Andy Allen
East Belfast · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for her question. There are two accessible toilet cubicles available to visitors on the ground floor, one designated for male use and one for female use. On the first floor, there is an additional accessible toilet facility that is available for use by all visitors.”
“Before I begin, I declare an interest as a trustee of a charity. Through that role, I have seen at first hand the valuable work that charities carry out and the responsibilities that fall on trustees to ensure that organisations are properly governed.”
“I thank the Member for her follow-up question. While no formal assessment has been undertaken to establish a direct correlation between facilities and attendance by people with disabilities, we regularly engage with and welcome to Parliament Buildings people with disabilities through a range of forums, including involvement with the Youth…”
“<BR /> <BR />Perhaps the most significant issue for scrutiny is the extent to which important operational detail is being transferred from primary legislation into regulations.”
“Nevertheless, it would be useful to know how concerns relating to such organisations, should they arise, would be addressed and how cooperation between regulators would operate should issues arise.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission installed a Changing Places facility in Parliament Buildings in 2011. Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of many people, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities.”
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“It will happen when it happens. Indeed, I would have encouraged the Member to bring forward an amendment if he were really so serious; maybe that is a suggestion. It is important that we do not just pay lip service to the other reform measures and that we see those, too, coming forward as swiftly as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />I recognise the rationale of 1998, although I was only 10 years of age, when the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP stepped above the parapet in order to try to deliver a better Northern Ireland so that people such as myself would not have to grow up seeing the bomb and the bullet on the streets. They stepped out and did not hide in the shadows. They reached out to deliver a better Northern Ireland. I recognise why they set the bar at 108 MLAs. They wanted to make an inclusive and representative government for Northern Ireland, and they did that to the best of their ability. <BR /> <BR />We are where we are, and, when 2021 comes, we will see a more streamlined government. We will see a reduction from six to five MLAs in each constituency. We have heard calls for that to happen now, or even yesterday.”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. The Ulster Unionist Party recognises the need for reform of the current structures. Indeed, we want to see more cost-effective, streamlined government that delivers for all our people. How can we sit here and ask the people to bear the brunt of cuts and tighten their belts if we are not prepared to do that also? It is welcome to see that we are. Members have already alluded to the fact that people will be listening to and watching this debate with interest. They are watching and listening with interest, and they want to see other reform measures, such as an official opposition and reform of the petition of concern, brought forward.”
“I am aware that a paper on other modifications to the Building is going in front of the Assembly Commission. I welcome that. We must work together to ensure that these marvellous facilities are fully accessible to all. Promoting what is available and how to access it is key.”
“As has been mentioned, we have a state-of-the-art playground that has all the facilities that you would expect to see in a playground. It has areas for parents to rest while watching their children, barbecue facilities and picnic tables. It is enclosed, fenced in and has CCTV that is monitored by the control room. The public can also avail themselves of tours of Parliament Buildings. That is an opportunity to showcase the magnificent Building and to learn about its history. <BR /> <BR />I also place on record my delight that this great Building is being made more accessible for those with disabilities. Indeed, we have seen more disabled car parking facilities at the east and west entrances since campaigning for me coming to the Assembly.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. I place on record my thanks and appreciation to all the staff, inside the Building and outside on the estate, who work tremendously hard in making sure that these facilities are in great shape. <BR /> <BR />In the years since the Good Friday Agreement and the coming of relative peace, this estate and the Building have seen many events, such as the Red Bull Crashed Ice event, which brought many spectators from across Northern Ireland. It has also seen the Ulster centenary parade and the Brawl in the Hall event, when local boxing clubs, including an east Belfast boxing club, came into the Great Hall and put on a spectacular night of boxing. <BR /> <BR />Stormont estate is open to the public for recreation, walking and fitness trails, charitable events and use of the restaurant.”
“The Greater Shankill Children and Young People Zone deserves the support of all Stormont Departments, not just Education. It is essential that, in these uncertain times of financial cutbacks and questionable budgetary decisions, this vital work receives adequate resources from the Department of Education. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member who proposed the topic for bringing the issue to the attention of the Assembly.”
