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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“The Fire Service risk assessment found that it would be better to change the crewing rota of the seven stations and be able to introduce whole-time crews at the four stations at Strabane, Enniskillen, Dungannon and Downpatrick. I am aware that this is out for consultation that will close in the not-too-distant future. The response to that, of course, will be a matter for the Fire Service to assess. It is dangerous to suggest directly that the reduction in the budget will compromise public safety and the safety of fire officers.”
“I have seen at first hand the fantastic work that they do, whether at the Crescent Link station in Londonderry, which last year responded to over 600 incidents ranging from major fires to road traffic collisions, or the Northland station, which responded to over 1,200 incidents. <BR /> <BR />Anything that we agree to or support in the Assembly must never compromise public safety. Any savings proposals, of course, should be prioritised on the basis of minimising the impact of service delivery, and the Health Minister has been outlining that for a considerable time. He has also stated that any changes to service delivery will be risk assessed to ensure the continued safety of the public and firefighters. <BR /> <BR />The seven stations referred to are not being downgraded as a result of the budget.”
“I begin by paying tribute to all our firefighters throughout Northern Ireland, who serve and protect our communities daily. They often put themselves in danger to protect members of the public and property. It is great to see so many firefighters gathered here this afternoon. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I tend to agree with a section of the motion, I propose the DUP amendment on my behalf and on behalf of DUP and Health Committee colleagues. This amendment better reflects how we can best assist and support the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to improve it. Nobody in the Chamber will doubt the brave work that our firefighters do. In my Foyle constituency, I have worked closely with many of our local fire officers in several locations.”
“There is strong evidence that the level of toxic chemicals is very high when a person is smoking in a car, even with window ventilation. <BR /> <BR />As clauses 5 to 12 are technical, I have no issues with them being included in the Bill. I look forward to seeing the Bill progress to the next stage.”
“Tobacco products have traditionally been accessed via vending machines, making it easier for under-18s to access them. <BR /> <BR />Age restrictions are addressed in clause 3. I welcome that the Bill makes provisions enabling the Department to make regulations prohibiting the sale of nicotine products to under-18s, including proxy purchasing, with adults buying for minors. It is clear that there is wide use of e-cigs in Northern Ireland, and we should be doing all we can to ensure that the market is regulated and that young people cannot access them as easily. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I welcome the Minister's intention to bring forward at Consideration Stage an amendment to address smoking in cars with children on board.”
“It is also welcome that that will include the obligatory reporting of ingredients, as well as health warnings on packaging. <BR /> <BR />Of course, as with many products, many people are opting to buy them online. Several sources estimate that between 30% and 50% of all e-cigarette sales are made on the Internet. That, in itself, causes problems with regulation and increases the risk of an individual using a product that is unsafe. Clauses 2 and 4 provide that the Department may make regulations to prohibit the sale of nicotine products from an automatic vending machine and increase the penalty for those who do so. That is welcome, although like the Minister, I am not aware of anywhere where e-cigs can be accessed in that way.”
“I, too, support the Second Stage of the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I will focus my brief comments on clauses 1 to 4, which deal with e-cigarettes. Clauses 5 to 12 are, of course, mostly of a technical nature. <BR /> <BR />With over 450 brands of e-cigs available and over 7,500 unique flavours, e-cigarettes are currently largely unregulated, which means that they have not been determined safe to use. Whilst we are all aware of the dangers of smoking and the significant regulations that come with tobacco products, the same cannot be said about e-cigarettes. In fact, the sale of e-cigarettes is banned in a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Brazil and Mexico. I very much welcome the Minister speaking about the new EU tobacco products directive, which is to come into force in May 2016.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome what the Minister said on recognising the achievements of social workers. I agree with him that formal recognition will provide further assurance to employers, customers and the general public, not just about maintaining skills but about expanding the skills and knowledge of social workers throughout their career in the health and social sector. That will, of course, take into account new technology and e-learning methods. <BR /> <BR />Hopefully, the Minister will touch on whether there are any potential financial costs of the Bill's provisions. I have no further comments to add. I look forward to see the Bill progressing to the next stage.”
