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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“Mr Allister also mentioned a fresh start. I think that, in the time ahead, we will see other motions brought to the Chamber that will allow us to unite around a fresh start and unite around priorities that will be the best for all our people. We may not make common cause today on Trident, but I believe that we will make common cause in the time ahead around jobs, growth and investment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Earlier this week, I was in Forestside shopping centre and met a young man whom I will call Conall to save his blushes. He had left school after finishing his A levels and was working in a cafe but seeking a career. He was making up his mind about whether to return to university or try to get full-time employment. I think that our job is to make sure that we create work for young people like Conall. Our priorities have to be in serving all the people of this jurisdiction, rather than endorsing or standing idly by and silent while money is wasted on ventures such as Trident.”
“That has to inform how we move forward in serving the people of the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, I think that the debate actually does indicate the fresh start that Mr Cochrane-Watson talked about, because it has been a lot more temperate and polite than one might have expected. <BR /> <BR />Moving into the future, I hope that we manage to convince the British Government — as we did on welfare, tax credits and extra money for services here — that our priority is to improve the quality of life of those we serve. In that regard, I believe that part of the fresh start will be all parties in the Chamber, but certainly on these two sides, uniting around the need to defend our people and front-line services.”
“<BR /> <BR />On that paradigm shift, and having heard Members quoting the Bible in a Chamber where we may occasionally have heard the words, "No Pope here", an alternative view on how we should set our priorities for the time ahead came from Pope Francis in July this year, when he called for a new economic order, focused on the poor, declaring:”
“<BR /> <BR />Chris Hazzard said that the debate is as much about economic choices as it is about Trident. Of course, I endorse that. <BR /> <BR />Our friend Mr Lyons intervened but declined to say whether Carnlough or Ballycastle will be the location for Trident, which he would like to see come here. I think, though, that one thing that he would accept — and this goes to Mr Cochrane-Watson as well — is that, when they say that the debate in the devolved Administrations will have no effect on the discussion around Trident, the Scots may entirely upend the entire Trident project by voting for independence, voting against Trident, or voting to expel it. So, I think that our voice is important and matters.”
“Russia is an ally in Syria; Iran is involved in a rapprochement with the USA; Pakistan is an ally of Britain; and North Korea is probably one of the few countries with a higher military and defence spend than the British. <BR /> <BR />I very much take on board the points made by Mr Attwood and Mr Dickson that this is about a broader question than just public finances. It is about how we see the world, where we see our place and that of our neighbours in it, and whether we should focus our expenditure on nuclear deterrents and weapons. In those terms, Mr Attwood's reference to a "paradigm shift" is essential, as we move forward. I think that people in this part of the world have already made that paradigm shift and have spending priorities other than nuclear weapons.”
“<BR /> <BR />Claire Hanna referred to this eye-watering expenditure, and eye-watering it is, no matter which figures you use, whether it is £167 billion or £41 billion. It is eye-watering, as Ms Hanna said. The funding commitment will become clear and will peak between 2019 and 2030. Of course, 2019 is during the mandate of the next Government. <BR /> <BR />Mr Nesbitt has left us, and I owe him an intervention but he will not get it today. He argued, again, that Trident is a priority. I do not see that and I do not think it stacks up. Mr Nesbitt mentioned the countries that we should fear are Russia, Iran, Pakistan and North Korea.”
“Thank you, Mr Lyons. If we use Mr Nesbitt's figures — I am happy to use his modest figures, because last night they went up another £5 billion, with £10 billion contingency — which add up to £41 billion, we make up 2% to 3% of that. If you use Mr Nesbitt's figure of £2·8 billion, between £50 million and £75 million per annum would come out of our finances unless there was a Barnett consequential. <BR /> <BR />Mr Frew started by quoting the Bible, which is often a cause for concern, unless he is going to quote, "Love thy neighbour as thyself." We may want to take our political direction from many areas, but let us not take it from any call to war, regardless of how we may wish to defend all our people.”
