Stewart Dickson
East Antrim · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. Minister, you will have noted that the Government recently announced a VAT cut for some family expenses for a range of activities over the summer. That is perhaps a change.”
“Many do not know how to apply; others do not even realise that the opportunities exist. If the process itself is a barrier to participation, it is really not open to all.”
“I was born in 1950 in Thorndale House, which was one of the homes that is named in the legislation. I was born to married parents, and Thorndale House was a maternity home. It was where you went to have your baby in 1950 on the Antrim Road. My mum and dad went there, I was born and, a few days later, I left with loving parents.”
“I agree with Mr Brett: amendment No 6 is important because it will deal with persons who refuse to provide information or evidence to the inquiry. Amendment No 8 to clause 20 is a tidying-up amendment that will allow the Committee to make interim reports, which will be of benefit to the inquiry process.”
“That is why I want the inquiry to succeed and why it is vital that it succeeds. That is why it is important for us to see that cruelty in the full glare of a public inquiry. That is why it is important that the scheme goes through without further delay. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I place on record my thanks to the Committee Chair.”
“The Assembly faces stark choices, and agreeing the draft Budget as it stands is not a silver bullet, nor is it sustainable for us to continue in the absence of a Budget. It is vital, therefore, that we break the cycle of crisis and collapse that has been destroying our public finances.”
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“Minister, what representations were made by the media during the passage of the Bill?”
“Cancer Survivors Day, which was celebrated around the world yesterday, is a chance to reflect on what cancer patients endure and the effect of that on their families. It is an opportunity to say a huge thank you to all who have made cancer survival possible: our doctors; researchers; nurses; hospital staff; fundraisers; and donors. Cancer Survivors Day provides a heartfelt occasion on which to honour and celebrate the resilience of cancer survivors.”
“That is why I, as a cancer survivor, know that we must continue to advocate for more resources, research and survivor-friendly legislation to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors during and after cancer treatment. That is why I urge everyone who takes part in Cancer Survivors Day celebrations not only to recognise those who are living with a history of cancer but to raise awareness of the challenges that cancer survivors face beyond treatment. <BR /> <BR />Cancer Survivors Day is a celebration for all who have been diagnosed with cancer and who, following treatment, have been given the all-clear. I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer on 11 July 2019, nearly four and a half years ago. I look forward to 9 December this year, when I will celebrate the 5th anniversary of my surgery and final treatment.”
“That means that more cancer survivors now have a longer life expectancy in which to deal with all of the difficulties that come along with cancer survivorship. As many cancer survivors will tell you, the effects of cancer do not end when the treatment ends. Cancer survivors face ongoing, and sometimes lifelong, hardships because of their disease. In addition to battling a serious illness, cancer survivors may have to contend with the after-effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery; the denial of health insurance and life insurance coverage; difficulty in finding or keeping jobs; an increased risk of developing secondary cancers and other health conditions; economic burdens due to lost wages and reduced productivity; mental and emotional struggles; strains on personal relationships; and the profound fear of cancer returning.”
“Yesterday marked National Cancer Survivors Day, which is a day to celebrate and reflect. Over the past three decades, we have seen progress being made in extending cancer survival. The risk of dying from cancer has steadily declined, and people with cancer are living many years beyond their initial diagnosis. However, cancer incidence is on the rise. In Northern Ireland, almost 10,000 people are diagnosed with cancer each year. That is more than 26 every day. The average number of cancer cases per year increases by 8%. Those increases are largely due to the ageing population. Although cancer survival is improving, with 56% of patients surviving for five years or more, survival in Northern Ireland still lags behind comparable countries around the world. <BR /> <BR />On top of that, more people are being diagnosed with cancer younger.”
“— but, for me, on a personal basis, he has failed cancer patients in Northern Ireland.”
“He has failed not only to deliver many of the strategies that have been promised —”
“<BR /> <BR />To those voting against the Budget motion today, I ask you this: where is the alternative proposition? Where are you going to raise the money from to fill the gap in the coffers that, you feel, needs to be filled? Where is your Budget for delivering? I have not seen it published, but maybe we will see it in some of your election manifestos. For that reason, today, I will be supporting the Budget. <BR /> <BR />Finally, on a personal note, I have to express my deep disappointment at the resignation of the Health Minister, someone walking away from patients and healthcare workers.”
