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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“The Alliance Party motion that I have proposed is to end all forms of paramilitarism. My party, for quite a number of years, and when in and out of government, has resolutely opposed paramilitarism and unambiguously supported the rule of law and human rights. In the wake of the murders in the summer of 2015 and the resultant political crisis, Alliance proposed a fresh commitment to tackle and disband paramilitaries — necessary to reinforce the rule of law and to complete the move to a normal society. Ministerial walkouts, and Ministers walking in and out, highlighted, for the public at least, how serious the issue was being taken at the time. Next week sees the first anniversary of the so-called Fresh Start Agreement, but recent events leave open the question as to how genuinely committed some political parties and Ministers are.”
“Thank you, Minister. Is the reality of the situation that you raised unrealistic expectations with both Belfast International Airport and United Airlines by your action in taking the ministerial direction? Is the reality of the situation that what we actually need is a clear economic strategy for Northern Ireland that will deliver jobs and businesses, which will drive businesses to want to have air connectivity to the United States and beyond? A clear economic strategy is what will deliver sustainable airlines to us in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the junior Minister for that response. He is correct that a number of new groups have emerged, but I think that the clue is in the title of NICEM: it is the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities. It is the umbrella organisation for all the organisations that he referred to. It is important that that umbrella role is retained in Northern Ireland to represent all those new, emerging voices.”
“First Minister, are you not somewhat embarrassed by the way in which you seemed to sneak out the latest emanation of the Programme for Government on a Friday before a holiday? Much more importantly, is there not a paucity of targets in the document that has been delivered? I understand the point about finance, but surely a Programme for Government must have targets in it.”
“My concern is that if we start to confuse all of those elements, we make it more difficult for the parker, for enforcement and for shoppers and those who wish to trade on high streets and streets across our province where these rules are applicable. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party, as my colleague has said, will not support the motion, but we will support the amendment because it invites the Minister to provide further clarity but does not require him to reduce the penalty.”
“No one relishes the thought of having to pay a parking fine, but, unless the penalty — everybody knows what the penalty will be — is a large sum lodged in your head and very clearly known, then it fails to act as an appropriate deterrent. There is a derogation; it is reduced to £45. People accept that that is a reasonable sum to pay in the event of default. <BR /> <BR />There are also very clear guidelines. There are Members in the Chamber who have tried to throw up some smoke and mirrors in terms of the operation of parking enforcement officers. The reality is that they work to very strict guidelines on the amount of additional grace time given, which is exactly 10 minutes.”
“I am not arguing against myself — I am arguing that we want to make this clear. We need clarity on parking. When somebody parking on the street buys a ticket and puts it on their windscreen, the parking enforcement staff know when that person commenced their parking. If the first 30 minutes were free, it would be very difficult for them to know when that time started, particularly in Belfast and other towns where on-street parking is important to create a flow and changeover of people parking. That is the real lifeblood for shops and businesses and for appointments and cash machines on the street that people are required to use. <BR /> <BR />Members have said today that they do not relish the thought of having to pay a parking fine.”
“I will be brief. My speech is primarily to support many of the points that my colleague Kellie Armstrong raised. I will concentrate on the proposal for the first 30 minutes of on-street car parking being free. That would prove incredibly problematic for the Minister, the Department, officials and, ultimately, those who have to enforce it on the ground. We all know that the traffic wardens have a route that they follow. They will know instantly when somebody has put a ticket —”
“I am concerned that the discussion that we have been having has been primarily, it sounds to me, in relation to off-street parking. The motion and the amendment are in respect of on-street parking and only on-street parking, so perhaps, when Members address that issue, they could address that issue.”
“I have to say that I regret your decision and announcement today, Minister. You indicated that this is a personal decision. How many other personal decisions have you made as Justice Minister? Do you not make decisions based on facts, figures and information? Surely that is how to make a decision, not on a personal whim.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. Recommendation 6 requires additional funding for the transformation and transition. Have you secured that money from your Executive colleagues?”
“I thank the Member for giving way, and I concur with all that he is saying, particularly where he suggests that we will constantly need a new influx of nurses into Northern Ireland, whether that is through training or through trained nurses coming to us from other parts of the world or the EU. Will he agree that we should not be placing any barriers to those coming into the United Kingdom other than those of qualification? The sorts of barriers that exist in Northern Ireland to people coming here are freedom of movement and, indeed, sadly, racism.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. May I add to the tourist event that is Scarva the Orange pageant at Carrickfergus Castle? Sadly, Minister, there is a very dark and sometimes very negative side to some bands and, indeed, to organisations that march around the Province of Northern Ireland. What actions will you take to deal with the negative image that many of these events conjure up? I encourage you to support events such as the Orange pageant in Carrickfergus and others that send out a more positive signal.”
