too long, too many children have been left behind. Educational underachievement remains one of the most pressing challenges that we face, and tackling it must be a priority.”
“Ba mhór a rachadh an borradh eacnamaíochta sin chun sochair don toghcheantar, chomh maith leis na poist a chruthófaí de thairbhe lucht leanúna spóirt agus lucht freastalta ceolchoirmeacha. <BR /> <BR />Ach fealladh ar na gealltanais a tugadh, agus is léir uaidh sin gur bealadh taobh amuigh de bhéal a thugtar dár gcluichí, dár gcultúr agus dár bpobal. <BR /> <BR />Níl aon mhoill le déanamh sa scéal seo. Ní mór Páirc Mhic Ásmaint a fhorbairt chomh luath agus is féidir.”
“D'aontaigh Coiste Uladh an tseachtain seo caite go n-imreofaí an cluiche i gContae Aontroma, rud a thabharfadh an buntáiste baile do fhoireann Aontroma, mar ba cheart. Ní bheadh sé sin ina fhadhb dá mbeadh Páirc Mhic Ásmaint réidh. <BR /> <BR />Bliain eile, séasúr eile, moill eile ar fhorbairt Pháirc Mhic Ásmaint. <BR /> <BR />Tá níos mó i gceist le Páirc Mhic Ásmaint ná staid de chuid CLG ag painéil an chontae: is mol pobail í, is buaicphointe do Ghaeil óga í, agus é mar aidhm acu cluiche a imirt inti an lá is faide anonn. <BR /> <BR />Bhíothas le cluiche de chuid Euro 2028 a imirt i bPáirc Mhic Ásmaint, plean a chuir sceitimíní ar thoghthóirí, nó chuirfeadh cluiche chomh tábhachtach sin borradh mór eacnamaíochta faoin cheantar.”
“Tá tús curtha ag peileadóirí agus iománaithe Aontroma ar a bhfeachtais sraithe náisiúnta, agus tá cluiche Chraobh Uladh le himirt sa bhaile i gcoinne churaidh na hÉireann, Ard Mhacha. <BR /> <BR />Bhí cluiche na craoibhe le himirt in ionad baile Aontroma — Páirc Mhic Ásmaint ó cheart. Ina áit sin, imríonn foirne Aontroma i bPáirc Uí Chorragáin. Ach tá fadhb ann, nó níl Páirc Uí Chorragáin mór go leor don fhreastal mhór daoine a bhfuiltear ag dréim leis. Ar an drochuair, in áit dul chun páirce le curaidh na hÉireann, bhí ar imreoirí, ar bhainisteoireacht agus ar bhord Aontroma dul i mbun feachtais eile in aghaidh an athraithe ionaid a bhí beartaithe, rud a d’fhágfadh foireann Aontroma faoi mhíbhuntáiste.”
“Will the Minister tell us what support is available for domestic ratepayers?”
“Can the Minister provide an assurance that Invest NI does not support projects that help to arm Israel?”
“Go raibh athbheochan na Gaeilge ina réalta eolais ag teangacha eile mionlaigh atá ag streachailt le fanacht beo. <BR /> <BR />Seo í teachtaireacht shoiléir Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Máthairtheangacha: beatha teanga í a labhairt.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tugann teangacha dúchais léargas ar leith dúinn ar an tír, agus nascann siad muid léi; tá siad fite fuaite inár gcultúr, agus tá ról tábhachtach le himirt acu i bhforbairt ár bhféiniúlachta. Táthar ag tuar go rachaidh idir 50% go 90% de theangacha dúchais ar ceal faoi cheann céad eile bliain. <BR /> <BR />Is iomaí iarracht a rinne muidne ar an oileán seo ár dteanga dhúchais a athbheochan — iarrachtaí ar éirigh go maith leo. Iarrachtaí ar nós bhunú Chonradh na Gaeilge sa bhliain 1893, iarrachtaí leithéidí Dhúbhghlais de Híde agus Phádraig Mhic Phiarais, go foghlaim na Gaeilge i gcásanna na Ceise Fada. Tá athbheochan úr faoi lán seoil anois i seomraí mar seo, i seomraí ranga, i gclubthithe de chuid Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, agus in amharclanna agus i hallaí ceolchoirme.”
