Claire Sugden
East Londonderry · Independent · Northern Ireland
“That is, gosh, almost 35 years ago, yet we are still having the conversation in 2026. If I were to speak to that eight-year-old girl, I would tell her, "When you are 40, Claire, this will not even be a consideration for you". Sadly, however, it still is. It is deeply disappointing that, when we had an opportunity, it was not taken.”
“Indeed, I tabled an amendment to that Bill to achieve the desired outcome, but, sadly, the opportunity was not taken. One of the strengths of the Assembly is that Committees can identify where Executive legislation has fallen short and produce their own practical, targeted solutions.”
“Frankly, we should be listening. Sometimes, we talk about equality in broad terms, but the Bill reminds us that equality is often about practical things. It is about removing unnecessary barriers from everyday life and ensuring that opportunities and choices do not depend on arbitrary differences between schools.”
“That is ridiculous. The point that we should all pay attention to is that of girls feeling less exposed. We should focus on that even if there were no other reasons to pass the legislation. Girls simply want to get on with their school day without having to think about something that most boys take for granted.”
“That meeting was a reminder that issues that can appear small to adults — there have been adults who have asked why the Assembly is legislating on this — can be issues on which we need to legislate. When people do not behave appropriately, we as a legislature have a responsibility to legislate.”
“Around one in seven couples in Northern Ireland experiences fertility problems, yet Northern Ireland continues to offer one of the most limited publicly funded fertility services anywhere in the United Kingdom. Couples face lengthy waits, restricted eligibility criteria and fewer publicly funded IVF opportunities than elsewhere.”
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“I reiterate the point that many people will not recognise either their own behaviour or what is happening to them as being a form of coercive control or that we are legislating for something that may end up leading to a conviction for their loved one. <BR /> <BR />The offence of aggravation of a child is really important. I probably say that because of the point that I made about trauma and the impact that it will have on a child. It sends a clear message that domestic abuse, particularly in a familial setting, is very serious and has a wider societal impact than just what it is doing to that family unit. We do not exist in isolation in most cases. We are usually part of a family unit, so it is important that a lot of the legislation that we take forward in the House recognise the family element in all of this.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will speak briefly about elements of the Bill. Part 1, which we focused on a lot during our time in office, contains the domestic abuse offence that specifically defines coercive control as such. Ms Armstrong noted that earlier. The PSNI had a great campaign called "Walking on Eggshells", which gave a good pictorial representation of what it feels like to be under coercive control. I recognise the fact that we need to create legislation that captures that and that can enable convictions. However, that is the piece of work that needs to be done when we are trying to communicate to the public what coercive control is about. We need to describe to them what it is.”
“I am talking about trauma because domestic abuse is a trauma. When I was Minister, I was keen to address domestic abuse because of the scourge that it is, but I also recognised that addressing domestic abuse breaks the cycle. Trauma perpetuates the cycle. <BR /> <BR />I will give you an example. It is a very simple anecdote that I used to use to describe trauma when chatting with people. If a child sees his father hitting his mother in the home, that child will be traumatised. That trauma may manifest as a mental health or addiction issue, which in itself may lead that young adult or adult to commit domestic violence of his own or to have some other issue in his adult life. If that is the case, we are perpetuating a cycle that will never end. We need to break that cycle. Mr Frew referred to that as well.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to come back slightly to the issue of trauma, because I feel strongly about addressing it. To that end, I hope to develop a private Member's Bill that ensures that all future policy development in Northern Ireland takes a trauma-informed approach, similar to the Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016 or the Children's Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.”
“<BR /> <BR />Children and young people need opportunities to aspire to a better life, and we badly need to address mental health and trauma. We are a post-conflict society, but you would not know it from the services that we offer. A generation is traumatised. Intergenerational trauma means that the pain of our past will continue unless we address it. The consequences, which include domestic abuse, will continue unless we address it. I have said many times before in the Chamber that I do not believe that anyone is born bad. I think that they are a product of their circumstances, and that includes domestic abuse. It is not an excuse. It is a reason that we need to address, because the best thing that we can do for victims is to not create them.”
