Máirtín Ó Muilleoir
South Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Go raibh maith agat as an cheist sin. I think it must. I followed the Public Accounts Committee under my colleague Mr Swann, and I read the devastating October hearing when Ofgem appeared.”
“While the areas it will investigate will be wide-ranging, it will necessarily include key areas in which there has been huge public interest, including the development and roll-out of the RHI scheme by the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment; the signing off of the scheme by the then Department of Finance and Personnel; th…”
“I thank Mr Clarke for that question. I know that Mr Clarke was at the PAC hearing that Robin Swann had the wonderful occasion to chair. I would have paid money to attend that because it was certainly a difficult session for the PAC.”
“In relation to the question asked, I want to speak in particular of the seven months that I have been in the Department of Finance. I have been deeply impressed by the commitment, diligence and alertness of my officials to the RHI scandal. I mentioned previously alerting the Comptroller and Auditor General.”
“Ba mhaith liom buíochas a thabhairt don Chomhalta as an cheist sin. I think that any inquiry will ask what went wrong, where it went wrong, who was accountable and what happened. In that context, I am totally convinced that the decision to involve Ofgem in the RHI scheme was a major mistake. Ofgem has failed.”
“Therefore, I wish to reassure the public by setting out the steps that I think must be taken to ensure absolute openness and transparency. The arrangements I have detailed in this statement are intended to ensure this.”
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“I think it is a matter of great regret that it fell, but if I can do anything to resuscitate — that may be the word — the project, the Member can be sure that I will do so. I was heartened by the visit on Friday. Gerry Adams was there as well, as was the cross-border committee. It seems to me that people have been waiting for a long time, and to deliver the bridge would be a great peace dividend for that area.”
“That report will reflect back on the Fresh Start Agreement, which references the Narrow Water bridge, and it will talk about the great potential that it has to boost tourism and to be a cross-border, cross-community link that will transform the way that tourists and visitors will view that part of the world, as well as being an enormous asset for local people. <BR /> <BR />I hope that when we get that report, we can get the pledges of support that were there previously. I am sure it was distressing for the Member, as it was for all of us, that that fell. In my view, that project should have gone ahead. European money was there, local council money was there and both Governments were on board.”
“I thank the Member for her question. I have been in Newry, and I was at the Narrow Water bridge site last Friday, with the Principal Deputy Speaker. Before I answer the question, I will say that I think there is great potential in Newry, reaching down as far as Rostrevor, and it seems to me that it is untapped potential. It also seems that the example and exemplary progress of First Derivatives, under Brian Conlon's leadership, shows us what can be achieved in that part of the world. Take it, first, that I am an ally for any attempts in that constituency to improve people's lives and build prosperity. <BR /> <BR />In terms of the Narrow Water bridge, the Member may be aware that a report will go to the North/South Ministerial Council in July — I think it is 7 July, but I am not sure if we have nailed down a date yet.”
“The real issue is not one of asking Minister Noonan what he can do for us but what we can do together to improve the lives of all the people whom we represent. It is about cross-border cooperation between Finance Ministers. Broader than that, in concert with ministerial colleagues, it is about how we can work together for the common good. As part of that, in speaking with Minister Noonan shortly after my election, I said that I am a big advocate of the Belfast to Dublin economic corridor. That passes through Newry, which is not in your constituency either. <BR /> <BR />It is a getting-to-know-you meeting. I hope to work very closely with Minister Noonan, Minister Donohoe and Minister of State Murphy in the time ahead.”
“You are tempting me to speak about Brexit. I am going to resist that. I am meeting the Minister on Wednesday morning. He will ask me how it is going, and I will tell him that it is going well. We will confine ourselves to that. <BR /> <BR />I was trying to think desperately of something in your constituency, Mr O'Dowd, that is on the agenda, but you can be sure that the Narrow Water bridge will be on the agenda, as will the pledge to fund the A5. I stand to be corrected, but I think that it was €400 million originally. We have reduced considerably from that. I think that we are down to €75 million maximum from the Irish Government. The Ulster canal is certainly a project on the agenda, as is Waterways Ireland and the cross-border bodies.”
