Cathal Ó hOisín
East Londonderry · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for the statement. It is very welcome among the deaf community, with whom I work closely, particularly the Hands That Talk folk in Dungiven. I congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on the provision of a signer here today.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. The Minister will be aware that when public works continue over a prolonged period in the likes of Limavady, or elsewhere, many businesses feel that it is unfair that they have to pay full rates during t…”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. The Minister may be aware of a single corner on the Ballyquin Road in particular that has been the scene of five fatalities of young men in recent years. That corner was inexplicably removed from a realignment scheme some years ago.”
“The Minister has given us some clarity on the historical process of that. It is not about blame apportionment at this point, but these are schemes that have been in the mix — in the case of the Dungiven bypass — for some 50 years.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Beidh mise ag tacú leis an Bhille seo. I rise to support the Bill, which is very welcome, particularly in my constituency. I think that I am the only Member here who lives along the route of the A6.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as mo ligean isteach. I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that, in the case of funding bodies such as the Arts Council, there is a geographical barrier to funding? I think of the Ulster fleadh a couple of years ago.”
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“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I ask the Minister to provide details of what assurance there will be to ensure that the work of the institute is of good quality.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for the statement. It is very welcome among the deaf community, with whom I work closely, particularly the Hands That Talk folk in Dungiven. I congratulate you, Mr Speaker, on the provision of a signer here today. It is important that, when we deal with this issue, signing is provided. Thank you for that. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister outline what support she has given to sign language users?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Further to that, what is DETI doing to explore the possibilities for the expansion of the Kelvin project and on broadband reception and speeds in the Coleraine and wider east Derry area?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. The Minister will be aware that when public works continue over a prolonged period in the likes of Limavady, or elsewhere, many businesses feel that it is unfair that they have to pay full rates during that time, when they have no chance to earn enough profit to do so.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. The Minister may be aware of a single corner on the Ballyquin Road in particular that has been the scene of five fatalities of young men in recent years. That corner was inexplicably removed from a realignment scheme some years ago. Will the Minister now work with the Minister for Regional Development to see that scheme expedited?”
“As I said, this has been in the mix for some 50 years. In those 50 years, that promise of development has actually stifled development and, indeed, the planning process. On behalf of my constituents, I welcome the A6 in particular and also the A5.”
“The Minister has given us some clarity on the historical process of that. It is not about blame apportionment at this point, but these are schemes that have been in the mix — in the case of the Dungiven bypass — for some 50 years. Indeed, in the mid-1970s, houses were demolished, and, even in the early teens of this century, businesses have been purchased and bought up. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister said, the law on compulsory purchase is complex, but I am glad to say that the Land Acquisition and Compensation (Amendment) Bill is relatively straightforward and will address the issues that landowners have along the two major infrastructure projects of the A5 and the A6. In the case of the A6, the whole 40 kilometres in total is affected, and there are quite a substantial number of landowners along that route.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Beidh mise ag tacú leis an Bhille seo. I rise to support the Bill, which is very welcome, particularly in my constituency. I think that I am the only Member here who lives along the route of the A6. I was delighted with the announcements last week and, indeed, with the priority given to the Dungiven bypass aspect of it. That will be most welcome. I also travel the A6 every day, and I think that, on one occasion, I spent over an hour completing the 12 kilometres to Moneynick. I and many other thousands from the north-west welcome the Bill moving forward. <BR /> <BR />We also welcome, on behalf of our constituents, the fact that the compensation will now be based on a more favourable basis in line with other areas on these islands.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she outline any reports of inspections that took place on the MAC during construction work there?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I share his enthusiasm for many of the events that he talks about. Will he agree that all arts venues should have a relatively neutral name attached to them so that they can be shared by all. I refer to an attempt to change the name of the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as mo ligean isteach. I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that, in the case of funding bodies such as the Arts Council, there is a geographical barrier to funding? I think of the Ulster fleadh a couple of years ago. It was held in Dungiven two years in a row, and the organisers really had a struggle to have their case for funding recognised. It was not seen as important, despite the fact that over 30,000 people attended, including the Minister on both occasions.