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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“<BR /> <BR />The Bill contains many legal and medical intricacies, largely due to the fact that we are dealing with the vastly complex issue of mental capacity and how it affects each individual in an often unique way. It must be said that the projected costs of this Bill and its implementation are huge. Both Departments have their work cut out for them in managing those vast costs in our rapidly depleting budgets. <BR /> <BR />The Mental Capacity Bill will provide greater autonomy, independence and ownership for those with mental health difficulties by giving them the ability to manage their own treatment and all aspects of their daily lives. I support the general principles of the Bill.”
“Again, the best interests of the individual in question will be at the heart of any decisions, and their right to make decisions for themselves will be safeguarded. <BR /> <BR />It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that there have been some concerns raised in relation to the omission of under-16s from the Bill. In addition, I understand that there is apprehension surrounding the independence and training of those who have responsibility for assessing capacity. I trust that, as we in the Ad Hoc Committee scrutinise the Bill, we will be able to alleviate those concerns and build into the Bill the insertion of further protection for children into the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.”
“Being in control may assist quicker and longer-term recovery. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that, at times, it is necessary to make serious and often life-altering decisions on behalf of people when their mental capacity is diminished. I am pleased that that area has also been given a framework to allow health and social care professionals to make those decisions in order to protect the individual and those making the decisions. In serious interventions such as major surgery or moving someone to a sheltered dwelling, for example, it is vital that decisions are made in a person-focused manner. The Bill will provide a system of checks and balances to ensure that the thorough steps have been followed to confirm that the level of mental capacity has been firmly and indisputably established.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill will bring together mental capacity and law and ensure that an individual's right to make decisions is protected in a way that will ensure that they are primarily kept safe. The provision within the Bill to allow individuals to participate in and contribute to their care process is to be greatly welcomed. The provision recognises the fact that mental capacity in those people experiencing mental health issues is often not a one-off episode but may vary on a day-to-day basis. In providing help and support in making decisions as to how they would like to be cared for during periods of mental distress, people will undoubtedly feel empowered and more in control of their situation. Without doubt, this approach will be less traumatic for those suffering conditions such as schizophrenia and depression.”
“I appreciate that we are coming up to 2.00 pm, so I will be brief. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity, as a member of the Ad Hoc Joint Committee to Consider the Mental Capacity Bill, to speak on the matter today. Following on from the recommendations of the Bamford report, it has been recognised that we in Northern Ireland require reform of our mental health law to include provision recognising an individual's mental capacity. Whilst our current position centres on the individual's best interests, the new legislation will add to the protection given to that person and will no longer rely on the assumption that people with limited or restricted mental capacity cannot take responsibility for major life decisions.”
“Some £50·5 million is for financial transactions capital funding for the Arc21 development in my constituency. I seek assurance from the Finance Minister that, should the Arc21 planning application for Mallusk not be granted, that loan money can be handed back and allocated, if need be, to another project or even to another project in another Department. It is worth pointing out the fact that here is mass public opposition to the project in Mallusk and more viable and non-controversial options exist.”
“<BR /> <BR />With such a large proportion of DOE's budget relating to salaries, I am pleased that the Committee has pressed the Department, at every opportunity, to determine the exact saving should money become available from the voluntary exit scheme. The Department has a target to reduce its staff by around 400 posts, which will go some way to addressing the other pressures. The Committee is keen that the Department act swiftly and strategically to reallocate savings to priority areas, if and when that money becomes available. I ask the parties opposite to consider how they plan to reform public services should the voluntary exit scheme not have sufficient funding to proceed. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I turn to the £58 million of capital allocated to the Department.”
“Those in the Chamber who fail to support Budget reform will, no doubt, be called to explain their reasons to the heartbroken victims of road tragedies. With the number of road fatalities rising, the Department's bid for £1 million in June monitoring to restore the level of funding for road safety communications in line with 2014-15 levels is particularly important. It is also important that the Department of the Environment looks carefully at how it plans to deal with the ever-increasing road fatalities and injuries in Northern Ireland and at more effective and creative ways of delivering road safety messages.”
“The loss of valuable services may lead to EU infraction fines and the loss of valuable research into our biodiversity and historic environment. I am aware that the Department has bid for an additional £2 million for environmental programmes in June monitoring and that that is one of its preferred bids. <BR /> <BR />I have further concerns about the impact of budget reductions in other areas, such as road safety. In recent weeks, our country has witnessed absolute carnage on our roads, with horrendous loss of life and many lives subsequently destroyed through the suffering of the families left behind after a tragedy. It is an absolute travesty to say that we can no longer afford to raise awareness or take preventative action.”
