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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,907 lines we hold for Pam Lewis, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 39.
“We know that extended waits for specialist consultants are also pushing patients back into general practice for interim reviews, pain management, sick lines and monitoring that should be taking place in secondary care. Long delays in key areas, including pain services and hip and knee replacements, are forcing people to return repeatedly to their GPs, while they are living in significant discomfort and pain with reduced mobility and a loss of independence. Those prolonged waits are also driving economic inactivity, as people remain unable to work at times, while they wait for their procedures and treatments. <BR /> <BR />It is important to recognise that not all the feedback was negative. Some patients shared very positive experiences of being seen promptly and being treated with genuine compassion by their GP practice.”
“Others described being unable to access their practice because they could not sit on hold at 8.30 am, including teachers, who cannot leave classrooms; carers, who cannot abandon those whom they support; and shift workers, who cannot walk away from their duties. One parent told me that they spent an entire morning phoning repeatedly for their unwell child, with no queue system and no callback function. After losing a day's pay, they ended up in their local GP out-of-hours service. Others described delays in follow-up after photo-based assessment, with at least one person's condition worsening significantly overnight.”
“According to the 2021 census data, in 10 years, the population of Ballyclare has grown by around 8·5%, and the population of Antrim has grown by around 9%. Those growth patterns reflect extensive new housing and expanding commuter communities, but GP capacity has not increased in tandem. Surgery teams are now attempting to support thousands more residents without the corresponding infrastructure, staffing or investment. <BR /> <BR />Behind those figures are, of course, real people. One constituent stated that, after hospital clinicians advised that they urgently needed medication, their GP practice did not have the staffing capacity to issue the prescription, which meant that they had to return to hospital simply to obtain that medication.”
“The Committee also heard that the Department does not hold complete full-time-equivalent GP workforce data, which is a basic requirement for any modern health system that seeks to plan sustainably. <BR /> <BR />At the same time, we know that the number of GP practices has fallen over the past decade while demand has risen. As of March 2025, Northern Ireland had just over 305 GP practices, supporting just over two million people. That represents a 13% reduction in practice numbers, despite a significant increase in population. Average list sizes have risen by more than 23%. That imbalance between capacity and demand is the foundation of the many difficulties that we see today. The pressures are even more evident in rapidly developing areas.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. This Adjournment topic focuses specifically on GP access in South Antrim, but every Member will recognise that this issue affects the whole of Northern Ireland. No constituency is untouched by the pressures facing general practice, and no family is unaffected by the growing difficulty in securing timely GP care. <BR /> <BR />The recent report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has laid bare the scale of public concern. More than 15,000 people responded to its call for evidence, and over half rated their experience of accessing GP services as poor. Many described spending long periods on hold, repeatedly calling or being advised to try again the next day. Some patients turned to private provision or emergency departments, not out of choice but because they felt that they had nowhere else to go.”
“I will not, thank you. <BR /> <BR />The latter part of the motion is equally troubling. It calls for so-called institutional reform involving the Irish Government. Let me be clear: reform of these institutions is the responsibility of this Northern Ireland Assembly, not external actors. The appropriate forum for such a discussion already exists through the Assembly and Executive Review Committee. Constantly running down these institutions does not "restore public confidence"; it undermines it. <BR /> <BR />The motion is disproportionate, politically motivated and, ultimately, damaging to the credibility of the House. For those reasons, I oppose it.”
“— or defended decades of violence by saying that there was no alternative. The hypocrisy in the Chamber is stark, but the public can see the double standards that are at play.”