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answer. I know that he is aware of the Magilligan case, because he visited there last year just before the election. He will also be aware of the human side of the case: an elderly couple living in a house that should really be condemned. Is the Minister cognisant that, because of the lack of funding, we run a real risk of losing vernacular buildings, including houses, mills, schools, stables and the like?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as mo ligint isteach. I thank the Member for allowing me in. He mentioned the £229 million identified for the A5. I also recognise the relief and delight at the announcement of £258 million for the A6 and, in particular, that construction of the Randalstown-Castledawson section will commence this summer. That is also advancing the Dungiven bypass. Will the Member, who is a member of the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development, acknowledge the fact that the largest number of civil servants are moving to the new DARD headquarters at Ballykelly? I heard another Member describe that as nonsense. That, indeed, is welcomed right across the north and west.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he accept that maintenance grants are a critical component of his Department's widening participation strategy?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her statement and her answer. I am on record as welcoming her announcement yesterday on the Toome section. She will be aware that the public inquiry into the A6 Dungiven to Drumahoe section closed in October 2012, so we are now into the fourth year. Is there any reason why it has been delayed for that time?”
“I thank the Minister for that. Does he agree that the cutting of costs has undervalued the work of the Quakers?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree with me that the current inquest process is not providing access to a sufficiently effective investigation with an acceptable timeline?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an dara ráiteas seo aici anseo ar maidin. I am delighted that the Minister has alluded to European funding in both statements. How can Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency access it, and what discussions has she had with both bodies?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Can the Minister outline the main priorities for Waterways Ireland in 2016?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an leasChéad-Aire fosta. Does the Minister agree with me that, given the level and diversity of interest, there may be an opportunity to accommodate more than a single bidder on the site?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas sin. I thank the Minister for her statement. I want to take this opportunity to commend one of the largest groupings working with the deaf community, and that is Hands That Talk from my constituency. It has delivered a service for, by and with the deaf community for more than a decade, very often on a shoestring budget. Will the Minister outline how the deaf community will be involved in developing and designing the framework and the public consultation?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. The Minister has said that he will endeavour to minimise the disruption to residents, staff and families, but I wonder how that is possible in places like Garvagh, where the nearest available nursing home spaces might be as much as 30 or 40 miles away.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh an ráiteas fosta. I welcome the statement. I should declare an interest as a member of the GAA and an avid rugby fan. Are there any plans for a similar subregional programme for GAA and rugby facilities in the future?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Can the Minister outline what support the arts has received since she took the DCAL portfolio?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. The Minister has outlined the obvious benefits of the relocation of the DARD headquarters. As the anchor tenant on the Ballykelly and Shackleton site, will she outline what other benefits may accrue to the Ballykelly and wider east Derry and north-west area?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Aire as an ráiteas sin. Given the importance of traditional music and the fact that Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann brought some £43 million into Derry and the north-west area, is there an opportunity in the arts and culture strategy for a greater reflection of traditional music?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome the Minister to her first Question Time. <BR /> <BR />There are many in my constituency who have a green-eyed envy of the A8. Can the Minister give us the final costings for its upgrade and tell us whether it is above or below budget?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Does the Minister agree that, without a properly funded legal aid system, effective access to justice for all will be undermined?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that the inclusion of some of the infrastructure projects in the north-west would be helped by their inclusion on the core network?”
“We need to build a case for transport infrastructure, particularly in the north-west. We need to look at the regional spread of the block grant spend. We need to ensure that the north-west is included as a priority in the Programme for Government. We need to challenge Departments, including DRD and DETI, on balanced regional development. We need to look actively at all alternative funding.”
