Gerry Kelly
North Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Accountability and implementation have been mentioned a number of times. The test in all of this will be the speed of implementation. I declare an interest, in that my sister Peggy, who was next in the family to me, spent time in Muckamore many years ago.”
“I will finish in one second. When I asked her how she was doing, she said that she wanted me to go and help others. That is what she spent our time together talking about. <BR /> <BR />We are talking not just about closing Muckamore but about resettling people.”
“I understand that the amendment is not a panacea. Ultimately, however, it will improve the tools at the police's disposal. <BR /> <BR />There is a further issue regarding what happens to the vehicles once they are seized.”
“Sinn Féin supports all three of the amendments in group five. As we know, amendment Nos 74 and 75 will introduce new powers to allow the police do drug testing at checkpoints and road traffic collisions, which will bring drug testing in line with existing alcohol breath testing. It is a necessary step to ensure public safety.”
“We talked about regulations earlier, and a number of Members said that we may have to return to the issue. I understand that we are dealing with one particular issue in the Bill, but the Minister may agree that it is something that we should come back to as our experience of what is happening grows.”
“<BR /> <BR />In West Belfast just last week, at least two children were hospitalised as a result of collisions involving e-scooters and e-bikes, including one in which a young person's head went through the back window of a car. They are very lucky to be alive.”
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“You announced that the matter will go out for consultation. Do you have a view on the impact that raising vacant property rates would have?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo.”
“My question is this: will the Minister make sure that, going forward, family liaison staff are supported as crucial members of the teams that take care of our most vulnerable people? They are the people who should have been listened to, but they were not.”
“I will finish in one second. When I asked her how she was doing, she said that she wanted me to go and help others. That is what she spent our time together talking about. <BR /> <BR />We are talking not just about closing Muckamore but about resettling people. I was there during the resettlement period, and there were problems after resettlement as well.”
“I spent some considerable time with Geraldine, a totally dedicated and courageous woman who, as Linda pointed out, died of cancer. It is worth saying that I went to see her in the hospital to ask her —.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Accountability and implementation have been mentioned a number of times. The test in all of this will be the speed of implementation. I declare an interest, in that my sister Peggy, who was next in the family to me, spent time in Muckamore many years ago. I mention that because, even then, before there was any ability to gather evidence, there was the misuse of vulnerable people. The secrecy and privacy of institutions that deal with vulnerable people is the worst thing that we need to look at. <BR /> <BR />Like others, I have worked with a number of families. One particular family is that of Matthew McPeake. Linda Dillon mentioned Geraldine O'Hagan, who was a family liaison social worker who supported and advocated for the McPeake family.”
“There is therefore a need for proper enforcement and for proper education of our young people and their parents, as has been mentioned a number of times, on the dangers of misusing those vehicles.”
“We talked about regulations earlier, and a number of Members said that we may have to return to the issue. I understand that we are dealing with one particular issue in the Bill, but the Minister may agree that it is something that we should come back to as our experience of what is happening grows. I would welcome an update from the Minister, if she has one to give. She may agree that we can do something at Further Consideration Stage; maybe that is not right. In fairness to the Minister, she was nodding her head, so we may return to the issue, because more powers are needed, maybe through primary legislation or maybe through regulations. <BR /> <BR />As everybody knows, it is already illegal to use such vehicles on public roads.”
“I understand that the amendment is not a panacea. Ultimately, however, it will improve the tools at the police's disposal. <BR /> <BR />There is a further issue regarding what happens to the vehicles once they are seized. The police should have the power to destroy them if it is determined that they were being driven illegally or dangerously. I have raised the issue with the police on a number of occasions and along with Nuala McAllister at the Policing Board, as she said. In North Belfast, 12 such vehicles were seized within a week, and I understand that 10 were seized elsewhere in Belfast. The legislation is not clear enough on what to do with them. <BR /> <BR />Responsibility for increasing the PSNI's enforcement powers may fall to the Justice Minister. Legislation may be required.”
“Many of my constituents are frightened to walk on footpaths or cross roads out of fear of those fast and powerful vehicles being driven dangerously and weaving in and out of traffic and pedestrians. As some Members mentioned, elderly people and those with visual impairments have a particular fear. Like other Members, I am contacted by constituents who are telling me clearly that we need to do something to tackle the problem. I am therefore pleased to support the cross-party amendment, as it will strengthen the police's power to seize such vehicles immediately when they are being:”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I am not sure that that is correct, but I take your point. However, that is a different issue. We will deal with that issue as we go on, as you know. I want to concentrate on this issue for the moment.”
