Pam Lewis
South Antrim · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Indeed, I thank her for the assistance that she, as Minister of Justice, gave my constituents Kathryn and Aaron McCollum following the tragic death of their much-loved husband and father. Her assistance was deeply appreciated.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I very much welcome the amendment to the Justice Bill on this subject, and I thank my colleagues across the Chamber for the good work that they have done on it. What cost is the PSNI carrying for the seizure, storage and disposal of those vehicles? Is that cost creating a barrier to enforcement?”
“It progresses 18 recommendations from the independent review of charity regulation, with a focus on a more risk-based approach that promotes trust and accountability without placing undue burdens on charities.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak as a member of the Communities Committee at Second Stage of the Charities (Amendment) Bill. I thank the Minister and the Chair of the Committee for outlining the details of the Bill.”
“The public must have confidence that charitable funds are being used properly, that trustees understand their responsibilities and that there is effective oversight when misconduct or mismanagement occurs.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the streamlining of accounting and reporting requirements. For small charities, administration can be a real challenge and burden.”
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“What discussions have the Minister and his Department had with pharmacists to ascertain what role Community Pharmacy will play in assisting GP services and moving forward the transformation of healthcare? Will Community Pharmacy be included in the Encompass roll-out next year?”
“I also thank the Committee Clerk, Keith McBride, and the entire team at the Health Committee for their work. They have been under incredible pressure, particularly in the past couple of years, so we thank them for that good work. Also, of course, we thank the Bill Office team and the Health officials, who have put in an incredible amount of work over many years in order to see the legislation come to fruition. There has been significant development of the Bill and supportive amendments have been made to it. Those are welcome, and we see the value in them. <BR /> <BR />Now the real work begins to ensure that the Bill is fully implemented. I support the Bill at Final Stage.”
“I also recognise the fantastic contribution of organisations such as VOYPIC — it is great to see you here today — during the scrutiny process. Those organisations gave oral and written evidence, and the formal and informal sessions that we had with them were incredibly useful.”
“At each stage in the legislative process, the welfare of the child has been at the heart of every Member's comments. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister of Health, Robin Swann, who, in his role, has guided this extensive piece of legislation through the Assembly. As Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, I record my thanks to the Chair, Colm Gildernew, and to the Committee members for all their work.”
“Today is a momentous day for our Assembly in bringing the Adoption and Children Bill to Final Stage. It is a long-awaited Bill. I sincerely believe that, after 35 years, it will bring about a much-needed overhaul and reform of our adoption system. The need is all too clear for a more fit for purpose, responsive and child-focused adoption process in Northern Ireland. It is of the utmost importance that we reform our systems and bring them into the 21st century. <BR /> <BR />The Bill makes amendments to the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995 in order to improve outcomes for looked-after children and young people who have left care. A new, clear and more robust system will ensure better and fairer outcomes for children, young people, prospective parents and social care staff, who do immense work in supporting those in the system.”
“The clause is the crux of the Bill, but it goes hand in hand with clause 5, which creates an offence of not complying with the duties created by clause 1 that can be applied to individuals, partnerships, unincorporated associations and corporate bodies. The clause is vital in holding bodies or individuals to account, should they take any action to hinder access to documents as provided for by the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I thank the sponsor for bringing the Bill to the Floor this evening. It is important that we get this right for all concerned and that the records are protected in law.”
“and to "take appropriate measures to ensure" that a relevant document is not:”
“The apology rightly stated that victims and survivors had been let down and failed by the state over many years. The apology on its own can never make up for the pain caused, but, at least, it recognises and takes responsibility for that pain. <BR /> <BR />The purpose and circumstances of the Bill are, of course, motivated by one aspect of the needs of many victims and survivors. The retention of documents has been identified as a significant issue for them in accessing information relating to their lives. The Bill will help to meet the access to records recommendation in the October 2021 report to the Executive by the truth recovery design panel. <BR /> <BR />Clause 1 introduces a duty to preserve and not to:”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important private Member's Bill. Whilst it is a short document, the Preservation of Documents (Historical Institutions) Bill will be of great importance to many people. The Bill is based on proposed departmental amendments to the Adoption and Children Bill that were deemed to be out of scope of that Bill. In its deliberations on the Adoption and Children Bill, the Committee was generally content to support those amendments, and I am glad that, through the private Member's Bill sponsored by Alan Chambers MLA, a mechanism has been found to expedite these important policies. <BR /> <BR />Just last week, the long-awaited apology to victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse was made.”