“<BR /> <BR />My contention is that, rather than just rail against the expenditure on nuclear weapons, which, in my view — I do not like using the word "moral" in a Chamber of legislators — is immoral, we should set out our priorities and drive those home to the London Government, as long as they have the fiscal levers and the economic power, to insist that they set other priorities and that our expenditure goes on other areas that make a real difference and improvement to people's lives.”
“<BR /> <BR />When money is particularly scarce — we have just gone through a period of negotiation when the catch cry at every turn was that there is no money available and that austerity will reign — I have to agree with Alex Salmond, who said that Trident is as useless as it is wasteful in terms of public finances. I know that my colleague Mr Weir has left, but the rub is that our block grant will be used to finance that folly as well. That is capital and resource spending over many, many years.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Is pribhléid é críoch a chur leis an díospóireacht seo ar an cheist tromchúiseach seo. It is a privilege to wind on this very temperate debate today on the issue of Trident, expenditure and our influence over decisions on expenditure that affect our people. It is my belief that the suggestion that spending billions of pounds on Trident is the best use of public funds is an example of perverse priorities. Those priorities are not the priorities that we see on the streets, roads and byways of the North of Ireland. Those priorities may make sense in London but they certainly do not make sense here.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas leis an Aire. Thanks to the Minister for his answer. I particularly welcome the commitment to work in partnership with Belfast City Council, because I have been heartened by its investment plans to regenerate the city centre. Does the Minister also agree that Royal Exchange does not need to be a retail-led development? Retail will be a part of it, but we should also factor in the Ulster University, which is now in the city centre, and, of course, culture and arts.”
“It will do something to get him over the disappointment of missing the meeting. That is good news. <BR /> <BR />I want to ask a broader question about investment and investor sentiment because last week I met Dan Sten Olsson, the chief executive officer of Stena Line, which will bring two new ferries into Belfast in 2018-19. The big message from him, Minister, was to build confidence, create stability and show that you are united around creating jobs for the future and a better society for all. Does the Minister believe that today's statement and last night's agreement will build the type of confidence that we need in this region and society?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom comhghairdeas a dhéanamh leis an Aire agus leis na páirtithe uile ar éirigh leo teacht ar an chomhréiteach seo. I want to add my congratulations to those parties and my colleagues who put together this good deal. I hope that it is — I am confident that it will be — a fresh start. <BR /> <BR />The Minister mentioned the Chancellor's next move on 25 November. I have no doubt that he is still wedded to his austerity ideology, but I think that we have made a great job of trying to force back that assault, especially on the less well off. <BR /> <BR />I want to ask about the very good news for Queen's University. I was to meet the vice chancellor at 3.00 pm, but had to cancel. He is pleased that he is getting a £10 million cheque.”
“I thank the Minister, especially for her commitment to keep industrial derating. Following the review and the public consultation, does she believe that we will be able to come up with solutions to tackle some of the real problems facing small businesses in our high streets and main streets? I think, in particular, of the number of empty stores and shops that pepper many of the main roads and streets in our towns and cities.”
“We extend deepest sympathy from across our community to the victims and survivors of Friday night's horror. We send our love and respect to the people of the wounded city of Paris, with which we enjoy close ties of history, heritage, commerce and community. Our thoughts this morning are with all victims of the global wars that engulf us today. Of course, the civilian populations suffer the most in those wars and are the most frightened, as we saw clearly in not only Paris but Beirut at the weekend. We stand, therefore, with the people of Paris in their message to the assailants who carried out Friday night's horrific attacks. We use the words of the famous civil rights song: Nous n'avons pas peur. Níl eagla orainn. We are not afraid.”
