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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“On the same date, retired High Court judge Sir Anthony Hart was appointed to chair the inquiry.”
“It can then be held for ever in memorialisation and posterity for future generations to know about and remember the suffering of our sisters and their children. <BR /> <BR />Before delving into the Bill, it is important to set out the developments that have led us to where we are today. Members will recall that the campaign to establish an inquiry into those affected by historical institutional abuse (HIA) followed damning findings in the institutional abuse inquiry in the Republic of Ireland. Within months, thousands had signed a petition that was delivered to the Assembly in late 2009, calling for a similar assessment of the scale of child abuse in Northern Ireland. The then Executive agreed to set up a public inquiry in 2011, and, the following year, the terms of reference were announced by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.”
“Equally welcome and important are the testimonies of the family members who are, sadly, no longer with us. Every voice will help us to understand better what happened, why it happened and who was responsible. Every record will help to illuminate and form an important part of the tapestry of that shameful part of our past. That past needs to be woven together to help us to dutifully and respectfully acknowledge all of those who suffered at our collective hands. When I say "our", I mean us as individuals, as a society, as members of churches and as state agencies that permitted that to happen. The findings of the investigation and the repository of information that emanates from it will be central to the truth recovery process.”
“It is important to state that redress takes many forms, not just financial: examples of what we see as redress include information retrieval; therapeutic and bespoke support services; memorialisation; and acknowledgement and apology. Speaking directly to family members advocating on behalf of their deceased loved ones, I say this: they and you are part of this process. Their and your experiences will not be lost. <BR /> <BR />We want to hear the testimonies of the women and girls and their now-adult children who suffered due to the shame and stigma imposed by this society throughout the 100-year period that the investigation will examine. The collected testimonies of the victims and survivors who come forward need to be carefully recorded.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, a different sense of loss, although just as profound, will be felt by those adopted children, who are now adults and who, if they were ever told the truth, could have spent years, maybe a lifetime, wondering why or thinking about how different things could have been. That sadness is bound up in ancestral loss: in many ways, it is a lifetime of loss. So many have suffered in so many ways. We want to remember and honour all of them. <BR /> <BR />We recognise the depth of feeling expressed by some about their loved ones not appearing to be included in the truth recovery process or the Bill, but that is far from the truth.”
“Without contemporaneous awareness of the unspoken power structures that were so firmly established in society, so many young women and girls were blamed and made to pay. They were hidden away behind closed doors and had their dignity and agency removed. Unbeknownst to that young woman or girl, she would soon be coerced into relinquishing her child to adoption. We have heard testimony after testimony of covert and overt pressure being applied and of manipulation, even threats, being used until those mothers felt as though they had no choice but to agree to surrender their baby to adoption. The unimaginable sense of trauma and loss is hard to fathom.”
“I will paint a picture to remind the House of the suffering experienced by so many and, importantly, of why we are gathered here today. <BR /> <BR />Imagine, if you will, a vulnerable young woman or girl. Oftentimes, she is already a victim herself. Now, discovering that she is pregnant, she is even more vulnerable. Already filled with uncertainty and carrying the weight of stigma, blame and shame imposed by those around her, she is taken unceremoniously and hidden far from home, with little explanation or real understanding of what is happening. Far from being held close and feeling supported, she is now fearful and alone in a cold and alien place that most definitely does not feel like home.”
“It is thanks to that strong, courageous and determined group of women, who, for more than a decade, have continued to work tirelessly and to lobby for justice, that we are where we are today. We also thank all of those involved with the Victims and Survivors Consultation Forum. They represent an important range of voices and have helped to progress the five core recommendations in the design panel report. <BR /> <BR />As we are all too aware, developing and progressing legislation can feel like a long and bureaucratic process. While that is necessary and important, it sometimes creates too much distance between what it seeks to achieve and those who are most affected — those who are at the heart of the matter. For that reason, I would like to take a moment to bring a human face to all of this.”
“It is a welcome Bill as, ultimately, its outworkings will help shine a long-overdue light on this dark period of our past and, crucially, will ensure that many victims and survivors will receive some financial redress for the shame and stigma that they have endured and, in some cases, continue to endure to this day. <BR /> <BR />It is important for us to recognise those who have done so much to help us reach this important stage of confronting the difficult truths of our collective past. To that end, we take the opportunity to thank the victims and survivors. The work was pioneered by those involved with the Birth Mothers and their Children for Justice group.”
