Carla Lockhart
Upper Bann · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“You tell Brownlow that the Executive have failed them and that I have failed them. I do not believe that that is right. Tell the people in Upper Bann who have waited for years to have a Minister of Education who had a heart for the Dickson plan that the Executive have failed them.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak in this debate. I certainly had not planned to, and I do not have anything prepared, but I felt that it was necessary to get up as an elected representative for the Upper Bann constituency.”
“I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. I have to say, Minister, that this has been a very worrying time for the people of Portadown, particularly those who are sick and very vulnerable at this time.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I am not saying that we have a perfect world out there. I am not saying that we have adequate resources to service the needs of everyone. I am saying that this was a workable solution, and we thought that it would, over five years, certainly make a change.”
“You can laugh and scorn, but, to be honest, I do not mind: laugh away. I am here to represent my people. I have a heart for Upper Bann, and I do not want the institutions to fall, because I believe that they deliver for people on the ground. That is what I am prepared to do; that is what I am elected to do.”
“Believe it or not, the needs of their electorate are exactly the same as those of my electorate. That is the harsh reality. As we sit here today, the electorate needs good healthcare, good education and a functioning Executive who deliver for them. Unfortunately, some took the decision to walk away.”
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“We really have to put our shoulders to the wheel and help these traders, who have through times of change stuck with the town centres and invested in them. <BR /> <BR />We need to tackle the rates issue. We know that the Finance Minister is bringing forward a review, and I ask him to take note of the representations that the businesses have made, particularly around the disparity between town centre and out of town. I encourage the Finance Minister to look at that, and also the rating of the charity sector.”
“I want to see the transportation strategy that the Minister committed to brought to fruition and a concerted effort by the Executive to attract new businesses, because ultimately that is what we need. <BR /> <BR />We need new entrepreneurs to come into our town centres. We need to encourage people to shop local. I am an individual who loves shopping local. We have got to encourage that, whether or not it is a Stormont-led initiative around shopping local, as was suggested in Banbridge. That would be really welcome, and the traders would welcome it. I think they are crying out for a regional marketing strategy for town centres so that people feel town centres are open for business. We have a fantastic mix of family-run and -owned businesses that create a phenomenal amount of employment in each of our town centres.”
“Look at the People's Park, and the investment there. There are still issues we need to look at, such as the barrier that Edward Street causes to the town; that is something that we can address. <BR /> <BR />Banbridge is a very vibrant town. Look at the statistics: believe it or not, Banbridge is actually one of the towns where vacancies have increased and that is worrying because Banbridge is always seen as a town that is bucking the trend. We need a very clear, concerted effort, maybe around a marketing strategy. We had the pleasure of having the Finance Minister in Banbridge very recently; the Communities Minister was there the day before. There was a master plan designed for Banbridge. I think that is very welcome, but I do not want it to be just a document — I want it to be a live document.”
“<BR /> <BR />Millennium Way is being progressed in Lurgan, and that is a great asset. I look forward to its completion, but there is still an elephant in the room with regard to rail and trying to get a solution to the railway halt issue. I am thankful, looking at the statistics, that Lurgan's vacancy rate has actually reduced. I think that is a positive step that shows that we are starting to get things working. It is important that we look at gap sites, such as Castle Lane and the Glendinning site, and at the entire area, and see where the council or this Assembly can invest in these sites. <BR /> <BR />In Portadown, there is a mix of family retailers and multinationals. There has been a significant amount of investment and work around the town quay — we welcome that, and it can be further explored.”
“Like the Members who have already spoken, I want to give a wee outline of Upper Bann. As my colleague Sidney Anderson said, it has a unique mix of town centres — Lurgan, Banbridge, Portadown and the new town of Craigavon — all with their unique portfolio of retailers and the way in which they do business. <BR /> <BR />When I was thinking of this debate, I thought about each of the towns and their different needs. I was thinking about Lurgan, obviously, where my own office is based. We can look at the investment that there has been. At this stage, I thank the former Social Development Ministers and their staff. I also commend Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council — the ABC council — and I also thank the current Minister for his interest in the area.”
“I thank the Minister for that commitment. However, I would like to drive home to her the fact that I believe that Northern Ireland needs a comprehensive strategy — the terminology you use — to try to capture all the statistics and all the needs around cancer. I encourage and lobby you to give the House a clear commitment that you will work towards the commissioning of a cancer strategy in Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I am very keen that the traders see that this Government are listening to their needs. Can you give an undertaking around timescales because Christmas is fast approaching and I know that they will require the parking for Christmas trading?”