“The report also makes claims that the post may have heightened tensions, yet it provides no evidence to support that assertion; no investigation and no factual assessment, just conjecture. If elected representatives can be sanctioned on the basis of subjective interpretation rather than evidence, we risk creating a chilling effect on legitimate political speech and constituency representation. <BR /> <BR />What makes the motion even more difficult to take seriously is the absolute hypocrisy around it. Some of those who have been loudest in lecturing the House about empathy have attended the funerals of convicted terrorists —”
“They know that it will not remove a Minister or improve a single public service. Therefore, this question must be asked: why bring it forward at all? The answer, we know, is that they do so because it is easier to attack than to deliver. <BR /> <BR />The finding against the Minister relates not to corruption, misuse of office or dishonesty but to an alleged failure to demonstrate a sufficient level of empathy in a social media post. That alone should concern Members across the Chamber. Serious questions remain about the commissioner's report, in particular the failure to properly consider whether the Minister was acting in his ministerial capacity at all. It was a constituency matter. Had that been correctly assessed, the complaint would never have been deemed admissible.”
“I rise to oppose the motion and to place on record my support for the Minister for Communities, Gordon Lyons. <BR /> <BR />Let me begin with something on which there should be agreement across the House: the scenes at Larne Leisure Centre on the night in question were unacceptable. Racism, intimidation and violence against anyone have no place in our society, and the Minister has been clear and consistent in condemning that behaviour from the outset. However, the motion is not about addressing racism: it is about political opportunism. At a time when people across Northern Ireland struggle to access healthcare, waiting lists continue to grow and public services are under real strain, the official Opposition have chosen to use valuable Assembly time on a motion that they know will go nowhere.”
“I very much welcome the progress to date and the fact that we have now started to change public perception of the scourge of benefit fraud. That is really important. The Minister has mentioned before that Executive papers to further deliver on the issue appear to have been blocked. Can he provide more detail about that, such as when those papers were submitted and why he feels that they have been blocked?”
“There is indeed, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. They continue to live under that threat at all times. Minister, will you commit not just to progressing that study but to holding a public meeting in Antrim in the next couple of weeks for you and your officials to present an immediate action plan and realistic timeline for permanent solutions? On the back of that, a delegation of residents who experienced flooding and I would also welcome a private meeting with you, Minister.”
“I thank the Minister for taking the time to go to the Riverside area to see the aftermath of yet another devastating flood. Unfortunately, despite that visit, in residents' own words, they feel ignored. They were badly flooded in 2008, and they live under the continual threat of flooding.”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. Given that, this year, you imposed a contract settlement and caused anger among GPs, on reflection, should you have acted differently? Can you provide any further update as on quickly you see those negotiations progressing?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement to the House on the meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council language body. During his discussions at that meeting, did anyone accuse him of being "sectarian" or say that he "does not do Irish language"?”
“Will the Minister outline the work that is being done to allow schools greater flexibility in procurement within the existing frameworks?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Will she tell the House more about how AI can drive efficiency across the Northern Ireland Civil Service?”
“I welcome the statement. I am sure that all in the hospitality sector in South Antrim will, equally, welcome it. When the valuation numbers were presented to you, as Finance Minister, did you complete any economic impact assessment at all?”
“It is also good that a change to the speed limit is to come in, because that will provide learners with an opportunity to learn how to drive in an appropriate fashion and how to drive in certain conditions and on certain roads. Will the Minister therefore introduce guidance on all those issues so that people are clear about the changes?”
“I am here long enough to remember when the then Committee for the Environment scrutinised the legislation. It was a long time ago, so it is good to see its provisions being commenced. I say respectfully that today would have offered a good opportunity for the announcement to be presented by way of a ministerial statement so that Members could have asked questions under that format rather than under this format, but we are where we are. <BR /> <BR />We welcome any measures that will improve road safety, but is the Minister prepared to issue clear guidance and publications? It is huge reform, with lots of complicated factors involved.”
“Does the Minister accept that the proposed increases in non-domestic rates will be devastating for the tourism and hospitality sector?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I am sure that the Minister is aware that Colin Neill recently referred to the proposed rise in non-domestic rates as:”
“That is a decision that should never be taken lightly, but, equally, victims must not feel forgotten while deliberations continue. Ongoing communication and meaningful engagement are essential, and survivors must be kept informed throughout the process. The issue should never be politicised. I believe that Members across the House recognise the responsibility that we carry. <BR /> <BR />In supporting the motion and the amendment, our objective is clear: ensuring that the response delivers truth, accountability and meaningful outcomes for victims and survivors. As we all know, the victims and survivors have waited long enough, and they deserve nothing less.”