“We carefully considered comparable inquiries in other places and did our best to develop something that seeks to learn lessons to avoid some of the well-rehearsed pitfalls. We paid close attention to the consultation responses and, as a result, made a series of important and worthwhile changes to the proposed policy. Those changes include simplifying the redress eligibility processes; extending the duration of the redress scheme; allowing separate, independent posthumous claims; and, perhaps most important, having the ability to establish a victim and survivors' advisory panel, which, if established, will provide a voice for victims and survivors at the centre of the investigation. All of those changes have helped us deliver what, we believe, is the measured and balanced Bill that is before the House.”
“That novel approach should assist the statutory inquiry to get off to a running start, which will, in turn, help to reduce the overall time and cost of the entire investigation. <BR /> <BR />The truth recovery design panel asked that we learn from other truth processes to ensure that victims and survivors would be properly supported throughout the process. To that end, we made sure that specialised support services were put in place as soon as possible. The bespoke portfolio of support services was co-designed with victims and survivors and has been in place since 2022. <BR /> <BR />For a number of reasons, the Bill aims to put in place the first of two financial redress schemes. The scheme aims to be as simple and inclusive as possible, using the best elements from international examples.”
“<BR /> <BR />A two-stage investigative process has been recommended to enable the victims and survivors who would prefer to avoid participating in what can often be an intimidating inquiry process to have the opportunity instead to provide their testimony in a more supported and informal setting — a safe forum where victims and survivors can have personal testimonies recognised and recorded. That valuable first stage of the investigation — the independent panel — spearheaded by a range of professionals and persons with lived experience, has been able to carry out its analysis of the evidence and will be able to present its findings to inform the statutory inquiry. It has also allowed the difficult and time-consuming but essential, process of securing access to institutional and state records.”
“I appreciate that these practices impact on the lives of many, including some in the House, and I want to do them and the House justice. We believe that what we have in front of us closely aligns with the truth recovery design panel's recommendations, which were developed in collaboration with the wishes of victims and survivors. That required the delivery of a unique and groundbreaking set of aspirations. For example, it required a two-stage financial redress process that would ensure that victims and survivors would not have to wait for years for the completion of an inquiry before some financial redress could be progressed. The Bill will do that.”
“I wish to be as forthright with Members today as Ministers were in our meeting with the victims and survivors. It was important to us to be upfront and acknowledge at the outset the inevitability that the Bill will not and cannot be all things to all people. At our meeting with victims and survivors last week and in the days since, it was clear that some people feel hurt, disappointed and let down by some parts of the Bill. We need to acknowledge, reflect on and own that. We have also received positive feedback from some victims and survivors, and we agree that there is a lot to welcome in the Bill and in the wider process, which I will expand on later. <BR /> <BR />To do this important legislation justice, we believe that it is important to outline why it matters so much, how we have got here and what the legislation will do.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I speak for junior Minister Reilly and me when I say that we feel honoured to move the Second Stage of this important legislation on behalf of the First Minister, the deputy First Minister and the Executive. It is our view that it is one of the most significant Bills to be introduced in this Assembly mandate. It will establish a statutory inquiry for those affected by mother-and-baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses and the associated redress scheme. It is a large, complex and sensitive piece of legislation. <BR /> <BR />Last Monday morning, the First Minister, deputy First Minister, junior Minister Reilly and I met victims and survivors just before the Bill was introduced in the House.”
“It is vital that that cooperation continue throughout the EVAWG strategy's delivery, as the sector's organisations are the experts in that field.”
“I thank the Member for her question. If I had finished my previous answer, I would have said that we will absolutely evaluate all the outworkings. <BR /> <BR />As for the Executive's collaborative work, "Working Better Together" is one of the six outcomes in the EVAWG strategic framework and is embedded in the Programme for Government. Collaboration with a range of Departments, including Education, Health and Justice, is ongoing, and we remain committed to taking that approach with all Departments. <BR /> <BR />It is worth noting that, just last week, junior Minister Reilly and I chaired the second meeting of the EVAWG oversight group, which includes all the Departments at a senior level and, crucially, the community and voluntary sector, which was instrumental in the co-design of the strategy.”
“Eight of the EVAWG expert organisations now deliver as part of the £1·2 million funding from the regional change fund, which covers activity from 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2026. That collective body of work will strengthen the impact and reach of EVAWG expertise and programmes that are offered by key regional and community and voluntary sector organisations to support schools, communities and workplaces.”
