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. Is as an Iarthuaisceart mé agus beidh mé breá sásta a bheith ag labhairt ar an rún anseo inniu. Being from the north and west, I am very happy to speak on the issue, and I welcome any new ideas to tackle the inequalities in the north and west. I choose those two words carefully, because it is my contention that, in the past, the words "north-west" have perhaps had a different meaning for many people. For some in Derry — "Derry wans", as they refer to themselves — it represents an area that is bounded on one side by Altnagelvin Hospital and on the other side by Budgen. For now, we see, particularly in the motion, that the area should cover the old Strabane council and Derry City Council areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />Anna Lo reflected on last year's debate on the bid and said that everything seemed to be on track, but she also expressed her disappointment that we are so close to the deadline for the bid. She also highlighted our sporting successes in the World Police and Fire Games and the Giro d'Italia. <BR /> <BR />All in all, I think that the motion and cause has united Members. I hope that it is successful and that we see a very successful Commonwealth Youth Games coming here to the North in 2021. It would benefit the whole island, because I think that there is a wider sporting interest there. I commend the motion and hope that everyone votes in favour.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am pleased that we are joined in the Public Gallery today by Conal Heatley, the NI Commonwealth Games Council's executive officer: he has just come in. <BR /> <BR />Rosie McCorley reflected on the success of the North's athletes in the Youth Games in Samoa and on the Minister's support. Of the four gold medals, four silver medals and four bronze medals, one gold went to James McGivern, the cousin of Rosie's partner. I offer my congratulations particularly to him and to Rosie and her family. She also highlighted the closeness of the deadline of the bid and referenced the Finance and Personnel and Enterprise, Trade and Investment Ministers' letter of support, which is positive. She also referenced the Chair's absence, which I touched on earlier.”
“It is a unifying power: I have seen that myself at places like the Kingspan Stadium and elsewhere where we see people who go to games and events that, perhaps a few short years ago, they might not have considered. All of that is to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />Leslie Cree outlined the cost of £3·75 million. He was disappointed that the Executive had not signed off on it and he commended the performance of the North's athletes at Glasgow. The Youth Games attract about 1,000 athletes and, as he pointed out, the cost of the games is relatively small over a five-year CSR period. There is positive diversity in race, religion and nationality and all the rest of it in the games, and he asked the Executive to respond positively.”
“This is irrespective of the politics of the Commonwealth in itself. Of particular note is boxing: many of our great boxers who went on to box for Ireland cut their teeth on the Commonwealth Games. That has to be welcomed, regardless of the politics. <BR /> <BR />We had great success in the World Police and Fire Games. I outlined that the last time, when we looked at a rather modest fishing competition in my constituency, which has now brought forward huge proposals for the development of the entire Foyle basin for tourism and other sporting events. We have had, of course, the Giro d'Italia and the Irish Open, which show that we have the ability to host those types of events here. They showed the benefit of sports tourism.”
“I think that we all celebrated yesterday: I came back from the Ulster hurling final to sit down and watch the rugby and it was absolutely brilliant. It was a great performance against Romania, as it was against Canada previously. I hope that they go very far this time around. <BR /> <BR />These games would seek to replicate the success of the Glasgow games, which were a great success in terms of medals. I think that the cost of the bid is relatively modest, although it is a significant amount — £3·8 million. Last week, we were forensically going through the legacy moneys for the City of Culture. That cost only slightly more than this sum and I was very much in support of it. I hope that people will also support this bid. Its success would allow us to bid for further support for other events in the future.”
“It also shows that there is a capacity here to hold major sporting events. There are those of us who are looking forward to some of those events coming up, like the Open in 2019, or, indeed, the Rugby World Cup in 2023. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCrea highlighted the cross-community aspect. He had to commend the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure's positive response to a question on the Commonwealth Youth Games. He also mentioned Minister Arlene Foster's support for that, and this debate gives us the opportunity to put Members' support for the bid on record. <BR /> <BR />Karen McKevitt welcomed the debate and outlined the positive benefits of it. She said that this would provide an international stage for this part of Ireland. She also wished the Ireland rugby team well.”
