Gary Middleton
Foyle · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. As other Members have stated, the First Minister spoke publicly about the £150 million secured for pay awards, including £37 million for teachers.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Although the FE sector is facing a difficult budgetary landscape, NWRC has been able to punch above its weight.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, we recognise that there is more to do, but we then come to the central issue: funding. The Education Authority faces an overcommitment of some £280 million. The Department is chronically underfunded. The independent report entitled 'Investing in a Better Future' made that clear.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I do not think that there is a single Member who does not want to see our children healthy, well fed and ready to learn. We all recognise the statistics before us: 13% of children live in food-insecure households. We understand that nutritious food is the fuel for educational attainment.”
“That targeted, sustainable intervention is designed to support what many describe as the working poor; families who work hard but struggle to make ends meet. <BR /> <BR />The Opposition's motion mentions comparisons with other jurisdictions, nothing that they are expanding universal provision. However, they are being selective.”
“We hear calls from the Benches opposite for subsidies and expansions, but we rarely hear where the money should come from. If we are to find the extra £202 million for this specific policy, which Department does the Opposition suggest that we take it from?”
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“However, it is important to point out that, at times during the pandemic, the collegiate spirit towards supporting our economy has not always been evident or displayed. For example, the Sinn Féin Communities Minister has failed utterly to deliver on the Northern Ireland parallel scheme to the Kickstart initiative. It is a real shame that that has happened, given that, in GB, the Kickstart initiative has created job opportunities for over 120,000 young people between the ages of 16 to 24. Neither was that collegiate spirit displayed by the SDLP's Infrastructure Minister, who had to be cajoled and persuaded for months before commencing a scheme to support our hauliers and coach and taxi drivers.”
“The Minister has included a wide-ranging skills strategy for Northern Ireland, which can provide a longer-term and more strategic approach to the challenges facing our work force. <BR /> <BR />The motion refers to ensuring that Northern Ireland has the right mix of skills, which should be cross-cutting in nature and cross-cutting for the Executive. That needs to be recognised through practical action, but, most importantly, through adequate funding. To that end, it is important that the Finance Minister ensures that appropriate funding is put towards addressing the many issues raised in the report that was brought forward to the Economy Committee. <BR /> <BR />New Decade, New Approach committed that the Executive, collectively, will invest strategically to ensure that Northern Ireland has the right mix of skills for a thriving economy.”
“In response to those worrying statistics, the Minister has taken a range of steps to ensure continuity of learning for our young people and towards allowing those of all ages affected by the disruption of the pandemic to upskill and reskill. To that end, I welcome that the Minister has included the apprenticeship recovery package, support for some of the most vulnerable learners in accessing digital learning, adjusting the skills focus programme and delivering a range of free online qualifications. <BR /> <BR />Retaining the focus on building a resilient and adaptive skills base will be a crucial element of the Executive's recovery from COVID-19. The economic action recovery plan, which was recently announced, sets out a wide range of actions and initiatives.”
“The skills of our young people are now seen to be above the OECD average in reading, mathematics and science. However, COVID has represented a greater threat to further progress.”
“I thank the Clerk and the Committee for tabling this motion. It is a very important motion and a very important piece of work that I was part of at the time. A wide range of stakeholders was involved, and we used the technology available to bring those stakeholders together to collate their views. It was a useful exercise. It is important that, with those views, we now take that forward to ensure that we address some of the issues that they have raised, many of which I share. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has taken steps to support learners during COVID-19. Skills policies will be an essential component for Northern Ireland as we exit COVID and put together an exit strategy. In recent years, Northern Ireland has made significant progress in strengthening its skills base and improving economic output.”
“<BR /> <BR />The business case has been submitted to the Department of Finance for consideration. Work is ongoing to secure the purchase of the site, subject to business case approval. Owing to the site's history of antisocial behaviour, it is important that fencing be installed immediately to mitigate the risk. In preparation for that, Apex submitted a planning application on 7 October 2020, which will allow for fencing to be erected to secure the site immediately on purchase. I hope and expect that the Urban Villages officials will keep all political representatives up to date in the coming weeks, but I agree with the Member that the project is very much a priority for the Urban Villages initiative.”
