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, given the inevitability of where we are in Derry and Strabane, what preparations did you make for that inevitability, or are you playing catch-up?”
“Minister, will you recognise the despair of my constituents, when you have recently told the House, in a previous answer, that you hope that the UK Government understand the value of EU funds that have been distributed in Northern Ireland? Surely, you and your party would not have dragged us out of the EU if you are only now conducting those negotiations with the UK Government.”
“I thank the First Minister for coming to the House and making a statement. I welcome it. I invite the First Minister to also tell us what holistic approach the Executive are taking to deal with the totality of the pandemic in Northern Ireland. After all, the economy has been trashed. Public expenditure is out of control. Businesses are being destroyed. Thousands of patients have been denied life-saving treatment. Disabled people are unsupported. Children's futures have been mortgaged and damaged to the hilt. People's mental health and welfare is at risk. Dealing with one sector is important, but what is your holistic approach?”
“We do not want borders and we do not want checks anywhere, but if a hard border happens then compromise must be made. That is where the protocol comes in because it is the basic structure to prevent a hard border with the Republic of Ireland. The UK Government should, and must, uphold its word to protect Northern Ireland from the harmful impacts of Brexit. Ministers here must ensure that the protocol is implemented before the end of this year. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I thank Mr Givan for being a cheerleader for the Alliance Party because every time he mentions our name I can hear the cheers rising amongst all of those people who voted for Naomi Long and smashed it when we elected her to the European Union.”
“Of course, it is welcome that they have sealed one with Japan, but then why bother because they already had exactly the same deal with Japan through their membership of the EU. How will anyone benefit from the UK having next to no preferential trade partners? <BR /> <BR />It seems that all of the lofty aspirations of Brexit have evaporated and we are left with a gloomy, complex and uncertain future. That cannot be good for business and it cannot be good for employees, with piles of red tape and increasing barriers to business and people's lives. <BR /> <BR />Whether it is, as Mr Aiken says, our concern about the price of a bag of sugar in the shops in Northern Ireland or whether it is that they turn the south of England into a lorry park, all of those are very serious issues.”
“If these issues were so fundamental to the Good Friday Agreement then why did the Prime Minister agree to these terms and then run a general election campaign on them? Even if this is a negotiating tactic, it undermines the UK's international reputation and credibility, and thus our ability to strike further trade deals. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday we heard, and it is worth repeating again, politicians from both sides of the Houses in the US that they are very concerned, and they have made it very clear that it compromises any chance of a US-UK trade deal. At this rate it seems that the UK will not have any trade deals on the table; not even one with the EU and no trade deal with the US.”
“No, I want to continue. <BR /> <BR />It is totally disconcerting for businesses and for people who are in employment in Northern Ireland that we are being taken down this route. Upholding international law is the sign of a responsible actor on a world stage. There is a certain amount — indeed, a great deal — of irony that the Government instructs others to follow the law and yet blatantly sets out to break the law, and is sadly followed by a number of Members of Parliament from Northern Ireland. Again, it is hard to work out what the Government is doing. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that it is within the power of the United Kingdom's Government to prevent barriers and friction by striking a comprehensive trade deal.”
“No, I want to finish, thank you. The protocol is a compromise of a compromise. It is an arrangement to negate some of the problems that, unfortunately, Brexit brings to Northern Ireland, and we all know who brought Brexit to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />It is a matter of deep concern that legislation is being progressed in our national Parliament which undermines an international agreement that was signed less than a year ago, and which adds further unease about the future of businesses and people in Northern Ireland, and on that point I agree with Mr Aiken.”
“<BR /> <BR />However, for today we will focus on how progressing the Internal Market Bill interacts with the Northern Ireland protocol, and the arrangements to avoid a hard border with the Republic. I said yesterday, and I will be clear again, the protocol is not a perfect arrangement; the original backstop was a much better deal for Northern Ireland and the protocol —.”
“There is a bit of déjà vu, but this is a slightly different debate today. It is a debate regarding the Internal Market Bill, which contains a series of provisions on the functioning of the internal market in the United Kingdom, which of course already had a part of the EU. There are issues with this, including the obvious and likely dominance of England in comparison with the other nations, as well as the impact on the devolved settlements. I realise that the Scottish and Welsh Governments rejected the Internal Market Bill's White Paper following its publication because of such concerns. Therefore, it is disappointing that it appears that there was no formal response compiled by the Executive in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important that we ensure for those living with dementia that wider public services are accessible to them, that their dignity and well-being are maintained and that daily life is made easier for them and their carers. That covers a wide range of responsibilities, so it should be an Executive-wide initiative and local councils should be included in decision-making so that key services are delivered at the local level. <BR /> <BR />Dementia is not something that we can ignore; it is part of our lives. We must ensure that consideration for those with the condition and their carers is integrated into the planning and delivery of services to ensure dignity and well-being for all.”
