Jim Allister
North Antrim · Traditional Unionist Voice · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />Last week, a 'News Letter' editorial rightly drew attention to the fact that there is a chorus of demand that it is up to the British Government to pay for that, but no pressure whatsoever on the GAA — the primary beneficiary — which still persists that its contribution will be a miserly £15 million.”
“Public money, we are constantly told, is in short supply and scarce. I am sure that it is, and will continue to be so. Yet, while many in the House pay lip service to the need to prioritise health, there seems to be a majority here who would prioritise public spending on a sporting facility, namely Casement Park.”
“That editorial stated that the DUP "should make clear" its view on the Casement Park costs. Yet, yesterday, we had the launch of the DUP manifesto and not a mention of Casement Park. We have a Minister — Minister Lyons — who has ruled out clawback for non-GAA use of that stadium.”
“Therefore, the Minister comes to the House with a proposal that, effectively, has been written in Brussels, because it tells us how much we can give to our fishing industry in Northern Ireland.”
“The Minister told us that this is a scheme under the Fisheries Act, which it is, whereby all the devolved regions and England and Wales can make their own provision.”
“Rather than removing the green lane, the introduction of the new customs border arrangements will further advance the development of the green lane, thereby helping to make the Irish Sea border and our alienation from the rest of the UK more firmly established.”
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“I do not think that I have denied that. However, I am saying that the answer is not to take 50% of our animals and slaughter them or to take 50% of our production and export it to the depleting rainforests of Brazil and then sit back smugly and say, "Didn't we do well?". That is the ethos of the Bill. People, much as Mr Wells might not like it, will continue to buy meat. Do they buy the meat produced in north Antrim or the meat produced on land that has been stripped in the Amazon basin? That is an issue that politicians in the Western world have to consider. Therefore, I say to the House that the Bill is, as the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association, I think, described it, ill considered. <BR /> <BR />I am seeking to illustrate that, in some of its powers, it is extreme. It is full of staff.”
“I have made it plain: I accept that we should all want to leave the planet in better shape than we found it, but I will not be swept along by the hysteria that climate change has never happened before and is happening now only because we have too many animals or too many factories or too many cars. Climate change happened long before we had cars or anything else. Climate change happens, and the profligate use of resources, I have no doubt, can add somewhat to it. However, it is not the primary cause. Natural cycles of climate change happen. That does not take away from us our obligation to do what is right but not to do what is foolish.”
“Well, of course, the much better option is not to let it get to Committee. It is so flawed and its potential so disastrous that it would be far better for the House to take courage and refuse it.”
“I asked, "What does it mean that the climate commissioner can do anything, including disposing of rights?".”
“By putting it under the Assembly Commission, the House is signing a blank cheque for the cost of the Northern Ireland climate office and the commissioner. The Bill tells us that salaries can be paid as high as the highest salary in the Civil Service. What is that? About £170,000 or £180,000? We truly are signing a blank cheque with the Bill. Once we give the function to the commissioner to appoint his or her staff, the Assembly Commission must do it. It becomes part of the Assembly Commission's budget and is beyond our reach. A blank cheque is what the House is being asked to sign in respect of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Of course, under clause 6, the commissioner can acquire property. I invited the sponsor to tell us what it meant, but she did not oblige. I will read clause 6(8) again:”
“There is no second chance under the Bill to rescue a sector that you will so wantonly devastate. You cannot reduce the targets. <BR /> <BR />Another point that I want to talk about is the powers that the Bill creates. Clauses 5 and 6 and the relevant appendix create a Northern Ireland climate office and a Northern Ireland climate commissioner, and staff will be appointed by the commissioner. There is no limit on the number of staff whom the commissioner can appoint; indeed, there is no refusal of the House to approve the expenditure, because it is to be done under the Assembly Commission and the Assembly Commission's budget is not alterable by the House. It is not something with which the House can tinker. Once it gets through the Audit Committee, it follows inevitably.”
“People have spoken out of both sides of their mouth in the debate. They have said, "Oh, we're going to look after the farming sector. We're going to consult. We're going to make sure that these things don't happen". It is clear what will happen if the Bill is enacted. You cannot proclaim, for the sake of your constituency, that you will protect your farming community if you troop through a Lobby tonight to vote for something that will devastate your farming community. That is the reality that we face in the debate. <BR /> <BR />I remind the House of a point that I made in an intervention: the targets set cannot be reduced. We are told, "Oh, things can be reviewed" and, "We can look at things as we go along". There are some things that you cannot look at. Clause 11(2) is clear:”
“That sounds pretty irrefutable. I have heard no one in the debate refute it: no one.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have all had many lobby letters on this subject — rightly so — but probably the one that encapsulated for me the threat came from the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association. Let me read a couple of paragraphs from it because I have not heard them countered in this debate:”
“That is why it says that, by 2050, for Northern Ireland, to get the whole UK to where it needs to be, 82% is sufficient, but it is not sufficient for those who drive the Bill. They want us to go ahead of everyone else and, by 2045, have a 100% reduction, and all that with no regard to what it would do to our primary industry in Northern Ireland. The proposer of the motion managed to make a speech, and, unless I missed it, did not once mention agriculture, yet agriculture is the very foundation of our economy. <BR /> <BR />Someone said in the debate that the Bill does not set targets for agriculture. I am sorry, but agri-food is identified in clause 3(6)(i) and clause 3(7)(h) on sectoral plans. Sectoral plans inevitably will include targets, so the Bill anticipates setting sectoral plans with targets for our agri-food industry.”