“<BR /> <BR />I maintain that, in Government, we need a strategic approach to governance. Outcomes-based accountability needs to find its place again. I find it disappointing that the Government do not seem to use that phrase too often. I will take it for granted for now that the intent is there and that we will see more of it when we emerge from this crisis. I agree with Ms Dillon that to truly tackle societal issues, including domestic abuse, we need a joined-up approach. We need to address social deprivation and access to high-quality education for all. We need sex education. What is a healthy relationship? My time as Justice Minister taught me that kids of all backgrounds and all ages do not understand what that is, and that is going to lead to many problems down the line, including domestic abuse and sexual violence.”
“If we cannot do that, all of this will have been in vain. <BR /> <BR />I still think that there will be issues with understanding this offence. I am not necessarily criticising the law, although I am beginning to rethink it. We need to be very mindful of its successful implementation. I ask the Minister: is there any such thing as putting in a communications clause around this Bill? I think the biggest piece will be to educate people about what this is. I have no doubt that there are people who behave in a particular way and would not even consider that, under this law, they might be committing an offence. If we are to implement this and do what we intend in protecting future victims and the victims that exist, we need to ensure that people understand what this law is.”
“Mr Allister, you are the first person I have heard criticise the Scottish model, and I am interested in that, because it seems to be lauded as the model that we should have followed. It is good that we have the opportunity to tailor it to the specific needs of Northern Ireland, and I commend the Minister for taking it forward here, rather than at Westminster. I fully support her in doing so. Where we are now, we do have the benefit of drawing on the strengths and weaknesses of other jurisdictions. We need to consider Mr Allister's contribution. We need to stop domestic abuse and save lives by making sure that this is right and that it is fit for purpose. I understand the necessity, particularly after three years, of getting this onto the statute book, but it must be right. Any law is only as good as its implementation.”
“Mr Allister asked me earlier today whether I was happy with this legislation. Of course I am; I am delighted. To be fair, however, he did remind me of the difficulty in implementing such legislation in other regions of the UK. At the time, I thought that I knew what he was talking about, but then I listened to his contribution and now I am not sure. I think that what he has done is to raise the point that this legislation needs to be fit for purpose. It is one thing being symbolic, and from the outset I think that that is all that we could have hoped for, but we are at a stage now where it has to be much more than that. It needs to be able to be implemented. <BR /> <BR />It is modelled on Scotland.”
“Will the public fully understand? Will the investigating officer feel equipped to gather the evidence that could lead to a case being presented to the PPS, and then a court case and a possible conviction? In my experience as a constituency MLA, there are regular difficulties in relation to investigating harassment, for example, because it is a behavioural offence.”
“It is really great that, finally, we have the legislation, but it is those groups, as well as the criminal justice partners, that will ensure its implementation. We need to resource them to do so. <BR /> <BR />The Minister made comments about a domestic abuse commissioner in Northern Ireland and was keen to consider ideas around that. I advocate a domestic abuse commissioner. I appreciate the Minister's concern. However, given the nature of the offence, in that it is behavioural, it will be difficult to implement. Most crimes are a one-off event. They happen, it is clear what constitutes that offence and a process follows to prove and convict. Behavioural offences are more difficult. It is usually more than two occurrences, and then you add the word "reasonable", which gives rise to its own interpretation.”
“That is a clear message of our intent, a message to victims that we are finally listening, a message that domestic abuse in all forms is a crime and will not be tolerated in society. <BR /> <BR />At this point, I pay tribute to activists, including the Women's Aid Federation NI, Victim Support, Men's Advisory Project, Rape Crisis NI, Action on Elder Abuse, Nexus and many others who have long pursued the need to recognise domestic abuse as an offence. They taught me much and guided my opinion. They continue to work in our communities to improve the lives of those suffering domestic abuse. Mrs Cameron raised an important point about the need to provide funding for the community and voluntary sector, particularly if we are seeing an increase of cases during the COVID-19 crisis.”
