Brenda Hale
Lagan Valley · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“There has been a further £170 million allocated to support covenant commitments since 2011, and, to date, as Doug has said, Northern Ireland has received £450,000 for combat stress and £60,000 for the Somme Nursing Home.”
“Mark Lancaster went on to say clearly that they needed to do better and that this will be his focus in the coming year. I look forward to that end result and his active support. I visit my constituents in prison. I visit them in hospital when they have attempted suicide.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. However, before I begin, I must declare my many interests. First, I am an army widow and receive an HM Forces pension. I am an ambassador for the ABF — the soldiers' charity — and a member of the community that we are debating today.”
“We know that there is an open invitation for the Northern Ireland Executive to join that reference group, and, in fact, in October this year, when I spoke on 'Talkback' about this particular issue, my party leader, Arlene Foster, stated her support for me to be appointed to the group.”
“It was at my invitation that Lord Ashcroft's transition review team came to Northern Ireland. It met Ministers, senior personnel at 38 Brigade and representatives of the military charity sector. In his second follow-up report, published in November 2016, reference is made to Northern Ireland and the failings of the Armed Forces Covenant.”
“We must not lose sight of the fact that the armed forces community is tri-service and multi-cap badged, and it comes from every section of our communities.”
The complete record
Every one of 111 lines we hold for Brenda Hale, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 3.
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will the Member agree with me that those who operate outside the law and feel that they are above the law should feel the full force of the law?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Would the Member agree with me that the burden of proof should be on the judicial system to say why it would forgo the PSNI and intelligence to let these people go free on bail?”
“Minister, officials confirmed today the inability of section 59 to allocate the accrued expenditure of £2·5 billion, so I am going to ask you this again as my supplementary: what consideration did you — not others — give to the impact of this?”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I ask that the Speaker's Office review Mr McCann's contribution for relevance to the motion. I am disappointed that he was not guided by the motion, and we heard more about his opinion of the army's role in Londonderry. I ask that the matter be referred to the Speaker.”
“We know that there is an open invitation for the Northern Ireland Executive to join that reference group, and, in fact, in October this year, when I spoke on 'Talkback' about this particular issue, my party leader, Arlene Foster, stated her support for me to be appointed to the group. A letter was sent to the Cabinet Office regarding this, and we are awaiting a response. <BR /> <BR />I want to put on record my acknowledgement of the work done by my colleagues at Westminster, my colleagues here in the Assembly and my colleagues at council level, and I absolutely agree that the needs of the armed forces community must be heard at the highest level of government. I thank Mr Beattie for bringing this forward.”
“Those councils that have adopted the community covenant are to be applauded, however they do not have the same statutory authority as in Great Britain, and this results in the limited implementation of the meaningful application of the ethos of the covenant. They cannot compel the Housing Executive, the Education Authority or Health to consider years of service to the Crown as our colleagues in GB can when service personnel are transitioning to Civvy Street or need access to services such as education for themselves or their children or adequate clinical support for illness and life-changing injuries.”
“It was at my invitation that Lord Ashcroft's transition review team came to Northern Ireland. It met Ministers, senior personnel at 38 Brigade and representatives of the military charity sector. In his second follow-up report, published in November 2016, reference is made to Northern Ireland and the failings of the Armed Forces Covenant. He states that the Executive should appoint someone immediately to the covenant reference group. <BR /> <BR />On 26 October 2016, Kris Hopkins stated that it is up to the devolved Governments to make it work. Disappointingly, this shows a lack of understanding of the complex and multilayered issues that face the service community here in Northern Ireland.”
“Mark Lancaster went on to say clearly that they needed to do better and that this will be his focus in the coming year. I look forward to that end result and his active support. I visit my constituents in prison. I visit them in hospital when they have attempted suicide. I go with them to looked-after child (LAC) reviews where they try to keep hold of their children, and I attend police stations with them when they have issues with domestic violence and abuse through issues of PTSD. <BR /> <BR />I do not question the fact that more needs to be done in Northern Ireland to make veterans aware of the services, charities and Departments that they can have access to. Since my election in 2011, I have worked tirelessly with my party colleagues on behalf of my community.”
“There has been a further £170 million allocated to support covenant commitments since 2011, and, to date, as Doug has said, Northern Ireland has received £450,000 for combat stress and £60,000 for the Somme Nursing Home. <BR /> <BR />The covenant reference group was initially set up to oversee the implementation of the Armed Forces Covenant, which is chaired by the Cabinet Office. In an answer to my DUP colleague Jim Shannon MP during parliamentary questions at Westminster, Mark Lancaster, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Defence, stated that there are unique challenges in Northern Ireland, but he was pleased to report that they estimate that 93% of the covenant issues are being enforced. I am sorry, but the number of constituents I am currently dealing with regarding veterans' issues indicates otherwise.”
