Seán Lynch
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his answer and for giving an undertaking to meet officials on the matter. The Audit Office reported that the Department could claim back £14 million from BT in relation to previous broadband schemes.”
“I thank the joint First Minister for her answer. As the Minister said, NDNA is the basis on which we re-established these institutions. Does the Minister agree that the DUP's decision to vote against a motion to establish a simultaneous translation service in the Assembly was an act of gross bad faith?”
“Minister, I want to go back to the restoration of the Ulster canal. That is a project on my doorstep that will be a major boost to the economy in the east Fermanagh/Clones area.”
“Members will also know that the recognition of the Irish language by these institutions has become a particular issue of respect and equality for many people.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are also satisfied that, in the interests of equality, Members who wish to speak in Irish or Ulster Scots should not need to provide advance notice of their intention to do so in order for their contribution in plenary sittings to be translated.”
“It is significantly less resource-intensive than some other options and strikes an appropriate balance between language rights and costs. However, work must begin now, because any delays will leave insufficient time to have the necessary measures in place at the start of the next mandate.”
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“No. — every initiative and every Budget. I could accept that if they had proposed alternatives, but they did not. It was a political strategy to oppose everything; a failure to demonstrate any kind of positive or collective leadership. We had the election, as other Members mentioned, on 5 May. The electorate had its say and, as a result, the same parties find themselves taking up the negative agenda in opposition on the Back Benches. They walked away from the responsibilities of governing and delivering for the people who elected all of us to the House. <BR /> <BR />Last week, we had what looked like an Opposition day in which two of the three motions tabled were not in the competence of the Assembly.”
“Yes, absolutely — and we are all for inclusive and positive government. It is ironic that the parties that are laughing walked away from the Executive and are now complaining that they do not know what is going on in it. When they were there, they adopted a negative agenda, opposing almost everything and routinely voting against every —”
“I oppose the motion and the amendments. We are all for openness and transparency —”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she guarantee farmers that they will be better off financially as a result of Brexit?”
“What discussions have taken place with the Irish, Scottish and Welsh Governments?”
“A woman who turned 60 this year has not received any information about the changes. She was the primary carer for her children and was unable to work due to disability, but she now has to work for a number of years extra to make up her pension. To give another example of how these women can be impacted, there is a woman who has had to push back her retirement several times, and now, aged 63, she still has to work part-time to make ends meet. <BR /> <BR />Most of the things said about this issue show that it is about women, equality and fairness. The group Women Against State Pension Inequality describes this as new permanent inequality.”
“This group of women does not disagree with proposals to reduce gender inequality in the state pension but they feel aggrieved that they will just miss out financially, whereas men born between these dates will be treated differently. That, to me, seems unfair. Yes, the majority of women born between the stated dates will be better off, but that number of women needs to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Another change that caused the problem in this issue was the coalition's acceleration of the pension changes. Campaigners for these women, who had their state pension age unexpectedly pushed back, state that they either were not informed about the changes or were informed of them late, as a number of Members said, meaning they had little time to prepare. Let me give two examples.”
“I support the motion. This is an issue of equality and, in this case, gender equality. The pension changes were designed to give people long-term clarity about how much they could expect to receive and to allow for a planned approach for later life, but this did not happen for a group of women born in the early 1950s who are coming to pension age. The changes left this group of women, born between 1951 and 1953, not eligible for pension benefits although a man born on the same day is, or may be. This gives rise to inequality affecting a group of women in the North. A number of people have mentioned 68,000 women. I do not actually know the exact number, but it seems to me that the women in this narrow birth cohort are caught between two pieces of legislation.”
“I welcome the Minister's announcement that the jobs will remain in Enniskillen. Will the workers carry out the same tasks or be allocated different roles in the future?”
