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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“Sa chomhthéacs sin, ba náireach é an cinneadh a rinne ár nAire Oideachais féin Paul Givan cuairt a thabhairt ar scoil atá i gcríoch faoi fhorghabháil — cinneadh a bhí ag teacht salach ar an uile dhóigh ar an dlí idirnáisiúnta agus ar chearta an duine. <BR /> <BR />Aithnímid na dúshláin atá roimh scolairí, roimh thuismitheoirí agus roimh mhúinteoirí abhus sa Tuaisceart. Leanfaidh Sinn Féin leis de bheith ag gabháil i ngleic leis an tearc-ghnóthachtáil oideachais, leis an tsoláthar don riachtanas speisialta oideachais a athrú ó bhonn, le cúram páistí a dhéanamh inacmhainne agus le cothrom na Féinne a fháil don Ghaelscolaíocht. Ba chóir do earnáil na Gaeilge áiseanna cuí, infheistíocht chaipitil leanúnach, a dóthain foirne agus acmhainní cearta a bheith aici má tá sí le coinneáil léi ag fás.”
“Bhí Lá Idirnáisiúnta an Oideachais ann Dé Sathairn seo a chuaigh seo. Athdhearbhaíonn Sinn Féin a thiomantas lena chinntiú go bhfuil an tús is fearr ag gach páiste agus ag gach duine óg agus iad ag gabháil i gceann an tsaoil agus go bhfuil rochtain acu ar oideachas ardchaighdeáin. Is ceart bunúsach é an t-oideachas, ach, thairis sin, is gléas cumhachtach é leis an chomhionannas agus an t-athrú sóisialta a bhaint amach. <BR /> <BR />Ar Lá Idirnáisiúnta an Oideachais i mbliana, bhí mé ag smaoineamh ar pháistí agus ar dhaoine óga na Palaistíne. "Léann-díothú" a thugann an t-aos léinn ar an scrios a rinneadh in Gaza: scriosadh córas oideachais; rinneadh ionsaithe ar ollscoileanna, ar mhúinteoirí agus ar mhic léinn, agus rinneadh sin uilig d’aon turas.”
“What actions can the Executive and the Assembly take to protect our people and economy from the consequences of those threats to Greenland?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as a freagra.”
“Our focus must remain on working together to deliver for the people whom we represent.”
“What I will outline is the fact that enough land has been purchased to ensure that there will be student accommodation and further expansion of Magee College. That, in itself, will create jobs in the north-west. <BR /> <BR />Infrastructure and all-island cooperation are delivering tangible benefits, including record rail passenger numbers and renewed connectivity. None of that is to say that more does not need to be done: of course it does. A multi-year Budget, stronger cooperation between Departments and clear delivery on the Programme for Government are essential, but progress can be made only when parties come together and work in common purpose. <BR /> <BR />The Executive are not perfect — show me a Government who are — but they are delivering in difficult circumstances.”
“The Finance Minister has relentlessly pursued fair funding and secured an additional £600 million for public services. In December alone, £273 million was allocated to Departments, including over £100 million to support Health and Education and for pay settlements. Almost £30 million has been invested in building much-needed social housing. <BR /> <BR />We have also seen delivery on economic development and regional balance. Investment in the north-west is finally materialising, with major job creation, business expansion and the continued growth of the Magee campus, which now has over 6,500 students and is well on its way to reaching the target of 10,000 students.”
“It is not easy to govern in a four-party Executive in which each party has different political priorities. It requires compromise and a commitment to work together. At times, that has been challenging, but it is wrong and unfair to suggest that no progress has been made. The leader of the Opposition spoke for 10 minutes, and not once did he acknowledge any of the progress that has been made. <BR /> <BR />The greatest challenge that faces the Executive is the continued underfunding of our public services. Despite promises of change from London after the previous election and 12 or 13 years of Tory austerity, austerity has not ended, and the Executive continue to operate with limited financial levers and little fiscal flexibility. <BR /> <BR />Within those constraints, Ministers have worked collectively to deliver.”
“<BR /> <BR />Níor bhain cás Liam Óig riamh le sábháilteacht an phobail ná le riar an cheartais ach baineann sé le húsáid chumhacht an stáit le ceoltóir a ghéarleanúint cionn is go labhraíonn sé amach go neamhbhalbh ar chúrsaí polaitíochta. Molaim Liam Óg agus Kneecap as an fhód a sheasamh go daingean nuair atá daoine eile ar a seacht ndícheall lena gcur ina dtost. Níl aon amhras orm ná go gcoinneoidh siad leo an gléas cainte atá acu a úsáid leis an éagóir a thabhairt chun solais, ainneoin dhícheall Rialtas na Breataine coirpigh a dhéanamh díobh agus a gcur ina dtost. <BR /> <BR />Leanfaimid orainn ag seasamh le Liam Óg agus é ag troid a cháis, agus leanfaimid orainn ag labhairt amach i gcoinne an chinedhíothaithe agus ag tacú le muintir na Palaistíne.”
