Maolíosa McHugh
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“At present, they are largely dependent on borrowing through the Department's capital arrangements, which can limit their flexibility and their capacity to compete with ports elsewhere across these islands. The Bill represents an opportunity to address those issues.”
“Importantly, there will continue to be accountability and oversight through board structures, including representation from locally elected council members, as is already the case at Belfast harbour. That public connection and democratic input is an important safeguard, and one that should provide reassurance.”
“Tá céimeanna beaga ann is féidir linn uilig a ghlacadh lenár sláinte a fheabhsú: scrúdú sláinte a chur in áirithe leis an dochtúir; bheith ag labhairt go hoscailte faoin mheabhairshláinte; páirt a ghlacadh i mbothán na bhfear nó i ngrúpa siúlóide; nó bheith páirteach in aclaíocht eile. Cuireann siad uilig feabhas ar an tsláinte.”
“I welcome the introduction of the Harbours Bill, and I commend Minister Liz Kimmins for introducing legislation that seeks to modernise the framework within which ports operate. <BR /> <BR />Our ports are critical pieces of economic infrastructure.”
“Tháinig deireadh le Seachtain Shláinte na bhFear ag deireadh na seachtaine seo a chuaigh thart, ar Lá na nAithreacha. Is cuí gur le linn Sheachtain Shláinte na bhFear a thit Lá na nAithreacha, nó is minic a shíleann na fir nach bhfuil an dara rogha acu ach saighdiúireacht a dhéanamh.”
“They support employment, facilitate trade, enhance connectivity and contribute significantly to our local and regional economies. My party therefore welcomes the introduction of the Harbours Bill and looks forward to engaging constructively as it is progressed through the Assembly to ensure that it delivers for our ports, our economy and…”
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“Táthar á thuar go rachaidh idir 50% agus 90% de theangacha dúchais i léig faoi cheann 100 eile bliain. Tuairiscítear go dtéann teanga dhúchais amháin in éag i gceann gach aon choicíse mar gheall ar an choilíneachas nó de bharr na dteangacha idirnáisiúnta a tháinig chun cinn de dheasca an choilíneachais. Ach is léir gur theip ar na cumhachtaí coilíneachta an teanga a scriosadh in Éirinn: má tá teangacha eile dúchais ar fud an domhain ag dul in éag, tá an Ghaeilge ag fás léi. <BR /> <BR />Tháinig an Ghaeilge slán ón scrios sin, mar gheall ar iarrachtaí a rinne muidne ár dteanga dhúchais a athbheochan, iarrachtaí ar éirigh go maith leo.”
“Déanfar Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Máthairtheangacha a cheiliúradh an deireadh seachtaine seo. Leagfar béim i mbliana ar ról an aosa óig i múnlú an oideachais ilteangaigh. <BR /> <BR />Tuairiscítear nach bhfuil rochtain ag 40% de dhaonra an domhain ar oideachas i dteanga a labhraíonn siad nó a thuigeann siad. Tá a mhalairt d’fhadhb ag ár dteanga dhúchais in Éirinn: tá ró-éileamh ar an Ghaelscolaíocht, agus is í an Ghaelscolaíocht an earnáil oideachais is mó fás sa Tuaisceart. Tá sin amhlaidh in ainneoin go ndearnadh ionsaithe ar ár dteanga dhúchais ar feadh na gcéadta bliain lena cur den tsaol. <BR /> <BR />Tugann teangacha dúchais léargas ar leith dúinn ar an tír, agus nascann siad muid léi; tá siad fite fuaite inár gcultúr, agus tá ról tábhachtach le himirt acu i bhforbairt ár bhféiniúlachta.”
“Perhaps there is a lesson in there for all of us.”
“The state of our roads affects every constituency. If we are serious about turning the situation around, all parties need to support additional, sustained funding for DFI and a long-term plan to rebuild the resilience of the network. <BR /> <BR />I will share a story with Members. One night, a number of years back, I left Glebe to travel to my home in Castlederg. I went across what is known as Fern Hill, which is a ridge that separates the Derg valley from the Finn valley. The road was the width of my car. It had been newly tarred and stoned. The following day, when a person raised a constituency issue with me about roads, I told them about that road. They said, "If they can do that to a mountain road, why will they not do it to our main roads?". I replied, "The difference is that that road is in the Republic".”