“<BR /> <BR />In West Belfast just last week, at least two children were hospitalised as a result of collisions involving e-scooters and e-bikes, including one in which a young person's head went through the back window of a car. They are very lucky to be alive. Not so long ago, a devastating loss of life was experienced at the hands of young person who was driving a scrambler in a public park in Suffolk. A mother of three lost her life. Her husband, children and family have to live with that pain for the rest of their lives. We are talking about something that is provably very serious. <BR /> <BR />It is only a matter of time before more lives are lost. We all need to step up to ensure that the police have the powers to act.”
“While there is no doubt about the potential benefits of the use of e-scooters, I see those vehicles being used recklessly and dangerously every day. Other Members have also spoken about that. Young people are riding those powerful machines without protective helmets, swerving in and out of traffic, doing stunts and putting themselves and others in harm's way. They are often dressed all in black, and drivers in particular have great difficulty seeing them. I have seen a lot of them whose faces are covered, who are dressed deliberately in black and who travel from interface to interface at certain times. I am not tarring them all with the same brush, but you can see a growing misuse of them in other ways as well.”
“Sinn Féin supports all three of the amendments in group five. As we know, amendment Nos 74 and 75 will introduce new powers to allow the police do drug testing at checkpoints and road traffic collisions, which will bring drug testing in line with existing alcohol breath testing. It is a necessary step to ensure public safety. A number of Members have given examples of why that is necessary, which I do not need to go into. <BR /> <BR />I will speak a wee bit more about amendment No 90, which will strengthen police seizure powers for tackling motor vehicles that are being used in a manner that is causing alarm, distress or annoyance. In my constituency — I presume that this is also the case in many others — I see an increase in the use of e-scooters, scramblers and e-bikes.”
“I will take it as a compliment, because he is younger than me.”
“Given the serious staffing and resource pressures that Irish-medium schools face, does the Minister understand why many people see his proposal of an AI lead as little more than a Google Translate solution, instead of properly investing in the sector, and how that further reinforces the view that the DUP remains hostile to the Irish language?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“No, I will not give way. It was established by the DUP, and it retains its weapons, as it has not entered into any decommissioning process or the current transition process for paramilitaries.”
“The British Government and political unionism would have us believe that there is only one legitimate narrative, and that is the state narrative of right against wrong and the nationalist/republican community being put down as a terrorist community, harbouring and supporting terrorists. They do not reference their role in establishing partition, the Orange state, structural discrimination, gerrymandering, repression or the Special Powers Act. I could go on and on. <BR /> <BR />Political unionism was the first to introduce the gun into Irish politics in the 20th century, with the formation of the UVF in 1912-13. It then deployed its legal forces with the establishment of the RUC and the A- and B-Specials, followed by the UDR. Its latest illegal army is the Ulster Resistance, even though it does not want to admit it. It was established —”
“Subsequently, it was widely endorsed in an NIO consultation in 2018. However, the British Government refused to implement and legislate for the agreement, despite agreeing to do so within 50 years in the New Decade, New Approach agreement between the Irish Government and the British Government in January 2020. Instead, the Tories decided to do a solo run and introduced a disastrous Legacy Bill in 2023. <BR /> <BR />Dealing with our past has developed into a battle of narratives that we can see here today. All narratives need to be listened to and treated with respect, although we do not necessarily have to agree with all or even any of them.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is no need to develop fresh legacy proposals, as we already have a template that the main parties, including the DUP across the way, and both Governments endorsed in 2014.”
“Their position has been made clear on a number of occasions, which is that they will wait until the Labour Party's Troubles Bill is finally passed before they make a judgement on whether to pursue that legal challenge in Europe. That is especially important in light of Hilary Benn's stated intention to introduce further legal protections for veterans at the Bill's Committee Stage. <BR /> <BR />With reference to the Dillon case, like the majority of families, we are both disappointed by and dismayed at the recent Supreme Court judgement. Some of the families' legal representatives have also indicated that they intend to bring a legal challenge to Europe.”
“Recently, the UN special rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence heavily criticised the Bill for its retention of an expansive national security veto; a lack of institutional independence; restrictions on access to investigations; a lack of victim participation; a flawed inquisitorial mechanism, which, incidentally, was to replace already existing inquests; and the absence of a thematic or systematic truth mechanism to deal with themes and patterns of abuse. <BR /> <BR />At the meetings that we have had with the Irish Government, we have stressed the need to retain the interstate case in Europe against the existing legacy legislation.”
