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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“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Can you advise the House who the Minister of Health is today, given the statement that the Minister's resignation will not take place until 11 May and that another Minister will take joint responsibility for some of the tasks?”
“Minister, this is an inevitable change to the court service estate. When other jurisdictions have reorganised their courts, they have modernised the facilities, brought in electronic facilities and provided a great deal more online services for members of the legal professions. What action plan do you have in place to do that for the courthouses here as the project moves forward?”
“It is a quick question. In telling us about what the Ulster Unionist Party has done with regard to water charges, perhaps he will explain what happened to his £100 per household water charge party policy in 2007.”
“On the point of Sinn Féin not taking its seats, I am sure that Lord Morrow will agree with me that the hundreds of thousands of pounds that have been taken by way of expenses for those seats that are not taken in Westminster is a sort of halfway house between taking your seat and not taking your seat. Perhaps he would like to comment on the sums of money that have been put into the coffers of Sinn Féin by the British Government and the British Parliament that they will not take their seats in.”
“Once again, this should be about taking Northern Ireland forward, stepping out and stepping up on behalf of all the citizens of Northern Ireland. Sadly, the citizens of East Belfast cannot have the choice of Mrs Dobson's party because it is not standing there. This is not about cash; this is about building a Northern Ireland that all our citizens can be proud of, a Northern Ireland that will stop being the illiberal backwater it is so often perceived as, so that we can play a meaningful and proud role representing all the citizens of Northern Ireland.”
“The SDLP is similar. It has a leader whose views on a range of issues would likely see that Member excluded from its sister party. It cannot even keep to its word here in Stormont on such key agreements as the Stormont House Agreement, so how on earth would any national Government trust it in Westminster? Of course, ultimately, Sinn Féin is just a bystander in the real politics of Westminster, never mind its baggage.”
“I hate to pour cold water on the coalition ambitions of the parties here, but what sane party of national government in the United Kingdom would go near either the DUP or the SDLP? The DUP is a party that talks about British emblems and symbols but wishes to exempt Northern Ireland from the social progress made in the rest of the United Kingdom and is keen to ignore British values of liberal democracy and tolerance. It is a party that does not have a single female candidate.”
“The party that complains, grandstands and allows us to be vulnerable to Tory cuts but cannot bring itself to do the right things and represent its constituents where it matters. All that stands in stark contrast to the Member for East Belfast, Naomi Long. She does not have two or three jobs, she has one job: representing the citizens of East Belfast with energy, enthusiasm and dedication. She will do that again in this election. <BR /> <BR />It is time that Members of Parliament, whatever party they come from in Northern Ireland, stop taking out the begging bowl and, instead, want to be returned as confident Members of Parliament to try to move this country forward.”
“Its leader has only voted in 27 % of the Divisions. In fact, Dr McDonnell cost the taxpayer over £3,000 for every vote that he makes in Westminster. I will leave it up to the Members of this House to decide whether that is money well spent or not. How on earth can we be expected to take lessons on influencing government from the SDLP, when it only shows up for 27% of the votes? Perhaps Dr McDonnell can confirm to the electorate — of course, he is not here today — whether he will continue the shameful double-jobbing, providing a poor service to his constituents and ignoring the consensus that it is a disgraceful situation to maintain. <BR /> <BR />That brings us to the elephant in the room: the party that stands for election but does not take its seats.”
“Surely that is what the 18 Members of the last mandate in Westminster must and should have been doing. Certainly, I know one Member who has been doing that: Naomi Long, the Member for East Belfast. She has been delivering for the citizens of Northern Ireland and for the people of East Belfast. She voted in over half of the divisions in the previous Parliament, and she has been a strong voice for progressive politics in many areas. She influences, and, if Sinn Féin wants to know about welfare cuts and why it feels that its abstentionism has benefited the citizens of Northern Ireland, you only have to look to the record of an MP like Naomi Long, who has influenced legislation at Westminster to the point of change. <BR /> <BR />Of course, let us look, by stark contrast, at the party that tabled the motion.”