“In 2015, when Michelle McIlveen was Minister for Infrastructure, the Department, because of financial pressures, operated a limited maintenance service. I welcome the draft road maintenance strategy consultation, which accepts that we need to take a different approach, one that is more targeted, that is more sustainable and that makes better use of technology and data to direct limited resources to the highest-risk defects. It cannot stop at the draft stage, however. That is why it is right to call for an updated strategy and detailed action plan to be brought forward urgently once the consultation closes. <BR /> <BR />This should not be a blame game. I agree with my colleague Cathal that the signatories to the motion have demonstrated that they are more interested in playing party politics than in addressing the pothole problem.”
“The £300 million that was secured in December 2025 and the further £7·85 million for targeted road maintenance in response to storm Chandra show that the Minister for Infrastructure and the Minister of Finance are working proactively to increase the resources available to tackle the worst of the damage. That funding will not solve everything, but it will make roads safer and allow urgent works and resurfacing to proceed where they are needed most.”
“Years of underinvestment, combined with increasingly severe weather, have left our roads more vulnerable to rapid deterioration. Storm Chandra and the recent winter conditions have made that painfully clear. It is in that context that I acknowledge the work being done by the Minister for Infrastructure and DFI staff. <BR /> <BR />The amendment, fairly, recognises the practical steps that have been taken.”
“I am pleased to support the amendment that we tabled because it provides clarity and honesty to the debate, as my colleague articulated. The motion reflects a reality that every MLA and every road user recognises. The condition of our roads has deteriorated to the point where they pose a risk to motorcyclists, pedestrians and motorists. The motion is right to highlight the impact of storm Chandra and the harsh winter that we have endured. It is also right to note the sheer scale of the problem. In 2025, over 127,000 surface defects were recorded across the North, including almost 98,000 potholes. That is not a minor issue. It is a network under serious strain, and communities in every constituency are feeling it. However, the problem did not appear overnight, and it will not be fixed overnight.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Minister, you are well aware that there are political billboards and posters all over the North of Ireland. Is the same approach, which is to prioritise health and safety, applied to all?”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome today's debate because it highlights an anomaly in the system and how people are being entirely let down by the very same system that should support them. I hope that the Minister will look at those issues and provide for that particular cohort of people.”
“His doctor said that he would need a new referral because he had dropped out of the system, and his trust area was not accepting any new referrals because it was inundated with people coming forward with ADHD. That young person is attempting to hold down a job and he desperately needs his medication, but he is finding it impossible to acquire. That young person is not an exception. Many of our young people go across the water to Britain to go to college or, increasingly, to work temporarily and travel back after a few months. If they register with a doctor and are prescribed medication in Britain, when they return to Northern Ireland they will find that they have dropped out of the system and cannot access their medication.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the motion and the amendment. Like every other office, mine is inundated with people who are dealing with difficulties and problems related to ADHD. <BR /> <BR />I will highlight one aspect of that by giving one young person's story. That young person was diagnosed with ADHD and had been receiving a prescription from his doctor from as far back as 2017. A number of years later, he left the North of Ireland to attend university in Britain. He registered in Britain to ensure that he would continue to get his prescription, which he received monthly because of the type of medicine that he was receiving. That continued throughout his time at university. When he came home — he never left home; he only attended college in Britain — he found it impossible to get his medication again.”
“The statement outlines a range of fraud prevention and enforcement measures, but there has been no commitment in respect of quantifiable financial returns to the Department. Will the Minister provide an estimate of the additional cost to the Department of implementing all of the measures?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis.”
“Minister, I welcome your early announcement on increasing the funding that is available to homeowners to protect their homes from flooding. How can people avail themselves of the homeowner flood protection grant scheme?”