“I share the Member's comments about officials. They have done a tremendous job in getting the project to this stage. I reiterate that the support of political members is important for all the projects in those areas. <BR /> <BR />The Urban Villages initiative transformation project in Londonderry is the Meenan Square project. It will have a truly transformational impact on the space and for the people of the area. The Urban Villages initiative has developed a business case for that major mixed-use regeneration project, which aims to reinvent the site as a shared space for fostering positive community identities and building good relations, while harnessing the wider economic and social benefits, thus reclaiming and repurposing what was a dilapidated site and, for far too long, a catalyst for antisocial behaviour.”
“Three broad project categories have been developed to support the capital planning model: transformational projects, which, generally, are £2 million or above and will have a major impact on the Urban Village areas; landmark projects, which are estimated at between £500,000 and £2 million; and local projects, which will have a single-use focus or mainly localised impact. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for the question. It is a good-news project for all those areas, and we look forward to seeing the roll-out over the coming months.”
“The investment by the Urban Villages initiative builds and transforms community facilities and spaces into catalysts and beacons for shared space and good relations. They are designed to equip and empower communities to increase, enhance and sustain the extent and nature of connections and relationships between people in each space. They are physical anchors providing a long-term legacy and enabling a people- and place-based infrastructure to realise the ambition of the Urban Villages initiative as a long-term driver of good relations. <BR /> <BR />The categorisation of the capital projects reflects the amount of financial investment in each but also, crucially, the planned impact on the lives of people living in the Urban Village areas and the contribution to promoting good relations.”
“It is a good relations programme led by the Executive Office and spans four areas in Belfast and one in Londonderry. Each of the areas has a history of deprivation and social tension. The combined population of the areas is in excess of 100,000 people. A capital programme estimated at £47 million has been approved, subject to funding, up until March 2023. That is to support development of up to 76 capital projects across the five Urban Village areas.”
“I thank the Member for that question. The Urban Villages initiative is a headline action of the Executive's Together: Building a United Community strategy.”
“I thank the Member for her question and her comments. I completely agree that this is very much of good benefit to the area. I welcome the support of the elected representatives on the ground who are working with Urban Villages. <BR /> <BR />I do not have a timescale to hand for the public realm work. I know that the Member has been proactive in lobbying for that work, and it is something that we very much want to see, alongside the investment in the derelict buildings and the wider area. I am happy to write to the Member with a timescale for the public realm work.”
“I thank the Member for her question. Completed capital projects totalling an investment of £915,000 in the Bogside, Fountain and Bishop Street Urban Village include Destined Learning Disability Centre, Fountain Play Park, and Abercorn Road Revitalisation environmental improvement scheme. The refurbishment of Cathedral Youth Club is nearing completion. The planning application has been approved for the New Gate Arts and Culture Centre, and the project will involve the redevelopment of the existing centre with the addition of a new performance space. Design work has commenced for a new build extension to the Gasyard Heritage and Exhibition Centre, and the business case for the Meenan Square development project is with the Department of Finance. Work is ongoing to acquire the site subject to business case approval.”
“We were trying to get a collection of views, and there was an ongoing debate to try to get a way that would work. This really sets that out quite well.”
“We do not want anyone to have to self-isolate or to be diagnosed with COVID, but, if they are unfortunate enough to be in that position, at least they can attend proceedings remotely, as can other Members, should they wish to do so. My personal preference is to be in the Building, and I feel that this is my place of work. That having been said, we all cannot be in the Building, so there is a recognition that people can take part remotely as well. <BR /> <BR />I put on record our thanks to the IT staff who briefed the Committee and assured us that they would do everything possible to respect the Chamber itself but would get the facility up and running. I also thank the Clerk and the staff of the Procedures Committee. It was not an easy process.”