“Buíochas arís leis an Chomhalta as an cheist. I recently met Eoghan Murphy TD, the Minister of State for Financial Services, eGovernment and Public Procurement, and I have arranged to meet Minister Michael Noonan this Wednesday in Dublin. I have also been in correspondence with Paschal Donohoe, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, and I anticipate meeting him in the near future.”
“Air passenger duty is one of the taxes that we would look quite differently at if we could control it, but, of course, to all these things there is a cost.”
“Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabhail leis an Chomhalta as a cheist. I thank the Member for his mischievous question. As Minister, I am not allowed to speak on Brexit, so I will not. However, as an individual, I have told you where I would like to be and what I hope to wake up to on Friday morning. <BR /> <BR />If you really believe — I suspect that you do not — that the Tories introduced air passenger duty to protect the environment, you came up the Lagan in a bubble. The Greens were in favour of air passenger duty, because they did want to stop the damage to the environment from the burning of petrol, and so on. Whatever they think, it is clear that the Tories introduced a tax that is OK for London — it has not taken anything from Heathrow's advance — but that is clearly an imposition on us.”
“Whatever tactics were used by the House to ensure that we protected the most vulnerable, I endorse them. We have managed to put in place the most generous mitigation package in these islands for those on welfare benefits, for the disabled and for those who would have been faced with the bedroom tax. You can be sure that, when it comes to dealing with the Treasury, it knows that, when it faces this Government, it faces a strong adversary.”
“The Ulster Unionist Party should be very wary of getting into that particular scrap.”
“Thank you for not changing the question. I am not sure whether I should pull my punches — maybe I will not — given that the Ulster Unionist Party joined forces with the Conservatives at the 2010 election that ushered in this awful era of austerity. "Austerity" is just a bland word for hardships for ordinary people. As the bishops of England said, it places the heaviest burdens on those with the narrowest shoulders.”
“Unfortunately, European rules — I hope that they are still there on Friday — do not allow a state to have a different rate of VAT within a region. That said, it is my intention that we should control all these levers. There is no greater example of flexibility than that applied by the sovereign Government in Dublin to secure the recovery of tourism. <BR /> <BR />I have no doubt that the Seamus Heaney centre will be a huge success, and I wish the hospitality sector in south Derry every success. If there is anything I can do to help that, you can be assured of my support.”
“Ba mhaith liom comhgairdeas a dhéanamh as an cheist a chur. I admire the Member for standing up for his rights and making sure that he got his supplementary in, despite the ruling of the Chair. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom cuireadh a fháil cuairt a thabhairt ar Dhoire theas. Ar ndóigh is fada an bhaint atá agam leis an cheantar sin. I look forward to visiting the Member's constituency. As he knows, I have very strong south Derry roots, and I look forward in particular to visiting the Seamus Heaney centre. <BR /> <BR />The VAT rate of 20% is a tax on tourism and a burden on hospitality. If you want to see how to do it right, you can see what they did down south, where they reduced the hospitality rate to 9%. Tourism has created more jobs south of the border in the last four years than any other sector.”
“Dia leat. Bless you. Everything that we do to try to take further powers is done because I believe in Members of the House. I believe in their genius, their ability and their talent to make the right decisions for the electorate when they control these fiscal levers. Any day of the week, I would rather put my faith in the Members of this House than in the Treasury.”
“Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabhail leis an Chomhalta as an cheist a chuir sé. My starting point is that I believe that Members of the Assembly are best placed to make decisions in the interest of the people who elect us. It is no secret that I have said that I would like this Government to have more fiscal levers under our control. <BR /> <BR />The transfer of corporation tax powers, which we have just discussed, sets an important precedent, and I hope that it will spur us on to taking greater control of our destiny. I hark back to that. Everything that we do —”
“That is actually the Treasury calculation. We are now going into negotiations with our colleagues in Treasury, and we will decide what is affordable for our people and what is fair and proportionate. I am not going to negotiate in this room, but everyone, including the Treasury, knows that I will seek the very best deal. Officials have, of course, presented the modelling done by Treasury, but I would like the support of everyone here in challenging everything that the Treasury brings to the table. Let us challenge it robustly, because the alternative is to sit on our hands and say that we cannot do better and we might as well go home. That is not my intention in the assertive and positive negotiations that we will have with Treasury in the time ahead.”
“I am confident that, while there will be a reduction in the block grant at the start, we will attract more companies and investment here over a number of years, and the take from corporation tax will rise from the base that it will be at when it is first reduced.”
