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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,305 lines we hold for Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 17 of 27.
“He makes points about the streamlined and efficient manner in which we introduce June monitoring. We will have that discussion in the time ahead. We wanted to get work done and wanted to put our best foot forward. We did that today. Committees and Committee Chairs should feel free to have the discussion about how we manage this streamlined, efficient, fast-moving Executive. It is incumbent upon us to do that. I have no fear of that. If Mr Wells wants to lead that charge, he is welcome to. No one ever suggested borrowing to serve our overruns and costs. We have started a debate about how we may grow the funding, and part of that, of course, will be borrowing. I will leave Mr Wells, even though he made more points than that.”
“I have been spending the last week telling everyone not to call me "Minister" but to call me "Máirtín"; I am telling Jim to call me "Minister", not "Máirtín".”
“That is the question, and that is what we need to find out in the time ahead. You might say, "Here is the Budget. We would take £100 million out of education and put it into health or we would take £100 out of tourism and put it wherever". We need to see those alternatives. Mr Beattie pledged his opposition to Tory austerity, but then, I think, hedged that one. I go back to the point that the people behind the austerity agenda here did not even get 10,000 votes across 18 constituencies. Let us remember that they have no representatives in the House, and I hope that they have no proxy representatives either. Mr Beattie also highlighted the paramilitary panel. That work is being taken forward, and, of course, we provided £10 million for it. <BR /> <BR />I move on to my dear friend Jim Wells.”
“We will perhaps have one point per person, and everyone may go home happy. John O'Dowd mentioned the apprenticeship levy. This is the only point that you are getting, Mr O'Dowd. It is clear to all of us that what is raised in the apprenticeship levy must be returned in full to our local economy, and I will make that point as strongly as possible to our counterparts in London. It was part of the austerity agenda, in my view, when they came over the head of Stephen Farry to impose and lift the apprenticeship levy. <BR /> <BR />Mr Beattie was critical of the Budget, but, again, there were no alternatives. He had real concerns about justice and about the expenditure on justice. I will not micro-manage Claire Sugden's budget. What would you do differently, Mr Beattie?”
“That is a fairly generous giving way. Maybe we will get through this speech and all get home. There is an old saying, "When you are in a hole, stop digging". I suggest that, when we read out statements, if anybody here does not understand something, come up to the office and we will sort it out that day. If you cannot get it sorted out that day, issue the press statement, but do not rush to the laptop; it is always a mistake.”
“The £24·9 million she referred to, made up of a £13·5 million resource DEL and an £11·4 million capital DEL allocation, is clearly stated on page 10 of the statement. There is a further point — I know that this is a sore point because I have had to defend the Executive Office several times here — that Ms Hanna makes about how I am providing £27·2 million to the Executive — in fact, it is £26·2 million, but that is irrelevant. This is not funding for the Executive Office; it is to get money into communities. This is going out the door from the Executive, and it is going on things like Delivering Social Change and a shared future. In fact, today, you insisted that I read through the whole list of where the money is going. I give way.”
“I will give way before I finish, but let me finish my point. <BR /> <BR />Let us take a breath here. Let us make sure, if we are going to go out all guns blazing attacking a £175 million monitoring round, that we get our facts right. That is the way to do business. We are not going to agree. There is an Opposition, and there are government parties. <BR /> <BR />The supposed discrepancy between the two sets of figures is, in fact, not a discrepancy at all. The figures that Ms Hanna refers to were the resources available to the Executive and the amount allocated. If Ms Hanna had read to the end of the statement or listened to my comments, she would have realised that the supposed discrepancy was in the level of overcommitment that the Executive had agreed was prudent.”
“Remember, however, that our great friends in Scotland settled the income tax negotiation only about a month before the election was called — actually, they were in the throes of the election — so we cannot expect an announcement immediately. We hope that, once the negotiation is concluded, we will move to the commencement clause and move forward positively. <BR /> <BR />Ms Hanna has a wonderful statement out about Marlene. I had not seen it; I thought that only young people said that, but, of course, you are much younger than me. Under the heading, "Hanna: Monitoring round sees funding bonanza for Marlene", it states:”
“Some people are indicating that I should throw in the towel and accept whatever is on the table. I have never been in a negotiation like that. A negotiation involves going in and asserting your case. You put your best case, which you will argue for and gather and garner support for. If people speak with one voice, I will be able to say that everyone in the House believes that I should fight for the best deal. That is certainly a card to play, and I believe that that is the case. I am confident — I heard Mr Lunn earlier saying, "Don't despair" — that we will make that deal. We have the rate and date set, and we will, in 2018, introduce a corporation tax that it is achievable and affordable. Wish me well in those negotiations.”