“The developments that we have heard of in the last 24 hours have to be welcomed in that at least a letter of comfort is in place in regard to the bid. Given the fact that the only other serious bid is from Botswana, I am hopeful that the North can possibly secure that. <BR /> <BR />I thank all those who contributed to the debate. It is an issue on which the Committee has been united. My colleague Rosie McCorley touched on the disappointment that the Chair and other members have not turned up, but there has been a far degree of unanimity. The games, like all sports, of course, have a lot of positives, not least the participation of women and the inspiration that the games give to many young athletes, as well as raising the profile of sport and encouraging general participation in it, and subsequently, of course, health and well-being.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Beidh mé breá sásta labhairt ar an ábhar seo inniu. Níl mé cinnte go mbeidh mórán le rá agam, ach ar aghaidh linn. I am very pleased to wind up on the motion as a member of the Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee and as our party's culture, arts and leisure spokesperson. <BR /> <BR />When I first saw the motion I was a bit perplexed about it, because we had discussed a very similar motion in November last year, and there was a degree of unanimity on that subject. I was not convinced that it was not perhaps Mr McCrea's attempt to get a 10-minute slot on 'Stormont Today', but I am very happy to discuss it today. It is timely that it has come forward.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I think that Dungiven should get city status at some time in the future. Will the Minister also address the issue of other chemicals, such as sulphur, and particulates being emitted that may not be covered in the monitoring that is part of the air quality management agreement?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for her answer. Given that the judgement has been accepted, does the Minister expect the prompt delivery or development of a strategy?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a dara ráiteas anseo inniu. Will the Minister advise what is happening to the revision of the scéim phobail Gaeilge — the community language officer scheme — funded by Foras na Gaeilge?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas ansin. Can the Minister provide an estimate of the costs of the restoration of the Upper Lough Erne to Clones section of the Ulster canal, and what is the current cost of the entire restoration project?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. What discussions may the Minister have had with DARD on the provision of a veterinary school at Ulster University?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagra. The Minister knows well my personal interest not only in this but in the North Coast Sports Village, which, of course, was the partner project. Can the Minister give me an idea of a completion date for the community sports project in Dungiven?”
“I will get a supplementary question out of that. Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. The prison has been in operation for some 40-odd years with its own internal system. Given that it is in a sensitive environmental area with a number of designations, I wonder whether the Minister is aware of any environmental damage caused during the period when the prison did its own waste water treatment.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Does the Minister think that the budget cuts for the environmental NGOs will have a negative impact on them when applying for European funding?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. An dtig liom ceist áirithe a chur ar an Aire. Will the Minister tell us who in the Department commissioned the investigation of the breach?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Bhí m’iarscoil áitiúil suas anseo anuraidh agus bhí mé ag iarraidh turas a reachtáil ach ní raibh an Tionól in ann é sin a dhéanamh agus sa deireadh rinne mé féin é. Is there an option for tours and visits to be conducted as Gaeilge? If not, does the Commission have plans to facilitate these?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer and commend him for launching the consultation. How important to the wider economy is increasing access to postgraduate degrees?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. Will the Minister provide details of what engagement she has had with trade union and staff representatives on the restructuring of Departments?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Rather than limit the consideration to issues of welfare, can the Minister say whether the First Minister and deputy First Minister have given any assessment of the impact of Tory austerity cuts on front-line services?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for his answers. The Department was to engage with stakeholders in the area. Will the Minister give us an update on progress there?”
“I am sure that the Minister will take the opportunity to address that today.”
“In the past, reference has been made to a cosy relationship between Translink and the Department. I have never had it adequately explained to me; maybe the Minister will take the opportunity to do so today. There is a £9 million investment in Translink this year for the purchase of new vehicles. <BR /> <BR />The Minister talked about other Ministers and Departments "shroud waving". I am not sure of the biblical quotation about being a weeping Jeremiah, so I wonder if he might address that and give me a lesson on it. Overall, we are looking at a modest reduction in the DRD budget from £344 million to £333 million. Our constituents, as they see grass verges not being cut and the potholes not filled, are not sure that they are getting value for money, especially when it is being squandered elsewhere in the Department.”
“We have seen a £14·3 million projected loss at Translink, and that is coming from a body that has a £55 million reserve. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, we discussed at length the saving of some £1·25 million by cutting funding in the community and disabled transport sector. All that time, however, we are still squandering money on a raft of other scenarios. In tomorrow's Committee meeting, we will look at a how a public transport company — namely, Translink — spends £800,000 a year on private-hire taxis and company vehicles. I am not sure whether that can be justified, particularly given the community transport situation. A number of years ago, I highlighted the case of the Belfast to Derry train drivers who were driving the train to Derry and then taking taxis home to Belfast at the cost of some £28,000.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister was rightly praised earlier for his work on the Coleraine to Derry line, although that in itself had a lot of shortcomings, as evidenced by the project assessment review report. That is why we have got to the point at which the line is costing some £26·5 million more than it should have done initially. I have also been vocal in the past about the Magilligan to Greencastle ferry, which I believe is eminently suitable for Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) funding under the motorways of the sea programme. Elsewhere, we have looked at the difficulties in the integrated transport pilot scheme in particular, which has been dawdling along for the past number of years without much in the way of a result.”