“Labhraím inniu le haird a tharraingt ar chás Liam Óig ó Kneepcap, a bhí os comhair na cúirte sa Bhreatain arís eile an tseachtain seo caite, agus le mo thacaíocht dó a chur in iúl. Níl sa tseanchas seo uilig ach ag iarraidh dallamullóg a chur ar dhaoine. Is léir gur iarracht é Kneecap a chur ina dtost, cionn is go bhfuil siad ag tarraingt aird an domhain ar an chinedhíothú atá ar siúl in Gaza. <BR /> <BR />Tugadh rialú cúirte cheana féin go bhfuil an cúiseamh i gcoinne Liam Óig neamhdhleathach. Ba chóir do Rialtas na Breataine glacadh leis sin agus a n-aird a dhíriú ar lucht déanta an chinedhíothaithe, chan ar na daoine atá ag tarraingt aird air. Ba chóir do Rialtas na Breataine díriú ar Iosrael a thabhairt chun cuntais, nó mharaigh an Stát sin breis agus 440 duine ó cuireadh an sos cogaidh i bhfeidhm — sos cogaidh, mar dhea.”
“What capital allocations were made to the Department for Infrastructure? How will that funding be utilised?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“Will the Minister provide more detail on the Irish-medium capital allocation?”
“Others, particularly the DUP, need to explain where they stand because setting your face against reform is not a plan for the future, and it is not good enough for all the people whom we come here to represent.”
“Civic participation was key to building the Good Friday Agreement, and it should remain central to how we continue to shape these political institutions. If we were to hand responsibility for the process to a Secretary of State who has consistently shown himself to be out of touch with people here, it would be the wrong approach. It would also cut across the constructive work already taking place at Committee level. People elected representatives to this Assembly to take forward proposals, debate them, test ideas and work towards agreement. <BR /> <BR />Our message is clear. Sinn Féin is up for the discussion. We are engaging with the detail, and we will continue to do so through the proper forum, the Assembly and Executive Review Committee.”
“As part of our current work programme, we on that Committee are engaging with academics, constitutional experts and others on questions such as the role and election of the Speaker, cross-community voting and designations, the process for Executive formation and all the other important issues. <BR /> <BR />Those are complex issues that require thoughtful consideration. The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is the place to have that conversation, test ideas, build consensus and ensure that any changes strengthen, rather than undermine, these institutions. As I have said previously in the Chamber, I was pleased to support a proposal from my Committee colleague Alliance MLA Michelle Guy to explore enhanced civic engagement on the issue of institutional reform.”
“We are 27 years on from the Good Friday Agreement, and we must acknowledge how far we have come and how much things have changed. The context in which we now operate is fundamentally different from that of 1998. With that in mind, we must look seriously and maturely at reform. Sinn Féin is up for that discussion. We are open to exploring how our institutions can be strengthened and how accountability can be improved. However, we are equally clear that any reform must defend, not dilute, the principles of and protections in the Good Friday Agreement. <BR /> <BR />The proper forum in which to examine those issues in detail, hear expert evidence and bring forward meaningful proposals is the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. That work is ongoing, and a process of evidence gathering and consultation is under way.”
“Many people who live in social housing require accommodation that suits their needs, and that demand is likely to grow. The Minister, however, has indicated that he intends to change the design standards of social housing to reduce the minimum requirement for disability-inclusive accommodation. Does the Minister agree that the policy proposal flies in the face of the spirit of the disability strategy?”
“The truth is that you are not interested.”
“Now that Pól Deeds has been appointed as the Irish Language Commissioner, will the Minister tell us what discussions he has had with him around the development of an Irish language strategy and what role the commissioner will have in its implementation?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“The First Minister has indicated that she has signed off on a letter to the Committee dealing with misinformation around this issue. Can the deputy First Minister explain the reason for the delay in that letter issuing?”
“What is the proposed fee? Will there be hardship exemptions or protections for early-career teachers? What added value will teachers see for their money? <BR /> <BR />We also want to see joined-up thinking across these islands. We know of too many cases where teachers from the South face unnecessary bureaucracy when trying to register and work here. We need real alignment between our systems, and that is not just about fairness but about workforce planning, breaking down barriers and mutual recognition. If the new body is going to work, it needs to have the confidence of the workforce. That starts with listening, and I hope that the Minister is prepared to do that.”