“<BR /> <BR />The current model — in which registrants can only either be removed or remain on the register and which is without the provision for remedial action and improvement — is no longer the most efficiency way of doing things. That is why it is important that we rectify the situation, and it is clear that this can be done through the Bill. Ultimately, we all want to see the best possible practice in health and social care in Northern Ireland. The provisions in the Bill will enable the NISCC to take greater action, where there are failings in practice, through additional powers and conditions being made available to them. The desired outcome of the process will be improved safety for the general public and additional training for those who require it.”
“I have no doubt that, between 2012 and the Second Stage, the Bill's provisions have been well considered by the Minister and his Department. It is also evident from the consultations that there is strong support for the Bill. There is a willingness to modernise the conduct model and make it fit for purpose for the future. <BR /> <BR />It is important that the Health Committee gets the opportunity to further scrutinise the Bill at its next stage. It is widely recognised that the Northern Ireland Social Care Council's model of conduct is out of step with best practice in other healthcare professions across the rest of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. We need to ensure consistency in regulation throughout the UK.”
“As a member of the Health Committee, I support the progression of this Bill to its next stage. I begin by paying tribute to the thousands of social care workers, social workers and students who do fantastic work in our communities. Although I am a new member of the Committee, I am well aware that the Bill has been in progress for some time. Although the consultation was completed in 2012, it is important and appropriate that the necessary time was taken to get the Bill to this stage and to get it right so that it gives effect to the changes that are required and does not lead to any unintended consequences.”
“I thank the First Minister for his answers so far. He will be aware that the Chancellor delivered his autumn statement within the 48 hours prior to the BIC summit. Did the First Minister take the opportunity to raise with the UK Government the implications of the real terms spending reductions over the next five years?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Can he outline whether residents or their families will be impacted detrimentally in their weekly contributions?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Later this week, I will meet the vice-chancellor Paddy Nixon to discuss these matters. Does the Minister agree that, whilst we all want to see the university at Magee expanded, it is vital that the courses that are on offer are focused on the needs and demands of the area, specifically computing and health and social care?”
“I thank the Minister for the many welcome announcements in her statement. We are all aware of the pressures that have faced the health sector over the last number of months. The announcement that it is to receive an additional £47 million is really good news. Can the Minister outline what impact this will have on the health service?”
“Although there are many concerns about the opt-out system, if we can get it to Committee Stage, that will give the Health Committee an opportunity to delve deeper into and scrutinise the Bill and to hear more evidence.”
“<BR /> <BR />As was made clear from the consultation on the Bill, it is vital that safeguards be put in place to protect children and young people, vulnerable adults, those whose identity is unknown and those who are not normally resident in Northern Ireland. The report 'The potential impact of an opt out system for organ donation in the UK' stated that data protection and privacy were of concern to many individuals. Assurances need to be in place for members of the public who feel concerned about the security of key pieces of personal information. <BR /> <BR />The report also stated:”
“<BR /> <BR />Spain currently has the highest organ donation rate in the world. The Spanish utilise opt-out consent, but their success is accredited by experts to measures such as a transplant coordination network that works locally and nationally and improving the quality of public information available about organ donation. <BR /> <BR />More thorough research is needed on the use of the opt-out system, particularly the soft opt-out system that is going through in Wales, which we hope to relate to closely when looking at the Bill. I expect that we will be able to learn from Wales's experience and use it to carefully consider the future of organ donation in Northern Ireland. It is vital that we hear further on this very important matter from clinicians and health professionals.”
“<BR /> <BR />With nine out of 10 people in the UK saying that they support organ donation, and only three out of 10 having signed the organ donation register, more needs to be done. I support the elements of the Bill that ensure that the Department of Health further promote transplantation, in particular that it carry out a public campaign at least once a year. <BR /> <BR />However, a report on organ donation systems by Professor Eamonn Ferguson of the University of Nottingham, noted that countries that used opt-out consent still experienced organ donor shortages. Completely changing the system of consent was therefore unlikely to solve such a problem. The report suggested that consent legislation or adopting aspects of the Spanish model could be ways of improving donor rates.”