“It is important that we strive to overcome those prejudices and redirect our resources towards the most vulnerable and isolated groups in Northern Ireland. The Alliance Party will support the motion and the amendment.”
“We need a Bill that revises fair employment monitoring to ensure that monitoring better reflects the diversity of mixed and multiple identities in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I extend my support to the amendment because the issue of racism in Northern Ireland needs to be dealt with at every level of government. As Mr Carroll said, without an action plan, a timetable and key priorities, the task is just the greater. A Programme for Government reflecting this obligation is required. Today, my plea on behalf of the Alliance Party is to implore the First Minister and deputy First Minister to prioritise the strategy. We, in the Chamber, know what happens when irrational prejudices are allowed to fester in this society and community.”
“It is intrinsically linked to dealing with sectarianism. Yet, in practice, public policy is shaped more in dealing with the things that divide unionists and nationalists, nationalists and unionists. The isolation that the ethnic minority groups feel in Northern Ireland is a result of being considered last. Is it that we are working so hard to heal our sectarian divisions that we ignore the divisions and problems of minority and ethnic communities in Northern Ireland? <BR /> <BR />We need to embrace the proposals of the strategy, and we need to implement it in full — not small steps. We need to develop it in full. We need to introduce a single equality Bill, harmonise and update existing equality and anti-discrimination measures and strengthen equality provisions.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I totally agree with the Member. Has the fair employment legislation been reviewed? Has the delivery model for the minority ethnic development fund been reviewed? On paper, dealing with racism is considered an important issue by the Executive.”
“My colleague Chris Lyttle recently received a response to a question on the racial equality strategy, with an update on how it was progressing. The answer outlined three points proposed in the strategy that had been acted upon. That is three out of 11. I do not think in anybody's book that can be seen as a success. <BR /> <BR />Where is the Minister of Education today to update us on how he has identified ways to tackle racist bullying in schools? Where is the Minister of Justice to tell us about her plans to develop an approach to tackling race hate crime — indeed, if any of that is happening at all?”
“One wonders why Sinn Féin and the DUP criticise opposition when they seem themselves, as the Opposition, to criticise their own Ministers. It is not even the first time this week that the inability of the Executive to function has resulted in their own parties having to come to the Chamber with motions to try to motivate them to do their jobs. <BR /> <BR />And here we see the consequences of the lack of action — a barely implemented strategy for dealing with a problem that, if not dealt with, will have a continuing and ongoing damaging impact on the whole of Northern Ireland and our communities for decades to come. Racism in Northern Ireland — the strategy addresses this — impacts housing, schools, jobs and healthcare, yet somehow there has been failure to implement the strategy.”
“Racism in Northern Ireland has, perhaps, become more disturbing over the last number of years, and we have already heard of the types of incidents and issues that arise in our constituencies when it comes to race hate and crimes. I had expected to spend most of my time discussing the complexities of dealing with racism in Northern Ireland, and, indeed, the racial equality strategy. Unfortunately, and rather ridiculously, my argument will have to focus on another issue: the failure of the Executive and Executive delay. <BR /> <BR />I am standing with my party and Opposition colleagues somewhat bemused as Sinn Féin brings forward a motion calling on their own deputy First Minister and his Executive colleague Arlene Foster to implement the strategy.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue. As others Members have already noted and highlighted, racism is a profound problem in this community and society. Indeed, we are often dubbed in the regional and national media as a race hate capital in Europe. <BR /> <BR />There have recently been some decreases in reported racism, and that is to be welcomed. However, emphasis has to be placed on the word "reported"; sadly and all too often it is the unreported crimes that should give us the greatest concern. <BR /> <BR />I will begin by thanking our colleague Mr Lynch for bringing a motion on such an important issue, and we will support it. However, the Government are not really doing their job.”
“— given the situation that we find ourselves in, can he point to any trade or employers' organisation in Northern Ireland that agrees with his analysis?”
