Claire Hanna
South Belfast · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far and for the announcement of the inquiry. In common with other Opposition parties, we have been calling for a long number of weeks for an inquiry under the 2005 Act. I am glad of the acknowledgement of that.”
“My question was about a contingency or plan B, as the challenge was entirely foreseeable. Has the Minister given any thought to publishing an anonymised list? Such a list could contain some geographical detail, the date, the output and the payment, so that we can get a sense of the levels of applicants that are credible and not credible.”
“— it is so important we let the people who have put all those qualities into the public discourse know they have been validated and that the redress they are entitled to is delivered to them.”
“I thank all those who have spoken. Like others, I attended the launch of the report on Friday and have spent some time since reading it. I think that, for everybody there, it was a very difficult few hours — even for those of us who did not live through those experiences.”
“<BR /> <BR />Colin McGrath, when moving the motion, referred to the appalling shooting last night of a public servant and member of the PSNI as an illustration of what we have failed to eliminate and what we are definitely not returning to, but, as we said, that opportunity has been squandered.”
“<BR /> <BR />Colin McGrath made the point that, despite the disappointment and the stop and start of progress, if we found ourselves 20 years back, we would still push to try and deliver the Good Friday Agreement, because the fact is the that core analysis of John Hume's three strands still stands.”
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“I commend Dominic and also my colleagues Fearghal and Seán for tabling the motion and looking at the health and education aspects, and, in particular, for raising awareness of the worrying wait for assessment that people are enduring. Just before the recess, the Health Department published its statistics on autism, which showed that 682 children had been referred for an ASD assessment in that quarter and that 407 assessments were completed. It would appear from just looking at the figures that that rolling figure of 250 is not being picked up per quarter and that those numbers are accruing in every quarter. <BR /> <BR />Members may have seen the statistics in 'The Prevalence of Autism (including Asperger's Syndrome) in School Age Children in Northern Ireland 2015'.”
“<BR /> <BR />The feedback I have had on this is that it made a great difference in raising the level of understanding for families, in particular those with young children with autism. I see that, even on hand dryers, there are signs warning about the noise, and I understand that this is to raise awareness of the impact that some sensory issues might have on young people with autism. That understanding is vital for parents and families as they try to navigate the challenges of everyday life.”
“I also welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion, and I commend my colleague Dominic Bradley, in particular, for his efforts, through the all-party group on autism and outside it, in promoting awareness of this topic. The fruit of his labour was the Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, which came through the Assembly and brought together all of the most progressive elements of legislation across the islands. We cannot overstate how groundbreaking that was, and how important it was for 30,000 people in Northern Ireland with autism, their families and carers, in ensuring that they have access to the full range of services they require throughout their lives.”
“Does the Minister agree that the flags protocol has been largely abandoned in some places, with flags proliferating, including paramilitary flags, especially on arterial routes in very integrated areas of south Belfast? Does he agree that the rule of law should prevail and that those flags should be removed?”
“Mr Speaker, an open humanitarian response to the crisis is our moral obligation, and it is the will of the people here. We support the motion.”
“I understand that each new arriver is having to reinvent the wheel in accessing legal support, education and healthcare. Vital organisations such as the Law Centre, Homeplus and the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS) are providing that support, but a strategy developed by those providing it would make the journey a lot easier. I understand that the racial equality strategy was receptive to it, but, like another load of documents, it has not made its way out of the OFMDFM bunker. Now would be the appropriate time for it to do so, ideally with a central coordinating group — such as the Law Centre — that would allow us to monitor the numbers. That would mean that statistics were not muddied by those seeking to undermine the integration of refugees.”
“That is, of course, a reserved matter, but it is clear that there are gaps in ensuring the humane treatment of existing refugees and asylum seekers, as well as that of those who will hopefully come from Syria. It is not enough for us to get into an auction about how many we are going to take without ensuring that the response is planned and properly funded. I welcome the guidance given by the Refugee and Asylum Forum on how we can better do that, and our party endorses those proposals. <BR /> <BR />The key priority is, of course, a refugee integration strategy, as is in place elsewhere. It seems shameful that, at precisely the time that asylum seekers and refugees should be assisted with getting on with their new life here, they are instead having to navigate complex bureaucratic and legal systems to get what they are entitled to.”
“The theory that search and rescue is a pull factor should not be entertained. Search and rescue needs to be increased. We are going into the winter months, when those desperate and dangerous journeys are going to become even more perilous, and that support should be enhanced. If we cannot do that, I think that the European Union will have lost sight of what it was intended to do. <BR /> <BR />We should also remember, as other Members have pointed out, that most of the people who have made their way to Europe are skilled, educated workers who have a lot to offer here, as have previous economic migrants. They will bring substantial benefits to our economy and our community. <BR /> <BR />The motion also calls on us:”
“That should continue and be increased, but the EU also has a moral obligation to increase the safe, legal routes into Europe for people who are literally fleeing the total destruction of their countries.”
