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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“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and of adults under the age of 40 in the United Kingdom. They kill more men under 70 than prostate cancer, more women under 35 than breast cancer and more children than leukaemia. Every day, 33 people in the United Kingdom will be diagnosed with a brain tumour, and over 5,000 will die from one each year. <BR /> <BR />Brain cancer is indiscriminate, affecting anyone at any age. There is no preventative measure and little benefit from early detection. Without research, funding and innovation, brain tumours will remain a death sentence for many. Overall cancer death rates have fallen by 20% in recent decades, but that is not the case for brain cancer.”
“As Members will be aware, I chair the all-party group (APG) on cancer. Today, I bring the House's attention to a cancer that desperately needs our focus: brain cancer. I will tell you about Rachael, who is in the Public Gallery. <BR /> <BR />Rachael is just 23 years old and the mother of a two-year-old. Last year, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. She has already outlived her initial prognosis yet continues to endure distressing and debilitating symptoms. Despite that, Rachael and her family have chosen not to remain silent but, rather, to campaign for change. On her behalf, I therefore ask Members to sign the United Kingdom Government and Parliament petition on brain cancer. I will send the link to all Members after I have made my statement. <BR /> <BR />Rachael's call is not only urgent but justified.”
“Minister, all of this feeds into the importance of climate action. Will you tell us what is happening and give us an update on your first climate action plan?”
“Thank you, Members, for listening to the debate. Very finally, as elected representatives, we have a duty to debunk the lies and untruths. We have a duty to give leadership and clarity. Sectarianism and racism are two sides of the same coin.”
“In addition to that, he has had to fork out over £23,000 for the right to remain in the United Kingdom while he is employed here. Most if not all of that money goes towards his healthcare, because he does not get free healthcare. We need to debunk the myths and explain to people the pressures that that puts on families and others who are here. That is not to suggest that we should not work from the ground up in the communities that I have worked and served in for the past 50-odd years, helping people in poverty to get food, helping people to raise their families and helping to deliver a fair and good education for them.”
“I hear what the Minister says. We need to get a sense of proportion. The numbers in Northern Ireland are tiny, and the impact on systems here is small in comparison, perhaps, with the rest of the United Kingdom. We need to set out the facts and explain who the small number of people are and where they have come from. The reality is that most people who come to Northern Ireland come here to work, do other jobs and contribute to society. <BR /> <BR />Let me just tell you briefly about the contribution that those people make to our society and community. Recently, I spoke to a constituent who happens to come from Pakistan. He teaches in one of our universities. His wife and two children are here. They are contributing. They pay tax and National Insurance. He has to earn an income above the threshold to work in the United Kingdom.”
“I want Ministers and others to state clearly what people do get. In particular, I want the Minister for Communities to do that, because he is responsible for many of the benefits that are given to people, or at least for the agencies that issue those benefits. I will give way to the Minister, who wanted to speak.”
“It is important that Departments come together and put up notices in every public building in Northern Ireland, be it our libraries, health centres or wherever, that say, "No, you do not get a laptop, a mobile phone and hundreds of pounds paid to you when you come to Northern Ireland as a migrant or an asylum seeker".”
“I have called, and I continue to call, on the Executive Office to do more, but I also call on all Departments to do what they have to do in order to build a better community for all in Northern Ireland to live in. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on an issue that other Members raised this evening. Recently, there has been so much misinformation out there. I spoke to the First Minister and the deputy First Minister when they came to the Committee for the Executive Office last week, and I commended them for their words about those incidents in the summer. I also said to them that, when they hear misinformation, they have a duty, as do the rest of the Government — Ministers in all Departments — to counter it with the truth.”
“I dealt with people who had been driven out of their home. One family had lived in my town for many years. They owned their home and worked in the health service, yet they were driven out by a group of thugs in the middle of the night. Despite protests about migrants coming here and taking our homes, that family ended up in social housing. Hopefully, they will be able to return to their property and restore it. Another lady and her family had come from a war zone, where they had been caught up in a terrible conflict. They also came here looking for safety, and, sadly, the community was not in a position to give them that safety. That is wrong. It will take a multi-departmental approach to fix those societal issues.”
“We need to realise, however, that we have to go beyond words of condemnation towards the practical realities of what will help us take Northern Ireland forward. It is up to the Executive Office to bring forward a refreshed good relations strategy as a successor to Together: Building a United Community. The Executive Office needs to step up, because we cannot allow the scenes that we witnessed this summer to continue. The words of Ministers, who have the privilege of holding office, are important, and we value the words that they said at the time of and following the incidents. It is, however, not just about words. We need them to turn their words into actions. <BR /> <BR />In my constituency of East Antrim this summer, I met people and listened to their stories about what had happened to them.”