“Téann teanga dhúchais amháin in éag i gceann gach aon choicíse. Ar na teangacha a cailleadh cheana féin bhí cuid a bhí á labhairt ar imchian an Artaigh agus cuid ar chósta na hAstráile. Cé go raibh difríochtaí eatarthu ó thaobh suímh, cultúir agus foghraíochta de, tá rud amháin ag nascadh fhormhór na dteangacha dúchais a chuaigh in éag: cailleadh iad de bharr an choilíneachais nó de bharr na dteangacha idirnáisiúnta a tháinig chun cinn de dheasca an choilíneachais. Ar feadh na gcéadta bliain rinneadh ionsaithe ar ár dteanga dhúchais féin lena cur den tsaol. Ach is léir gur sháraigh ar na cumhachtaí coilíneachta an teanga a scriosadh, nó tá sí ag fás léi, agus, leoga, tá an Ghaelscolaíocht ar an earnáil is mó a bhfuil fás fúithi sa Tuaisceart.”
“If we are serious about addressing skills shortages, supporting our educators and giving our young people the best possible start in life, we must act. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls on the Minister of Education to assess the funding model, as an essential first step towards meaningful reform. I urge all Members to support the motion. Let us send a clear message that we are committed to having an education system that works for everyone, and let us ensure that every young person, whatever their chosen path, has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
“Yes, I absolutely agree with that. The Chair of the Committee used a phrase that I have often used about the relationship between further and higher education: FE is often seen as the "poor cousin" within our education system. That really needs to change. <BR /> <BR />This is not just about numbers on a balance sheet. It is about real opportunities for young people and about ensuring that a young person, regardless of their background or postcode, can access the subjects and training that will positively shape their future. It is about giving our schools and colleges the resources that they need to do what they do best: educate, motivate, inspire and prepare the next generation. Our education system faces a multitude of challenges, but we cannot ignore this.”
“<BR /> <BR />We must move towards a funding model that is fair, flexible and future-focused. We have seen from international examples that a better approach is possible: one that ensures that funding goes where the need is, recognises the value of vocational as well as academic pathways and supports collaboration between schools and FE colleges, rather than forcing them into competition. The Chair of the Committee mentioned that the gold standard is still that you go to upper sixth, finish your A levels and then go on to university and get a degree. There are large numbers of young people out there with degrees who do not necessarily get into the careers that they want.”
“Having spoken to a lot of young people, as a member of the Education Committee, I find that careers advice has not greatly changed since I was at school, and that was not today or yesterday. It seems to be the case that if a teacher has a few free periods or free time in school, they are often assigned the role of a careers teacher when they are not properly trained and properly informed, and people from the workforce are not being brought in. <BR /> <BR />Competition between our schools and our further education colleges has been raised as an issue. We have heard, at various events, that further education colleges are not allowed to come into schools to speak to the students. That is competition coming in rather than what should be there, which is collaboration.”
“At the moment, we have system that is not designed for success. It often limits choice, restricts pathways and, in many cases, prioritises the system's needs over young people's needs. <BR /> <BR />One of the issues that was not touched on greatly today is careers advice. The Minister mentioned that he sort of took the wrong pathway when he was 16. If he had got the right careers advice, that might not have happened. If he had been made aware of what was actually involved in what he thought that he wanted to do, he might not have taken that route. Similarly, other people want to take certain career pathways, but they do not get the right advice, so they do not necessarily do the right subjects.”