“Certainly, guarantees must be given, perhaps under the UK guarantee scheme, but we need further political buy-in, and I welcome yesterday's intonations from the South on potentially funding infrastructure. However, we also require, of course, input from the Assembly, local councils and other source buy-ins. I again think of the ministerial subgroup there as well. <BR /> <BR />The Chair referred to the Quarry Products Association, and speaking on Radio Ulster's 'Inside Business' Gordon Best said that the maintenance of our road infrastructure, valued at £33 billion, was being carried out by default, through monitoring rounds that, unlike in the South and elsewhere, are not front-loaded and leave little in the way of wriggle room. <BR /> <BR />What do we need to do collectively?”
“<BR /> <BR />Last year, a scoping exercise by NILGA identified opportunities for local authorities through European Investment Bank (EIB) loans. That would not be reinventing the wheel, because, ironically, the A6 road in England was funded by alternative sources and brought together the council areas of Cheshire, Manchester and Stockport. The issue for the Assembly is that it cannot draw down loans on investment from the European Investment Bank, but local authorities can. Joint applications are no longer required as a power of competence, which means that local authorities could access those — the joint committee requirement is no longer needed. In effect, that means that a single council can apply for these. The former Minister, despite his flaws, was keen on this and he promised DRD buy-in. The EIB is also open to this.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Member for his intervention. The ministerial subgroup has come forward with a number of proposals, and it absolutely is a good vehicle for identifying some of the European funding sources. <BR /> <BR />As I said, Europe wants to see balanced regional development. The Juncker investment plan is worth €315 billion. Most of the European regional development fund (ERDF) moneys go into INI, almost two thirds of them, and a regional approach is advocated but does not happen. The ERDF has a monitoring committee whose job is to ensure balanced regional development. We should pressurise that committee to ensure that its commitments are fulfilled. There is also the European economic and social committee (EESC).”
“There is, of course, no stop, as yet, for passengers on the railway line at the City of Derry airport and no halt for the new DARD headquarters at Ballykelly. Also, despite the success of the 212 bus service from Derry to Belfast and, indeed, the proposed introduction of a round-the-clock service, there is still no park-and-ride for nearly 35 miles of the route. <BR /> <BR />However, we are here to discuss funding. Much was made of the opportunities that were provided by the Trans-European Transport Network, or TEN-T. That might still be doable, and, of course, £14·3 million went from that into the Derry to Coleraine railway line. Our focus should be on other sources of funding. Europe wants to see balanced —”
“I am less certain about the reopening of the Antrim to Portadown line as a direct service to Dublin, and I often think that it might be preferable to examine reopening the Derry to Portadown line or to consider re-establishing the Derry to Sligo line, or the western arc as we like to call it, which would open up the entire rail network. I would also like to see a regular, year-round and adequately resourced ferry service on the Magilligan to Greencastle route. <BR /> <BR />The Committee for Regional Development recently visited Lisahally docks, and I certainly sensed a feeling by some that the railway line that runs through the docks may be a hindrance to the development of the docks instead of assisting the delivery of goods and services across the island.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I agree with some of the sentiments of the previous Member who spoke. I take the opportunity to welcome the Minister to her first debate and wish her well in the coming time. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the chance to debate the motion on infrastructure in the wider north-west area. I am glad that the A6 has been included in the motion, as it was omitted previously, and the Dungiven bypass, which I and many others have championed for many years. I do not want to rehearse all that has been said previously on that matter, but it has been a festering sore for locals and travellers alike in my town for some 50 years. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the inclusion of the A5 and phases 2 and 3 of the upgrade of the Derry to Coleraine railway line.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I welcome the fact that the Minister has said that he will work in partnership. I hope that he does so, particularly through NILGA and SOLACE. He agrees that, regarding the transfer of functions, there have been discrepancies between the cost impacts on councils and those projected by DOE and other Departments.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. Given what the Minister termed as the "surprise" collapse of Michelin, can he guarantee that he will monitor the situation here so that we do not have any further nasty surprises?”