“Does it mean that the Department would have to force health premises to display signage against their will? Would it end up with trusts having to write to every pregnant woman who has an appointment? We hold serious concerns about awareness-raising relating to those sites. My fear is that it would, surely, increase the potential for the protests that the Bill sponsor aims to prevent in the zones. <BR /> <BR />It remains my position that a thorough review of existing harassment laws would have been a more suitable and fair way forward. Others have decided that that is not so and want to push ahead with the Bill despite its many grey areas and ambiguity. The DUP will oppose all the amendments moved by the Bill sponsor and will support Mr Allister's amendment.”
“To criminalise those who are deemed to have a different opinion is a dangerous path to go down. In addition, little consideration has been given to the impact on policing resources, which, going by the so-called draft Budget, will face severe front-line cuts. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 5 extends the scope of the requirements for the Department to maintain a register of protected premises. Under that amendment, the Department would have to publish a list of premises in order to bring buffer zones to the attention of members of the public who are likely to be affected. The Department would also have to ensure that the premises themselves bring the zones to the attention of the wider public. There is, again, great ambiguity on what that means.”
“The amendments do nothing to alleviate the concerns about the lack of accountability in the process; there are no additional powers or oversight for the Department; and the Department still has no authority to reject a notification. <BR /> <BR />My party supports amendment No 4, to clause 5, which has been tabled by Mr Allister. The amendment would give reasonable protection from prosecution for the offence of "influencing" to those who act reasonably within a safe access zone. As we have stated before, "influencing" is a broad and undefined term in the Bill, and the Bill does not distinguish influencing behaviour from harassing, abusive or criminal behaviour. I urge Members to think carefully about the implications of supporting such vague legislation.”
“I do not intend to speak for too long on the amendments. My party's position is clear, and our concerns about the Bill's legal implications remain unaddressed. At the outset, I reiterate that patients, staff and visitors to health service premises should never be subject to acts of abuse or intimidation, nor should anyone else in society, for that matter. The Bill will not have the impact that its supporters believe. It will almost certainly result in protracted legal action. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 1, 2 and 3 are technical amendments that attempt to clarify aspects relating to the premises and their notification to become registered, protected premises. The premises retain all power to self-notify or reverse a notification. The process for doing that remains vague.”
“Like the Chair, I advise people that it is good to adhere to the guidance in place and to take common-sense action to protect themselves and others as we make our way, hopefully, through the final stages of the pandemic.”
“I support the motion before the House to revoke these health regulations. We have had many such debates in the Chamber, and this is another one. That we are very much heading in the right direction is a good-news story. <BR /> <BR />I, too, thank all those involved in the incredible efforts against coronavirus, especially the vaccination roll-out, and applaud all those in the health service who, in the past couple of years, have struggled with treating ill patients. Indeed, we think of the families who have lost loved ones throughout the pandemic. We cannot forget their loss. Their grief is still there to be seen. <BR /> <BR />It is appropriate to support the motion.”
“It comes as no surprise that there is no agreement within the Executive for the present draft Budget, which fails on many of the promises of the New Decade, New Approach agreement, which was the basis for the return to power-sharing in the first place. Clearly, much more work remains to be done.”