“Minister, it is well known that your party has blocked a change to the funding formula that would see more funding go to Foras na Gaeilge. That has caused a great deal of frustration among Irish language groups. Was that issue discussed, and will you confirm whether you are still blocking any reform to the funding formula?”
“Minister, given the high quality of the roads in the Republic of Ireland, I am sure that you wish that you had access to the same budget as they have there. If you had a comparable budget, what solutions would you be working towards to address the issue?”
“Do you intend to put in place plans that will increase the general public's awareness of the new service?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreaga sin.”
“I thank the Minister for this important development in driver licensing, which was passed by the Assembly in 2016. Does the Minister agree that, given the high proportion of young people aged 17 to 23 impacted by road collisions, including those who tragically lose their lives on our roads, it is vital that we do all that we can to ensure that they can drive safely?”
“Ba chóir Lá Cuimhneacháin an Uileloiscthe bheith ina rabhadh dúinn uile faoi na rudaí a d'fhéadfadh tarlú mura dtugtar dúshlán an fhuatha, an dídhaonaithe agus na fuarchúise. <BR /> <BR />Is gairm chun gnímh é Lá Cuimhneacháin an Uileloiscthe do chách atá tiomanta chun cearta an duine agus chun an daonlathais. Éilítear orainn seasamh le chéile i gcoinne frith-Sheimíteachas, seineafóibe, ciníochas agus leithcheal de gach sórt. Tá dualgas morálta orainn an comhionannas, an ceartas agus an tsíocháin a chosaint agus seasamh go daingean in aghaidh an chinedhíothaithe atá ar obair san am i láthair.”
“Déanfar Lá Cuimhneacháin an Uileloiscthe a chomóradh an tseachtain seo. Tugann sé deis dúinn ár machnamh a dhéanamh ar na hainghníomhartha ab uafásaí a rinneadh ar an chine dhaonna. Tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanaimid ár machnamh ar an tréimhse uafásach úd ionas go dtuigfidh muid an crá, an phian agus an fuath a bhí ann nuair a céasadh agus a dúnmharaíodh an oiread sin daoine. <BR /> <BR />Tá cúpla bliain ó shin, thug mé cuairt ar Auschwitz, an sluachampa géibhinn ba mhó de chuid na Naitsithe, inar maraíodh thart ar 1·1 milliún duine. Chuaigh na déantáin phearsanta agus na taispeántais inar léiríodh an taithí scanrúil sin, chuaigh sin go mór i bhfeidhm orm. Bhí sé thar a bheith coscrach.”
“Following on from when I was interrupted the previous time, I make the point that the Commissioner for Standards has found the Minister guilty on two points. Minister, are you incapable of accepting that reality? Are you challenging the independence and impartiality of the commissioner's office?”
“What is your Department doing to improve active travel around schools?”
“The initiative taken by Haemochromatosis UK will go a long way to addressing that need and is to be welcomed by all. Gabhaim buíochas agus buíochas mór le Haemochromatosis UK.”
“<BR /> <BR />As someone who has haemochromatosis, I usually attend the venesection clinic at Omagh hospital three times each year to have bloods taken off, thus reducing the amount of iron in my system. Haemochromatosis, also known as the "Celtic disease", is the most common inherited disease in the North of Ireland, particularly in the north-west counties of Tyrone, Donegal and Derry. It is vital that accurate statistics are obtained for those who have the disorder to ensure that they benefit from early intervention to negative the harmful effects of the disease. It is also important that the Department of Health is provided with information on the extent of the problem and distribution of the disease, so that appropriate measures are in place to deal with its consequences.”
“I congratulate Haemochromatosis UK, a registered charity, and welcome the fact that it will offer up to 23,500 households free genetic screening kits in Irvinestown, Portadown, Ballymena and Magherafelt. The kits are normally priced at £130, and it is offering them free of charge. In the near future, households in the relevant postcodes will receive information about genetic haemochromatosis and access to counselling to help them to understand the test results and impact of the disease. Haemochromatosis is an iron overload, which can cause severe fatigue, joint pain, memory issues and abdominal pain. If left undiagnosed, it can have a major impact on one's health, affecting major organs such as the heart and the liver, yet, as a genetic disorder, it is easily treated with therapeutic blood removal.”
