Robin Swann
North Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his detailed statement. I know how passionate he is about the subject and how many times he has brought it to the Executive.”
“It has been reported that today will potentially be the warmest day of the year. As we move into the summer and our summer holidays, I want to raise public awareness of wildfires across Northern Ireland, which have been detrimental to farmland and our environment over the past number of years.”
“Wildfires are still having a detrimental impact on our environment and, occasionally, on livestock, but that reduction shows the impact of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service's proactive approach to educating the general public and engaging with rural communities and schools on its fire safety message, which is to stay alert, not…”
“There has been a lot of talk of sport in this place over the past few days, with everybody concentrating on UEFA. One sport that is going on across Northern Ireland at the minute is cross-community and goes across all age groups without fear, favour or distinction: pigeon racing.”
“I want to put on record that, since this place passed the amendment that recognised pigeon racing as a sport under the 2016 Act, over the past five years, pigeon racing clubs across Northern Ireland have been able to obtain £113,000 of rates rebates through the sports and recreation rate relief, allowing many of those clubs to continue ra…”
“There was much coverage on social media over the weekend of an incident in Staines in England, in which a police car rammed a young calf to bring it under control. It has restarted the conversation about animal cruelty. <BR /> <BR />I am dealing with a specific case in my constituency.”
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“<BR /> <BR />Whilst I am the first to protect the right of any person or politician to legitimately question decisions, I am also the first to say that I will take the advice of hugely experienced scientific and medical advisers any day over something that someone reads on Facebook. However, I fully appreciate that many Members and many members of the public have, understandably and rightly, asked where the scientific evidence for implementing COVID-status certification comes from. Some ask for entirely sound reasons; they want reassurance that we, as an Assembly and an Executive, are taking decisions based only on the most accurate and fairest advice possible. Others, however, ask in the full anticipation that, no matter what answer they get, they will dismiss it out of hand.”
“Some of those people have young families at home, who are desperately waiting for the next update and are hanging on with every fibre of hope and prayer for a call with positive news. Tragically, despite the best efforts of our staff and the advances in care and treatment, some will succumb to the virus. Separated from their families, they will often only be joined in their final moments by the same staff who fought so hard to keep them alive. Life can be painful sometimes, but this virus can be unbelievably cruel. So, shame on anyone who thinks that this pandemic is a laughing matter.”
“<BR /> <BR />I accept that a five-party coalition will never be easy, but when public health is at risk, the people who put us here are entitled to some sense of decorum. Sadly, we still have some senior politicians who think that it is acceptable to joke about COVID-19. They think that it is funny to pose for pictures whilst flouting the public health message and that it is acceptable to post rhymes on their social media. It is not: in fact, it is pathetic. <BR /> <BR />Right at this very moment, there are doctors and nurses who are working in our critical care units under the strain of full PPE. They are working desperately to save the lives of our people, some of whom are elderly and some of whom are not.”
“<BR /> <BR />This far on from the detection of our first cases in February 2020, I had hoped that we, as an Executive and as political parties, would have recognised that getting through this pandemic — I am certain that we will, no matter what curveballs are presented — would require mature, united and serious political leadership. We need a united front, with joined-up policies and united messaging. It is my fervent hope that today marks a turning point and that, given the seriousness of our situation, the House can debate this measure rationally and respectfully, and that there will be no grandstanding or petty point-scoring, whether that be political or personal. That is what I hope, but what I expect and whether it will happen are different matters.”
“On 15 November, I was looking at the situation in our hospitals, as I do every single day. I was looking at the perpetually high rate of community transmission, and I was receiving advice that we were in for an incredibly difficult winter. So, the choice was to either continue with the stalemate or to say, "Enough is enough", and look to the Executive's autumn and winter plan. Not for the first time, it was left to my Department and its limited number of officials to take on a very significant piece of work at pace. As a result, the introduction of COVID-status certification will not be as smooth as it might have been had it been taken forward under a cross-departmental approach. However, we are where we are.”