“I thank the Chair for her remarks. She has summed up everything that needed to be said. <BR /> <BR />From a party perspective, we support the amendment to the Standing Order. From the start of the pandemic, the Assembly and its Members have tried their best to bring in measures to keep not only Members but the staff who work in the Building safe. Those measures include the likes of proxy voting and social distancing in the Chamber, but there was a recognition that hybrid proceedings would help with the operation of business as we go forward. For that reason, these discussions have taken place. <BR /> <BR />It is important that Ministers and Members are not disadvantaged.”
“The Minister will be aware that amongst those unsuccessful applications were sporting social clubs. The Minister for Communities indicated that a new scheme would be developed to look at those who were not eligible for the LRSS. Will the Minister confirm whether those conversations are ongoing? If they are not, will he tie in with the Minister for Communities to ensure that that happens?”
“The European Union's mask has slipped. It has said, however, once again, that it is prepared to take action if it suits its agenda. The United Kingdom Government need to step up. They need to listen to all views in Northern Ireland and to what is being said on the ground in our communities. On the radio this morning, the SDLP leader said that this was a mistake and that the decision to invoke article 16 came from somebody who did not understand the protocol. That is a disgraceful excuse. I urge the parties in the Chamber today to stand up and be counted for the people whom we represent, to listen to all communities and to not ride roughshod over the unionist community.”
“Of course, the protocol needs to be dealt with once and for all. We warned about the way in which the EU was using Northern Ireland over the past four years to punish the wider United Kingdom. Once again, that was proven right on Friday evening. Sinn Féin told us all to be calm, and the SDLP told us all to watch our tone. My goodness. This is from the parties that, along with Alliance, have spent the past four years hyping up the border and hyping up the threat of IRA violence. It was to the detriment of the people whom we all represent and to the United Kingdom to which we belong. "Rigorously implement the protocol" was the cry from the three parties opposite. Will they now change their minds? Will they now accept that the protocol to which they clung to, and to which they continue to cling, is causing serious harm to our country?”
“Our party leader, quite rightly, described what the EU did on Friday evening as a reckless and hostile act. It was a shameful and despicable action, which should be condemned right across our communities. What was it over? It was over a vaccine and the safety of life. Shame on the EU. It told no one. It did not tell the UK Government, the Irish Government or any of the parties in the Chamber. It did not tell the Shinners, the SDLP or Alliance — the people who travelled across the world over the past four years putting the EU above their own country. That is what the EU thinks of the parties opposite. It is a glimpse of how democratic, or undemocratic, for that matter, the European Union is. <BR /> <BR />In recent days, there has been a lot of talk about a reset of the UK-EU relationship.”
“I thank the First Minister for what she has said and recognise that today is an important day for victims and survivors. We will all be thinking of them at this time. It is, indeed, a day of mixed emotions. There is a worrying picture, First Minister, on infant mortality. Can you confirm that that will be one of the areas and key aspects that will be looked at?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I welcome the guidance that has been issued on remote learning. I know that he will agree that face-to-face teaching is the most appropriate but that we have to be mindful of the health advice. Will the Minister outline what additional resources have been provided to support remote learning?”
“Imagine it were your child, and I know that there are Members in here who do have children, who was in the education sector and not in school but at home with varying amounts of work. I am not critical of teachers, but, a bit like with the health service, where there is no substitute for face-to-face consultation, there is no substitute for face-to-face education. <BR /> <BR />I urge everyone please to follow the regulations. We are not out of this yet. I thank the junior Ministers for being here.”
“When you see incidents and just blatant breaches of the rules, as we have seen today, it is a real kick in the teeth for all of us who are doing our best to get the spread of the virus down. <BR /> <BR />The amendment (No. 25) regulations very much speak for themselves as they relate to the taxi industry. <BR /> <BR />We need to look to the future. We need to ensure that we can ramp up our vaccination process. That is the hope to which everybody is clinging. There is an important conversation to be had, and the Education Minister has lobbied for this, about special schools and their staff and about teachers, classroom assistants and others who work in schools. We need to recognise that the education situation is just heartbreaking. I am a father of a child who is not in school yet but will be in September.”