“Those organisations consist of thousands of people who are passionately committed to every aspect of our environment and carry out such valuable work on behalf of us all. If the DOE is taking its responsibilities seriously, those organisations and the work that they do should be described as vital. I welcome the fact that the Minister has finally seen sense and engaged with them, leading to the creation of the £1·25 million natural environment fund. My fear is that whilst that fund may provide some easement, it does not go nearly far enough. Once the groups cease to exist, their expertise will be lost, and we may never get them back. The consequences for the environment in that scenario do not bear thinking about.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Chair and Committee members acknowledged, there are existing obligations that the Department is statutorily obliged to pay, such as the derating grant to councils. The Department received an additional £2 million in the draft Budget and £1·9 million in the final Budget to restore that grant to its opening baseline position, but there remains a £1·3 million shortfall, which the Department is bidding for in the June monitoring round. That, coupled with the fact that 60% of the DOE's budget covers salaries, means that other areas in the Department will receive a larger percentage reduction. <BR /> <BR />Of particular concern to me is the uncertainty now felt by the Environment Department's NGO sector.”
“Departments now find themselves in the almost impossible position of delivering services whilst barely knowing from one week to the next what further cuts they will be asked to make or what further penalties might be imposed on them. <BR /> <BR />Perhaps, when the members of Sinn Féin next travel to America with their fundraising begging bowl, they might consider telling their audience about the millions of pounds of taxpayers' money they throw away every week back at home. Their economic strategy, it appears, leaves much to be desired. <BR /> <BR />The Environment Minister can turn to his colleagues around him, and to his partners in denial in Sinn Féin, and thank them for allowing his Department to suffer the hardest budget hit of any Department, a headline reduction of 10·7%.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Supply resolution and Main Estimates 2015-16. The Environment Committee was first briefed on the draft Budget by officials from the Department of the Environment in November 2014. That was followed by a further briefing from officials in February 2015. In March, the Minister also agreed to attend the Committee to brief it on the final Budget and the consequences that it will have on the Department and the services that it provides. There is no doubt that, as a result of the parties opposite deciding to hold each other's hand in the economic wilderness, we face not just a tsunami of financial consequences and penalties but a threat to the very institutions of government.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Given that funding for the women's safety work for perpetrators, associated with IDAP, has been withdrawn without notice, how will the programme continue to be accredited? Do you, as Minister, recognise that that totally unsafe practice places victims of domestic violence at an increased risk?”
“I thank the Minister for his full statement this morning on many issues, and I welcome the introduction of the food waste regulations. What is his Department doing by way of working with the 11 new super-councils to ensure that all the bio waste that can possibly be collected is collected for recycling across Northern Ireland?”
“<BR /> <BR />I am aware that the Minister's predecessors have been working with the Home Officer to introduce UK-wide legislation to ban new psychoactive substances. As the Minister begins his new role, I trust that he will continue the work to ensure that we are doing all that we can to remove these dangerous substances from our streets. I will do all that I can, personally and as a member of the Health Committee, to support that work. I wish my colleague every success in this matter, and I give him my best wishes going forward in his new ministerial position. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whilst other areas can learn from the inroads made by Belfast City Council and Omagh council in policing the sale of these products through the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, and although the Home Secretary has moved to introduce temporary drug banning orders, I believe that more must be done to remove this blight. The volume of these substances reaching our streets is truly frightening, and the speed with which new formulations are being developed is staggering. As we play cat and mouse with commercial chemists and those who wish to profit from the misery of others, the people of Northern Ireland who take those substances are putting their life at risk.”
“He said that communities are seeing an increase in antisocial behaviour, and he talked about the global and unlimited access to these drugs. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCrea said that he had written to the Minister of Justice on the issue and was told that it is not a devolved matter. He also mentioned the tragic case of Adam Owens. He talked about the cocktail of drugs and the fact that we have no way of knowing what exactly is in them. He mentioned the provision of support to those suffering from addiction and said that there should be some creative intervention on the matter.”