“We must not lose sight of the fact that the armed forces community is tri-service and multi-cap badged, and it comes from every section of our communities. <BR /> <BR />The forces covenant is an agreement between the armed forces community, the nation and the Government, and it encapsulates the moral obligation to those who serve, those who have served, their families and the bereaved, of which I am one. As Doug said, the covenant fund was set up giving £10 million per annum to fund the Government's armed forces commitments. Funding priorities are annually set by the covenant reference group, and we have no representation.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. However, before I begin, I must declare my many interests. First, I am an army widow and receive an HM Forces pension. I am an ambassador for the ABF — the soldiers' charity — and a member of the community that we are debating today. I am painfully aware of how veterans and their families have contributed to and sacrificed for this society. <BR /> <BR />As we have heard, the Armed Forces covenant reference group meets with no input from Northern Ireland. Yet, as a jurisdiction, we play a significant role in our armed forces. Over 20% of the reserve regularly deployed in operations are from Northern Ireland, despite the fact that we make up only 3% of the entire UK population.”
“I am absolutely delighted that the Minister is committed to the site at Hillsborough and to AFBI. Can she outline any plans that there may be to increase the number of people employed at the Hillsborough site?”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank all those who have taken the time to join me in the Chamber today, and I look forward to hearing what they have to say and to working with them in the coming months on this harrowing issue.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Yes, you are right. These people are delusional. They have no idea what they are doing, or else they do know what they are doing and are doing it deliberately. They know the law so well now and are using it to attack their victims. <BR /> <BR />We in this Chamber must put in place a framework that enables the justice system and the PSNI to protect victims and prosecute perpetrators, thus empowering victims and their support networks. So, I not only call on the Minister but plead, on behalf of the targets of stalking, that she directs her Department to develop a legal framework. A legal definition will enable us not only to protect victims but to monitor reports of stalking, arrests and consequent prosecutions.”
“"Colloquial" — if I were not so angry, I would have laughed. The women who I have been trying to support through this deserve more. They deserve the freedom to walk down the street, sleep without fear and feel safe in their home, and not to be made to feel as though they are wasting police time and making a nuisance of themselves. Stalkers are manipulative and cunning and, in some cases, use a protection from harassment order to harass and legally stalk their victims. I know of that happening right now. <BR /> <BR />We in this Chamber must —”
“<BR /> <BR />The law currently allows for a number of offences, namely harassment, causing another to fear violence, breach of an injunction prohibiting harassment and breach of a restraining order, but the number of convictions for offences under the Act is not reflective of the problem. In 2014, no one was convicted of causing fear to another. Four were convicted for breach of an injunction prohibiting harassment, and two were convicted for the breach of a restraining order. That alone screams that it is not affording enough protection for victims or giving the police and the courts enough legislation to prosecute. I recently asked the Minister of Justice in a question for written answer to detail the number of prosecutions for stalking under the PHA 1997 in each of the last five years. The Department's answer was:”
“<BR /> <BR />In December 2015, the Home Office started a consultation for England and Wales on the possible introduction of a stalking protection order. The consultation ended in February 2016 and we await its imminent results. The Westminster Government have recognised the need for a review of the legislation around stalking. I ask only that the Northern Ireland Assembly does the same and asks for legislation to be put in place here. My SDLP colleagues also ask for that. I support their amendment and I am pleased to have their support on this issue here today and hopefully in the future.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. I will get to this later in my speech but, yes, I agree wholeheartedly. <BR /> <BR />The Departments of Justice and Health jointly introduced a 'Stopping Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse in Northern Ireland Strategy' in March. It includes new Government definitions of domestic and sexual violence and abuse. Included in those definitions of violence and abuse are physical and digital stalking. I am pleased that the strategy recognises the link between the two. However, the document defines stalking only in an intimate relationship. Stalking also happens outside intimate relationships and, therefore, work to address it in those circumstances needs to be included in this strategy. We must do more.”
“Indeed, the review concluded that the Protection from Harassment Act (PHA) was not an effective tool against stalking, that too many perpetrators were falling through the justice net and that there was need for a comprehensive reform.”
“In 2011, there was a parliamentary inquiry for England and Wales into stalking by the Justice Unions Parliamentary Group, chaired by the Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd MP. It found that the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 was not fit for purpose for stalking offences. Two new offences of stalking were included in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and they sit alongside the existing offences of harassment in the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. This makes stalking a more serious crime, with the potential for five years in prison. We still use the 1997 Protection from Harassment Act in Northern Ireland. I must concur with others that the chief shortcoming of the 1997 Act was its failure to name stalking in law.”