“It is important for us to continue to negotiate with states within the European Union and maintain our links with the single market. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I say to the Minister directly that, while he has clearly set out a cogent argument of where we need to go now and in the future with our trade and exports for Northern Ireland — I do not necessarily disagree with what he says —”
“No, I have to finish. I entirely agree with the Member. Indeed, to the best of my knowledge, none of those nations or states that he referred to has indicated at any time that it would be better for the United Kingdom to be out of the EU and out of the single market. In fact, it is my understanding that every single one of them wants us to remain in the single market and would have preferred that we remained in the EU.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Allister referred to the benefits of deals with the World Trade Organization. That may very well be true, but the reality is that the word is "negotiation". It is a two-way street, and those negotiations are currently undertaken on our behalf by key and skilled negotiators. The Government have admitted that they do not have such negotiators in the United Kingdom, and those skills will have to be built up over time.”
“— but, as I have said, the trading deficit is what we need to keep our eye on. <BR /> <BR />Today is about the economics of remaining in the single market. The politics, and the future of the UK and the EU, are a debate for another day. Sadly, for every positive export story, there are negative stories. Recently, lorry drivers in my constituency of East Antrim have been telling me of their fears and concerns as owner-drivers and small companies. They have to drive across Europe, and they fear the red tape and additional problems that they will face — if, indeed, they have any business to do on behalf of their clients in a single market in the future. Access to the single market is what the debate is about; it is what it should always have been about. It is somewhat disappointing that the DUP failed to include that in its motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Forty years of trading relationships — building trust, building exports, building stability and, as other Members said, building beyond is the legacy of the EU and what it has done in trade negotiations. Export figures are to be welcomed —”
“<BR /> <BR />Today is about sending out a strong signal that the European single market is important to the future of the United Kingdom, and it is important to the future of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Much has been said about improved exports. While all of that is true, a stable pound is the most important thing for our economy. A volatile pound is not what is needed for this economy; it is what will, ultimately, lead to a very volatile market situation. While we can all laud the improvements in exports, the widening deficit between imports and exports in the United Kingdom is the figure that we should be keeping an eye on, and it has reached an eye-watering £4·7 billion.”
“This is not about the specifics — the nuts and bolts — of how all of that is to be achieved. The Prime Minister and, hopefully, the Executive and the Executive Office will be involved in those matters as they evolve. <BR /> <BR />It is clear that the referendum result has to be accepted. We cannot have a rerun of the question that was put to the country earlier this year, but there has to be a democratic grip on the process. It is quite clear that the Prime Minister is very unkeen to let go of the undemocratic grip that she has on the process by so far refusing to allow her MPs even to debate the matter. However, that debate will have to take place not only in Westminster but in this place, Scotland and Wales.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. First, I thank my colleague Stephen Farry for moving the amendment today and for the reference that he made to the importance of the single market in that. Indeed, I thank colleagues in the Chamber from Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP who have indicated their support for the amendment as well. <BR /> <BR />This is about sending out a clear signal that unites pro- and anti-Brexiteers in this debate: the single market is vital to the future success not only of Northern Ireland but of the United Kingdom.”
“When it comes to the delivery of the grant, what guarantee can you give that the schemes attract shared and open space?”
“Thank you, Minister. Will you indicate to the House what positive conditions are attached to urban development grants to ensure that the schemes seek and draw together open and shared spaces?”
“Thank you, Minister, for the answers to your questions thus far. Given the evidence that fluoride is one of the major contributors to improvements in dental health and hygiene, what action are you taking to ensure that it could be placed in our public water supply?”
“Thank you Minister. Will you tell us what your target is for the level of Prison Service resourcing for employment and skills and for health and well-being?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will she agree with me that the lack of weed control on footpaths and roads is now leading to serious surface damage and that that in itself will place a greater burden on repairs? If the Minister had proceeded to deal with the spraying of weeds, he would not now be facing additional bills for weeds damaging road surfaces.”
“Do you agree with me that, if languages are to succeed, short-termism will not work and that linguistic development is needed?”
“Thank you, Minister, for the statement that you have made today. There is a stark contrast in the achievements that you set out in your statement between those of the Ulster-Scots Agency, which focused on events, and Foras na Gaeilge, which facilitated linguistic development through its online dictionary and summer camps etc.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers. He has part-answered my question with regards to vintage wedding cars and drivers. Given the mess left behind by the previous Minister, will he guarantee that, in this mandate, he will resolve the issue and sort out the nonsense?”
“I thank the junior Minister for the response she has given. I welcome what the summer camps do, particularly in creating and fostering friendships, but can she tell the House how those friendships can develop into genuine reconciliation between communities in Northern Ireland? Is that aspect of the Together: Building a United Community summer camps being audited by the Department?”
