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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“Gabhaim buíochas leis an leasChéad-Aire as a freagra.”
“Minister, you referenced reforms to fraud and error. Will you outline what those reforms will be and whether funding has been allocated in the budget to meet them?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Decolonising museum collections is not just an ethical imperative; it enriches our understanding of history by incorporating diverse perspectives and challenges all to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in meaningful dialogue with communities worldwide. By supporting the motion, we affirm our commitment to justice, inclusivity and the transformative power of acknowledging and rectifying past wrongs. Let us therefore endorse the motion wholeheartedly and set a precedent for museums everywhere to follow in the pursuit of equity and historical integrity.”
“Is amhlaidh a bhí sampla againn ar thaisí á gcur ar ais chun a ndúiche féin anseo in Éirinn ar na mallaibh. Tógadh trí cloigne déag ó Inis Bó Finne sa bhliain 1890 gur coinníodh i gColáiste na Tríonóide i mBaile Átha Cliath iad. Tógadh na cloigne gan cead a fháil ó mhuintir na háite san am sin. Rinneadh dianstocaireacht agus chuir muintir Inis Bó Finne a n-ainm le hachainí sa chruth gur cuireadh na taisí ar ais chun an oileáin, áit ar cuireadh i gcré na cille iad. Ghabh Coláiste na Tríonóide a leithscéal as an bhuairt mhór a cuireadh ar mhuintir an oileáin toisc na taisí sin a thógáil, tá 133 bliana ó shin. Anuas air sin, tá Meitheal Athbhreithnithe ar Oidreachtaí Choláiste na Tríonóide, tá sin ag déanamh athbhreithiú ar an bhaint a bhí ag an Choláiste leis an sclábhaíocht agus le hImpireacht na Breataine.”
“<BR /> <BR />A poignant example of NMNI's commitment is the repatriation of ancestral Hawaiian human remains and sacred objects. Those items, removed in the 19th century, were returned to native Hawaiian representatives in a ceremony that underscored the importance of cultural respect and healing. As Carmen Hulu Lindsey of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs aptly stated, that act was "much needed and long overdue". <BR /> <BR />Beidh cluasáin de dhíth anois.”
“The motion advocates the decolonisation of museum collections and the repatriation of artefacts. That initiative is not merely about returning objects; it is about restoring dignity, acknowledging historical injustices and fostering genuine reconciliation with communities whose heritage has been displaced. National Museums NI has, commendably, taken steps in that direction. In 2022, the Ulster Museum launched the Inclusive Global Histories exhibition, marking a significant move towards decolonising its collections. That exhibition critically examines the provenance of artefacts, many of which were acquired during colonial times, and seeks to present them in their rightful cultural context. By doing so, NMNI is not only educating the public but challenging long-standing narratives that have marginalised indigenous voices.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“How many people are working on the Irish language strategy in your Department? Is that number sufficient?”
“Anuraidh, sna Sé Chontae is Fiche, is coisithe, rothaithe agus úsáideoirí r-scútair 40% daoibh sin a maraíodh ar na bóithre. <BR /> <BR />Is eol dúinn uile na deacrachtaí bonneagair atá againn. Mar sin de, molaimid do dhaoine modh eile iompair a úsáid leis an bhrú tráchta a éascú agus le cuidiú leis an timpeallacht. Agraím daoine a bheith ar a n-airdeall agus iad ag taisteal ar ár mbóithre. Tá freagracht ar gach duine againn muid féin, agus an mhuintir atá thart orainn, a choinneáil slán. Ba chóir do gach aon duine atá ag taisteal ar ár mbóithre ceann cúrsa a bhaint amach.”
“Déanaimid Seachtain Dhomhanda na Náisiún Aontaithe um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre a cheiliúradh an tseachtain seo. Tá gortuithe tráchta ar bhóithre ar cheann de na príomhchúiseanna báis agus míchumais ar fud an domhain: maraítear beagnach 1.2 milliún duine agus gortaítear 50 milliún duine gach bliain i dtaismí bóthair. Is iad is mó is cúis bháis do dhaoine óga idir cúig bliana agus 29 mbliana d'aois. Is coisí nó rothaí é duine as gach ceathrar a mharaítear ar fud an domhain. Is ar shábháilteacht coisithe agus rothaithe atáimid a dhíriú ár n-airde an tseachtain seo, agus is amhlaidh is cóir. <BR /> <BR />Idir 2012 agus 2022, gortóidh beagnach 3,000 rothaí ar ár mbóithre. Ainneoin ár ndíchill, agus ainneoin a raibh ann d’fheachtais, níor tháinig aon titim ar líon na ndaoine a gortaíodh.”