“In the last four years, I have had the opportunity to see at first hand the machinations of the Committee and the Department, the modus operandi and the personnel involved. I have been frustrated at the methodologies employed and at the time taken to make decisions, as well as with the outcomes and results. <BR /> <BR />We have had our own frustrations in the north-west, as was referred to earlier. The A5 is obviously a major one, and there is also the A6, in which the Minister knows that I have more than an abiding interested. The chair of the Freight Transport Association was airing his frustrations on Radio Foyle this morning. We have seen other projects literally bypass those projects; for example, the Magherafelt bypass, which was well down the list of priorities in ISNI for 2011-2021.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Beidh mé breá sásta a bheith ag labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin seo. I support the motion. I have been on the Regional Development Committee for the past four years, but, if I had landed from Mars this morning, I might think that all the ills that we now face are down to one Conor Murphy. I am very glad that he is back in the Assembly, and I have no doubt that he will acquit himself of some of the allegations that have been constantly made against him for the period in question. <BR /> <BR />I was not blind to what was going on before I came here, because I had an abiding interest in all aspects of the Committee and the Department. Being from the north-west, I knew that the historical dearth of investment in infrastructure was patently obvious and needed addressing.”
“I support the motion, and I hope that we will see a more equitable division of funding and that the Minister can secure the same.”
“I also believe that there should be a caveat on which bands are funded and that a code of conduct and breaches thereof should be used as a disincentive for bad and threatening behaviour. Perhaps a wider examination of some of the culture or subculture that surrounds some of the band scene should be looked at when determining funding provision. Many people feel that many of our problems emanate from bands, whether it is through timing, nature, location, demeanour or behaviour. This is a perception and a reality that the provision of funding might address. <BR /> <BR />I recognise what is good in the band sector; who cannot recognise the efforts of the Field Marshal Montgomery band in reaching out, and the efforts of the bands forum in Derry?”
“The £5 million represents a significant per capita investment of somewhere in the region of £160 per person over nearly 30,000 participants. This, however, does not compare favourably with the £436,000 received by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an organisation responsible for, among many things, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 2013. That brought in some £43 million to the local economy alone in the north-west during the City of Culture year in Derry. <BR /> <BR />I believe that, while recognising that disparities exist in different communities, there should be a more equitable distribution of funding to all involved in music, regardless of the genre, type or definition.”
“<BR /> <BR />The additional value that many of these musicians and bands bring to the wider economy is patently obvious to many of us who enjoy music in a social and non-threatening environment, but there is a flip side to this. In March, I commissioned a research paper on the funding made available for marching bands across the North, which revealed a degree of disproportionality across the various interest groups in the sector. The Arts Council to date has distributed almost £5 million to bands and related organisations, some 31% of which was for instruments and 50% was for other equipment. Mr Hilditch referred to the Confederation of Ulster Bands representation to the CAL Committee in January, and I think that it was unfortunate on that occasion that we did not fully get to ask questions of that grouping.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht seo inniu agus beidh mé ag labhairt i bhfabhar an rúin. I welcome the debate, and I have no issue with recognising the importance of music and the provision of instruments for this purpose. The Minister has confirmed that she is committed to bidding for additional funds for what she described as "this valuable scheme". It is a scheme that has delivered over half a million pounds in the past three years for marching bands alone, and over £700,000 over a longer time period. However, this motion is wider than that. It covers bands, a definition that will require further examination and expansion if we are to be more inclusive in the funding streams required in the wider sector.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Minister, there are long-running and ongoing issues with path maintenance, particularly on the western bank, and damage has been done to the disabled angling stand at the centre in the park. Given the estimated 350,000 visitors to the park per annum, will the Minister assure us that those issues will be rectified in the very near future?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Can the Minister give us any more details of what options are in the scoping papers?”
“I hope that it gives some comfort to the community transport providers and volunteers who provide an essential service, particularly in rural areas.”