“Ignoring the comment that was just made about how difficult it is to get an MOT, most people have noticed that it has become a lot easier to get an MOT appointment now than it was back in 2024. Did implementing the temporary exemption certificates impact on waiting times?”
“Minister, we live now in an ageing society, and, clearly, I am also well in that ballpark. As the society ages, it is more likely that many people will suffer from a disability of one form or another, and, as a result, the demand for disability adaptations and the like will increase. The facilities grant is already struggling to cope with demand, so when will the review of that grant be completed? Will its recommendations be implemented by 2027?”
“What engagement has been had with the Irish Government in relation to the transport strategy and transport plans?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Minister, are you able to outline the criteria that were used when people expressed an interest in jobs in the Civil Service? What criteria were used to select candidates for interview?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Aire, as do fhreagraí go dtí seo.”
“Minister, how will you address the crisis in recruitment and retention in the independent community care sector in areas such as my constituency of West Tyrone, which is highly rural in nature?”
“Minister, you do not accept the recommendation to establish a new licensing authority, so how will you ensure that the current licensing regime is reformed to increase accessibility and consistency in the sector?”
“Minister, the workload agreement that will be delivered will have the confidence of teachers and of unions. With that in mind, Minister, are you in a position yet to provide an update on teachers' pay talks for the forthcoming year?”
“Minister, you referenced reviews of the design standards to which social housing must be built. Can you confirm what the scope of those reviews will be? Will you continue to ensure that homes are built to a high energy efficiency rating and that they are suitable for people with disabilities?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Caithfidh gach duine againn bheith ag tacú leis an phobal agus leis na daoine sin a chaill daoine muinteartha agus bheith ag obair le chéile lena chinntiú go ndéanfar an bóthar sin. Sábhálfaidh an feachtas sin beatha daoine. Leanfaidh Sinn Féin de bheith ag obair le feachtasóirí, le páirtithe eile agus leis an Aire Bonneagair lena chinntiú go gcuirfear an tionscadal ríthábhachtach sin i gcrích. Abraimis ar lá seo an chuimhneacháin go ndéanfaimid ár seacht ndícheall leis an fheachtas sin a chur i gcrích.”
“Gabhaim mo chomhbhrón lena muintir agus guím ar son na ndaoine a tugadh chuig an ospidéal i ndiaidh an teagmhais. Go ndéana Dia trócaire ar a n-anam. <BR /> <BR />An té atá ag gabháil an bóthar, ba chóir dó ceann cúrsa a bhaint amach, pé acu coisí, rothaí, tiománaí nó paisinéir é. Cé go spreagaimid úsáideoirí bóithre le céimeanna riachtanacha a ghlacadh, ní mór dúinn, sa Teach seo, céimeanna riachtanacha a ghlacadh fosta lenár n-úsáideoirí bóithre a chosaint, go háirithe i gcás Bhóthar A5. De réir an fheachtais Is Leor Sin, fuair 57 nduine bás ó cuireadh tús ar fheachtas Bhóthar A5. Sin 57 nduine nár bhain ceann cúrsa amach. Is minic agus is rómhinic a tharla tubaiste agus crá croí ar Bhóthar A5, rud a d’fhág teaghlaigh ar fud an oileáin faoi choscairt.”
“Tá na dálaí tiomána ag gabháil in olcas de réir mar atáimid ag druidim le tréimhse na Nollag: tá an lá ag cailleadh, bíonn na bealaí fliuch, bíonn sioc agus oighear orthu agus bíonn níos mó tráchta ar na bealaí mar gheall ar dhaoine ag déanamh shiopadóireacht na Nollag nó ag gabháil ag amharc ar a ndaoine muinteartha. Ba mhaith liom aird a tharraignt ar an tsábháilteacht ar bhóithre inniu i gcomhar le Lá Domhanda i gCuimhne ar Dhaoine a d’Fhulaing de dheasca Timpistí ar Bhóithre. Ardaím an t-ábhar sin, ní hé amháin le cuimhneamh ar dhaoine a d’fhulaing de dheasca timpistí ar bhóithre ach le húsáideoirí bóithre a spreagadh le bheith ar a seacht n-airdeall thar thréimhse na Nollag. <BR /> <BR />Fuair muid scéala uafásach, ag deireadh na seachtaine, go bhfuair cúigear daoine faoi 25 bliana d’aois bás i dtimpiste i gcontae Lú.”
