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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“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I asked the Minister last week in her role as Finance Minister whether two former Ministers should follow her lead and give evidence to the Finance Committee. I ask her now if she will encourage Sammy Wilson and Simon Hamilton to give evidence to the Committee.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Does the Minister believe that Sammy Wilson and Simon Hamilton should now follow her example and cooperate with the Finance Committee inquiry to establish exactly what their dealings were with PIMCO and Cerberus?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra ansin. I am sure that the Minister will agree that, on such a small island, it is important that he liaises with his counterpart on the issue of climate change. I am glad to hear that he is going to have a meeting with his colleague at the next North/South Ministerial Council meeting on 18 November. Can he give a commitment that he will report back on the outcome of that meeting?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra. Will the Minister tell us what her Department is doing to engage with communities which may be at flood risk?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. When does the Minister expect to have conversations with representatives of political parties as part of these discussions?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. He has lost me with that response. <BR /> <BR />Does the Minister agree that we could take in an equivalent number of refugees here as are being taken in in the South; that we could put in place the necessary support to help those refugees integrate; and that we could provide support to help them overcome any trauma that they experienced in fleeing their homeland?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Will this issue feature in the Minister's Big Conversation on the future of higher education?”
“That situation, along with the recent establishment of the Education Authority, affords an ideal opportunity to review the range of early childhood care and education services, with a view to getting a consolidated policy framework. <BR /> <BR />A new early years model is achievable if childcare is treated as a public service and receives investment accordingly. Go raibh míle maith agat.”
“<BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, there is currently a lack of cohesion in policy for and provision of early care and education services, with a range of Departments being responsible for different aspects of policy and provision. This manifests itself in the form of different registration and inspection processes, different curriculum and quality standards, different staff:child ratios and different funding levels. As long as we have that lack of cohesion, we are always going to have a difficulty with the provision of excellent childcare and education. <BR /> <BR />If the Stormont House Agreement is ever implemented, there are opportunities there with the reduction in the number of Departments, with many, if not most, of OFMDFM's functions relating to children and young people transferring to the Department of Education.”
“All children should be able to access early care and education services that are appropriate to their age and stage of development, which would help them to develop improved cognitive, social and emotional skills. <BR /> <BR />As such, we are proposing a model that is publicly subsidised, high quality and universal. In fact, there is growing scientific, neurological and economic knowledge that validates our view that investment in the early years of a child's life leads to greater economic, social and emotional benefits later on, at an individual as well as a societal level, as it can counter the effects of disadvantage and deprivation.”
“<BR /> <BR />It should be the aim of all of us to develop an integrated approach to providing positive experiences and the promotion of opportunities that will enhance the quality of early care and education services to improve outcomes for all our children, not just three-year-olds and four-year-olds, allowing each to fulfil their potential and enhance their life chances. <BR /> <BR />It is important that early care and education initiatives are designed with the best interests of the child in mind. Provision should focus on the developmental needs of the child and, as such, should not simply be seen as a babysitting service to allow participation in the labour force.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I do not want to nitpick the motion because I support the sentiments behind it. However, by focusing primarily on working families and on three-year-olds and four-year-olds, it does not go far enough. Childcare and the development of children and young people should not be a service for the labour market and the workforce. It should be because it is the right thing to do to provide care for children and aid in their development.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Is the Minister satisfied that the PSNI has the necessary resources to carry out a thorough and proper investigation into the murder of Kevin McGuigan?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta Tionóil as an fhreagra sin. Does the Commission member believe that the flying of only one flag is in line with the intentions and spirit of the Good Friday Agreement?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. Will the Minister tell us whether the measures that he and his Department have put in place have made any improvements to educational attainment?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Just to expand on that point, will the Minister tell us the legal position on abandoning animals?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I also offer my congratulations to the Minister on his recent appointment to his new role. <BR /> <BR />The economic index shows that local economic growth has been flat in three of the last four quarters. What proposals does the Minister have to ensure that we have sustainable local economic growth?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. How will the Education Authority regionalisation, together with current SEND legislation, impact on SEN provision and the statementing process?”
“I appeal to everyone involved to give leadership and to ensure that all the information is out there for parents to access.”
