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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“Autism is for life. In the same way in which it is recognised that those who live with autism see the world differently, it is time for those responsible for the delivery of services to look outside the box and begin to meet the ever-increasing demand for proper autism mental health services. At this point, it would be remiss of me not to mention those in the voluntary and community sector who make a major contribution to people with autism and their families. In particular, I think of a town in my area — I do not live there, but it is next to where I live — Strabane, where you have the Koram Centre and the likes of Autism NI delivering counselling services and facilitating family support groups. I thank them for their contribution.”
“Not only is the development of autism mental health services necessary to ensure better outcomes for those living with autism but it is a right for those autistic people to receive the proper mental health support that is tailored to the needs of each of them, as and when it is needed.”
“Adults with autism are nine times more likely to die by suicide and autistic children are 20 times more likely to self-harm than the general population. Employment, or the lack of it, is also a major issue for those with autism. Those stats cry out for the development of a specialist autism mental health service where well-equipped specialists and trained professionals support the autism community. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate that that service should be accessible throughout the North of Ireland and not just in major cities or the like. Access to mental health services is crucial, but it also requires mental health professionals to be trained in autism to ensure the best outcomes for those who contact the service in the first place.”
“As an MLA for West Tyrone and a member of the APG on autism, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate in the hope that it will go some way to improving services for those young and not-so-young people with autism and their families who, day and daily, struggle to cope with the many issues with autism. I am sure that there is not an MLA in the House who is not constantly dealing with issues that arise for their constituents, whether it is about accessing services or experiencing the sheer lack of services for those who live with autism and their families. <BR /> <BR />Autism is not a mental health problem in itself. Yet, statistics show that those with autism are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, self-harm and even those that lead to suicide.”
“Last year was a very busy one for the teams involved in the Casement Park project. Minister, have you any meetings with Ulster GAA and other key partners scheduled in the diary for 2025 as part of your Department's duty to support the Casement Park redevelopment?”
“Will she detail areas of work in which data sharing has informed several strategic Executive Office policy areas?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo.”
“The success of the strategy relies partly on our largest social housing provider being able to build again at scale. How soon do you envisage that we will have an update from Westminster about decisions on the revitalisation of the Housing Executive?”
“Cuirim fearadh na fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire.”
“Will she outline what her key asks are of the Treasury?”
“Minister, recent research by the Respect at Work campaign and Queen's University suggests that union busting is rampant across the island of Ireland, with 69% of workers surveyed reporting consistent anti-union behaviour from employers. Are you confident that the "good jobs" employment rights legislation will prevent that type of anti-union activity in the North and empower workers by securing their rights?”
“I welcome the statement, as my colleagues have. Minister, you did not consult the Communities Committee before giving the statement: why?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Minister, will you outline the Department's policy for replacing street lighting?”
“<BR /> <BR />Creidim gurb amhlaidh a bheas sé i gcás an A5 nuair a dhéanfar é a fhorbairt. Dá bhrí sin, is mian liom comhghairdeas a ghabháil leis an Aire John O’Dowd, nó d’fhógair sé le deireannas go bhfuil rún aige tús a chur ar an obair go luath sa bhliain 2025. <BR /> <BR />Chuir athbhreithnithe breithiúnacha moill ar fhorbairt an A5 agus is olc liom a chluinstin gur cuireadh agóid eile dlí ina aghaidh an tseachtain seo caite. Tá siúl agam go dtiocfar ar réiteach gan mhoill. <BR /> <BR />Cuirfidh forbairt an bhóthair seo go mór leis an tsábháilteacht ar bhóithre Thuaisceart na hÉireann. Tá mé ag dréim le titim láithreach i líon na dtaismí agus le tiománaithe a bheith slán agus iad ag taisteal ar an bhóthar seo.”
“<BR /> <BR />Gidh gur tábhachtach agus ábhartha iad na fachtóirí sin, ní mór a rá go gcuireann drochbhail ár mbonneagair go mór leis an fhadhb. <BR /> <BR />Is bóthar artaireach é an A5 chuig an iarthuaisceart, bóthair a théann trí mo thoghcheantar féin. Is minic a dúradh nach bhfuil an A5 acmhainneach ar an trácht atá ag taisteal air, nó chaill barraíocht daoine a mbeatha agus iad ag taisteal ar an bhóthar sin. <BR /> <BR />Is furasta an locht a chur ar na tiománaithe féin as cuid mhór de na taismí ar an bhóthar sin. Ach is léir go bhfuil contúirt sa bhóthar féin, nó tá an iomad bealach isteach agus amach ar an bhóthar chéanna. <BR /> <BR />Is minic an A4 luaite agam, nó ba é an bóthar ba chontúirtí in Éirinn é. Nuair a rinneadh carrbhealach dúbailte de, tháinig titim shuntasach ar líon na dtaismí.”
