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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“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answers so far. On the grade-A office accommodation at Ebrington, does the Minister have any information on whether investors are still keen to put jobs on the site, given the current COVID environment?”
“The Minister will be aware that different Departments have previously contributed to funding for transport to Fountain Primary School. That funding is now coming to an end. Will the Minister commit to pursuing funding for transport to the school, particularly given the fact that it is an Urban Villages area?”
“There is a substantial economic recovery opportunity in decarbonising energy, growing the green economy across Northern Ireland and delivering significant export opportunities for home-made lower- and zero-carbon solutions.”
“In the meantime, I very much welcome some of the urgent policy decisions that have already been taken, particularly the Minister's recent announcement of a new target of at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030. It is also welcome that the Department is working on a range of projects that will showcase Northern Ireland's potential to develop cutting-edge hydrogen technology in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has led the way in developing renewable electricity to meet the Executive's 40% renewables target, with 48% of our power now coming from indigenous renewable sources. That success has helped to support a low-carbon renewable energy economy made up of 3,500 businesses, 5,400 jobs and over a quarter of a million of exports, but that is a fraction of the size that it could be.”
“I also note that work is continuing at pace to develop a new energy strategy for Northern Ireland following an earlier call for evidence. Five working groups have been established on the areas of consumers, energy efficiency, heat, power and transport. The groups will provide evidence, and the Department will carry out analysis of that evidence, and that will inform options for consideration by Ministers and the wider Executive. An expert panel on the future of energy has also been established to advise on the development and first implementation phase. <BR /> <BR />Through our work on the Economy Committee, we are aware that it is hoped that an options paper on the energy strategy will be published for consultation by the end of March 2021.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion and welcome the opportunity to speak to it. <BR /> <BR />The Economy Committee received a briefing earlier this year from the Minister and the Department, outlining some of their priorities for the remainder of this mandate. The Minister was very clear at that time that clean energy would be one of the highest priorities on the Department's agenda. Of course, as an Economy Committee member, it is evident that that has been the case from a climate change and an economic perspective. <BR /> <BR />We should all be focusing on a clean green recovery. The Minister continues to champion that clean green recovery and clean energy. All Ministers and Departments have a responsibility to deliver on those aims. The New Decade, New Approach touched on that, and we must continue to focus on it.”
“The Minister will no doubt be aware that we are facing a situation of further localised lockdowns or a national lockdown; we do not know at this stage. Do the Executive have the financial firepower to protect every job and business and ensure that we come out of this with some sort of economy?”
“<BR /> <BR />Obviously, there is a lot of speculation about potential restrictions coming forward. My plea is around clarity. Members have touched on the issue of communication, and we need to articulate clearly what it is that we are looking at. We need to try to eradicate grey areas, because, as we have seen with some of the localised restrictions, there have been more questions than answers regarding what we do, where we shut down and what is able to open. If we can get as much clarity as possible and bring people with us on these issues, we will get out of it much quicker. I urge everyone to follow all the guidelines. Continue to wash your hands, keep a distance and wear a mask where appropriate.”
“However, without politically point-scoring, I say that the Member may not be aware that her colleague, who is a Member of this Chamber, attended the funfair on a number of occasions. It is important that we all take personal responsibility and ensure that, when we throw stones, we do not do so in glass houses. <BR /> <BR />There is no blueprint for all this. We are all going through this at a time when we are trying our best. We need to give people the space to do that. As we look at further new potential restrictions, I urge the Health Minister and all Ministers in the Executive to look at the wider impacts, including the impact on our economy, on joblessness and employment and on mental health. I think that all Ministers will look at that, but, ultimately, we need to do what we need to do to ensure that lives are saved and protected.”
“I put on record my appreciation of the work done by my council, Derry City and Strabane District Council. We also talk about cross-border working. I was on a call last week with Donegal County Council and our council together, and that type of initiative is welcome, because this is not an orange-and-green issue or a North/South or east-west one. If we can drive down the number of cases, we need to do what we can to ensure that we do so. My council has taken the initiative with events and future planning, ensuring that we get in there at an early stage, and that is very important. <BR /> <BR />The Member for Foyle, my colleague Sinead McLaughlin, touched on some of the things that have happened at a local level that have been unfortunate.”