“Let us remember why we are in favour of reducing corporation tax: to create thousands of jobs and, in particular, to get a step change in areas that, since the 1920s, have never enjoyed full employment or a strong economy. It is our view that, if we can have the same rate of tax as pertains in the South of Ireland, where the Green Party, of course, backed a 12·5% corporation tax rate, we can see a transformation and an uplift in the number of jobs created. Those jobs are our only interest. It is our intention to have many corporations and companies here of all sizes, which will then increase the tax take, because it is not just about foreign direct investment. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I wrote to Mr Osborne. I think that I still have the good wishes of everyone here in the negotiations ahead.”
“It is not spent just yet, but there are plans to spend it. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Patsy McGlone may have hit the high road home by this stage. Tá sé anseo go fóill. Níl sé ag gabháil a thacú leis an Bhúiséad. Tá suim ar leith aige i gcúram páistí agus a bheith ag cuidiú leo, agus sílim gurb é sin an rún atá againn uilig. Labhair sé ar Brexit. Mar Aire, tá cosc orm labhairt ar Brexit, ach sílim go bhfuil muid ar an leathanach chéadna. <BR /> <BR />As a Minister, I say to Patsy McGlone that I think we are on the same page on Brexit, but I will not comment on Brexit while I have my ministerial hat on. He referred, as many Members did, to corporation tax.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some people say that it is not new money when you honour a commitment, but, if you go to the pub tonight and someone says, "I am going to give you £50 next week", you do not have it until next week, and, if they give you it next week, you are doing well. That is what happened. The Minister was not in the pub with the former Minister for the Economy, but he made a commitment. The Minister of Finance said, "We will try and find that extra money for skills", and we found it today. Be under no illusions: it was found today. It is money that could have gone to other services and other matters.”
“They are opposed, as I understand it, to the rates cap, as are some of our other colleagues tonight. There has to be discussion around those issues, but as for Stranmillis College and St Mary's University College — those two wonderful beacons of education in the city of Belfast with their store of knowledge and erudition — those we will defend in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />As we have a more mature discussion around the regional rate, there are points to be made. We have raised it in line with inflation. I am not in favour of it being raised by more than that, but that is what we call a mature discussion about how we can grow the funding pie in the time ahead.”
“A process is now under way, and it will conclude in the next few weeks. <BR /> <BR />Mr Farry talked about skills, apprenticeships and the apprenticeship levy. I, too, am opposed very much to the fact that London came in over your head to impose that apprenticeship levy. It is much better when our Ministers have control over these matters, rather than letting London conduct a raid on our economy. While he focused on skills, he also mentioned health. What he said yesterday was "Would it not be wonderful if we did not need a billion?". You are right: it would be wonderful if we did not need a billion. That would really take cooperation on health unprecedented in these islands, but we travel in hope. Perhaps, we will see that. He and the Alliance Party are not afraid to talk about raising the rate.”
“My door is open." — I have said this to many Members about visiting their constituency — "Bring forward proposals that can deliver change". That is particularly important in respect of the health service. Everyone is united that they welcome the additional money today that brought it up to £200 million extra this year. Everyone is also united in saying that money is not the only solution or the solution, so we need to back the Bengoa plan. If Mr Smith has proposals around health or wants to give his support for the Bengoa report, I look forward to seeing that in the time ahead. As I said, we need to depoliticise the health issue if we are going to make real progress. <BR /> <BR />Mr Smith and Mr Allister mentioned the fiscal council. The terms of reference for the operation of the fiscal council have been agreed.”
