Paula Bradley
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I am especially grateful to all the women who, especially in my first mandate here, were a constant support and encouragement to me as a new MLA. Nothing ever prepares you for this role, but many inside and outside this Building are the glue that holds it all together.”
“I thank them for their support, especially over the last week, with the phone calls, emails, cards and flowers, but, most of all, for allowing me to be part of their lives, sometimes at the most difficult times. Secondly, I want to thank my party, of which I have been a member for 20 years.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will try my very best to get through these three minutes without tears in my eyes, though I doubt that that is going to happen. <BR /> <BR />I will begin by thanking you, Mr Speaker.”
“After much discussion with officials concerning the objectives of the Bill, the detail of an SMI loan, the process of registering and removing the statutory charge and how and when an SMI loan is repaid, the Committee was content with the Bill as drafted. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill.”
“I welcome the Final Stage of the Bill. It is probably the shortest Bill that the Committee considered, but it is no less important, as it aims to protect owner-occupiers in receipt of an income-related benefit from the threat of repossession.”
“I know that I have caused a few headaches over the past two years, but you have always delivered week in, week out and put the needs of the Committee first and foremost. You have made my role as Committee Chair so much easier. For all that you have done, I am truly thankful.”
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“I thank the Member for his supplementary. He is absolutely right: until he came into the Building, we had the bare minimum of what was required. It is only through his being here and the invaluable advice that he has given to the Commission on his access around the Building that the massive strides have been made to make this place more disability-friendly and more accessible. <BR /> <BR />We as a Commission have made a commitment to keep this issue under our power and to keep looking at it — as will the future Commission, whatever it may look like and whoever might be on it — because we know that there are still a lot of things that we could do. We have debated a lot of things in the Commission, which, I have to admit, are based on finances. I know that the Member has been happy, to date, with the actions that have been put in place.”
“The Commission has also recently approved a programme of works that will include improvements to the existing lifts and to access from the lower ground floor to ground floor level, particularly for people with physical disabilities. Further improvements, including automatically opening corridor doors, are also planned.”
“Parking for people with disabilities is provided in the east and west upper car parks adjacent to the Building, and we have recently increased the number of spaces available. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission also holds the Louder Than Words charter mark, which demonstrates its commitment to improve access and services to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. In November 2012, the Commission became the first organisation to receive the National Autistic Society autism access award. Minor physical alterations have recently been made to the reception areas in the Business Office and stationery office to improve access for wheelchair users, and changes are proposed in the Members' Bar in the near future.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Member will be aware that, in the recently completed — sorry, I am on the wrong question. Apologies. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission is determined to make Parliament Buildings accessible to all, and strenuous efforts have been made over a number of years to improve access for people with disabilities. On the ground floor of the Building, a Changing Places facility was installed in 2011, providing fully accessible toilet facilities for people with profound disabilities. Parliament Buildings is one of the few public buildings to have such a facility. In the summer of 2012, the Commission installed front ramped access to Parliament Buildings to ensure that all visitors are able to gain access via the primary entrance to the Building.”
“I thank the Minister for her comprehensive statement. I was not meant to be in the Chamber; I just happened to be sitting here. I am glad that she brought up Emma and Patrick, because it was my office that Emma contacted in May 2013. I have to say "Thank you" to the Minister and her Department, because, as soon as I contacted the Minister, she set up a meeting straight away with the Department. She understood straight away the need for Emma to converse with her son. I appreciate the work that was done there, and I am sure that the Minister will agree with me not only as the Minister but as a parent that it is essential that parents who have deaf children are able to converse with them at the earliest stage so that they have the best chance in life.”
“I also thank the Minister for a comprehensive statement. For any of us who are back here in the next mandate as part of the Department for Communities, the Minister certainly pointed out the stark reality of the challenges ahead in the social rented sector. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you will recall that in the UK Budget last summer there were proposed rent reductions in England because, over the past three years, rent in the social sector had increased by 20%. Did that also happen in Northern Ireland?”