“Ultimately, it is about saving lives, but we must try to ensure that we balance the situation between lives and livelihoods. I have consistently said that we will not get out of the pandemic through regulations and restrictions alone. There will have to be personal responsibility, no matter what we say in the Assembly. Whilst we need to show leadership, we also need our communities and our neighbours to ensure that they follow the guidelines that are put in place and that they do so in a way that keeps them and others safe. <BR /> <BR />We also need a joined-up approach. In recent weeks, we have seen the Executive pulling together and trying to send out a joint message, but we also need our councils to ensure that that is implemented at all levels.”
“I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on the issue, following my Health Committee colleagues. First and foremost, I pass on my condolences, thoughts and prayers to the families of the bereaved and to those who are currently in hospital or are unwell with COVID. It is important that we continue to remember those people as they go through their health situation. I also pay tribute to our NHS staff and all our carers out in the community. I thank the Health Minister for the role that he has played and, indeed, the Health Committee for its scrutiny role. We have seen the benefits of that over the past couple of months. <BR /> <BR />The regulations are welcome. Whilst we may not have wanted to see them, they were needed and will pay dividends. We know that the regulations have consequences and impacts beyond the health sector.”
“We need to come together on that point. <BR /> <BR />On a final note, the tone of the motion is, maybe, disappointing. All of us would do well to pull together and support the Minister in bringing forward the interventions needed to ensure that our communities are able to get through this in the best possible fashion.”
“We need to ensure, however, that, when it goes out, the money has the greatest and best possible economic impact, so that, when we come out of the pandemic, businesses are still there and are able to survive. <BR /> <BR />As we continue to grapple with the unpredictable nature of COVID-19, we need all Ministers to step up to the mark and deliver on their responsibilities. The SDLP talked about what the Executive had not done, but the SDLP is part of the Executive, so it must step up to the plate and make the issues known. All the parties in the Chamber need to come together and stop the party politicking. We need to stop coming into the Chamber simply to have a go while offering no solutions. People need to come forward with solutions, if they have them, and then make their approach known to the Executive.”
“Retail sales and forecasts are falling, and, of course, there are the risks and economic issues that surround the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol. Those are all concerns that we have to grapple with. <BR /> <BR />The motion states that we need another strategy. Some Members have compared the number of pages in strategies. With all due respect, the Economy Department has plenty of strategies, but we need to focus on delivery. I am confident that this Minister and this party are focused on delivery. Businesses and constituents want delivery, and that is what the Chamber needs to focus on. <BR /> <BR />On previous occasions during the pandemic, the Minister has rightly been focused on getting money out to businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
“We will need to be strategic in how we issue our funds. We need to target support at where it is needed, particularly at those who are struggling significantly. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the medium-term recovery plan brought forward by the Minister in June, titled 'Rebuilding a Stronger Economy'. The paper focuses on the next 12 to 18 months. It sets out a framework for decisive interventions that deliver higher-paying jobs, skilled and agile workforces and a more regionally balanced economy. The paper also highlights some of the challenges and the stark reality that we face, which is that the decline in input in Northern Ireland is more severe than in the rest of the UK. Six years of labour market progress was undone in a month. The expectation is that redundancies will increase again sharply in the near future.”