“I thank those who gave her and her group shelter that night close to the restaurant. In the hours since then, she has told me about the atmosphere in Paris; about how frightened people are, but also how resolute they are. In her boyfriend's circle, one young man was killed in the Bataclan concert hall, and, in her place of work, one friend has a close friend still missing. That is the horror that brings us here today in solidarity with Paris. <BR /> <BR />I will start en français: nous sommes solidaires du peuple parisien en ce moment terribles. Nous exprimons notre plus grande compassion à tous les citoyens de cette ville blessée. Geallaimid comhghuaillíocht le muintir Pháras ag an am chorrach seo, agus déanaimid comhbhrón ó chroí le muintir na cathrach cráite sin. We pledge our solidarity to the people of Paris at this terrible time.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. On Friday night, like other Members, I followed the terrible events in Paris by social media, radio and TV, but I also had a running commentary because my daughter was down the street from Le Petit Cambodge, which was the first restaurant that was attacked.”
“I support the motion and have no doubt that, in the time ahead, around the Executive table and around every part of the Chamber, my colleagues will get a chance to talk out the opportunities that exist across the jurisdiction and how we will deliver on them.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to finish by agreeing with Mr Givan who, I think, referred to the new opportunity with 11 councils rather than 26. It is my view that this needs to be an era of partnership, and there is a possibility that we can have good news for all our people this week. We need to move away from division and pointing to one area doing better than another. The councils can lead the way, and Invest NI can have a real partnership with councils. We also need to have a partnership with councils that will lead to the type of jobs, investment and growth that the Minister spoke about in his closing remarks.”
“We need these magnets of attraction, and, in that context, what has happened in Mr Humphrey's constituency — he mentioned North Belfast in particular — with the innovation centre at Forthriver is exactly the way we need to go. We need to make it as easy as possible for potential investors to go into areas where they perhaps have not gone before and where we have not seen as much investment. In that regard, we need to have the broadband problems that Ms Fearon referred to sorted out and we need to make sure that, as was referred to previously, during familiarisation visits, potential investors go everywhere. It is one thing to say that we cannot force an investor to go into an area — of course we cannot — but we need to make sure that they get a proper introduction to every area.”
“Megan Fearon brought suggestions for new proposals to the table about a border economic development zone. We should look at that. In that context, the cutbacks to InterTradeIreland by both Governments worry us, but the Newry/Louth memorandum of understanding that she mentioned is an example of positive development. The Minister referred to that as well. <BR /> <BR />I am convinced that there are innovative and exemplary projects out there from which we can learn, such as, in particular, the North West Science Park in Derry and Letterkenny. I endorse what the Minister said about Metaverse Mod Squad and OneSource Virtual in Derry. We also need to put our money where our mouth is.”
“It is our hope — and I think that Mr Lunn referred to this — that we can get back to work again and get the focus back again on trying to raise all the boats to try to ensure that the prosperity extends to all communities, and on all sides of peace lines in north and west Belfast in particular. <BR /> <BR />Mr Givan lamented the Belfast/Lisburn competition but accepted that Lisburn has its own strengths and that many people in Lisburn commute into Belfast. We all understand that there has to be mobility among our workforce. That is one of the reasons why we are encouraging young people to take opportunities as they arise. Mr Givan brought the issue back again to jobs. Regardless of our differences and regardless of the minutiae of the argument, jobs, growth and investment are what unites us.”
“Not just at the minute. I thought that I gave a fairly good summary. I want to move on to Mr Lunn. He made good points. I cannot understand why there is going to be a division on this motion. If subregional targets were an issue, it is something that we should have discussed before we came and split the House and ended up in an acrimonious discussion today. Mr Lunn made the important point that perhaps there is more that unites us than divides us, especially when there are other matters and talks going on in this estate. He also asked how often the ministerial subgroup on regional opportunities meets. I think that is a fair question. Mr Durkan told us that it has met twice, but it has not met because of the difficult political times.”
“I will not give way just yet. North Down has spoken, and I am going to get to North Down and Strangford now. The other fantasy project from Strangford was to have an energy corridor, and I look forward to seeing the budget proposition behind that energy corridor in Strangford and, in the time ahead, to seeing the Ulster Unionists argue within or without the Executive for the money to build the energy corridor that Mr Nesbitt spoke about.”