“Minister, will you detail what is happening with the retained and listed buildings on the site?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an leasChéad-Aire as ucht a freagra.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion is not just about policies; it is about principle and compassion. Let us give councils the tools that they need, support the organisations that do essential work and ensure that no healthy dog is excluded due to systemic failures.”
“That is why I welcome the call for a review of council dog pound and kennelling policies. We must have a standardised approach across all councils that prioritises animal welfare, ensures regular unannounced inspections and enforces the licensing of all establishments. However, we cannot ask councils to do more with less. <BR /> <BR />I am disappointed that funding from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to support councils in fulfilling their statutory animal welfare duties has been cut. It appears that it is the responsibility of councils to deal with non-farmed animals. That decision undermines the very goal that we are trying to achieve today. If we are to expect councils to carry out thorough enforcement, compassionate care and proper oversight, we must give them the resources to do so.”
“I support the motion and affirm my commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare across the North. The way that we treat animals reflects our values as a society. I commend the vital work of Dogs Trust and other rehoming organisations and charities. Their dedication, often in the face of limited resources, is inspiring. They step in when public systems struggle, and they deserve our deepest gratitude. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly must ensure that our current animal welfare system is working in councils. We must support councils to achieve that. The policy of euthanising healthy animals after a short period is unacceptable. It reflects not a lack of compassion from front-line staff but a failure of the system in which they work and the support that they need.”
“Minister, in the same vein, this is a problem that exists throughout the North of Ireland, so will you outline the steps that you are taking to improve planning statutory consultees' response times?”
“We do, however, hope that whoever is appointed to be the next Pope will follow the same direction in which Pope Francis led his Church. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”
“<BR /> <BR />Pope Francis showed his concern for immigrants: an issue that has worldwide implications. He criticised those countries that shunned migrants. The Pope said that people cross borders looking for a better life. Is that not what we all want for our children? Are we not all the same people? In 2018, when Pope Francis visited Ireland, my wife and I attended the papal mass in Phoenix Park, where I heard the Pope's words of encouragement when he asked us not to be indifferent to the less fortunate. That is something that he exemplified throughout his tenure as Pope and even on the day of his funeral, when he ensured that a special place was reserved for marginalised and homeless people amongst all the world leaders and dignitaries who were in attendance. <BR /> <BR />As we say in Irish, ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.”
“During his 12-year tenure, the "people's Pope" was renowned for his humility, his devotion to his faith, his efforts to open doors in the Church to those who were previously ignored or shunned and his efforts to reach out to the marginalised, the dispossessed and the poor. Pope Francis was a Pope of peace. He had taken his message — the Christian message — to many corners of the world, where he met many political leaders, leaders of other faiths and those of no faith. It is ironic that, on the occasion of his funeral, a productive meeting between the American president and Zelenskyy, the leader of Ukraine, took place in pursuit of a ceasefire in the war between Russia and Ukraine. An end to that war was very dear to Pope Francis's heart, as was his desire for an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.”
“On Easter Sunday morning, I watched on television Urbi et Orbi, the customary papal address that is given to the world to celebrate Easter and the Resurrection. Although, owing to his failing health, Pope Francis had delegated the papal address to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, he blessed the thousands of people in St Peter's Square and the tens of thousands worldwide who watched on television. Not only did Pope Francis wish all who were present a happy Easter but he insisted on being taken amongst the people. He was taken through the crowds, waving to and blessing all who were in attendance. Pope Francis was a Pope of the people to his very last breath. <BR /> <BR />Although the Pope's declining health was obvious, it still came as a shock to many when his death was announced on Easter Monday.”
“Minister, what action is your Department taking to strengthen farm safety measures and prevent further tragedies, particularly given the risk that is associated with farm machinery?”
“If a particular provider does not get the numbers that it requires, why can those places not then be allocated to other providers in the locality? I have always wondered what the reason is for not allowing that.”
“Children, however, should be accommodated, so the Education Authority needs to think about how restrictive its conditions are at present. When I make an application to the EA for it to increase provision, I am given the same reasons for its not doing so. It will make an exception for a twin, for a child with special needs or for security reasons. Otherwise, places are very limited, so families who have traditionally gone to a particular provider now find that access is not just as easy as one might think it would be. Should the provider have more applicants than there are spaces available, they find themselves under pressure. I therefore ask the Education Authority to reconsider its conditions or expand the number of available places in order to facilitate applicants. <BR /> <BR />I have one more point to make before I finish.”