“We have reduced 12 Departments to nine. I do not think that anyone can argue that you need as many staff for nine Departments as you need for 12. If some people go with dignity and a good package and we take that money and put it into the Free Derry Museum, the Siege Museum in Derry or additional cross-border activity that creates jobs, I do not think that any of us can argue against that. When Mr Smith points out that he thinks the administration cost is still too high, he needs to understand a little more about the pain that has been taken. <BR /> <BR />Can we do more as a people to be more effective and efficient? I am sure we can. What I will say to Mr Smith is this: "You have made a number of points today.”
“You know, doing problems is relatively easy; it is doing the solutions. The Alliance Party proposed some solutions today. I am not saying that I agree with them; in fact, I disagree with the flagship projects being closed down. Mr Smith said, "We challenged the Executive over their administration costs", but of course the Civil Service and my Department have just led the largest ever restructuring through voluntary redundancy. People have left with a good package and with dignity. That has led to a 17% decrease in staff in my Department. The VES is delivering savings to our pay bill. You say that you want to see money going into services: this is how we make it happen. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCann mentioned the pressures on working-class people. The magic for me is that we need to get more money into the north-west.”
“If that is your view, that is opposition; that is an alternative. In fact, all we received today was, "You should do this", "You should do that", "There is a problem with this" and "There is a problem with that".”
“That is an issue for Peter Weir; I am not going to micromanage his budget. What I am saying is that today I got him extra financial firepower — I know that that is a term that Mr Allister particularly likes — for his budget, and I hope he will make positive changes with that money. <BR /> <BR />This is one of the great conundrums. The Alliance Party is in favour of closing a number of things — Mrs Armstrong suggests that we close down most of the flagship projects, but we will get to that — but the Ulster Unionist Party will not tell us how it will move even one line in the Budget. I think it was Mr Nesbitt who said yesterday that there were 323 or 338 pages. Surely in there somewhere is an item of expenditure in the Budget that you disagree with and can say, "We want to take that out and put this in".”
“Last week, I thought you did not want any borrowing: "There is nothing we can do, so let us sit on our hands". This week, you are suggesting that maybe we should look at that and that now maybe we should allow the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to borrow and build, which I introduced yesterday. Certainly, I am up for that if the Housing Executive is. It has played a key role here over 50 — almost 60 — years. <BR /> <BR />Let us look at what the Minister for Communities comes forward with. It is an interesting post to be the Minister of Finance, but I am not the Minister for Health, Communities, the Economy and AERA as well. For answers to many of the questions that were brought up, you need to go to those Ministers. Mr Attwood, for example, brought up the education budget and what was going into childcare.”
“Under 'A Fresh Start', we set aside £32 million for security funding to be allocated to the Department of Justice to relieve pressures there; £10 million for tackling paramilitary activity, which Mr Agnew brought up; £25 million for fraud and error to the Department for Communities; £75 million to the Department for Communities for mitigating measures of which we are very proud; and £60 million set aside for tax credits. That is why we received that back, Mr Agnew; it was not rated. Mrs Evason has given us that back. <BR /> <BR />Mr Smith also suggested that we reclassify the NIHE to allow it to borrow. Mrs Palmer brought that up as well. There will be hurdles to clear, but if you, like me, believe that we have to be imaginative in how we grow the funding pie, you will find me an ally in that work.”
“No, we will not, because Christopher will ask to make a point and interrupt me. <BR /> <BR />What I will say is that you are questioning the commitment of the government parties to put funding where it is needed to make sure that our front-line services not only survive but thrive and that our young people have access to university. Let us go through some of the numbers under 'A Fresh Start'. I know that Mr Carroll has some concerns about numbers, but they are important because they change lives.”
“I thank the Committee for allowing us to move swiftly with the Budget today. I thank the Committee Chair for her comments at the start of the debate, which was a long time ago. She has promised not only to be constructive but to scrutinise the activities of the Finance Minister. I look forward to that. <BR /> <BR />Philip Smith, who responded to my opening remarks, made a number of points, some he also made yesterday and some that, I think, were carried on from the debate on the June monitoring round. It is my conviction that, whatever about the ideology of the Ulster Unionist Party and its views on austerity, I will leave it to the Ulster Unionist Party to say whether it is against austerity. We will not go into the history of that argument again now —”
“My concept is that we work with all our partners who are trying to build this community and create jobs and we find ways. We have the genius, imagination and innovation to find ways to grow the funding pie. That is the challenge. Other ideas were put forward today that we need to explore in the time ahead.”