“All we wanted you to do was build the A6. When we talk about imbalances, it is not all Invest NI and it is not all the Minister; every one of us and every Department — someone mentioned the Agriculture Department — has a role to play. All we wanted you to do was to build the bloody road to Derry — the A5 — and finish the A6 as well.”
“CVS Caremark, a Boston company that received support from Invest NI, is closing up shop. That is a matter of regret, and our support should go to all those who have lost their jobs, and we should try and do what we can to find alternative employment or training for those people. It is important that that is mentioned today because, as Mr McGlone said, those are the difficult times that we live in, and it has been evidenced again and again. It is the misfortune of our current economy Minister that he has come in at a time when there has been a really bad run of job losses. It is incumbent on all of us to tackle that in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />I thank Mr Cochrane-Watson, the Keynesian heavyweight of the Ulster Unionists, for coming here and educating us.”
“He also said something very pertinent. He said that tourism west of the Bann is totally undersold. I agree with that, and I think that we need to focus on that and concentrate on that. I will venture that, if you were to go to Donegal and see the Wild Atlantic Way, you would see that our colleagues south of the border are a little bit ahead of us. I see the beauty of Fermanagh — if I am allowed to say that in front of my colleague, and I hope that he does not get too emotional — the beauty of the Fermanagh lakes and our inability to build a really prosperous, strong tourism industry around that is something that we need to examine and see how we can do better in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Mrs McKevitt referred, in her intervention, to jobs lost again today. It is another hammer blow for another 100 people.”
“The challenge for us is to move beyond that in the time ahead and to find a way — and I heard the frustration coming from Mr Durkan, who has just left us — to even out the prosperity to ensure that the peace dividend goes right across the jurisdiction. I suppose the burden of blame has to be carried by all of us that we have not made enough headway in ensuring that people right across the jurisdiction have enjoyed more of an economic uplift in the 20 years of peace, which Mr McGlone talked about. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Mr Dunne went in to bat for Invest NI, and good for him. He extolled the virtues of the great job that it has done. Of course, it was helped by some of the European rules at that time, but no one will dispute that it has done a stand-up job in bringing in jobs and selling the opportunities here.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm críoch a chur leis an díospóireacht seo. <BR /> <BR />I saw the former Minister, Arlene Foster, come in at one point. I think that she was here to pour oil on troubled waters, but she left fairly rapidly, perhaps to deal with more important issues at hand. It was the former Minister who referred to opportunities, rather than imbalances, when we addressed the issue of disparities. I think that that is the right approach. I note that, when my colleague Mr Flanagan put the case of why we are where we are, no one disputed that. All economies have imbalances and disparities, but the reasons here are historic, and they are because of the place that we have been.”
“Since none of Mr Attwood's colleagues are rushing to his defence, it is important to say that he put it on record that he apologised for that statement. I am reiterating that for him.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister and commend him on his visit to Bombardier in Quebec. Of course, we all echo the support for Bombardier at this time. Minister, do you agree with me that, in light of the commitment of the Quebec Government through the $1 billion invested in Bombardier, there are lessons there for all of us here about getting behind our industries, particularly our manufacturing industries, in this part of the world?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Mo bhuíochas fosta leis an LeasChéad-Aire. The deputy First Minister mentioned receiving a new proposition and business plan by the end of the year. If we can get back on course with Desertcreat, what is the expected time frame for completion?”
“It is my conviction that, if we can help young people to start businesses — every business started small — and make it easier for them to access premises on thriving arterial routes, we will be sowing the seeds of a more robust business sector in the future. Hopefully, when we review rates, there will be a way in which we can encourage start-ups, which are not necessarily taking business away from their neighbours, to come in to empty premises and start the business growth that we are crying out for.”