“I have permission from one of my constituents, who describes it much better than I can, and I ask the Speaker for his indulgence as I read an emotive and harrowing excerpt, as I feel it is important to hear a first-hand experience of stalking.”
“That is what the PSNI website has to say. <BR /> <BR />The Stalking NI website describes stalking as:”
“This is something I have had the anxiety of dealing with myself, and I have a number of constituents who are currently trying to protect themselves from stalkers. <BR /> <BR />I want to thank the Justice Minister for meeting me, Peter Weir and a female victim of stalking before recess and for taking the time to return my calls over the summer. The Minister will be well aware that I have been active in gaining as much information as possible about this issue, and I am glad she is in the Chamber today as I know she is committed to exploring the issue of stalking and its non-status in any form of legal definition. I look forward to hearing what she has to say. <BR /> <BR />What is stalking? Who knows? As I said, there is no legal definition, and Northern Ireland is the only UK jurisdiction not to have one.”
“First, I must declare some interests as a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the all-party group on domestic violence, and I recently took part in a BBC 'Spotlight' programme highlighting the hidden issue of stalking in Northern Ireland, and its lack of legal definition and framework in which agencies can act to protect and support victims. <BR /> <BR />The motion asks us to note with concern that stalking is a hidden crime. It is terrifying and can result in psychological harm and, in more serious cases, physical harm. I, along with my colleagues, am calling on the Minister of Justice to look into the seriousness of stalking and to conclude that legislation should be introduced to safeguard the victims of stalking in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Given — pardon the pun — that this historic and ancient market town is in our constituency, Minister, how much does your Department propose to spend on the regeneration of the town centre?”
“I congratulate the Minister on his first Question Time, and I thank him for coming to Dromore yesterday for the church service for Central Primary School. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you are well aware of the crushing pressures that special needs schools and statemented children in mainstream schools are under, so what action are you taking on overall funding pressures in special educational needs?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I warmly welcome his announcement of extra money, given that this is his last Question Time of this mandate. Minister, while we are speaking about money, what are you doing to ensure that additional investment is being directed towards our front-line services, specifically towards staffing costs?”
“I thank the First Minister for her detailed answers so far. Will she inform the House of the impact of the social investment fund (SIF) on rural areas?”
“I thank the Minister for her detailed answer and for all the statistics. Given that multiple Departments are involved in the management of Hillsborough forest, can she tell me what discussions her Department has had to ensure that the environmental conditions and the tree health are robustly monitored?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I know that you have not had a chance yet to visit the Dales to see the dangerous and disgraceful state of them. The Housing Executive has been finding ways to say no to doing any updates rather than finding a way to say yes. I have been to have a look, and it is so bad: there is damp rot and spores are growing on the walls. People should not have to live in those conditions. Windows were poorly fitted 20 years ago, and the heating system does not work, which is forcing people into fuel poverty. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I want to give you these photographs to show you how bad it is. I cannot believe that people are living in such a state. What can you do to help the residents of Seymour Hill?”
“You have just said, Minister, that you do not refuse to visit, so I would welcome you to Hillsborough forest park to discuss the issues. In the interim, what will you do to actively ensure the proper and effective management of our forests?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your short but to-the-point answer. You stated in December 2015 that the Forest Service had a vital role in protecting plant health and our ecosystem and in promoting the rural economy and tourism. Hillsborough forest park is the second most visited park in Northern Ireland, but, unfortunately, I have been contacted by constituents who also happen to be professionals in countryside management and estate keeping and are increasingly concerned about the poor management of Hillsborough park. Felled trees are left lying when they could have been used for commercial timber. They are left rotting, and they are upsetting the balance of moisture and temperature, which is vital to the biodiversity, not to mention the safety issues and the fact that they are an absolute eyesore.”
“The cost of the implementation of soft SuDS will far outweigh the distress, the insurance claims and the cost to the public purse that the mop-up demands. Having been with the Committee to the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly, I have witnessed their active implementation of soft SuDS. I look forward to the Department publishing guidance on Northern Ireland's approach to SuDS that will be comparative with industry standards.”
“It makes logical and common sense that, before making regulations under clause 1, the Department must consult local councils to ensure that they have an input into proposed changes. I oppose amendment No 7. <BR /> <BR />As many Members will be aware from my past life on the Committee for Regional Development, I am enthusiastic about the use of SuDS. I was disappointed when the Department did not support the Committee's amendment on soft SuDS, so I welcome the amendment to clause 5 on landscaping and natural features as that will cover the Committee's view that soft SuDS should be included in the Bill. I expect property owners, the private sector and public bodies to be actively involved in the management of SuDS. In the aftermath of Desmond, I welcome the fact that SuDS is now in the Bill.”