“However, what is on offer here is something that the Minister has a long way to go in selling, not to us but to the teaching workforce, because, as things stand, teachers are not convinced, and who can blame them? There will be no elections to the new council, and clarity is needed on whether there will be a guaranteed majority of practising teachers on the board. The public appointments process, while welcome in principle, lacks any clear published competency framework or pathway to ensure that real classroom voices are heard. If the body is to work, it must reflect and represent the profession. It must be grounded in the realities of schools, not just the Minister's agenda. Teachers are under enormous pressure. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting them hard, and they have every right to ask what they will be paying for.”
“It is worth reminding ourselves of how we got here. In 2021, in an independent board effectiveness review of GTCNI, the council was described as dysfunctional, ineffective and inefficient and operating with deep divisions and conflict among members to the extent that it could not provide effective leadership or governance. Ultimately, the then DUP Minister was advised to dissolve the body altogether. Yet, after all that, what we are presented with today is not a fresh start but a slightly reformed version of the same body. That is a bizarre position to arrive at, especially after so much time has passed and so many opportunities to do better have come and gone. <BR /> <BR />We recognise the need for a regulatory body for teachers. It is absolutely necessary to maintain public confidence and professional standards.”
“Does the First Minister agree that we must confront hate and discrimination in all its forms?”
“What steps has the Minister's Department taken to progress community asset transfers of unused or underused buildings that are in public ownership?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagraí go dtí seo.”
“Le breis agus dhá bhliain, lena chogadh cinedhíothaithe i gcoinne mhuintir na Palaistíne, scrios Iosrael Stráice Gaza – áit a n-aithnítear anois mar reilig do leanaí agus don dlí idirnáisiúnta. Cuireann fírinne shaol na bPalaistíneach faoi leatrom Iosrael rogha shimplí roimh an phobal idirnáisiúnta: an seasann muid leis na daoine atá faoi chois nó leis an tíoránach? Anois, níos mó ná riamh, caithfidh feachtas dlúthpháirtíochta idirnáisiúnta maidir le baghcat, dífheistiú agus smachtbhannaí díriú go straitéiseach ar dheireadh a chur le córais leatromacha Iosrael. <BR /> <BR />Agus muid ag déanamh ár machnaimh ar lá seo na dlúthpháirtíochta, tá focail Terence MacSwiney, iar-Ardmhéara Chathair Chorcaí, thar a bheith oiriúnach dúinn:”
“An 29 Samhain, déanann na Náisiúin Aontaithe an Lá Idirnáisiúnta um Dhlúthpháirtíocht le Muintir na Palaistíne a chomóradh. Tugtar deis dúinn an lá sin ár machnamh a dhéanamh ar na huafáis laethúla atá muintir na Palaistíne a fhulaingt: cinedhíothú, glanadh eitneach, forghabháil neamhdhleathach, cinedheighilt, coinneáil agus léigear. Thug mo chomhghleacaithe i Sinn Féin, Emma Sheerin agus Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, cuairt ar Ramallah le déanaí, áit ar bhuail siad agus ar éist siad le híospartaigh chóras leatromach Iosrael. <BR /> <BR />Is léir dúinn gur tháinig Netanyahu agus a réimeas salach ar gach bunphrionsabal; tá a gcuid gníomhartha go dubh in éadan chearta an duine agus an dlí idirnáisiúnta.”
“Does the First Minister believe that, rather than undermining workers' rights, we should work to support workers and avoid circumstances in which teachers and others feel the need to engage in industrial action?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin.”
“The Minister will be aware that there is a thriving Irish language community in my constituency of West Belfast. We have the Gaeltacht Quarter, and many children are educated in Irish-medium schools. Does the First Minister believe that the appointment of the Irish Language Commissioner will be extremely important in improving the visibility and use of an Ghaeilge”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo.”
“It is evident from what the First Minister has been saying here today that cooperation and collaboration on an all-island basis is delivering positive outcomes for all our people, yet much more can and should be done. Does the First Minister agree that now is the time for the British Government to clarify the parameters and the date for a border poll, as set out in the Good Friday Agreement?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as ucht a freagraí.”
“I call on the Minister to state publicly that he has no intention of going back to Israel.”
“While he was there, he visited a school in illegally occupied territory. When the permanent secretary appeared before the Education Committee last week, he said that, at the time, he did not know that that school was in illegally occupied territory. At that meeting, Committee members drew from the permanent secretary that another invitation for a trip to Israel in the near future has already landed on the Minister's desk. His recent trip caused palpable anger among teachers' unions, parents and students; led to the majority of Members in the Assembly voting for a no-confidence motion in him; and, similarly, the Education Committee holding a vote of no confidence in him. <BR /> <BR />It would be a huge mistake for the Education Minister to go back to Israel, particularly in his capacity as Education Minister.”