“One thing that the Member touches on is that this is not a spectator sport; there is a role for every politician, business leader and community leader to show the proposition that we offer to investors and indigenous companies who want to invest further. As we move forward and bring our best game to the negotiations with Treasury, I am confident that the points that you make about the bright future that we envisage for all our people are put front and centre. The Treasury has to understand that a prosperous society here will mean that we do not have to go back to Treasury and ask it to support the many projects that we wish to fund from our corporation tax resources in the time ahead.”
“For every young person to whom we can offer a job — a well-paid, sustainable job — rather than offering them what was the emigrant boat and is now the aeroplane to Canada or Australia, I say to the Member that, yes, we think it will increase output by at least 8·5%. Yes, we think it will be a dramatic step change, but we should it reduce it to the individual — every person to whom we will be able to give the dignity of employment because we have reduced corporation tax.”
“I am aware that the Member's constituency has been dealt more hammer blows with the closure of major manufacturers in recent years in a planned closure, so I know that his interest in corporation tax is fuelled by only one issue, and it is the only reason we want to reduce the rate of corporation tax: to create thousands of jobs. While the figures are there — over 30,000 new jobs by 2030 — we should reduce it to the individual. Last Friday, I met a young man called Thomas at the bottom of the Shankill who was seeking work. This morning, I met young graduates who were starting work at PwC down at the Waterfront.”
“In the monitoring round, I made a good start to that. I showed our resolve and determination, but we need to make sure that the jobs that we bring in are life-changing jobs, sustainable jobs, best-in-class jobs. For that to happen, we need to get behind the two main universities — there are more than two universities, of course — which want to deliver those top-class graduates.”
“Gabhaimse buíochas leis an Chomhalta as a ceist. I thank the Member for her question. I agree with her that what we are trying to do is deliver high-value jobs. High-value jobs require a skilled workforce. My discussions with both vice chancellors have been very active over recent weeks. We are all on the same page that corporation tax cannot succeed alone. We need to deliver the infrastructure. You know the resources that we have put into infrastructure and our commitment in capital budgets, but we also need to sort out skills and education.”
“We play our cards close to our chest, but I am highly confident that we will get a deal that I will be proud and pleased to bring to the House.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary. I hark back to Trevor Lunn: do not despair. I say this to the Opposition: have faith. I am confident that we will stay absolutely resolute in faith with the Fresh Start Agreement and the Stormont House Agreement. I am confident that we will deliver to the House and our people a deal on corporation tax that is fair and proportionate. I am also confident that, when we enter negotiations, those will be tough. When you see the agenda being led by Mr Osborne and his colleagues, you know that they are ruthless when it comes to matters monetary and will fight to get the best deal for London. However, I can assure you that I will fight to get the best deal for Ballymena, Ballymurphy, Fermanagh and Derry. <BR /> <BR />In your original question, you asked when we would decide that the deal has been cut.”
“The vast majority is confident and has faith in my ability to lead our top negotiation team with the Chancellor to make sure that we do not come short on the deal that the reduction to the block grant is as small as we can make it. I hope and trust that I have the good wishes and goodwill of every Member of the House in that onerous task.”
“I intend to get the best deal possible for all the people we represent, no matter where they come from, and to minimise the cost to the block grant. Over the summer, the Executive will prepare a multi-year Budget with resource DEL plans to 2019-2020. It is planned to present a draft Budget to the Assembly in the autumn, which will reflect estimated costs for a corporation tax rate of 12·5% from April 2018. <BR /> <BR />Having combed over this issue in the last week, a couple of things are clear to me. One is that the vast majority in the House is resolved to deliver on corporation tax. A date and rate has been set.”
“Go raibh maith agat a Phríomh-Leas Cheann Comhairle agus a Philip. Philip, you and I had this dance on my card previously, but it always a good sign when someone comes back for another dance late in proceedings. No doubt we will continue this discussion around corporation tax into the future. <BR /> <BR />I am absolutely confident that a corporation tax rate of 12·5% from April 2018 is affordable, and I am pleased that we are making good progress towards that goal. My Department has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Treasury and HMRC to put the administrative preparations in place. I have written to the British Chancellor, Mr Osborne, seeking to increase the pace of discussions on the deduction to the block grant.”