“Without the help and support of the staff in the Link Centre, whom I must pay tribute to — Larry Burns does a terrific job — I really do not know where I would have ended up. They do a tremendous job. Once again, I pay tribute to them. <BR /> <BR />There are many proven, successful community and alternative education projects in West Belfast and right across Northern Ireland. In this place, we often speak about the importance of education. We have regular reports about underachievement and the connection between poor attainment and poverty. It is right that the work of the community and alternative education sector is praised and highlighted. You cannot talk about community education in West Belfast without mentioning the work of Jackie Redpath on the Shankill over many decades.”
“It was a relaxed and casual setting, but I was able to gain computer skills and to gain skills that allowed me to go on in a further career path. It settled me down and gave me an understanding of academic work and the need to learn and thrive at school.”
“This centre draws in young people from all corners of Belfast on a cross-community basis, offering a flexible curriculum, with academic and vocational routes, in an informal setting but within a full-time timetable. <BR /> <BR />As I said, I have some experience of this. Through no fault of my own, when I was in year 11 in school, I did not thrive at school. I did not like it and did not want to be there. I found myself drifting on a path that I did not want to go down, but it was unavoidable. My school and an alternative education setting got together and looked at what they could do for me. I attended the Link Centre, which also houses the Open Doors facility. It was in that setting that I was able to thrive.”
“They attempt to re-engage a considerable number of disaffected young people in academic or vocational education. The inspections carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate show that most young people leave the projects with some qualification. For example, the Conway centre provides learning opportunities to adult learners, young people between the ages of 14 and 16 and primary-school age children. It is also an approved examination centre, facilitating a wide range of exams to external clients. According to its website, Conway engages over 800 individuals a year in education. Its youngest learner is eight; its oldest 81. Another example that I mentioned is the Open Doors Learning Centre, which caters for 14- to 16-year-olds.”
“It is a fact that a percentage of our population, for whatever reason, just do not fit in and do not thrive in the setting of formal education, schools or colleges. That is where alternative education can fill a gap. According to the Department of Education, education other than at school provides education for children with social, emotional, behavioural, medical or other issues who cannot otherwise access suitable education. It allows children who have been expelled or suspended from school or have otherwise disengaged with it to participate in education until they achieve a new school place or until they are prepared for re-entry to an existing school place to maintain their education until compulsory school leaving age. <BR /> <BR />Those who provide community- or alternative-based education work in a very challenging environment.”
“<BR /> <BR />The debate will be worthwhile if it raises public consciousness of the existence of community and alternative education. According to a research paper compiled last January by the excellent Assembly Research and Information Service team, there are 32 facilities across Northern Ireland offering some type of education other than a school. From a look at the list, it can be seen that a disproportionate number of them are based in the west Belfast area. Examples are the Conway Education Centre, situated on the interface between the Falls Road and the Shankill Road; Open Doors on Barrack Street; and Pathways, which has three sites, including one on the Shankill. That is to name just three providers, but there are others serving a very useful purpose in society. <BR /> <BR />What is community- and alternative-based education?”
“At the outset, I declare an interest as a voluntary trustee of an organisation that provides community-based training to an organisation, and I have seen and witnessed at first hand the good that it can do for individuals who, for whatever reason, prefer to carry out education in a community-based environment, and they do strive at it. <BR /> <BR />As an MLA representing the east of the city, I hesitate slightly to speak in a debate concerning the constituency of West Belfast. However, I have in the recent past worked in the Ulster Unionist Party office in West Belfast, so I am familiar with that part of the city. I also have some personal experience of alternative education, which I will share a little later.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I pay tribute to the agencies and to the staff who have worked so hard to make the alleviation scheme a success so far. East Belfast is relieved that the worst of the recent flooding was not on its doorstep. However, is the Minister concerned by DSD's decision to delay dredging of the River Lagan in an attempt to save £3 million? That inaction could contribute to future serious flooding in the area.”
“The attempts to use accelerated passage mean that it will not receive the attention that it deserves or the scrutiny that it clearly merits. <BR /> <BR />I say again that we are not arguing against the rationale for going from 12 to nine Departments. Our quarrel is not with the content of the Bill per se; it is with the failure of the Executive to run a Government and to get this matter agreed. That is why the Assembly is in the position that it is in today. The IREP report was produced in September 2009. The fact that it has taken more than six years to get to a position where we can firmly begin to see a single Department for the Economy take shape is nothing short of pitiful. The people of Northern Ireland deserve better.”