“It records how much we are relied on in the UK as a food producer and that we are a net exporter with nearly 50% of all agri-food products going from Northern Ireland to GB, and, therefore, it is right that we should have the benefit of the sinks that are elsewhere. <BR /> <BR />The letter goes on to be very clear, as Mr Beggs expounded, that a consequence of forcing net zero on Northern Ireland is:”
“There is not a single reference in this EFM to the Climate Change Committee and the letter that it wrote. Mr Beggs has dealt very fully with it. That means that I need not deal as fully with it, but it is a very illuminating document. It tells us that:”
“If you go to its website — I will do it live — and click on the button to support its petition in favour of the Bill, you will discover that 1,559 people have signed the petition that the mass-followed coalition has produced — 1,559. This morning, it was 1,558. We need to be more careful with some of the propaganda that is being ushered out on the matter. <BR /> <BR />When reading the section of the explanatory and financial memorandum that deals with the Bill's background, I asked myself, "What will it say about the Climate Change Committee's report?". The explanatory and financial memorandum was published on 22 March. By then, the first letter from the Climate Change Committee to the Minister, which was written in December, had been on the CCC's website for three months. The background does not even mention it.”
“This explanatory and financial memorandum is the most audacious but vacuous document that I have read in a long time. It is audacious in the sense that it tells us that Climate Coalition Northern Ireland represents over 390,000 people. This afternoon, the Chair of the Agriculture Committee had the number at over 400,000. Interestingly, if you go to the website of the Climate Coalition and look up its membership, you will find that 26 individuals belong to it, along with all sorts of corporate bodies and institutions. How the coalition gets to 390,000 — that creative and fictional figure — is just not explained.”
“The same genre of people today tell us that the Apocalypse is upon us. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that there is climate change. There always has been climate change. Over the millennia, our climate has changed time and time again. It is changing now, but, frankly, I will take a lot of convincing that it is all because of belching cows or industry or anything of that nature. Yet, on the back of that, we are told that we must do this and that, if we do not, we are doomed. <BR /> <BR />What is it that we are being asked to do? Very often, when a Bill is published, the first thing that I reach for is the explanatory and financial memorandum (EFM), to see what it is all about. Yes, I will read the Bill, but I want to see what its proponents are saying.”
“In an earlier intervention, I quoted the executive director of the UN environmental programme, who, 39 years ago, said that there would be by the turn of the century:”
“However, when you come to this subject, you find that the communal pressure that builds towards supporting a Bill such as this draws so heavily on hysteria and whipping up fears that there comes a point when it loses its traction with credibility. Some of the cheerleaders for the proposition that there will be the Apocalypse if we do not pass the Bill would take us down that road. Of course, I remind the House that some of the past cheerleaders of the same lobby told us that, by today, we would all be dead and gone because of the horrible things that would happen. <BR /> <BR />Al Gore. Remember him? Back in 2006, he told us that the world had 10 years to avert a true planetary emergency. In 2009, he reckoned that there was a 75% chance that the North Pole would be ice-free in five to seven years. In 1989, a UN official said:”
“The easiest thing in politics is to follow the crowd. I do not intend to follow the crowd on the Bill, and I am glad that Mr Beggs does not either, nor, might I add, do I intend to follow the crowd of unionist leaders who are abandoning the leadership of their parties.”
“Is it not rather trite to suggest that no one will lose out?”
“In this situation, is it not a little too simplistic to say that no one loses out, when we know that our agri-food industry will lose up to 50% of its production and that meat eaters, which the Member is not, will find that they are exporting their carbon to import their meat supplies, which will no longer be supplied locally?”
“The Minister said that bids had been made. A couple of weeks ago, the Finance Minister told me in the House that he could recall no bids from any Department to mark the centenary, so can the Minister elaborate on what bids were made and to what extent and, indeed, what funds have been set aside in her Department to mark the centenary? <BR /> <BR />Does she agree that it is beyond shameful that, here in the seat of government, there will not be so much as a rose bush to mark the centenary, such is the bigotry of Sinn Féin?”