“Historically, for the first time, this legislation does that. <BR /> <BR />Domestic abuse does not discriminate: women, men, teenagers, the elderly, black, white, gay, straight, disabled, politicians, doctors, farmers, the unemployed are victims. Women, men, teenagers, the elderly, black, white, gay, straight, disabled, politicians, doctors, farmers, the unemployed are perpetrators. It is universal, and maybe that is why we have accepted it for so long. I did not; Minister Long has not; and the House should not. I do not expect Members to reject the Bill. When we took the idea of the legislation to the Committee in autumn 2016, it was supported unanimously. The current Committee supports the legislation.”
“I have no doubt that, if I asked you to think about a person — not a constituent — who, you know or you suspect, is suffering from domestic abuse, you could. Crudely, some continue to even joke about domestic abuse or to dismiss continued insults, a black eye, broken bones, death: "It is just a domestic. It went a wee bit too far this time". Many still blame the victim or prioritise the issues that led the perpetrator to abuse: "He had mental health issues. He's been through a lot. She drove him to it". No. She was murdered. He did it, and that is s wrong. I have no doubt that there are reasons, circumstances and environments that lead people to commit crimes. I will discuss that, but our focus, in the first instance, should be on victims and the life that has been lost and damaged by domestic abuse.”
“It is not my intention to pour cold water on what we are now achieving, but, for the sake of lost lives and for the sake of victims who continue to suffer domestic abuse, I must point out our failure to them. It is shameful. I can speak only for myself, but I am deeply sorry to victims and their families who have experienced or continue to experience domestic abuse. Sadly, the House allowed domestic abuse to thrive by doing nothing, and that should never happen again. <BR /> <BR />It was my priority, and I am really pleased that it is Minister Long's priority. This is the important law that we will pass in this mandate. Domestic abuse did not become an issue when I took office. It has long been the hidden shame of our society. To be honest, it is not really hidden. We all know about it.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is my biggest regret that I could not present this legislation to the House — not because of my ego, I assure you, but because nearly three years have passed since I was due to present the Bill. In those three awful years, women and men have died because of domestic abuse. On average, the police have received around 30,000 reports of domestic abuse incidents across Northern Ireland every year. There were nearly 100,000 if not more reported incidents while the Assembly played politics outside. The number of incidents that have not been reported really does not bear thinking about. How many incidents of sustained, psychological torment have victims endured, when they maybe did not even realise that they were being abused, because we did not legislate three years ago? This is a great day for this legislation for victims.”
“First, I pay tribute to victims of domestic abuse. I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of loved ones whose lives have been taken by someone whom, they thought, they could trust and whom they loved. One is too many, but it happens too often. My thoughts are also with those suffering domestic abuse, and I hope that our work today gives them strength to seek help and support. <BR /> <BR />In May 2016, in Stormont Castle, the First Minister and the late deputy First Minister designates asked me what I wanted to accept the role of Minister of Justice. I did not have red lines, famously, but I simply said that I wanted to tackle domestic abuse. At that point, tackling domestic abuse became my overarching priority as Minister, as an MLA and as a human being.”
“The coronavirus should not leave British and Irish people stranded.”
“I also want to draw something to your attention, and this is not a question. I have a constituent in Portstewart who has lost their job and cannot get home because flights are being cancelled. His private landlord is telling him that if he does not make his payments, he is going to be evicted from the property. That is a really big concern, given the number of students who will be left on campus because they cannot get home. I appreciate that the UK Government are saying to people get home as soon as possible, but that is not realistic any more, because flights are cancelled. <BR /> <BR />I made a point earlier in relation to people across the world who are not getting back to the UK. The UK Government say to get home but flights are cancelled, it is not happening and we are leaving people stranded.”