“He made a poignant video for the British Heart Foundation, appealing for people to consider donating their organs. I encourage anybody who has not yet signed the register to watch Andy's video. Sadly, one year ago to this very day, Andrew's time ran out, and he lost his fight for life. My sympathies today go to his wife, family and friends. There is no doubt that many others out there have lost loved ones. <BR /> <BR />As we debate the Bill, it is impossible to ignore the personal stories and those who have been directly affected by organ failure and are reliant on organ donation, just like Andrew. Although it is important to listen to personal stories, we should not let emotion dictate the legislation.”
“At the age of 23, Andrew was diagnosed with a hereditary condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. Andrew lived in the Waterside area of the Foyle constituency, in which I reside, with his wife and two children. He had been on the waiting list for a heart transplant since 2011. Andrew was a strong advocate in principle for the new legislation on the opt-out system for organ donation in Northern Ireland. Even though he suffered from a heart condition that made it difficult for him to walk, last February, he carried out a sponsored walk to raise awareness and to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.”
“Inaction in an opt-in system can lead to individuals who want to donate their organs not donating. In contrast, the inaction in an opt-out system can potentially lead to an individual who does not want to donate becoming a donor. There are numerous reasons why people may not act, whether it be through lack of awareness, because of loss aversion or because of a belief that the policymakers have got it right and that there is no need to do anything. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I have opted in for organ donation by signing the register, it is only when I hear the personal stories of those who are waiting for an organ transplant or those who have received an organ that it truly hits home how life-changing and life-saving the decision is. One such story that I wish to touch on today is that of Andrew Duncan.”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak on the Human Transplantation Bill this afternoon. Around the world, organ donation policies vary greatly. There are arguments for and against whether an opt-in donation system, like the one we currently have, or an opt-out system, which exists in other countries, is better. With the current opt-in system, people have to actively sign the organ donation register to donate their organs after death, and, of course, with the opt-out system, organ donation will occur automatically unless a specific request is made before death for organs not to be taken. Whilst I have no doubt that there are positives and negatives with both systems, the fact that both are reliant on active decisions from individuals can lead to drawbacks.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer so far. Will the Minister outline how the numbers of assessments provided and the numbers of diagnoses of autism made have changed in recent years?”
“In particular, I would like to see progress on the A6 and the completion of the rail-line upgrade. I believe that, where appropriate, the schemes should be split into sections and carried out as and when money becomes available, whether it be secured through Westminster, Europe or indeed the Irish Government. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that we need to see further investment in the transport infrastructure. I know that the Minister will do all she can to progress those schemes as soon as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />With all that in mind, as was already touched on by a colleague, we must be mindful of the current situation that we find ourselves in, both financially and politically. The amount of money that has been wasted by the failure of the parties opposite to implement welfare reform was highlighted. It is mentioned in the motion that we want to see it as a priority or even made a special case. Many people will want to see other projects made special cases. Just this morning, I, along with colleagues, met the Rural Community Network about other challenges that face the north-west — broadband provision, connectivity and access to services as well. Of course, that is not to take away from the motion, as I am supportive of the schemes outlined in it.”
“It commented that one manufacturer planned to double its space but was unwilling to locate to the north-west where space was available. That was clearly down to the poor road infrastructure. Of course, we know that it was not the only business in that position. <BR /> <BR />In relation to public transport and the rail service between Belfast and Londonderry, it is important to stress the role that it has to play in the economy and community in Northern Ireland. With a strong tourism offering in the north-west and two university campuses, public transport must be strengthened. Alongside this, I have highlighted on many occasions the case for the refurbishment of the old Waterside railway station.”