“That is the reality that we are dealing with when we are putting through amendments and restrictions like this, so I appeal to those who deny that COVID exists — I do not see how they can but such people exist — to think about the impact that it is having on the likes of that constituent and on the families of those who, sadly, are bereaved. Think of those people when you feel that you do not want to abide by the restrictions.”
“Both their cases were identical. Each of them had significant pain, they called their GP, and the GP prescribed them painkillers. As the months went on, they contacted their GP several times and had telephone diagnoses and conversations, but they never had a face-to-face appointment for examination. Eventually, after nine months, the pain got so bad that the two individuals to whom my constituent referred went to A&E. They were both admitted, and the next day they had a scan, and the cancer was found. Just four days later, those people died. Unfortunately, that story is familiar to many people across our society. Of the two who died in those three months, one had her funeral today. She was 56.”
“On Friday, I heard from the Western Trust that it has seen a 12% increase in inpatients in its mental health facility. These are devastating impacts that will have long-lasting consequences. <BR /> <BR />I want to move on. Again, it is about those pressures. All this stuff is about personal stories and the difficulties that people are facing. I mentioned at the start that these amendments, restrictions and regulations go beyond COVID. I do not need to tell anybody in the Chamber that that is the case, but I want to address one point that was raised with me by a constituent. I believe that he sent this to all MLAs, albeit he is from my constituency. I know the gentleman very well. This came last week. It said:”
“To that end, as I said to the Health Minister earlier, I welcome any steps that can be taken to address capacity issues and to provide support. This is not about politics. As we have said for quite some time, leave the politics out of health and let the health people get on with it. Where support is required, we should absolutely bring it in. <BR /> <BR />We should not underestimate the significant sacrifice that the public are making at this time. They have, in the main, abided by the restrictions by which they have been asked to abide. A lot of it has been tough, including things that we never thought that we would see in our lifetime, such as curfews and the closure of businesses and schools. It is also having a severe impact on mental health.”
“I thank the junior Minister for that. It does bring some comfort. Obviously, I would like to see that come to fruition, and I know that many businesses would welcome some sort of movement on the issue. <BR /> <BR />The amendment No. 24 regulations have the widest impact on the majority of our society in terms of the economy. There are welcome signs that the restrictions are working to a certain degree. The rate of infection is coming down, and hospital admissions are gradually — hopefully — going in the right direction, but there is still significant pressure. I take my colleague Mr Buckley's point that restrictions alone will not solve this crisis. We have to ramp up the vaccination process and look at how we do that. It could maybe be done through 24/7 mass vaccination, but we need the capacity there.”
“I thank the Member for that. I completely agree. One example that was given to me was a garden centre that stocked flowers. It had to order the stock a year in advance and is now sitting with £25,000 worth of flowers that cannot go anywhere. Valentine's Day is coming up, for example. The First Minister reminded me that there are ways and means, but I assure you that there is great disappointment in flower shops. We could look at how we could address click-and-collect services for perishable items. <BR /> <BR />We, on these Benches, take the COVID virus completely seriously, but we also have to look at the practicalities and at how we can be innovative and allow businesses to operate as safely as possible whilst trying to keep a lid on the levels of the virus.”
“The restrictions to those services in that amendment could be looked at.”
“It has always been vital and essential that we get the appropriate financial schemes on the ground as quickly as possible in order to ensure that they get to those who need them most. <BR /> <BR />A number of local businesses raised delivery and takeaway services with me. They feel that those need to be looked at as they have an impact on shift and key workers who may want to order from those facilities. I ask the junior Ministers to take that away to see whether something could be done, even to maybe just listen to those concerns. If there are genuine health reasons why takeaways cannot operate after 11.00 pm for deliveries, it would be useful to address those and bring some clarity to the situation. <BR /> <BR />I support other Members' concerns about click-and-collect services, and I raised points about those before in the Chamber.”