“As the Member pointed out, we should remember that only a tiny fraction of the numbers are making their way to and arriving in Europe. The vast majority are displaced in Syria, and around four million are in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and other nearby countries. The work that has been done by aid agencies such as Concern, Oxfam, Trócaire and Christian Aid, representatives of some of which are with us today, will literally mean the difference between life and death for people at the very sharp end of the conflict. I know that those organisations are being generously supported by people here. <BR /> <BR />The UK and Irish Governments have provided substantial financial aid to support the humanitarian needs of the people in those camps in and near Syria.”
“Since 2011, life expectancy in Syria has decreased by 13 years, and the country has seen a reversal of all the progress that was made on the millennium development goals, including the numbers of children attending school having halved and a dramatic increase in acute malnutrition among children. The suggestion that people who are crossing the sea in boats, spending days in the back of fridges or literally walking across countries with their children on their shoulders are doing so for a change of scenery or a new job is unconscionable and should not be given the time of day. <BR /> <BR />All of us in the Chamber and across Europe have been very moved by the images of refugees making those desperate journeys to Europe.”
“I commend the Members for tabling the motion. It is vital that the Assembly continues to give voice to the solidarity, the very clear solidarity, of people here with the millions who are fleeing conflict in Syria and elsewhere. It is also appropriate that we look at the practical support that we can offer. <BR /> <BR />Members have outlined some of the context of the crisis that has seen several hundred thousand people dead in Syria, half of that country's population displaced and 12 million people, including over five million children, in need of humanitarian assistance. All the indicators are that those numbers will only get worse. <BR /> <BR />It is vital to preserve the integrity of the word "refugee".”
“Does the Minister agree that the delays may have acted as a deterrent for future rounds, particularly to grass-roots organisations? Can you outline the steps that will be taken to minimise disruption and for repayment in future?”
“Can the Minister outline what steps have been taken to promote uptake and ensure that all children who are eligible are accessing and availing themselves of a nutritious school meal?”
“<BR /> <BR />I think that the public could understand it — people understand the pressures of an ageing population and all sorts of health considerations — if the Minister was in a meeting health trusts, answering urgent questions or meeting lobby groups, but people will not buy the fact that, for the next six weeks, he will be in a DUP back room writing electoral strategy while all of us and our constituents suffer from this health crisis. I urge support for the amendment and the motion.”
“Budget considerations are the excuse that we always hear, but waiting lists have to be the priority. Yes, we need to address peripheral issues like appointments cancelled by patients and by doctors, but we are locked into a vicious reinforcing cycle, with conditions impacting on patients and, of course, on budgets. As my colleague stated, there is meant to be a plan in place, but a plan has not been delivered here, and there is no Minister to account for that. We need to properly fund TYC, and we need strategic leadership and not these sporadic short-term interventions.”
“Waiting times are not new — we know that — but the party across the Chamber, never mind the current empty chair, has had four years but has failed to get a grip on this and steer a course through what is, I think everybody accepts, a perfect storm of health failure. There has been colossal financial mismanagement, as well as a downward spiral of contingency plans and escalation measures. As my colleague outlined comprehensively, there has also been a failure to implement and properly fund the one big ticket strategy that has been sold as the solution: Transforming Your Care. <BR /> <BR />We know that focusing all the ills of elective care on monitoring rounds does not address the issue. We have consistently made it clear — Fearghal outlined this again — that we cannot keep going for a sticking plaster and not a strategy.”
“<BR /> <BR />I probably do not need to reiterate them, but all Members will have heard stories from their constituents about the impact that the continued wait for elective care has on their daily lives and, indeed, on their ability to work. With one in five people in Northern Ireland on a waiting list, it is probable that every Member has a family member affected. Members will also have heard about the heartache and stress that those strains are placing on health service workers, many of whom, of course, will be on waiting lists. We cannot ignore the impact of the health service crisis on our workforce and wider economy.”
“We do not have anybody steering the ship now, and we will not have for at least a month and a half. What leadership. <BR /> <BR />A few weeks ago, the Assembly was told that we could expect a world-class plan for a world-class health service. With respect to them, when it comes to debating, we have two Members left minding the shop and nobody taking in the information. If ever there was a need for leadership and strategic direction in the health service, it is now, and, instead, we have ploys for electoral gains. At least the party to my right is upfront about its abstentionist policy before an election.”