“I pay tribute to Gerardine and people like her for all the work that they do for people who live with dementia in mid and east Antrim and the participants of the choir. In particular, I thank the Northern Trust for its support of the initiative. <BR /> <BR />We need to be diagnosing and managing dementia earlier. GP practices and referrals for patients are, of course, where we need to be focussing. We need to ensure that the system is well-funded and accessible to all. The Department's regional strategy on improving dementia services has developed memory clinics in each of the trusts. I would be grateful if the Minister could give us an update on how they are functioning in the current environment and how the work of the dementia navigators is continuing.”
“I believe that everyone here wants Northern Ireland to be a model of best practice in supporting dementia patients and their families. We want our society to be inclusive of people with dementia, and one of the greatest examples of that is in my constituency: a dementia choir set up by my Alliance friend Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, who is not only a member of Mid and East Borough Council but its dementia champion, and the choir shows what an impact this role can have. The This is Me choir is for people with dementia, their carers and their family members, but it is also inclusive of those experiencing loneliness, widowed people and the vulnerable. The choir brings joy and companionship to those living with dementia and their families. Even during lockdown, they were able to keep going online.”
“I have seen, at first hand, the strain that this places on individuals and families. So, today, I pay tribute to the thousands of carers across Northern Ireland who help to ensure the well-being of people living with dementia. It has been a particularly difficult year, but our carers helped to keep our society going, and we must never forget this. Unpaid carers need better support from our health system. Paid carers need fair pay and conditions for the vital and difficult job that they do. <BR /> <BR />We must not shy away from talking about dementia and what we can do to make the lives of people living with it and their loved ones better. That means ensuring their well-being and their dignity. It also means ensuring, where possible, the inclusion of dementia sufferers in decision-making about their future.”
“I am pleased to speak to the motion, tabled in my name and the names of Members from parties across the House, which seeks a dementia-friendly approach to daily life. Today is World Alzheimer's Day, and it is time to break the silence and put in motion work towards a society that supports people living with dementia and their carers in every way possible, including research to find new treatments to halt this cruel disease. Approximately 22,000 people are living with dementia in Northern Ireland, and I doubt that a single person here today is not aware of dementia in some form. Personally, I have seen former work colleagues face the condition, as well as a close family member, who is in the care of the Northern Trust. His family are very grateful to the trust for the care that he receives.”
“On the subject of being sold a pup, does the Member agree that the Prime Minister sold the nation a pup when it came to the protocol and winning his election?”
“I fear that not only is time running out for Northern Ireland and its Ministers to get the job done but we will be in the business of further destroying livelihoods and businesses. Business needs certainty. It needs rules and a future in which trade barriers are low and not increasing. <BR /> <BR />The protocol is not perfect, but the apparent alternative is much worse. We need to get on with implementing it. It is in the United Kingdom Government's power to reach a deal with the EU that ensures that goods and services can flow and trade freely through these islands. We should build bridges, not borders.”
“A general election was won on the deal that included the protocol, but now we are told that we have to default on it and that no deal would be a good outcome. What a massive failure of politics it would be if we have no deal, an indication of a Government who do not know what they are doing and a blatant act of self-harm by a Prime Minister who does not care, exactly at a time when we need someone who is competent. <BR /> <BR />Brexit also brings friction. We need to mitigate that and protect the Good Friday Agreement. The United Kingdom seems determined to self-isolate from the world's biggest trading blocs and deny Northern Ireland the safety net that the withdrawal agreement included. Locally, we need our Ministers to get on with their job and implement the elements of the protocol.”
“However, not just representatives of the House in America but democratic and republican senators have made it clear that they are concerned and disturbed by its effect on the Good Friday Agreement and the harm that it would cause. <BR /> <BR />There is also a clear risk to British/Irish relations, which have, it must be acknowledged, reached a high point over the last number of years. The cooperation and mutual respect between the United Kingdom and Ireland has been a key building block of the peace process and in building trust between both parts of this island.”