“Thank you, Minister, for that response. We are certainly very proud of it in Upper Bann. I look forward to working with them alongside your good self. Will you explain to the House a little bit more about what you are doing to increase exports? I know we have seen a lot of positivity in the figures, but is there anything specific you are doing to try to increase exports?”
“Is the Minister encouraged that the economic inactivity rate is now at its lowest since 1995? Can he outline the significance of that?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. It is certainly encouraging to hear the handle that he has on the issue. Will he further explain what actions he will take to communicate this to schools and teachers?”
“I thank the Minister for his announcement and welcome it. For someone who represents a rural constituency, it is most welcome to hear this announcement. I want to ask about the connectivity that the Minister's Department will have regarding the roads that were damaged by floods, particularly in the Bannfoot area in Upper Bann, where a number of roads were badly damaged by flooding. Has the Minister given any thought to the link-up with DAERA on that point?”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. Will the First Minister agree to engage in further discussions about the MLK site to see whether a solution can be achieved that can command community support and allow the site to be developed in the future?”
“I support the motion today, and I trust that the Minister will take on board the issues.”
“It is sad that that charity has to rely solely on donations; as an Assembly we should look at better financing the charities that help in that regard.”
“Thank you. That has certainly been under debate, and I imagine that it will be before the House in the future. <BR /> <BR />Going back to the issue at hand on the implementation of a central database, I believe that that is a step that we can take. Certainly, I am not opposed to looking at all of that in the round going forward. As elected representatives we have a duty of care as much as reasonable owners do. Our duty is to legislate on the matter and to allow the courts to deal with it when offenders are brought before them. <BR /> <BR />I think of my constituency, and I welcome the fact that, in Banbridge, for instance, we have a very successful dog sanctuary that takes in dogs that have been left at the side of the road or dumped.”
“<BR /> <BR />The 2011 Act also gives magistrates and judges the power to imprison offenders for up to five years on conviction of a cruelty offence. I encourage the Minister today to ensure that the judiciary are minded in that way when dealing with such offences in court, because nothing else will deter that type of activity. I do not agree with just a slight slap on the wrist; they should have appropriate sentencing and fining. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that the legislation covers the sale of animals to a person who may be engaged in using animals for cruel so-called sports. However, there remains a disjoint between our enforcement bodies. I therefore call for greater collaboration, with shared intelligence and proactive operations to find these people and to bring them before the courts.”
“<BR /> <BR />That also links to the issue of the central database that my party wants to see implemented. The seven people who have offended and have been prosecuted should be listed and should not be allowed to keep animals in the future. I spoke with the local authority earlier today, and I asked it about this situation. It said that, when it is licensing dogs, for instance, it asks if anyone has been disqualified, but the situation is that there is nowhere they can go to check the information. There is no central point for the local authority to go to and ask, "Is this information correct?". A central database would definitely go some way to ensuring that those who have offended do not and will not keep animals again.”
“The Member for South Belfast Christopher Stalford mentioned the initiative that he brought forward in Belfast City Council, and he has to be commended for that. As a Government, we should strive to ensure that initiatives like that are rolled out in all council areas. <BR /> <BR />The implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act in 2011 has given more teeth to our councils and to those dealing with animal cruelty. For instance, it is important to note that, in the last year in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) council area, 583 cases were investigated. There were 972 visits and, as a result, nine cases of seizure and seven prosecutions. The implementation of the Act is starting to bear fruit, and we are starting to see progress on that.”
“I support my colleagues who have tabled the motion. We all know the preciousness of animals in our society, whether they are kept as pets or for livelihood. As someone who was brought up on a farm and lives on a farm, I know all too well the value that animals can and do bring to society. There is no doubt in both cases, whether animals are kept for livelihood or as pets, that there should be an aim and a common purpose that the health and well-being of the animal is key for the owners. <BR /> <BR />So often, we hear of high-profile cases — they have been mentioned throughout the House today — but we have to be mindful of the activity that goes on underground and the high number of cases that never make it to the media. We have to engage in awareness raising and education around the reporting of animal cruelty.”
“Four full-time staff and nine part-time staff in the Banbridge office could lose their job or be required to drive to Belfast, which would impact on their family life. We talk about encouraging and enhancing family life in the home. Asking people to do this is unreasonable. <BR /> <BR />I call on those who are making this decision to think long and hard about it, do what is right by the people of Northern Ireland and do not always think of the small amount of money that they may save — may save — if they proceed down this route.”
“It is vital that we note those statistics and recognise that the offices are servicing those people in the best way possible. I want to commend the staff who work out of the Banbridge office. They are fantastic. They do a very good job of servicing the people and us as elected representatives and of handling elections. I want to support wholeheartedly the efforts that are being made to retain the services. We also think of what they do around going into schools and encouraging our young people to get on to the register and exercise their democratic right. <BR /> <BR />The most important thing that people will do in this society is cast their vote for a party that they believe aligns with their policies. We have to make it easy for people to be able to do that. To do that, we should be retaining our local offices.”