“Without making available the investment and strategy necessary to tackle waiting lists, soaring costs will simply continue, and there will be a knock-on impact for GP services, community pharmacy services, mental health demand and social care across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The next Programme for Government must include an ambitious strategy for transformation. It makes better sense that a multi-year Budget, with much more careful consideration, should be agreed among the Executive parties after the election. <BR /> <BR />The present draft Budget is just that: a draft. Much more scrutiny is required to develop a Budget that delivers for the people of Northern Ireland. We need a Budget that does not harm our schools, cut our Police Service and does not hinder or delay proper transformation in health.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. We need a transformation that delivers the best possible service for all patients regardless of where they live in Northern Ireland and one that gives our health and social care workforce the facilities, capacity, support and safe staffing levels to carry out their work. <BR /> <BR />In those aspects, the draft Budget leaves me and my party far from convinced. It has no plan or strategy. We cannot continue to do the same things and expect a different outcome. There must be a detailed three-year health transformation plan connected to the Budget for the public to see and for an Executive to agree.”
“For a Budget covering that length of time, there simply must be more time to strategically plan its allocations. For some time, I and other Members have been keen to see a multi-year Budget to allow more strategic long-term planning in the Department of Health. <BR /> <BR />Only through longer-term strategic investment and effective remodelling of service delivery can we achieve the long-overdue transformation of our health service: one that puts patients and front-line staff first.”
“The Health Committee received a briefing from the Department on the draft Budget in December and discussed it at a number of briefings from stakeholders and officials. Owing to the mounting pressures of legislation, including consideration of seven Bills, numerous COVID regulations and a number of legislative consent motions (LCMs) and statutory instruments, the Committee was not able to spend as much time as it would like in scrutinising and taking evidence on the Department of Health's draft budget. <BR /> <BR />The Budget process so far has been extremely rushed, to say the least. In particular, as the Budget will cover a three-year period, the time to scrutinise and consider the consequences of Budget allocations or to agree anything has been lacking.”
“The context and circumstances of the Budget Bill are firmly rooted in the consequences of the pandemic. The real-life impact has been a tragedy for many families across the country who have faced loss. The human cost of that can never be measured, and it will certainly not be forgotten for generations. COVID-19 has also wreaked havoc on our health system and economy. <BR /> <BR />Unprecedented levels of spending have been poured into Northern Ireland in an attempt to plug the gap. It goes without saying that, without our treasured place in the United Kingdom, we would not have been able to sustain our financial position and recover in the way that we have so far. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Health Committee, my focus in the draft Budget has been on health.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also thank the Minister for contributing to the Final Stage debate and for his comments. I know that they are being pored over and examined as we speak. I assure him that he and any future Health Minister will have to deal with any of the developments and scrutiny of the implementation of this vital legislation. We want the changes that the autism community needs so badly to take place. <BR /> <BR />I give a final thanks to you, Mr Speaker, and your office for allowing the previous date to run well over time. That allowed us to reach Final Stage at this point in the mandate. <BR /> <BR />It is a good day for the Assembly and the autism community. Tonight, we are all voting autism. Thank you very much.”
“<BR /> <BR />I specifically thank the Members who contributed to tonight's debate. Colm Gildernew, Chair of the Health Committee, led the Committee through the scrutiny process. Thank you for doing that and for leading on those amendments. I thank Colin McGrath, Paula Bradshaw, Deborah Erskine and Health Committee colleagues, who have been dealing with an incredible amount of work in Committee. I also thank Cathal Boylan, the vice chair of the all-party group on autism, who has a long-held interest in the subject and has always been supportive and there at the right times to push the Bill on. I thank him for that. I also thank Nicola Brogan and Justin McNulty for speaking in tonight's debate and sharing their thoughts on and encouragement about the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Alyson Kilpatrick, chief commissioner of the Human Rights Commission; Shirelle Stewart, director of the National Autistic Society Northern Ireland; Professor Laurence Taggart; Professor Roy McConkey; departmental officials; and the clinicians working in our trusts for all of their contributions. My thanks also to the Clerk of the Health Committee and his team, who worked tirelessly to facilitate the many additional meetings needed to process so much legislation in this mandate. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Members from all parties who indicated their own passions to make a difference in their constituencies, and who engaged in the collaborative spirit in which the Bill was introduced. I thank Members for their support and the House for its commitment to driving change for autistic individuals.”