“I want to know about accessing the coronavirus job retention scheme. If an employee decides to self-isolate, will they be able to access that scheme through their employer? If the employer sends their employees home, will the employees be able to access that scheme? If the Prime Minister is telling everyone that they have non-essential jobs and they all have to stay at home, can all those employees, through their employer, access that scheme as well?”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, I wish you and the Assembly well because I see the work that we are doing to represent and put forward the views of our constituents and to assist and advocate on their behalf. The weeks and months ahead will be really difficult, but we will come out the other end. That is what we have to look forward to and that is what I am trying to encourage my constituents to look forward to.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have limited power or influence on the UK Government, and I appreciate that the Foreign Office falls within the remit of Westminster, but we do have an influence collectively as the Assembly and the Northern Ireland Executive. The Minister attends the COBRA meetings. What are we doing about our people abroad, because that is a concern? If we are anticipating that this will go on longer than a month, for maybe three months, four months, what are we doing to try to get our people home? Maybe it is not a priority right now, and I accept that, and hard decisions are having to be made — we heard that yesterday when Mr Allister talked about his very tragic constituent — but I think that it has to be a consideration. They are as much our responsibility as anything else.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want us to all spare a thought, maybe more than that, for all those hundreds of thousands of people who are stranded outside the UK and Ireland and who cannot get home. Whilst waiting to contribute, I had messages from Bali, Australia and Turkey, and I am aware of an issue in Peru. They are telling me that there are hundreds of thousands of Britons stranded abroad. My concern for them is where do they go, do they have shelter and food, and do they have access to the rights that we enjoy here, but people do not in the places that they are visiting? I cannot stress strongly enough that, whether they are here or abroad, they are our responsibility if they are constituents of Northern Ireland.”
“I suppose that we are where we are and we need to try to put our best foot forward in trying to help the people of Northern Ireland and trying to save lives. <BR /> <BR />I say to the Executive, let us help you. Do not be that Executive that sit behind closed doors and get nervous about the input of the MLAs who hold you to account. You are members of the legislature as well. Take MLAs' advice, their experience of casework and the comments that they are getting on the ground and let us see how we can make this work for everyone, so that we limit the worst effects of this virus. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I really could stand here all day and go through every Department and talk about the various remits and the things that we have not considered, but your time is much more precious than mine.”
“The point is entirely well made, and every Member has mentioned it in their contribution. The need for information is critical. When the general public are concerned and anxious, we provide them with information to reassure. It is not entirely a criticism; I understand how fast-paced this is. I understand that the resources within the Northern Ireland Civil Service are limited. We had a voluntary exit scheme, which took out a good part of our experience and a lot of our resource and, ultimately, that is why Northern Ireland has stopped its Assembly asking questions, when the other regions have not, because our resource here is limited. <BR /> <BR />We are into this Assembly mandate for maybe a month, after three years without an Assembly. The secretariat and the Northern Ireland Civil Service were run down; staff were deployed elsewhere.”
“<BR /> <BR />I make the point again — I made it when I was Minister, and I will make it now — the purpose of this Assembly is to scrutinise, not necessarily on the basis of holding the Government to account, but that is our role. That is democracy, ladies and gentlemen. The Assembly is also there to support Ministers in their work, and we do that to inform them and to be the representatives of the 100,000 constituents of East Londonderry and all the various constituencies across Northern Ireland. It is that representation role that informs them for the job that they have to do, which is right. I implore Ministers to look to their MLAs. We are here to support you and to find out the bits of legislation that you may have overlooked, the policy that might have unintended consequences.”
“For example, licensing has been suspended. Will this include ambulance workers, needed in the weeks ahead? Will it include HGV drivers, who I understand we have a considerable shortage of anyway? <BR /> <BR />I do not expect all the details of this to be worked out. The fast pace of this inevitably means that things will be lost, which again means that I see the necessity of my earlier point about being able to correspond with Ministers. I have no way to do that now. If anything, I am chasing down their special advisers or writing to the private office. My method of keeping them informed is much more convoluted and resource-intensive than submitting a question in the Assembly, which, quite frankly, I do not care whether they answer. I just want them to know.”