“She also said that the people who sell the product are shameful and despicable. <BR /> <BR />Mr Buchanan said that it is right that we remember those who lost their life through the use of these substances. I am sure we can all echo that across the Chamber. He was concerned that the products are being sold openly in Omagh, and he spoke about the ease of accessing the drugs. He said that the sharp rise in this type of drug use is extremely worrying and that legislation needs to be introduced. He said that the drugs are unregulated and that their contents are unknown. <BR /> <BR />Mr Middleton was in no doubt that it is a serious issue and that the misuse of these substances is a worryingly popular trend. He said that the substances are not morally acceptable and that many young people are becoming addicted to drugs like this.”
“He talked about the fact that David Ford has raised the matter in his capacity as Justice Minister, and he also said that education is essential. <BR /> <BR />Mr Robinson asked whether there is a link between suicide and the use of legal highs. He spoke about how these highly damaging drugs are being sold for personal profit without regard to the damage that is caused to individuals and their families. He spoke passionately and asked whether it is morally right that Northern Ireland continues to let children as young as 11 have access to such dangerous substances. He called for those substances to be made illegal. <BR /> <BR />Ms McCorley supported the motion and the amendment. She said that the issue needs to be dealt with and that the description "legal high" is misleading.”
“Mrs Dobson spoke about the families across Northern Ireland that have been ripped apart as a result of these drugs, and she welcomed the move away from the description "legal highs". She mentioned that it is a reserved matter and said that those who produce these products are no better than drug dealers. She also said that change is required. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCarthy said that he was shocked and saddened by the death of Adam Owens, and I know that Adam Owens was mentioned a number of times during the debate. Mr McCarthy spoke of the Minister and the Department's response to previous similar issues, and he said that, for him, the most obvious and effective recourse is the introduction of legislation.”
“He talked about how the number of drug-related deaths has risen and said that substances marketed as technically legal by sellers can manipulate the market by stating that they are not fit for human consumption. <BR /> <BR />Ms McLaughlin talked about the stark reality that Ireland has the highest use of such substances in Europe. She also mentioned the untold grief and pain that has been brought to families. She talked about the enhancement of legislation to a general ban and about the need to move on the recommendations from the expert panel. She welcomed the closure of the very many head shops.”
“He spoke about the sheer volume and speed with which the substances appear on the market and also about the various organisations that are attempting to tackle the use of legal highs, including local government. He stated that, in 2013, the Home Office appointed an expert panel to consider how the issue of new psychoactive substances could be addressed. He accepted the amendment from the SDLP but stressed the need for legislation to deal specifically with the issue. He added that the issue of legal highs is too important for us to play politics with. <BR /> <BR />Mr McKinney moved the amendment, and he spoke of the need for individuals to be aware of the danger of legal — or "lethal", as he said — highs.”
“In addition, I am concerned that people are putting their long-term mental and physical health at risk. There have been many reported cases of psychotic episodes following periods of prolonged use, with some occurring long after the user has stopped taking the substances. It has also been documented that infection with HIV and hepatitis B and C is higher among users of those substances, as they may be more prone to entering into unprotected sexual encounters or sharing needles. <BR /> <BR />At this point, I want to refer to some of the comments made in the Chamber today, which were many. I will start with the proposer of the motion, Mr Easton, who spoke of the accessibility of legal highs. He talked about the misleading term "legal high", which makes the substances sound safe or legal for human consumption.”
“<BR /> <BR />Anecdotal evidence suggests that the effects can be much worse than those of other illegal drugs such as cocaine and Ecstasy, simply because the components regularly change as compounds are identified and banned. It is particularly worrying that the substances are very often taken in polydrug usage, combined with a cocktail of alcohol and other illegal drugs or prescription medications. That combination of stimulants, hallucinogens and depressants can lead to breathing difficulties, anxiety, collapse and, in the worst cases, even death. <BR /> <BR />In 2013-14, 20 deaths were linked to new psychoactive substances in Northern Ireland. My fear is that the figure may be much greater than that owing to the difficulties with forensic identification.”
“<BR /> <BR />The obvious disparity in drug regulation has led to a shift in social attitudes surrounding misuse and, in many ways, has normalised the taking of those substances among young people. Through the media and television, we are all familiar with the images of seedy drug deals taking place on street corners and in dark alleyways. Although the drugs are rightly prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, we are dealing with an epidemic of substances being dealt in plain sight in so-called head shops across Northern Ireland and openly through the Internet. The substances have not been tested. There is no quality assurance, and there is no way of knowing what exactly they contain, as often what is listed on the packaging is far from the actual chemical components making up the product.”
