Ian Milne
Mid Ulster · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Buíochas fosta don Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. Ba mhaith liom a rá fosta — b'fhéidir gurb é seo an Tráth na gCeist deireannach sa Tionól seo — go ndearna an tAire jab maith, agus sílim go mbeidh tú arais arís anseo. What steps has your Department taken to promote tax cut compliance in government contracts?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on this very important motion. While noting the concerns expressed by those who tabled the motion about the level of stigma experienced by people living with HIV, I put on record my support for any new campaign that promotes awareness and prevention and, more importantly, that is tailore…”
“We also need to support those people in our community who are living with HIV on quality-of-life issues, including social protection and positive mental health. <BR /> <BR />We must not understate the importance of testing for HIV to ensure an early diagnosis.”
“Sixty-eight per cent of respondents from the North of Ireland who contributed to the 2015 HIV stigma index stated that they had a negative self-image, so it is most important that we create an effective public awareness campaign in an effort to tackle the misconceptions around HIV. I support the motion.”
“In particular, the Minister needs to take account of the rural nature of the constituency. <BR /> <BR />The closure of the local offices will not only remove an essential service from the town but will reduce the already limited number of public-sector jobs in the mid-Ulster area.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin, as you heard, has conducted a number of meetings with the Minister for Communities, NIPSA and staff members about the issue, given the impact not only on Magherafelt, Cookstown and Dungannon but right across the North.”
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“Mo bhuíochas fosta leis an Aire. Will integrated ticketing also be available on a North/South basis?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. What rural-proofing measures were taken to ensure access to the summer camp programme in all areas not just in urban ones?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers. When does she expect farmers to receive their payments for 2015?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answers thus far. What measures are being taken to improve performance even further?”
“<BR /> <BR />I ask the Minister to give his commitment today that he will make access to broadband and a mobile signal, regardless of location, a departmental priority. I also bring to the Minister's attention that, on three occasions, requests for a meeting with ETI Ministers by, for example, Mid Ulster Council fell on deaf ears. I ask this Minister to speak to councils not just in the Mid Ulster area but right across the North.”
“I appreciate that telecommunications is not a devolved matter, but as it is not economically advantageous for private companies to bring these services to rural locations, they are unlikely to do so, rightly or wrongly, without government intervention and assistance. There was disappointment in my constituency when the mobile infrastructure project, a publicly funded initiative that it was hoped would correct the market failure in supply, failed to materialise, despite being granted the necessary planning permission to build the base station. There is a lot resting on the current Superfast Rollout programme, and, while I appreciate that it is a work in progress, it is unlikely to reach everywhere.”
“The Rural Needs Act, passed in this House a few months ago, required that rural needs be appropriately taken into account by public authorities in policymaking and service delivery. Its aim is for rural dwellers to enjoy the same quality of life as all others across the North.”
“It has allowed many local businesses to expand into new markets and adopt new and innovative approaches. It has allowed for increased speed and efficiency and has also enabled the workforce to become more mobile, which breaks down some of the barriers to employment. For those who have excellent coverage and access, it is very much part of their lives. It is unusual to see a person without a smartphone. "Google it" has become a much-used phrase when we do not know the answer to a question. <BR /> <BR />I have witnessed much frustration when access to a strong signal is not instantaneous. Yet, for people in many locations, a poor signal or no signal is the norm, so there is an absolute need for fairness across the urban and rural locations.”
“Thank you for those comments; I agree wholeheartedly with them. <BR /> <BR />It impacts on businesses and the business community, which are in regular contact with my office highlighting the negative impact that a slow and inconsistent signal has on their business and expressing their frustration at the lack of the progress that can be seen in urban areas. It affects farmers, who are encouraged and rewarded for processing grant applications online, schools, which are always increasing their use of technology, and the recreational user, who is multiple in many households, all requiring access to the service, often at the same time. <BR /> <BR />Mobile phones and the Internet have changed the way that we interact and access our information.”
“This patchy coverage has a direct impact on local services such as GPs, where records cannot be accessed in a timely manner or correspondence dealt with efficiently.”
“Before I go into my prepared piece, I thank the Members for bringing the motion to the Floor. I also pay tribute to Trevor Reaney and wish him every success for the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Much has been done over this past number of years to improve access to broadband and mobile phone coverage, such as the Next Generation project, the voucher scheme and, currently, the super-fast roll-out programme. While this is to be commended, it also needs to be acknowledged that not everyone has benefited or is benefiting from this. A large number of rural areas, many within my constituency of Mid Ulster, continue to experience difficulty in access, speed and reliability. Some have no access, some have limited access and many are unable to avail themselves of competitive pricing or the opportunities open to others.”