“The Member has mentioned some of our high-profile women. Does she agree that having women here creates great role models for our next generation of female politicians?”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. I could not agree more: we play a very significant role as legislators, making laws within this Assembly. That cannot be underestimated. <BR /> <BR />Being a Member of this Assembly has helped me to achieve my goals: it has empowered me and helped me to unlock the potential that I have, and I know there is much more potential ahead. If you had asked me whether that would happen four years ago, I might have given you a very different answer. I am glad to say that I am a Member of this Assembly, and I hope that by being one I have unlocked potential amongst women, whether they are young or old, to empower them to achieve what they want to achieve. <BR /> <BR />I wish everyone a very happy International Women's Day 2016.”
“It is due to the support that I have had from my party colleagues and other people in the Chamber that I can stand here today and not feel like that rabbit in the headlights.”
“I thank them for taking on those roles. <BR /> <BR />I was pleased yesterday, when we had the inaugural meeting of the women's caucus, to put forward the name of Caitríona Ruane for chair. I will be supporting her. We have a very good working relationship. We are a bit of an unlikely pairing at times, and we disagree on lots and lots of things, but there is one thing we do agree on, and that is equality for women and a higher representation of women in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />When I came here in 2011, I had already been a councillor and mayor of a borough. I remember delivering my first speech in the Chamber, and it was on domestic violence and violence against women. I was like a rabbit in the headlights. My knees were quaking; I was so nervous and intimidated by the Chamber.”
“It is due to the AERC that we are where we are. It is through its recommendations that we have the Speaker's reference group and our caucus. There are exciting times ahead for us all. <BR /> <BR />I thank Karen McKevitt and Sandra Overend for taking on the roles of chair and vice-chair of the Speaker's reference group and looking at issues around a more gender-sensitive parliament, which is an issue that arose in our AERC report. When we look at creating a gender-sensitive Parliament, we look at many issues, but many of the issues that affect our gender also affect the male gender as well, such as the timings of our sittings, childcare and various other issues. So we are not just here to bang the drum for the wives, mothers and daughters in the Chamber; we are also here to assist in getting equality for fathers, sons and husbands.”
“When we brought up the issue of women in the Northern Ireland Assembly, there was no gnashing of teeth, although, at times along the road, some of the men wanted to throw their papers in the air. However, none did, and they supported us 100% in what we wanted to achieve. We may not have achieved all that we wanted, but we came some way.”
“Thank you for your commitment to bringing about a very special week and a very good week for women in the Northern Ireland Assembly. <BR /> <BR />I would also like to thank the women's lobby; without it and its support, we would not be in this position today. I do not think that we would have advanced this far — and we have advanced. We need not kick ourselves too much, because we have come a long way since I was first elected in 2011. I thank the women's lobby for its perseverance, for hammering on, for banging that drum, and saying that women deserve more equality. <BR /> <BR />I also want to thank the AER Committee. Many of you will be aware that Caitríona Ruane and I are the only two females on the Committee.”
“I am delighted to stand in the Chamber in support of the motion on International Women's Day 2016. First, I would like to say a few words of thanks, and the first person whom I want to thank is you, Mr Speaker. I thank you for your commitment to women in politics and women in public life. A few months ago, Caitríona Ruane and I, having come up with one or two ideas that we thought might be good to look at for International Women's Day, ambushed you in your office. You took those ideas, and not only did you make the Assembly celebrate International Women's Day, you made it into International Women's Week. For that, on behalf, I am sure, of everyone, especially all the women, I say that we are extremely grateful. You and, of course, your staff, have put together a fantastic programme.”
“I am confident that Ms Anderson's skills and experience will allow her to be an excellent ombudsman.”
