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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“I welcome the opportunity to speak yet again on the issue and to support the motion. In December 2019, we were told that the Prime Minister would get Brexit done. That meant a rushed and rather threadbare Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). It also meant that the Government had to face up to the fact that with the hardest of Brexits comes a trade frontier with the EU. That is the hard reality of where we are. <BR /> <BR />My party did not support the protocol, but, once we met and faced that Brexit arrangement, we had to deal with the consequences. Like others, we believe that there is no good Brexit, but we are where we are. A backstop would have been a better arrangement for Northern Ireland and the wider UK, and we should not forget what is happening in the rest of the United Kingdom.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. I am aware that the moneys that you set out have already been spent on the school. In reality, however, much of it has been painting over the cracks. For example, the new meals hall was needed because the old one fell down. That is the state of the buildings that we are talking about. Minister, will you undertake to visit the school to see at first hand the parlous state of the building? Despite the additional works that have been done, the building is not fit for purpose, yet the principal and staff are delivering an excellent education.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In Mr Allister's contribution in the debate, he described people as "EU psychopaths". Will you review Hansard in relation to the use of that word? A psychopath is someone who is callous, unemotional and morally depraved, and I find that word objectionable.”
“<BR /> <BR />To quote my party colleague and deputy leader of the Alliance Party, Dr Stephen Farry MP, it would be an act of supreme folly to squander this chance to move on or, indeed, to impose even more delusional red lines.”
“We need to reduce the temperature of these discussions, not increase it. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that, short of the United Kingdom returning to the customs union and single market, these arrangements will not be scrapped. Opponents of the protocol, such as the DUP and others, now have the opportunity to move from their unrealistic and undeliverable demands and provide more much-needed stability and certainty for Northern Ireland's political structures, businesses, communities and society as a whole. I welcome some of the comments made earlier today by my colleague Steve Aiken. I detected a slight movement in the language that he used in representing his party.”
“In doing so, we should make the implementation of the protocol as smooth as possible. That is what I hope that Lord Frost and the EU Commissioner will negotiate and work upon, obtaining as many derogations and flexibilities as possible. That is what my party has been working at over the last months here, at Westminster and in negotiations and discussions. I just wonder what other parties have been doing. <BR /> <BR />A lot of time has already been wasted in seeking mitigations due to the delusional and confrontational approach of the United Kingdom Government. They need to be called out for the actions that they have taken. Trust is central to maximising flexibility. These proposals have the potential to address many of the practical issues raised by local businesses and other stakeholders.”
“Last week, the EU published papers focusing on medicines, food, customs, governance and oversight. Those proposals have the potential to address the concerns expressed by many of our local businesses, although it is also worth stating that many local businesses are benefiting from the current arrangements, let alone the prospects of these arrangements, which will make life even better. <BR /> <BR />The challenges facing Northern Ireland come from Brexit. The protocol was a symptom of the problem, not the cause. If we had not Brexited, we would not have had a protocol. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party does not want to see, nor would we ever wish to see, any new borders or friction across our islands. Unfortunately, leaving the EU made that a reality. As undesirable as it may be, we must now accept the new reality.”
“What action does the First Minister, having had his party placed in the dock yesterday, propose to take to ensure that he, the deputy First Minister and, indeed, all Ministers adhere to yesterday's court ruling? Can he assure the House that the €1 billion of PEACE PLUS funding that has been pledged by the EU and others will not be placed in jeopardy by any further political antics?”
“Minister, what action are you and your Department taking to introduce a low pay commission for Northern Ireland?”
“— will not find that support around the House.”
“— and that is why I express my disappointment that it —”
“Much of that task falls to the UK Government. The House's task today is to encourage our Economy and Agriculture Ministers to speak up for Northern Ireland. That is what the motion calls on us to do —”
“That is why the Alliance Party has produced its green new deal proposals to ensure training and support for everyone”
“In the context of shortages of workers elsewhere, why would EU workers leave their home country to come to the UK, where they will be given only a few short months before they are told to leave, when they have the potential to go to 26 other countries and enjoy greater rights and the ability to settle there permanently? We have major work to do to repair our international reputation as a welcoming place for workers. Of course we want a high-wage and high-skill economy that is productive, but, in order to achieve and deliver that, we have to invest in people and provide a proper social security net. <BR /> <BR />We also need to realise that, as we move from a fossil fuel-dependent economy to a clean, zero-carbon future, no one must be left behind.”