“I do not intend to detain the House for any longer than is necessary, so I will not go over comments that Members made in their contributions to the debate. However, I thank all Members who contributed today. <BR /> <BR />The discussion has made one thing clear. Our current per-pupil funding model for sixth-form colleges needs to be looked at. Our society and economy would be better served if we could get our young people on to pathways that are suitable for them and where they can learn, upskill, train and, ultimately, reach their full potential. We have heard compelling arguments about the pressures that schools face in trying to offer a broad and balanced curriculum. We need to get to the point where we can match the opportunities that are available to students with their ambitions, talents and potential.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“<BR /> <BR />Dar le B’Tselem go bhfuil Iosrael ag teacht i dtír ar an sos cogaidh le cur leis an chos ar bolg atá siad a dhéanamh ar mhuintir na Palaistíne sa Bhruach Thiar. Ní sos cogaidh ach spré cogaidh sin, a Cheann Comhairle. Más léir don ghrúpa Iosraelach B’Tselem an méid sin, tá an t-am dearg ag an phobal idirnáisiúnta drochbhearta Iosrael a aithint agus a cháineadh.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ní cosúil le sos cogaidh é, a Cheann Comhairle, nuair atá níos mó ná deichniúr Palaistíneach marbh ag arm Iosrael le coicís anuas agus Palaistínigh gafa ina scórtha ag arm Iosrael sa Bhruach Thiar. Tá arm Iosrael ar theann a ndíchill i gcoinne na bPalaistíneach ach, má tá féin, ní chuireann siad isteach ná amach ar na coilínigh atá i mbun foréigin sa Bhruach Thiar. Seasann siad siar de réir mar a théann na coilínigh ag ionsaí pobail Phalaistíneacha, ag iarraidh tithe a chur trí thine agus na daoine go fóill iontu, agus ag scriosadh carranna. Ó thosaigh an sos cogaidh, tá coilínigh ag cur staiceanna i mbéal bóithre ar fud an Bhruaigh Thiar go n-ionsaíonn siad Palaistínigh a bhíonn ag gabháil an bóthar.”
“Ó fógraíodh an sos cogaidh in Gaza an 19 Eanáir, tá Iosrael ag cur lena chuid ionsaithe ar Phalaistínigh sa Bhruach Thiar, sin dar leis an ghrúpa Iosraelach ar son chearta an duine, B’Tselem. Is beag má bhí an sos cogaidh fógartha go raibh sráidbhailte, bailte móra agus gach cathair sa Bhruach Thiar faoi léigear ag arm Iosrael. An seanphort céanna arís, a Cheann Comhairle: Iosrael ag déanamh léigear ar Phalaistínigh agus ag cur isteach ar shaol an gháthPhalaistínigh, ach sa Bhruach Thiar an iarraidh seo. Níl scoláirí in ann dul ar scoil nó ar ollscoil; níl othair in ann cóir leighis a fháil; agus níl oibrithe in ann dul ar obair. Mar a deir an grúpa Iosraelach, B’Tselem: más sos cogaidh é, ní cosúil.”
“What work has been done to develop an evidence base for negotiating a higher need level?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra.”
“The deputy First Minister said that the theme of the summit was financing the just transition. Will she outline which other areas are covered by the Council's programme of work?”
“Will the First Minister tell us what work is being undertaken to repair damaged schools to enable them to reopen as soon as possible?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis na hAirí as ucht a bhfreagraí.”
“San am atá romhainn, leanfaidh Sinn Féin de bheith ag obair go dian lenár dtosaíochtaí san oideachas a bhaint amach: ag gabháil i ngleic leis an tearc-ghnóthachtáil oideachais; soláthar riachtanas speisialta oideachais a athrú ó bhonn; cúram páistí a dhéanamh inacmhainne; agus cothrom na Féinne a fháil don Ghaelscolaíocht. <BR /> <BR />Tá Sinn Féin tiomanta bheith ag obair le daoine eile le córas oideachais cuimsitheach, lánacmhainne a chruthú, córas nach bhfágfar aon duine ar deireadh ann.”
“I seachtain seo Lá Idirnáisiúnta an Oideachais, athdhearbhaíonn Sinn Féin a dtiomantas a chinntiú go bhfuil an tús is fearr ag gach páiste agus ag gach duine óg agus iad ag gabháil i gceann an tsaoil agus a chinntiú fosta go bhfuil rochtain acu ar oideachas ardchaighdeáin. Ní hé amháin gur buncheart é an t-oideachas, ach is uirlis chumhachtach é leis an chomhionannas, leis an athrú shóisialta agus leis an chumhachtú eacnamaíochta a bhaint amach. <BR /> <BR />Agus sinn ag tarraingt aird ar Lá Idirnáisiúnta an Oideachais, aithnímid na dúshláin atá roimh mhic léinn, tuismitheoirí agus múinteoirí ar fud na hÉireann, Thuaidh agus Theas.”