“Year after year, two playschool providers in the Derg area — one in the Glebe and the other in Clady — come to me with the problem of their not being able to increase their preschool numbers, even though there is, without doubt, demand for places. That demand is as a result of smaller communities having the resilience and strength to protect their local provision. If it is not provided locally, problems often arise from children having to travel to a town 3, 4 or 5 miles away. If no transport system exists, parents are, all of a sudden, under pressure. It is therefore important that we embrace the issue and make provision for children to attend preschool. <BR /> <BR />I keep using the term "preschool", but that is not the correct term as such.”
“The PEG programme essentially pays for the teachers for that type of provision, so it is important that, in the first instance, providers have the numbers required to sustain their programme.”
“Within a year, it may have fewer than nine and, all of sudden, find that it is threatened because it does not have the numbers to stay on the PEG programme.”
“, of Naíscoil na Deirge, which offers independent preschool provision. I will not talk about Naíscoil na Deirge, however, because, in fact, it has healthy numbers and is well allocated with the places that we require. I will talk about other preschool provision in my area about which people have contacted me. It is the second or third year on the trot that I have written letters on their behalf to the likes of the Education Authority. It is a perennial problem, year after year. <BR /> <BR />Those providers' very existence is threatened. I will just clarify for people that the type of provision that we are talking about needs to have at least eight children in order to be on the preschool education group (PEG) programme. You can see how precarious it is for a setting to have its places capped at nine children.”
“I would like to comment on the same issue. I declare an interest as the chairman, or cathaoirleach”
“<BR /> <BR />Is í an Ghaeilge teanga dhúchais na tíre seo agus, leoga, tá sí ar cheann de na teangacha is sine ar domhan. Tá sí thart timpeall orainn in ainmneacha na gcontaetha, na mbailte fearainn, na mbailte móra agus na gcathracha againn. An té a bhfuil Gaeilge aige, tá cur amach aige ar na logainmneacha agus ar an cheantar a ndéanann sé cónaí ann. <BR /> <BR />Baineann teanga leis an chumarsáid, an tuiscint, an meas, an cultúr agus an ghaois. Ní thuigim, mar sin, cad chuige a mothaíonn duine ar bith faoi bhagairt ag an Ghaeilge. Is ar an ábhar sin ba cheart straitéis Ghaeilge a bheith ann: leis an lánpháirtíocht a spreagadh; caidreamh pobail agus tuiscint an phobail a chothú; agus deiseanna a chur ar fáil do gach duine.”
“Ní hé amháin go bhfuil géarghá le tuilleadh múinteoirí oilte i ngach ábhar le freastal ar an éileamh atá ann sna Gaelscoileanna, ach ina theannta sin, tá gá le múinteoirí a bhfuil Gaeilge acu agus atá oilte go leibhéal a 5 i gcúram leanaí le riar ar an éileamh ar áiteanna réamhscoile trí mheán na Gaeilge. Dhéanfaí saincheisteanna mar sin a thabhairt chun solais agus a réiteach le straitéis Ghaeilge. <BR /> <BR />Is doiligh deireadh iontais a dhéanamh d’fhás na teanga, ní hé amháin i measc na ndaoine a bhfuil an teanga acu cheana féin, ach i measc an phobail i gcoitinne atá ag tnúth leis an teanga a fhoghlaim. Tá níos mó daoine ag glacadh leis an teanga, go háirithe an mhuintir óga a fhaigheann spreagadh ón dóigh a bhfuil ag éirí le grúpaí óga ard-éirime ar nós Kneecap nó le daoine eile sna scannáin Ghaeilge.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tá sé de dhualgas ar an Aire straitéis Ghaeilge a thabhairt isteach, straitéis lena leagfar amach go soiléir spriocanna i dtaca le dul chun cinn agus forbairt na Gaeilge go ceann 20 bliain, agus lena gcinnteofar go mbeidh maoiniú cuí ann leis an straitéis a chur chun feidhme. Aithním an dul chun cinn a rinneadh faoin choimisinéir teanga atá le ceapadh agus an Acht Féiniúlachta agus Teanga a ritheadh i bParlaimint na Breataine i dtaca leis, agus is ar an ábhar sin atá frustrachas orm go bhfuilimid go fóill ag fanacht sa dlínse seo le straitéis Ghaeilge, straitéis leis an bhealach chun cinn a leagan amach do phobal na Gaeilge atá ag fás i méid agus i mbrí i rith an ama. <BR /> <BR />Tá a shárfhios agam faoi na constaicí i mbealach phobal na Gaeilge, go háirithe na constaicí a cheapann an fás.”