“They need to speak to them and hear their concerns. The business leaders said clearly to us that they see our Minister, Diane Dodds, as a strong advocate at the Executive table. They see her as someone who champions the sectors particularly affected. That was encouraging, and it is worth taking note of it. <BR /> <BR />That is not to say that there are not genuine concerns. There are, and the push at the minute to get additional support, particularly for my constituency, is one that I will advocate along with others. We face a very concerning situation, however. We could be looking at further local lockdowns across Northern Ireland. Whatever we do, we need to be mindful that interventions in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area may need to be replicated elsewhere. We have to bear that in mind.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion and on the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the economy. Over the past seven months, we have seen severe impacts in our towns and city centres. Many businesses that closed for the first lockdown never reopened, and many of those that reopened have struggled to keep afloat. The latest restrictions in my constituency have come as a bitter blow to those who might have opened their doors for even a matter of days yet who have, effectively, been forced to close them. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Economy Minister for taking the opportunity on Friday — the earliest opportunity — to meet business leaders from the hospitality sector, the city centre and council. It was a productive meeting. Elected representatives would do well to speak to those business leaders, and some of them have not done so.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, what preparations are you taking around sickness absence within Prison Service staff and the potential longer-term complications arising from those recovering from COVID-19?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I recently met local businesses, and they put across the position that there is potential for 300 jobs to be lost if the development plan is not adjusted. Unfortunately, they have been met with the rejection of those proposals by some of the officials. Will the Minister intervene to ensure that those 300 jobs are protected and that the concerns of those businesses are upheld?”
“The problem is that the EU has not respected those aims. It has never fully understood the Belfast Agreement, nor has it ever respected the principle of consent. It has never recognised the sovereignty of internal UK trade, and it will not accept the fact that east-west trade is just as important as North/South trade to many others in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I want to say that it is disappointing, once again, that the motion has taken the turn that it has. I appeal to the Members of other parties who are being used by Sinn Féin — because Sinn Féin will quote this and say that the Assembly has passed the motion — not to allow themselves to be used. The people caught on to Sinn Féin a long time ago. I urge Members to put Northern Ireland first and foremost and ensure that we get the best for our citizens.”
“Sadly, local politicians have been used by the European Union over the past four years. For the EU, this was never about protecting peace in Northern Ireland. It has always been the case that the EU cannot accept the fact that the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, and it cannot get over it. The EU continues to use Northern Ireland as a weapon to punish the United Kingdom as a whole. It is my hope that the Members across the Chamber will soon recognise that fact. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that the EU is failing to honour its own international commitments as set out in the withdrawal agreement. Article 1 of the Northern Ireland protocol states that it is:”
“I thank the Member for his intervention, and I completely agree. Again, on all those issues, the people are not stupid. People see Sinn Féin's hypocrisy for exactly what it is. <BR /> <BR />Nationalist and republican representatives in the Chamber cannot pick and choose which parts of an international agreement they want to honour. The DUP tabled 12 amendments to the Internal Market Bill, one of which would have given this place consent over the protocol, but the SDLP voted against it, and Sinn Féin did not turn up to vote against it. It seems that some Members and their parties in the Chamber think that only the provisions of the Belfast Agreement and international agreements that benefit nationalists are what matter. <BR /> <BR />Whatever the circumstances, the approach by Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party is not acceptable.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Unfortunately, however, it does not surprise me that that is the tone adopted. The people of the Foyle constituency know exactly what Sinn Féin is like and it has been exposed, time and time again. Thankfully, the more people realise what Sinn Féin is about, the better this country will be.”
“In two seconds. <BR /> <BR />However, where it will have an impact, of course, Sinn Féin does not take its seats.”
“Another day, another motion on the withdrawal agreement and the protocol, and this at a time when constituencies are struggling, businesses are crippled and constituents are worried about their health and the implications of COVID-19. Once again, Sinn Féin has come forward with a Brit-bashing motion, a political stunt that will have no impact in the Assembly.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer and for joining me on Friday to meet some of the business leaders in my constituency. As I do, they recognise the role that the Minister has played for the economy in these challenging times. Our council was represented at that meeting. Do you see the council as being an option for getting the money out to businesses in a fast and timely manner?”
“The Minister highlighted some of the major screen projects secured by NI Screen, including the 'Game of Thrones' series, which has brought millions of pounds to the local economy and employed hundreds of people across all the series. Importantly, it has boosted our tourism industry on a worldwide stage. We must continue to explore the sector and try to secure future projects.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I welcome the motion, which provides the Department with the powers to fund Northern Ireland Screen. As the Chair stated, at the Economy Committee, we agreed the statutory rule earlier this month. The DUP supports today's motion. While it may be purely an administrative change, it is important, as it gives the Economy Department a sound statutory footing to fund NI Screen. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland Screen is an important agency working to maximise the economic, cultural and educational value of the screen industries to the benefit of Northern Ireland. Its activities make a considerable contribution to growing a sustainable economy, creating opportunities to tackle disadvantage and building a strong and shared future.”