“<BR /> <BR />While that work has been completed, victims and survivors deserve clarity about what happens next. They deserve transparency, consistent engagement and confidence that their experiences are shaping outcomes. Let me be clear: this is not about delaying action, nor is it about avoiding difficult decisions. It is imperative that the next steps are the right steps, and our collective response must be victim-centred and trauma-informed. The focus must be on getting this right, not on creating quick headlines. <BR /> <BR />The recommendations under consideration will, no doubt, raise serious and complex questions, including on their scope, access to records, their cost and, crucially, their impact on victims and survivors. That is particularly true on the question of a public inquiry.”
“That lasting trauma must be recognised honestly in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />The three independent research projects commissioned by the Executive Office marked an important step forward. They examined how institutions responded to allegations, recorded the lived experiences and expectations of victims and survivors and reviewed the safeguarding policies of faith organisations. I place on record my sincere gratitude to the victims and survivors who took part. Coming forward to share deeply personal experiences of abuse takes immense courage, and no one should underestimate the emotional toll that that process involves. I also pay tribute to the survivors' reference group and other campaigners, whose persistence and determination ensured that those voices were heard and that the issue could not be ignored or quietly set aside.”
“Our party supports the motion and the amendment. It is incredibly important that the records are preserved, so the DUP is content to support the amendment. <BR /> <BR />This is a deeply sensitive and distressing issue, and it is vital that our focus remains firmly on the victims and survivors of clerical child abuse — people who were profoundly failed by institutions that should have protected them. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to engage with victims and survivors in my previous role as a junior Minister in the Executive Office, and I recognise the courage that it took to speak out about the often unspeakable experiences that too many endured. For many survivors, the harm did not end when the abuse ended; it was compounded by years of silence and denial and a lack of accountability.”
“When language denies people their humanity, violence is never far behind. <BR /> <BR />Of course, education remains our strongest defence. Last Friday, I attended a Holocaust memorial event that was hosted by the Monkstown Community Association on behalf of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. It was deeply encouraging to see Hollybank Primary School's P7 pupils leading the way in learning about the Holocaust and expressing their knowledge through art. We also heard powerful testimony from Melvyn Goldberger, the son of a Holocaust survivor, reminding us why remembrance is essential. <BR /> <BR />Today, we honour the victims, not only with remembrance but with resolve; resolve to confront antisemitism wherever it appears, to defend our Jewish communities and to ensure that "never again" is a living commitment and not an empty phrase.”
“Across Europe and here in the United Kingdom, antisemitism is rising at an alarming rate. Jewish communities face harassment, vandalism, intimidation and violence. Families are made to feel unsafe simply because of who they are. Let us be absolutely clear: antisemitism has no place in our society. It has no place on our streets, online, in our institutions or in our political discourse. <BR /> <BR />One of the most powerful lessons of the Holocaust is about the cost of indifference. Silence in the face of rising antisemitism is not neutrality: it is failure. We must also recognise the power of words. The Nazi regime used propaganda to dehumanise Jewish people and normalise hatred. That same pattern is visible today, where conspiracy theories and online hate are allowed to spread unchecked.”
“Today marks Holocaust Memorial Day. This year's theme is "Building Generations". This evening, people across the United Kingdom will take part in the "Light the Darkness" national moment at 8.00 pm. We will gather not only to honour the six million Jewish men, women and children who were systematically murdered alongside the millions of other innocent victims of Nazi persecution but to confront the truth about the hatred that enabled the Holocaust. That hatred did not end in 1945. The Holocaust did not happen overnight. It was a result of years of tolerated prejudice, escalating discrimination and widespread indifference. Step by step, words became actions and actions became atrocities. History shows us, with devastating clarity, where unchecked hatred leads. <BR /> <BR />That warning is deeply relevant today.”
“I am privileged to have known the Minister in lots of capacities, over many years, and I am proud to call him a friend. I know about his very good character and the type of things he does and says. Does the Minister believe that the report contains opinions rather than facts?”
