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 Minister for her presence in the Chamber on this issue. We are all deeply concerned about the most recent attacks. Minister, it is important that we get this right with men and boys from an early age so that they understand the value of women in our society and that women cannot be treated in such ways. How are you working with other Ministers, such as the Education Minister, to get into schools and start educating our young people about the dangers of such acts?”
“<BR /> <BR />On a final note, I send my thoughts to the victims and commend them for their bravery in reporting the attacks to the PSNI.”
“We must also give women's organisations proper support and get the message out that, day or night, every woman and girl should be able to walk and live freely inside or outside, as part of a group or alone. We owe that freedom, safety and confidence to every woman whom we know. We owe it to our daughters, sisters, wives, cousins, aunts, mothers, grandmothers and friends. We have a duty to protect them. We also have a duty to educate and inspire our sons, brothers, fathers and grandfathers. We must ensure that violence against women, which is all too prevalent in our society, comes to an end. We cannot afford for the lives of women whom we know and love to be ruined or ended. There is no justification. We owe that to every woman.”
“It is also imperative that justice be served in a way that is fitting for the crime. Soft sentencing is simply not good enough. As an Assembly, we need to work together to ensure that legislation is introduced that allows for proper, tougher sentencing for vile acts such as the horrific ones witnessed by those females in Drumahoe and Gobnascale. <BR /> <BR />We also must see societal change. There is no place in our society for misogyny or sexism, and, let me be clear, there never was a place for it. As citizens, parents, friends, family members and community members, we all have a duty to advocate change and better treatment of all women in our society.”
“Over the weekend, in the Foyle constituency, we were shocked and angered that, once again, two young females were targeted in separate attacks. The community has expressed disgust and outrage at those who carried out those abhorrent attacks. Let us be clear: the events that unfolded were nothing other than terrifying, grotesque, sexually motivated attacks. The perpetrators remain — or the perpetrator remains — at large and must be brought to justice immediately. Someone somewhere must have information. From information that the PSNI has shared, we know that at least one of the attacks was premeditated, as the perpetrator attacked the innocent woman at knifepoint. It goes without saying that that is completely and utterly unacceptable and disgusting in every way. <BR /> <BR />Justice must be served.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and welcome her comments. Will the Minister commit to working closely with the council to see what can be done? One business has talked about there being a 40% reduction in footfall at weekends. That is not sustainable in the long term. Will the Minister commit to working closely with the council to try to provide some support?”
“I thank the Minister for this positive announcement, and for his commitment to addressing the regional imbalance and to the Foyle constituency. I welcome the 270 jobs for Londonderry, which brings the number of jobs at Lisahally to 800. What will those jobs mean for the economy? What benefits will they bring to the wider north-west region?”
“First Minister, I noted your response to my colleague Deborah Erskine about Sinn Féin's child protection policies. If those are as robust as you say they are, can you indicate why Gerry Adams is still a member?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. He highlighted the commitment to seeing the entire scheme developed. From listening to your responses, it is clear that the preparatory work on the Newbuildings to Strabane section will be some time away, not least if a further public inquiry is needed. If that is the case, has the Minister given any thought to improving the existing A5 road in the short term? Obviously, the road safety issues will still exist regardless of whether that section of the scheme happens.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Will he outline a time frame on the next steps for that remediation? There is a lot of concern among local constituents in that respect.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. If we want Northern Ireland to work, it should mean that all areas of Northern Ireland feel supported. I very much welcome the move to address the regional imbalance. Is the £45 million for the local partnerships new money, or has it been found within the Department? Will it have consequences for other areas of work that you may want to undertake?”
“Another charity, which, no doubt, the Minister will have heard of, is the Men's Action Network (MAN). Unfortunately, after 30 years, it has had to close its doors, which means that the 750 men who availed themselves of those services, not least for mental health, have nowhere to go. <BR /> <BR />I call on the Minister to prioritise those issues. Terms such as "invest to save" are bandied about. Sometimes, I do not like that term because, effectively, we are trying to save lives, and we cannot put a value on the cost to a family. <BR /> <BR />I wholeheartedly support the amendment tabled by my colleagues, and I urge people to get behind it. Ultimately, however, whatever motions we pass in the Assembly today, it requires action, and there is an onus on all of us to deliver on those commitments.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for his intervention. He is absolutely right: access and knowing where to go is vital. That is why GP surgeries should be one part of the mechanism and should be a hub to ensure that those who present with serious difficulties know that they have a place to turn to. It is also important to note, when we talk about people who slip through the net, that, in many cases, charities and the voluntary sector are vital in ensuring that people have somewhere to go. <BR /> <BR />On Friday, with Foyle MLA colleagues, I attended the opening of a fantastic new facility for a charity called HURT (Have Your Tomorrows), which was established in 2001. It was started through tragedy, but many lives have been saved through that charity.”