“I should also like to take this opportunity to thank, on behalf of the Assembly, Dr Tom Frawley for his distinguished and widely recognised work as the Assembly Ombudsman and Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints since September 2000. <BR /> <BR />Following the recruitment process, Marie Anderson was the successful candidate. Members may be aware that Ms Anderson has been the deputy ombudsman since May 2009 and has developed a strong reputation in that position. She is a qualified solicitor with previous experience as senior legal assistant at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and is the first Assistant Information Commissioner for Northern Ireland. Today, I seek the Assembly's agreement to the nomination of Marie Anderson as the first Public Services Ombudsman.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission believes that the Act has strengthened and enhanced the office and that a suitable candidate has been identified. The Assembly Commission ran an open selection process involving me and Ms Ruane on behalf of the Commission and Jim Martin, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman. I take this opportunity to thank Mr Martin for his time and expertise.”
“The Public Services Ombudsman Act 2016 delegates to the Assembly Commission responsibility for determining the criteria for appointment and making arrangements to identify, by fair and open competition, a person to be nominated by the Assembly for the role of ombudsman. <BR /> <BR />As Members are aware, the Act establishes and makes provision about the office of the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman. It abolishes the offices of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Complaints and the Assembly Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. The Act provides that the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman is, by virtue of holding that office, the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Ombudsman and has a remit broadened to cover the Assembly Commission, colleges and universities, and councillors.”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. As a representative for North Belfast, I know only too well the issues around numeracy and literacy. Is she optimistic that this will be funded through the Department of Education?”
“Before I ask my question, I want to thank the First Minister for that information and for her support for International Women's Day.”
“I will also be brief with my comments. On the new subsection proposed to clause 62, the Minister said that a balance had been struck, and I think that is exactly where we wanted to get to. As the Chair said, there were witnesses who threw up concerns about the clause and how it would affect them. We heard not only from landlords and those who represent landlords but from Housing Rights. Again, as I say, the balance most definitely has been struck. I support the amendments.”
“I am sure that everyone will agree that we welcome that being brought back under HMO licensing, because we know that the HMO Bill is there to protect those tenants. Who do we need to protect more than the most vulnerable in our society? I welcome that amendment.”
“Like the Chair, I do not intend to speak very long as these are technical and drafting amendments, but, as this is my first opportunity to speak at Consideration Stage, I join my Committee colleagues in thanking all those involved in the HMO Bill. I thank the Minister and, of course, his predecessor Minister Storey for the work that was done. I thank the Clerks, the Department and all those who gave oral and written evidence. It certainly went some way to helping us to form and shape this very important Bill, which we believe is there to protect tenants. <BR /> <BR />I want to draw attention to what the Minister said about schedule 1 in his opening speech. The amendment will help those with vulnerabilities, especially those in hostels or women's refuges.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. That pedestrian crossing is in an extremely busy area on the boundary of north Belfast and south Antrim leading to Glengormley, Sandyknowes, Ballyclare and Larne. There is not only a high amount of traffic but a heck of an amount of pedestrians. I had to walk that route every day when my children were young and at school, so I know only too well the problems. You are absolutely right, we do have a meeting later on this month, but has there been any history of collisions there? If we were to get any type of pedestrian crossing, have you any idea what could be planned for that area?”
“At this stage, we will oppose the remainder of the amendments to the schedule — amendment Nos 22 to 28. Finally, we will support amendment LT1 to the long title.”
“I know that, when we had a lengthy debate about the Welfare Reform Bill, this came up several times, so I share the Members' concerns, although I will not support their amendment as I do not believe that this is necessarily the right place for it. However, I want to put it on record that I understand the sentiments behind it. <BR /> <BR />We will support the Bill's sponsor in inserting a new clause through amendment No 11 but will not support amendment Nos 12 or 13. In clause 12 we are minded to support amendment No 14 as opposed to amendment No 15 and will oppose amendment No 16. Amendment Nos 17, 18, and 19 make small changes, and we are happy to support the Bill's sponsor on them. Turning to the schedule, we will the Bill's sponsor on amendment Nos 20 and 21.”