“I also welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on such an important issue. I rise in support of the amendment and the substantive motion. It is unacceptable that 373,000 people are waiting for a first outpatient appointment, a diagnostic test or an inpatient treatment at some of Northern Ireland's hospitals. My colleague has outlined that that includes over 212,000 patients who are awaiting a first outpatient appointment, that 86,000 have been waiting beyond the Department's 18-week target, and that the outpatient waiting lists have swollen by 46%. As others have said, the DUP's response is not only the standing down of the Health Minister, but, as we have been told by the former First Minister, that this is a strategy that is going to continue for six weeks.”
“— our economy and empower the young families who are its future. Childcare is a sound financial investment, and, if we fund it, we will see benefits for years to come.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Deputy Speaker, if we are to use these institutions to do anything more than process the peace, we have to take the opportunity to strengthen —”
“Whether the mother works outside the home can have a major impact on the world view of children, particularly on the aspirations of young girls and their knowledge of the options available to them. <BR /> <BR />Many parents will want to work part time and flexibly, and more must be done to encourage employers to facilitate that and to allow the childcare system to pick that up. Fulfilling and stimulating work for parents is about much more than financial remuneration, and, similarly, while the focused and structured learning through play provided in childcare is vital for development and has a lifetime impact, childcare is about supporting the parents as well. We know, too, that the patience, understanding and love that a child gets at home are the strongest guarantee that he or she will flourish.”
“Two hundred pounds per week per child is not unusual, and many parents get to Wednesday or Thursday in the working week before they have paid their childcare bill. For many people working is not economically viable, although it maintains their skills and their foothold in the jobs market. <BR /> <BR />As well as the investment that we have outlined, families need choice and flexibility. Every family is different, and people will use a mix of private care, voluntary family support and after-school care. Traditionally, many stayed at home to raise their family, as many still do — that should be celebrated and supported as well — but most people, however, accept that childcare is a privilege and a duty for mums and dads and that working parents can absolutely still develop warm and secure relationships with their children.”
“That reform is about more work, better calibre work, better working conditions and better pay. That is why we as a party led the campaign for a living wage and why we support measures such as enhanced childcare provision, which will increase equality of opportunity and social cohesion as well. <BR /> <BR />My colleague outlined the transformative effect that universal childcare would have on those trying to balance their work and home life, the impact that it would have on educational outcomes and equality in the workplace and the net economic benefit of having more parents in the labour market. As a mum of two children under four, I understand acutely the challenges people face in finding quality, convenient childcare.”
“Alasdair McDonnell and other SDLP representatives have laid out clearly how the South Belfast constituency is an exemplar of how Northern Ireland can and, I hope, will be. It is well integrated, ethnically diverse, vibrant, respectful of tradition, forward-thinking and, mostly, doing OK economically. I feel very fortunate to have grown up in and to live still in South Belfast, and protecting those values will be my focus in my time in the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />More broadly, the focus of the SDLP will be on protecting those most exposed to a stagnant economy. It will be on supporting excellent public services and rewarding enterprise and work. Those are the fundamental tenets of social democracy. That is why the proposals outlined in our strategy "A Better Deal for Working Parents" are inextricably linked to reform of work.”
“I am very proud of the SDLP's history, its origin in the civil rights movement and its commitment to non-violence, good governance and the rule of law. Respectful as I am of our past, I know that we need to talk a bit more about our future. We are a party comfortable in Irishness and confident in inclusive civic social democracy and the absolute rights of others to their Britishness. We are committed to making this place work and to getting rid of the real and artificial divisions, while making our case for a peaceful and agreed change in constitutional status. I was 17 when the Good Friday Agreement was signed, and I still remember the hope, the possibility and the generosity around that time. That creative possibility is not something that I feel in this Building these days, and I hope that that can be changed.”
“Childcare and its impact on social and economic well-being, gender equality and childhood development is exactly the sort of thing that the Assembly should be discussing, and I will come back to that in a moment. This is my maiden speech, and, last week, I thought that I might not be making it. However, as a member of the SDLP for 15 years and a mum of two young children, I thought that the opportunity to speak for five minutes uninterrupted was something that I could not pass up. <BR /> <BR />In making my speech, I am helped by the admirable tradition that you refer to your predecessor and to your constituency. As well as paying tribute to Alasdair McDonnell, I thank him for the opportunity that I have had to contribute to Assembly politics at a challenging time and to the renewal of the SDLP.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. What are the Minister's thoughts on the glass bottle deposit return scheme being trialled in Scotland, and has he any plans to introduce a similar pilot here?”