“To open more courts, more staff need to be recruited, and the throughput in our court system needs to be enhanced, including legal aid payments to those in need of financial support for access to justice. Without a larger cash flow, the system will only get slower. <BR /> <BR />While I know that the Minister will act to do more with less and make the best of the available resources, it will be very difficult. It goes without saying that we are not where we want to be. If we had been able to do our job over the past two years, we might have been in a better place, but, given where we have landed, we need to ensure that we make more progress, where possible, in the three years that are available to us. Difficult decisions need to be made on the prioritisation of services, but the job of a Minister is to find a way.”
“Our criminal justice system is picking up the pieces where other Departments, such as Health and Education, have failed. An increasing number of individuals entering the criminal justice system are grappling with severe mental health issues, addiction or unresolved traumas. If we want to avoid the immense societal harm, we need to rethink our approach and invest in prevention. Only then will we be able to avoid the what ifs. What if they had been better educated? What if they had been given more support in life? What if they had received adequate mental health care? Others persist in tackling delays in the justice system and the backlog in our courts, which fail victims. Those delays compound the hurt, stress and anxiety for victims.”
“<BR /> <BR />Policing has been cut to the bone over the past number of years to the tune of hundreds of millions of pounds. We are now in a situation where the service may become unrecognisable to the public. Policing numbers sit at some 6,390, the lowest number of officers since the formation of the PSNI and well below the New Decade, New Approach target of 7,500. Yet, our police have increasingly become the first port of call in the absence of other services, with officers sometimes spending their entire shift in an accident and emergency department. With that, and many taking leave due to physical or mental health issues, the strain of those cuts is painfully evident in our Police Service. <BR /> <BR />Even without pressures from demand-led services, major issues exist.”
“<BR /> <BR />Among the pressures facing the Department of Justice, the situation in our prisons is particularly concerning, with a 35% increase in prison numbers over the past three years. Since joining the Justice Committee, I have visited our prisons and have heard at first hand how the increases have made prison arrangements unsustainable. Older blocks, initially set for demolition, have been forced to reopen. Prisoners are now doubling up in small cells. Overcrowding has rendered adequate rehabilitation a mere pipe dream, with reoffending rates rising to in excess of 40%. There are safety concerns for overworked and understaffed prison officers, and, while we have known for some time that more prison officers are desperately needed, extra resources have also to be provided to fund that.”
“I challenge other Ministers to tell us where their inescapable sums are. Staff costs and statutory commitments consume nearly all available resources, leaving less than 1% for discretionary spending. Over the years, a cost recovery model has operated successfully and has delivered significant reforms despite the noose around the Department of Justice's neck. It is clear, however, that we have reached a point at which the potential savings would automatically increase costs in other areas. For instance, the introduction of electronic monitoring would allow police to monitor accused persons in real time, including their location, therefore reducing remand numbers, but the Department does not have the budget to deliver it.”
“No, I want to make progress. <BR /> <BR />As someone said recently, there are more pilots in Northern Ireland Departments than there are in easyJet. <BR /> <BR />I will now speak briefly as the justice spokesperson for the Alliance Party on how the Budget will affect the Department of Justice. While the Department has seen a slight uplift, it comes too little, too late after years of constrained budget settlements. Since devolution, Justice has been chronically underfunded relative to other Departments. That has been recognised by the Fiscal Council. While the Health budget has grown by 70% and the Education budget by 45% over the past 12 years, Justice has seen an increase of as little as 3%. <BR /> <BR />We must recognise that the vast majority of the Department of Justice's budget is demand-led and is truly inescapable.”
“Despite spending more per head on health, we have the worst hospital waiting lists in western Europe. We have reports, such as Bengoa, gathering dust on the shelves. We have a Minister resigning rather than facing the tough decisions.”