“Shortages of goods may only get worse, owing to shortages of workers in food processing and logistics, and that situation is now heightened by fuel costs. We are outside the club, so we cannot benefit from being in the club. We should remember that Germany, for example, is a highly productive economy with high wages, as are the Scandinavian countries, yet they have not isolated themselves in order to achieve that; rather, they have joined others to achieve it, delivering investment in skills and infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />The United Kingdom Government have made minor concessions on short visas for European workers, but it is not enough.”
“<BR /> <BR />We also need to challenge the narrative that the workers from many EU countries who used to come to the United Kingdom were essentially low-skilled workers and cheap labour. For many years, people who came from EU countries to Northern Ireland made an invaluable contribution through an array of in-demand skills, across society and the economy, from working in the health service to working in the tech sector to making sure that we could get the goods in our shops that we required. <BR /> <BR />Economic isolation will not automatically deliver the high-skill, high-wage economy; in fact, there is a worrying indication that this winter may be the most financially stretching in decades for many families.”
“You only had to watch 'Countryfile' on TV last night to see that very point being made about the skills of seasonal workers coming into the United Kingdom. There was a little competition between a robot and human beings, and the human beings won hands down when it came to their ability to do the job. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, the United Kingdom Government response has been haphazard, saying that we need to create a high-skill, high-wage economy. That certainly does not happen overnight, and it certainly does not happen without investment in skills and training. How will it be delivered? Unfortunately, the Economy Minister is not here to answer such questions, but perhaps he has briefed the Agriculture Minister to deal with those points.”
“Hospitality has been heavily impacted on, with reduced hours and the closure of restaurants, and, just as it is about to recover from the extreme challenges of COVID, we restrict the number of people who are available to work in the sector. <BR /> <BR />I am delighted that the Agriculture Minister is here. I recognise the support that he has given to that industry and how he has spoken about it. It is a major industry for us in Northern Ireland, and, without workers to pick and process crops, for example, we cannot continue to expand our successful agri-food business. Do not for one moment think that those are low-skilled, low-paid jobs: they are not. In many cases, they are highly skilled jobs.”
“However, following the UK's departure from the EU at the start of this year and the end of freedom of movement, overnight a major source of workers for the United Kingdom has been cut off. While the pandemic has had its impact, Brexit has made it worse. I cannot help but note that petrol pumps are not running dry in France, Germany or many other parts of Europe. Luckily, in Northern Ireland, we have not seen those fuel shortages or, indeed, empty supermarket shelves to any great extent. <BR /> <BR />I believe that there is a general feeling across the Assembly that we should do something to tackle labour shortages.”
“I support the motion. Again it seems to me that we are picking up the pieces of Brexit and the harm that it is doing to our economy. We hear increasingly about shortages of people, particularly in logistics and hospitality. We also face major shortages of healthcare staff and have been doing so for a number of years. There are those who say that the labour shortages that are affecting us affect the entire world. Global supply chains have been disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; there is no doubt about that. However, it appears that that has been compounded by the problems of Brexit in the United Kingdom to create an even more serious situation. <BR /> <BR />Many EU workers left the United Kingdom during the pandemic to go home. They also left because of a fall in demand for labour in many sectors.”
“I thank Mr Nesbitt for giving way. The motion calls on the Economy Minister to reaffirm the issue of labour shortages with the United Kingdom Government. While we all appreciate that they must know about them, because they see the effect day and daily on the rest of the United Kingdom, the main thrust of the motion is surely to emphasise that point and encourage them to do something about it.”
“Does the Minister recognise that speed is also of the essence when it comes to revitalising our high streets? While I appreciate that a task force will have a longer-term job and role to perform, our high streets are under extreme pressure now, particularly with utility costs.”