“I am keen to visit all those constituencies to see the problems on the ground. I am not the Minister for Communities, Health or the Economy, but I am keen to understand and be sympathetic when those Ministers come forward. <BR /> <BR />I could continue debating the issues, but I will draw my remarks to a close. I hope I have responded to as many issues as possible. I am confident that our Departments will exercise sound financial management in the time ahead with the resources from the Budget. I, therefore, respectfully ask Members to support the Bill, thereby authorising spending on public services by Departments in 2016-17 beyond the provision of the Vote on Account passed by the Assembly in February.”
“In fact, the good news that I am happy to send to the can't-do corner is that pages 20 and 21 of the published Budget document show that our resource DEL — the money we spend on services — and capital DEL increased in cash terms compared with 2015-16. <BR /> <BR />We started with a good news story in the monitoring round that we had found £170 million, and we managed to turn it around quickly to get it on to the front line to make a difference and a change. The even better news, which Mr Allister reminds me of, is that the money in the 2016-17 Budget is more than the money in the 2015-16 Budget· <BR /> <BR />A Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leat. I say to all Members — people whom I agreed with or did not agree with — that my door is open.”
“We are a Government — I think this applies to some of the opposition parties as well — with a common purpose, and for the first time in quite a while you can see the difference that is making in the morale of the community, the spirit of our constituents and our desire as a House to get things done, and I think we will continue to do that. <BR /> <BR />I want to finish with Mr Allister. The Department of Finance has these wonderfully talented, superintelligent civil servants because sometimes figures and finances are a bit difficult. Anybody who has to balance a budget at home, never mind a business and never mind a Government, knows that. Finances are a bit tough. Let me say this to Mr Allister: the figures he quoted are off the wall. There is no reduction in capital and no reduction in resource in the 2016-17 Budget.”
“I cannot believe that any of us would like to have waste occur in a system and money spent on it because we know the urgent need out there of the many groups we work with. You talk about the cost of division. That also distresses me, and it is something we have to tackle as well. I think we are on common ground on that. How we approach those things is another day's work. I got your quote right: you said, "Don't despair". I would say more than "Don't despair"; I would say, "Have confidence. Have confidence".”
“I think, in particular, of the Rosemary Presbyterian Church on the Antrim Road and the food bank that it runs, which I have visited. It is inspiring. The commitment, generosity, giving and, if you wish, the approach taken by those people of preaching the gospel without words is something that we should all emulate. <BR /> <BR />We will enter the negotiations around corporation tax confidently. Mr Attwood should not over-read anything; I know that I have his support. We have read and my officials have read the Fresh Start Agreement. We will go into the negotiations knowing that they will be tough. I also know that we have the support of everyone in the House, certainly in the government parties, in making sure we get the very best deal. <BR /> <BR />Have we finished with Trevor Lunn yet? No. You make strong points about eliminating waste.”
“I say that because the Presbyterian International Meeting Point on the Lisburn Road is the type of programme that we need to support. It is an oasis of welcome, tolerance and diversity where people with few financial means can come and be fed at lunchtime and find company, solidarity and solace from the Presbyterian Church and from many other people who live in the area. We need to support the Trussell Trust. Food banks always create a dilemma: you really want to have a city that does not have them, but you admire people like the Trussell Trust or the Common Grounds Café who step up to the mark. It is particularly the Protestant Churches that are providing food banks and sustenance to the hungry in a way that also affords them dignity.”
“There are no Barnett consequentials yet; there cannot be, as the money has not been allocated, so it cannot be among the money allocated today. We need to do more to support Eileen Evason. The commitment of the government parties and, perhaps, all parties in the House is to support the proposals she comes forward with within the funding envelope we have given her. If she needs more, we look forward to her coming back and asking for it. At this stage, Mrs Evason is doing an absolutely wonderful job. All of us who understand, meet and know the hardships being experienced by those who are homeless and those who are hungry should make sure that we continue to back her efforts to ease the worst effects of the welfare assault on the most vulnerable.”