“Although I will speak in support of the Budget, I need to address some of the many difficult situations that we face. As others have said, years of Executive collapse and systemic underfunding by Tory Governments have resulted in vital programmes, many for the most vulnerable, marginalised and deprived in our communities, coming to an end, with other programmes, such as Engage, Happy Healthy Minds and holiday hunger payments, getting the chop, not to mention the consequences of leaving the European Union, which resulted in the loss of so much, including the European social fund (ESF), also doing damage to our voluntary and community sectors. <BR /> <BR />The cost of division remains a significant problem for us in Northern Ireland — one for me, one for you — just as it has been for decades.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I am particularly interested in the Member's comments about a review of how education, specifically apprenticeships, fits into all this. Does she agree that, if the UK Government are serious about levelling up and putting additional funds into levelling up, they must include Northern Ireland and address the apprenticeship levy?”
“Thank you, Minister. Will the Minister outline the Department's response to the Leonard Consultancy report on multi-agency risk assessment conferencing (MARAC) services?”
“Minister, you said that our prison officers have a clear duty to care for and to provide safety and rehabilitation for our prisoners. In addition to the increase in numbers, can you outline what specific supports are available for prison officers, who face a range of stresses and concerns at this time?”
“By supporting the statutory rule today, we are taking a significant step towards a more responsive and resilient justice system that meets the needs of all individuals, regardless of their circumstances.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the backlog of cases has become a significant issue. Live link centres are pivotal in addressing that backlog, allowing for remote testimony and hearings, which speeds up the judicial process. Not passing the statutory rule would have far-reaching and devastating consequences, particularly for vulnerable and often traumatised witnesses, including young people and children. The service's impact cannot be overstated. It ensures that justice is not delayed and that the voices of those who may find it difficult to attend court in person are heard. <BR /> <BR />I commend the caring and dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to provide that essential service, and all those who contributed to its successful implementation.”
“The Committee noted that the Examiner of Statutory Rules raised no concerns about the technical aspects of the statutory rule in her report dated 16 April 2024. On behalf of the Committee for Justice, I support the motion. <BR /> <BR />I will now speak briefly as the Alliance Party's justice spokesperson. I recently had the privilege of joining Committee members on a visit to the Belfast live link centre. We were deeply impressed by the advanced technology and the dedicated staff who provide that vital service. The facilities are outstanding, and they are clearly designed to put witnesses at ease by ensuring that they feel safe and supported during what can be a very challenging time. The service plays a crucial role in modernising our justice system and making it more efficient and accessible.”
“The Chairperson and the then Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Justice met the Minister about that matter, and the Committee has been corresponding with the Department on it. Although the Minister and the Department have offered various reassurances, the Committee still has some concerns about the approach. We know, however, that the Bill will go through its various stages, as will its provisions. <BR /> <BR />As I stated at the beginning of my contribution, the Committee's position remains the same. Most, if not all, of the Committee members are broadly supportive of the use of live links and agree that they should be a feature of our courts system. The Committee considered the statutory rule at its meeting on 25 April 2024 and was content with it.”
“It was also pointed out during the debate on the motion to approve the previous order that the Committee has been advised that, although the plan is to include the permanent provision for live links in the first departmental Bill of the mandate:”
“<BR /> <BR />During the debate on the motion to approve the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Extension of Provisions Relating to Live Links for Courts and Tribunals) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2023, the Committee Chairperson pointed out that the:”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I am pleased to speak briefly on the motion as a member of the Committee for Justice. By way of explanation, our Chairperson is unavailable today. I also add a word of congratulations to our former Deputy Chair, who has been appointed as a Minister and is thus no longer a member of the Committee. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister outlined, the statutory rule before us extends the provisions of the Coronavirus Act 2020 that allow courts and statutory tribunals to receive evidence through audio and video links until 24 September 2024. It is, as the Minister said, the second time that the current Committee for Justice has considered a statutory rule to extend the provisions, and the Committee's position remains the same.”
“There is a wider context than just the 47 vehicle turns at the junction.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer; indeed, I got a similar answer from the divisional roads manager today. However, Minister, your answer and the divisional roads manager's answer are localised to that particular area and the number of vehicles. There was a further accident there yesterday. There has practically been one every day in the last couple of weeks. Every time an accident happens at the junction of Glenville Road and Shore Road, traffic is backed up the whole way to the Westlink.”