“Ba mhaith liom comhbhrón ó chroí a dhéanamh le muintir Loinsigh agus le muintir Shearcaigh faoi chailliúint thubaisteach Eoín, a fuair bás maidin Dé Domhnaigh seo chuaigh thart de dheasca taisme bóthair. Ní raibh Eoín ach 29. Go ndéana Dia A mhaith ar a anam. <BR /> <BR />Gortaíodh beagnach 8,000 duine ar bhóithre sna Sé Chontae anuraidh. Mar sin de, is cuí aird úsáideoirí bóthair a tharraingt ar a thábhachtaí atá sé bheith ar an eolas faoi shábháilteacht ar bhóithre agus bheith díograiseach ag cinntiú go dtig le daoine bheith slán agus iad ag taisteal ar ár mbóithre. <BR /> <BR />Is eol dúinn uilig príomhchúiseanna taismí bóthair: an ró-luas, bheith ag tiomáint faoi thionchar an óil nó drugaí, bheith ag tiomáint go neamhaireach, úsáid guthanna póca, gan crios sábhála a chaitheamh, agus droch-chothabháil feithiclí.”
“What engagement has there been with other Departments about the expansion of Magee?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“The statement is very welcome. The Minister alluded to two organisations that provide that type of advice at present. How can the Minister ensure that those organisations in the various areas and so on will work in tandem to ensure that we maximise the benefits in every respect?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Minister, what support is given to people placed in temporary accommodation outside the area in which they normally reside? What is the Department's contribution to reducing over-reliance on such accommodation?”
“<BR /> <BR />Beidh buaicphointe an Aonaigh Úll á cheiliúradh ag grúpa pobail Bhaile an Teampaill ar Bhóthar an Lorgain Bhuí an tráthnóna sin. Chuaigh an grúpa sin i ngleic le fadhb thinte cnámh na hoíche Samhna agus leis an iompar frithshóisialta a bhí bainteach leo. Chuaigh an grúpa i dteagmháil leis an phobal, agus cinneadh ar aonach siamsaíochta a chur ar cois ar láithreán an ghrúpa pobail. Mar chríoch ar an aonach beidh taispeántas tinte ealaíne iontach ann. Beidh an pobal uile go léir i láthair — clabhsúr cuí ar an Aonach Úll i gCaisleán na Deirge. Tá ardmholadh tuillte ag grúpa pobail Bhaile an Teampaill as a ndea-cheannaireacht. Bígí linn, a chairde. Beidh fearadh na fáilte agaibh i gCaisleán na Deirge ar an Aonach Úll.”
“Thagadh na feirmeoirí úll agus torthaí eile agus glasraí ó Chondae Ard Mhacha, "úllghort na hÉireann", agus ó i bhfad níos faide i gcéin ná sin. Bhíodh na sráideanna plódaithe, nó bhíodh daoine ag ceannach úll, oráistí, piorraí agus daimsíní agus gach aon chineál eile toraidh as a ndéanadh siad subh agus anlainn agus pióga. Bheireadh na fir cuairt ar na seastáin crua-earraí le trealamh a cheannach le haghaidh an ama a bhí le teacht. Dhéanadh an iomad ealaíontóirí sráide: fir láidre, draíodóirí agus áilteoirí — dhéanadh sin siamsa do na páistí. Tháinig laghdú ar an líon daoine a bhíodh ag freastal ar an ócáid tuaithe seo sna 70í. Caithfimid ár mbuíochas a ghabháil leis an chomhairle as acmhainní a chur ar fáil don Aonach Úll leis an nós tíre ársa seo a athbheochan agus le brí agus fuinneamh a chur arís ann.”
“Ba mhaith liom aire an Tí a tharraingt ar Lá Náisiúnta an Úill, a bhí ann inné. Is i mo bhaile dúchais féin, Caisleán na Deirge, a bheidh Aonach Úll ann an 25 Deireadh Fómhair. Comhairle Chathair Dhoire agus Cheantar an tSratha Báin a bheidh á urrú. Ní ócáid aon uaire i gCaisleán na Deirge é Aonach Úll: tá sé á reáchtáil ar an bhaile le mo chuimhne, agus, leoga, ar feadh i bhfad níos faide ná sin. <BR /> <BR />De ghnáth, bhíodh an tAonach Úll ann an Aoine dheireanach de mhí Dheireadh Fómhair. Bhí an t-am ann nuair ba é buaicphointe na bliana é, nó thagadh na sluaite chun an bhaile go bhfeiceadh siad na seastáin agus go gceannaíodh siad a raibh de dhíobháil orthu le haghaidh an gheimhridh.”