“That also applies in the Causeway Hospital on the north coast. <BR /> <BR />A pilot scheme that is taking place in Dungannon was mentioned. I have yet to see the results or the benefits of that, but I will keep an open mind on it. The reductions in the Translink service have been acknowledged, and I acknowledge the bid for £1·5 million that the Minister has made to mitigate some of these cuts, but the bottom line is that that is disproportionate to the £9 million that is earmarked for Translink and the huge reserves held by that organisation, in comparison with the minuscule reserves that are held by those involved in community transport. <BR /> <BR />I have no issue about supporting the motion, and I am glad that it has been brought to the House.”
“Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. <BR /> <BR />We also recognise the issues around transport poverty and isolation, and the effect they have on health issues. This is an example of something that has tied our community together. It has never been more important, given the reduction in the provision of public transport across the board. I can think of a local example whereby the only public transport to the local hospital, which might be only 15 miles away, involves taking the bus to the local village, if it is available, but may not be for the time it is required; taking a further bus, which, ironically, drives past the hospital; and taking a further service bus to the hospital. In real terms, six bus trips are required. It requires some logistics to tie that together if you make an appointment in the hospital.”
“Thank you, Chair. We also recognise the —”
“Since most of the members of the Committee for Regional Development are rural-based, we are aware of many of the volunteer drivers who carry out such essential work, and, because some of us have a background in community development — indeed, I am the chair of the all-party group on the community and voluntary sector — we realise the importance that the sector has for us. We also realise the —”
“Now, in effect, that money will be cut by some 33% on average, and, in some cases, that may go as far as 40%. I know that it is somewhat less in other cases. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the Community Transport Association, particularly people like Kellie Armstrong and Ian Wilson who have lobbied, extensively, the Committee for Regional Development and members thereof on behalf of the CTA. As recently as last week, I was in touch with Disability Action and, indeed, met up with Mencap to discuss the severe effect that these cuts will have on their members, particularly in respect of transport. <BR /> <BR />In my own area, we have Billy Moore from North Coast Community Transport. I have also touched base with Anita Flanagan from the Fermanagh trust and Paddy McEldowney from Easilink.”
“In my local area, which is covered by North Coast Community Transport, some 60,000 trips covering more than one million miles were made last year. <BR /> <BR />That is the equivalent of more than 40 times around the world. Further afield, across the 10 partnership members of the network, some 243,967 trips were carried out at an average cost of £14·20 and a distance of 13·4 miles. I think that the real benefit of community transport is that for every pound invested in rural community transport partnerships, £12 of social value is created. I think everyone will see the value of that across the board. <BR /> <BR />The historical levels of funding into community transport, particularly from 2010-15, have been around £3·5 million per annum, with a core grant of £2·75 million.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I support the motion. I find it very difficult to disagree within anything that the Chair of the Regional Development Committee said. I note with concern the "disproportionate" — that is the word in the motion and is certainly the most active — cuts, particularly of the Disability Action and community transport budgets. <BR /> <BR />I commend the work of Community Transport Network NI, which is a network of 10 community transport providers that lobby for community transport on a not-for-profit basis. The aim is to reduce social and rural isolation and provide safe, affordable and accessible transport for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his statement, and I welcome it absolutely. It would be churlish not to do so, but, as you rightly said, Minister, this has not been without its hitches. In fact, phase 2 of the project should have been finished at the end of this month, but it has been allowed to go on. I am worried about the fact that it will not be completed, substantially, by the end of December next year. I also welcome the publication of the project assessment review. I cannot see anything in it that the Committee should not have been supplied with at an earlier date. The one line in the statement that bothers me, in reference to the budget of £46·4 million, is that it has created a difficulty. Will the Minister expand on that?”
“Go raibh maith agat a LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister provide details on the actions that she has taken to address the safety concerns that were raised by the chair of the safety technical group (STG) at the CAL Committee meeting on 30 April?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Does the Minister have a time frame for the delivery of the planning application process so that there can be no delays in the delivery of the entire project, which is essential for the north-west?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he and his Department assure us that they will work towards multi-annual funding, so that we avoid a similar crisis at the end of March next year? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas sin. I thank the Minister for his statement. He will be aware of projects that I have an interest in that are potential and actual projects in the north-west in particular. Further to Mr Byrne's question, can the Minister provide the House with any details of specific projects that the Department is pursuing through the TEN-T process?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. Like the Minister, I remind people that there is still time to respond to the consultation. Will she and her Department ensure that detailed feedback on the draft Bill is provided and brought before the Assembly?”