“I welcome the opportunity to make the winding-up speech on this very important matter today and take the opportunity to welcome Minister Hamilton to his new and very difficult role of dealing with the health service in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As everyone in the House has recognised, the need for greater control on new psychoactive substances has never been more important, and, along with the Home Office, we must continue to press for tighter controls on this reserved issue as a matter of urgency. New psychoactive substances, or legal highs, are on open sale across the United Kingdom, and I believe that a joined-up approach is long overdue.”
“I thank the Minister for his responses so far. Will he tell us whether he is considering the introduction of a population vaccination programme for this disease?”
“I join others in congratulating the Minister on her new role. I am sure that she will do tremendously well. Following on from her last answer, can she tell us whether there a time limit by which welfare reform must be implemented?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I recently had the privilege of meeting the Ulster Barbarians, the only club of its type in Northern Ireland. It meets at the Antrim Forum each week to play wheelchair rugby. What can the Minister's Department do to support the good work of clubs such as that and to ensure that more such clubs are set up so that the disabled community has appropriate access to sport?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer thus far. Given that the grass along the Fairview Road in Newtownabbey was cut only once last year and has not yet been cut this year, does he agree that the reduction in grass cutting will have a detrimental effect on the area for residents and on their enjoyment of their locality?”
“The Minister has already mentioned that urology is a major part of the problem here: can he outline what actions are being taken to make improvements in that field?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I understand that he is reluctant to comment further but does he agree with me that, given the vast number of objections — 3,258 to date, as he has outlined — and the obvious lack of infrastructure at the Hightown site, it is wholly inappropriate for the development to go ahead?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Can he confirm what support his Department intends to provide to the 220 people who will lose their jobs as a result of the debacle around applications to the European social fund?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Does she agree that any commemoration should recognise that those who fought and made the ultimate sacrifice were from across the religious and political divide, and, indeed, from every part of the island of Ireland?”
“I thank the First Minister for his answer. Does the First Minister agree that further financial resources, beyond what was agreed at Stormont Castle, are not available to be allocated to welfare reform?”
“On behalf of the DUP group, I am content to agree that the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 be affirmed.”
“I thank the Minister for outlining the purpose of this statutory rule, and also the departmental officials who briefed the Committee recently. This rule is bringing the safety standards to a new level that will eventually see all cars fitted with the necessary ISOFIX points for the fitting of the appropriate child safety seats. Of course, none of us is going to argue that the safety of children in our cars is not of paramount importance. I welcome the fact that the current child seats will not need to be replaced until at least 2018 and trust that the retailers will continue to promote the use of ISOFIX points and the actual seats and booster cushions where appropriate. I urge the Department to ensure that all relevant information is made available to retailers and parents.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. He mentioned the Scoffield report, and obviously changes to legislation and regulations are required for the scheme. When specifically does the Minister anticipate bringing forward his proposals to implement the recommendations?”
“At this stage, I thank the Minister for his initial response and look forward to a more detailed response in due course. It is also appropriate at this stage to thank the Committee staff for their hard work in the production of the report and for all their help throughout the inquiry, which turned out to be quite a large inquiry, with a great deal of work for the Committee staff. In particular, I thank Sheila Mawhinney, the Committee Clerk, for the tremendous work that she has put into it.”
“He said that £140 million has been paid in subsidies to wind energy producers. He said that wind energy is not producing cheaper electricity, and he was concerned about the health implications of wind turbines. He also said that there should be a halt to wind turbine development. <BR /> <BR />The last contributor was Paul Frew, who welcomed the report. He said that the report addressed only one part of the cost of electricity and that wind power will not help industry. He stated that wind generators are paid the same as gas generators and that wind power generators have to be paid capacity payments. He also said that the cost of generating energy needs to be taken seriously. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I ask the Assembly to approve the report.”
“Barry McElduff supported the recommendations in the report. He supports the Programme for Government targets but has concerns about the over-reliance on wind energy. He was concerned about separation distances, the cumulative impact of wind turbines and the displacement of jobs and tourism. He also said that the ETSU-R-97 guidelines need to be reviewed. <BR /> <BR />Steven Agnew welcomed the Committee focus on wind energy. He called for community involvement in projects. He stated that wind energy is the cheapest form of energy production and that the price of wind energy is coming down while other sources of energy are increasing in cost. He also said that there is a need to look strategically at energy production. <BR /> <BR />David McNarry believes that the planning approval for wind turbines is a rubber-stamping exercise.”