“Minister, I am sure that you will agree that addressing regional imbalance is key to a thriving, progressive economy in the North of Ireland.”
“Minister, did you have the opportunity to raise the city deals with the Prime Minister during the visit?”
“The Minister almost read out my second question about early intervention. Will the Minister commit to making early intervention a priority in the Department's approach to special educational needs?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“Minister, are you able to reassure me that this is not a case of "Live, horse, and you'll get oats" for the people of West Tyrone? In particular, when it comes to those new jobs Province-wide, is it the case that there will be less reliance on part-time and agency staff?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Minister, do you agree that ongoing investment in areas such as the north-west, particularly my area of West Tyrone, will lead to a vibrant and thriving economy that we can look forward to?”
“Minister, we know that a whole-of-government approach is required to achieve our objectives. Will the Minister outline how she will ensure that the ISNI is aligned with other key strategies?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra.”
“Minister, how does the Department plan to ensure that our vital homelessness services are protected, given the present budget constraints?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis.”
“Will the Minister provide an assessment of the courses that are available in prison for offenders?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo.”
“Níl ach dóigh amháin a ndéanfar cistiú ceart i seirbhís na sláinte, mar atá, Rialtas na Breataine maoiniú a thabhairt faoi dheireadh thiar thall do bhuiséad an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin ar bhonn leibhéal an riachtanais. <BR /> <BR />Iarraim ar an Aire Sláinte a bheith ag obair i gcomhar lena chomhghleacaithe ar an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin lena chur ina luí ar Rialtas na Breataine go bhfuil cistiú ceart de dhíth.”
“Ar an drochuair di, i ndiaidh í a bheith ag fanacht le 38 uair an chloig, bheartaigh a clann gurbh fhearr í a thabhairt chun an bhaile, nó ba léir go raibh scíste de dhíth uirthi agus ba léir nach raibh sí ag dul a fheiceáil dochtúra. <BR /> <BR />Bhí an scéal céanna agam ó dhuine eile an tseachtain seo caite. Scéal coitianta atá anois ann sna hotharlanna againn. Níor chóir gur gnáthrud é fuireachas fada a bheith ar dhaoine atá anonn in aois agus atá ag fulaingt, agus níor chóir glacadh leis sin in am ar bith. <BR /> <BR />Tá foireann dhíograiseach, dhícheallach, fhriothálach sa chóras sláinte agus cúraim shóisialta againn, ach, ar an drochuair, tá siad á gcur taobh thall dá gcumas ag na héilimh atá ar an tseirbhís. <BR /> <BR />Tá gá le hinfheistíocht sa chóras sláinte. Tá na seirbhísí poiblí againn ar an dé deiridh.”
“Éirím inniu a labhairt ar an ghéarchéim leanúnach sa chóras cúraim práinne agus éigeandála. <BR /> <BR />Táthar ag cur crua ar an fhoireann, agus tá sábháilteacht na n-othar agus na foirne á cur i mbaol in Otharlann Alt Mhic Dhuibhleacháin gach lá dá dtagann. <BR /> <BR />Bhí duine ó mo thoghcheantar féin i dteagmháil liom ar na mallaibh faoina mháthair, bean atá i gceann a ceithre scór bliain d'aois. Chaith sí 38 uair an chloig ar chathaoir san aonad éigeandála ag fanacht le dochtúir a fheiceáil. Chuaigh an bhean seo faoi scian ar na mallaibh, agus bhí sí i bpian de dheasca aicíd a chuaigh i bhfeadánacht inti.”
“Minister, will you outline what the language planning initiatives are, including the Gaeltacht service towns?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis fosta.”
“Can she provide more detail on the proposals that have been received?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra.”
“You outlined the intervention, via the Executive, that expressed great concern regarding this announcement. What responses were received from that engagement and from other correspondence that you might have had?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“I am from a rural community and have seen the closure of all the banks in Castlederg and many of the banks even in the larger town of Strabane. What can the Minister do to support those who are less digitally literate to access online banking facilities?”
“What steps have been taken to progress the establishment of the three new bodies under the Identity and Language Act?”
“Have the Minister or the Department's steering group received an update from the Housing Executive in respect of the findings of the recent study that ran until 31 March by researchers at the University of Liverpool and University College London regarding the consistent missing of rural housing targets? If not, when does he expect to receive that information?”