“Following the last comment, Minister, in which you said that this is just one tool in the toolbox for delivery, what plans do you have to look at other things like self-build, co-ownership and, as you mentioned, the key role that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has and should have in delivering homes for people in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and look forward to meeting him later this week at the Balmoral show. I also welcome the statement in advance of the Balmoral show. It is an opportunity for Members to debate the issues here today. <BR /> <BR />Minister, a lot of your statement was about building resilience. Will you tell the Assembly and the wider farming, agriculture and environmental community how you plan to build that resilience?”
“I thank you, Minister, for your statement and, particularly, for the good working relationship that you have with Minister McEntee. Will you outline how the Northern Ireland Prison Service cooperates and shares its good practice with the Irish Prison Service?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Given that the commission does not support the status quo with regard to flags and emblems on public property, and the fact that you have now had over four years since the initiation of that report in which to take action, what action will your Department actually take to deal with flags on public property?”
“<BR /> <BR />If the motion is passed today, it will mark the first occasion on which the Assembly has decided to exclude a Member from proceedings. While it is regrettable that it is necessary, the Assembly's approval of the motion will put down a marker that there is accountability and that such breaches of the code will be taken seriously by the House.”
“The previous Committee noted that, rather than offer an apology, he sought an apology from the commissioner. <BR /> <BR />Dr Aiken's conduct has been inconsistent with two of the seven principles of public life. As a member of the Standards and Privileges Committee at the time of the breaches, he would have been aware of all the rules, and they should have been clear to him at that time. That left the previous Committee in no doubt that his actions and behaviours were "egregious", in the words of the report, and breached the code of conduct and that such a glaring and flagrant breach of the code required a proportionate sanction. The Chairperson has explained how the current Committee arrived at its recommendation in that regard.”
“I turn to the remarks that Mr Aiken made today. I appreciate that he took us through his personal circumstances at the time surrounding the events. However, while he spoke to the House in conciliatory terms that explained the circumstances that he was in at the time, it is regrettable and somewhat disappointing that, once again, there was no apology to the Committee, the commissioner or, indeed, the House. <BR /> <BR />We find ourselves in new territory today. As the Chairperson pointed out, the particular circumstances of the case have been set out. The specific rules of conduct that Dr Aiken breached were significant, and that, combined with other factors, included his unwarranted criticism of the investigatory process and his lack of contrition or understanding in that regard.”
“I will address Mr Allister's point in a moment. <BR /> <BR />Members will be particularly mindful of the rules on the matter, so I will make a number of remarks on the issues that are in front of us and specifically on Mr Allister's comments on rule 17 and its relationship to rule 12. He made the point about the relationship between those two rules. By way of information, rule 17 applies to investigations after admissibility has been decided; rule 12 applies to complaints after they have been made and to protectively marked documents. Previously, the Committee had received legal advice on all its deliberations and all the steps that it had taken.”
“That task is far more difficult when a Member fails to maintain the confidentiality of a live complaint, which risks prejudicing the proceedings, and then fails to cooperate at all times with the commissioner's investigation.”
“No. I will make progress at this stage. <BR /> <BR />There is an onus on each of us, as MLAs, to be conscious of and abide by the ethical standards reflected in the principles and rules of the Assembly's code of conduct. It is also essential that there is accountability and that the House takes breaches of the code seriously. I particularly welcome the contribution of our Commissioner for Standards, Dr Melissa McCullough, in providing the Assembly with a professional and, importantly, independent investigation service for complaints against MLAs and Ministers. The complaints that land at her door are varied and can range from frivolous, vexatious or, indeed, unsubstantiated allegations to complaints of a serious nature. She does not have an easy task to assess, investigate and conclude on what can often be complex and sensitive matters.”