“Does the Minister agree that it is vital that the Public Health Agency and the Belfast Trust are fully engaged in finding solutions to address chronic homelessness, given the devastating impact of and, indeed, the complexities around health issues caused by homelessness?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Will he explain how the RAISE scheme addresses budgetary pressures?”
“I thank the Minister for that clarification. What options for delivery of services are the Minister and her Department currently considering in order to deal with the withdrawal of services if the strike is not concluded swiftly?”
“driven policy. The DUP believes in delivery, sustainability and long-term affordability. I urge Members across the House to support the DUP amendment.”
“He has delivered a balanced package, an ambitious housing supply strategy and intermediate rent scheme, enhanced standards in the private rented sector and reforms that improve security and quality for tenants while maintaining stability in the market. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment reflects a balanced approach, acknowledges the real pressures, avoids policies that will shrink supply and focuses on solutions that will work. Housing is too important for a”
“It is, however, also responsible to recognise that, in a period of high housing stress, the ongoing loss of social housing stock must be carefully considered. A review will allow us to ensure that policies remain balanced, sustainable and appropriate to current housing need. It is not about ending aspiration but about ensuring that the system works as a whole. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the cost-of-living crisis has made saving for a deposit increasingly difficult, placing additional pressure on the private rented sector. The DUP Minister has responded to that by raising the upper property value limit for co-ownership, thus helping more people move into homeownership and easing the pressure on private rentals.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to note that Northern Ireland already has third-generation rent regulation in place. Under reforms delivered by Minister Lyons, rents can be increased only once in a 12-month period, and tenants must receive three months' written notice of any increase. That system has broad stakeholder support and strikes the right balance between tenant protection and market stability. It makes sense to monitor and evaluate that framework before rushing into introducing further controls that could have unintended consequences. <BR /> <BR />I will address the call for a review of the house sales scheme. Homeownership remains an important aspiration, and the DUP continues to support that aspiration.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members must be honest about the risks associated with universal or blunt rent controls. Independent research has highlighted the fact that a large proportion of landlords — in some cases, up to 60% — may exit the private rented sector if tighter rent controls are imposed. In an already stretched market, losing that level of supply would make the situation much worse, not better. There is also evidence that some landlords may move properties into the short-term holiday let market, reducing further the availability of long-term private rentals. The research is clear: the most effective way to relieve pressure on rents is to increase housing supply and ensure that the benefits system properly reflects the cost of housing.”
“Alongside that, the DUP Minister has taken decisive action to support working households in the private rented sector through the introduction of the intermediate rent scheme. The scheme delivers high-quality homes at around a 20% discount on market rents, providing greater affordability, improved quality and better security of tenure for those who struggle with rising costs. The Minister has also acted to address homelessness and the escalating cost of temporary accommodation by approving the purchase of hundreds of homes for that purpose, thus reducing the reliance on hotels and bed-and-breakfast accommodation, while delivering better outcomes for vulnerable families and better value for the taxpayer. Those are practical, responsible interventions that focus on delivery, not on ideology.”
“<BR /> <BR />Housing is now rightly recognised as a core Executive priority. Under DUP leadership, the Minister for Communities has delivered an ambitious housing supply strategy, setting out a clear framework to deliver at least 100,000 homes across all tenures. The strategy recognises housing as foundational, underpinning health, education, economic participation and community stability. Crucially, the Minister is not simply setting out his ambition but delivering action in extremely challenging financial circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Significant capital investment is being directed into new social housing, with reforms to funding models that are designed to stretch limited budgets further and build more homes. Thousands of new social homes targeted at areas of greatest housing need are under construction across Northern Ireland.”