“We should, however, be doing a great deal more — a massive amount — right from day 1 of people's lives to ensure that they have the best start, through having the best of education, the best of healthcare and the best of support in communities. We should then be able to deal with many of the issues that sadly arise in many communities because of the broken society and world in which we live. <BR /> <BR />It is saddening that we are discussing recent attacks on individuals in our communities. This past summer, we witnessed some horrific scenes not only in North Antrim but in my constituency of East Antrim. Reference was made to the terrible attack on Larne leisure centre. There were very serious threats to life, and we must condemn those threats. We have heard words of condemnation in the Chamber this evening.”
“Therefore, I say to those Members who felt that the motion was perhaps directed at one Department rather than another that, in reality, this is a whole-Executive debate. I also remind Members that the Justice Minister will be dealing with all the issues through her sentencing Bill, which will introduce a statutory aggravation model for hate crimes. <BR /> <BR />Other Members made a clear and valid point this evening. Long before we get to the justice system — the police, the courts, the prisons or whatever — we need to roll everything back and look at where we are at with education and healthcare and at how we build proper and safe communities. Doing that will not save us from the need of the police and the courts to deal with those who break the law. Of course it will not.”
“A sincere word of thanks to my colleague Kellie Armstrong for proposing the motion, and, indeed, to all the Members in the Chamber tonight who spoke on this very difficult subject. I thank them for the fact that I can genuinely say that we have coalesced around all the discussions and areas. As the Minister has just said, we are not going to agree on everything, but there is a commonality of thought and process in the Assembly this evening with regard to all of this. <BR /> <BR />I do not propose to go through all those who have spoken, but I will maybe remind one or two people about things that they said. A whole-Executive response is required when it comes to the issues that have been set out for us this evening.”
“If the organisers seek recognition of their culture, they must respect the rights and dignity of others. The Alliance Party wants bonfires to be genuine cultural celebrations that are lawful, safe and respectful. Until they reach that standard, they will continue to divide and to pose danger and risk to public health and the environment. In a society that is still healing from conflict, we cannot tolerate that. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party and I do not wish to do anything other than provide for respectful, safe and lawful bonfires, regardless of community or tradition. This is a cross-departmental issue that all Departments need to engage in. The motion is just a starting point. We need to move —”
“Bonfires need to be lawful. Permission from the landowner needs to be granted. Far too many bonfires are erected each year without the consent of the landowner. In my constituency of East Antrim, some bonfires are regarded as being traditional because of their location, but, in reality, permission has never been sought or granted. That not only undermines the rule of law but places the landowner at risk of legal liability. Bonfire organisers who are genuinely proud of demonstrating their culture and who want to produce a responsible bonfire should show respect for the rights of others and ensure that they operate within the law. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: bonfires should never be platforms for sectarianism, racism or intimidation. They should not be used to threaten neighbours, mark territory or spread hate.”
“We are also faced with the problem of toxic fumes from unregulated collected material. Contaminants, even including asbestos, from material such as tyres and plastic often find their way into bonfires, releasing dangerous pollutants into the air. Yes, the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition has been clear on this: bonfire materials should be "wood only" or beacon-style. That is what we need.”
“Stop shouting "Shame" at me. I agree with you that it is appropriate for young people to collect bonfire material, but let us try and move on to beacons.”
“When that includes vandalising trees, pulling apart pallets and doing things like that, then I do not agree with you. Where I do agree with you —.”
“I recognise that children and young people get involved in the collection of wood. That includes vandalising trees and pulling apart pallets and things like that.”
“Just this summer, a bonfire in south Belfast that was built alarmingly close to an electricity substation put the supply to two major hospitals under threat. I was a patient in Belfast City Hospital on the day of that fire, and my outpatient appointment had to be transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital because the City Hospital was under threat as a result of concerns about that substation. That is not just reckless; it is indefensible. We must remember the tragic loss of John Steele, who fell 50 ft to his death from a bonfire in Larne. The safest way forward is to replace the traditional bonfire structure with a prepared beacon, a purpose-built structure that would be safely —.”
“We saw sickening displays of effigies of political leaders, election posters of me, my party colleagues and many others in the Chamber and even grotesque racist imagery. In July, a bonfire in Moygashel was used to display and burn an effigy of a migrant boat complete with life-sized, dark-skinned mannequins in life jackets. That was not a celebration of culture; it was a blatant act of racism and hatred. Such displays have no place in any society, let alone a shared one. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, bonfires must be safe. I cannot stress that enough. That is not just about fire safety, although that is critical; it is about protecting nearby homes, businesses, electricity substations and even hospitals.”