“The Government have indicated that many of these issues will be addressed through the finance Bill. We will wait and see what happens in that respect. <BR /> <BR />We will not be supporting the motion. Our views have been well rehearsed. I note that the Members opposite continue to table these motions. They are more than entitled to do so. However I would urge them to respect the fact that many businesses at the moment are struggling in a wide range of areas, and I think that we should be mindful that, whilst it is great that certain Members want to have their voices heard in this Chamber, the focus should be on ensuring that the United Kingdom's internal market is protected and that the businesses are properly heard through the relevant channels.”
“Clause 42 gives UK Ministers the power to disapply or modify export summary declarations for goods moving from NI to GB. The Government, again, yesterday, made clear that the declarations that would be disapplied through this clause would be those that do not recognise or respect the fact that Northern Ireland is part of the customs territory of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />The Government talk about a "safety net". I think that "safety net" is a reasonable description, given the fact that, if these issues cannot be resolved through the Joint Committee, there absolutely needs to be a safety net in place. That is what any responsible sovereign Government would do. <BR /> <BR />My party colleagues at Westminster, yesterday, clearly articulated our position in regard to the Bill and, indeed, the amendments that were tabled in our name.”
“We must ensure that we protect the £8 billion worth of goods and sales from Northern Ireland to GB and guarantee our place within the UK's internal market. These are not new commitments. The DUP has been consistent at all levels, including at Westminster, where a lot of this really matters. We need certainty. We need legal certainty and clarity for businesses in Northern Ireland whose largest market is with the rest of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />In relation to some of the specifics in the Bill for Northern Ireland, clause 40 places an obligation on the UK Government and devolved Administrations to consider Northern Ireland's place in the UK internal market when implementing the protocol. That applies to trade between GB and Northern Ireland in both directions.”
“I will not. <BR /> <BR />The UK Government have stated that, through the Internal Market Bill, they are delivering on commitments to provide unfettered access between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and to maintain and strengthen the integrity and smooth operation of our internal market. We all signed up to the New Decade, New Approach agreement to restore this Assembly. The commitment in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document states:”
“It is important that goods arriving here, in Northern Ireland, are not subject to unnecessary checks, which, in turn, will lead to increased cost and reduced choice for consumers. It is vital that Northern Ireland businesses have unfettered access to the GB market, which is, of course, so important to Northern Ireland that it is welcome that the Internal Market Bill sets out potential helpful steps in that respect. With Northern Ireland's competitors able to support their emerging sectors through government aid, it would be wrong and would place Northern Ireland firms at a clear disadvantage if we were to be restrained in a state-aid straitjacket, unlike the rest of the UK.”
“The Internal Market Bill is a step forward. It is a recognition by the UK Government that there were defects with the Northern Ireland protocol and the potential impact that it would have on the internal market of the United Kingdom. However, more work is required. We are focused on ensuring that consumer choice and costs are not impeded as a result of the Northern Ireland protocol.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He talks about access to markets: does he agree that on the issue of free ports, for example, we should seize the opportunities that that can bring, especially for the likes of the Foyle port in my constituency.”
“— the circumstances, they should not support the motion.”
“— decimated through the current pandemic and with potential borders going up in the Irish Sea. Those are the people to whom they will have to be answerable, and I urge Members to reflect on the fact that, whatever —”
“They laugh, but the people who are laughing are actually laughing at the business community, which is being —”
“That was crazy. I agree with the Member; he is absolutely right. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I urge Members in the Chamber today to listen to the business community —”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. That points out the hypocrisy. I take all those comments with a pinch of salt, because there are question marks over the motives of all the individuals who have commented. <BR />Those who will support the motion, whatever the circumstances, need to explain to our communities — our business community and our citizens — how making it easier for business to trade with its biggest market within the United Kingdom is a breach of the Belfast Agreement.”
“The Belfast Agreement contains one substantive mention of the Republic of Ireland border, and that relates to demilitarisation, which has already happened. I know of no one who is calling for the army to rebuild those installations on the border. The Belfast Agreement, however, was about respecting —.”