“Mr Speaker, I will begin with amendment No 4 to clause 2. In the previous debate we opposed the amendment that a qualifying party be made up of 5% of the total number of MLAs. In the revised amendment to clause 2 we are happy to support the Bill sponsor and his increase to 8%, and we are happy to support amendment No 5 to clause 3. <BR /> <BR />With reference to amendment No 6 — the new clause — I look forward to the explanation from the Member opposite in deciding whether we support it or not. We will also be happy to support amendment No 7 to clause 5, but we will not support amendment Nos 8, 9, and 10. <BR /> <BR />On the subject of the new clause in amendment No 9 — "Establishment of Welfare Reform and Measures Committee" — I understand the sentiments behind the new clause and, like many others in the Chamber, I share those concerns.”
“I do not intend to prolong the proceedings any longer than I have to. I will simply outline the clauses that we intend to support and those that we will oppose. At this hour on a Tuesday evening, I do not know whether I should thank Mr McCallister for listening to the concerns that have been voiced by Members and producing yet another set of amendments. I suppose that we can be thankful that we have only one group to speak to this evening. Mr McCallister got up earlier and said that he would not speak for very long. For some, that means an hour, but, for him, it did not mean very long. Many of us are now into our seventh hour today in the Chamber, so I thank him for that.”
“We support that clause if amended. <BR /> <BR />We also support clause 7 with amendment No 18. We cannot support Mr McCallister's amendment on speaking rights as set down in amendment No 19. We are happy to support clauses 9 through to 15, with the exception of clause 12. We will be opposing clauses 16 and 17, which, again, deal with technical groups. We will also be opposing clause 19, as well as all associated amendments. We will be opposing clause 20, and, as Members know, we have tabled a petition of concern to clause 20. We know that, earlier today, it was agreed that OFMDFM will be called the Executive Office. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, we will be opposing clause 21 and supporting clauses 22 to 24. I know that other Members of my party will be speaking on this, and I will leave them to speak further on our amendments.”
“Thank you, Mr McCallister. I cannot give you a definite answer, as I am not here to make that decision on behalf of the party, but I think that would be more like what we have in mind. <BR /> <BR />Moving on to clause 5 and to amendment No 8, we are happy to support the amendments. I have got to the stage, Mr Speaker, where I cannot read my own writing. As I said on behalf of the Committee, there are several amendments in the group that look at the difference in the wording between the phrases "leader of the opposition" and "leader of the party in opposition". Those are amendment Nos 21, 22, 25 and amendment Nos 9 to 13. We do not have any major concern with any of those amendments. Amendment No 14, which is to clause 6, is on the removal of technical groups, which Mr McCallister addresses in amendment No 15.”
“I know that, in amendment No 1, Mr McCallister has removed technical groups from clause 2, which is on the formation of the opposition, but we are still not entirely comfortable with the lower limit of 5% for a qualifying party to form an opposition. That could be something that the Member might wish to consider at Further Consideration Stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will make a few comments as a DUP member of the Committee. I personally thank Mr McCallister for all his labours and resilience in trying, at every stage, to find a suitable agreement within Committee. He has to be commended for that. <BR /> <BR />As you are aware, we tabled several amendments in group 1, and we will be opposing many of the other clauses. We will be supporting the first clause, because we believe in the general principles of the Bill and also, as set out in the Fresh Start Agreement, its proposals for an official opposition. That said, there are areas of the Bill we cannot agree with, one of which is technical groups. You will note that many of our amendments will remove them from the Bill.”
“The Committee noted the conclusions set out in the third report of that inquiry that the proposal to establish a centralised Budget Committee should be reconsidered in the future if the proposed reforms to processes and procedures fail to deliver. The Committee noted that work on a draft memorandum of understanding between the Assembly and the Executive to deliver those reforms is still ongoing. The Committee divided on the wording proposed in amendment No 27 and agreed by vote that it was not content for this amendment to be made. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I wish to address the opposition to the clauses in the Bill. The Committee divided and agreed that it was content with clause 1, which sets out the purpose of the Bill, but divided and was not content with clauses 2 to 24 as drafted.”