“Activity funded under the local change funds is well spread across all communities, including youth groups; sports organisations; schools; businesses; the arts sector; and organisations that support minority ethnic people, people with disabilities and, of course, neurodiverse people. <BR /> <BR />In support of the local change funds, all councils utilised the momentum support, which totalled £655,000 over the January to March 2025 period, with a diverse range of initiatives delivered to raise awareness and public engagement on EVAWG. That strategic investment by the Executive Office has mobilised all 11 councils in bringing EVAWG to the fore in each locality, raising awareness and establishing the basis for longer-term coordination.”
“I thank the Member for that very important question. The change fund is an important part of the delivery plan. We are investing £3·2 million up to March 2026 in community-based action to help end violence against women and girls. The Member will know that the change fund provides grant funding directly to local grassroots community groups in order to build capacity and allow them to take local action. The regional change fund provides grants to regional expert organisations in that field to support their awareness-raising, prevention and capacity-building work. The Executive Office has supported all 11 councils to open local change funds totalling £1·4 million, and those schemes have made awards ranging from £1,000 to £25,000 to local groups.”
“We intend to provide a progress report to the Executive very soon.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Power to Change campaign, in partnership with the Department of Justice and the PSNI, aims to challenge unacceptable attitudes and reduce harmful behaviours of men and boys. Work is progressing at pace on the development of the second phase of campaign work on EVAWG, and we look forward to sharing more of that with you soon. <BR /> <BR />We are only too aware of the serious and long-lasting impact of online abuse. Many Members in the Chamber have first-hand experience of that form of abuse. Junior Minister Riley and I met Ofcom, which has responsibility for online safety under the Online Safety Act 2023, to outline our concerns. We have also established key sectoral working groups to identify key actions to improve outcomes for women and girls in educational, workplace, social and night-time settings.”
“There has been significant progress on the actions contained in the first ending violence against women and girls delivery plan since it was launched last September. The local and regional EVAWG change funds represent a £3·2 million investment for community and voluntary sector organisations in partnership with councils. We have been delighted to see the impact of the funding at grassroots community level. Councils are embedding action to end violence against women and girls in their service delivery and developing signposting and resources for local communities. In addition, eight community and voluntary sector expert organisations are delivering activity that will strengthen the impact and reach of EVAWG expertise and programmes that support schools, communities and workplaces.”
“The second core delivery approach for CRC is community engagement and sharing best practice on effective approaches to peacebuilding, reconciliation and good community relationships.”
“Resource allocations provide for CRC's activities, including grant funding, community development and support services such as HR, IT, finance, governance and facilities. CRC is a small organisation with an average complement of 17 staff. Grant distribution is core to CRC's work, and, as far as possible, the resources allocated to funded groups are protected by minimising cuts to grants and programme costs. <BR /> <BR />CRC has six funding schemes that are tailored to promote certain aspects of community relations, including core funding, community relations and cultural diversity and the north Belfast strategic good relations programme, alongside a media and publication scheme and its pathfinder programme.”
“I thank the Member for that question on the success of T:BUC. I will give a little bit of an update on what is happening and what has been delivered. The Community Relations Council is a key partner in the delivery of good relations, as we all know, under the T:BUC strategy. The CRC works collaboratively with the Executive Office to deliver the strategic outcomes for the funding that it distributes to ensure that it is aligned with the Programme for Government and T:BUC policy. <BR /> <BR />The Community Relations Council is responsible for funding programmes across the region to tackle sectarianism and racism, build good community relationships and deal with antagonisms that are a legacy of the past.”
“I thank the Member for that question. The cross-cutting commitment to peace will make sure that everyone feels the benefit of a growing economy, an improved environment and a fairer society. Equality of opportunity and good relations are, obviously, central to that goal, and they support the immediate priority of safer communities. Keeping communities safe enables people to have the confidence to live productively and engage fully in society, which we all want to see. Such a commitment to peace will require an ongoing commitment to tackle sectarianism and racism.”
“A total of 42 applications were submitted to the Community Relations Council's core funding programme for 2025-26, requesting £2·75 million against an available budget of just £631,000. Applicants have now been informed of the outcomes, and successful applicants have been either awarded funding or placed on a waiting list, should further funding become available throughout the year.”
“The assessment process will complete in early April 2025, and groups will be notified of the outcome of their applications before Easter.”
“The groups that are delivering under the central good relations fund and the Community Relations Council core funding programme undertake vital work in our communities, bringing people together, promoting good relations and contributing to the Programme for Government’s cross-cutting commitment to peace. For 2025-26, the central good relations programme received 220 applications from groups requesting total funding of £7·1 million.”
