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.”
The complete record
Every one of 407 lines we hold for Seán Lynch, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 9.
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire. Will the Minister ensure that whatever plans he has regarding legal aid will go through an equality impact assessment?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Minister, you said recently that you are on the householders' side. I do not doubt that, but would you be prepared to meet some of the communities in Fermanagh and west Tyrone that are impacted by the crisis?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his answer. Has he sought councils' views in that regard? Are they satisfied with the arrangements that have been put in place?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. I thank the Minister for her somewhat encouraging answer. Does she agree that, because the canal goes through Monaghan, Fermanagh, Cavan and Tyrone, both tourism boards on the island of Ireland should work closely together to ensure that it is a success?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I welcome the decision. Now that the development proposals have been passed, what are the next steps?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí seo. The Minister mentioned the dairy sector in her last answer and knows that it is a difficult time for that sector. What support can DARD provide to the dairy sector at this time?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas. Does the Minister agree that any proposed all-Ireland inquiry into sexual abuse during the conflict must involve all sections of society to meet the needs of all victims?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra. One of the outstanding issues from the St Andrews Agreement is the single equality Bill. Will one be brought forward soon?”
“— that these priorities are very important.”
“I am broadly coming back to it. I am coming back to the A6 and the Dungiven bypass. Reading through the papers, I see that it has been waiting for decades. <BR /> <BR />If the north-west's full potential is to be realised, investment in the delivery of those projects must be a priority for the Minister's Department. I know that he will cite budgetary constraints, and I acknowledge that there are demands and fewer resources, but, very clearly, given the financial limitations, every effort should be made to invest in productive infrastructure, which will always produce economic dividends. For example, broadly speaking, the South of Ireland has made substantial improvements over the last decades and has a core network that is on a par with that in Europe. <BR /> <BR />I will say finally to the Minister —”
“People will mention, and have mentioned, the A5 — I know the difficulties with that — the Dungiven bypass and the more recent difficulties with the railway line. I cannot but mention the Enniskillen bypass, and I do not want it to be waiting for it for as long as the —”
“You said that Enniskillen to Belfast takes one hour and 38 minutes and that Derry to Belfast takes a shorter time. We travel on a fairly safe road from Fermanagh. I know that there are difficulties in parts of it, but once you get to Ballygawley, you have the A4, which is a recently built road, and you are then on the M1, which is safe and fast. The new part in particular has reduced the accident rate between the A4 at the end of the M1 to the Ballygawley roundabout. But between Ballygawley, you have a motorway and a dual carriageway, yet you do not have that between the two cities. <BR /> <BR />I want to focus on one or two points. Delivering a balanced regional infrastructure should be a key objective of the Department. There is no doubt that regional disparities exist because of decades of underinvestment in the west and north-west.”
“It is reasonable for us to expect a high standard of road infrastructure between those two cities. On part of the route from Belfast, you first have the M2, which is an excellent road running out of Belfast. One of the things that I experienced the first time I took the journey was that you then run from a motorway into a second-class road and from that into a bottleneck in Dungiven. <BR /> <BR />I take a journey each day from Fermanagh, and I know that that is a similar distance to the journey from Derry to Belfast. My colleagues take about 20 minutes longer. The Minister, in a response to my colleague Maeve McLaughlin, said that the journey from Derry to Belfast was shorter in time than that from Enniskillen. I do not know where you got those figures from, Minister.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I support the motion as amended. Some might ask why I am speaking on the A6, but I am doing so as the Deputy Chair of the Committee for Regional Development, and I think that it is important that I speak on the issue. I have travelled a number of times on the route through Dungiven from Belfast and from Derry to Belfast, and I have seen the difficulties that the residents of Dungiven have to witness almost daily. I was with my colleague here one Friday afternoon after a meeting, and I witnessed the congestion and the difficulties for residents and for travellers. <BR /> <BR />The point is that Dublin and Belfast, as well as Derry, which is up the west and north coast, are three of the major cities, but Derry and Belfast are the two key cities in the North of Ireland.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Minister for her answer; there were some fairly positive figures in it. However, it is widely accepted that there is a lack of investment in innovation in regions along the border. Has the Minister any recommendations on how EU funding could be better used to support border businesses and Ireland-wide trade?”