“It is also not only illuminating but inspiring that you can start a debate about borrowing. Some people say, "We should sit on our hands. There is nothing we can do. Wrap up and go home". I have started a debate about borrowing, and all the different factors have been brought in. Some are in favour and some have innovative ideas, but everyone is saying, "Let us try and match the scale of the ambition of our people". As I said yesterday, the NI Science Park has a £100 million plan on the table. Of course, that includes the North West Regional Science Park, which unites Derry and Letterkenny. What are we to say to them about that £100 million plan? "It is nothing to do with us. We are sitting on our hands. Go somewhere else"? That certainly is not my concept.”
“We stand with those in working-class communities, like Tiger's Bay, New Lodge, Ardoyne or Ballymurphy, right across Belfast and in the Creggan in Derry, who are trying to change their lives and want government support to do that. I say to everyone that we have a choice to make here. We can come to make statements or to support deeds. Today, we had deeds; in this Budget we have deeds. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Members, Chairs and Deputy Chairs who have contributed to the debate. It is wonderful, as Finance Minister, to hear so many views.”
“I am happy to leave that appellation to others. <BR /> <BR />We believe that we need to stand against austerity because we have roots and a connection with those who come to us every day in our constituencies, who meet us in the streets, who we canvassed at election time. They are getting it hard and realise that it is tough out there, that there is too much unemployment and that, while the figures are improving, they are not improving fast enough. They know that, while we have made significant investments, the pace of change has not been radical enough. <BR /> <BR />We stand, for example, with the parents of children who are waiting to be tested for autism. We stand with those who are on hospital waiting lists.”
“The austerity ideologues in London have not been stopped in their tracks. We do know this, however: when we united with one voice, we managed to halt the progress of the juggernaut. <BR /> <BR />I am very conscious, again, of what the Anglican bishops of England said, which was that austerity is unacceptable because it places the greatest burdens of the recovery on those with the narrowest shoulders. Let us hold firm to that. I am not terribly given to ideology. I was accused today of being a Marxist-Leninist, amongst other things, but I am in favour of social justice, and if that is an ideology, then I pin my colours to that particular mast. That is what I stand for. The money that we made available today —”
“Let us start at the end, and then, if we have time, we can catch up with all our other colleagues, many of whom made their maiden speech. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le gach duine a labhair le linn na díospóireachta inniu. Tá sé riachtanach tuairimí agus tiomantais gach Comhalta a chluinstin. My message for both our colleagues from People Before Profit is that the figures are important. I started the day — it seems a long time ago now — by announcing £175 million extra for front-line services, for tourism, the economy and further education. What we have to do, and this is my message to everyone in the House who is against austerity — I was being generous there, as I am not sure that everyone is — is mobilise, stand firm and be very cognisant that we have not stopped the juggernaut from London.”
“I want to start by apologising to Eamonn McCann. I made a remark earlier that was wrong. I said that he could not hear or did not hear; but he was not here yesterday, so I will repeat what I said, which was that I do not believe that any of us, Government or opposition parties, accept the Westminster Government's claim that we are all in this together. He may have heard me talk about the "togetherness" of the Executive. That is, as they say in Irish, Ní neart go cur le chéile — there is unity in strength or together we have strength. However, there was a reference to Mr Cameron yesterday. <BR /> <BR />It may be appropriate to start at the end, because I know that Mr McCann has a long journey home — maybe he has started it — as has Mr Allister.”
“My mother still fixes my collar at the back, but I do not know if that is a collar that you are leaving up deliberately, Eamonn. The person who you heard speaking about lifting the rates cap may have been my good self, because we have been speaking to the Committee about it. There are those perils in it, and it is not our intention to catch people who are cash-poor but asset-rich. I agree with you entirely — it may be the only time tonight — that there is work for all of us to do in trying to raise extra money. I think that Steven Agnew said this earlier: the people at the bottom should not be subsidising the people at the top. We have work to do on that. We cannot do it overnight, but I think that we can do it in the next 12 months. Apologies for interrupting.”
“Can I stop you mid flow and ask you to take a point?”
“I have been to the Dáil once in your august company. I believe everyone knew you by name and was able to say hello. No one at all knew me.”