“I ask Members to reflect on that. <BR /> <BR />As for the issues with the protocol, our party has been clear that we do not support it. At every opportunity, our Ministers, MPs and MLAs have actively campaigned to address some of its flaws, of which there are many. There are key concerns around the protocol. One that has been touched on and, again, was raised with the EU ambassador is the GB to NI trade tariffs and the risk there, with the fact that the EU was using Northern Ireland as leverage and risking a food blockade on Northern Ireland. The paperwork, the regulatory checks, the issues for our fisheries, VAT and state aid — all those issues are very much a concern to local businesses. <BR /> <BR />Much has been made of the Good Friday Agreement — the Belfast Agreement.”
“<BR /> <BR />My colleague touched on this: for some parties in the Chamber, their priority is ensuring that connections with Dublin and the EU are retained, but, again, whatever the circumstances, they want us to support the protocol. Our MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood, and other MPs were tripping over themselves to get on to the air waves to support the position taken by some US politicians on a US/UK trade deal. A constituency like mine of Foyle is devastated not only by the COVID pandemic but by years of issues and lack of infrastructure and investment, yet political parties are actively encouraging no US/UK trade deal. That is a crazy position to take. I ask Members to reflect on that. Members who go through the Lobby today are making it clear that, whatever the circumstances, they want to support the protocol.”
“No, I will not. <BR /> <BR />That is a completely unacceptable position for anybody to take. Of course, it is no surprise that Sinn Féin would take that position, because it takes that position on a united Ireland: it does not matter if communities are divided or our businesses would be decimated, whatever the circumstances, we should support it. Again, that is an unacceptable position. I raised it with the EU ambassador when he came to Londonderry on Friday. I made the point that not one unionist party or, for that matter, not one unionist in this country supports the protocol. It is disastrous for the United Kingdom and for business, and it is important that they hear that message.”
“The key line for me in the motion, which we will vote against, says "whatever the circumstances". That, in itself, nails the real motive for the motion. Whatever the circumstances — no matter how bad it is for Northern Ireland; no matter what effect it has on businesses or the constituents whom we represent — we must support the protocol.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Would the Member agree that it is a ludicrous position that some MPs, including the MP for Foyle, Colum Eastwood, are actively campaigning against trade deals with the US, given the significant economic challenges that exist within our constituency?”
“As we continue to live with the virus and face the possibility of a second wave, the service should be maintained as an essential component of the efforts to reduce the mental health impact. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the Minister has championed mental health services, so this is not a criticism of the Minister. I know that the Minister has so much on his plate. We support him in that role and wish him well. We will support him in the efforts that need to be made, whether it is a bid to the Executive as a whole or whatever. However, I plead that we are not standing here again in March 2021 making the same arguments for the same service, which we should not have to make the case for. I urge the Minister to take these comments on board, and I thank him for attending the debate. I urge everyone to, please, make their views known.”
“The Department of Health should give a view on the evaluation report and its findings. <BR /> <BR />As we go forward, the challenges in our society are becoming greater. Experts have warned that the COVID-19 pandemic and any economic consequences or job losses may lead to an increase in suicidal behaviour and death by suicide. Initial data based on police records of incidents at the River Foyle show an increase in suicide behaviour. This may be seen as the tip of the iceberg since the majority of suicides occur in the person's home. People are avoiding presenting themselves to emergency departments, which means that, at the current time, people in suicidal despair would particularly benefit from having an additional, alternative place of support to go to.”
“I, and those who represent the Foyle constituency at all levels, believe that the Department of Health should fund this vital service. We all agree on the significance of the Protect Life 2 strategy, yet, time and time again, this service is on life support. We do not need further reports and strategies. We need funding and we need support. The Minister had said that he encouraged all stakeholders to use the additional period as an opportunity to have those conversations and engage to identify lasting funding options. It has been disappointing that the Western Trust and Public Health Agency (PHA) have not been engaging with the crisis intervention steering group. I would be grateful if the Minister would ensure that there is representation at these steering group meetings.”