“<BR /> <BR />When we talk about support for those struggling with mental health disorders, it is important to recognise that it affects people of all ages. We cannot progress the discussion without mentioning the issue of access to GPs: it is a fundamental issue that we must address. There has been positive work with the multidisciplinary teams, but we need to see our GP surgeries become hubs for people who present with issues such as mental ill health.”
“It is also alarming and unacceptable that over 1,026 children were waiting for more than nine weeks to see the child and adolescent mental health services at the end of March this year; that was 52% of the children who were waiting. We need to see a plan to address those waiting times. Those children deserve that early intervention. I note that there have been positive programmes, not least through the Department of Education and the Education Authority (EA). The resilience education assisting change to happen (REACH) programme is one such programme for children. It is about building resilience and helping them to deal with some of the challenges that are not only of the past but of the 21st century. We need to see more of that type of work.”
“That means cross-departmental working to tackle some of the challenges that bring about mental illness: socio-economic determinants, deprivation, online harms, addiction and trauma. In turn, by tackling those issues, which are mentioned throughout the draft Programme for Government, we can tackle the disparity between suicide rates in the most and least deprived areas and go some way to addressing the poor mental health that faces so many in our community. One of my questions to the Minister is this: what work is he doing proactively in his Department to bring Departments together and to lead the discussions on that front?”
“Whilst the motion is right to highlight the need for a cross-cutting approach to suicide and suicide-specific interventions, it is important that we look at poor mental health in the round.”
“I thank the Member who tabled today's motion. From the outset, I join others in remembering all those who have died as the result of suicide and in thinking of their families and friends. I also think of all those who are suffering with mental health issues, be they our family, friends, neighbours or, indeed, people in the Chamber. Mental health affects us all. That is why mental health provision and access to help and support must be a priority for not only the Minister and his Department but the entire Executive and all of us in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment, which my colleague Mrs Dodds moved, speaks to the fact that we need to utilise every resource that we have in order to prioritise resilience and coping mechanisms from an early age.”
“Minister, there is no doubt that the Peacemakers Museum has proven to be divisive, not least among the nationalist community. There is no doubt as well that lessons need to be learnt by the Department about how such projects are handled. What lessons, does the Minister think, can be learnt as a result of what happened in the case of the Peacemakers Museum?”
“I urge Members to support our amendment and help us to deliver on the many targets that we have set.”
“I also want to pay tribute to Translink for leading the way in my Foyle constituency with the first-ever fully electric Metro service. That is an example of leading the way, and, hopefully, others will follow. <BR /> <BR />Inevitably, the transition to a greener, more sustainable economy will cause a level of disruption and change. In all of that, as we aim to improve people's quality of life through creating green jobs, it would be counterproductive for government to seek to do that by levying costly requirements on business. Most importantly, as we transition to a greener economy, we must ensure that our ratepayers do not suffer and that those who can least afford it are not expected to pay more. As we go forward in doing that, we must do so in a way that is fair to all and to everyone who has a part to play.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I completely agree, but I was making the point that it is not a competency issue with staff but rather an issue with stress resulting from the burden placed on them from the number of applications coming in, as well as from tackling the backlog. We all recognise that from what we see in our constituencies across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />It is important to recognise that the public sector has a crucial role to play. Its role in realising Northern Ireland's green growth potential is sometimes overlooked. The transformation agenda for health, education and infrastructure affords us opportunities to do things differently and more efficiently. That should mean ensuring that green and clean technologies are harnessed for the delivery of vital front-line services.”
“It is worth acknowledging that many businesses in Northern Ireland are leading the way on the manufacture of low-emission vehicles and infrastructure and on the production of energy-efficient products.”