“I also welcome the opportunity to speak on the Consideration Stage of the Water and Sewerage Services Bill. Having been away from the Committee for Regional Development for a while, I will be brief. I apologise for reiteration, but, as I am the sixth speaker, it will be inevitable. <BR /> <BR />The Chair and Minister outlined most of the points that I would agree with. I thank all those who assisted with the Committee's deliberations for their hard work in crafting the Bill. I acknowledge those who gave evidence to inform the Committee's decisions. <BR /> <BR />In relation to amendments to clause 3, I support the Minister. Indeed, I welcome the fact that the Committee is in support of the proposed amendments.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for his answer. Does he agree, then, that the reduction in corporation tax gives Northern Ireland an unprecedented opportunity for thousands of new jobs in future, sending out a loud and clear message to the rest of the world that Northern Ireland is the place for business?”
“I thank the First Minister for his earlier answer. If I may, Mr Speaker, like many, I would like to pay tribute to the First Minister on what is likely to be his last Question Time and thank him for his years of selfless service to the people of Northern Ireland, and for his friendship and mentoring to me and my daughters. <BR /> <BR />Will the First Minister outline the role of the crisis fund in helping minority ethnic individuals to deal with emergency situations?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He will know that I have the full support of the current Health Minister on armed forces issues. We are aware of the devastating impact that PTSD has on sufferers and their families but, sadly, many healthcare professionals do not recognise the symptoms, instead using guidelines for schizophrenia and bipolar, resulting in sufferers being turned away, as a Belfast hospital did recently. Does my colleague agree that we must recognise and acknowledge that PTSD as a mental health issue may stand alone, that it disproportionately affects members of our security and armed forces and that the implementation of a mental trauma service would be welcomed by the families as well as by all service users?”
“I thank the Acting First Minister for her answers so far. She will be aware that there have been recent reports that perpetrators will be given an amnesty under the new arrangements of the Stormont House Agreement. Will the Minister confirm that this is absolutely not the case and never will be?”
“The Member opposite is clearly and sadly not aware of what is happening in Greece, which is a very real example of austerity. Will the Minister agree that that alone is a reason why we should live within our means?”
“Minister, you mentioned briefly that a paper on the misuse of substances was presented. Can you inform the House what discussions, if any, took place about the outlawing of the new psychoactive substances?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Can the Minister provide details of the prioritised list of schools waiting for departmental and ministerial approval for new school buildings?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer and for the numerous lists of book stock that I have received. Sadly, after visiting the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on 12 June, I see no evidence of balance or of the shop stock relating to the book lists that I have been given. Will the Minister agree with me that it is imperative that a cross-cultural balance always be prioritised, especially when one considers that actions speak louder than words?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. I was wondering whether we were examining the potential for extending the UK Government's plans to increase the hours of free childcare in England and Wales to Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Sadly, as we think particularly of Ronan Hughes's family at this time, unfortunately, too many families know how distressing suicide is for those left behind and how the aftermath is incredibly difficult to come to terms with. What actions are being taken to encourage responsible reporting by the media in suspected cases of suicide?”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed answer. Will he assure the House that where the Planning Service determines that an environmental impact assessment is needed, all the findings of the required surveys, during and on completion of the scoping process, are open to the public?”
“I thank the Minister for his very detailed answer. Given that we are in times of increased austerity, will he tell the House how his Department is encouraging males, in particular, and individuals from minority communities into the sector?”
“What steps are being taken to ensure that a balanced view, including the arrival of the Vikings, the Normans and the Plantation, is being exhibited at our museums?”
“I thank the Minister for her in-depth answer. As a keen supporter of culture, arts and the Ulster Museum, I was disappointed on Easter Monday when I visited with my daughter and found a distinct bias in the range of books and literature for sale in the shop towards all things of a nationalist and republican nature. British, Ulster-Scots, Orange or even wartime items were practically non-existent, thus providing a biased, one-sided view. I have spoken with the Ulster-Scots Community Network, and it has informed me that neither it nor the Ulster Historical Foundation has ever been contacted by DCAL or the museums about literature sold at the museum. I revisited the museum on Friday, so will the Minister tell me who makes the decision about the choice of literature displayed and sold?”
“I thank the First Minister for his answer. He talked about the election. Do you, First Minister, believe that the outcome of the general election will have any implications for the resolution of welfare reform?”