“First, the Irish Government have not cooperated with the ICRIR because it is not article 2-compliant, as former Irish Government Justice Minister Helen McEntee outlined. Secondly, following the 2023 Tory legacy legislation, there was no reciprocal agreement with the Irish Government on legacy matters such as information sharing and providing evidence. Concerning separate investigative processes in the South, Sinn Féin will shortly produce proposals, with a view to establishing a type of Historical Investigations Unit (HIU) mechanism, which Members may remember from the Stormont House Agreement, to conduct independent investigations in the South. <BR /> <BR />We fully agree that the current legacy Bill has lost the confidence of victims and survivors.”
“We now know that over 100 of those who were questioned were working with the state and were in a loyalist organisation, particularly the UDA. Let us not get on our high horse when it comes to this issue.”
“Let us not talk as if nothing ever happened. I could almost tell you the names of any members of state forces who ended up in jail, all of whom were there for a short time. <BR /> <BR />Returning to collusion and collusive behaviour, let us use the example of the Sean Brown case. The British Government are also against public inquiries. They do not want a inquiry into that case, because at least 25 loyalists were involved and collusion was clearly there. Let us talk about Pat Finucane. It was agreed that there would be a public inquiry into Pat Finucane's case. I was there when it was said by the Prime Ministers of the two Governments in 2001. It has taken from then until now even to be able to have an inquiry into that. Let us deal with the reports that have already been done on that.”
“They are trying to do away with the right to inquests. Some people have waited up to five decades for that. If you want to talk about people's rights, let us talk about that. They complain about reinvestigations being in breach of human rights when the other investigations did not fall within human rights legislation. They are against public inquiries. They are against article 2 investigations, as I said. Of course, the Stormont House Agreement of 2014 was agreed by the two Governments and all the parties, including, by the way, the party opposite, which then walked away from that agreement because, in the end, when they saw that it would be fair and equitable, it was not good enough. They did not want anybody who had been in state forces to be brought before the courts. <BR /> <BR />I will just say that 25,000 people went through jail.”
“It is no surprise where the Member is coming from, given his history, but to deny that there was collusion is completely erroneous. As he said, Mr Justice Scoffield said that the reports should not be withdrawn and should stand but should state that the ombudsman had exceeded her powers. OK, but let us be honest here. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the Member is not being honest: everybody knows that there was collusion. There were debates at the time about whether to call it "collusion" or "collusive behaviour", and it was changed to "collusive behaviour". Call it what you will, there was collusion. It was systemic and state forces — certainly sections of those state forces, including the RUC and Special Branch — were involved in it. That is why the British Government are so intent on doing away with families' and victims' rights.”
“<BR /> <BR />Secondly, I recognise the fantastic achievement of Greencastle Rovers in securing a brilliant victory over Clough Rangers to win the Junior Shield, with goals from Jordy O'Kane, Fra Taplin and Mark Tutin. It is the club's second Junior Shield title since 2023, and there is a chance to add more silverware to the cabinet, with the league title and the Canada Cup still within reach. <BR /> <BR />Both clubs are more than just teams: they are at the heart of their communities. We see how they bring people together and give us a sense of pride in where we come from. I offer a final congratulations to all those involved with the clubs: the players, the coaches, the families, the supporters and the youth teams that are coming through. Their hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed, and their success is a credit to North Belfast.”
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate two sports teams in my constituency. First, I congratulate Crumlin Star on yet another outstanding victory. It defeated Rathfriland Rangers 3-1, with goals from Dee Fearon, Stephen Smyth and James Doyle securing the club's win on the night. I imagine that the moment is especially significant for Paul Trainor, given that, after a long and successful stint as manager, this is his final season. I also wish Joe McNeill every success as he progresses to being the first-team manager next season, as well as Paul Prigent, who will take on the role of assistant manager. I look forward to congratulating them again as they continue to bring titles back to North Belfast.”
“Delivering improved health outcomes is not just for those who can afford to access private healthcare.”
“It is essential that that move happens as soon as possible, especially given the wider development of the Girdwood site that is being progressed by Belfast City Council, as, I think, the Minister will know. Ultimately, that has presented challenges that prevent people, some of whom are already experiencing some of the worst health inequalities, from accessing and benefiting from proper healthcare and support. <BR /> <BR />The Minister and the Department frequently and with justification point towards the difficult fiscal position that we are in. However, investment in the service will deliver genuine transformation to health service delivery. It will not only reduce future costs and deliver savings but improve health outcomes. That is where our focus needs to remain.”