“I have spoken to the local transport officials, and they are very pleased with that extra funding. That programme of work has already started in rural areas of Fermanagh, and I have a list of the 66 roads that are to be done in the near future. That is not the panacea to all our rural roads ills. However, it starts to tackle the worst sections, and it is very much welcomed by rural dwellers on the roads on which work has been completed. <BR /> <BR />In the debate today, I have not heard where the extra millions are going to come from. People talked about money trees, but nobody outlined the solutions or where the money will come from. I support the motion and the amendment.”
“I described the state of the roads that I had witnessed and told him that the rural communities felt that they were being ignored and that many rural roads were dangerous and had suffered from a number of years of bad winters. He understood that, because he had been on many similar roads in South Down during the campaign. <BR /> <BR />I commend the Minister for moving quickly to announce additional funding measures in the rural initiative scheme.”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. The condition of rural roads is a huge issue for those of us who come from rural communities. During the election campaign in the spring, I witnessed the severe state of rural roads across County Fermanagh. It was clear that local communities had dropped off the priority list regarding roads. Many sections of these roads were not fit for purpose and were a danger to the public. For some constituents, rural roads are an even greater priority than health and jobs. <BR /> <BR />On the day that Chris Hazzard was made Minister of the new Department for Infrastructure, I was sitting beside him. I sought and had a meeting with him that day and stressed the need for him to address the gap in the road maintenance budget.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I think he will be visiting Waterways Ireland soon and will be welcomed to the county. Will he outline the main priorities of Waterways Ireland in 2017?”
“Will the deputy First Minister outline the next steps to be taken in the PFG process?”
“I welcome the meetings that the Minister has had. How will she continue to engage with staff, particularly in light of the upcoming transformation process?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Will she expand on the key concerns expressed by the various Administrations on the Brexit outcome?”
“A lot has been said to date, and I agree with all the Members, who have ventilated everything very well. How can we go forward and give hope to these families? We have all listened to them. We have been at the meetings. I say to the Minister that the trust needs to work with the families and the Department and put in place a plan to rectify this gap in funding. That is what families need. <BR />The issue has been very badly handled by the Western Trust; there is no doubt about that. Families were rightly angry when this underspend became apparent. The families need clarity. They should not have to fight tooth and nail. I know a woman who has been looking after her 18-year-old daughter. It did not come as a shock. She has been fighting for years. These families all need our support, Minister. Sin é.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, principle 11 states that Members should work responsibly with other Members of the Assembly for the benefit of the whole community. In the main, Members work responsibly with others across the political divide. That is particularly evident in the Committees on which we sit. That goes for all the Assembly staff. We could not function without their assistance. They should be treated with the same respect.”
“We should treat people with respect, regardless of race, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or political opinion. We should all robustly uphold that principle and show leadership to and set an example for wider society at all times. <BR /> <BR />Principle 10 is around the issue of respect. Members should show respect and consideration for others at all times. One would think that that stands to sense and would not have to be written down in a code of conduct. Unfortunately, however, it has to be, given our journey to the Assembly. Respect and consideration has not always been shown at all times in the past in the House. However, I hope that things can and will change in this mandate.”
“The Chair has dealt with most of the technical points. I do not wish to make any more comments on those; I just want to make a couple of general points. A code is intended to provide a framework and reference point for us when discharging our duties and responsibilities as MLAs. It outlines the minimal ethical standards of behaviour expected of us as public representatives. The code is also to create public trust and confidence in these institutions. That can be only a good thing. <BR /> <BR />I want to touch more on the additional Assembly principles of conduct. The first one, I think, is number 8. As Sinn Féin spokesperson on equality and human rights, I welcome that addition. It is progressive in its outlook. We all, as Members of the Assembly, should promote equality of opportunity. We should not discriminate against any person.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. I thank the Minister for his statement. I brought up with him 10 minutes after he took up post that one of the biggest issues in rural areas is the state of rural roads, and I am glad that he has acted quickly on that. Will he liaise with his divisional officers and engineers on how the money will be spent?”
“Gabhaim buíochas as an fhreagra. I thank the Minister and wish him well in his new post. I know the roads that he talked about, and they have a major impact when they flood. Does he have a timetable for when the work will begin?”