“The figure of 310 from Ballymena is particularly disappointing, although it does not surprise me. My office has an appeal next week that has been waiting 14 months. Will the Minister supply the average waiting time for an appeal in North Antrim? That certainly seems to be something that needs to be taken under control. The return of face-to-face services would be a major step forward.”
“that is set in the legislation. Is it not, therefore, hyperbole to say that they will listen, when the very legislation that the Members want to take forward slams the door on listening?”
“The Member talks about responding to communities, particularly the agriculture community etc. In clause 11(2), however, the door is slammed shut to all the sectors by virtue of the fact that it states:”
“How can he say that there is always the option to look again? There is no option in the Bill to look again; none whatsoever. It is set in stone.”
“I hear what the Member says, but has he read clause 11(2)(e), which is very clear:”
“What rights is it anticipated that the climate commissioner could dispose of under clause 6(8)?”
“Before the Member leaves Part 2, will she give some explanation to the House of what clause 6(8) means? Clause 6(8) states:”
“It was wrong then. Why should we believe that it is right now?”
“The Member made reference to what the UN has been saying. What does she say to the fact that, in 1982, which is almost 40 years ago, the executive director of the UN environment programme said that, by the turn of the century, we would face:”
“Does the Minister agree or disagree with Peter Robinson that you cannot credibly oppose the protocol while at the same time implementing it?”
“Whether she watched it or not, does she accept that it is the truth that the IRA robbed the Northern Bank? Can she, as a leader of the republican movement, tell us where the money is?”
“Never mind the hyperbole: how does the Minister reconcile the proclaimed dedication to tackling paramilitarism with the continuing glorification of terrorism, as highlighted by Mr Stalford? We all know that a Sinn Féin MP still has the name of his office glorifying two individuals, McNulty and Magorrian, who lived and died as terrorists. As long as there is glorification of terrorism, it will be nothing but cant and hypocrisy to talk about tackling paramilitarism.”
“I do absolutely agree. Many sectors have suffered immensely. We tend to look at the care home sector from the perception of the families and those in the care homes, but I have no doubt that care home operators, likewise, have difficulties. However, I say to the Executive that the regulations need to be tempered with a modicum of discretion and common sense to allow visitation. We need clarity moving forward, and we need to move forward, not stagnate.”
“He may well not come out of hospital. The family had to nominate one visitor, and, because the lady in question is impeded in her mobility, visiting is a big problem for her, and they nominated the eldest son of the household. Now they are in a situation where that poor lady may never see her husband alive again, and that is cruel. There is no other word for it: it is cruel. Therefore, I echo the comments that the relevant Department needs to address that issue. A bit of discretion would go a long way.”
“We have had enough petulance when it comes to the hospitality industry. The Executive need to get a grip, and, in particular, they need to embrace common sense when it comes to many of those issues. Otherwise, businesses that have just about kept themselves above water, when they think that relief is coming, are slapped down and may well sink without trace. Is that what the Executive want? I hope not, but that is what some of those actions, such as in respect of that small business, are going to deliver. <BR /> <BR />The other remarks that I wanted to make echo something that Mrs Cameron said when she talked about the punitive restrictions on visiting in care homes and, indeed, in hospitals. Just last week, an elderly lady was in touch with me. Her husband is in the cancer unit of the City Hospital, and his prospects are very poor.”
“That is the sort of thing that was never mentioned in July, when the whole premises, inside and out, could be in use. Yet now, suddenly, it is a prohibition. Why is that? <BR /> <BR />I read in the prohibition notice that the regulations that are relied on are, in fact, the Smoke-free (Premises, Vehicle Operators and Penalty Notices) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. So, here we have a situation where a business that has struggled to get back open and spent lots of money, like others, in equipping itself according to the standards that are set in the summer to be open again outside, suddenly finds that it is being visited with retribution under the smoke-free regulations of 2007. Where is the fairness? Where is the logic? Where is the need for any of that? <BR /> <BR />I say to the Executive that they really need to get a grip.”
“As I sat here today, I read correspondence from a constituent in North Antrim who runs a much-sought-after and much-used hostelry on the north coast. Yesterday, that person was served with a prohibition notice from the environmental health officer from the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council — the same council that turned a blind eye to overcrowding in a certain hostelry in Portrush during the Open golf tournament a couple of years ago but which is coming down incredibly hard on an operator elsewhere on the north coast. The council is saying that, because the area at the back of the premises does not have 50% of the roof removed, even though it has most of its side walls removed, and because it does not, therefore, comply, it is serving a prohibition notice on that operator.”