“However, as noted in the 2024 Audit Office report, a lack of available qualified staff, as others have mentioned, is a key constraint when it comes to the wider roll-out. <BR /> <BR />Added to that is the need for sufficient physical space to house the teams, which, again, has hampered their full establishment. The roll-out in North Belfast would offer mental health practitioners, social workers and physiotherapists, but, due to a lack of space, the practice has been able to take up only 50% of the mental health practitioner allocation. Because of restricted space, it has been unable to provide any rooms for social workers and physiotherapy to date. There have been ongoing discussions with the Department for Communities about a move to Girdwood since May 2019, despite cross-party support.”
“North Belfast consistently scores higher than average in many other categories, including alcohol-related hospital admissions, obesity and low birthweight. Those stark percentages, alongside the trauma and the legacy of the conflict, which Carál spoke about, only reinforce the dire need for the swift and full implementation of an MDT in order to serve the high unmet demand for mental health services and social interventions. <BR /> <BR />The issues that face general practice and patients who are accessing GP services have been well rehearsed in the Chamber. GPs are under increasing pressure, and the implementation of MDTs should serve to alleviate at least some of the pressures on the wider service.”
“For context, it is worth covering some of the disparities. North Belfast is in the top three constituencies in the North when it comes to premature mortality rates, ranking second for males and third for females under the age of 75. In the Oldpark ward, which takes in areas such as the New Lodge, Cliftonville, Oldpark and Ardoyne, the statistics are even more severe. The Oldpark ward has the lowest life expectancy in Belfast for men and the second lowest for women. Suicide rates per 100,000 are 70% higher for Oldpark than the regional average. <BR /> <BR />When we compare standardised death rates for the Oldpark ward against the regional average rates, we see that the treatable mortality rates are 50% higher; the avoidable mortality rate is nearly 100% higher; and the preventable mortality rate is 100% higher.”
“MDTs were intended to be a key component of health service transformation. Since the initial launch in 2018, however, the roll-out has been inconsistent, and many areas remain without provision. The practice in question has 10,000 patients, who come from communities that experience many of the health issues that I will cover in a minute. It is a matter of serious concern that North Belfast, with such high levels of deprivation and health inequality, is one such area. The practice has been categorised by the Minister as a "deep end" practice, serving the most socially and economically deprived population. It is often defined as "blanket deprivation", meaning that 44% to 88% of its patients live in the most deprived areas. <BR /> <BR />The need for effective MDTs in North Belfast could not be clearer.”
“We are all very aware of the budgetary situation. However, we have to try our best within that budget. That will continue so long as Westminster funds the North below its evidenced level of need.”
“I think that we will get everybody in agreement here. Although my colleague Carál said that she did not want to go through some of the statistics, it is worth bringing them up. I will go through some of that, but I will keep within your parameters, Mr Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />All Members — not just those who are here — are acutely aware of the need to transform public services. We are talking about North Belfast, but, of course, that is not to ignore the fact that there are other areas of deep deprivation. North Belfast is a particular case. We all want to transform public services to ensure equal access to first-class services such as healthcare. That involves detailed planning and execution by Departments in order to navigate what has become an increasingly difficult budgetary position.”
“First, I welcome the fact that that land has been found and handed over. Has the North City Business Centre got any early plans for how it will maximise the use of the new land for the benefit of the local community?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin.”
“Will the Minister provide an update on the closure of the RHI scheme?”
“Let me ask you that simple question in another way: do you believe that the stadium that has been talked about should be built at Casement Park for the GAA, or are you against the GAA?”
“Let me contradict you: there is agreement that Casement Park will be built. The fact that you mentioned the money that has been put forward for Casement to be built is evidence of that.”
“The Minister knows how important this is, so will she move forward with the scoping exercise as quickly as possible?”
“As I think the Minister is saying, the links between domestic abuse and suicide are well established. I argue that there is still a case for expanding domestic homicide reviews to include deaths by suicide. The real argument that the Minister has given is about resource. However, she also mentioned expertise. Surely, expertise and experience have been gained over the past 10 years in England and Wales, where they have expanded the legislation. Therefore, if it is — I do not want to say "only" a matter of resource, because, of course, it affects the —.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagra.”
“I, too, know that a lot of great work is being done around Cave Hill. Will the Minister provide assurances that the Belfast hills will be enhanced by that funding and safeguarded against further environmental damage? Will he outline some long-term protections that could be put in place and the engagement that has happened with farmers and landowners?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagra.”
“Can the Minister give any assurances that the results of the inquiry will be released in March and not delayed any further?”