“Through their passion and commitment, Una and Julie transformed their personal battles into a broader movement for change, ensuring that others would not have to face this disease in silence. Their legacy is one of hope and resilience. <BR /> <BR />As we observe Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, let us honour Una and Julie by continuing their mission. We must advocate for further research, education and support for those affected by ovarian cancer. Together, we can create a future in which fewer families endure the pain of the disease and awareness leads to earlier detection and better outcomes. That is what we all want, so let us all stand united in that effort and carry forward the torch that Una and Julie lit with their unwavering dedication.”
“However, they campaigned and worked hard to raise awareness, especially in this institution, in order to ensure that the women who were coming behind them had a better experience, early warning, early detection and would be better off for their example. <BR /> <BR />Una and Julie both exemplified the true spirit of advocacy, and they used their voices and experiences to educate others about the symptoms and risks of ovarian cancer, tirelessly organising events and support groups that fostered community engagement and understanding. Their efforts illuminated the importance of early detection and empowered countless women to seek medical advice when they might otherwise have hesitated.”
“I take the opportunity to raise awareness of the fact that this is the month that we dedicate to ovarian cancer awareness. It is vital that we recognise the significant contributions of individuals who have worked tirelessly to bring this disease to the forefront. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to two extraordinary women: Una Crudden, who sadly passed away from ovarian cancer in December 2014; and Julie Scates, who passed away in April 2019. They fought valiantly against ovarian cancer and dedicated themselves to raising awareness of the issue. It is often a very overlooked disease. As they campaigned against ovarian cancer and raised awareness of it, they did so knowing that the campaign would never help them. It was too late for both those individuals.”
“The honour is a testament to the dedication, passion and hard work of the volunteers, who collectively contribute nearly 13,000 voluntary hours of service each year. That is incredible. It is their unwavering commitment that makes all the activities possible. <BR /> <BR />Again, I congratulate Wendy Kerr and the amazing team of volunteers at the Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society, and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
“I congratulate the Randalstown Ulster Scots Cultural Society on recently receiving the King's Award for voluntary service. The organisation has truly become a beacon of hope and unity, offering a welcoming environment for everyone in the local community. Each week, it hosts an average of 10 diverse programmes that cater for the interests and needs of residents from free musical tuition in a variety of instruments to engaging physical activities, Highland dance sessions and the cherished seniors' club. <BR /> <BR />Its impact goes far beyond those programmes. Throughout the year, the society embarks on numerous additional activities aimed at building the capacity of the local community, such as raising funds for worthy local charities and fostering a community-focused approach to reducing social isolation.”
“I will keep my constituents informed of the private Member's Bill's progress, and I am delighted to hear that it will be going out to consultation in the near future. I also put on record that I have written to the Minister for Infrastructure on the issue.”
“The situation is not just an inconvenience but a barrier to property ownership, investment and community development, and it is unacceptable that our constituents find themselves living in such uncertainty, deprived of basic amenities that should accompany living in a residential area. More must be done to address the issue of unadopted roads in order to ensure that all residents have access to the infrastructure and services that they deserve. <BR /> <BR />I express my gratitude to my party colleague Deborah Erskine and welcome her intention to introduce a private Member's Bill to address the problem. Legislation is essential in order to make sure that homeowners in Monkstown Mews and across Northern Ireland can get a resolution to a serious problem that is not of their making.”
“We all expect that, when we buy a house, the road that it sits on will, in the near future or within a reasonable time, be brought up to a standard that leads to its official adoption, and with official adoption come the basic services of working street lights, road and footway maintenance etc. <BR /> <BR />For the residents of Monkstown Mews, that is not the case, and they are more than frustrated at the ongoing stalemate, with some forced to rent out their property because, as a result of the sale of their home falling through, they cannot move to another.”
“I take the opportunity to raise an issue that affects the residents of Monkstown Mews in my constituency of South Antrim. At the outset, I pay tribute to my party colleagues for their work on the issue before the constituency boundaries changed. <BR /> <BR />The houses in Monkstown Mews were built almost 20 years ago. It is a quiet residential area with roads that are still unadopted, meaning that services are limited and that those who own their home find it difficult to sell their property owing to the complications arising from the lack of adoption.”
“We have agreed to the panel's request for a six-month extension to its tenure, and we recognise the importance of ensuring that as many people as possible are able to engage in the first stage of the integrated investigation.”