“I want to be fair to everyone. I think there were seven questions last night and 15 questions today. There is a wonderful saying that I hear often from the Derry business man, Garvan O'Doherty: "Smart boy wanted. Last boy too smart". By and large, the Fresh Start Agreement and the Stormont House negotiations are in the past. What our constituents are concerned about is today and the future. I ask everyone to get onto the same page as the government parties because we are standing in the present but looking confidently to the future. If anyone really wants to rehearse the Stormont House negotiations or go over the Fresh Start negotiations, then not during this time, if at all possible, or, at the very least, not in every debate. <BR /> <BR />I am committed to supporting childcare.”
“Steven Agnew from North Down was heard from again, but it was the wrong debate. This is not the Programme for Government Budget debate; that will come later in the autumn and I look forward to locking horns with you on that one. <BR /> <BR />My colleague, Ms Nichola Mallon, proposed that we get financial transactions capital and use it to make empty homes habitable again. She challenged me to take that idea on board. We need that sort of creative and innovative thinking, but it is not really that innovative and creative because we are actually doing it at the minute and have allocated financial transactions capital to the empty homes scheme. We need to be a little more creative, and my door is open in that regard. <BR /> <BR />That almost brings me to the end, but I want to mention Alec Attwood. It is difficult to know where to start.”
“I am not a person of faith, but I have great admiration for Christians, so I preach the gospel of social justice when I can. The people whom I admire most are those who preach the gospel without using words, and I look forward to working very positively with Mr McKee in the time ahead.”
“I hope that the UUP, perhaps before the summer break, will come up with an alternative Budget for the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Mr McKee said that he is a Christian and:”
“I look forward to hearing more from the Alliance Party on what its alternatives will look like in the time ahead, whether they be water charges, increases in tuition fees, prescription charges, rates increases or whatever else. <BR /> <BR />Fra McCann asked that we prioritise funding for social housing, and Nichola Mallon made that point as well. Fra McCann is a legend when it comes to defending social housing and arguing for more housing, and the point has been made in the House over recent days that housing is an absolute priority for us all. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate Harold McKee from South Down, who made a number of wide-ranging comments. They were wide-ranging, but there were no suggestions or concrete proposals for what he would do differently. That is fair enough; it is early days.”
“The Executive's Budget for 2016-17 allocated £258 million from 2016-17 to 2020-21 to improve that corridor. That will enable construction of the A6 Randalstown to Castledawson scheme to commence this autumn, and I know that that will be very welcome to some of my colleagues who come in from Dungiven and the west in the morning. I think that the Member expressed some concern about whether we could make all of the capital investment. I do not know whether he said "I despair" or "I don't despair". I think that he said, "don't despair", and we will go with that. Rather than despairing about our ambitious capital investment, we will deliver it.”
“<BR /> <BR />Gerry Mullan, from the great and beautiful constituency of East Derry, made strong points about investment and trying to create an infrastructure and an ecosystem that encourage investment. He talked about the enterprise zone, and I would like to find out more about that. Its cheerleader was our dear friend Gregory Campbell, who has moved on to a greater reward in the House of Commons. We need to see what the benefits of the enterprise zone are, if any, because Mr Mullan is right: it comes from London rather than from this House. I know that Mr Mullan had concerns about the A6 and the A5, but I am convinced that we will deliver both projects. <BR /> <BR />Trevor Lunn said that there was no money for the A6. We will deliver the A6.”
“Whatever about the A5, which you want to stop, and whatever about the traffic going past Sprucefield, which Mr Kennedy may have been able to help with in a previous life, we can make common cause on the Ulster canal, and certainly on the Lagan canal with its 27 miles and 28 locks or 28 miles and 27 locks. I am delighted that Belfast City Council is to spend the first money on the canal system for probably 30 years, when it replaces the Stranmillis weir. I am not sure about stopping the A5 — even for you, Mrs Palmer — but I think that we can work on many other issues. I intend to visit Narrow Water, and we might change your mind. You are very welcome to join me on that visit.”
“We need to make sure that we prevent that happening. People should not have to wait until the eleventh hour to have contracts of employment renewed. <BR /> <BR />I thank Mrs Palmer for her service over many years to the community. She is an exemplary public servant. She also had some ideas or some boats that will not, I am afraid, be floating. In particular, I am a fan of the Narrow Water bridge. I know that it is a long way from Lisburn, but I think that it will unlock the potential of Warrenpoint, Carlingford, Omeath and Newry, so I support it. On traffic issues, the one area that we can agree on is the need to make progress on the Lagan canal.”