“Perhaps, I can paint a slightly different picture of where the Alliance Party is coming from in respect of the matters. The Alliance Party has been clear: we recognise the wish of those who want to celebrate their culture with bonfires. At best, bonfires can be a genuine celebration of culture, history and community spirit. They can be opportunities for people to come together to mark that tradition and enjoy an event. However, celebration should never come at the expense of respect, safety or the law. The Alliance Party believes that all bonfires across Northern Ireland must meet those three clear principles: all bonfires must be respectful, safe and lawful. That is a reasonable ask of anyone. <BR /> <BR />First, bonfires need to be respectful. Sadly, this summer, too many were anything but that.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that, when a bonfire such as the one that she referred to in Meridi Street occurs, community leaders — those who hold position and respect in the community — have a duty and responsibility not to encourage people to enjoy the bonfire but to take responsible action and say, "We need to sort this out"?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. Minister, will you outline to the House what cross-border mechanisms, beyond those outlined in your previous answer, are open to you in tackling organised crime?”
“Minister, along with out-of-court disposals, will you outline the wider work being undertaken in the speeding up justice programme?”
“If you were a mother today in Gaza, not only can you not feed your children but you do not even have enough milk in your breast to feed your babies. Those are horrific and dreadful situations, and we, as politicians in the First World, have a real and serious duty to tell our national Government in London that they need to take action — action that they should have taken a long time ago — to end the genocide, the starvation and the humanitarian horror.”
“According to the report, tens of thousands of wounded individuals and amputees remain without adequate care. Many are discharged into horrifically impossible conditions, living in tents and rags, destroyed buildings or makeshift shelters. Yet the United Kingdom Government and, shamefully, people in this Chamber equivocate about offering First World medical care to a small number of children who could be evacuated here for that care. <BR /> <BR />Listen on. A parent says:”
“If more aid is not allowed into Gaza and a ceasefire is not called, it runs the risk of leading another cycle of intergenerational fear, hatred and violence that will make everyone in the region more unsafe and more unstable — something that we know about all too well in this small part of the world. <BR /> <BR />I stand here distressed because we are once again discussing horrors that cannot be imagined. However, do not listen to my words; listen to the words gathered and recorded by B’Tselem, a well-respected humanitarian human rights organisation, an NGO that collects unbiased reports across Israel and in Gaza:”
“Once again, I stand with Members to discuss the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza. In June, I said in the Chamber that, due to the withholding of food and aid, half a million people — a quarter of Palestinians in Gaza — were at risk of starvation and that Gaza was on the brink of famine. Shamefully, famine was confirmed in Gaza on 22 August, with the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report stating that famine was on track to spread to the rest of Gaza, where 640,000 people could be starving within six weeks if more aid is not allowed in. That is, by any measure, a humanitarian crisis. <BR /> <BR />I join fellow speakers who call for, first, an immediate ceasefire. The war is causing untold suffering.”
“Minister, you have made a reasonable amount of comment on the control of TB, but what other work have you been doing collaboratively, on a North/South basis, on improving animal health and disease prevention?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, turning again to the Loughs Agency, what discussion was there about the impact of climate change on fish stocks?”
“Minister, how has your Department been engaging with the Irish Government on the Asian hornet threat?”
“Further to that point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker, after the way in which you have just handled the specific matter of removing a Member from the Chamber, I invite you to look not only at the words that you used as she rose to raise her point of order but at the video recording. While I am on my feet, I suggest that some of the men in the Chamber reflect on the moans and groans that they made when a female Member was raising a legitimate point of order.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. The Member whom you have just unceremoniously removed from the Chamber was about to raise a point of order about comments made to her by the Minister in his statement. It was to ask how and when she could expect the written information that he indicated in the answer to her question. She wishes to know how she should approach the matter. Sadly, I have had to ask you that question on her behalf, Mr Deputy Speaker.”
“Minister, you stated that you wish to remove controlled assessments, where possible. How can you be confident that that decision is in the interests of all learners, many of whom perform better when the high-stakes pressure of an examination is removed?”
“I thank the junior Minister for the way the Bill is progressing. Has she or her civil servants had an opportunity to reflect on the recent television documentary that set out the situation in England regarding mother-and-baby homes? The lack of an apology from the United Kingdom Government means that we are at least a step ahead. Specifically, what liaison will her Department have with the authorities at Westminster to ensure that we get a both-islands approach to mother-and-baby homes?”