“It is not, as some Members have said, an appeasement of prisoners in Roe House; rather, it is a suggestion that both prisoners and the prison officers exist in an environment that is free from conflict. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. I ask that the Minister endorse the stocktaking document.”
“Basically, Roe House is a prison within a prison. I agree that family visits must be facilitated in a manner that is more family-friendly. We all know how important family contact is for prisoners and their families. The family should not be punished as a result of the circumstances that they find themselves in. <BR /> <BR />There should be a review of education provision, and that is to be welcomed. Every prisoner should have the opportunity to benefit from education and to enhance their capacity for the future. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, as with any agreement, the success or failure of this depends on all sides adhering to its terms and principles.”
“I welcome the assessors' recommendation that the Prison Service should continue to ensure that meetings of the prisoners' forum are properly planned. For trust to be re-established and outstanding issues to be resolved, a proper functioning forum is key. As the Member who spoke previously said, an independent body chairing forum meetings for at least six months should also be seriously considered. <BR /> <BR />A channel of communications is also key if trust is to be built. Peter Bunting touched on a very important point at last week's Committee meeting when he said that, on behalf of society, there needs to be a solution and that that is the right thing to do. <BR /> <BR />From my experience of Roe House, I know that there needs to be greater freedom of movement. That would not compromise security in any way.”
“<BR /> <BR />The stocktake allows for an opportunity to move forward and create a pathway towards a conflict-free environment for prisoners and staff. The assessment team's recommendation of an agreed timeline of six months for resolving any outstanding issues is to be welcomed. I believe that that period will focus minds towards a positive outcome. <BR /> <BR />Another aspect of the report that I want to touch on is the prisoners' forum. We learned from our visits — and this was experienced by the assessors themselves — that the prisoners were frustrated that the forum did not function properly and that issues that they presented seemed to get lost and were never followed up. <BR /> <BR />The Prison Service also had difficulties with the forum.”
“<BR /> <BR />From discussions that we had over that period, we found that both sides wanted to end the impasse, and it is in that context that I welcome the report that the independent assessment team has prepared. I take this opportunity to commend the team's work, time and effort, and the report that it has produced in such a short time regarding the segregated prison regime in Maghaberry. We can all argue and debate and apportion blame as to where the fault lies for the failure of the 2010 agreement, but that will get us nowhere. It is most important that lessons are learned by all and that the report is grasped both by the prisoners and the Prison Service in an effort to bring about the change that everybody said they desired.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I support the amendment and endorse the outcome of the independent assessors' stocktake of the August 2010 Maghaberry prison agreement. <BR /> <BR />Back in 2010, the agreement that was reached came about because of a protest by the republican prisoners in Roe House. At that time, I was not elected; however, since 2011 a number of colleagues and I have, as the Justice Committee, been in the prison on numerous occasions. Each time, we met senior management and some of the republican groupings in Roe House. It was obvious from speaking to both sides that trust had totally broken down and that relationships between the prisoners and the Prison Service were at an all-time low.”
“I would like you to expand on that, Minister. Thank you.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an ráiteas seo. I thank the Minister for his statement. Under strategic transport priorities, Minister, you talked about:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the member for answering the questions. He has answered one part of a question that I was going to ask about the budget. I know that the work is progressing, because I know most of the contractors on the roof. Is the project coming in on time, or will it be delayed?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra. I thank the Minister for his answers to date. I accept that the Minister came to brief me initially and to the Committee last week, but what was the timeline of learning of the procurement difficulties?”