“I welcome the opportunity to take part in the Assembly's election broadcast on behalf of the SDLP, the Ulster Unionist Party, the DUP and Sinn Féin, whether they are taking their seats or not. <BR /> <BR />We have had five years of Tory-led Government in Northern Ireland. It is difficult to describe them as good years, whether it has been cuts, foreign policy or a wide range of other issues that that Government have embarked on for all citizens in the United Kingdom. I welcome the opportunity for a change of Government in Whitehall, but the wording of the motion somewhat perturbs me. It calls for Members to be returned to seek:”
“I agree: they should tell us what they know. <BR /> <BR />Tackling fuel laundering requires a coordinated, cross-border and efficient approach. I know that the Minister will tell us about how he and his colleague across the border, together with HMRC, the NCA, the PSNI and the Garda Síochána, have been working to achieve that, but it requires all of us in the House to give our utmost political backing to dealing with this blight so that we can remove it from society, protect our environment, protect people's health and vehicles and ensure that the resources of which our state is being deprived are put where they need to be — in our hospitals and schools.”
“I find that deeply troubling, and, if that is the case for any of the participants, they should immediately cease such activities and work with the police to end this debased and highly illegal industry. After being questioned on whether his comments related to Sinn Féin, the EU Agriculture Commissioner said:”
“Nonetheless, the problem cannot be dealt with on only one side of the border. It requires a holistic approach across the entire island, and, therefore, I am encouraged by the unprecedented levels of cooperation between the PSNI and the gardaí. Nevertheless, we need greater political commitment here to truly tackle this on the ground and in local communities with the assistance of the Policing Board and the policing and community safety partnerships. <BR /> <BR />Others have referred to who some of the criminal gangs may be. I read with interest the comments of the Irish EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, in March, in which he asserted:”
“The price of fuel has tumbled, as we know, making this crime perhaps less profitable, but, as others have said, the proceeds of these crimes are being turned to other crimes. Furthermore, this month, HMRC introduced new red diesel dye in coordination with authorities in the Republic of Ireland. HMRC expects that action to stamp down on fuel laundering massively — we will see — putting it out of the reach of the majority of criminals. I hope that that will be the case. I also expect the National Crime Agency's full resources and time, much of which we were deprived of for over a year, to now help with tackling this form of organised crime. That is why I will gladly support the amendment proposed by the SDLP today. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned, tax evasion is mostly an excepted matter and a UK-wide matter.”
“<BR /> <BR />Environmental damage is inflicted by criminals who dump toxic sludge with wanton disregard in our countryside, waste that, as others have said, ends up in our rivers, lakes and water supplies, killing wildlife and foliage and contaminating land and water. Meanwhile, the bill is left to us, the ordinary tax-paying public. Between June 2012 and December 2014, the Environment Agency cleared some 340 incidences of fly-tipping of fuel-laundered waste involving nearly 3,000 tonnes of material at a cost of nearly £1 million. That money, as others have said, could be spent on schools, hospitals and other public services. <BR /> <BR />I believe that we are beginning to turn the tide of fuel laundering. Thirty-eight plants were dismantled last year, compared with 13 in 2003-04.”
“I also welcome the opportunity to speak on the important issue that we are dealing with today. I support the motion and the amendment. <BR /> <BR />As others have said, fuel laundering has been a worrying, damaging and pervasive problem in Northern Ireland. Although it is primarily an excepted matter, HMRC and local authorities have been working to tackle the problem for many years. Many people see fuel laundering as a victimless crime, as has been said, but nothing could be further from the truth. Many are terrorised by criminal gangs in their own community. They are not only being terrorised, but, as Mr McGlone said, they are being poisoned by their neighbours, by people whom they may go to church with or shop with — people whom they know in their own community.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. In addition to £1 million, he has further funds available in the carrier bag fund. Will he use those to create a challenge fund this year? Would he not be better actually diverting all those funds to support the NIEA organisations with which his Department has a service-level agreement?”
“I do not think I can go any further this morning in this case than by repeating the words of the Minister of Justice:”
“He has also reminded us that to deal with this case the House and wider society in Northern Ireland need to be able to come together to deal with the very complex, very difficult, very hurtful and very important issue of how we deal with the past as a society.”