“That fed into the Stormont House Agreement process, which hit the buffers, and part of it was resurrected in Fresh Start, bringing us to where we are today. This is not some idea that has emerged out of left field; it has been around the block on a few occasions. As I said earlier, this is not an insignificant Bill. It may be small in the number of clauses, as Mr Lyttle outlined, but it is of acute importance. It will, quite literally, impact on every person in Northern Ireland from the day and hour that we eventually reduce the number of Departments from 12 to nine. That is why, in this debate on accelerated passage, I state that the Ulster Unionist Party has concerns about such an important Bill being introduced so late in the mandate.”
“With regard to the Assembly more generally, in 2012, the Assembly Executive and Review Committee produced a report on the reduction in the number of Departments. It identified areas of commonality that — I quote junior Minister Pengelly when she appeared before the Committee on 30 November — were:”
“She also said that, given the importance and complexity of the matters addressed, she intended to carry out a short period of consultation on the report and wanted to reach timely conclusions and initiate purposeful actions as soon as possible. That was just over six years ago. <BR /> <BR />As far as the Ulster Unionist Party was concerned, we were fully signed up to the idea of a single Department of the Economy, which the party leader, Mike Nesbitt, endorsed at our AGM in March 2013. It entailed effectively scrapping DEL and combining it with DETI. That was followed up in our 2014 European manifesto, which stated:”
“The review was commissioned by the then Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster, to advise on the extent to which existing polices could help to meet the objectives stated in the Programme for Government and to put forward new policies if needed. One of the key recommendations was that the core economic functions covered by DETI and DEL's areas of responsibility should be brought under a single Department of the Economy. <BR /> <BR />It should be noted that the IREP report was welcomed by Minister Foster, who said that she would give it her:”
“Let me say from the outset that the Ulster Unionist Party fully supports the principle that the number of Departments should be reduced and a more streamlined Administration should be able to deliver better government for the people of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As I said earlier, the Bill could and should have been brought before the House for proper debate and scrutiny a long time ago. It is not some new idea that has appeared out of the ether. In September 2009, the independent review of economic policy (IREP), chaired by the then vice chancellor of the University of Ulster, Professor Richard Barnett, put forward a series of significant policy recommendations intended to assist the Executive in realising their goals of strengthening productivity and raising living standards in Northern Ireland.”
“I will not because I am just finishing up here; sorry. <BR /> <BR />We are, after all, Members of the Legislative Assembly. The clue is in the title. Our job is to legislate. That includes a proper scrutiny function. I oppose accelerated passage.”
“The simple fact is that we are not arguing against the rationale for going from 12 to nine Departments. We do, however, have an issue with accelerated passage.”
“This then fed into the Stormont House Agreement process, which hit the buffers. Part of it was resurrected in 'A Fresh Start', bringing us to where we are today. In essence, it is the failure of the Executive to agree this matter that has put us in the position in which we find ourselves today. <BR /> <BR />This is not an insignificant Bill. It may be small in terms of clauses, but it is extremely far-reaching in its impact. The Ulster Unionist Party has concerns that it is being introduced so late in the mandate and that the attempt to use accelerated passage means that it will not receive the attention that it deserves or the scrutiny that it merits. Indeed, when the junior Ministers appeared before the Committee on 30 November, junior Minister McCann replied to the Deputy Chair:”
“The Ulster Unionist Party is opposed to accelerated passage for this measure. We fully support the principle that the number of Departments should be reduced and that a more streamlined Administration should be able to deliver better government for the people of Northern Ireland. The Bill should have been introduced earlier and been subject to proper debate and scrutiny. It is not as though this is some idea that has been plucked out of the air: a reduction in the number of Departments has been a subject of discussion for quite literally years. In 2012, the Assembly and Executive Review Committee produced a report on the reduction in the number of Departments and identified areas of commonality, which, to quote junior Minister Pengelly, were:”
“Is the information readily available? If it is not, can research be carried out? As I am sure she understands, I have a major problem, and a number of constituents have approached me about the major difficulties that they have when trying to mount and dismount footpaths to get to another footpath.”
“I thank the junior Minister for her answer. As she may or may not be aware, I have had difficulties with accessibility in this great Building. Can the Minister outline whether there is any funding in her Department for Departments to improve access to their own buildings?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers thus far. In the light of the footprint of Casement Park being totally unsuitable for a modern 38,000-seat stadium and bearing it in mind that a smaller stadium would cost considerably less, is there an opportunity for the savings to be redeployed to the arts sector, which is under such severe financial pressure at this time due to in-year cuts?”