“Loane House can play a major role as a rehabilitation facility, not only for stroke patients but for those with other minor, non-acute ailments. With the predicted rise in strokes, the expected need for inpatient rehabilitation in Loane House will increase significantly. By the time the unit opens, the number of patients will have increased by 300%. One has to ask where those patients will receive inpatient rehabilitation. <BR /> <BR />In its consultation, the Southern Trust states that it wants to improve the quality of care delivered to everyone who has a stroke, regardless of age and type of stroke, and ensure that its community has the best possible care and treatment for stroke victims. The best way in which it can do that is by keeping Loane House open.”
“Loane House is a vital community service that must be kept open and properly resourced. <BR /> <BR />I want to focus on one particular aspect of the trust's figures, which Bronwyn mentioned. It is that there has been a 33% year-on-year increase in strokes in the North of Ireland. Those figures are very concerning for us as a society in health terms, and I know that the Minister would like to see an education programme around better health so that fewer strokes take place in future. Some 150,000 people annually on these islands have a stroke. It is the largest cause of disability in the North of Ireland and the third most common cause of death. Rehabilitation is a major part of treatment, and stroke sufferers have complex medical needs.”
“Some of those who signed the petition said that it would be shameful if Loane House were to close, given the quality of care that the facility provides. <BR /> <BR />I also know the family that Bronwyn visited when she became aware of the campaign. I have been in communication with her all the time during the campaign. <BR /> <BR />Another comment made on the petition was:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I also welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. <BR /> <BR />I commend my colleague Bronwyn McGahan for securing the Adjournment debate and for the energy that she has put into the campaign to save Loane House. The 8,000-plus signatures that she placed before the Assembly in July is testimony to the efforts she has put into something that she passionately believes in and that should remain in the community in the Dungannon and Clogher Valley area. <BR /> <BR />As she said, the large number of signatures in support of Loane House is reflective of the public's satisfaction with the excellent services and facilities that are provided at present.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Will the Minister outline how the findings of the report will influence the development of a new gender equality strategy? Go raibh maith agat.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Minister, thanks for the briefing this morning. I know that this procurement process has lurched from crisis to crisis. You said that the £20 million came about as a result of "guesswork". I think that was the word you used. Guesswork is a very bad tool to use in estimating the cost of a major project like this. What confidence can we have in Translink to deliver the project?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. Will the Minister outline the timings in place for the scheme opening?”
“It should ensure more efficiency in the Coroners' Courts service, particularly in the field of inquests.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. <BR /> <BR />First, we are satisfied with the terms of the Bill to set up an executive agency within the Department of Justice for the delivery of legal aid. Sinn Féin had concerns about the power of the Minister to direct the director of the new agency, but we particularly welcome the increased transparency, accountability, efficiency and independence. We are also satisfied that the Minister is bound by legislation. Any reclassification of cases will be decided on the Floor of the Assembly. We are also satisfied that the Minister has no power to direct any individual cases, as he said at the outset. <BR /> <BR />We are also supportive of the second aim of the Bill; to appoint the Lord Chief Justice as head of the Coroners' Courts and presiding coroner.”
“Minister, your officials said that other options were considered, although little detail was forthcoming. You may want to respond to that and elaborate on what those options were. I spoke to people who will be paid off as a result of the Minister's decision, and they are people with real livelihoods and families. <BR /> <BR />The resource budget for small maintenance works is a small percentage of the Department's overall budget. I have no doubt that, if a thorough trawl had been undertaken, the savings could have been found elsewhere without job losses and without causing safety issues for the public.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Department was aware that funding restrictions and pressures were coming down the track, yet the contractors were not advised or engaged with before the Minister made his decision. I have spoken to some of the employees who have been put on notice and to the contractors, who said that, if the Minister had engaged, outlined the funding difficulties and reached an agreed reduction — that is, a percentage reduction — they could have planned a way forward for their staff and plant hire. The fact that the Minister totally ceased funding does not make sense. Why did the Minister not take that approach? The contractors are reasonable people who recognise that there are funding pressures. The recurring theme during the Committee meeting was that he took the easy option, as I said at the outset.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Again, I am not getting into that debate, but you cannot conflate the issue of welfare cuts and the reduction in the overall block grant. <BR /> <BR />When the monitoring round was discussed at the Committee a number of weeks ago, officials told us that the Minister had no option but to make the decision that he did. When I asked them to detail the risk assessment process that the Department undertook in prioritising and drawing together the proposed bids, the answer was that the Department took all the money that it could out of other areas before it got to the contractors. Will the Minister take this opportunity to elaborate on what that process involved before they reached the contractors?”