“Is geal liom deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an rún seo agus iarraidh ar an Aire Pobal straitéis Ghaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm faoi dheireadh thiar thall. <BR /> <BR />Chuala muid ag an Choiste Pobal an tseachtain seo caite an díomá atá ar Chonradh na Gaeilge go bhfuil straitéis Ghaeilge go fóill gan déanamh agus nach bhfuil an tAire sásta buaileadh leis an eagraíocht sin ná amlíne a thabhairt maidir le straitéis Ghaeilge. D’éist mé leis an Aire le déanaí agus é ag tabhairt isteach an Bhille um Theanga Chomharthaíochta agus é á rá gur thuig sé an tábhacht a bhaineann le teanga, le cultúr teanga agus an tionchar atá ag teanga ar an tsochaí i gcoitinne ó thaobh comhionannas deiseanna de. Mar sin de, cuirim an cheist seo: Cad chuige a nglacann sé an oiread sin ama le straitéis Ghaeilge a fhorbairt?”
“<BR /> <BR />Sin an cheist a chuirim faoi bhráid an Tí. <BR /> <BR />Le go mbíonn soláthar maith de tháirgí fola againn —.”
“Déantar féithligean, nó tarraingt fola, nuair is gá, a trí nó a ceathair de huaireanta sa bhliain de ghnáth, lena chinntiú go gcoinnítear leibhéil iarainn ar leibhéal sábháilte. <BR /> <BR />Is féidir an fhuil a bhailíonn Seirbhís Fuilaistriúcháin Thuaisceart na hÉireann a athúsáid. Ar an drochuair, ní féidir sin a dhéanamh i gcás na ndaoine a théann faoi fhéithligean san ospidéal, nó níl áit stórála ag na hospidéil ná níl an gléas acu leis an fhuil dheonaithe a dháileadh. <BR /> <BR />Meastar gur in iarthuaisceart na hÉireann — Tír Eoghain, Dún na nGall agus Doire — is mó agus is minice atá an haemacrómatóis ghéiniteach le fáil. Dá dheasca sin, tógadh fuil ó chuid mhór daoine in ospidéil nach raibh an cumas iontu an fhuil sin a choinneáil. Faoi láthair, déantar an fhuil sin a scriosadh i ndiaidh an fhéithligin.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tarlaíonn an haemacrómatóis ghéiniteach nuair a fhaigheann duine géin ar leith ón dá thuismitheoir, agus, mar thoradh air sin, coinníonn an corp an iomarca iarainn, rud a théann i bhfeidhm ar orgáin ríthábhachtacha amhail an croí, an t-ae agus an paincréas. <BR /> <BR />Dá mbeadh scagthástáil leitheadach ann i dTuaisceart na hÉireann le hiompróirí an ghalair sin a aithint, d’fhéadfaí cur chuige láidir a fhorbairt le gabháil i ngleic leis an iomad fadbhanna sláinte a bhaineann leis an ghalar sin. Ach, mo léan, níl an scagthástail leitheadach ar na bacáin go fóill. <BR /> <BR />Tá áthas orm a rá, áfach, gur furasta an galar sin a chóireáil, ar dea-scéala é do na daoine sin a bhfuil an galar ag cur orthu. Tá an galar ormsa fosta.”
“Pléifidh mé an haemacrómatóis ghéiniteach. Tá níos mó eolais ag daoine ar an fhadhb sláinte sin de bharr feachtas teilifíse a rinneadh le deireannas. Lena chois sin, bhí imeacht san Áiléar Fhada le haird a tharraingt ar an cheist. <BR /> <BR />Déantar an haemacrómatóis ghéiniteach a rangú mar ghalar neamhchoitianta. Tá an galar sin ag caitheamh ar dhuine as gach deichniúr, ach, is léir nach galar neamhchoitianta é ar chor ar bith. Ós rud é go bhfuil an haemacrómatóis ghéiniteach chomh leitheadach sin i measc na gciníocha Ceilteacha — na hÉireannaigh, na hAlbanaigh agus na Breatnaigh — is minic a thugtar an "mhalacht Cheilteach" uirthi.”