“Fadhb ar bith, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a dhéanamh leis an Aire as na freagraí sin go dtí seo, agus ba mhaith liom mo chomhgairdeas a dhéanamh leis as a phost nua. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his answer thus far. Also, congratulations on your new job; I wish you well for the future. No doubt, the Minister will be aware of the current VAT rate of 20%, which is holding back our tourism potential. As a Mid Ulster MLA, I am aware of our tourism potential, with the Seamus Heaney centre, for example, in Bellaghy and lots of other local attractions. What is the Minister's view of the impact of the VAT on our hospitality and tourism sectors?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Does the Minister agree that progression and regression are easily identified by any critical read of Anne Owers's prison reform review?”
“As they were presented only for consideration, I am not in a position to make any comment on them. Without robust scrutiny, I cannot support the clauses, schedules or amendments. <BR /> <BR />I join with my colleague Mr Boylan in recommending that a deadline be considered for bringing a private Member's Bill to Committee Stage at the end of a mandate in order to allow for sufficient scrutiny to take place and to be fair to any Member who brings forward any piece of draft legislation. Go raibh maith agat.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I will say to him that we have not had time to properly scrutinise not just that piece of the Bill but any part of it. If the Member wishes to intervene all night, I will give him the same answer. This is a simple case of our not having had time to scrutinise such an important Bill. <BR /> <BR />On clause 10 and amendment No 11 on the setting of a limit on cash transactions, again, not enough time or information has come forward to assess the impact that that would have on small tradesmen or dealers. Therefore I cannot support clause 10 or the new clause either at this time. <BR /> <BR />Clauses 17, 19, 20 and 21 are dependent on agreement on the previous clauses. The amendments put forward by the Department and Mr Beggs impact on every clause, with the exception of the short title.”
“On clauses 7, 14 and 15, "Closure of unlicensed sites", "Right to enter and inspect" and "Offences by bodies corporate", I feel that these are all cross-departmental issues and that there has not been enough discussion or information on how they would work in a practical sense and what is already covered under current legislation.”
“As a result, I cannot support the clauses as they stand. There are still too many questions to be answered, and engagement with the relevant stakeholders has not been comprehensive enough to allow us to take a view on how the Bill would impact on the industry and, for that matter, on the Department. <BR /> <BR />My colleague dealt with group 1, so I will turn to group 2, which relates to powers, offences and accountability.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I oppose clauses 1 to 21 and schedules 1 and 2. I intend to speak specifically on group 2, but, before I do, I acknowledge the work and contribution to date of the Committee, the Committee staff, the departmental officials and the stakeholders who have shared their views on the matter. I also use the opportunity to acknowledge the Bill's sponsor, Mr Roy Beggs. I support the broad principle of the Bill, and I appreciate the difficulties that he faced in getting the Bill to this stage, but, as the Committee Chair and others said, we have simply run out of time. We did not have the time to give proper consideration and scrutiny to the issues raised during Committee Stage and, in particular, the amendments put forward by the Department and Mr Beggs.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Minister, I would like to explore it further. What measures is your Department taking to reduce future flooding risk?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas don Aire go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his short answer. Why have the job criteria for the new coroner investigators been changed from what was sought and recommended by the coroner in the first place?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister, the Department and the Committee have put a focused effort into identifying and tackling poverty, social isolation and disadvantage in rural areas. This Bill will be a welcome addition to all who are engaged in that work. The legislation builds significantly on the commitment made by the Executive in 2002, and I hope that it will give confidence to those working and living in rural areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill, as others have said, is necessary to ensure that the needs of rural dwellers are considered when policy and public services are being developed, implemented and delivered. As my colleague Oliver McMullan outlined, rural dwellers' experience of public services differs in many ways and in many areas to that of their urban counterparts. During this process, the contributions made by the various stakeholders have highlighted difficulties faced by rural dwellers when it comes to assessing services and opportunities, employment and the cost of living, to name but a few. They also raised the negative impact that the current model of measuring deprivation has when it is applied to rural areas. That subject was debated at length in the House a few months ago.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. You make your point well, but we are of the opinion that amendment No 6 is superfluous. We feel that we can go ahead and support amendment No 7. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 9 potentially makes all those subject to the Bill accountable to DARD, and, as it does not have the power to impose sanctions, it would become meaningless. Amendment No 11 proposes that DARD must secure, rather than make arrangements with a view to securing, the cooperation and exchange of information from all of those subject to the Bill. This, however, raises its responsibility to an unrealistic level and has the potential to change the focus from a failure to comply with the legislation to DARD's inability to make them comply.