“The delivery of the proposed road schemes will significantly enhance connectivity and shorten the duration of travel; it can therefore be shown to have clear economic worth. In particular, they address bottlenecks on those key strategic routes. In order to ensure that all areas of Northern Ireland contribute to and benefit from increased prosperity, it is essential that we invest in the wider regional transport network to enhance rural and urban connectivity. Of course, there are many benefits from that: the fact that the local economy will be improved by bringing workers and jobs together; improved access to markets and onward connectivity; and, of course, more reliable journey times as well. <BR /> <BR />In the Committee for Enterprise, Trade and Investment's report 'Opportunity for Excellence', Manufacturing NI recently highlighted:”
“I, too, welcome the Minister to her new role and wish her well. Of course, I thank her for taking time out recently to visit Foyle and meet constituents. <BR /> <BR />As a Londonderry man, I am all too aware of the transport infrastructure issues that we face, along with the thousands of others who use it daily. Whether it be the logjam at Dungiven or the bottleneck at Moneynick, the journey for commuters between Londonderry and Belfast is less than efficient, no matter what mode of transport you use. Of course, similar difficulties exist between Londonderry, Strabane, Omagh and Enniskillen. <BR /> <BR />We need to refocus our efforts on the importance of transport connectivity in Northern Ireland, particularly between the key cities.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer and welcome the fact that there have been discussions in relation to a stop there. The Minister will be aware that there is quite significant traffic on the roads between Londonderry and the Ballykelly site. Will she outline how far those discussions have progressed? Will she continue to press the Regional Development Minister on funding that type of proposal?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. Can she outline what she is doing to support the ratepayers who are adversely affected by the revaluation?”
“I fully support the motion and call on the Minister to ensure that this matter is addressed as a priority within her Department.”
“I completely agree. Both sides have to recognise that they have to work together to try to get the best outcome. Londonderry is an example of where that has happened, although there is a lot of work still to do. However, it is worth noting that it has been a success. We hope that the Walled City Tattoo will also continue for years to come. <BR /> <BR />It is worth mentioning that these events are attended by diverse audiences from far and wide. These musicians are fantastic ambassadors for our country. Many of them have travelled throughout the world, taking part in various events and showcasing our rich cultural diversity. I will not mention specific bands from my constituency because there are far too many to mention, but some of them are the best in the world in their field. <BR /> <BR />This talent must be supported and encouraged.”
“Mention has been made of the value of the input that marching bands have made to the tourism sector. In my constituency, the Walled City Tattoo, which the Minister herself attended, has been a huge success. That event comprises many young musicians from the marching bands community and is an example of where communities can work together to showcase what is best for our cities.”
“In my constituency in Londonderry, good and significant work has been undertaken with schools to challenge misconceptions and stereotypes. The development of the Maiden City Accord was a valuable piece of work that brought together various groups in order to provide a structure that allows parades to take place. Of course, that could not have happened without funding. That is why funding for musical instruments is necessary to ensure that these bands can grow and expand, allowing them to continue this valuable outreach work. <BR /> <BR />Bands offer access to structured tuition, instruments and performance opportunities in many areas where there is no other engagement with arts activities. There is much more to it, of course, than just parading.”
“In comparison with other areas funded by the Arts Council NI in 2015-16, I have figures showing that circus skills received over £275,000; classical music and opera received almost £2·5 million; the Irish language received over £185,000; and the marching bands sector received zero. While I am not questioning the value of the work undertaken by the groups that were funded, I feel that a 100% cut to the marching bands sector is completely unjustified.”
“I thank my colleagues for tabling this motion, and I join with them in expressing my disappointment that the musical instruments for bands funding programme has not been funded this year. The band sector in Northern Ireland has made and continues to make a huge contribution to our society, culturally, economically and, indeed, through education. <BR /> <BR />Many of the events that bands hold throughout Northern Ireland are underfunded and under-promoted. I believe that it is time that the Minister and the Department, along with the Arts Council NI, recognise the significant contribution that this grouping of just over 25,000 musicians makes in our country. I believe that the marching bands sector has been adversely affected by the decision to stop this funding.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far and wish him well in his new post. Can the Minister outline — he touched on this in his previous answer — what investment in research and development is being made in the Londonderry and Strabane council area?”
“I thank the Minister for his response and welcome the new initiatives and those that he already has in place. Will he advise what conversations or engagement he has had with other Departments about getting out the message as to how young people can get involved in these initiatives?”