“One of the main stumbling blocks that they foresee is planning. As constituency MLAs, we regularly hear about the challenges that people face in trying to get applications through swiftly and in trying to ensure that consultees and statutory agencies come back to them in a timely manner. I do not lay the blame for that on members of staff. In fact, many of them go to great lengths in their efforts to get applications over the line. Rather, it is the system that needs to be reformed. We need to move forward and try to deal with the system. <BR /> <BR />As my party colleague Phillip Brett articulated, the DUP is committed to ensuring that the Executive seize opportunities for green growth.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion. In speaking to the amendment, my colleague Phillip Brett outlined our party's position. A greener and more sustainable economy is something that all of us can and should embrace. It is not only good for the environment — that aspect is vital — but for job creation and for our having better, healthier communities. <BR /> <BR />Progress to net zero cannot be viewed in isolation from an economic programme that is focused on green and inclusive growth. A couple of weeks ago, I joined Members from other parties to meet the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where we heard from industry leaders involved in renewable energy and from those involved in applications that can help us meet our net zero targets. They outlined a number of areas of concern.”
“and make progress on the commitments laid out in the 'Safeguarding the Union' Command Paper, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Continuing barriers to trade within the UK are unacceptable and undermine our economic integrity. It will be for the new Labour Government to put action behind their commitments on those issues and to prove not only to the House but to the business community and our road hauliers that taking "all necessary steps" to protect our internal market will mean exactly that.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is clear that, while there has been an improving picture subsequent to the Windsor framework and the Government's 'Safeguarding the Union' Command Paper, difficulties that require resolution remain across many of those economic sectors. I trust that those who for so long championed the protocol will be willing to identify the ongoing areas of concern and work collectively and constructively to support the likes of the Road Haulage Association to see those concerns satisfactorily addressed. <BR /> <BR />Whilst I note the commitments that the Secretary of State made on 2 September to take:”
“There remain barriers to the movement of second-hand farm machinery, with unresolved problems continuing for those who attend trade shows and sales. <BR /> <BR />The motion also identifies issues with the current turnover threshold for businesses moving goods from GB to Northern Ireland. Whilst the Windsor framework quadrupled the turnover threshold below which companies in processing can move goods in the UK internal market system, some larger businesses remain outside its scope and are therefore excluded. That has been exceptionally frustrating for larger businesses whose sole purpose remains within the United Kingdom, which is a grossly unfair situation in which the Government should intervene.”
“The lack of clarity and guidance on future arrangements for business-to-business deliveries between GB and Northern Ireland is a concern, particularly for those bringing goods in for commercial processing. Indeed, I had a constituent contact me just last night about challenges their business is having, particularly in relation to Amazon. To bring goods into Northern Ireland, they were advised to use an address in GB and post them from there to Northern Ireland. That is a particular concern for that business. <BR /> <BR />Equally, the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements continue to threaten the resilience of the supply chain of food, plant and animal products. There are continuing bans on some plants, which is unacceptable.”
“<BR /> <BR />We know that the Road Haulage Association has already been involved in the hauliers' technical discussion group alongside HMRC, Treasury and the Trader Support Service in an effort to address some of the challenges. Outstanding areas of concern include the lack of HMRC guidance on new arrangements for the movement of parcels that are due to come into force at the end of the month; problems being encountered with the Trader Support Service; and a lack of clarity on some products entering Northern Ireland from GB. <BR /> <BR />The business community often fears uncertainty most. That is something that we are all familiar with, so it is incumbent on us all to work to reduce uncertainty and address legitimate concerns, such as those outlined in the motion.”
“I also thank the motion's sponsors for tabling it. First, it is important that we acknowledge the importance of road hauliers to Northern Ireland. They are the backbone of the economy, maintaining our supply chains across the United Kingdom and further afield. Our domestic business community relies on them for goods, exports and the movement of materials, and our customer bases depend on them for imports to our shops and businesses. As my colleague Phillip Brett stated, purchases from GB by Northern Ireland businesses amounted to £11 billion in 2022, which was over double the amount procured from the entirety of the EU. That figure, coupled with the pivotal role that our hauliers play in the movement of goods, requires government to listen and act on the concerns raised.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and share her anger and disappointment about how this has been handled by the Labour Government. What assurances has the Minister received, particularly in relation to the Londonderry and Strabane deal, which has now been unpaused? What assurances has she been given that it will not be paused again in the future and that what has been committed to will be delivered?”