“I am delighted to hear the First Minister say "all" because, to date, one might describe the Executive Office as somewhat embarrassed by the paucity of legislation that is being brought through the House. In fact, we are at the end of the mandate and are seeing more private Member's business and private Member's Bills being debated in the House than business being brought forward by the Executive Office and the First Minister and the deputy First Minister. Will they up their game and guarantee that all the commitments that were made in New Decade, New Approach will be delivered before the end of the mandate?”
“Minister, do you recognise the exhaustion that families and others who care every day experience because respite care services are not available or are limited? We hear the word "review" from you on many occasions, but when will this review turn into action?”
“There needs to be a holistic approach to the production of energy in Northern Ireland. I look forward to the Bill coming to the Committee and to addressing those issues and many more there.”
“There is room for social enterprise to deliver price comparison and the price for electricity in Northern Ireland. That is an issue that Social Enterprise NI is looking at. Although it is not part of the Bill, it is an area to which we need to give consideration. It may well become part of the consideration at Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the legislation and thank the Member for tabling it. Given the lack of action from the Department, it fills a space that needs to filled. I look forward to considering the Bill in more detail in Committee. As I have outlined, there must be much more concerted action to deal with two issues that are stark at the moment: fuel poverty and the urgent need to ramp up the insulation of homes. Until we do that, generating electricity and heating the atmosphere is not the way forward.”
“Indeed, as Chair of the all-party group (APG) on social enterprise, I believe that those local organisations have a major role to play in not only promoting microgeneration but in generating electricity from their premises and reinvesting. How we involve local community groups, co-ops and social enterprises will be a key consideration in the legislation. I hope that we can consider that further at Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />We need to do more than talk about the generation of electricity in the format that is proposed in the Bill. It is a difficult area at the moment, because of the increase in energy prices, but we need to look at expanding. We have not seen it yet in Northern Ireland, but GB has seen some of its small electricity providers go to the wall.”
“Others have referred to this, but it would be remiss of me not to note the potential contribution of local organisations and households coming together on the microgeneration landscape and not to acknowledge the emerging work of cooperatives and social enterprises. It is vital that they be encouraged through the legislation and the regulations that may follow, if it is successful. That may face us away from some of the concerns that have been expressed about the big players in the energy generation market. We should genuinely encourage local groups, such as cooperatives and social enterprises, to come together.”
“That is a powerful acknowledgement. <BR /> <BR />I note that a major public cost is not anticipated, but, like others, we await the detail of that at Committee Stage. There will be administrative costs to be considered. We live in difficult and strained times for public finances, and there is a need to recognise that. <BR /> <BR />Clause 5 allows the Department to give guidance on the operation of the scheme. Perhaps the Bill's sponsor will outline what role he sees for the Utility Regulator in the legislation and in setting prices etc. I understand that a fair amount would be delegated to the Department by way of regulation, so that would give the Committee an opportunity to investigate. <BR /> <BR />Decentralising our energy grid would have greater benefits. It would make energy generation local.”
“I have been disappointed by the lack of ambition shown by the Department, but I recognise that civil servants are working hard on our energy strategy. Unfortunately, departmental silos are more of an issue in Northern Ireland as we try to make legislation like this as successful as possible. Having one energy and climate change Department would help to overcome many of those problems. <BR /> <BR />The spectre of the renewable heat incentive (RHI) disaster haunts this place. We must never forget that. Clause 4 sensibly speaks to that by allowing for the suspension of the scheme where there are "unintended and harmful consequences" or where:”
“We need to work out how that will be achieved and how the cost of that will be met. I look forward to the Bill sponsor dealing with that area today and, more specifically and in detail, at Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />The recent University of Exeter report on the green transition made recommendations that, from what I can see, the Department has unfortunately totally disregarded. If we are to deliver on our clean energy ambitions, we need a Department that is ambitious and actively leads in this area. We need expertise and policy in relation to energy, and we need to tackle climate and fuel poverty in one place. That is why, going forward, I will advocate a specific Department in Northern Ireland for energy and climate change, but that digresses from the purpose of this Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the provisions in clauses 2 and 3 that require the Department to consult other bodies and to review the operation of the scheme. That relates, however, to one of my major concerns regarding the Department for the Economy's capacity to deliver on energy policy and on our upcoming energy strategy. <BR /> <BR />There are also issues that, I hope, the Member will address either directly in this debate or at Committee Stage, should the Bill move to that point. They are the connection issues. Comment has already been made about the cost of connection, but there are also technical issues around connection. At some households and some points where generation is good and can be made, it is difficult to make connections to the grid, particularly in the case of wind sources.”