“Will you confirm, Minister, that you will do everything in your power to ensure that we reach the target of 10,000 students on the Derry campus?”
“Minister, what analysis have you carried out that points to the North of Ireland's having a particularly concerning issue with benefit fraud when compared with other jurisdictions that is evidence of the need for those tougher measures?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Tá an idirghabháil agus an cosc luath ríthábhachtach, agus caithfidh teacht furasta a bheith ag gach duine ar sheirbhísí.”
“Ní mór do pháistí foghlaim faoi scileanna le deacrachtaí a fhreastal agus faoina thábhachtaí atá sé labhairt faoin mheabhairshláinte ar scoil agus sa bhaile. Tá sé tábhachtach fosta díriú ar thionchar na meán sóisialta le tuiscint a fháil ar an bhrú breise a bhíonn ar dhaoine óga i sochaí an lae inniu. <BR /> <BR />Cuireann eagraíochtaí áitiúla éagsúla agus eagraíochtaí neamhbhrabúis cláir ar fáil atá dírithe ar fheasacht meabhairshláinte, ar thógáil acmhainneachta, agus ar thacaíocht do theaghlaigh. Mar sin féin, tá sé tábhachtach nach mbíonn páistí agus a muintir ag brath go hiomlán ar thacaíocht ón earnáil pobail agus dheonach. Ní mór do sheirbhísí meabhairshláinte do leanaí agus d'ógánaigh (CAMHS) freastal ar riachtanais mheabhairshláinte an pháiste aonair.”
“Is í an tseachtain seo Seachtain Mheabhairshláinte na bPáistí. Tugann sí sin deis dúinn sa tSeomra aird a tharraingt ar an ghníomh phráinneach atá de dhíth chun tacú le daoine óga a bhfuil fadhbanna meabhairshláinte ag caitheamh orthu. Mar is eol dúinn, tá easpa oibrithe meabhairshláinte cáilithe ann le freastal ar an éileamh ar sheirbhísí — éileamh atá ag ardú leis. Mar thoradh air sin, bíonn tréimhsí fada feithimh ann le haghaidh measúnú agus cóir a fháil dár ndaoine óga. <BR /> <BR />Tá ardú suntasach tagtha ar fhadhbanna meabhairshláinte i measc páistí agus déagóirí. Le dul i ngleic leis sin, creideann Sinn Féin i gcur chuige i leith seirbhísí meabhairshláinte a chumtar leis an othar, atá dírithe ar an othar agus atá bunaithe ar chearta an pháiste.”
“Will funding be provided to support the NIHE's front-line staff involved in housing allocations to undergo trauma training in order to minimise any potential re-traumatisation of clients during the assessment process following the review of primary social needs points and to remove barriers to sustainable engagement?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Food was carried in to that man for three days. He was then admitted and operated on immediately, and he had stents inserted. Had his family taken him home, as the other family did, he could have died on the street on them. It is as simple as that. That is the kind of pressure that we are experiencing at Altnagelvin, and it is imperative that we react to it. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the suggestions by my colleague to the Minister on the short-term measures that may be adopted. We know what the long-term solution is, but money has to be found to implement the short-term measures. It is not good enough for the Minister to say to me, as he did yesterday, that I am living in a utopian world because I desire and hope for better medical provision for all residents of the north-west.”
“I will comment on the experience of two families. In the first case, an elderly woman, who had come through an operation for cancer, was referred to A&E by her doctor and went there. She sat there for three nights — three nights — on a chair. I am often surprised at some of the statistics for waiting times. She spent three nights on a chair. So critical was her condition that her family took her home because she was in greater need of rest than she was of seeing the doctor in Altnagelvin. In the second case, the family had a similar experience, but they stayed the three days. The man's wife carried food into him in the waiting room in Altnagelvin. He described the hospital as being like something from a Third World country. Security was needed for those who were in the waiting room, given some of the antics that were happening there.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I am an MLA who lives in Castlederg, and the hinterland includes the parish of Aghyaran, the Corgarys and Meenakeeran, which goes up almost to Barnesmore Gap. The residents must travel 40 miles to get to the nearest hospital and emergency department, which is at Altnagelvin.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“However, that, in no way, should deflect us from meeting the demand for a specialist autism mental health service of well-trained professionals who are specifically trained to deal with autism. I ask the Minister to make it one of his highest priorities to provide that specialist mental health service.”