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recognise the intention of Mrs Dobson and Mr Swann to strengthen the Bill, but, after scrutiny, I feel that their amendments would lead to duplication, sometimes confusion, and impose a duty on DARD that is unrealistic. <BR /> <BR />We are against amendment No 6, which calls for training for all staff subject to the Bill, on the grounds that it is already covered in clause 2, as explained by my colleague Declan McAleer. In fact, it is enhanced by amendment No 5 from the Minister. Although we are content that amendment No 6 is covered in the Bill, we do not feel that we could go against Mr Swann and Mrs Dobson on it. <BR /> <BR />Potentially, amendment —”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Like the Chair of the Committee, I thank the DARD staff and Committee members for their hard work. I thank the stakeholders, who gave up a tremendous amount of time and produced a lot of good, valuable stuff for the Committee in helping it to make its decisions. <BR /> <BR />I am in favour of all the amendments tabled by the Committee and amendment No 5 tabled by the Minister, Michelle O'Neill. We are against amendment Nos 6, 9 and 11, which were tabled by Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson and Mr Robin Swann. I am content that the amendments put forward by the Committee and the Minister will enhance the Bill, particularly amendment No 2, which seeks the inclusion of public bodies and persons, as opposed to just Departments and public authorities.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he detail his Department's success or otherwise in securing investment in Mid Ulster, which I represent, and, in particular, the south Derry end?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive and detailed response. In his final deliberations, will he ensure that students' best interests will be at the heart of his decisions?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answer. Many of us have received letters from HSCB staff about concerns around their future location. Can you confirm if a local focus on services will remain once these changes are in effect?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answer thus far. I am disappointed that there has been no contact since the reinspection on 15 January. At a recent Justice Committee meeting, the director general stated that tensions between her office and senior management in Maghaberry had led to a situation in which instructions were ignored and, as a result, the prison regime was disrupted. Does the Minister agree with the director of prisons?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I ask the Minister what type of funding is available to support artists internationally.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for her answer. Does she agree with me that the rates review needs to look at reliefs that could boost hospitality and ensure more growth and job creation in that area to prevent a similar situation happening?”
“<BR /> <BR />As an Assembly, we need to continue to break down barriers, listen to the needs and expectations of people advancing in years, and provide the necessary support to the community and voluntary sector, which provides a large portion of the on-the-ground service delivery. Again, I thank the Member for bringing this Adjournment debate.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention, and I do welcome that. Anything that assists our elderly population there has to be welcome. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the community and voluntary sector, which runs a number of successful projects in local areas. I recently met Agewell, based in Magherafelt, which provides an invaluable "good morning" service that reassures people that they will be contacted daily, as well as providing a home maintenance and advice service, and I am aware of other local groups, such as Opportunities for Older People and the Mid Ulster Senior Network, to name a few that also do excellent work in this sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to use this opportunity to acknowledge the many groups working to address these concerns and enhance the experience of our older population.”
“That needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, and I met the health trust again recently to raise that issue. The option of nursing care leads to the worry of losing the family home, which is another issue that needs wider discussion. <BR /> <BR />The proposal to close residential homes has impacted on Mid Ulster and caused a lot of anxiety and worry for residents and families. The campaign to save Westlands care home continues, and I offer the residents and union organisers my full support. <BR /> <BR />On a personal note, I had several meetings with the Housing Executive to highlight the need for increased provision of sheltered housing for those who wish to avail themselves of that option. I have campaigned for a companionship service for carers of dementia patients using public transport.”
“There is plenty still to be done, but the recent review showed that a significant impact has been made. I acknowledge the contributions of the Rural Community Network and the Cookstown and Western Shores Area Network to that review. <BR /> <BR />Not all difficulties faced by older people in Mid Ulster are related to rural locations and can be addressed by this programme. Over the last number of years, the ability to access full entitlement to care packages has diminished, with options such as direct payments being offered on a more regular basis. <BR /> <BR />The focus on care in the community and increased demand on the service has led to shorter time slots, domiciliary care workers under increased pressure and many families feeling unsupported by the trust when an elderly relative leaves hospital.”
“That is implementing a package of measures to help to address a range of issues for vulnerable rural groups, including older people, right across the North. Successful initiatives that have benefited our older population in Mid Ulster include the connecting elderly rural isolated (CERI) programme, which aims to address social isolation and support independent living, the assisted rural travel scheme, and the maximising access in rural areas (MARA) project, which seeks to maximise benefit uptake and access to services.”