“Is it because the unspoken message is that we are being held back by our neighbour the Republic of Ireland, which is so far behind in vaccinations? Indeed, when the junior Minister comes to reply, may I ask him what contingencies are in place to deal with the possibility of infections spreading from the substantially less-vaccinated Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland? What steps do the Executive propose to take to protect the people of Northern Ireland, which should be one of their primary considerations if things are out of kilter and if the Republic continues to lag behind in vaccinations and the extent of the infection rate? Those are key considerations. <BR /> <BR />Another factor of great agitation has come to light over the past few days, and it relates to outdoor hospitality.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to raise some concerns about the pace at which we are going in this matter. My constituents constantly raise with me why, if we are up to speed with vaccinations and our infection rate is on a par with that of other parts of the United Kingdom, do we lag so far behind in the opening-up process. Why are we always some weeks behind what is happening in GB? I heard talk from the Prime Minister — I think it was today — about how the one-metre rule might go by the end of June. We heard talk about opening up flights and all those things. Yet in Northern Ireland, we seem to be forever last in the process. Why is that? Is it our dysfunctional system of government? Is it that we have a Government that like to remind us that they have the power over how we live our lives?”
“I start by reflecting on what others have said, in paying tribute to the vaccinators in our land. We can all marvel at the efficiency and assiduous attention that has got us to where we are. We also recall, of course, that it is because we are in the United Kingdom that we are so far advanced. <BR /> <BR />When one sees first-hand how the operation is performed, as I did at the Seven Towers leisure centre in Ballymena, one cannot fail to be impressed, not least with the volunteers. We must remember that many of those who usher people in and out, keep people in the right line, show them where to sit and all that, are volunteers. Their contribution, as well as that of the professional vaccinators from our medical services, is truly remarkable. Therefore, I join in paying tribute to them.”
“Has the Committee been able to establish to its satisfaction how one determines whether it is the Executive Office that is giving guidance and making decisions or the Department of Health? The regulations seem to emanate officially from the Department of Health, but their interpretation often seems to lie with the Executive Office, which, not for the first time, does not seem to know whether it is coming or going on these regulations.”
“— those who want to see us overcome and who wish the Province ill —”
“<BR /> <BR />Looking forward, as in the past, we cannot be complacent to the threat that faces us. Vigilance served us in the past. Vigilance will serve us in the future, along with the determination to defeat any threat that comes along, including the current threat of the iniquitous protocol.”
“Northern Ireland is, indeed, a triumph of democracy over terrorism. Having faced all that vicious terrorism, I want today to salute the memory of the many who selflessly gave their life to stand between the law-abiding people of Northern Ireland and the evildoers in our midst. <BR /> <BR />Of course, Northern Ireland has also been subjected to relentless insult and vilification, including by those who tell us what the standards of respect are that are expected of us all, but Northern Ireland is still here and is flourishing as part of the United Kingdom. Scholars, sportsmen, inventors, generals, captains of industry, leaders in medicine: we have proudly produced them all and much more besides. I am proud of Northern Ireland. I am proud to call it home.”
“Yesterday marked the centenary of Northern Ireland as a separate political and legal entity within the United Kingdom. Therefore, it also marked the centenary of the United Kingdom in the form that we currently know it. That, for many of us, is an occasion for considerable thankfulness and celebration. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland came into existence and continues to exist because of the will of its people. That is despite external and internal aggression. Externally, of course, for decades, our nearest southern neighbour overtly claimed our territory and allowed its territory to be used to facilitate the launch of terrorist attacks, and, internally, of course, we have had the besetting of vicious terrorism.”
“As an Irish republican, the Minister will, I am sure, be as happy as I am unhappy that, in the centenary year of Northern Ireland, he can produce a Budget that does not mention the centenary or provide one penny of funding to mark that centenary. When putting forward their needs and bids for what they required in their budget allocations, did any of the Departments seek money to mark the centenary? Did anyone in the Executive seek to insert such into the Budget?”
“In light of what the Minister has said, does he share my disappointment that so many Members are not pro-choice and want to deny choice to parents? They want to have choice, as Mr Nesbitt said, when it comes to selecting their football teams and their choirs, but, when it comes to the critical decision of to which school a parent should send their children, they want those parents to be denied the choice on the phoney basis that all kids are of an equal academic, or non-academic, bent, when the reality is that some are suited to academic pursuit and some are suited to others. That is why we need schools to match that.”
“Does the Member think that having another chest-beating debate about this issue so that certain Members can parade their socialist credentials stands in sharp contrast to the fact that, although all those people have been in the House for many years, none has taken the opportunity to change the law by bringing forward a private Member's Bill? Some of the same people, of course, had the benefit of a grammar-school education but come to the House to rail against such opportunities for others. If you are serious about this, would it not have been better to have brought forward a Bill rather than yet another wasteful motion?”
“Does the Minister not agree that it is ridiculous to have waited for over seven years for a decision on that planning application? Meanwhile, councils cannot properly meet their statutory obligations, and we are exporting waste to be incinerated and dumped elsewhere. How is that helping to clean up our world?”