“I will not comment on that. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear: the seven flagship projects are affordable, and they are very important to us. Before and during the election, people asked us for delivery. We have identified seven projects, which are ambitious. They are not, in my view, just photo opportunities. They will change lives, and they are crucial investments in infrastructure. The Strangford ferry is due to be completed this summer, and I have been watching the conundrum of the Portaferry aquarium over many years. I am committed to making sure that we deliver the flagship projects. It will not be easy. They are bold and ambitious targets, but we are doing well and will continue to do well in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Armstrong brought up a quick point about community organisations and contracts. I also find that unacceptable.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mrs Armstrong made one of the most exciting contributions of the day. It was, I believe, her maiden speech as well, and from the wonderful, beautiful constituency of Strangford, she asked for more investment in front-line services. To give her her due, she knows where to get the money. She is not going to build Casement Park, because Windsor and Ravenhill are already built. She is not going to build the women and children's hospital. She is not going to build the A5 or the A6, and she wants to stop the Belfast rapid transit. That is fair enough, because Strangford is a long way from the A5 and the A6. That is an alternative. I would be very keen to take those ideas on board, but maybe we can temper some of them, and certainly I do not consider the women and children's hospital to be a shiny new project.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to congratulate Richie McPhillips on his maiden speech. He rightly said that the west has not had its fair share. It is my intention, as Finance Minister, to do everything I can to ensure it is treated in an equitable fashion. Last Friday I deliberately went to Enniskillen because I want to make it clear that being west of the Bann is important to me. We need to make sure that the opportunities in every area are seized and that everyone shares in the peace dividend. He makes strong points about the cuts we have had to make in many areas of society due to the cuts from London. We need to find out in the time ahead whether we can do better. I am happy to do more for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the time ahead. It would not be appropriate to say anything more about that in a maiden speech.”
“There are real pressures, and I know you will welcome the extra money today, but much more needs to be done. Mrs Barton mentioned special educational needs, and, from our conversations, I think that is a priority for you as well. <BR /> <BR />The Chair of the AERA Committee, Linda Dillon, expressed concerns about how she can ensure that rural communities and farmers get the investment they need and are not left to the side. That is our commitment as well. I know a new Minister is in post, but it is my commitment, as Finance Minister, to provide DAERA with the money it needs to make a real difference. Mrs Dillon mentioned broadband — it came up several times — and it is an issue. We are telling people that we have 100% coverage. Sadly, in many rural areas, that is a myth.”
“You have asked what can be done in the time ahead. Can we form partnerships? I am a fan of what Belfast City Council has done. It has made a partnership with McAleer and Rushe to take over the old 'Belfast Telegraph' building and create a dynamic, vibrant cultural quarter in a part of the city that has been underserved in recent years. Let us talk about doing things differently in the short time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Barton had real concerns about education. Mr Weir had the great, good fortune not to be here at all — oh, he is here now. He had the great good fortune not to be here for the whole debate, but Mrs Barton's comments are very pertinent and relevant. I hope, Minister Weir, you will address those concerns in the time ahead. She has said that all is not rosy in the garden, and I think we all accept that.”
“The opening position for capital investment in structural maintenance in 2016-17 is some £26 million of capital, and the additional £20 million that I announced this morning will allow the Infrastructure Minister to allocate further investment in structural maintenance as well as other road projects. I saw someone involved in construction commenting on the monitoring round with a brevity that we would envy. He put a "thumbs up" and a "full marks" in emojis, as I believe you call them, and I think that sums up our commitment to roads. <BR /> <BR />Mr Girvan asked about innovative ways — can we do something different? He has a landlocked site that would provide housing for hundred of people in his constituency. I am keen to be innovative as well. Why would we not put people to work on a project if all it requires is a new way of thinking?”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr McAleer is very concerned about the amount of money placed into the roads infrastructure, as was Mr Kennedy earlier. Those from rural constituencies are particularly concerned about that, as is Mrs Palmer. The Member welcomed the investment that the Budget Bill represents for the roads infrastructure, particularly with a commitment, as you would expect with Mr McAleer, to the A5 and A6 roads. He raised concerns about the standard of road maintenance, as did some of our colleagues in the DUP. I agree it is crucial that we invest in maintaining our roads infrastructure, and I am aware of the concerns, particularly for people in rural areas.”