“The question is this: did the Minister simply take the soft option — I think that the soft option came up a number of times in Committee — and cut front line services and target the external contractors who provide those services across the North of Ireland?”
“Thank you. I said that I was not getting into the debate on why the budget was reduced. <BR /> <BR />The Minister went on to say that that would:”
“I must add that they have been done to a high standard by the local Clarke's group. However, that is in the past, and we find ourselves in a different funding environment with budget constraints today. <BR /> <BR />I do not want to wade into the debate on how this has come about. The reality is that the block grant has been reduced. As a result, we had the Minister's statement at the end of July when we were in recess. It stated that there would be a:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I support the motion. As the proposer said, the condition of the roads in the North is of vital importance to the economy, and, therefore, it is essential that the road network is properly maintained to provide a safer network. That is what all our constituents expect. As an elected representative from a rural area, I find that roads are one of the key issues that come to our attention on a daily basis. I have a continual list of roads needing upgrade and repair in Fermanagh, and, when a network is complete, other roads become priorities. I must acknowledge that quite a lot of money has been spent on the county over the last number of years, because there has been sizeable success in the monitoring rounds for the Department.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Can the Minister give an update on the plans to restore the Ulster canal?”
“— the gardaí were successful in an operation against those who are involved in that in County Monaghan, using information from the PSNI. The law enforcement agencies on the island of Ireland are capable of tackling serious and organised criminality without the full involvement —”
“I live close to Monaghan, Cavan and Leitrim and meet senior PSNI officers regularly. There is no evidence that major organised crime is greater in that region. One of the organised activities in the area is livestock and farm machinery theft. Only last week —”
“No. That confirmed the point that Matt Baggott made to Pat Sheehan last year. During the arrests and seizure in Cork, the guards were in total control of the operation on Irish soil. There is no bigger crime than trying to land £100 million worth of cocaine in this country, North or South. <BR /> <BR />I want to close on the aspect of the motion that calls for the full implementation of the NCA to:”
“Mr Liam Peakin, the head of the Irish Customs Drug Watch and Law Enforcement department, said afterwards that they have the resources to tackle major drug dealers and that it was an international intelligence-led operation that involved agencies outside Ireland.”
“The previous Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, in answering a question from Pat Sheehan at a Policing Board meeting about whether there would be any restrictions on information-sharing between any of the law enforcement agencies on these islands, answered with an emphatic no. As my colleague Gerry Kelly said in his speech, only last week, we had a good example of this type of sharing of information, where the gardaí arrested a number of criminals off the coast of Cork and captured one of the biggest hauls of cocaine ever in these islands. This was a joint task force involving the Air Corps, revenue services, naval services and the gardaí.”
“No. If your name is down, you will have your five minutes. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, there has been opposition to the present NCA model from former senior officers. In reading part of the motion, one would be led to believe that, unless the NCA is not fully involved in this part of Ireland, society will be left to the complete mercy of these gangs. What is the role of the PSNI in tackling organised criminal activity? This is a service that has a budget of almost £1 billion and 7,000 personnel. On the other hand, in the South of Ireland, an Garda Síochána polices four-fifths of this island with a similar budget and under 12,000 personnel. It has to deal with similar organised activity. <BR /> <BR />The parties opposite argue that, if the NCA is not established in full, there will be limited access to NCA intelligence. That is not true.”
“No. You will have your say, Minister. <BR /> <BR />No real claim has been made to date to demonstrate that policing serious and organised crime will be ineffective if the NCA is not fully implemented.”
“The Minister said nothing to explain why he believes that all members of the NCA should be subject to the same accountability structures as all members of the PSNI.”