“I believe that there is demand here and that we just need to provide the financial incentive for the installation of solar panels or small-scale turbines. This could be a major step change in how our power is generated and will hopefully provide more resilience. Resilience is important: businesses and households will not forgive us if there are interruptions in power supply. <BR /> <BR />I note from clause 1 that the scheme will set targets for energy suppliers to have a specific percentage of microgenerated electricity. I am not opposed to that, and it would be helpful for suppliers to have a real investment in promoting the scheme, but the Committee needs to look specifically into how that will be run and, ultimately, at how it will be enforced.”
“With greater indigenous microgeneration, however, we can become much less dependent on imported fossil fuels and thus better insulate ourselves against the swings of the world markets; indeed, households can become energy-independent. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will essentially establish a small-scale green energy scheme with minimum tariffs for microgenerators, giving certainty to enable planning and rewards for generating renewable electricity and contributing to the grid. That said, it is not without difficulties and problems, and those are issues that, I genuinely believe, we will need to tease out at Committee Stage. My understanding — Members have referred to it — is that similar schemes have been operating in GB for nearly 10 years. By and large, we appear to have missed out on that in Northern Ireland.”
“The Alliance Party believes that we need a green new deal for our whole society in order to accelerate the transition to a clean economy, including building a skills base and eliminating fuel poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind. The Bill is a step in that direction. <BR /> <BR />One of the key parts of my party's green new deal is microgeneration — the decentralisation of our power system and, in a way, its democratisation. We have all watched on with horror at the sharply increasing prices over the last few weeks, especially of natural gas. This will be a particularly difficult winter for vulnerable households in Northern Ireland. Our Communities Minister will need to be proactive to prevent a major rebound in fuel poverty.”
“Very much in the spirit of what I have listened to in the debate so far, I can confirm that, at this stage and looking forward to Committee Stage, the Alliance Party will also support the Bill. I thank the Member for bringing the legislation forward. <BR /> <BR />We should not be behind the door in noting the success that we have had in growing renewables in Northern Ireland. Over half of our generation now comes from renewable sources, chiefly wind. However, it has become abundantly clear that we are not moving fast enough to tackle greenhouse gases and the resulting climate crisis. Clean energy represents a major opportunity for jobs and provides sustainable and clean sources of heat and electricity. Northern Ireland is missing out due to a lack of ambition.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. Will the Minister explain, and elaborate on for the House, what is holding up publication of the report? What meetings have been held since the Minister's most recent announcement that the report was in preparation?”
“Minister, do you share my concern that the two-week delay in opening phone lines for some people to avail themselves of the service will leave them less time to spend the money? They are the people for whom difficulty in getting the card has been increased by the two-week delay, and they are those who, inevitably, will have more difficulty in getting out and about to spend the money.”
“Given the track record of this council and the answer that the Minister has just given, does she believe that she has sufficient oversight of local government in Northern Ireland and, in particular, of councils that might be perceived to have difficult relationships internally and externally with the public?”
“We know the reasons for fuel poverty and the fuel crisis arising from world oil and gas prices. The Minister can happily tell us the problems, but can she start to tell us the solutions for the people in Northern Ireland who will suffer untold fuel poverty this winter?”
“Thank you, Minister. I trust that you will appreciate that this issue requires a great deal of detailed analysis and investigation. Nevertheless, it is effectively a sword of Damocles being held over many residents in Islandmagee and far beyond. <BR /> <BR />Given the approach of the COP26 environment conference in Scotland later this year, together with the number of serious incidents around the world regarding this type of gas storage, and given that this is a fossil fuel and the United Kingdom wishes to move us away from fossil fuel, will the Minister please help to alleviate the fears and concerns of my constituents in Islandmagee and across East Antrim? Can we have a positive decision that the Department is clear that fossil fuel is a fuel of the past?”