“I thank the Member for the question. There is some finalisation happening, and we appreciate that some victims and survivors may choose not to come forward to the independent panel. We must respect that, and it is an important part of the agreed process. There is clear value and expertise that that non-statutory independent panel can provide. Obviously, the focus of the independent panel is on gathering the oral testimony and archival records to examine the evidence and develop conclusions on what happened. The panel announced recently that the closing date to register and provide oral testimony is Thursday 1 May. To date, over 100 people have shared their testimony with the panel, and we encourage anyone who has knowledge or experience of the relevant institutions to come forward.”
“I thank the Member for her question. We are not in a position to provide a definite timeline for the opening of the standardised payment, because we need to follow the Executive and Assembly processes to pass the required legislation. However, we remain committed to progressing that work at pace and are keen to ensure that victims and survivors receive financial redress as soon as possible.”
“I thank the Member for her supplementary question. The next steps in the truth recovery programme, following Executive consideration of the final proposals, are to finalise draft legislation, after which we can press ahead with the introduction of the requisite legislation. Meanwhile, work is ongoing to establish the practical requirements for the public inquiry and the redress scheme. Alongside that work, as part of the integrated investigation, the independent panel is taking testimony from victims and survivors and is working with the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) on the issue of access to records. Officials continue to engage with victims and survivors to keep them involved in and central to the process. The First Minister and the deputy First Minister look forward to meeting them in the coming weeks.”
“<BR /> <BR />We hope to introduce the legislation as soon as possible in this legislative year, once pre-introduction steps are completed. We, along with Members of the House, remain committed to helping victims and their loved ones get the answers and support that they deserve.”
“We thank all those who responded to the 12-week consultation that closed in September 2024. The 269 responses to it were reviewed, and a draft report was then shared with the consultation forum to ensure that the terminology used was sensitive to victim and survivors. A copy was also provided to the Committee for the Executive Office. The final consultation report was published on the Executive Office website in January this year. <BR /> <BR />Although we are pleased with the many areas of broad agreement, further discussions with Executive colleagues are needed on some complex and sensitive policy issues before the final decisions can be made. It is also important for us to continue to engage with and listen to victims and survivors in the period.”
“<BR /> <BR />I urge the Minister of Health and his Department to take decisive action in developing a specialist autism mental health service. Together, we can ensure that autistic individuals receive the understanding, respect and tailored support that they deserve, which will pave the way for a healthier future for many in our community.”
“<BR /> <BR />Moreover, we must recognise the broader implications of neglecting mental health support for autistic individuals. Only 22% of autistic individuals in the UK are employed. We must ask ourselves how mental health plays a role in that statistic. Families also bear the burden, with many parents and carers experiencing breakdowns in their relationships due to the strain of managing their children's poor mental health. As we consider our approach to mental health services, we must learn from the example set by NHS England, which has prioritised autism over the next decade. Northern Ireland possesses robust legislation that should serve as a foundation for innovative practices and services. We have the opportunity and responsibility to lead the way in providing comprehensive mental health support for autistic individuals.”
“<BR /> <BR />The increasing demand for autism referrals in our service has amplified the crisis. It has left many to navigate a system designed primarily for neurotypical people, which has resulted in overwhelming environments and a lack of understanding from healthcare professionals. It is imperative that we prioritise autism training for mental health professionals. We need experts who understand the complexities of autism and are equipped to provide tailored interventions that cater specifically for autistic individuals. A dedicated autism mental health service would not only lead to better outcomes for those affected but support individuals before they reach crisis point, which would alleviate pressure on other services, including schools and GPs.”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite the alarming figures and personal accounts, autism services in Northern Ireland have been chronically underfunded. That gap in support led, of course, to the Autism Act 2011 and the Autism (Amendment) Act 2022. That is the most comprehensive disability legislation in the United Kingdom, yet we are still confronted with the reality that the emotional and mental well-being needs of autistic adults are not being adequately addressed. The Autism (Amendment) Act mandates that the Northern Ireland autism strategy focus on the needs of autistic individuals. However, too many autistic people face mental health inequalities, including lengthy wait times for assessments and treatments, and often receive low-quality care that fails to take their unique needs into account.”
“Those statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives filled with struggle, pain and, often, a sense of isolation. <BR /> <BR />I will quickly share an account from one of my constituents, who bravely opened up about her experiences. She described her child's struggle with severe anxiety and depression, which were exacerbated by the lack of understanding and support from mental health services. She recounted a harrowing experience where her child was bounced from one service to another, each time feeling more hopeless and misunderstood. Despite numerous requests for tailored support, the care provided was generic and failed to address her child's specific needs. That family's story is a vivid reminder of the real-life consequences of our inadequate mental health services for autistic individuals.”