“I wrote to Executive Ministers as far back as 22 April, asking for the matter be taken forward by the Executive Office through the creation of a cross-departmental working group, but, every time that I raised the subject, it was met with excuses that it was not the Executive Office's responsibility to take it forward. That is despite the central purpose of the Executive Office's Executive COVID-19 task force being to help to chart a path through restrictions, with departmental and sectoral engagement and input that is as wide as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />I fully appreciate that a COVID status certification scheme is not without its challenges, and I hoped that such a scheme would never be necessary, but, equally, I was realistic enough to realise that, if or when the time came for it to be necessary, the Executive should have a fully considered system on the books and ready to go. That is why, for months before my decision in November, I have been expressing my frustration that the policy had, effectively, been caught up in wholly preventable Executive wrangling.”
“The plan recognised that the earlier introduction of low-cost interventions could possibly avoid more disruptive measures later and unsustainable hospital pressures. The introduction of COVID status certification to gain entry to higher risk settings was therefore included as a contingency measure. It had been hoped that the autumn/winter plan would not need to be invoked. However, three weeks ago, I received clear and explicit advice that, with the ongoing, serious situation in our hospitals and very high levels of community transmission of the virus, further measures were needed to curb the spread.”
“19) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021, SR 2021/315, were made on 29 November and came into operation at 5.00 pm that day. As Members will be aware, the Executive's autumn/winter COVID contingency plan, which was published by the First Minister and deputy First Minister on 19 October, aimed to prioritise measures that could help to control transmission of the virus, while seeking to minimise economic and social impacts. I quote directly from the plan:”
“I hoped that it would happen last week, but, as Members are aware, before the Assembly can debate or agree regulations such as these, they need to be reviewed by the Examiner of Statutory Rules for legislative competence. While it may often be a formality, it is an important part of the legal and legislative process that cannot simply be overlooked. The delay to what I originally envisioned was unfortunate, but it allowed the Committee an extra week to scrutinise and deliberate on the statutory rule. As always, I am grateful to the Health Committee for its efforts, and I very much welcome the fact that today's statutory rule was agreed at the Committee meeting last week, without any vote cast against it. <BR /> <BR />The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No.”
“Opening hours and days of operation are also being widened with immediate effect. By the weekend, over 525,000 of the eligible population had already received a booster or a third dose of the vaccine. The weekly run rate had recently been standing at around 100,000 vaccinations, but that number will almost certainly increase further now. I will endeavour to keep Members updated as best as I can in the days and weeks ahead. <BR /> <BR />I will move to the substantive detail of today's important debate. Members are considering a statutory rule that implements the Executive's decision, which was taken on 17 November, to introduce the requirements to show proof of COVID status certification to gain entry to relevant settings. I will quickly address why the debate is happening today rather than last week.”
“We must consider every possible tool to slow the spread and, therefore, push the anticipated hospital pressures as far into the new year as possible. <BR /> <BR />We all know what winter is like for the Northern Ireland health service, but it has already been experiencing winter pressures for the last six months. We have the rare advantage of a little more time than some UK nations. I want to use every possible moment to drive the vaccination programme forward and to ensure that the plans that we have in place are robust. <BR /> <BR />Members will already be aware that, yesterday evening, I announced details of a further acceleration of the booster programme with immediate effect. Health trust vaccination hubs will be open for walk-in boosters for anyone aged over 30 who is at least three months from having had their second vaccine dose.”
“Emerging evidence suggests that omicron has a clear growth advantage over delta, and whilst any level of escape from immunity is to be confirmed, Members must understand that, with significantly increased levels of infection expected, it is possible that we are going to face acute hospital pressures at least as bad as we witnessed in January of this year. I say that not to dishearten anyone but to provide an early and honest assessment of what all the possible signals are indicating may be the case. We have some advantage that the number of locally confirmed omicron cases remains relatively low; as of midday today, the number of confirmed cases stands at 10. However, it is inevitable that, as the virus takes hold on these islands, the number of local cases will increase rapidly.”