“She was concerned about noise pollution and distance from residential properties, and she wanted the Department to improve its methods of measuring noise pollution. <BR /> <BR />Sammy Wilson said that there was increasing alarm in Northern Ireland about the impact of wind turbines. He also welcomed the report. He stated that planning policy is often influenced by the guidance from the Minister's office. He also welcomed the recommendation that those putting up wind turbines be responsible for ensuring that they meet standards. He said that the guidance on noise levels needed to be updated and stated that the cumulative impact of wind turbines on an area needed to be taken into account.”
“<BR /> <BR />Cathal Boylan was in favour of the recommendations in the report but concerned about the use of reconditioned turbines. He stated that ETSU-R-97 was unfit for purpose and needed to be reviewed. He said that there needs to be more effective engagement with communities. <BR /> <BR />Alban Maginness said that it was important to note the contribution made by wind energy and that, over time, its cost will decrease. He was impressed by the efforts made by those building wind turbines with the community, and he said that engagement with communities was essential. <BR /> <BR />Sandra Overend welcomed the report's seeking to bring some clarity to this issue. She said that there is a need for an overarching strategic approach to the siting of turbines.”
“The views of residents need to be listened to, considered and taken into account. <BR /> <BR />The Committee talked about the mandatory use of the community engagement toolkit and recommended that the level of community benefit be set at government level. It recommended that this be made a condition of planning permission and that a community-benefits register similar to the one in Scotland be set up. That sums up the Chair's remarks. <BR /> <BR />I will turn now to other Members. Lord Morrow raised concerns about the impacts of wind turbines: the noise, safety, the effect on property values and the detrimental impact on the landscape. He noted that many remain to be convinced of the benefits of wind energy and that there was a mood for a more strategic approach to be taken to planning.”
“This was a very emotive part of the inquiry, as many submissions dealt with the adverse impact of perceived noise from wind turbines on respondents' day-to-day lives. It seems that the current guidelines on permissible levels of noise are no longer adequate. The Committee therefore recommended that the Department urgently review the use of the ETSU-R-97 guidelines with a view to adopting more modern and robust guidance for the measurement of wind turbine noise. The Committee also recommended that the Department specify a minimum separation distance between wind turbines and dwellings. <BR /> <BR />The inquiry's final term of reference, as the Chair informed us, related to the extent of engagement by wind energy providers with communities. Community concerns about visual amenity, noise and health did not always seem to be given due regard.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee found that many submissions to the inquiry focused on perceived inadequacies in the current planning procedures and the cumulative impact of turbines. It recommended that planning applications for connection to the grid be assessed at the same time as turbine applications, which is, I think, a common-sense approach. The Committee believes that the requirement to notify neighbours who occupy buildings on land within 90 metres of the boundary of the application site is inadequate for the latest wind turbines, which may exceed a great height. <BR /> <BR />The Chair talked about the inquiry's second term of reference, which focused on wind turbine noise and separation distances from dwellings.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I am sure that the Minister will take those points on board as he looks into the report further. <BR /> <BR />As I said, in certain places like west Tyrone, the number of operational or planned wind developments has reached saturation point. The Committee identified a clear need for closer liaison between the strategic planning division and councils to ensure a joined-up approach and more cohesive planning for wind farms and individual turbines. The Committee also expressed some concern that the term "economic considerations", which is used in PPS 18 and retained in the draft SPPS, is not clearly defined. The Committee urges the Department to do so.”
“It also considered whether a strategic approach that advocated zoning or the identification of the most appropriate location for wind turbines would be effective. However, as we all know, it was agreed that it is now too late for the introduction of zoning in Northern Ireland as many areas —”
“Obviously, we first had the Chair, who spoke at length in moving the motion to accept the report. She said that the Committee had received 98 submissions in response to its call for evidence. The Committee also had oral evidence sessions with a range of stakeholders and commissioned the services of a specialist acoustician to assist it with the technical aspects of the inquiry. We also heard that the Committee carried out a fact-finding visit to west Tyrone to see a wind farm development at first hand and to hear from the residents who lived close to the turbines. <BR /> <BR />The Committee agreed that there was a need for a strategic approach in the siting of wind energy developments.”