“I have also said countless times that we need to be led by the evidence.”
“Such organisations are the experts, and they should be listened to. <BR /> <BR />I have been clear in previous debates on education that the child should be central in policy development.”
“<BR /> <BR />While it is important to commend schools that deliver high-quality RSE to their pupils, the issue here is consistency — or, in this case, lack of consistency. Many schools are not grasping that it is an issue. Some are being led by external influences. That does not serve the needs of children and young people. Teachers need to be empowered, and they need the proper training and resources to teach RSE effectively. New legislation is welcome, but will it deliver what is required? I am not sure that it will. <BR /> <BR />The topic needs to be underpinned by fact when it is taught to young people and to be delivered in a consistent manner across schools. There can be no equivocation in that. The need for proper RSE as part of the curriculum is clear. It is a child protection issue, and, according to the NSPCC:”
“Sinn Féin fully supports the need for a relationships and sexuality education curriculum that is age-appropriate, fact-based and delivered consistently across all schools. If we are serious about issues such as child safeguarding, supporting young people to have happy and healthy relationships, consent and tacking violence against women and girls, giving children access to proper RSE in schools is vital. I have sat on the Education Committee for a number of years. One thing that has come up time and time again is the inconsistency of provision and, often, lack of provision of RSE in schools. Young people themselves have told us that. Many tell us that they go through their entire educational journey without receiving education on that topic.”
“The Minister said that he was legally prohibited from granting integrated status to the two schools in Bangor. During the process of working towards that point, however, his officials believed that he should have granted them integrated status. Will the Minister explain why there has been such a divergence of opinion in his Department?”
“I welcome the statement, in which the Minister rightly states that some of our schools will need specialist support. I presume that he is talking about speech and language therapists, behavioural therapists and other allied health professionals, of which there is a shortage at the moment. In order to put more in place, that will have to be a matter for the Health Minister. Is the Minister able to tell us what engagement he has had with the Health Minister around that issue and what progress has been made to date?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis inniu.”
“Tugann siad poist dúinn, nó is imircigh atá ar cheann gnó amháin as gach seachtar atá againn abhus. Tugann siad tacaíocht don gheilleagar againn, nó cuireann imircigh thart ar £500 milliún le OTI na Sé Chontae gach bliain. <BR /> <BR />Ó chúrsaí geilleagair go cúrsaí gnó, ó chúrsaí leighis go cúrsaí cultúir, bíonn lámh ar leith ag an imirceach ann agus is fearrde dúinn uilig é. Sílim gur fiú sin a cheiliúradh.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mar sin féin, d’ainneoin na ndeacrachtaí a bhíonn le sárú acu, d’ainneoin na gconstaicí a chuirtear ina mbealach, agus d’ainneoin na gcontúirtí ina n-oirchill, nuair a éiríonn le himircigh bun a chur orthu féin anseo inár measc, is amhlaidh is fearrde dúinn uilig é. Beireann imircigh leo eolas agus eagna dhomhanda chugainn. Nuair a chuireann siad an t-eolas sin chun a chaite mar oibrithe, mar mhic léinn, mar ghnó-eagraithe, mar ealaíontóirí agus mar bhaill teaghlaigh is é rud a chuireann siad an saol abhus chun feabhais. <BR /> <BR />Sin é an rud atáimid a cheiliúradh inniu: an feabhas a chuireann imircigh ar an tsaol agus ar an tsochaí againn. Tugann siad aire dúinn, nó is thar lear a fuair breis agus 35% de na dochtúirí atá againn a gcuid oiliúna.”