“Even if this is just a simple negotiating tactic, it undermines the United Kingdom's international reputation and the ability to strike further trade deals. Indeed, they have apparently lauded a trade deal with Japan, not a word of it different from what had already existed between Japan and the European Union. <BR /> <BR />The United Kingdom was admired as a member of the European Union for its influence, often by smaller member states for which the United Kingdom was often a reasoned voice. What sort of future will the United Kingdom have if it cannot and will not keep its word? Who would you deal with? Is this the global Britain that we want to be part of? One of the key prizes of Brexit is supposed to be the US trade deal; Mr Givan and others made reference to it.”
“Apologies again. Yes, of course I wholeheartedly agree. The amateur dramatics of the DUP in the last Parliament are clear for all to see. <BR /> <BR />Nothing is ever settled when it comes to Brexit or this Prime Minister. We now have an Internal Market Bill, which basically empowers the Government to override elements of an international treaty signed only months ago. This must be of profound concern to Members of Parliament who have been invited to participate, and have participated, in votes which break the law. It has also shamed the United Kingdom Government around the world. Let us be clear about that: the United Kingdom Government have been shamed by its Prime Minister and by its Cabinet. <BR /> <BR />It is hard to discern what this Government are doing or trying to achieve.”
“No, you are fine thanks. Sorry; apologies. I was in a different zone. I will give way.”
“I support the motion. The turbulent issue of Brexit overhangs our future. The protocol that was agreed less than a year ago and is now international law is, as Members have heard from around the Chamber today, an imperfect solution to the border issue for Northern Ireland, but it is a response to the potential barriers that a hard Brexit could construct. As a basic structure to protect the institutions which maintain our economic, political and social lives, it does have merit. It is an insurance policy, although clearly the original backstop, negotiated by a previous Prime Minister, was a better deal for Northern Ireland with fewer barriers and incorporated the whole of the United Kingdom in the single customs market. However, nothing is ever settled when it comes to Brexit or this Prime Minister.”
“Deputy First Minister, Brexit looms large as the UK approaches the endgame. Can the First Minister and deputy First Minister assure the House that they jointly share the best interests of people and businesses, given the often conflicting views of their respective parties?”
“It was the encouragement that David and Fionnuala gave to all of us in respect of the party. <BR /> <BR />I also had a professional relationship with David Cook. He was a solicitor in Sheldon and Stewart when I was working as a conciliation officer in the Labour Relations Agency. We could have been canvassing or at party meetings at the weekend, but, on a Monday, I had to deal with him on a professional basis. He was very professional in his work as a solicitor. He worked very hard for his clients, and I remember those meetings with fondness, but we always had a good chat afterwards as to what had been going on at the weekend. <BR /> <BR />I just want to add my personal and deep felt condolences to Fionnuala and the family at this very sad time.”
“I will open my remarks by asking the Assembly to think about Christopher Stalford and Daniel McCrossan in the circumstances in which they find themselves. <BR /> <BR />I rise to add a personal tribute to the remembrance of David Cook and to send my sympathies to Fionnuala and the wider circle. I came into elected politics in 1977. David was already an elected representative by that stage. I have fond memories of David and Fionnuala; not only were they key for me in listening to the sort of speeches that they made at party meetings and conferences but they were there for young branches starting up in the Alliance Party. They were always there to help us canvass, pointing us in the right direction and encouraging us in those days. That is what it was all about.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. In talking about those small businesses and entrepreneurs, does he agree that the entire House should be appalled by the statement that the Minister made when she described them as "difficult choices"? It is her job to deal with difficult choices.”
“However, that paper does not contain a recommendation to help the particular group of people whom we are talking about today — another ministerial failure. <BR /> <BR />The great public anger will become even greater if, at the end of this financial year, there are funds that could have been available to support the Northern Ireland economy. That anger will be manifest if the Minister returns that money to the centre or to HM Treasury. <BR /> <BR />In closing, we need action, and we need it now. Today, the Minister is receiving a very clear message from the House to support our sole traders and microbusinesses. I hope that she will sort this out once and for all. Today is the day for the Minister to bring good news to this sector and to our economy. The spotlight is on her. It is up to her to succeed or fail.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The point is very well made by the Member. I thank her very much. <BR /> <BR />We must, of course, spend our resources carefully and responsibly, and I understand that the Department is particularly risk-averse following its failures under the renewable heat incentive (RHI). However, the Minister should not sit and wait for the Executive to give a green light to everything that she has the authority to do. <BR /> <BR />We face a major economic crisis. Our business support schemes should not be underspending by such large magnitudes. I know that, on this, the Minister requires Executive go-ahead, and I note that, at last week's Committee meeting, it was mentioned that an options paper had gone to the Executive.”