“Israel is a rogue state. It is a terrorist state and a genocidal state. Its leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the Gaza Strip, 65,000 people have been confirmed as having been killed by the Israeli military, and it is reckoned that tens of thousands more bodies are still buried under the rubble. Of those who are dead, 20,000 are children and 500 are teachers. Of the schools in Gaza, 95% have been destroyed, and every university has been destroyed. There has been systematic destruction and obliteration of the education system in Gaza, which the UN describes as "scholasticide". <BR /> <BR />Recently, the Minister of Education thought that it was a good idea to visit Israel and engage in a propaganda exercise for the genocidal Israeli regime.”
“— is not a plan for the future and is not good enough —”
“<BR /> <BR />Our message is clear: Sinn Féin is up for a discussion; we are engaging with the detail; and we will continue to do so through the proper forum, which is the AER Committee. Others, particularly the DUP, need to explain where they stand, because setting their face against reform —”
“As our leader in the Assembly, Michelle O'Neill appointed Carál, Sinéad and me to the AER Committee. We constantly report to her as our party leader here, and she, at times, delegates it to us to bring forward proposals at the Committee and supports those proposals as leader of Sinn Féin. She will not do that as First Minister, because she cannot. You know that. That is why I said that you were being cynical: you know that you are asking for something that cannot be given. You are like everybody else who uses broad brushstrokes rather than laying the blame where it belongs. If Members are serious about reform of the institutions, they need to move away from mealy-mouthed words and start being honest and having a bit of integrity.”
“Forgive me for thinking that that line in the motion is just cynical.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us be honest, however: reform here cannot happen in isolation. Legislative change would ultimately be required at Westminster, and that, too, must be approached in a spirit of cooperation. I take issue with the leader of the Opposition here. Throughout his speech, he almost suggested that reform here can happen quickly, that it can be done almost immediately. I am not suggesting that he did that deliberately to make a misrepresentation, but that is what he suggested. I also take issue with the line in the motion that states that the First Minister and deputy First Minister must, together, bring forward proposals for reform. He knows that that will not happen. He knows that the DUP is opposed to reform and that the First Minister, in that role, cannot bring forward proposals for reform on her own.”
“As part of the Committee's current work, we are already engaging with academics, constitutional experts and others on questions such as the role and election of the Speaker; cross-community voting and designations; the process for Executive formation; and all the other important issues. They are complex issues that require thoughtful consideration. The Assembly and Executive Review Committee is the place to have that conversation, test ideas, build consensus and ensure that any changes strengthen rather than undermine the institutions. I was pleased to support a proposal from my Committee colleague Alliance Member Michelle Guy to explore enhanced civic engagement on institutional reform. Civic participation was key to building the Good Friday Agreement, and it should remain central to how we continue to shape the political institutions.”
“Sinn Féin is up for that discussion. We are open to exploring how our institutions can be strengthened and accountability improved, but we are equally clear that any reform must defend, not dilute, the principles and protections of the Good Friday Agreement. That is why our amendment refers the matter to the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, which is the proper forum in which to examine the issues in detail, hear the expert evidence and bring forward meaningful proposals.”
“<BR /> <BR />The need for reform in these institutions is clear, especially with what has happened over the past couple of weeks and the outworkings of that here today. A majority voted in favour of no confidence in the Education Minister, yet he remains in post. That outcome underlines the need for serious work to be done on how we ensure accountability in these institutions. <BR /> <BR />Twenty-seven years on from the Good Friday Agreement, we must acknowledge just how far we have come and how much things have changed, as I pointed out to Mr Gaston. The context in which we now operate is fundamentally different from that of 1998, and, with that in mind, we must look seriously and maturely at the question of reform.”
“First of all, there may be people watching this — sad, as they may be — who do not really understand the remit of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. With regard to the proposed reforms of the institutions, the Committee will take evidence from experts, academics, constitutional experts and so on, who will lay out what they think is a possibility with regard to reform. We will question them, ask them how it affects the Good Friday Agreement and so on, because we do not want to bring in any aspect of reform that might damage either the spirit or the letter of the Good Friday Agreement. When the Committee has completed its hearing of evidence, it will then lay out the options and have a much bigger public consultation.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I just wonder whether the Member would be prepared to comment on the eulogy that his leader gave to the paedophile and wife beater, Mr Tweed. Will he comment on that?”