“In winding up the debate, it is my duty to remind Members of the importance of ensuring that the Assembly's standards regime is and is seen to be robust to maintain and enhance public confidence in the political system.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. May I draw your attention to Thornfield House School in my constituency of East Antrim? It entered the school enhancement programme in 2018. I note that it is on your list of 10 schools today, but surely a school that entered that list in 2018 deserves special attention. It also provided the Department with its business case as far back as 2011. There is urgency for this school. Not a single brick has been laid on the site since 2018. When can Thornfield expect to have its programme delivered for its students and for the staff and parents?”
“First of all, the storage proposal is for gas, not hydrogen, and that would require a new and fully explored planning application. I do not wish to be sensational, but I do not want a hydrogen bomb under East Antrim, thanks very much, Mr Nesbitt. The planning application is for so-called natural gas to be stored. It is to be stored and then used not in Northern Ireland but elsewhere in the United Kingdom.”
“The Member will probably realise that, as a representative for East Antrim, I have a particular concern because we have two major projects that have been given approval in the constituency. One is gas caverns under Larne lough and the other is Cloghan Point, which is an oil storage depot. If Departments and Ministers, past and present, are to be serious about taking us out of the fossil fuel world, surely you have to agree that both those projects should be stopped and stopped today.”
“By providing free products, the premises of key public service bodies that are under the Department of Justice will ensure that they are a first point of contact with the public and that they uphold those values. Those bodies are now fully equipped to support everyone, irrespective of their financial situation. We welcome the Department's indication that it will undertake a pilot project in other areas. <BR /> <BR />This debate and those that we have had on period poverty regulations for other Departments have set the standard for public spaces. I encourage employers and others in the public space to similarly provide period products free of charge.”
“As a member of the Justice Committee, I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. I thank those who worked and played a key part in getting the legislation to this stage. <BR /> <BR />The ability to access essential hygiene products without worry is not just about cost but about convenience. It is a human right that speaks to dignity and equality. The Period Products (Free Provision) Act 2022 was landmark legislation and a high watermark for this legislative Assembly. The regulations mark a significant step forward in making sure that people who use those public spaces are never put at a disadvantage because of their period.”
“I thank the First Minister. Given the cliff-edge nature of the Legacy Act, does the First Minister recognise, as I do, that there is a serious threat to good relations and reconciliation in Northern Ireland as a result of its imposition? What measures will her Department take to deal with that in order to improve good relations?”
“Does the Minister agree that a cross-departmental approach is required to deal with the difficult issue of the mental health of those who find themselves in prison. Having recently visited Maghaberry, I saw at first-hand a most distressing case of the mental health of someone who should not be in prison and who, in any other circumstances, would in the care of the health service?”
“Does the Member recognise why those resources are so stretched or, indeed, why we have such low numbers of police officers? Does she accept and take any responsibility for her party's two-year absence from the Assembly Chamber, which could have made stronger arguments to the Government in relation to those budgets?”
“We have come a long way from policing the troubles of the past. Today, we face new and different challenges in policing our communities.”
“Those individuals are whom we depend on to protect our communities. Public sentiment will sour if those services are severely underfunded and will take decades to recover. I place it on record that the Alliance Party recognises the efforts of our police officers, who daily face the complexities of maintaining safety in even more demanding conditions. They are the individuals who run towards danger when everyone else runs away. They are never off duty, even when they are off duty. Attacks on them have no place in our society. <BR /> <BR />As we consider these pressing concerns, let us move forward not just with the intent to condemn but with the financial commitment to make change. Let us ensure that our police officers have not only our support but the resources necessary to confront and overcome the challenges.”
“Our courts must be empowered to impose more severe sanctions, as the Justice Minister said at Question Time on 11 March. Beyond this, we need a strategic, well-funded plan. In the past 12 years, the budget for Health was increased by 70%, Education by 45% and Justice by a mere 3%. We genuinely wait to see what the new Budget will provide for the Department of Justice. <BR /> <BR />Police officers still serve as the initial response in the absence of other failing services and can sometimes spend entire shifts in A&E, engaging in duties that are beyond their remit and for which they have not had the proper training. We have heard about the resultant stress that has led to a significant number of officers taking leave, sometimes bearing the physical or emotional scars of their experiences.”