“It is important that the Executive and Assembly stand united in urging the Labour Government to deliver on the city deals and to work at pace with partners across Northern Ireland to see progress as soon as possible.”
“Whilst I welcome the clarification that the Belfast region city deal and the Londonderry and Strabane deal are to proceed, it remains deeply concerning that the same clarification has not been provided to Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid South West. <BR /> <BR />The city that I represent is set to benefit from a package worth around £300 million. That is for projects such as the establishment of the maritime museum in Ebrington; the regeneration of our riverfront, Strand Road and Walled City areas; and the establishment of further projects in Magee university. I appreciate that each of the deals across Northern Ireland are at different stages, but to pause them is an act of bad faith.”
“On Friday afternoon, I, like many people, was deeply disappointed and angered at the announcement that the city deal packages across Northern Ireland were to be paused. That information filtered out, with many of us finding out through social media. Our councils found out in the same manner. The announcement of the pause alone caused significant anger and frustration, not least in my constituency of Foyle, where a financial deal is to be signed on Wednesday — in just two days' time. Invitees were informed by the council that the event was cancelled, only to receive a further email over the weekend to say that it was back on, following a tweet by the Secretary of State. That is a shameful way for the Labour Government to treat those who have put so much effort into getting the projects to the point and state of readiness.”
“If delivered, the funding will not only strengthen our economy but improve the quality of life of the people whom we represent. The deals will create thousands of jobs and revitalise our cities and regions whilst promoting growth and innovation, infrastructure and skills. The funding package is worth more than £1·5 billion and represents a commitment to Northern Ireland's long-term success.”
“I want to raise the issue of the city deal funding for Northern Ireland. When the city deals were first put on the agenda for Northern Ireland, they brought a huge amount of optimism and excitement about the opportunities that they would bring to each of our communities across Northern Ireland.”
“Notably, they always ensure that they witness their Christian faith, putting God first in everything that they do and always giving God the glory.”
“The young women were born with a form of albinism, which meant that Chloe and Judith have grown up with visual impairment, but they have proved to be a real inspiration for us all in the north-west and, indeed, across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Chloe and Judith were originally pararowers. Later, on being approached by Triathlon Ireland, they became paratriathletes. It seems like nothing can stop Chloe and Judith, and long may that continue. We are so proud of their performances at the Paralympics, with Chloe placing sixth and Judith placing eighth: an incredible achievement for those two local girls. <BR /> <BR />Chloe and Judith are a perfect example of what our young people can achieve and are achieving. Their hard work and training and their kind and humble natures are things that we can look upon with pride in their achievement.”
“I join Members across the Chamber and everyone across Northern Ireland in congratulating our Olympians and Paralympians. There is not a place in Northern Ireland has not been touched by the fantastic achievements of our athletes, by the dedication that they have put into their training and by all those involved behind the scenes. Today, however, I make particular mention of the remarkably talented tandem twins from Claudy, para athletes Judith and Chloe MacCombe. I hope that all Members will join me in congratulating those dedicated and talented Northern Irish athletes. <BR /> <BR />Judith and Chloe come from Claudy. They are fantastic young women who are visually impaired athletes and compete at the top of their game across many competitions, not least, most recently, the Paris Paralympics.”
“Does the Minister agree that it is important that there is an in-depth consultation on job quality and data collection and that those are surveyed? Will the Minister explain why he did not simply split the consultation and the subsequent legislation into a UK alignment Bill and a wider trade union reform and other matters Bill?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for providing the consultation information to the Committee in advance of publication last week. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, the consultation covers a lot of ground. There are quite a large number of proposals and calls for evidence, and I hope that you will indulge me if I ask a bit of a longer question on behalf of the Committee for the Economy. Some of the proposed legislation would, apparently, simply replicate in Northern Ireland measures that are already in place in the rest of the United Kingdom. Those include access to unpaid carer's leave and neonatal leave and further protections from redundancy for pregnant women. The consultation also refers to other matters, including zero-hours contracts, hire and fire and working time directive compliance.”