“Arlene and Kerry were on hand, literally day or night, to ensure that we made it to this Final Stage debate. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Bill Office and the drafter for their invaluable guidance throughout the process and their commitment in pushing to make sure that the Bill was ready as soon as possible, despite their incredible workload. I thank my Health Committee colleagues for scrutinising the Bill and bringing forward amendments that strengthened the legislation, and, of course, I thank all who gave evidence to the Committee, which helped to shape the proposed amendments.”
“I thank all of Autism NI's staff, who worked so hard on the public consultation that shaped the Bill, and all the individuals, family members and professionals who contributed their views and experiences. This was one of the larger consultation responses in the Assembly, which speaks to the desire to see the legislation brought forward. The Bill would not exist without the efforts of autistic individuals, their families, friends, advocates and professionals to see meaningful change. <BR /> <BR />Special thanks must go to my daughter, Hannah Lewis, who has a huge passion for autism with her previous work with autistic adults and her psychology studies. Many late nights and weekends at home have been spent in ensuring that the Bill progressed to each stage.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to stay within your good books and briefly express my thanks to everyone who contributed to the Bill and its progress. <BR /> <BR />I thank past and present members of the all-party group on autism, and the secretariat at Autism NI, for all their work and resource. The fact that this is the second private Member's Bill coming from the all-party group on autism speaks to the commitment of the group. I thank Dr Arlene Cassidy and Kerry Boyd, CEO of Autism NI, for their passion, commitment and absolute determination to see change for the autism community. I thank Kelly Maxwell for contributing her wealth of experience and wisdom.”
“That will show the autism community that we have heard their concerns and that we are determined to make a difference.”
“The autism reviewer must be truly independent from government and other organisations. The autism reviewer is designed to be an impartial individual who scrutinises the Departments' work for the better of the autism community. The individual must work for and engage with the entirety of the autism community, including the many incredible autism advocates whom we have. <BR /> <BR />I thank Members for their support and commitment so far to driving change for our autism community. I will save my full thanks for later, as there are many individuals who have contributed to the Bill's reaching its Final Stage today. I urge Members to continue in the spirit of collaboration that we have seen throughout the Bill's progress and to support the Autism (Amendment) Bill as amended at Further Consideration Stage.”
“In fact, many of them are in the Public Gallery this evening. The reviewer is designed to monitor funding, law and practice and the effectiveness of services relating to autism. The reviewer will be able to commission independent research. The reviewer is to issue an annual report, which will be laid before the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Crucially, the autism reviewer will be an individual appointed by the Department based on their qualifications and experience. The position will be paid, and the Department must provide the reviewer with all the necessary resource to carry out their functions. Amendments that were introduced by the Health Committee strengthen the independence of that role; they ensure that the reviewer cannot be a departmental employee or under the direction or control of Northern Ireland Departments.”
“That is to end the postcode lottery of waiting times for assessment and intervention. <BR /> <BR />Clause 4 introduces annual autism funding reports to be produced by the Minister of Health, setting out how funding for autism has been provided to meet need. Although there have been some concerns about those reports, they are intended to ensure that Departments meet their duties when it comes to autism funding. To give an example of that need, representatives from every health and social care trust stated in evidence to the Health Committee that current services were not resourced to meet demand. <BR /> <BR />Finally, clause 5 introduces an independent scrutiny mechanism in the form of an autism reviewer. That reviewer is not designed to be an autism advocate. There are many fantastic advocates out there.”