“I joined the Assembly in 2011 as Tommy left it. He was a highly respected Member of the Assembly. His legacy will be an enduring commitment to peace and reconciliation and to making this place work. I send my condolences to his family and comrades.”
“He was, as Members stated, a senior and trusted negotiator for the SDLP. I was fortunate to know him and have many conversations with him during those times and in those talks. <BR /> <BR />In describing the talks process, Tommy said:”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I pass on our condolences to the Gallagher family and to Tommy's colleagues and former colleagues in the SDLP. <BR /> <BR />I first met Tommy Gallagher through my involvement in local government. We often attended a range of training courses and other events for councillors, and I always found Tommy to be a powerful advocate for peace and reconciliation, coming as he did from a constituency that bore a heavy burden of the Troubles. <BR /> <BR />Tommy was always friendly and engaging in the world of local government. He was passionate about his community of Belleek and his roots in Ballyshannon. As Members said, he was an educator, and he taught in St Mary's High School, Brollagh, for nearly 30 years. Tommy made a very important contribution to the long and difficult road to the Good Friday Agreement.”
“First Minister, there are two other offices apart from the one in Washington. There is a bureau in Brussels and one in Beijing. What is your office doing to demonstrate that we are getting value for money from each of those offices? Undoubtedly, you will be aware of the fact that, at a recent meeting of the Executive Office Committee, there was severe criticism of the output, or perceived output, from the office in Beijing.”
“I thank the Finance Minister for his statement. Minister, I welcome your additional support for the PSNI. However, I want to place on record my regret that £5 million, which you have had to allocate to the PSNI, had to be spent in relation to the recent riots that took place and on support from Police Scotland. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you ring-fenced £7 million for the Department of Justice for future monitoring rounds. What assurances can you give the House that the Department will be required to demonstrate efficiency in the use of that funding?”
“Thank you, First Minister. I welcome the reference in the NSMC statement to the mother-and-baby homes and, in particular, to the ongoing cooperation and the lessons that have been learned from the Irish redress model. Is she able to tell us specifically what operational policy insights, particularly around delays and uptake of posthumous claims, have influenced the current drafting of and implementation plans for the Northern Ireland scheme, which she has announced in the legislation?”
“— and once we name it, we have responsibilities.”
“We have seen what red lines mean in practice. The time for statements is over. The evidence is there. The destruction is there. The suffering is unbearable. If we do not act now, we are failing the Palestinian citizens, we are failing ourselves and we are failing our humanity. Let us be clear: that is genocide, not metaphorically, but legally, under the genocide convention, —”
“Almost the entire population has been displaced, living in shelters with no clean water, sanitation or medicine. Infectious diseases are rampant. The toll on children is beyond comprehension. On average, 35 children are killed every day; 20,000 have died since 7 October. Some arrive at emergency clinics with gunshot wounds, others are dying of hunger. For those who survive, the trauma will never leave them. <BR /> <BR />For too long, Israel has acted with impunity. Despite widespread evidence of war crimes, despite rulings from international courts, Governments and institutions have stayed silent or quiet. That silence is complicity, yet recent statements from the UK, France and Canada have warned of the consequences if Israel does not end its assault and lift the blockade. However, we have heard that before.”
“No, I want to make progress and complete my speech. I have a lot to say. <BR /> <BR />The disorder is part of a strategy. Once Gaza is broken, external powers will step in, not to rebuild but to reshape it for their own ends. They will call that "stability", but we know what that really means. <BR /> <BR />We cannot ignore the destruction of Gaza's hospitals. Most have been bombed and made unusable. Cancer treatment has gone. The Gaza European Hospital, once the only facility able to offer surgical oncology, no longer functions. A total of 14,000 healthcare workers have been killed. The healthcare system has not just collapsed; it has been targeted. <BR /> <BR />The destruction goes beyond hospitals. Some 89% of Gaza's water and sanitation infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, and 90% of homes are gone, uninhabitable.”
“We are told that what is happening is chaos. Gaza is descending into disorder.”
“People are forced to focus on individual survival. Communities have broken down. Solidarity is attacked. That is not incidental: it is intentional.”
“In May and June, Israeli forces opened fire on civilians who were simply trying to feed themselves. We saw the same on 29 February 2024, during the so-called flour massacre, when 112 people were killed for trying to feed themselves. Those actions directly violate international rulings, including three separate orders from the International Court of Justice. It ordered Israel to enable humanitarian access and prevent irreparable harm to Palestinians under the genocide convention. <BR /> <BR />The aim is not only extermination but social collapse. By cutting off food, water, healthcare and shelter — the building blocks of everyday life — the goal is to make the life of the Palestinian unlivable.”