“I believe that online voter registration should be improved, enhanced and introduced in Northern Ireland, because I think that there is section of the community that would benefit from it, but I recognise that we cannot solely leave it to online voter registration because of issues around rural constituencies and access to broadband. I recognise that there needs to be reform and that we need to change how we do things, but that certainly does not in any way mean stripping areas of these offices. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I took the opportunity to contact our local office. In the Upper Bann constituency, 85,753 people are registered. At the recent election, I noted with interest that over 12,776 people were registered under late registration.”
“The entire electoral registration system certainly needs reform, but that does not in any way mean that we strip local towns of that particular service.”
“I believe that, if we strip our local towns of these offices, it will do nothing to ensure that young people and others who live in our constituencies take that step to register. <BR /> <BR />As a young person just recently elected, I think that we need to do more to engage.”
“I support the motion that my colleagues put forward today. As someone who represents the Upper Bann constituency, which includes Banbridge, where one of the electoral offices is located, I support the retention of these offices in local areas. <BR /> <BR />We have all been through an election and recognised the value that these offices bring to our constituents. People come to my constituency office daily asking for information about voting registration, postal votes and ID cards, and I believe that having that face-to-face contact in an office that people can travel to by public transport or by their own methods is vital. It is important that we, as elected representatives, encourage voter registration.”
“I look forward to working with the Minister as he seeks to bring forward the childcare strategy for this area.”
“— is my own family history with my sister. Her needs are different to those of a single dad. Grannies are maybe left to care —”
“<BR /> <BR />In my constituency of Upper Bann, families are still the lynchpin and the firm foundation on which our society is built. Childcare provision in society is undoubtedly a key priority, because we all know that society is changing. Work patterns are changing. There are mums, dads, grannies, grandas and carers, and there is a desire for lifelong working and to go back into education. It is important that those of us in government form an achievable, tailored and sustainable childcare provision that meets the needs of this changing everyday family life. <BR /> <BR />I have had one Education Committee meeting so far, so I cannot claim to know everything about education, but what I do know —”
“I want to look towards a bright new future for Northern Ireland and I want to be part of Arlene Foster's team in delivering that bright and prosperous future. I assure the people of Lurgan, Portadown and Banbridge that I will be a very plain-talking, hard-working, conscientious and compassionate MLA who wants to represent all the people of Upper Bann throughout my tenure in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />That leads me nicely to the motion on the much needed and essential childcare provision for my constituents. Education and child development are areas that I take particular interest in, and anyone who knows me will know that I am committed to fight for better provision, particularly in special needs education and post-19 provision, for the people of Upper Bann. The motion brings a focus to childcare that I welcome.”
“I want them to find jobs locally and have access to a world-class healthcare system, and I want our infrastructure to improve for our residents so that they feel safe no matter where they go within the constituency. <BR /> <BR />I would describe Upper Bann as an economic driver for Northern Ireland. It is the largest manufacturing base outside Belfast, it has a growing agrifood sector and is making strides in the life sciences industry. The cultural, tourism, musical and sporting offer that Upper Bann presents is outstanding and is one that I am immensely proud to represent. <BR /> <BR />Upper Bann has had its difficulties in days gone by and has suffered at the hands of terrorism. I do not want to see our history being rewritten and I will continue working with the many victims of terrorism who live in my constituency.”
“I take this opportunity to wish him well in his business venture. Like Stephen, I want to be a strong advocate for Upper Bann in the House, and I want to work alongside my colleague Sydney Anderson in doing that. <BR /> <BR />As a young female business graduate, I do not want to be a token female. I do not want to be remembered for what I wear, the way my hair is or what my shoes are like. I want to be remembered for the energy, passion, drive and new way of thinking that I bring to the Assembly in trying to make Northern Ireland a stronger, more vibrant place for its residents. I want to make Upper Bann a great place to live, work and do business. I want to see our children and young people find the right pathway in life so that they can succeed and integrate into our evolving society.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. Right at the outset, I thank those around the Chamber and the Building for their very warm wishes from my taking up this role in the devolved Assembly. I thank my DUP colleagues for their advice and help along the way. It is an enormous privilege and honour to represent and serve the good people of Upper Bann. I thank from the bottom of my heart the many thousands of people who saw fit to put their trust in me to be their voice right at the very heart of this Government. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to my predecessor Stephen Moutray, who I worked for and alongside for many years. Stephen served the people of Upper Bann for 10 years, and I know that he laid a great, firm foundation for me to build upon.”