“What engagements have taken place with victims' representative groups in services that have been provided?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for her extensive answer. She will be aware that one of the most modern hospitals in Europe is the new acute hospital in Enniskillen, although it has its difficulties. I extend an invitation to the Minister to visit that excellent facility. What potential is there for a greater all-Ireland approach in public health?”
“I understand the difficulties and real frustration that people have when it comes to not being able to access broadband. People feel aggrieved when they cannot connect or get the speeds that they want.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have particular problems in Northern Ireland, especially in rural areas. Probably the most common problem is that the average length of the line from households or businesses to exchanges or cabinets is much longer in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK. We also have a problem in that the rural population in Northern Ireland is more dispersed than in other parts of the UK. <BR /> <BR />Despite the fact that progress has been made, it is still a very difficult situation for many rural dwellers. Some of the Members from the SDLP said that the issue had been raised with them when they were out on the doorsteps, and it has been raised with me frequently throughout my time as an elected representative.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will address some of those issues shortly, but we will never get 200 megabits per second in some of the rural areas in Northern Ireland; you are talking about some of the speeds that they are getting in the big cities across the water. I certainly want to see speeds and coverage increased everywhere. <BR /> <BR />We have to acknowledge that significant improvements have been made, but we need to go further because that is no comfort to people in rural areas who are struggling to get access to the Internet. Various projects have taken place. We have the Next Generation Broadband project, the remote broadband service, the broadband improvement programme and the basic broadband scheme. All those have helped to increase the number of those who can access broadband.”
“The Minister talked about the scale of the transition. Does she have any confirmed timetable?”
“The First Minister spoke about carers. Was any area of collaboration identified in the social inclusion meeting on the important work of carers?”
“I was just going to ask that the Minister give a commitment to the strategy and an assurance, which he has done.”
“I thank the Minister for his fairly extensive answer. What steps has he taken to work with the Commissioner for Older People?”
“We need to change the law so that all citizens are treated equally.”
“I want to express my shock and horror at the multiple deaths and 53 injuries. My heartfelt condolences go to the family, and also on behalf of my party. These people were targeted simply because they were gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT). This attack has brought into sharp focus the fact that, despite moves towards equality, LGBT people in the West have massive issues. The perpetrator of this murderous event was not born homophobic — he was taught it. We as political leaders — I agree with much of what Members have said — must stand together on this issue and face down homophobic behaviour. We must send out a message to people at every level that human beings are valued as equal. <BR /> <BR />The fact that people cannot live and get married here is a problem. That is wrong.”
“Certainly. Thanks for that contribution. I actually thought the Minister had concluded a couple of minutes ago. I remember cycling on the Atlantic Way. I am sorry that I am not able, for injury reasons, to cycle any more. <BR /> <BR />As I said, I want to acknowledge the role of the Committee staff and all those who have supported us over this mandate. <BR /> <BR />Finally, a Cheann Comhairle, I want to wish you well. I have known you for many years, even before coming to the House, and I have always said that you are gentleman and the right person for this role. Go raibh míle maith agat, and all the best for the future.”
“To conclude, I want to acknowledge the role of —”
“I will only name two of them: 'A Report on the Inquiry into the Benefits of Cycling to the Economy'; and 'A Report on the Inquiry into the Better Use of Public and Community Sector Funds for the Delivery of Bus Transport'. <BR /> <BR />I am led to believe that three people are leaving the Committee: John Dallat, Stephen Moutray and, not least, David McNarry. He will certainly be missed. As Deputy Chair, I also want to put on record our thanks to the officials who have worked with and assisted us over that period.”