“In the case of same-sex marriage, the LGBT community deserves equal recognition under the law, provided, of course, that religious independence is assured and that Churches are not compelled to conduct ceremonies with which they cannot agree. That is the position in the rest of the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland. It is about fairness and natural justice.”
“I want to see a society in Northern Ireland where no one is made to feel like a second-class citizen to any extent. I believe in fairness and natural justice. <BR /> <BR />Growing up, I always believed that marriage should be between one man and one woman, but now, as someone who is married and lives happily with my wife and two children, I would not feel comfortable — it would not be right — with denying lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender people the opportunity to live happily with the person they love and whom they wish to marry if they choose. I believe in equality and that love is love, whether between a man and a woman, two men or two women. In life, I have always tried to do what I believe to be right.”
“No, I will not. <BR /> <BR />The famous quote from Albert Einstein unfortunately comes to mind about the definition of insanity being when you do the same thing over and over again and expect different results. <BR /> <BR />I fully respect people's right to oppose equal marriage, but we really need to take the time to understand the effect that this — the fifth time that the Assembly has debated such a motion — will have on the LGBT community, who have been getting all the wrong kinds of messages from elements of the Assembly. I certainly will not stand in moral judgement of anyone; my belief is live and let live. I want to see a society where no one is discriminated against and everyone is allowed to practise their religious and cultural beliefs freely and without fear.”
“I have spoken to many pro-LGBT individuals and campaigners over the past number of weeks as well, and my conversations with them have caused me to question the motivation of placing this motion before the Assembly at this point in time. What results do people really expect this time? It is a fact that the make-up of the Assembly has not dramatically changed since the previous four debates, so I cannot help but wonder whether the issue is being used as electoral opportunism. We, as public representatives, have a duty of care to our constituents, many of whom will be concerned that this emotive issue is being used as a political football. The famous quote from Albert Einstein —”
“I recall vividly, whilst growing up, the all-too-common passive acceptance of taunting and poking fun at gay and lesbian issues. If I am being honest, I really had not given my position on the matter much thought until relatively recently. In the past few years, I have watched, listened to and heard many different viewpoints on the topic. On hearing that the issue was coming before the Assembly again, I made a point of speaking to many people on both sides of the issue to better understand their positions, viewpoints and experience. I fully respect that people have a range of views on the issue. In particular, I understand and respect that many people, including members of my party, have deeply held religious views.”
“I am proud that the Ulster Unionist Party has made this issue a matter of conscience for Members, allowing all Members to vote in line with their religious belief, conscience and values. Let me say from the outset that I do not wish or intend to tread on anyone's religious beliefs, values or traditions. I will simply speak for myself.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Can the Minister outline when he expects the results of the attitudes to peace walls survey to be released?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. My party repeatedly argued that the money should not have been allocated in the first place. Does the Minister now agree that the allocation of £50 million was premature, not least given the fact that permission was always uncertain?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers thus far. Can he outline what engagement his Department is having with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment to meet the target for electricity from renewable sources by 2020?”
“East Belfast has a large programme of flood-risk works being carried out, and I welcome the investment on the Knock, Loop and Connswater rivers. Can the Minister provide an update on the areas at risk from the tidal surge in January 2014 and how she believes that those areas have since been protected from future threats?”
“— where diversity is not just accepted but embraced. That is the vision of a truly united community —”
“I regret to say that their fears have been confirmed even before homes have been allocated. <BR /> <BR />If we are really serious about building a united community and a truly shared future for our children, we have to remove the poison of sectarianism from this society. As I said, we owe it to our children and to future generations to play our part in ensuring that their future is played out in a country where there is genuine tolerance of people from different community backgrounds —”
“<BR /> <BR />I would like to make a final point with regard to mixed communities. It was stated that there was much attention paid to establishing new shared neighbourhoods and urban villages but none to learning from existing practice and the networks that have been built over time. From my experience of dealing with the Felden housing development in north Belfast, many people are clearly a long way from being prepared to consider being part of a united community. A shared housing scheme was proposed right between two strongly republican districts. Unionist representatives had fears, right from the start, that this was the right development but in the wrong place and that anyone from a Protestant or unionist background would not be welcomed in a mixed development at the Felden site.”