“There are many organisations out there. This week and right throughout the year, they will be highlighting the many issues affecting men. Organisations include the Men's Action Network in my constituency and the Men's Advisory Project, but there are many others that do fantastic work in those areas. They need sustainable funding in order to be able to continue carrying out that work. I therefore call on the Minister of Health to prioritise mental health as a key area to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, other serious issues predominantly affect men, such as prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease, which is a key issue. Cancer awareness is another issue to be addressed. In this Men's Health Week, I urge people to reach out and support such organisations, which are carrying out vital work.”
“According to statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), in 2022, there were 203 recorded suicides. A significant majority — three in four — of those deaths were men, which highlights the critical nature of male mental health. <BR /> <BR />During this Men's Health Week, we must advocate for more open conversations about mental health. Normalising the discussion can dismantle the stigma and encourage those in need to seek help without fear or shame. If you or someone you know is struggling, it is vital to reach out. You can do so without fear or shame: seeking help is not a sign of weakness, but, indeed, a brave and necessary step towards recovery and well-being.”
“Today marks the beginning of Men's Health Week. Men's Health Week gives us the opportunity to raise awareness and promote better health among men. One of the key issues that needs to be highlighted during this important week is mental health. Mental health issues do not discriminate, yet men in particular face unique challenges. Society has long perpetuated a stereotype of men, often equating vulnerability with weakness. That dangerous misconception can prevent men from seeking the help that they need, leading to silent suffering and tragically, in many cases, to suicide. <BR /> <BR />Suicide remains the leading cause of death among men under the age of 50 and young people aged 15 to 29. Sadly, the suicide rate for men in Northern Ireland remains alarmingly high.”
“The reality is that people see that the Health Department takes more than 50% of the Budget; nobody argues that it should not, but the Minister needs to bring forward a plan to address the issues that continue to exist. <BR /> <BR />Each Minister has a responsibility to bring forward a vision for their Department. I urge each of them to do so, and I urge those who are opposed to the Budget to step up to the plate and join the rest of us in delivering for a better society in Northern Ireland.”
“In the past, we have seen numerous examples of how the foresight and vision of previous Ministers were able to address challenges in the midst of a difficult Budget. The radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin is an example. An Ulster Unionist Party Minister, Michael McGimpsey, stopped that project because of what he cited as a difficult Budget. Mr Speaker will know too well that it was a DUP Minister, Minister Poots at the time, who delivered the radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin. That is an example of how, under tight budgetary pressure, if we prioritise, we can address and deliver on some of the challenges that exist. We need to see the Health Minister bring forward a plan. It is not good enough simply to say that there is not enough money.”
“<BR /> <BR />We need to grasp the opportunities that we have in this Assembly mandate to make a real difference to our communities. Investment in the tourism sector is another area in which we can see growth over the next few years if there is a proper events strategy from the Minister. We have an opportunity to bring world-class events to our shores but also to nurture home-grown events, such as the North West 200 and many others in my constituency. <BR /> <BR />It is for local Ministers to prioritise and bring forward plans and ideas to improve their Departments. The lack of a plan or a vision in the Health Department to address the ongoing challenges is deeply disappointing.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a member of the Economy Committee, I see an opportunity for the Economy Minister and the Department in the budget envelope with which he has been provided. Is there enough funding? Of course not, but there is opportunity with what has been provided: funding for, for example, the city and growth deals, particularly in the north-west; the maritime museum; the riverfront project; and the medical school. Without the Budget, none of those would happen. There is no alternative other than asking for more money. At this time, no solutions are coming forward about from where else that money might come. The medical school at the Magee campus is an example of having to invest in order to save. Hopefully, we will see the fruits of that in the near future.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. That question has already been posed. Of course we look at the budgetary position in a sensible manner, but we also have to acknowledge the time frames that we are operating within and the legal responsibilities that we have. What is completely irresponsible is for Ministers to walk away from their portfolios for various political reasons. <BR /> <BR />As I was going on to say, those who do that may think that it is politically expedient in the short term, but if all parties were to take that narrow political stance, the consequences would be the creation of further instability and uncertainty, not only for Departments and those who work in them but for constituents, who very much rely on us to show leadership.”