“I have a constituent who contacted me last week because they had received a notice of intention to enforce repossession on their home that had been sent last week by the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service on behalf of their mortgage lender. Has this been thought about? Have we thought about the impact of standard correspondence that is triggered when people miss however many payments within their mortgage contract? It has the potential to deeply unsettle, in a context where good mental health is already being challenged. <BR /> <BR />We are hearing that services are being reduced, and I fully understand the rationale for that in delaying the spread, but, Minister, in some circumstances, are we limiting our response to the next phase by our actions within the delay phase? Let me qualify this.”
“Gardeners are asking me if they can cut lawns, because they are outside and not interacting with the people that they work for, but then we are telling family members that they cannot come to each other's properties and premises. I think a lot of this advice is really unclear. Whether you can or you cannot, ultimately no one wants to be at work. We are in a situation now where we want to be at home with the people who we live with, to limit the spread as much as possible. If they can only access statutory sick pay, instead of the 80% of wages, then maybe they will make a choice to go to work. <BR /> <BR />It is easy for me to say, "If in doubt, do not go to work", but, in doing, so they may not have enough money to put food on their table, they may be at risk of defaulting on bills and they may face legal action.”
“<BR /> <BR />To go back to my point about off-sales, the Prime Minister, ultimately, made his announcement in relation to limiting close proximity. Close proximity can be controlled in off-sales premises in the same way that it can be controlled in supermarkets. So, do they remain open? If they can stay open, will their employees be able to access the coronavirus job retention scheme or will staff who, understandably, want to self-isolate be reduced to statutory sick pay — depending, again, on their employment contract as per my earlier point. <BR /> <BR />I am genuinely not trying to advocate for off-sales to remain open, but their staff are going to work tonight.”
“I agree entirely. The lack of detail and clarity is where we are going to find ourselves in difficulty. We do not want to get to a point where people are taking the risk in order that they remain in employment and are, potentially, spreading the virus. Sometimes, I get frustrated that the message around delaying the spread of the virus is not made entirely clear. <BR /> <BR />He will forgive me for saying it because I know that the Minister has said this many times: it is inevitable that we will all contract the virus at some stage. The difficulty will be if we all contract it at once, therefore putting overwhelming pressure on the health service all at once. That, then, limits its ability to look after the most sick and vulnerable. When that ability is limited, that is when people will die.”
“Those retailers have not been given any direction. If we go back to the crux of why the Prime Minister had to make his announcement, its purpose was to limit the numbers of people being in close proximity to one another in order to delay the spread of the virus.”
“That is not really an essential service, or is it? What if a nurse, a doctor or a teacher who is looking after key workers' children gets a flat tyre? Where do they go so that they can continue to travel to their place of work where they are saving lives? That service becomes essential at that point. <BR /> <BR />I would not really consider off-sales as essential retail but I understand, at this stage, why many might disagree with me.”
“As I expect all Members as well as Ministers are, I am finding that the fast-moving pace of the situation makes it incredibly difficult to provide good advice to our constituents. I am finding it particularly difficult to cross-reference that information with standard employment law and with other laws that are in place. Things are not clear. Many Members have said it, but the point needs to be well made because that is where the correspondence from my constituents is coming from. It is leading to further anxiety and, again, it is leading people to make decisions about their work and their income. <BR /> <BR />So, what is essential? I know that some have described it as meaning key workers and those employees that support those key workers. I was contacted by the owner of a tyre centre for motor vehicles this morning.”