“I do not intend to take a great deal of time, other than to remind the House once again that there are two families today who are living through this debate. There is the family of Adrian Carroll and the family of Colin Worton and, indeed, Colin Worton himself. <BR /> <BR />By way of summing up, I acknowledge the measured way in which all Members have contributed to the debate. However, they also need to acknowledge the situation that the Minister of Justice finds himself in. Today, he has given the House a clear and concise setting-out of the position he has as Minister and in the role that he holds in the Department of Justice in respect of the case.”
“I would like just to finish, thank you. <BR /> <BR />I trust that today's debate can bring comfort to Mr Worton. I genuinely hope that it will do that. I wish to repeat the words that I said earlier: Mr Worton was found to be not guilty by the proper authorities of the law. On that basis, I hope that other Members will join me in supporting the amendment and recognise that, while the Minister cannot provide compensation to Mr Worton, we can all speak with one voice when we acknowledge that Mr Worton has not been convicted of any crime relating to the murder of Adrian Carroll.”
“I hear what Mr Allister says, and, indeed, my next line will perhaps explain my difficulty in answering him. I am neither a barrister nor a lawyer, and I recognise that this is a complex, unfortunate and troubling case. I am sure and am convinced that the Minister of Justice will look at all the avenues and explore every aspect in respect of this case and other cases that have similar legal complexities attached to them.”
“The Minister of Justice cannot provide compensation to Mr Worton as he has, I believe and understand, not the means to do this. However, the House can clearly and unequivocally state that, although the Department of Justice is not in a position to provide compensation, it remains plainly the fact that Mr Worton has been acquitted of the murder of Adrian Carroll, something that we must clearly highlight.”
“It is for that reason that I propose the amendment to the motion today:”
“I think, like most people, we will have real sympathy for the experience of Colin Worton. It is deeply regrettable that he was ever placed in this position. I have spoken to the Minister of Justice at length on the issue. His Department has looked at the case from a wide variety of angles and with appropriate advice. Indeed, there was a review of it following the evidence of the Historical Enquiries Team (HET). However, unfortunately, it is simply outside the Department of Justice's abilities to provide compensation for Mr Worton because he was never actually convicted of a crime. I trust that the Minister will further develop on this detail. However, it is at the very heart and crux of the matter that Mr Worton is not eligible for compensation because, unlike the three others convicted at trial in that case, he was acquitted.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. In his comment, Mr Allister referred to the Alliance Party supporting 50:50 for RUC/PSNI recruitment. That is simply untrue.”
“In view, therefore, of the detailed scrutiny that the rule has already been subjected to, the Ad Hoc Committee agreed that no further evidence was required to inform its decision-making. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, having considered all of the evidence in relation to the proposed statutory rule, the Ad Hoc Committee has recommended that it be approved by the Assembly, and therefore I commend the report to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />Perhaps I should outline the purpose of the statutory rule. One of the responsibilities of the AGNI is to provide guidance on human rights standards to a list of criminal justice organisations. The statutory rule in question seeks to add the PSNI to the list of organisations to whom guidance is issued. The Committee for Justice has given detailed consideration to the proposed statutory rule, including taking oral evidence from the Attorney General. Having completed its scrutiny of the rule, the Committee for Justice has recommended that it be approved by the Assembly. The Examiner of Statutory Rules has also carried out his technical scrutiny of the rule, and his report confirms that it contains no technical defects.”
“On behalf of the Ad Hoc Committee I am pleased to bring to the House today the Committee’s report on its consideration of the statutory rule entitled the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2004 (Amendment of section 8(4)) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015. The statutory rule has been laid by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland, whom I shall refer to as AGNI, and is subject to the draft affirmative resolution procedure. <BR /> <BR />As Members are aware, statutory rules that are subject to draft affirmative resolution are normally brought to the Chamber in the form of a motion, usually moved by the relevant Minister. This statutory rule, however, has been laid by the AGNI and, as he cannot table a motion to allow the rule to be considered by the Assembly, the Ad Hoc Committee was established to facilitate the bringing forward of the rule.”