“That has allowed us to continue to deliver as much non-COVID care as possible. <BR /> <BR />As with so much in the pandemic, we can never really predict what will happen in the weeks or months ahead. Mr Deputy Speaker, with your permission, I will provide the House with a quick assessment of the latest position before I come to today's substantive issue. Members will undoubtedly be aware of decisions taken across the United Kingdom over the last week in preparation for the impending wave of omicron infections. Whilst more is still to be known about the new variant, we have already learnt a great deal over the last three weeks.”
“I really hoped that, 22 months from the detection of Northern Ireland's first confirmed cases of COVID-19, I would not have to stand here to move today's motion. Looking back on the early days of the pandemic, no one could have predicted what lay ahead for society, businesses and our families. There have been many tough times. Too many people lost before their time, too many healthcare workers drained physically and emotionally and too many precious moments with friends and family lost. Last week marked the first anniversary of the first vaccine in Northern Ireland — a momentous occasion and a game changer in our response to the pandemic. After a genuinely colossal effort to deliver more than 3 million vaccines, countless local lives have been saved and a huge amount of precious hospital capacity has been protected.”
“Whilst that would not be the best use of a North/South Ministerial Council health sectoral meeting, when the formal request was made through the appropriate channels to get that put on the agenda, I facilitated the request from the originating Minister, which was co-signed by the First Minister and deputy First Minister.”
“I undertook a piece of work that was placed on the agenda at the North/South Ministerial Council meeting. The Member is right: nothing gets on the agenda unless it is co-signed and signed off by the First Minister and deputy First Minister. The Member tabled a question for written answer on those appointments so he is aware that the appointments were made under an urgent procedure, which was made by a co-signed request by the First Minister and deputy First Minister for me to cover those appointments at that meeting. However, as the Member will also be aware, for an urgent procedure to be instigated, the process must start with a departmental Minister.”
“I thank the Member for raising that crucial point about the retention of all documentation, no matter where it is on this island. She will be aware that we have brought forward legislation on adoption and supporting children in care. The Department has drafted an amendment to look at the retention of that documentation. I am aware that it is a live issue in the Republic of Ireland, but it is one that we need to address in both jurisdictions in order to ensure that all documentation is not only retained but made publicly and readily available to any investigations or inquiries that ask for it.”
“Meetings are under way on funding calls by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) North/South research programme. Consideration is being given to the application for a North/South excellence hub on the identification and prevention of self-harm and suicide research and on the dissemination of evidence to inform practice and policymaking.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is the North/South work on the self-harm registry, however, that has been instrumental in our being able to monitor self-harm figures during this crucial period. Work is developing on exploration of the variance between prevalence and influencing factors in Northern Ireland and the South of Ireland. A paper that described presentations to hospitals as a result of self-harm or ideation and that examined patterns of repetition was published by the 'General Hospital Psychiatry' journal in October 2019. Cross-border collaboration on data registration officer training events will also cover areas of self-care, data protection and case definitions and will be facilitated by both the PHA and the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) annually.”
“I thank the Member for again raising the issue. It is a challenge for both jurisdictions, no matter what side of the border that you live on, to work towards addressing the critical issues, and not just suicide prevention but mental health and well-being. We continue to monitor closely the impacts of COVID on a range of mental health and suicide prevention indicators. We continue to see an increasing number of mental health presentations and increased levels of patient acuity for mental health. Suicide prevention continues to be a key priority in both jurisdictions. For example, my Department has its Protect Life 2 suicide prevention strategy. While that is being implemented, new structures have been established to drive progress, and those include the Executive's working group on mental well-being, resilience and suicide prevention.”
“I thank the Member for that. She will be aware that it was in March 2021 that Minister Stephen Donnelly, Dr Ned Sharpless, the director of the National Cancer Institute, and I re-signed that memorandum of understanding committing that body and the two Departments to further cooperation. The next steps will include the formation of an implementation group with senior stakeholders from both Departments of Health and the National Cancer Institute to ensure the delivery of the MOU outputs. I believe that it will play a key role in progressing that collaboration on cancer care treatment and trials. I do not have the detail on when it will meet next, but I will get that to the Member in writing.”