“However, there is a responsibility on all of us as political leaders to ensure that parents, particularly those whose children are in a school that faces amalgamation or closure, and teachers have all the information about the area planning process and about the school that their children are attending. I know of instances in the past when parents were aware of an unsatisfactory inspection report about a particular school —”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister has shown that he is prepared to take account of and listen to those who engage in consultations, but what is more important in all this is that there is transparency, openness and consistency in the area planning process. There is a responsibility on the Department to ensure that any consultation is a truly bottom-up process. My colleague Chris Hazzard referred to that. There is no contradiction between an MLA lobbying on behalf of a school that may face amalgamation or closure on the one hand and, on the other hand, supporting the area planning process. That is the nature of the world that we live in. <BR /> <BR />I have said in the past that sometimes there is an emotional attachment to a particular school, maybe because a parent or siblings went to it.”
“That means ensuring that we have the right type of schools where they are needed. Currently, there is a large number of empty desks in our schools. I am not going to engage in a debate about the actual number of empty desks — I know that there has been some disagreement about that — save to say that, where schools are experiencing stress because of falling enrolment trends, there is a need to take action. Sometimes, that may mean the amalgamation of two schools, and, other times, it may mean closure. Whatever the decision, a development proposal must be submitted to the Department and be subject to a statutory consultation.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have stated many times in the House in previous debates that we, as public representatives, should avoid any temptation to engage in political point-scoring around the issue of our children's education. I am not saying that we cannot have disagreements, but they should be carried out in a mature way. I am not suggesting for a minute that there has been any political point-scoring in the debate today, but it is an issue that we should bear in mind in general when we debate our children's education. It is much too important an issue to become the subject of unseemly squabbling. <BR /> <BR />I appeal to everyone involved in the debate to have as their primary focus the education of our young children. For those children to have access to the best possible education, there needs to be long-term planning.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on the Committee's position paper. I should say from the outset that I support some of the recommendations; I am not so happy about others, but I do not think that they are worth getting into a ding-dong battle about. <BR /> <BR />Area planning is an essential part of any strategic development of our education system and the schools estate. Every young person is entitled to access and experience high-quality education. There is no debate about that. No child should have to suffer an inadequate educational experience, but we all know that many children have suffered inadequate educational experiences. Our aim as public representatives should be to end that trend.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra ansin. Is there a time frame for resolving this issue completely?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister outline what progress has been made in recent years to ensure greater access to the certificate in religious education?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. I am sure the Minister is aware that West Belfast is one of the most socially and economically deprived and disadvantaged constituencies anywhere in these islands. The loss of funding to these organisations is a body blow to the constituency. Can the Minister do anything to ensure that the essential services provided by these groups are not lost to West Belfast, and will he give a commitment to meet some of the groups that have lost their funding?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for that answer. Given the fact that the Casement Park development is included in the Irish Rugby Football Union's bid to host the World Cup in 2023, can she confirm that that development is an Executive priority?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answer. What discussions will she have with her colleague in the Dublin Government to progress some of the report's recommendations?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra. Will the Minister advise us on other themes that are covered by the literature sold by the museums?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. The Minister touched on this issue in her previous two answers, but will she tell us what legal standards and conditions apply here that dog breeders must adhere to?”
“In addition to the extensive number of research papers that were produced, the Committee engaged with a wide range of stakeholders as part of each review, from political parties to leading academics here and in the UK, as well as councils, think tanks and voluntary and community groups. The Committee also engaged with the British Secretary of State, the Northern Ireland Office, Executive Departments and non-departmental public bodies. <BR /> <BR />I emphasise to the House that the reports of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee have provided valuable information to the Assembly that have allowed it to consider ways of moving forward reform of the institution. <BR />I conclude by thanking the Committee officials for the sterling work that they have done over the past eight years.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reports produced by the Assembly and Executive Review Committee over those past eight years have contributed to a number of key matters that have been taken forward by the Assembly, such as policing and justice, the procedures for the appointment of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister, and women in politics. <BR /> <BR />I also agree with the Chair that, when we reviewed not only the reports but the mechanisms that we used to carry out the reviews, I was struck by the wealth of information and research that was commissioned on behalf of the Committee to reach the conclusions and recommendations in every report.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. As Deputy Chair of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, I will make the closing remarks in the debate on the Assembly and Executive Review Committee's Report on the operation of the provisions of Parts 3 and 4 of the NI Act 1998. I do not propose to summarise Members' contributions. They speak for themselves and will be available in Hansard. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Assembly and Executive Review Committee on the work that has been undertaken over the past eight years. At times, that work has been complex and sensitive when it came to considering the views of the political parties and individual Members of the House. I further stress that those same parties and individual Members were given the opportunity to contribute to the topics that were to be considered by the Committee.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Does the Minister accept that delay on the issue puts pressure on all the people concerned, not least the health professionals?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her answer. I am sure she will be aware that west Belfast has one of the highest rates of economic inactivity across these islands. Can the Minister tell us what specific actions are being taken to create job opportunities for people in west Belfast?”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. The previous Deputy Speaker said that my earlier point was a "point of clarification", so maybe this is something similar. I remember reading the letter that the Minister sent round in which he said that he had confused the issue of exemption from fair employment and that of the certificate in religious education, and he corrected the mistake that he made in the House. Go raibh maith agat.”