“The Committee divided on these amendments and agreed by vote that it was not content for them to be made. <BR /> <BR />Clause 19 provides for the establishment of a Budget Committee in the Assembly. Although the Committee did not have sight of amendment No 26, it considered amendment No 27, and both amendments broadly reflect the views of the sponsor that were discussed during the Committee Stage of the Bill. The Committee noted the purpose of the proposed Budget Committee as set out by the sponsor but also noted the conclusions of an inquiry that was undertaken by the Committee for Finance and Personnel into the role of the Northern Ireland Assembly in scrutinising the Executive.”
“The Committee noted the comments made by a number of academics that the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly do not have such formal titles but use the more flexible designation of leader of each party not in the Executive. The Committee noted the sponsor’s explanation that these amendments are intended to address the concerns raised by the stakeholders and the Committee. The Committee divided on these amendments and agreed by a majority vote that it was not content for them to be made. <BR /> <BR />With respect to amendment Nos 17 and 20 concerning enhanced speaking rights, the Committee noted the views that were expressed by a number of stakeholders regarding the implications of these enhanced speaking rights for the operation of the Assembly and the speaking rights of Back-Benchers.”
“The Committee divided on these amendments and agreed by a majority vote that it was not content that they be made. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 8 proposes a new clause 5A that relates to the dissolution of the opposition. The Committee notes that the wording of that new clause is broadly similar to the wording of an amendment to clause 5 that was proposed by the sponsor. The Committee divided and agreed that it was not content with this amendment. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to the sponsor’s 10 amendments that deal with alternative titles for the offices in the leadership of the opposition; in particular, amendment Nos 9 to 13, 16 and 17, and 21, 22 and 25.”
“However, it considered in some detail the views of stakeholders who considered that the Bill’s proposal for technical groups to be able to form an official opposition was disproportionate and ill-advised. The Committee recognised the role of technical groups in other Parliaments and examined, in particular, the operation of technical groups in the Dáil. The Committee heard that, whilst there may be merit in making provision for the formation of technical groups in the Assembly, it was not advisable to extend those arrangements to allow technical groups to form an official opposition. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to proposed amendments to clause 3, namely amendment Nos 4, 6 and 7, which relate to the timing of the formation of the opposition.”
“Group 1 covers a range of amendments, some of which were not considered by the Committee. I will confine my remarks to those amendments that the Committee considered either partially or in full. <BR /> <BR />The Committee had previously considered part of amendment No 1 that relates to the criteria for a qualifying party but not the amendment to exclude technical groups from forming the opposition. The Committee divided on the sponsor’s amendment to the criteria for a qualifying party and agreed by vote that it did not support it. <BR /> <BR />The Committee did not have sight of the sponsor’s proposal in amendment No 1 to exclude technical groups from forming an official opposition.”
“The Committee sought and considered its own legal advice and was content that those concerns were unfounded. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the Committee considered the concerns raised by a number of stakeholders that certain provisions in the Bill and the schedule potentially depart from d’Hondt and the cross-community principles of the Belfast Agreement and its further iterations in subsequent negotiations. The Committee used its oral evidence sessions to explore those issues further with academics and the Bill sponsor.”
“In some cases, the Bill instructs that changes be made to Standing Orders, and, in others, the Bill allows for an Assembly and Executive reform motion to be submitted to the Secretary of State asking for changes to be made to the Northern Ireland Act 1998. <BR /> <BR />The fact that many provisions in the Bill could be introduced in the Assembly via means other than legislation was raised by a number of stakeholders in their responses to the Committee. The Committee considered the views of a number of academics on the matter and, in turn, considered the arguments for legislation put forward by the Bill's sponsor, Mr John McCallister. <BR /> <BR />The Committee also considered the concerns raised by a number of stakeholders regarding the legislative competence of certain provisions in the Bill and, in particular, the schedule.”