“Minister, will you agree with my condemnation of the actions of a small minority of people who protested in Carrickfergus recently at the presence of refugees there? Will you make it very clear to the House and to everybody who is listening today that Northern Ireland is open and a welcoming place for refugees and that there is no place for people who wish to protest against those who have come from very difficult backgrounds to get to Northern Ireland?”
“However, it should happen at the end of our business day, rather than at the beginning, because what we should do is set the tone for business through our Business Committee, our scrutiny of Bills and our democratic representation of the people who elect us to come here. I invite the Speaker and the Business Committee to revisit the timing of the statements. However, in no way am I diminishing the opportunity for Members to have such discussions.”
“I do not dissent from any of the views expressed in the Chamber — I add my and my party's congratulations to Tyrone on their win on Saturday — but I ask that the Assembly invites the Business Committee to revisit the timing of the statements. In other jurisdictions where they take place, they happen at the end of the business day, after the opportunity has been given to Members to deal with the key priorities of democracy, which, in the Assembly, are debating Bills and Assembly business and working with the Executive to deal with the business that they bring in front of us. <BR /> <BR />I by no means wish to diminish the statements, but their timing is, perhaps, out of kilter. The press will take the opportunity to listen to what we say in this Members' half hour, and I do not want to diminish that.”
“I want to address the opportunity for Members to make statements in the Chamber. I believe passionately in the democracy that has been devolved to Northern Ireland and in the Assembly and the ability of Members to speak on behalf of their constituents. However, priority in Assembly business should be given to debating Bills, listening to and dealing with Executive business, dealing with Committees and dealing with Adjournment debates, which come up on a constituency basis and allow MLAs, representing their constituencies to debate local issues. I welcome the opportunity to make a statement, and all that I have heard this morning has been excellent.”
“The Infrastructure and Economy Ministers need to get together to sort it out and provide specific support. Long-term planning is also needed to encourage new drivers into the sector; that is important. I look forward to the Minister's response to those matters.”
“Thank you. Yes, Mr Buckley, I wholeheartedly agree with you. There is a whole variety of reasons that people do that job, particularly as wedding car drivers. Some of them do it just because they love driving classic vehicles, others because it provides extra income or is their main income and, indeed, others because it is their business to supply the cars and drivers. <BR /> <BR />The DVLA advises that the quickest way to view or share driving licence information when hiring a car is to use its view and share driving licence service, but that service is not available in Northern Ireland. As the motion states, a review is needed, particularly of tariffs, which I understand were essentially set in 2011. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that we need to act now to stabilise and rebuild that broad sector, from taxis to wedding cars.”
“For example, I recently read on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website about how easy it is for a family member or guest to hire a car for a wedding and drive it themselves on their regular licence. That simply cannot be done in Northern Ireland.”
“I am well aware of the issues of taxi regulation, as I have worked on the issue, and the odd regulation of the wedding car industry that makes it a challenge to even operate that service. I know that the Minister is aware of that, and I have been in contact with her office on the issue on many occasions. Today, I would appreciate if the Minister would indicate what progress has been made on exempting wedding cars from the Taxis Act 2008 and the onerous and, in my opinion, unnecessary bureaucratic burden that it places on them. Let us be sensible: wedding cars are not taxis, not least because many drivers do not do that as their job. Legislation in Northern Ireland is a mess of red tape, and it is far behind the rest of the United Kingdom.”
“<BR /> <BR />We need a comprehensive package of support to rebuild the industry, with the full engagement of the Economy and Infrastructure Ministers. The Department for the Economy needs to stop disowning whole sectors and to recognise that we have one integrated economy. As I outlined, there are real risks to our tourism and hospitality recovery, as well as a social impact, of losing taxi services. On the structural issues faced by the industry, it is clear that a package of support and incentives needs to be looked at to stabilise and rebuild the sector. Drivers are leaving the sector and not being replaced. It is vital that the Department for Infrastructure looks at what needs to be done to tackle that now, before it further deteriorates. <BR /> <BR />The sector has also highlighted the regulation of taxis as a problem.”