“The Republic of Ireland is already ahead of us in its work, but we hope that we will not be that much out of step by the time both those consultations and implementations are completed, taking into consideration that we will have an election in May, and, hopefully, that work will continue after that.”
“The Member asks very searching questions. The sharing of rehabilitation services was not raised at that point, but she will be aware that, in 'New Decade, New Approach', there is a commitment for a detox and addiction centre in the north-west. That comes under the heading of "Addressing Northern Ireland's unique circumstances". Work can be done on how that engagement works in the north-west and how successful the cancer centre is in the north-west. <BR /> <BR />On the specifics around minimum unit pricing of alcohol, it was noted that it will go to public consultation towards the end of this year.”
“I anticipate that that will be issued later this year, but, unfortunately, it will not be possible to introduce any legislation in this mandate.”
“<BR /> <BR />With regard to addressing alcohol misuse, the North/South alcohol policy advisory group continues to provide a vital forum for information sharing, networking, relationship building and joint working across that vital policy area. <BR /> <BR />I am also pleased that both Departments engage in the British-Irish Council misuse of substances work sector. Recent ministerial meetings provided an excellent forum for members to exchange information, increase cooperation and reach agreement on matters of mutual interest. <BR /> <BR />The Member will also be aware that I have directed that our new substance use strategy will include a commitment to holding a full public consultation on the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in Northern Ireland.”
“I am all too aware of the harm that the use of alcohol and other drugs causes across Northern Ireland. That is why my Department has placed reducing harm at the core of our new substance use strategy. The Member will be aware that I formally launched 'Preventing Harm, Empowering Recovery — Substance Use Strategy' on 7 September, and I have been closely following the specifics of minimum unit pricing. We have been keeping an eye on what effect the Scottish Government's introduction of minimum unit pricing of alcohol has had since 2018 and have noted with interest the early positive evaluation reports. I believe that it is our responsibility to consider fully every option available to us to reduce the blight that harm from alcohol use has inflicted on so many across our society.”
“The North West Cancer Centre in Altnagelvin continues to be a successful example of North/South cooperation and brings a cross-border dimension to cancer services. The Member will be aware that it was officially opened in May 2017. It provides access to radiotherapy treatment for half a million people and generally reduces travel time for patients in both jurisdictions. Between January and August, a total of 150 patients who were referred from the Republic of Ireland commenced treatment, which is an increase from 130 for the same period last year. That is covered by the memorandum of understanding. That work continues, and we look forward to embedding and sharing practice regarding the further development of our cancer strategy.”
“Evidence of the ongoing work regarding the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care shows best practice for those services.”
“I thank the Member. She may be aware that we are now part of an Ireland-Northern Ireland-National Cancer Institute Consortium on which there is cooperation on research and technologies and a sharing of information on future drugs between ourselves, the Republic of Ireland and the National Cancer Institute in the United States. There is also ongoing work on the updating of our cancer strategy and on how that will support cross-border work.”
“I thank the Member for his point. My party has continued to stress the importance of North/South Ministerial Council meetings in the health format, because the health of our people recognises no borders. As I indicated earlier, there is a lot more collaborative work that we can and need to do. We cannot let politics get in the way of the work that was done at the meeting, especially during a pandemic.”
“The system has been operational since 15 October, so the Member is right that it took almost 18 months, but we have got to where we are and the data is being transferred. <BR /> <BR />Our Chief Medical Officers meet on a weekly basis at times when we see an increase in cases across these islands. During quieter periods, they step it down to once a fortnight, but at present they are back to engaging once a week. The public health agencies on either side of the border also engage regularly to share cross-border knowledge about outbreaks, should we see something on this side of the border that may concern them or vice versa. There is good data exchange between our public health agencies on where we are seeing increases in cases and on what work can be done collaboratively.”