“We have to be mindful that we will be dealing with the impact of those restrictions on those people for some time. There was a recognition that something had to be done at that time to ensure that the virus did not get completely out of control, but, as I said, it was one of the more difficult decisions that had to be taken by the Executive. It was a decision that nobody would have wanted to take, but it had to be taken at that time. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No. 24 is one of the bigger amendments, and it deals with tightening the restrictions. My colleague touched on the impact on our businesses and economy and that so many of our businesses continue to struggle.”
“I will move on, because I am keeping to the amendments to the regulations. Amendment No. 20 deals with linked households and the length of time that a person has to leave before they can move from one household to another. That is fairly self-explanatory. Amendment No. 21 deals with entertainment venues. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos. 22 and 23 deal with the household restrictions at Christmastime. When we speak to our constituents and ask them about Christmas, the common word that we hear is "quiet". That can be good in some ways, but, in others, it has been detrimental. Whilst amendment No. 23 deals with the Christmas bubbles, which were limited to one day, many elderly and particularly vulnerable people were isolated and were not part of bubbles.”
“I will speak for the next number of minutes and will leave the Floor open if anyone, particularly those from the Sinn Féin Benches, wants to intervene and give clarity about how they are giving guidance to their communities. It is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. To be honest, it causes so much upset to my community and to all our communities when they see such shameful disregard for the rule of law. I urge Members to reflect on that.”
“I completely agree with Mr Allister's point. That is very relevant, because we cannot stand with straight faces and tell members of the public to follow guidelines if we, in this Chamber, are not willing to follow those same guidelines.”
“I urge all Members in the Chamber to please speak out; absolutely be respectful of a family who has lost a loved one, regardless of their background, but be honest with the public. <BR /> <BR />As we are putting these restrictions through today and we look at further restrictions in the future, we need to show leadership. It cannot be a situation where it is, "Do as I say, not as I do". I will give way to Mr Allister.”
“<BR /> <BR />The restrictions on funerals are very relevant today, given the day that is in it. Funerals are limited to 25 people. Everyone has the right to remember their dead. We have to be mindful of that fact. When someone loses a loved one, it is a difficult time, and we have to be honest about that. The difficulty that I have is that, once again, today, in my constituency of Foyle, a funeral took place in the Creggan area, and that funeral, once again, broke the restrictions by many, many numbers. That, once again, is not only a slap in the face to our constituents but a kick in the teeth to our health workers, who, no doubt, will have to deal with the consequences of what happened today.”
“Like others, I recognise the extreme hurt and pain that many of our constituents are suffering; whether that is COVID-related or non-COVID-related, it is equally important. It is also important that, as we look at the restrictions and regulations that have been put in place, we are mindful that their impacts go well beyond COVID. They affect every area of our lives, and we are seeing that on a daily basis, so we just need to be mindful of that. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No. 19 specifically deals with restrictions around places of worship. At a time, there was a relaxation, but I welcome the fact that many of our churches have shown great leadership in coming to a voluntary arrangement to provide safety for their congregations and parishioners but also being mindful that they have a leadership role, and I thank and congratulate them for that.”
“I welcome the steps that the Minister has taken to address the pressures. We heard from the Finance Minister earlier about the £90 million underspend from the Department of Health. Minister, can you give some detail as to the reason for that? I appreciate that much of that finance will be ring-fenced, but some members of the public will find it difficult to understand how, given the pressures, there could be an underspend. I would welcome some clarity on how that has come about.”
“The Minister is aware that many members of the public will be concerned about the sum of over £400 million that is unspent. Will the Minister address the situation in which, for example, approximately £90 million of the Economy Department's money was for the voucher scheme and there is a lack of flexibility to move ring-fenced funding into other areas in the Department? That would go some way to ensuring that the money can be spent.”
“The Minister will be aware that several motions on the issue of leaving the European Union have been debated in the Chamber in recent months. My party has been very consistent in its opposition to the protocol and on the dangers and difficulties that it will bring to business, despite the fact that Members across the House have called for its rigorous implementation. Does the Minister agree that it is vital now that the UK Government address the impediments that exist and do so as a matter of urgency?”