“It is vital, however, that the Assembly be honest about what is driving those pressures. The fundamental issue is supply. Demand for housing continues to outstrip supply in the social and affordable housing sectors in particular, and the imbalance places sustained pressure on the private rented sector. When social housing stock is insufficient, more households are pushed into private renting. That increases competition for a limited number of properties and inevitably puts upward pressure on rents. Until that imbalance is addressed, no single regulatory intervention will deliver lasting affordability. That is why our amendment is important. It recognises that existing measures alone are insufficient, as demand outstrips supply, and correctly identifies the loss of social housing stock as a contributor to rent inflation.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The DUP amendment allows the Assembly not only to acknowledge the real pressures that tenants face but to focus on the solutions that will improve affordability in the long-term. <BR /> <BR />There is no dispute about the scale of the challenge. Average private rents in Northern Ireland increased by 6·4% in the year to September 2025, rising to £871 a month, with rents in Belfast being significantly higher at over £1,100. At the same time, house prices continued to rise, making it harder for people to move from renting into homeownership. We can all agree that rents need to be affordable. There are working families paying far too much of their income on rent — families who do not qualify for social housing but are locked out of homeownership as well. That reality must be recognised by us all.”
“I welcome the continued, important work towards eliminating violence against women and girls across the board. I appreciate the update on the work that is happening across Departments, but will the First Minister give an assurance that there is no duplication of that work across Departments?”
“The people of Northern Ireland deserve solutions, not collapse, and that is exactly what the DUP is delivering.”
“While some Members prefer to chase sound bites, talk this place down or even argue for its collapse, the DUP is focused on making devolution work, because Stormont, imperfect as it is, is far better than being ruled from Westminster by a Labour Government who have cut winter fuel payments, hit family farms and caused the economy to stagnate. If it were not for DUP Ministers, pensioners here would not even have their winter fuel payments today. <BR /> <BR />Devolution means local Ministers making local decisions on schools, housing, health and community investment. That matters. The Programme for Government is a road map for growth, stability and opportunity, and the DUP is committed to delivering it. We take responsibility seriously. Governing is harder than heckling. We are here to govern.”
“<BR /> <BR />On the Budget, let us be clear: the Sinn Féin Finance Minister has published a draft Budget without Executive agreement. Of course, that document cannot be treated as settled. The DUP wants a multi-year Budget, but it must be fair, balanced and focused on front-line services and our agreed Programme for Government priorities. We will not rubber-stamp a Budget that protects waste whilst squeezing our public services. We want consensus, but we do not want coercion. <BR /> <BR />The motion talks about the failure of delivery but ignores the reality that governing through a five-party coalition is not simple. That requires compromise, leadership and responsibility. DUP Ministers are not hiding from difficult decisions: they are taking them.”
“We have seen over £30 million allocated to new social housing, £25 million invested in the Health estate and IT and £22 million provided for education and higher education. That is not failure: it is delivery. In Education alone, the DUP Minister has delivered expanded free school meals, increased uniform grants and introduced the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill to tackle rising costs to parents. My party has expanded preschool provision, increased inclusion support and launched the TransformED teacher development fund. We have delivered a £55 million childcare package to support working families. Those are not slogans: they are policies that are already helping people across Northern Ireland.”
“The Opposition motion claims that, two years after the restoration of devolved Government, the Executive have failed the public. I fundamentally reject that claim. The truth is very different. Yes, there are pressures; yes, public services are stretched. However, the public do not want constant negativity: they want delivery. That is exactly what DUP Ministers are providing. <BR /> <BR />We are dealing with the most difficult financial environment that Northern Ireland has faced in decades, yet, even in that context, the Executive — in particular, DUP Ministers — have delivered real, tangible outcomes for working families, schools and communities. Since restoration, we have seen £273 million invested in public services, including funding for public-sector pay, social housing, health, education, roads, water and rail.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her welcome statement on the British-Irish Council. I also thank her for shouting loud and proud for Northern Ireland in every direction that she can. I had the pleasure of working with the deputy First Minister for a considerable time, and I saw at first hand her passion and love for this place and everybody in it. <BR /> <BR />I want to give the deputy First Minister another opportunity to tell us more about how, when she was with the Prime Minister, she raised the issue of taxation — VAT in particular — in relation to our incredibly vital tourism and hospitality sector.”
“If the Justice Minister had been in post in 2023, would she have accepted the Police Ombudsman's resignation?”