“I fully agree with the suggestion that communities must be considered as key players rather than as supporting actors and that, when it comes to addressing sectarianism and division, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Factors relating to location, demography, capacity and confidence must all be taken into account. <BR /> <BR />There is no question that relationship-building and trust are key to improving relations between communities. Building such relationships takes time, and that process is not helped when organisations go through a high turnover of staff and have to face a constant chase for financial resources. With regard to interfaces, so-called peace walls can and should come down only after full consultation and with the agreement of those living on either side of them.”
“We also need to consider definitions and terminology. In addition to the need to define "sectarianism" and "good relations", terms such as "shared housing", "shared neighbourhoods" and "shared space" require more clarity. As is all too common, concerns were expressed with regard to the resourcing of the Together: Building a United Community project, the funding available for local community and voluntary sector organisations and the impact of uncertainty around funding on the sustainability of provision. There was a feeling that existing best practice was being challenged because of uncertainty regarding funding, including delays in hearing the outcome of funding applications and very short funding cycles.”
“There is also a feeling that T:BUC may be too narrowly focused on the division between the two main communities in Northern Ireland and that that approach risks sending a message that the only cultures and diversity to be protected are those of the two majority communities in Northern Ireland. There were also concerns that, despite the good work that already exists, there was a lack of consultation in preparation for the publication of the Together: Building a United Community project and a lack of recognition of the current work undertaken across the voluntary, community and statutory sectors in this area.”
“First, with regard to financial and budgetary matters, it is noted that it has not been possible to obtain a budget profile for the lifetime of Together: Building a United Community or against each of the seven headline actions.”
“As the new boy in the OFMDFM Committee, it is my privilege to speak in this debate regarding the details of the Committee's inquiry into the T:BUC project. Let me say at the outset that I fully support efforts to move Northern Ireland away from the decades of conflict and division and build a genuinely united community and a shared future. I commend all groups, organisations and individuals working towards that goal. We owe it to our children and to future generations to play our part in ensuring that our future is played out in a country where there is genuine tolerance of people from different community backgrounds and where diversity is not just accepted but embraced. <BR /> <BR />The Committee report contains a number of points, and I will focus on a few of them here.”
“Syrian refugees accepted into Europe or the West are a small part of the total need. There are four million Syrian refugees living in bordering countries and another 78 million displaced Syrians living in Government-controlled areas in Syria. Permitting more Syrians to immigrate addresses a symptom but not the root cause. The majority of Syrian refugees do not want to emigrate to Europe or elsewhere. We must work to address the causes of the flight of people from Syria, namely the brutal conflict in the region fuelled by the terrorism of Islamic State. Only then will the people of that region who are currently displaced be able to return home and rebuild their and their families' lives in their own country. Maybe we should pay heed to the words of a young Syrian boy trying to reach Europe. He said:”
“It is not enough to say that we will ensure that those entering Northern Ireland as refugees will receive the best possible support through healthcare, housing and education. That is something this Assembly and Executive should already be committed to delivering for every person in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The Ulster Unionist Party fully supports the steps taken by the UK Government, including the spending of £900 million from their foreign aid budget on helping some of the four million refugees who have fled Syria since the war began. The vast majority are in refugee camps in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, and the need for humanitarian aid is constant. <BR /> <BR />In the longer term, political solutions are a much more effective response to the migrant crisis than opening up another country's borders.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Law Society highlighted a number of key actions that it would like to see delivered for those refugees who are accommodated in Northern Ireland, including a refugee integration strategy and free accredited English language classes for all refugees. I believe that these actions, in particular, are vital if we are to allow those refugees who wish to settle in Northern Ireland the opportunity to fully integrate into society. The Law Society also calls for a commitment to partnership working. I do not believe that this should be restricted to dealing with refugees who arrive in Northern Ireland. This Assembly should develop partnership working between all Departments and agencies as a matter of course.”
“I do, however, draw a distinction between genuine refugees, who are fleeing persecution and violence, and who have made their way to Europe in search of a place of safety, and economic migrants, who are simply seeking access to Europe in a search for a better life. We, in Northern Ireland, are not responsible for immigration policy or the granting of asylum, so we must work closely with the UK Government to play our part in alleviating suffering. Our natural sympathy and desire to help fellow human beings in their desperate plight need to be matched by an appreciation of the practicalities of the situation.”