“Money must, of course, be carefully and responsibly spent. We have heard outrageous figures mentioned in the Chamber by way of support. We need to break these businesses down into small bites and work out what they need. Some can be helped by just a few thousand pounds. Very few are looking for the large sums of money being paid out to others.”
“The reality is that this can be done, because it is quite clear that it is happening in other parts of the United Kingdom. We all know that Scotland has access to HMRC tax information, but that is not the case in Wales or in any of the English regions, all of which have stepped up to deliver for those businesses. During our meeting last Thursday, it was agreed with the Minister that she will once again contact HMRC to look into how we can overcome these complex information issues, if indeed they are complex. I welcome that, but we now need action. <BR /> <BR />Why would someone want to take the risk of setting up a business in Northern Ireland? We would not be having this debate today if these businesses were located in any other part of the United Kingdom, so why is the Minister denying businesses here the opportunity to receive help?”
“I think that she will agree that their arguments were persuasive and clear and that it is now time for action. <BR /> <BR />Over the past few months, the Minister and the Department have told us that it is too complex to do and that it is too difficult, and some say that, if businesses have survived this long through the worst of the crisis, why do they need any assistance? I will tell you, Mr Speaker, and Minister. They are business people who pay tax, contribute to our economy and sell Northern Ireland to the world. We must not turn our back on them. They have exhausted personal funds and, in some cases, taken on substantial debt to keep their businesses going. Help may be the difference between closure or moving into recovery.”
“I thank the Member who moved the motion. I support the motion, because it is a topic that has been on our minds for the last number of months but, much more importantly, is one that has caused considerable distress and upset to sole traders and others across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I am deeply disappointed that we still have no tangible progress. The national support measures have not been perfect but they have provided a substantial structure to keep businesses going through this very difficult time. Nonetheless, there have been gaps where devolved regions have stepped in or, in the case of Northern Ireland, not stepped in. Nonetheless, I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet me and representatives of ExcludedNI last week.”
“Thank you, First Minister, for your answers so far. I will save your blushes over the little local difficulty, which I am sure you are having with the Member of Parliament for East Antrim, and cut to the chase. <BR /> <BR />Those who have been excluded in Northern Ireland have been failed by the Economy Minister, and have been failed by her comments, where she says that the responsibility lies with the Executive, and not her, to provide the appropriate funds for any schemes coming forward. Will the First Minister explain to the House why, if an excluded business was located in any of the English regions, Scotland or Wales, they would not be excluded?”
“Minister, will you tell the House what engagement, if any, you have had with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to assess whether your Department can address the tax data issue for sole traders and the businesses that consider themselves to be and, indeed, are excluded from any of the schemes that you have so far provided?”
“I thank the First Minister for her answers so far. Minister, would you not agree with me that any change to an international agreement undermines trust and confidence in the nation that entered into such an agreement and that it has the potential to make the United Kingdom look like a rogue state in the international community?”
“Sadly, we have seen that on many occasions in other parts of the United Kingdom in similar institutions. Sadly, on reflection, the reality is that something like that was going to happen and was happening here. We have heard too many horror stories about institutions like that in other parts of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />How are people to be truly assured that health and social care for some of the most vulnerable in our society is safe, unless an independent and full public inquiry assesses what went wrong, sets out the standards that are now required and imposes the appropriate reform in the system? We need that to happen, and we need it to happen without delay. That is why I am supporting the motion and the amendment today.”
“Thank you very much. I appreciate that. <BR /> <BR />As far back as 1984, when Kilcreggan Homes came into existence, there was community consultation and a wonderful, warm welcome for residents whom Oliver and Amanda Shanks worked with in Muckamore Abbey to integrate them into the community. Today, we have a wonderful and vibrant community in Carrickfergus known as Kilcreggan Urban Farm. <BR /> <BR />For too long, Muckamore Abbey operated without the appropriate, proper oversight or leadership. In fact, the review of leadership and governance stated:”
“As far back as 1984, I had the privilege to be on the board of Kilcreggan Homes, Carrickfergus, which is now Kilcreggan Urban Farm, under the inspiring leadership of Oliver and Amanda Shanks. The two doctors, who are now long retired, were involved in work in Muckamore Abbey and saw the urgent need to help residents there come into the community and be part of it.”
“The Health Minister has already issued an apology, but that is not enough. The failings in this respect are systemic. In the interim, we need to fully implement the changes, including those set out in the leadership and governance review, to address the failings. As mentioned in the proposed amendment, we need a bespoke plan to rebuild confidence in the services and, in the interim, I am very happy to support that. <BR /> <BR />Very briefly, I want to refer back to an earlier comment by, I think, Mr Clarke about the concern that, over many years, many in the community were not happy about residents from Muckamore Abbey coming into the community. I believe that that could not be further from the truth.”