“Like others, I would support the relocation of Mill Strand Integrated Primary School, although I do not believe that that site would necessarily be its first choice. If that is not to be, the Minister will be aware that, with the Open coming up in 2019, there will be demand for hotel accommodation. Perhaps he would agree that that might be a consideration.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. Is Waterways Ireland considering redundancies due to fluctuations in the value of the euro and pensions pressures?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. He will be aware that a design brief and guidelines exist in the other jurisdictions on these islands. Does he not agree that, given the numbers of hydro schemes being installed in rivers at the moment, it would be opportune to develop such guidelines in accordance and in consultation with angling clubs and groups?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Príomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Thank you for your advice. Indeed, it is about a constituency matter. I very much welcome the great, rapid work on the progress of the DARD headquarters in Ballykelly and the interest expressed by others in the site. Will the Minister outline the details of the transfer of her staff to the greater Derry area in advance of the construction work at Ballykelly being completed?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he be more specific about the job losses involved and the placements that will be lost?”
“<BR /> <BR />If anything, this weekend's sporting achievements again outline the discussion that should be happening on an all-Ireland team. We have seen in the Rugby World Cup a feisty performance from the Irish rugby team and people of all political persuasions and none were behind that. I believe that, had we had a single soccer team on this island, then, who knows what would be achievable.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I am already on record as having passed on my best wishes to Michael O'Neill and Martin O'Neill in the run-up to the games on Thursday and yesterday. I think that both Irish teams did the island proud. Soccer is not my sport, but I recognise the pleasure and enjoyment that people get from it, whether through youth competitions such as the Milk Cup and the Foyle Cup, both of which are played in my constituency, or indeed the domestic club scene or the internationals. I also recognise the good work that the IFA has done at grass-roots level. A number of years ago, I was involved in a small way with the Football for Peace competition. That said, there are still issues outstanding. I and others in my party met the IFA a number of years ago to address some of them, and I hope that we can do that again.”
“Its biggest event — the anchor event — was Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, for which half a million people travelled to Derry. That was of huge benefit to the local economy: some £43 million from that week alone. On Sunday, we have the county GAA final in Celtic Park. It is being played between two teams that are approximately 35 miles from Derry city, so the wider region would benefit from any development in the area. <BR /> <BR />We need proper buy-in to the ministerial subgroup. That initiative may be a more plausible way of delivering for the north-west, but I support the scoping document. I appeal for it to be widened out to include the wider north-west, because there is a sense of belonging right across all those former council areas, not just Derry and Strabane. I wish this well.”
“However, if the other former council areas were to be added to that figure, and we were to take the north and west as a singular region, we would be looking at adding the populations of Limavady, which is 33,000; Coleraine, which is 59,000; Omagh, which is 52,000; and Donegal, which is 161,000. That would increase the entire population of the area to almost 450,000 — nearly half a million. Wearing my DRD hat, I think of the population requirements for core nodes for infrastructure, which are around the 300,000 mark. That might open up an opportunity for the delivery of some of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) funding for the entire north and west region. <BR /> <BR />One of the big events in the north and west in recent times was, of course, the City of Culture.”
“There are not only economic inequalities in the area, which have been mentioned, but infrastructure inequalities, particularly the shortcomings in the delivery of the A6, the Dungiven bypass and the A5. The railway will be worked on, but that work has not been delivered on as yet. There are also shortcomings with the deep-water port at Lisahally and at Derry City Airport. <BR /> <BR />Some Members talked about population figures and the economies of scale needed for any city deal. The Derry City and Strabane District Council area has a population of some 147,000.”
“As I said, we are where we are, and we have to work on that.”
“I contend that the north and west should be wider than that and should cover the areas that were covered by the former Limavady Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Donegal, which my colleague referred to, and, perhaps, even as far away as Omagh. <BR /> <BR />During my time in local government, I was a member — indeed, the chair — of the North West Region Cross Border Group, which looked after the council areas of Donegal, Derry, Strabane, Limavady and, at that time, Magherafelt. The coming together of the northern councils on that was proposal 7 under RPA, and I believe that, at the time, it should have been a more natural model to go with. But we are where we are. Many, indeed, would consider the north and west to be an area north of Sligo and west of the Bann, which might actually be even more accurate.”