“I am sure that the Minister will agree that Mr Maginness may be reading Public Accounts Committee reports from the rest of the United Kingdom but, in Northern Ireland, you, Minister, have been working hard to ensure that the reforms that you will make to legal aid are nuanced and are not slavishly following what is happening in the rest of the United Kingdom.”
“Finally, the Criminal Legal Aid (Disclosure of Information) Rules will include a safeguard that ensures that the director and the Department cannot disclose information if it relates to the defence of an individual or may be used for the purposes of a prosecution. <BR /> <BR />I believe that the regulations will produce a more efficient, user-friendly and sensible legal system for the people of Northern Ireland. Safeguards have been included to ensure that the system functions effectively and in response to the comments made through consultation. I welcome the changes, which do have and will have an effect on how our legal aid system is developed in the future.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, if you will permit me, I will reference the four regulations that are in front of us rather than make four separate speeches. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the developments that the new regulations bring to our legal system in addition to the safeguards built into the system. For example, decisions on funding will be based on individual cases, and additional safeguards will be put in place to ensure that those decisions are not influenced by external interference. For appeals, people will have access to a robust and independent appeal mechanism to consider appeals on an individual basis.”
“Minister, thank you for the information that you have given the House so far on the University of Ulster's project at York Street. Can the Minister tell us what action he has taken with the university to ensure that this important development includes a genuine opportunity for shared space in that part of north Belfast? On cross-cutting issues, what action has he taken with the Regional Development Minister to encourage the Yorkgate interchange?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Since he has not been willing or able to give that cast-iron guarantee, what contingency will he be able to make in his incredibly optimistic budget plans?”
“Ultimately, achieving a prosperous east Antrim relies on us all working together to attract business investment into the area. That requires action at council level, Stormont and Westminster. We must act to create a united, cohesive and highly skilled community that is ready to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the 21st century.”
“We must continue to lobby DETI and relevant infrastructure companies to ensure that we are keeping pace.”
“The Minister needs to investigate the possibility of a free-flowing junction in the Larne to Belfast direction to provide access from the port right across the island of Ireland. The Regional Development Minister needs to look at the utilisation of the Larne railway line for more than just passenger services. <BR /> <BR />Infrastructure is important. Others have made reference to communication technologies, particularly broadband. LEDCOM has impressed upon me the need for us to keep ahead. Although 90% of Northern Ireland has access to fibre-optic broadband and is one of the best connected regions in Europe, we must not fall behind in that. That is a message that LEDCOM has been pressing home to me. In the area of digital communication, we must not rest on our laurels; technology is forever changing.”
“DETI needs to investigate what can be done to encourage lower pricing and more competition on the North Channel routes. In the end, we will all benefit from attracting greater numbers of people to the area. <BR /> <BR />One of the more transformative projects is, of course, the upgrade of the Shore Road and a dual carriageway all the way to Carrickfergus. People and businesses will genuinely be able to benefit from this in their journey into east Antrim. I hope that this will also eventually dovetail with the planned upgrade of the York Street interchange. In addition, the A8 marks a significant milestone of development of the port of Larne, one that will contribute to the development of a prosperous Northern Ireland. Traffic will flow more efficiently from the port. However, we need to deal with the issue at Sandyknowes.”
“I will continue to press the case for gas to Whitehead and beyond into other rural areas. I call on the Utility Regulator to look into this. <BR /> <BR />Tourism represents one of the biggest opportunities for jobs in east Antrim, and, therefore, we need to completely reinvigorate our towns to attract tourists. Attractions such as Carrickfergus Castle, the new Gobbins pathway and the glens are exceptional assets. The Enterprise Minister must ensure that they are developed and marketed to their fullest potential. Our ferry connection to Scotland through Larne is an enviable strength, bringing tourists and business to our doorstep. However, constituents have expressed to me their concerns about the high cost of travel to and from Scotland. This is hurting our potential as a tourist destination.”