“All of us sitting over here believe that this is aimed solely at the Catholic sector. The potential for progress has been set back. We will oppose the motion and the amendment. Go raibh maith agat.”
“The respectful spirit required for shared education was absent from the Minister for Employment and Learning's recent attempts to undermine St Mary's University College by financial coercion. I know that St Mary's is committed to a shared future for teacher training based on respect for diversity and parity of esteem. In fact, on 17 September last year, the principal of St Mary's, Peter Finn, told the Committee for Employment and Learning that the issue of the religious education certificate could be resolved by collaboration. I am sure that, when there is evidence of a genuine desire for collaboration, St Mary's will not be found wanting. <BR /> <BR />Forced integration is not the answer, and the Alliance Party, by its recent actions and its amendment to the motion today, creates an atmosphere of distrust.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let me make the point that the certificate is a qualification just like any other, whether it be maths, English and so on. We all know that the teachers in primary schools teach the full curriculum, and they need to be versed in the religious education that they are teaching in the classroom. The Catholic sector wants to protect that ethos in their schools. What is the difficulty with that? What is the difficulty that the proposers of this motion and amendment have with diversity in the system? Are we going back to a situation similar to that which we recently had with the debacle over St Mary's, when the Minister for Employment and Learning — an Alliance Minister — was trying to force the integration of teacher training?”
“From that definition, it follows that a shared approach accepts the diversity and distinctiveness of our school system and our society. It respects all types of schools, including controlled, Catholic, integrated and Irish-medium. <BR /> <BR />The certificate is a requirement in Catholic primary and nursery schools, aimed at protecting the Catholic ethos in those schools. No one would expect the integrated or Irish-medium sectors to abandon policies or practices aimed at protecting the ethos of those particular sectors, so why are the proposers of this motion and amendment seeking to undermine the integrity of one particular sector? On the face of it, this is a long way removed from the respectful spirit that we require for shared education.”
“I would also be in favour of the exemption being removed, even though it appears it has never been used. How do we do that? We do it by bringing forward a single equality Bill that covers all the remaining outstanding equality issues. I look forward to the party that proposed this motion and those that support it also giving their support to a single equality Bill. <BR /> <BR />Let me move on to the issue of the certificate in religious education. The motion states that the requirement for the certificate in primary and nursery schools in the Catholic sector is a barrier to "truly shared education". I do not know whether "truly shared" is different from shared, but maybe somebody can explain that later. <BR /> <BR />The report from the ministerial advisory group, in March 2013, used a definition of shared education stating that it:”
“There are two issues in this debate: the exemption from the fair employment legislation, and the use of the religious education certificate. Let me deal first with the issue of the exemption from fair employment. When Jim Clarke from CCMS spoke to the Education Committee on 29 May 2013, he stated clearly that CCMS had never used the exemption and had no intention of using it. He went even further when he said:”
“Does the Member accept that no person of any religion or none is barred from teaching in a Catholic school? They simply need to have the certificate in religious education as a qualification to prove that they can teach the curriculum as laid out in that school.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am not totally sure on this point, but I think that on that particular day the Minister made a mistake and rectified it by writing to all MLAs the next day to say that he confused the issue of the exemption from fair employment law and the religious certificate.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Whatever measures the Minister introduces, will they include training for education staff?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister indicate when he is likely to bring forward recommendations on the basis of the recent transport review?”
“One of the good things about speaking towards the end of a debate is that most of what you planned to say has been said. I will conclude by welcoming the legislation. Hopefully, it will bring modernisation and greater consistency to the system.”
“I welcome the duty that the Bill places on boards of governors, including the requirement for a personal learning plan for each child on the school's SEN register.”
“The challenge facing us, as legislators, is first to ensure that children with SEN are provided with the best possible learning environment. It may be that some children with particularly complex needs need a bespoke environment, but, for the vast majority, mainstream schools will be the environment in which they go through the education system. In that light, schools must be welcoming, diverse and provide for the challenges presented by having an inclusive system, so that children are not discriminated against and, just as importantly, that there is no perception that children with special needs are discriminated against within our education system.”