“Go díreach i ndiaidh don Tionól scaoileadh don Nollaig, bhí Lá Idirnáisiúnta na nImirceach ann. Má tá an lá féin thart, sílim gur fiú cúpla focal a rá leis, toisc a thábhachtaí atá ábhar an lae ar leith sin. <BR /> <BR />Is iomaí cúis leis an imirce, amhail súil le sábháilteacht, síocháin nó saoirse, mar shampla. Is cinneadh tromchúiseach é dul idir dhá dtír, cinneadh a chuireann an t-imirceach ar thuras maslach go minic agus ar thuras marfach go rómhinic. <BR /> <BR />Agus, más olc an turas a bhíonn le déanamh acu leis an tír seo a bhaint amach, ní taise don phróiseas a bhíonn rompu le cead isteach sa tír seo a fháil ina dhiaidh sin. Cuirtear próiseas fadálach, casta orthu sular féidir leo cur fúthu abhus. Tá imircigh ar na daoine is mó atá in áit a gcarta. Tá siad ar na grúpaí is mó a ndéantar leithcheal orthu sa tsochaí.”
“Does the Minister agree that people who are thinking about doing their Christmas shopping, visiting family and friends or just heading out for an evening should consider using public transport and park-and-rides, thereby helping to ease congestion and, importantly, helping to improve road safety?”
“Does she agree that the North/South and east-west bodies are important pillars in the architecture of the Good Friday Agreement?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as ucht a freagra.”
“Shínigh 30 grúpa Giúdach ón Eoraip, ó Mheiriceá Thuaidh agus ó Iosrael, shínigh sin ráiteas ar na mallaibh ina dtugtar tacaíocht do Francesca Albanese agus don dlí idirnáisiúnta. <BR /> <BR />Inniu, táimid ag machnamh ar an chinedhíothú agus ar na daoine uile go léir a fuair bás dá dheasca. Tá fir, mná agus páistí ag fáil bháis dá dheasca anois láithreach. Ná bímis caoch ar an chinedhíothú sin toisc gur Arabaigh atá á marú.”
“<BR /> <BR />In áit dearcadh orthu féin agus ar an choir atá Iosrael a dhéanamh sa Mheánoirthear, is é rud atá tacadóirí Iosrael ag ionsaí na Náisiún Aontaithe, ag ionsaí na Cúirte Coiriúla Idirnáisiúnta agus ag ionsaí Francesca Albanese ag iarraidh a clú a bhriseadh. Más iontach le rá é, tá tíortha atá ina mballstáit de na Náisiúin Aontaithe agus a shínigh an Coinbhinsiún ar Chosc agus Pionósú Choir an Chinedhíothaithe, tá sin páirteach sna hionsaithe sin. Ach, le linn do na Stáit Aontaithe agus don Ghearmáin a bheith ag tabhairt na cluaise bodhaire do na heagraíochtaí idirnáisiúnta cionn is nach binn leo a mbriathra, agus le linn daofa páirt a ghlacadh sa bholscaireacht in éadan na Náisiún Aontaithe nó na Cúirte Coiriúla Idirnáisiúnta, ní hamhlaidh do chuid mhór grúpaí Giúdach ar fud an domhain.”
“Inniu, tugann na Náisiúin Aontaithe chun ár gcuimhne an cinedhíothú agus na daoine uilig go léir a maraíodh dá dheasca. I mí Aibreán na bliana seo, bhí sé 30 bliain ó bhí an cinedhíothú ann i Ruanda. I mí Iúil na bliana seo chugainn, beidh sé 30 bliain ó bhí an cinedhíothú ann in Srebrenica. Agus inniu, beidh sé ocht mí ó d’fhógair Francesca Albanese, rapporteur speisialta de chuid na Náisiún Aontaithe, go bhfuil cinedhíothú á imirt ag Iosrael ar mhuintir na Palaistíne. Go díreach an tseachtain seo caite, dúirt Amnesty International an rud céanna: go bhfuil cinedhíothú ar bun sa Phalaistín agus gurb é Iosrael atá ina bhun. Cá mhéad foras idirnáisiúnta, cá mhéad eagraíocht um chearta an duine agus cá mhéad cúirt a chaithfidh a rá gur cinedhíothú é sula gcreide lucht tacaíochta Iosrael é agus sula n-éirí siad as dul ar leithscéal Iosrael?”
“I also welcome the initiative from the Minister. We are all very aware of the pressures on the Education budget. Did the Minister ask his colleagues in the Health Department to shoulder some of the burden of the cost of the devices?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis.”
“Will the Minister explain why he has prioritised a one-off payment rather than alternative forms of ongoing support for pensioners, particularly in the absence of a fuel poverty strategy?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”