“I will not name them, but there are roads in the city where that is not the case and where empty premises after empty premises send a different message — they send out a message to investors that there is a chill factor in the area. We want to encourage a review of rates, if that, in turn, will increase the number of businesses. <BR /> <BR />I want to finish by mentioning the entrepreneurs. Claire Hanna also mentioned them. For me, they are the heart and soul of our business community. Today is a black day for Ballymena: a multinational company that served us well for 46 years announced that it is upping sticks and leaving, and that is a devastating blow. However, other companies were mentioned during that discussion today, such as Randox, which was built up by indigenous entrepreneurs.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is my view that we need to take inspiration from businesses such as those on the Lisburn Road that are committed to our communities: the Arcadia deli, which has been there for 80 years, and Michael Deane of Deane and Decano. They have shown great commitment through the great recession and through tough times in the city. They have shouldered the burden of rates unfairly placed on start-ups in particular and on new businesses. <BR /> <BR />It is time, in the rate review, to find ways to give additional support and encouragement to small businesses. It is not beyond us to find ways to encourage and induce businesses to go into empty premises on main arterial routes. When a main road is busy, bustling and thriving, it tells you that there is a vibrant community.”
“I have a special word of praise for the traders' associations across the constituency — the Lisburn Road in particular — the Ormeau Road and other areas where traders have come together to try to make common cause and provide a common voice — one voice — with which to speak to those in government about their needs. In particular, our friends in NIIRTA have done that and asked for a fair, efficient and fit-for-purpose rates system. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's contribution, and that of her predecessor, in announcing a rate review. I hope to study the paper. Now that the Ministers are back, I do not have as much time to read documents. We had a little more free time before that. I have printed it off, and I want to study it. I know that there will be some bold proposals for the time ahead.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I welcome junior Minister Pengelly's comments. I thank another South Belfast colleague Claire Hanna for securing the debate at 5.00 pm on a Tuesday. <BR /> <BR />When I think of the contribution of small businesses in South Belfast, small retail businesses in particular, it is clear that what we are discussing today is not only about trying to foster those businesses but trying to foster and build community. So many of those entrepreneurs, the business owners, are wedded to the area, rooted to the area and have great commitment to the area.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as an fhreagra sin. I thank the Acting First Minister for that reply. I endorse the efforts being made in that regard by our diversity champions across Departments. In the time ahead, could the Office of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister look at expanding the idea of diversity champions into our arm's-length bodies and, perhaps, into the community sector? If we cannot appoint those people, at least could we encourage their appointment and recognise the diversity champions who are out there?”
“Mo bhuíochas, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Over the summer, education officials worked with me, representative McGimpsey and others around the issue of preschool places. At the end of the process, how many preschool places were left unfilled in South Belfast?”
“Newington Credit Union in north Belfast is cross-community, deeply involved in the local housing association, involved in giving bursaries to students to ensure that they can get to third-level education and involved in a project in Zambia in the developing world as well. If we take leadership and inspiration and follow the lead of credit unions, we will be doing well. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the work that is going on today and I look forward to studying this legislation further at Committee Stage. There are, perhaps, some tweaks that need to be made, but I think that this is a good day for the Assembly and for credit unions. Anything that makes credit unions stronger in the time ahead will make our community stronger.”
“When we look at the strong communities that we have across the state, we often see that, right at their heart, is a strong credit union giving leadership, getting involved in the community and building for the future. <BR /> <BR />I notice that the credit union movement in the South of Ireland is talking about becoming a "third force" to back the two pillar banks. I will not use that particular term, but, certainly, in economic and community development, credit unions are a force and a power for good. <BR /> <BR />I want to finish because my colleague late of this parish, Phil Flanagan, will speak at greater length about the legislation. However, I want to single out and praise a credit union. It is not in my constituency — my debt resides in the Divis View Credit Union in west Belfast, and I am very proud of that credit union.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú agus aontú le cuid mhór dar dhúirt an Cathaoirleach agus fáilte a chur roimh an Aire arais inniu. I want of course to echo the comments of the Committee Chair and also welcome back the Minister. He shows good judgement in coming back today to move the credit union Bill. Credit unions are vital to the success of our society, and the credit union movement, right across this jurisdiction, will be delighted that we are getting our act together. It has been very patient and has waited for some years now. We have debated this and it is important legislation. <BR /> <BR />It is my view that a strong community has a strong credit union at its heart.”