“I look forward to the debate. I know that it may be heated at times, but I believe, even though we divide between Opposition and Government, that everyone in the House is united in wanting to see a better society and that this Budget is the bedrock of that. <BR /> <BR />On that note, I conclude. I will be happy to deal with any points of principle or detail of the Budget Bill that Members may wish to raise.”
“However, it is important to emphasise — some members of the Opposition mentioned health centres earlier — that every doctor and teacher, every road improvement, every hospital and every public service provided for under the authority of the Assembly is affected by the Bill. It requires legislation to operate legally in this financial year. I think that this is probably the fourth time that we have had an opportunity to talk about our funding priorities. It is crucial legislation for our public services. Ba mhaith liom an Bille seo a mholadh. Is féidir go mbeidh díospóireacht thintrí againn air seo, ach tá a fhios agam go bhfuilimid uile ar son leas an phobail.”
“I am proud that, with this Budget Bill, we are preventing the imposition of water charges. I am proud that, with this Budget Bill, we are keeping university fees for our students affordable. <BR /> <BR />As I made clear in the Supply resolution debate yesterday, I will be taking every opportunity to continue to oppose austerity. I am meeting the Finance Ministers of Wales and Scotland tomorrow and Thursday to fight collectively for enhanced fiscal powers that will allow us to make decisions in the interests of all our people rather than have decisions imposed on us. I have sought an urgent meeting with Chancellor Osborne to drive that agenda forward. <BR /> <BR />It might be hard to translate the figures that the Bill that we are considering today contains into real-world public services.”
“<BR /> <BR />In bringing the first Budget Bill of this Assembly mandate, I am making clear my intention to deliver for the people whom we represent. The expenditure being approved in the Bill will see investment in high-quality public services and, most importantly, a commitment to oppose the austerity programme being driven by the Westminster Government. I aim to work with all our local communities to create a prosperous shared society and to help grow a stronger economy with opportunity for all. This Budget will serve our people well. I am proud that, with this Budget Bill, we are delivering the most generous welfare protection in these islands. I am proud that, with this Budget Bill, we are continuing to block the Westminster Government's bedroom tax.”
“2) Bill authorises £68,328,183 — there is also a very important 78p there — which was used by the Department of Finance and Personnel in 2014-15, and £952,921·37 for the Northern Ireland Assembly, which was used in 2014-15 by way of Excess Votes. The need for additional resources for the Department of Finance arose from using an incorrect rate when calculating the interest on the principal Civil Service pension scheme liabilities. The need for additional resources for the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission arose from an inaccurate assessment of the pension liability of the Assembly Members' pension scheme. The Public Accounts Committee has considered both issues and recommended that the Assembly provide the additional resources through an Excess Vote.”
“Of course, those amounts of resource include not only the departmental expenditure limits (DELs), on which our Budget process mainly focuses, but departmental demand-led annually managed expenditure (AME). <BR /> <BR />Clause 2 provides for the temporary borrowing by my Department of £3,993,184,000. That is approximately half the sum authorised by clause 1 for issue out of the Consolidated Fund. I must stress to the Assembly that clause 2 does not provide for the issue of any additional cash out of the Consolidated Fund or convey any additional spending power, but it enables my Department to run an effective and efficient cash-management regime and ensure minimum drawdown on our block grant on a daily basis. That is very important when contemplating the daily borrowing by our Departments. <BR /> <BR />The Budget (No.”
“The cash and resources are to be spent and used on the services listed in column 1 of each schedule. Of course, those amounts are in addition to the Vote on Account passed by the Assembly in February, bringing the total amount of cash provided for 2016-17 to over £15 billion. In addition, the Bill sets for the current financial year a limit for each Department on the use of accruing resources — current and capital receipts — totalling £2,340,215,000. Therefore, the resources authorised by the Assembly in the Vote on Account in February and the resources and accruing resources now provided in the Bill bring the total resources for use by Departments in 2016-17 to over £19 billion.”