“I support the motion in my party colleague's name. I place on record my thanks to both my colleagues for bringing this important issue to the House. <BR /> <BR />When people are under the care of our health and social care system, they should expect the highest quality of safe care and should be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. It is clear that, for so many vulnerable patients at Muckamore Abbey, that high-quality care was not being delivered. Indeed, there are criminal investigations ongoing, and patients and families have understandably lost confidence in the system. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to those patients and families who have campaigned on the matter; they definitely deserve justice. It is for that reason that nothing short of a public inquiry will do.”
“While the clock is ticking down to January, the Department for the Economy is the lead Department on this matter. We need a cross-Executive approach, a joint approach to give business clarity, to make Northern Ireland's voice heard in London and to protect our local economy from the adverse impacts of Brexit. <BR /> <BR />We are now told that no deal is a good outcome. I just wonder, what would a bad outcome would look like? The reality is that there no such thing as a good Brexit. The protocol is not perfect, but its function is as a basic framework to protect Northern Ireland from some of the worst effects of Brexit.”
“What is not necessary is another huge disruption, another fog hanging over the future post-Brexit arrangements for business. <BR /> <BR />Businesses want to prepare; they want to put themselves on the best footing for the future. However, without training opportunities and a clear direction for the future, how are they supposed to commit confidently to investment and to take on new employees? It is time for the Minister to give us some concrete answers. <BR /> <BR />Today, in discussing post-Brexit preparedness, we need to start clearing that fog, which is where the proposed amendment really adds to the motion. With an estimate of 100,000 people being out of work in Northern Ireland by the end of this year, the Minister's number-one priority must be to defend jobs and livelihoods. A considerable amount of legislation needs to be passed.”
“Once more, that leads to the door of Number 10 and the Cummings faction in that building. <BR /> <BR />The working group — a working group, Minister, that does not have all voices in Northern Ireland in it, which I find disappointing, particularly the failure to have a trade union voice — mirrors what the business community has been saying. It recognises that we have been left in the lurch. We are unsure what to do, knowing that this issue is complex and technical and is yet another burden on business. <BR /> <BR />The past few months have been turbulent and difficult for local businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. They have faced the additional challenge of COVID-19 restrictions, safety measures, supply issues and staffing. That requires additional necessary costs and bureaucracy.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am truly concerned that the UK Government seem, once again, to want to use Northern Ireland as a bargaining chip, as an excuse to destroy any hopes of a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that much of this has been press speculation in the last few days. Unfortunately, we have a Government that do not inspire confidence. I, and many others, do not wish to gamble our future or the future of our economy. I am sure that there are many workers and businesses across Northern Ireland that would agree.”
“However, unsurprisingly to most of us here, the Brexit process became stranded on the rocks of reality, on the border issue, and a necessitated agreement. The protocol is an imperfect response to Brexit; it is a bare-bones means to protect the institutions that maintain our economic, political and social lives. It therefore has merit. Businesses sighed a small sigh of relief after a series of tempestuous negotiations in 2019. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, here we are, less than three months until the end of the transition period. I really am quite exasperated and concerned that we have nothing but confusion and uncertainty at the very centre of our economic future. Indeed, a Minister who is clearly interested only in following what London is doing is not particularly keen on taking any local initiatives herself.”
“I support the motion and the amendment and welcome the opportunity to speak on this important matter for Northern Ireland. In 2016, it was notable just how little Northern Ireland was mentioned in the EU referendum campaign. In 2017, Liam Fox, the then International Trade Secretary, said:”
“Indeed, it should be widened, even in the case of further restrictions. I encourage the Assembly to support the amendment and the motion.”
“Therefore, I call on the Communities Minister to get moving with schemes such as Kickstart and equivalent schemes for young people who are unemployed. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that the UK-wide job retention scheme should continue.”
“Perhaps the Minister for the Economy can — indeed, sadly, she is not here — advise us on what progress is being made. The challenge to the Minister is to produce that plan. We must not allow people to fall back into long-term unemployment, so, when jobs cannot be saved, people must be offered the opportunity for supported options to help them back into work. Skills and retraining are vitally important for our economic recovery. We need to seize those opportunities now. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the announcements on funding for recruitment and retention of apprenticeships, but, again, with many in furlough, I have concerns that there quite simply will be a cliff edge for apprentices. We must also note the particular socio-economic harm that the recession is doing to our young people. It affects their earnings, their careers and their futures.”