“We want to continue to build our green energy commitment. I hope that is a discussion that we will have with the Minister and the Department when he returns full time.”
“They were in very firm language, but we hope to see the permanent secretary and the Minister as well so that we can continue this discussion. <BR /> <BR />As we wade through these difficult questions about renewables, I think that there is one crucial issue. It is a question for the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Amber Rudd, as well as for us. Where do we go, post-2017, after the grace periods? What will our strategy be for renewable energy? How do we continue to maintain the momentum we have, in particular on wind energy onshore, which we know brings great benefits in green energy and consumer costs? That is a question that I hope that we can tackle even in this mandate to decide where our policy will bring us. Although Mr Cameron and Amber Rudd have turned their face against renewables, that is not what we want to do.”
“I really do hope that you will be around for longer than a few hours because this, as you know and understand, Minister, is crucial to the economy, the public interest and consumers. We must try to stick at this and stay focused on this issue of renewables until we sort it out. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for introducing the order. The Chair of the Committee has explained the yellow brick road that we have been down over the summer. It is a matter of some regret that, even today, we do not have certainty on whether, during a grace period, costs will be carried only by the consumers here or will be socialised across Britain and here, which, of course, would not really place any burden on consumers; it would only be a matter of pennies. As we push forward, the Chair of the Committee issued a number of what I think were invites.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm an tAire a fheiceail ar ais anseo inniu agus ba mhaith liom tréaslú agus aontú le cuid mhaith dá ndúirt an Cathaoirleach ar an Choiste. I welcome the newly appointed economy Minister back to the Chamber. I also want to echo many of the sentiments expressed by the Chair of our Committee. Minister, we have missed you; I know that you have missed us as well. When I was at primary school, we had an attendance inspector who was very efficient. She used to go to your home and speak to your parents. I am not citing any particular experience of that, but she would say, "It's not good enough just to go back for one day." I want to repeat that advice today.”
“They first put it up to Mr Cameron when he refused to respond to the United Nations Refugee Agency's appeal for help. They managed to get together a scheme to bring in hundreds under the vulnerable persons relocation scheme, via London, late last year and early this year. They have set up a task force, led by Minister Humza Yousaf, to look at the practical ways in which they will welcome, integrate and look after the refugees when they arrive. We can learn from that, and, if we are united in this, which I think that we are — despite maybe some discordant voices — as a society and community, let us get this done immediately. Let us put fire under the feet of Mr Cameron. We want to get people released from the terrible conditions and danger that they are in, and welcomed into this society so that they can start to rebuild their lives.”
“<BR /> <BR />I therefore commend the request and the five points put forward by the Law Society. We should and must unite around those. It is essential that we echo and mirror the response that we have seen from the community. All sides, all parties — even the one party that is not here today — all communities and all sectors of our community want to see refugees being given a welcome that is true to our values as a welcoming people and that reflects the welcome that we have received, whether Scots-Irish, Ulster-Scots or Irish people, when we have travelled the globe. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom focal a rá faoinár gcomradaithe in Albain, a bhí chun tosaigh san obair seo. I will finish by mentioning our friends in the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government, who have always been a bit ahead of the curve on this.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to commend our young friend Jasper in Tearfund and the work that he did and it did in visiting refugee camps in the Lebanon during the summer, raising £50,000 from young people here involved in the faith community and bringing that money to help the refugee crisis. Finally, the third group is the Presbyterian international meeting point on the Lisburn Road. Again, it shows us how we should respond to our brothers and sisters who are in peril and in refugee camps. Every day, they welcome in and educate them — I heard Mr Agnew talk about English classes. They build and try to create a welcoming environment for asylum seekers, to try to get them permanent status, and, when they get that, to try to make sure that they play a full part in our society.”