“The Minister will know that a very large percentage of those who require temporary accommodation are single males, who often find it difficult, even in the private market, to find accommodation that is suited to their needs. How will he ensure that the purchase of those 600 homes is completed in a strategic way in order to meet the needs of that demographic?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Aire, as an fhreagra sin.”
“Minister, as a member of the Communities Committee, I am well aware of the fact that many other strategies have not come to fruition during your time in office. I think particularly of the Irish language strategy. How confident can we be about that, when you are now, seemingly, having the time to take on an interest in issues in boxing?”
“Chaith Catherine tráth ag cur feabhas ar a cuid Gaeilge agus í ina duine fásta. Tuigeann sí a dheacra atá sí, mar Ghaeilge agus, ar an ábhar sin dhearbhaigh sí nach gcuirfeadh sí trom ar an té nach labharfadh í ach go spreagfadh sí é lena labhairt. Aithníonn sí an luach agus an léargas ar leith a thugann an Ghaeilge dúinn. <BR /> <BR />Creidim go gcuirfidh Catherine an chomhbhá, an dlúthpháirtíocht, ceartas sóisialta, an tsíocháin agus an comhionannas chun cinn agus í ina huachtarán - ní hé amháin dár muintir féin ar an oileán seo ach ar son ceartas agus síocháin dhomhanda. <BR /> <BR />Go n-éirí leat, a Catherine.”
“<BR /> <BR />Chuaigh Catherine i gceann feachtas toghchánaíochta a raibh meas, dínit agus aontacht ina chroílár, feachtas ina raibh tacaíocht aici ó chomhghuaillíocht leathan páirtithe polaitíochta ar chlé, lena n-áirítear Sinn Féin, an páirtí is mó ar an oileán seo. Is amhlaidh a fuair sí an líon is mó vótaí d’aon uachtarán riamh ar Éirinn. Rinne Catherine príomhthéamaí den Ghaeilge, d’Aontacht na hÉireann agus de chosaint neodracht na hÉireann ina feachtas toghchánaíochta. I ndiaidh di an toghchán a bhaint, thug sí cuairt ar Oireachtas na Samhna a bhí ar cois i mBéal Feirste - ag tarraingt le chéile beirt de na téamaí sin. <BR /> <BR />Is geal liom go bhfuil rún aici teanga oibre Áras an Uachtaráin a dhéanamh den Ghaeilge agus an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus í ina huachtarán. Is cuid dár n-oidhreacht chomhchoiteann í an Ghaeilge.”
“Déanfar Catherine Connolly a oirniú ina huachtarán nua ar Éirinn inniu. Ar dtús – gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Uachtarán Micheál D Ó hUigínn agus le Saidhbhín Uí Uigínn as a seirbhís. Is gradamach, cneasta mar a rinne an tUachtarán Ó hUigínn ionadaíocht dár dtír. Bhí sé go mór i bhfách le gnéithe is fearr na hÉireann a chur chun cinn: muintir na hÉireann, cruthaitheacht na nÉireannach, cultúr, agus luachanna daonlathacha na hÉireann. Ní dheachaigh sé ar chúl scéithe leis nuair a chonacthas dó an éagothroime, an leithcheal nó an éagóir bheith ar bun. Creidim go mbeidh Catherine Connolly ar aon dul leis an traidisiún sin agus í ina huachtarán.”
“for your response. Minister, is it possible to have a reduced speed limit in proximity to the school?”
“To what extent has the Minister consulted councils on the problem? Is he prepared to provide additional resources to councils? The increase in the fee will penalise those who already adhere to the law, but it will not impact on those who do not even register.”