“I welcome the statement from the Minister. Can he give any indication of the long-term costs associated with illegal waste at the Mobuoy site in Campsie and what action he is taking to recover the costs from the perpetrators?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he agree that it is important that those sites be of use to local communities? Will he work with the relevant authorities to ensure that those sites are of benefit to the local area and are not left in dereliction?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Following a study recently undertaken by DSD outlining the significant benefits that bands have on the local economy in Northern Ireland, does the Minister agree that such funding is value for money? Will she ensure that it is a priority as the outcome of the June monitoring round?”
“I hope that the new Government in Westminster and our Health Minister will do all they can to finally take action that will help to save lives and ensure a safer environment for all our citizens. I wholeheartedly support the motion and the amendment.”
“As I mentioned, the ingredients are often unknown and what is written on the packaging is very different from what is in the substance itself. Such unlimited global online access to these products is deeply concerning and means that very many people are accessing them. <BR /> <BR />Just last week in the Chamber, we discussed the sensitive topic of suicide prevention. As a result of legal highs, individuals' characters are changing and their mental health is deteriorating, sometimes resulting in them taking their own life. As with tackling suicide and promoting mental health, there needs to be cross-partnership working at all levels to ensure that the necessary help is available to prevent suicide and to support those who have addictions.”
“With such easy access to these perilous so-called legal highs, there needs to be a strategic approach to getting them off our streets and out of the marketplace. I commend the work of some councils and, indeed, the PSNI, which my fellow member for Foyle mentioned, in our constituency in tackling the head shops. I hope that similar methods can be implemented throughout all our council areas. As my colleagues have said, the Home Office must do all that it can to introduce new legislation across the United Kingdom to ban these substances. <BR /> <BR />Whilst it is important that we make the substances illegal, the problem must be tackled at its source. In reality, the majority of so-called legal highs are bought online from suppliers outside the UK and, indeed, outside Europe.”
“<BR /> <BR />Psychoactive substances negatively affect our communities. Many parents, as other Members have mentioned, have been left devastated because of the unpredictable reactions of their son or daughter as a result of taking the drugs. It is a problem that many families in my constituency have faced and, indeed, that families throughout Northern Ireland face daily. This is a serious and real concern as, in many instances, the ingredients contained in these substances are unknown and unregulated. <BR /> <BR />As the proposer stated, they are packaged so as to bypass the system and current legislation. Sadly, the substances are readily available in head shops in our towns and cities and on the online market.”
“The misconception of such substances being known as "legal highs" must be tackled because many psychoactive substances contain illegal elements. <BR /> <BR />The dangerous use of drugs is an ever-growing problem in our society. Many of our young people are becoming addicted to substances and drugs at a very young age. It has to be said that the effects of the drugs on all members of our society and increasingly among the youth of our communities is devastating. Once individuals are addicted, they often need to feed their addiction by trying new substances with even greater life-threatening risks. Sadly, it has been noted that, as a result of substance and drug abuse, communities begin to see an increase in antisocial behaviour and burglaries as people seek to fund their addiction.”
“I begin by joining others in thanking my colleagues for tabling this important motion. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that this is a serious issue in our communities and that psychoactive substances are having detrimental effects right across Northern Ireland. Misuse of the substances has become a worryingly popular trend that many young people and community members believe to be morally and legally acceptable because there is no penalty for obtaining them. That is why we need to address this as a matter of urgency. We must stand together to let our communities and our precious youth know that these substances are neither morally nor legally acceptable. We must act out of care to protect our communities from the use of the substances.”
“There is a strong campaign on the ground in my constituency to raise awareness, seek support for additional services and maintain the services that we have. <BR /> <BR />I believe that it is now time that we all work together to eradicate suicide. With this being Mental Health Awareness Week, it is timely that we are having this Adjournment debate. I hope that we can take stock from the debate and move forward together towards a brighter future for all.”
“Additional CCTV would be of significant importance, along with additional signage to help those who need assistance and to make them aware of the services that are available. When interventions are made on the river edges, one of the main concerns is what assistance is then available for the individuals affected. Many would say that there are, at times, only two choices: either the A&E department or the police station. In light of that information, I plan to further work with the Health Minister and meet him to discuss the service provision in the Londonderry area for those who find themselves in difficulty and, indeed, whether a detox facility would be feasible. I want to pay tribute to all those who have been campaigning.”