“We remind everyone involved and the European Union specifically that, unless arrangements have the support of unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland, they will ultimately fail. On that basis, on-the-ground implementation must not in any way disadvantage the people of Northern Ireland or our place in the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I urge Members across the House to support the amendment that has been tabled by the DUP, listen to the many voices out there in the public domain and support those in our communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />Our guiding principle has been that Northern Ireland's place in the internal market of the United Kingdom must not be undermined and that Northern Ireland must continue to enjoy unfettered access to GB. The extent to which arrangements impact in practice on trade, jobs, incomes or the choices in the supermarkets will be the true test of what has been agreed. <BR /> <BR />Finally, as has been mentioned, the measures are ultimately temporary. The NI Assembly will eventually have to have its say. The Government need to be prepared to act unilaterally to underpin our place in the UK market. The arrangements flowing from the protocol are, of course, temporary, and the Northern Ireland Assembly will have the opportunity to revisit the protocol and vote on it in four years' time.”
“I thank the Member for his contribution. It is important, I completely agree with it, and I will touch on it more in a few moments. <BR /> <BR />Again, let us not forgot the driving force behind the protocol. We have seen play-acting and amateur dramatics on the border and heard inflammatory and divisive language, with regular Brit-bashing in the Chamber. Is it not ironic that the very people who used the border to their advantage during the terrorist campaign are those who now say that they are acting in the best interests of those who live here? The majority of people in Northern Ireland will understand that that is just not the case. In reality, businesses and families in Northern Ireland will judge any deal not by those notions but through the lens of everyday prosperity.”
“In the coming period and in the aftermath of COVID-19, it is important that we work to strengthen Northern Ireland's position. We are committed to working with our business and industry representatives to help them as we collectively try to rebuild our economy, and that will involve working with the Government to mitigate the damaging practical outcomes that flow from the protocol. The DUP has consistently opposed the imposition of the protocol and continues to believe that it will damage rather than promote prosperity across the Province. Let us not forget that the driving force behind the protocol was an inaccurate and hyped-up argument about the sanctity of the border and the Belfast Agreement.”
“A free trade deal is better than no deal, but, for Northern Ireland, the deal does not undo the detrimental aspects of the protocol. As I said, there will be a need for further urgent work to be undertaken by the UK Government to deliver for Northern Ireland, particularly on the matters for which a final outcome has not yet been secured. The Government need to be bold and, where necessary, prepared to act unilaterally to bring about outcomes that underpin our full place in the most important internal market for us: the internal market of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />For our part, as a party, we will continue to work with the business community to strengthen Northern Ireland's economic position post Brexit and, indeed, post COVID.”
“However, it does not override the fact that the protocol, by allowing divergence in regulations between different parts of the UK, can never provide the standstill certainty or security that many of our businesses need and deserve. As my party leader said, additional work will be required to ensure that we can maintain free-flowing trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That position is reflected in the amendment that we have tabled, and we urge Members across the House to support it.”
“<BR /> <BR />The UK-EU agreement reached on Christmas Eve removes a cliff edge relating to tariffs and quotas for the whole of the United Kingdom in trade with the EU. This has, of course, been welcomed by many. Whilst we accept that the agreement brings about zero-tariff and quota arrangements between the UK and the EU, thus removing many goods from attracting tariffs between GB and NI, the fact remains that the agreement does not assist Northern Ireland in the context of having to operate under the Northern Ireland protocol. Ultimately, the agreement is intended to mitigate some elements of the protocol that pose a serious risk to local business.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate today. <BR /> <BR />Just a few months ago, a survey conducted by the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce found that only 7% of traders thought that they understood what the trading terms would be once the transition period ends. Throughout this process, businesses have been consistent in their calls for clarity. Unlike many Members, business accepts that the result of the referendum was very clear and that there was a democratic process that brought about the UK leaving the European Union. Our First Minister, other Ministers, MLAs and colleagues, including me, have engaged with those businesses and listened to their real concerns throughout our constituencies.”