“I assure all stakeholders that we studied their views and suggestions carefully and greatly valued their support at the Committee Stage. I also thank the Bill's sponsor, Mr John McCallister, for attending a number of oral sessions and for providing clarification and written responses to Committee queries on quite a tight timescale. <BR /> <BR />With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, before dealing with the amendments, I will make a few general remarks on a number of issues that arose during the Committee deliberations. As highlighted in our report on the Bill, the Committee debated whether legislation was, indeed, required for the formation of an official opposition in the Assembly.”
“I rise to speak initially on behalf of the Assembly and Executive Review Committee, and then I will make some remarks in my capacity as a member of my party. During Committee Stage, the Committee considered written evidence from 25 organisations, including the Secretary of State, political parties represented here in this Assembly, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Human Rights Commission, as well as a number of academics from the UK and Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Committee undertook six oral briefings, and our deliberations were further informed by papers prepared by the Assembly Research and Information Service. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the stakeholders who provided written and oral evidence to the Committee.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. I agree with Mrs Kelly on the essential need for more information. I welcome the Minister's commitment to do his utmost to secure that funding for women's centres, but what is his assessment of the work that is supported by the women's centre childcare fund?”
“In conclusion, I welcome the Bill and the amendments and hope that it can lead to a difference in our social landlord areas.”
“I know, as will many MLAs here who are actively part of their community and working in their social housing areas, that a lot of information is already being shared, and they often know who people are and their background even before they move in. It is good to see that becoming an official practice instead of just being down to the jungle drums in our social housing areas. <BR /> <BR />Turning to the amendments from the Minister, I welcome the removal of clause 2(4). In Committee, we heard from many stakeholders, in particular Housing Rights, who felt that the clause could lead to persons with poor mental health being unduly penalised. It is not just about the penalties that could be imposed; there is a need for sensitivity in the disclosure and sharing of information.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said, the effects of antisocial behaviour have a great impact on our communities. Those who suffer most are often the most vulnerable, including older people. It most certainly causes added strain to those with poor mental health. From my constituency, I know that those living in areas where antisocial behaviour exists suffer great fear and intimidation. When I was planning to speak at Consideration Stage today, I thought about information sharing. It is good that it is becoming information sharing at this level because we already have information sharing in many social housing areas.”
“I support the amendments as listed by the Minister for Social Development. As we heard, the Bill has three aspects. While it is relatively short, it was not without debate, especially on clause 2, "Disclosure of information relating to anti-social behaviour". As MLAs, we should all be acutely aware of the impact of antisocial behaviour on our communities. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive and registered housing associations already have a duty of care to protect their tenants from antisocial behaviour as well as a duty to protect other people from antisocial behaviour caused by tenants of social housing. During 2013-14, the Housing Executive received and processed 3,206 reports of antisocial behaviour, the most common of which was noise.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer, in which he said that he believed that support had been given by the composite councils. That is not what I have been led to believe, but I could be wrong. Maybe he does not have the information on him, and, if he does not, can he possibly get the information to us on which councils did lend their support to this appeal?”
“I see the Committee for Social Development very much as being the Committee of empowerment. It has empowered so many people in our community to go out to find jobs. That is all part of the welfare reform mantra. I very much think that we need to put that money back into investment to empower our people to have a better life and to empower our economy as well.”
“That is really hard to comprehend if you look at the Assembly and Executive Review Committee report that we did on women in public life and trying to encourage women to get involved in politics. We need to look at trying to encourage women to get involved in getting back into the workplace and training for the workplace. It is a little hypocritical of us to try to encourage women to come in and be part of this arena without looking at the needs of grass-roots women, so I make this comment again to the Minister: "Do not forget where you have come from on that one, because it is vital". <BR /> <BR />To finish, I want to look at neighbourhood renewal, which is another issue that addresses the most disadvantaged in our community. I heard Mr Nesbitt mention something about empowerment.”