“Another area of concern is the question of essential workers. If employers who have been forced to close — further to announcements that were made this week and last night — will be able to access the coronavirus job retention scheme on behalf of those workers, that is fantastic. That will have removed uncertainty for those who are nervous about their own health and that of their families. I welcome that and I look forward to more measures specifically for self-employed people, which, we hope, may come today. <BR /> <BR />The devil is in the detail, however, and I appreciate that the Bill, in itself, may not provide that, but we have to be concerned about the outworkings of the Bill that we are passing via the Assembly and all the other devolved regions but specifically in Westminster.”
“However, it is that confusion that is leading people to continue to work and to employers reluctantly making them stay. The concern is that that will not delay the spread of the virus, and that is where we are right now.”
“We nearly need the whole Executive here because we could talk about every issue that seems to come up with this Bill.”
“If the Government instruct businesses to close, as we heard last night, are they taking on the liability to pay workers? How are they doing that? Who gets minimum statutory sick pay? Who will be entitled to the coronavirus job retention scheme, which pays up to 80% of wages? Do we advise them to go on to new style jobseeker's allowance, which is not means-tested on savings and partners' income, or the sickness benefit of ESA, which is quite similar, or do we tell them to go on to universal credit, which they may not be eligible for anyway, again, depending on their financial circumstances of savings and partners' income? <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that this is not entirely your remit, but you are responding to a lot of the concerns in relation to this more widely and I am grateful to you for doing that.”
“<BR /> <BR />Also, regarding statutory sick pay, I have been contacted by a number of employees last night and this morning telling me that their employer is requesting a sick note or self-certification to enable them to stay at home. That is, again, after the PM's announcement last night. Previous UK Government advice said that that was not required, but it seems that there remains considerable confusion about the liability of allowing people to stay at home. I will go into that further. <BR /> <BR />If the employee makes the decision to self-isolate, are they only entitled to statutory sick pay, as per their contract of employment? If the employer makes the decision to send staff home, is he or she liable to pay full pay while not receiving income at the other end?”
“Statutory sick pay, as many Members will know, is typically paid up front by the employer on day four, and I will expect employers to also pay employees on days one, two and three directly. <BR /> <BR />I ask the Minister, and maybe he can come back to me if he is unable to answer today, does the Coronavirus Bill provide a mechanism by which employers can claim the additional three days statutory sick pay that the Bill will enact? How soon will it be reimbursed? I appreciate that this has a short-term financial burden on the employer, but short-term cash flow is the problem that can and has led to many employers making serious decisions that have disrupted their businesses and the lives of their employees, and they may never recover from it.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will use this opportunity not necessarily to debate the specific clauses in the Bill and legislative consent motion but to seek clarity or, at a minimum, raise issues to ensure that they are not overlooked and that people will not fall through the gaps in the chaos of survival. I will, however, try and keep it in line with the parts of this Bill. <BR /> <BR />The practical outworkings of the Bill are ambiguous. Even after the Prime Minister's statement last night, they are perhaps even more ambiguous than they were before. One of the key areas that I want to talk about is statutory sick pay, and I know that it is provided for in the Bill. I appreciate the removal of the three-day wait. People should not be financially disadvantaged by these circumstances.”
“I go to bed at two in the morning and I wake up at seven and those messages are unanswered. The channel of Assembly Questions is a good opportunity not to expect answers but to raise queries to ensure that some issues that may have been overlooked are being addressed, because when we do that, the people that we represent, all of us, including the Northern Ireland Executive, will benefit. <BR /> <BR />This is not normal, and I sincerely hope that it does not become our new normal. When this passes, and I think that we are all praying to God and whoever else we put our hope in that it will, there needs to be global work to understand why this has happened and how we can prevent it happening again.”
“I say that not to undermine the genuine concerns that have been raised by many — not least Mr Nesbitt, Mr Allister and Miss Woods — which, in normal circumstances, would be entirely valid and would probably render the Bill unacceptable. I say it to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. If we are abandoning democracy, we are doing it for survival. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate the comments from Ms Kelly around removing the burden of Assembly Questions from Ministers. Again, I will reiterate that I do not seek to put any undue burden on an already overwhelmed Northern Ireland Executive, but I seek to raise those queries that I feel will be lost. I am sure that every Member in this House has received considerable correspondence via social media, email and telephone.”