“The Bill's main purpose is to make further provision of cash and resources for use on services, in addition to the Vote on Account provided in the Budget Act that was passed by the Assembly in February, up to the requirements of Departments and other public bodies set out in the Main Estimates for 2016-17. Copies of the Budget (No. 2) Bill and the explanatory and financial memorandum have been made available to Members today. The 2016-17 Main Estimates and the Statement of Excess 2014-15 were laid in the Assembly on 1 June 2016. <BR /> <BR />The Bill will authorise the issue of a further £7,986,369,200 from the Consolidated Fund and the further use of resources totalling £8,693,136,600 by the Departments and certain other bodies listed in schedules 1 and 2 to the Bill.”
“If the Bill did not proceed by accelerated passage and receive Assembly approval before the summer recess, Departments and other public bodies could have legislative difficulty in accessing cash, which would threaten the effective delivery of public services prior to our return to the Chamber in September. <BR /> <BR />I am glad to note, however, that the Bill can be given accelerated passage, because the Committee for Finance has confirmed that, in line with Standing Order 42, it is satisfied that there has been appropriate consultation with it on the public expenditure proposals contained in it. That is an example of opposition and government working together. I hope that we see more of that. I thank the Committee for its work in agreeing to accelerated passage.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle as an sos. Thank you for the break. This Second Stage debate follows the approval of the Supply resolution by the Assembly for the expenditure plans of Departments and other public bodies as detailed in the 2016-17 Main Estimates. That happened in time for the second half of the Ireland and Sweden game, which was a good result, as today's monitoring round has been. <BR /> <BR />As Members will undoubtedly be aware, accelerated passage of the Bill is necessary to ensure Royal Assent prior to the end of July. There were some concerns expressed earlier about the urgent process we use for monitoring rounds, but I am grateful, perhaps even more so because of that, that the Committee granted accelerated passage for the Bill.”
“I have a degree in two of those three subjects, though not a very good one, and I would like to see, and I have said this to all those involved in our universities, those particular disciplines grow in the time ahead as well as other disciplines. The way to grow our universities is to provide funding. We have done that today. I do not know if the Member heard — maybe he missed it — but we have just provided £20 million to make the type of investment that Dr Farry called for.”
“<BR /> <BR />I went to Magee last week because I wanted to state clearly at this early stage what I was told by the chief executive of Derry and Strabane District Council, the chief executive of Donegal County Council, the business community, the Chamber of Commerce and others I met before I left the city, and vice chancellor Paddy Nixon, namely that the entire success in the future of what I am happy to call "the north-west city region of Derry" hinges on the success of the University of Ulster campus at Magee. I am happy to see that numbers there have increased. I am a big advocate — I have said this to my colleague and friend, the vice chancellor of Queen's University — of anthropology, the Irish language and history.”
“I do not know whether there is a "can't-do" corner, but there is the "can't-hear" corner. I mentioned British Prime Minister Cameron's reference that we are all in this together to denounce it and say clearly that it is a lie and a canard. That is why I used the expression; I did not do so to endorse it. You have to listen to the entire sentence and the one before and the one after, but you can check the Hansard report.”
“I understand that you would like to come back: you will have plenty of opportunities to come back, because we will be here for a while.”
“I want to see us move from a society that had symbols of division and the past at every turn to a better, more prosperous place. I am not sure that you want to be there, Mr Allister; I think that you would be very comfortable in the past. For today, this is a monitoring round about the future. This is a can-do monitoring round. Will it be tested? Will there be challenges? Of course there will. This is not the be-all and end-all, but it is a step forward —”
“I thank Mr Allister — go raibh maith agat. This is the can't-do corner. It is not even a corner; it is only a small redoubt in the Assembly. I do not mind people who say "You can't do". Most of the Opposition say to me, "You can do. You can do more, and you can do it faster and more efficiently", but it is refreshing to have a can't-do corner. Every time I hear from the can't-do corner, I will respond as positively as I can, because eventually, the can do — as proved by 107 Members — outnumbers, outshines and overshadows the can't do. <BR /> <BR />On Shackleton, obviously, I did not sell it; I have only been in post for two and a half weeks. If you believe that it was not value for money and you believe that what is proposed is not to the benefit of all our people, raise that issue and bring it to us.”
“I will set aside your singling out of the social investment fund — if there is a project that you want to bring to the attention of the police or the authorities, please do so — but, that to the side, I stand with you in making sure that we have a society free of paramilitary influence.”