“I acknowledge that. I also acknowledge the changing environment in which many of those programmes are delivered. <BR /> <BR />We need to access efficient and reliable energy sources, which includes electricity but, crucially, mains gas supply. Investors from around the world do not want to look at dirty fuels. Since the 1990s, east Antrim has benefited from a natural gas supply, an innovation that, as the Minister announced today, much of Northern Ireland is only starting to see. Larne is exceptionally placed in this regard, only miles from the main gas interconnector to Scotland. However, there are parts of east Antrim and the A2 corridor that still lose out. Towns like Whitehead have to rely on oil and other fuels rather than benefit from natural gas.”
“East Antrim has much to offer by way of infrastructure, skills and knowledge. All MLAs from East Antrim must work tirelessly to market east Antrim plc to the world.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, we have not escaped the effects of the recent economic storms, and our high streets have suffered the effects of economically straitened times and require meaningful support and reinvigoration. However, I believe that we can build on our previous successes, our shared history and our industry to create a truly dynamic and united and prosperous area of enterprise where everyone has the chance for employment and gaining skills in a safe and socially just community.”
“It is perhaps worth reminding ourselves that the A2 corridor runs all the way from Whiteabbey, Jordanstown and Greenisland through Carrickfergus, Whitehead and Larne and extends all the way to Cushendun in the far north of the constituency. We are a constituency of contrasts, but I am always relentlessly positive when it comes to East Antrim. I believe that East Antrim should and does have a can-do rather than a can't-do attitude. We are a constituency of learning and skills development, with an exceptional university and further education colleges. We also have an amazing coastline and a unique and rich history, accompanied by tourism and traditional industries.”
“Thank you, Minister, for taking us to the Final Stage of the Budget Bill. First of all, I apologise on behalf of my colleague Judith Cochrane, who has followed this debate through, but, given the lateness of the hour and childcare arrangements, it is not practical for her to be in the House at this time of night. Perhaps that is a lesson to us all. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party has opposed the Budget at various stages of the debate. Those have been times when the Budget has been available and amenable to amendment and change. We made those points strongly and validly, but tonight is the time to pass the Budget into legislation to deliver to Departments and to Ministers and to allow them to continue to do the work of the Assembly under the Budget that has been allocated. Therefore, we will support the Budget this evening.”
“We support the Department's amendments in group 2 and encourage the House to press on with this legislation; allow us to monitor it over time; deal with it; and deliver for everyone in Northern Ireland, including the most vulnerable, thereby allowing them to have an opportunity to receive the appropriate benefits, and encourage a society that will drive forward and deliver jobs.”
“I agree with the Member. This community, this society, and this Assembly need to move on from the type of debate we have been having and remember where people are in terms of jobs, employment and opportunities. I should not miss the opportunity to mention the people in east Antrim who, many years ago, had excellent opportunities for employment but who today struggle like everyone else across Northern Ireland to have employment. <BR /> <BR />I will be very brief, Mr Speaker.”
“<BR /> <BR />What is not to be forgotten in all of this are the most vulnerable in society, and that is what we are attempting to do here with these mitigating factors. We are also trying to do something a great deal more than that. Not only are we here to protect the most vulnerable in society but to build our economy, including our corporation tax; to deliver jobs and get people out of the poverty they are in; to tackle the issue of west Belfast once and for all; and to deal with the health inequalities and the employment inequalities for every citizen in Northern Ireland. That is what I believe we have been elected here to do.”
“I also will be brief. I support the amendments put forward by the Department in group 2. I particularly welcome amendment No 24, which will place a duty on the Department to publish a report on the operation of this legislation within three years of Royal Assent. This provides us with a further guarantee with regard to the implementation and the propriety of that implementation. <BR /> <BR />We have heard much today and in the previous debate about those who wished to deny that which they supported in the Stormont Castle agreement or the Stormont House Agreement. At one stage, the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party claimed that he had brokered the entire deal, particularly in respect of welfare reform, but that all seems to have been forgotten.”
“Perhaps if we are in disagreement over whether people should be pushed off the edge or encouraged into employment, would he at least agree that squandering £1 million on poor teacher training and investing that £1 million in better education that will deliver better students, better teachers and better people for jobs is a way forward?”