“My thoughts are also with those who are receiving healthcare for any illness in all health and social care settings across Northern Ireland, the UK and, indeed, the world. The circumstances that we anticipate place them in the most vulnerable position. I expect that they are very scared right now. I say to all those who are on the front line — health and social care staff, the police, the Prison Service, pharmacy staff, retail staff, and all those who are now working not for themselves but for others — you have my support, compassion and representation. Whatever I can do, I will do it. I am sure that we will do it as an Assembly. That has been apparent today. <BR /> <BR />To an extent, agreement to the legislative consent motion is academic.”
“I want to begin by thanking the Minister for his work. I remember saying on restoration day that he had the hardest job of all. I do not think that anyone, even him, anticipated how true that would be a mere few months later. I am genuinely impressed by the Minister's candour, professionalism and compassion for all the people of Northern Ireland. I would extend those comments to the wider Northern Ireland Executive. It is about people, not politics, finally. <BR /> <BR />I recognise that people are scared. They are confused. They are fearful for their health and that of their families. People have died from contracting COVID-19. I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed.”
“Is it not the case that the purpose of parliamentary questions — oral and written — is to not only scrutinise, but to inform Ministers and highlight issues? When I ask Assembly questions, I do not do it for an answer; I do it to raise an issue. There are suggestions that the Northern Ireland Executive intend to create a portal — almost reinventing the wheel of what Northern Ireland Assembly questions are intended for. Whilst I appreciate the concern about limiting questions because of the considerable amount of work that they entail, is the Northern Ireland Executive removing an opportunity to raise issues that those at the Executive table might not find on the ground?”
“Perhaps it has already been raised, but we should try to find more support for the self-employed and sole traders. I appreciate that it is not within the financial gift of the Northern Ireland Executive to bring forward those measures, but how will you engage with the UK Government to ensure that they give them support? In Northern Ireland, we know that comparing our situation with that in England and Wales is almost like comparing apples with pears or oranges. We have a significant number of self-employed and sole traders who are not being supported. The measures that have been announced are for businesses that have premises or employees. If we are to underpin our economy, as much as helping those individuals, the Assembly has to encourage the UK Government to support the self-employed and sole traders.”
“I want to make a point about the leadership of both the deputy First Minister and the First Minister. It certainly has not gone unnoticed by my constituents. It is something that I always saw was there, and we will need to build on it when we pass this difficult time. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate the comments of the deputy First Minister about the communications portal. It is critical. We, as MLAs, are the voice of the people we represent but it does not directly find its way to the Executive table. Those ideas on the gaps in the policies that are being announced so quickly may help the Executive identify where we can better support what they announce. I welcome that opportunity.”
“I hope that the Minister of Finance, when he forms his subcommittee and it makes recommendations, takes a view on that. <BR /> <BR />Whatever your pursuit in the Assembly, whether it is towards a united Ireland or to maintain the status quo within the United Kingdom, we have to make Northern Ireland work. To do that, we need good governance. Sadly, nothing that I see put forward at this stage lends itself to that. That is disappointing. We should not let the last three years be in vain. Let us try to put confidence back into the people of Northern Ireland that we are capable and that we are here for a reason: for the people rather than the politics.”
“I come back to my point about the reform of the Civil Service. I am a big advocate that we should never go back to direct rule. The length of time that we had direct rule has caused the systemic failures. There was no one there to hold civil servants to account, and, in many cases, those civil servants are still here. No one was giving them the representation that happens on the ground to ensure that the policies that we put forward are right for the people we represent. We see that systemic failure. Our legacy of the past has led to an environment in which, perhaps, that would only have happened to the extent that it did in Northern Ireland. That is what we need to learn from. <BR /> <BR />When the Assembly was restored in early January, I asked for a root-and-branch review of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.”