“Those factors are no different for older people in Mid Ulster, but the largely rural demographic of the constituency can intensify many of those issues. Older people in rural areas can feel very isolated. Limited access to public transport can prevent those who want or need to do so from accessing recreational, medical or other essential services, and severe weather conditions can leave them feeling extremely vulnerable. The impact of social isolation and loneliness on an individual's mental and physical well-being cannot be overestimated, and lack of contact can make it more difficult to identify and assist those in need. <BR /> <BR />I want to use this opportunity to commend our Minister Michelle O'Neill and her Department for the ongoing work in the tackling rural poverty and social inclusion (TRPSI) framework.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank Mrs Overend for securing the Adjournment debate. I also extend my sincere condolences to you and your family on the recent death of your grandmother. <BR /> <BR />We live with an ageing population. That is great news for all of us, but it also presents a number of challenges for older people and society as a whole if we are to make the process of growing older as positive and inclusive as possible. According to the 2011 census, almost 18,500 people in Mid Ulster were over the age of 65, and that figure is, thankfully, predicted to rise. <BR /> <BR />The key barriers for older people are well documented and include poverty, loneliness, fear of crime, ageism, poor health and access to services.”
“I look forward to a more detailed debate and discussion at the Committee Stage. That is my contribution this morning.”
“Those roads may not have the same number of vehicles travelling on them as an A-class road, but, if they form part of your only route to and from your property, their quality affects not just your car but your safety. <BR /> <BR />If we want to sustain and grow our rural communities, which make up a large percentage of the North's population, they need to be supported and provided for. The Bill, if successful, will for the first time make it a statutory obligation for policymakers in central and local government to consider the needs of rural dwellers when developing policies and delivering public services. Importantly, it will also include an accountability mechanism. <BR /> <BR />I am delighted that, as stated earlier, Martin Ferris is bringing a similar piece of legislation to Leinster House.”
“During the recent TRPSI review and the motion debated here in the House a number of weeks ago on the multiple deprivation measures, we heard of the difficulties and inequalities for rural communities in access to services, opportunities and public funds, and the impact that that has on day-to-day life in the country. <BR /> <BR />Even the recent single planning policy statement failed, in my opinion, to make adequate provision for the rural dweller. Year on year, large numbers of young people who would have preferred to build in their local area have to relocate to urban settings. When the Regional Development Minister had to make savings in his Department, maintenance to rural roads and hedge cutting were among some of the first cuts to be made.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I would like to apologise to the Minister, the House and you for not being here for the start of the debate, but I want to make a few general comments regarding the Rural Needs Bill at Second Stage. It is a very important piece of legislation, and, in my opinion, it is long overdue. I am also delighted that the consultation with stakeholders and the wider public indicated widespread support for it, and all the comments of Members this morning have likewise done the same. <BR /> <BR />The Minister is to be commended for bringing the Bill forward. The Executive commitment to rural proofing in 2002, reaffirmed in 2009, was a step forward, but, without a legal requirement, it has not had the desired impact.”
“It will serve no purpose at all. That is evidenced by the Scottish example after England and Wales enacted the Scrap Metals Dealers Act 2013. <BR /> <BR />Scrutiny of the Bill will fall to the Department determined by the Business Committee or whoever, as the Member to my left said, but at this stage, wherever it goes, bureaucracy needs to kept to a minimum. Care must be taken to ensure that the customer's interaction at the scrapyard does not become so difficult or intrusive that the genuine customer is put off or is so expensive that the small dealer is put out of business. <BR /> <BR />I support the broad principles of the Bill.”
“In the South of Ireland, a similar Bill, although unsuccessful, was also brought through the Justice Department. The reason, as has already been said, is that the main focus appears to be on tackling organised crime and increasing the powers of the enforcers, whether it is the PSNI or whoever, for the scrap metal industry. I accept that the DOE would have some role to play in terms of waste management and licensing, but, beyond that, everything else points to the Justice Department. If it is to proceed, consideration may need to be given to an Ad Hoc Committee, as was stated earlier this evening. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, any change to legislation needs to be harmonised with the Twenty-six Counties. Otherwise, it will do nothing to put off those involved in that type of activity; they will simply move their operation South of the border.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. At this stage, it has all been said, but, for the record, I will carry on with what I have here. <BR /> <BR />We have only recently been given this Bill. I thank Mr Beggs for the presentation that he made to the Committee on Tuesday. He was very thorough in his rationale for bringing forward this private Member's Bill. I do not think that anyone objects to the broad principle; that is certainly what I have heard tonight, anyway. <BR /> <BR />However, there are many questions still to be answered, not least about where the legislation belongs. This is repetitive of what has been said tonight. In England, it was dealt with through the Home Office. In Scotland, it was through the Justice Department.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Is the Minister confident that the scheme will not be subject to a legal challenge by the unions?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sí go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Has her Department engaged in any preparatory work with farmers, as the previous Member asked, in anticipation of opening other schemes or any schemes?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as na freagraí a thug sé go dtí seo. I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. The question is about Upper Bann. How many new social homes are required to be built in Upper Bann between now and 2020 to address the current housing need?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas don Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo. Can the Minister provide an even more in-depth update on where the Stormont House Agreement commitment to establish a commission on flags, identity, culture and tradition currently sits?”