“I will start with the last point about the passenger locator form. The data-sharing agreement on passengers who arrive in the Republic of Ireland and travel on to Northern Ireland has allowed health officials in the Public Health Agency (PHA) to reciprocate that arrangement. That issue is ongoing and has been raised numerous times by all parties in the House. All parties that sit on the Northern Ireland Executive have expressed their frustration with the Republic of Ireland Government and officials at a number of meetings that I have attended. At one point, the First Minister and deputy First Minister asked the Prime Minister to raise the issue with the Taoiseach, such was the concern that the data-sharing was not taking place.”
“Both Ministers have asked their departmental officials to explore what can be done and look at whether there could be a recruitment process or a service delivered that would serve all across both jurisdictions so that we can see what best serves the people of both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland when they experience the very traumatic event of the loss of a child.”
“I thank the Chair for his points. From my statement, he will be aware of a number of ongoing cross-border initiatives that we discussed and provided updates on, not just in regard to children's cardiac services, cooperation on which is long-established and very important, but to the living donor exchange kidney transplant service and cancer services in the north-west. <BR /> <BR />The issue of paediatric pathology was raised and discussed. That is an issue and a challenge, not just for us but for our colleagues in the Republic of Ireland.”
“The Council approved the PEACE PLUS programme proposals that have been prepared by the Special EU Programmes Body and noted that, following NSMC approval, the draft PEACE PLUS programme cooperation document will be submitted to the European Commission for approval as soon as possible. <BR /> <BR />We agreed that the next NSMC health and food safety meeting will be held in early 2022.”
“The Council appointed Christopher Brooke, Katy Best, Kathryn Thompson, John McGrillen, Laura McCorry and Harry Connolly to serve as directors of Tourism Ireland CLG from19 December 2021 to 18 December 2026, with Mr Brooke to serve as chairperson. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the progress achieved since the special EU programmes sectoral meeting in October 2020 on the development of the 2021-27 PEACE PLUS programme and that work is continuing to deliver an agreed programme. Ministers also noted that a public consultation for the new programme was launched on 10 March and concluded on 12 May 2021 and that further refinement of the cooperation document has taken place to reflect the stakeholder input received. The Council noted that the draft PEACE PLUS programme has been approved by both Administrations.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council appointed Fiona Walsh and Niall Greene to the board of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission — the Loughs Agency — from 13 December 2021 to 12 December 2024 and Heather Mackey, Frances Lucy, Jack Keyes, Declan Little and Conor Corr from 13 December 2021 to 12 December 2026, with Ms Mackey to serve as chairperson. The Council appointed Richard Kennedy to the post of chairperson of the board of InterTradelreland from 13 December 2021 to 12 December 2026. The Council appointed Maighread Ni Chonghaile to the board of the North/South Language Body from 13 December 2021 to 12 December 2026.”
“The Council also noted the extension of Mr Raymond Dolan's term of office in the post of CEO until the recruitment process has been completed and a new CEO is in a position to take up the appointment. The Council appointed Damien McCallion, Irene Collins, Ken McKenzie and Elizabeth Keane to the advisory board of the Food Safety Promotion Board from 13 December 2021 to 12 December 2026, with Mr McCallion to serve as vice chairperson. Eddie Rooney was reappointed as a member and to serve as chairperson of the advisory board of the Food Safety Promotion Board from 13 December 2021 to 12 December 2026.”
“The Council noted that the body has developed and distributed various resources in educational settings, delivered events including webinars and a podcast series and promoted healthy eating guidelines. Ministers also noted that Safefood has engaged with customers on social media and has carried out research on food allergens, sustainable food policy and fiscal and pricing policies related to food and non-alcoholic drinks. The North/South Ministerial Council noted that the body has developed various networks including community food initiatives (CFIs) and the Knowledge Network e-learning platform and is also delivering community food initiatives such as "CFI at home" projects. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the update provided on the recruitment process for the post of chief executive officer of Safefood.”
“Ministers noted that a knowledge exchange forum of child protection practitioners working at an operational level in both jurisdictions has been established to focus initially on the sharing of learning from implementing the signs of safety methodology; that additional opportunities to extend the remit of the group will be developed; and that an update will be provided at a future North/South Ministerial Council meeting. <BR /> <BR />Ministers received an update from the Food Safety Promotion Board — Safefood — on the progress made by the body since the last sectoral meeting, including campaigns on weight management, handwashing and food safety. The North/South Ministerial Council noted Safefood's high-level achievements during the period.”