“Clause 2 introduces duties to ensure that training will be provided to Northern Ireland Departments and public bodies. An early intervention service for children, young people and adults and an information service will be created. Clause 2 also places a duty on the autism strategy to specifically address the needs of adults in various areas. <BR /> <BR />Clause 3 ensures that the autism strategy must be person-centred, multidisciplinary and cross-departmental; take into account international best practice; and be judged by measurable targets agreed in consultation with the autism community. Crucially, clause 3 ensures consistency of autism practice across Northern Ireland. Thanks to the Health Committee's amendments, consistency of practice needs to be achieved in education services along with health and social care trusts.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill aims to enhance the Autism Act 2011 and to improve services for every autistic individual, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum and what stage they are at in life, whether they are a non-verbal young child experiencing extreme distress in a nursery, a young woman in a secondary school feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or an older gentleman feeling isolated and needing support to manage social engagement and relationships. The Bill recognises that every individual with autism is unique, experiences their autism in a different way and needs access to person-centred supports and services. <BR /> <BR />Clause 1 strengthens the data collected to inform service provision by ensuring that prevalence data is collected on adults as well as children.”
“We have heard evidence throughout this process that highlighted how the current service provision is leaving individuals and their loved ones without essential support. We know that waiting lists for diagnosis and assessment are frighteningly long for many and that that is not an acceptable situation. We need to do more than improve our resourcing and funding for diagnostic services. We need to ensure that diagnosis comes with support and that those who are waiting on diagnosis are not left without vital intervention.”
“I am incredibly proud and grateful to be bringing the Autism (Amendment) Bill to its Final Stage this evening. More than 10 years ago, another chairperson of the all-party group on autism introduced the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. When the former SDLP MLA Dominic Bradley introduced the Autism Act in Northern Ireland, it was the first legislation passed by the Assembly that mandated cross-departmental service planning and delivery across adult and children's services. It was a landmark piece of legislation, without which we would not be standing here today. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, despite the cross-departmental nature of the legislation, Departments have not fulfilled their duties to the autism community.”
“As a party, we understand that the intention of the amendment is to ensure that reporting is not piecemeal and that it can bring benefits in understanding the wider impact of the provisions. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the amendments, which will ensure greater accountability in the implementation of this overhaul of the adoption system. I welcome the progress of the Bill to date and thank the Minister, his officials and the Committee Clerk for the huge amount of work that has been carried out on it. I trust that it will bring about the reform that is so needed in the area.”
“Amendment No 5 would ensure that the reporting requirement would cease to have effect on the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Act is passed if all the provisions in Parts 1 and 2 have been commenced and included in a report.”
“Amendment No 4 adjusts that to place a duty on the Department to:”
“The Department of Education has suggested that it may be preferable for new paragraph (1A) to refer to the child's "learning and development". The amendment uses that wording whilst retaining the separate reference to "achievement" in relation to education and training. The amendment reflects the professional evidence on the appropriate wording and the definitions used. The twin-track approach of learning and development and achievement seems comprehensive. <BR /> <BR />The amendments to clause 158 place a duty on the Department to review and make a report on the implementation of each provision of Parts 1 and 2. Under the Bill as drafted, the Department would have to report on each provision as soon as is practicable after the third anniversary of enactment and once every five years thereafter.”
“At Consideration Stage, an amendment was made to stipulate the categories of person for whom the Department must provide an assessment of need for special guardianship support services. Amendment No 1 to clause 119 would bring the list of persons to whom the Department may provide services into line with that. That amendment is appropriate because it would ensure that there is effective overlap between the duties to assess and to provide services. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 2 is to clause 122, which places a duty on authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child. At Consideration Stage, the wording of the Bill was changed to require authorities to promote a child's:”
“You will be pleased to know, Mr Deputy Speaker, that I will be brief. <BR /> <BR />Before I address the amendments, I restate the support of my party for the Bill in addressing the need for more responsive, fit-for-purpose and child-focused adoption processes in Northern Ireland. In all our consideration of the Bill, we must remember that children and young people are at the forefront. It is crucial that we reform our adoption system and bring it into the 21st century. A new, clearer and more robust system will ensure better outcomes for the child, the new parents and the social care staff, who do immense work supporting those in the system. <BR /> <BR />I move on to the amendments.”