“I also welcome the Bill and, like the Chair, commend the Minister for bringing this forward in such a short period. It is to be welcomed, given the Minister's recent announcements that the A5 and the A6 are to go ahead. It is only fair that those landowners who will be giving up their land and property are compensated on the same basis as in other jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />As this is the last business of the Regional Development Committee, I want to put on record my party's thanks to the Chair and to the previous Chair, Jimmy Spratt, with whom we got on very well and worked well. The work of the Committee over the past five years has been positive and constructive, producing excellent reports.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. As somebody who travels the M1 daily, I know that there is activity taking place on the Maze/Long Kesh site. There was a proposed junction to go from the M1 into the site. Is that still a commitment of the Department, or has it been scrapped?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. I thank the Minister for her statement. The Minister mentioned the Scottish Act in her statement. Is she aware that the Scottish legislation is based on a national plan, whereby local authorities contribute? Will the consultation include the Scottish plan?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Can the Minister detail the number of groups and organisations that receive funding to tackle the problem of these substances?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Minister, in your statement, you said that you intended to establish an implementation group to carry this forward. When do you intend that to happen, as the mandate is coming to a close?”
“Criminal court proceedings are not always in the best interests of youth and society, and we should try to keep as many young people out of prison as possible. <BR /> <BR />I agree with the Committee's conclusion, and I am disappointed with the lack of progress made on investigating and implementing alternative dispute resolutions, given the recommendation in the original access to justice review in 2011. Alternative dispute resolutions are essential if we are to progress in the 21st century, given the financial constraints that we will encounter in the future. As the Chair said, I hope that many of the suggestions in the report will be part of the Programme for Government in the new mandate. I support the report.”
“Whilst some have misgivings about restorative justice, there have been positive benefits and outcomes. Successful programmes have been functioning in working-class disadvantaged areas of Belfast and Derry, and I am aware that the Minister has visited a number of them. As I said, the concept is radical in other places, and, in Canada, the sentencing principles in the criminal code were amended in 1996 to encourage the use of community-based sentences. That is something that any future Minister could look at. <BR /> <BR />Alternative dispute resolution can be in the best interests of society and can support offenders in turning away from crime and learning to behave in a socially acceptable way. It can be particularly useful in youth crime.”
“For that to be successful, a number of concepts and components must apply. The victim's perspective is central to how the harm can be repaired. The offender is encouraged to take responsibility for their actions. Full extent of the victim's suffering is acknowledged. The concept is victim centred. However, it is predicated on the offender taking responsibility for their actions.”
“When Colin Stutt spoke to the Committee about the access to justice review, part II, I asked him whether alternative measures would be in it, and he said they would. I also asked him about alternative measures processes, and he said that all processes would be involved. <BR /> <BR />Restorative justice is:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. First of all, I recognise Alban's contribution to the Justice Committee over the last number of years. Only for the fact that he is going, I thought he was making a pitch to be the new Justice Minister when he made his speech. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion. I want to mention a conference that we had at W5 last October. The last speaker mentioned Jim Gamble. One of the schools that attended that day, St Comhghall's, Lisnaskea, is from my area. I spoke to the pupils afterwards, and they said it was very informative and interesting, especially some of the things Jim said, and particularly for their age group <BR /> <BR />The access to justice review report, published in September 2015 — I think this was mentioned by somebody else — included the following recommendation:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. On a similar theme, can the Minister provide an update on the ongoing collaborative design programme concerning services for victims and survivors?”
“As Mr Frew said, "Where do you stop?" I think that amendment will be welcomed by those who work on the front line. Again, I think it will be a work in progress for those in the future. We support the Bill in its future stages.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I did not think I would be up for another hour or so. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Further Consideration Stage of the Justice (No. 2) Bill, particularly the need to deal with fine defaulters. We are satisfied that the Bill addresses the issues. We would have liked it to be a little stronger. However, we feel that the most vulnerable will be protected. <BR /> <BR />We sought as strong a role as possible for the Prison Ombudsman, but placing it on a statutory footing is to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />On amendment No 6, which has been debated, we welcome support for the protection of ambulance workers in the execution of their duty. I think the definition has been fairly well tidied up.”
“It is important that we do not leave any obstacles in the way of the vesting process along the routes of the A5 and A6 schemes. As the Minister said, the clauses are fairly straightforward, and we support the Bill at this time.”