“I thank Mr Girvan for giving way. Does he also recognise that, in order to achieve his ambitions for additional rail services in that part of South Antrim, the Minister needs to give serious consideration to the dualling of the Dargan Bridge as it crosses the river at York Street? Unless that is included in the York Street interchange, none of the rail improvements referred to will ever be able to happen because of the engineering contingencies of the interchange.”
“Thank you, First Minister. Given that one of the ambitions of many through the Good Friday Agreement was to secure additional citizenship rights for people in Northern Ireland, and given our unique citizenship position in Northern Ireland, what efforts will you make, along with the deputy First Minister, to protect those rights as negotiations continue towards Brexit?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for bringing the report to us. What does intensifying their close working relationship entail with regard to the Irish Permanent Representation and the Northern Ireland Executive office in Brussels? How long do you expect that intensive relationship to last, and will the Northern Ireland Executive maintain its office in Brussels after the UK leaves the European Union — if it ever does?”
“With the lack of certainty on funding, we must ensure that that is done and that we use all the best and most innovative ways of delivering housing, so that we can take the stress away from people's need to select the appropriate accommodation for them and their families and their lifestyle in terms of employment, age and medical or other conditions. It is important that we do that, recognising that we need to move towards a more integrated and open society that allows people to live where they want to live, in a society that is shared and open for everyone. The Alliance Party is happy to support the Minister in bringing forward appropriate recommendations for public discussion on housing selection.”
“<BR /> <BR />The current common selection scheme should not be the only option for people in Northern Ireland, and we need to invest much more heavily in co-ownership and encourage people to get involved in mutual exchanges. We should also look to develop other types of housing that will deliver for most people in need in our communities. <BR /> <BR />Minister Givan recently highlighted to the Committee the fact that £6·5 billion was needed over the next 30 years to address the upkeep of social housing in Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I wholly respect what Mr McCann is saying, but, if he will allow me, I will make the point now rather than later that we need not only to review the scheme but, ultimately, to provide a much wider choice in the properties that are available, and that includes building them and providing them through other innovative schemes and methodologies. If we can widen the base, it will allow people to do what I genuinely believe they want to do, which is choose the appropriate house to live in rather than having it chosen for or thrust upon them, which is so often the problem that we face in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />There are many recommendations in a joint University of Ulster and University of Cambridge paper on the matter but there are three areas, in particular, that should be of importance to the House and the Minister when considering a review of the housing selection scheme. First, moving away from the current points-based system would allow us to move to what is described as an active choice-based approach. This would allow people to see what is happening in the social housing market and to actively bid on properties that they are entitled to. On the surface, it would increase people's participation in the rehousing process and research has shown that this will increase success in obtaining a property.”
“I accept that no system is perfect. However, we are all aware of incidents in which the current points-based system is, and can be, manipulated, often out of genuine desperation by those who see no prospect of being rehoused in a reasonable time frame. Sadly, all of us have to deal with victims of real intimidation, and survivors and victims of the past whose current housing need is completely unsuited to their deteriorating health and conditions. We need to ensure that any new system continues to protect those people without incentivising poor behaviour. Accordingly, a replacement must be sought for the housing selection scheme.”
“People facing housing stress use the current common selection scheme because it is supposed to focus on securing housing for those in need. Yet, as referred to by colleagues, quite often it is those in need that the system fails; for example, people living in hostels, family circumstances and all of the other issues that come to the doorsteps of MLA constituency offices.”
“I rise to support the motion in the House this afternoon. Provision and allocation of housing has been, and remains, an extremely contested area in our society in Northern Ireland. The work of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the common selection scheme ensures equality and fairness but we need to deliver better than this for our citizens in the future. We need to ensure that any scheme continues to deliver equity, fairness and transparency. None of these things should be underestimated in any allocation scheme. With 40,000 people waiting to gain access to housing, it is important to remember that many individuals and families have a variety of circumstances and reasons for needing to have appropriate housing. Others have given good examples of that in the Chamber this afternoon.”
“While I appreciate what the Minister has informed the House, why does he not appear to have the same confidence in school principals and boards of governors in Northern Ireland as his colleagues in England, Scotland and Wales, where, traditionally, they have given a much higher percentage of departmental budgets to schools for them to administer locally? After all, governors and school principals should know best how to deliver for their local schools.”