“Again, I support the motion before us. This time, it is the draft Human Medicines (Amendments Relating to the Early Access to Medicines Scheme) Regulations 2022. We understand, as we did before, that the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 govern the arrangements across the UK for the licensing, manufacture, wholesale dealing and sale or supply of human medicines for human use. Rather than repeat the Chairman's remarks, I will simply say that this is a sensible move and that, as a party, we welcome the new provisions, which will provide clarity and practical solutions for dealing with EAMS, medicinal products and licensing authority functions.”
“There is also an extension to 31 March 2024 of the ability to share flu and COVID vaccine stocks between locations without the need for a wholesale dealer licence, which will allow for the final stages of the coronavirus vaccination programme to be completed without the need for additional marketing authorisations or manufacturing licences to be in place. <BR /> <BR />The legislative changes before us are sensible, and they will see us through what we all hope is the tail end of the pandemic. We are all very grateful for the fantastic roll-out of the vaccination services and to the very many people who were involved in rolling them out so swiftly to protect the public. I support the motion.”
“I support the motion, which deals with an amendment to the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, which govern the arrangements across the UK for the licensing, manufacture, wholesale dealing, sale and supply of human medicines for human use. <BR /> <BR />The 2012 regulations were amended in 2020 to temporarily set aside some of the normal rules governing the preparation of COVID-19 and flu vaccines and their supply to patients. Those amendments were used to address legal issues that came up in relation to mass vaccination. Of course, those were temporary changes, and therefore the statutory instrument before us is necessary to make some of them permanent. Those arrangements include the range of registered healthcare professionals who can administer flu and COVID vaccines.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I think of Ballyclare Comrades in my constituency, who have exciting redevelopment plans that would greatly benefit the club and the town. Can the Minister gave an assurance that there will be no more delays in delivering this long-awaited programme? What steps have been taken to progress the funding since assurances were given to clubs in February that it remained a flagship Executive project?”
“As expressed in our submission to the Committee report, that would only serve to present false hope to women who hold legitimate concerns about behaviour directed towards them. I urge Members to reflect on the wide range of concerns expressed about the rushed and careless drafting of the Bill and to consider revisiting these matters in a new mandate.”
“That obligation to account for such freedoms is glaringly absent from the proposed amendments. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 11 would tighten up the parameters of unlawful recording for the purposes of the offence created in clause 6. The reality is, however, that it misses the elephant in the room, namely the ambiguous and open-ended approach to the offence of direct or indirect influence in the same clause. <BR /> <BR />On balance, I feel that the amendments would exacerbate concerns over the disproportionate impact of the Bill on freedom of expression and the right to protest. There is a real risk that the effect of the provisions, particularly if amended, would be simply to displace the bulk of protest activity rather than deal specifically with a minority of individuals engaged in malicious and abusive behaviour.”
“We feel that it would be wrong to dilute the already limited protections contained in the Bill for protesters while the indiscriminate criminalisation of influence remains at the heart of clause 6. <BR /> <BR />I support amendment No 6, standing in the name of Jim Allister. It would ensure that, in the context of the Bill's original provisions, within eight weeks of notification, the Department would designate an area as a safe access zone, only after it had given due regard to:”
“Although I absolutely understand the intention of amendment Nos 7 and 9, standing in the name of Paula Bradshaw, which require there to be signage marking out safe access zones, I am concerned that that would result not in a safe environment for patients or staff but in a conspicuous signposting to the entrance of such services, essentially placing a spotlight on any individual who enters the zone. I am concerned that such a proposal would single out patients and staff rather than the perpetrators of abuse or harassment. That could have the effect of increasing conflict and unproductive interactions. Have patients, staff or local businesses been consulted on whether they feel signage would be appropriate or helpful? <BR /> <BR />My party and I cannot support those amendments.”
“That leads us to ask whether a safe access zone starts at the entry to the hospital grounds or at the front door of the hospital. How can we expect the public to abide by those provisions when the Bill is unclear and poorly drafted? <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 5 would remove the defence in clause 6(4) for protesters to show that they:”