“The Council noted that the All-Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) Palliative Care Week took place between 12 and 18 September 2021 and welcomed the ongoing initiatives to provide support to those requiring their services during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also welcomed the extra €1·76 million of funding awarded to the Cross-border Healthcare Intervention Trials in Ireland Network (CHITIN) and noted the uplift in award results and an extension of the programme activity to June 2023. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted that the updating of the protocol between Northern Ireland and Ireland for handling inter-jurisdictional child cases is now complete and that the revised protocol came into effect in August 2021.”
“The Council welcomed the public consultation on the draft cancer strategy for Northern Ireland 2021-2031 and the development of a cancer recovery plan, Building Back: Rebuilding Better, which includes the need to adopt innovative ways to deliver services that have been identified during the pandemic and is aligned with the first three years of the cancer strategy. <BR /> <BR />Ministers also noted the work of the US-lreland Research and Development Partnership in relation to cancer research and the renewal of co-funding arrangements made to Northern Ireland by the Medical Research Council.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council also noted the updates on the All-island Congenital Heart Disease Network, including the establishment of regional centres and training programmes, as well as recent updates on the North/South living donor exchange kidney transplant service. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the ongoing success of the radiotherapy services at Altnagelvin Area Hospital and the fact that a review of the service level agreement has been undertaken. Ministers noted the updated position regarding the Ireland-Northern Ireland National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium, with the first implementation group meeting held on 13 October.”
“We also noted the continued progress on the development and implementation of strategies to prevent the harm related to alcohol and drug misuse in both jurisdictions, as well as the potential for further collaboration on issues connected with alcohol and drug use, such as the sharing of learnings through the North/ South alcohol policy advisory group. The Council noted the potential alignment of tobacco legislation to promote public health, particularly in young people and children. Ministers noted the update on suicide prevention initiatives in both jurisdictions, including the joint working on the self-harm registry and the potential for further joint working on suicide prevention.”
“Ministers noted that work to ensure that the work programme reflects the priorities of each Administration will continue and that a further draft revised work programme will be presented for consideration at a future NSMC meeting in the health sector. <BR /> <BR />The Council noted the successful enactment of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 and the launch of Northern Ireland’s new substance use strategy, Making Life Better — Preventing Harm and Empowering Recovery.”
“Ministers noted that officials from both jurisdictions will continue to consider learnings from the pandemic and exchange views to foster commonality in their approach, where possible, and provide a progress update at a future NSMC health meeting. <BR /> <BR />The Council welcomed the progress made to date in implementing the Council's current work programme in the health sector and noted that the Departments of Health in both jurisdictions continue to engage on that matter and have identified additional areas that have potential for further development and collaboration between the health authorities in both jurisdictions.”
“The Council restated its appreciation to all those who have played a part in the response to the pandemic, particularly the health and social care workers who continue to lead on the front-line response. Ministers noted the ongoing valuable cooperation taking place between the Health Ministers, Chief Medical Officers and health administrations in both jurisdictions to deliver an effective public health response. We welcomed the continuing collaboration between the two jurisdictions on the future development of the proximity apps and noted the advanced discussions between the two Administrations on a data-sharing agreement in relation to passengers arriving into each jurisdiction.”
“The Council noted the recent publication of the report on mother-and-baby institutions and Magdalene laundries in Northern Ireland and the actions being progressed by the Irish Government in response to the final report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. It was also agreed that the concerns and needs of those who spent time in those institutions would be discussed more substantively at a future meeting of the Council. <BR /> <BR />The Council received an update from the Irish Government’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronan Glynn, and the Executive’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, on the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The Council expressed its appreciation and good wishes to Mrs Bernie McCrory following her retirement from the post of chief executive officer of Cooperation and Working Together (CAWT) and acknowledged her significant contribution to cooperation in the health sector over many years.”