Emma Pengelly
South Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“This week, I will travel to France to pay my respects to all those who fought and the many who fell at the Battle of the Somme as we mark its 110th anniversary. <BR /> <BR />From across Northern Ireland, generations have served their country.”
“One of the men who fought was James Sandford, my great-grandfather. He fought, he survived, he went on to fight again, and he was seriously injured in another battle. I am deeply proud of him, and I am proud of all those who stepped forward with such honour in the face of the horror of that war.”
“When I stand there this week, looking at the gravestones of so many who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom, I will also remember — we must always remember — the responsibility that we carry forward. Remembrance is not only about honouring the past; it is about shaping the future.”
“Last night, people in north Belfast witnessed horrific scenes that have absolutely sickened and appalled people across Northern Ireland. It was a shocking and barbaric act of violence that has left a victim fighting the consequences of a truly savage attack.”
“Every person has the right to walk their streets, live in their community and feel safe in their own neighbourhood. This type of brutality has no place in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I spoke with the Chief Constable and the Justice Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have also been in contact with the Prime Minister, because the PSNI has confirmed that the 30-year-old male who has been arrested is believed to be of Somalian heritage.”
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“<BR /> <BR />For the first time, many thousands of women in their early 60s have had to go to the jobcentre seeking employment. Jobcentre staff have been placed in a situation of trying to recommend what are often very low-paid manual or physically demanding jobs to women who have effectively been full-time mothers for decades. Women who are single, separated or divorced have been particularly hard hit and are trying to survive on jobseeker's allowance alone, with little option but a few hours of low-paid work. For women who are in a marriage or who are co-habiting, there are options with pension credits, for example, but that does not apply to women who live alone and who have been particularly badly hit. <BR /> <BR />The campaign Women Against State Pension Inequality has done great work in raising coverage and awareness of the issue.”
“In many cases, these are women who have worked, have been mothers for perhaps 10 or 20 years, and have continued with caring duties, including looking after elderly parents and grandchildren. They contribute a huge amount to our society and have found themselves, unexpectedly, in a very difficult financial situation. Many of them have had their retirement plans thrown into doubt; at times, as has been pointed out, with just one year's notice that added a three- to six-year wait to draw down their pension. Some who had planned for redundancy or early retirement took irreversible decisions and are now really suffering as a result. It is too late now to go back and change plans that were communicated in a different context.”
“I add my voice in support of the many hundreds of thousands of women in their 60s across the United Kingdom who are suffering severe financial difficulties because of this situation. I have had first-hand experience of this. My mother has been caught and is one of those women who have to face this and, despite having worked every day in a school kitchen in a local primary school, she still has the difficulty of having to wait for years for pensions to come through and is looking at what are very low-level benefits. <BR /> <BR />The impact is on many thousands of women across Northern Ireland, not just the hundreds of thousands across the United Kingdom.”
“As Chairperson of the Committee, I, and the DUP, will not disregard that advice. We will listen to it. This should not be about grabbing the headlines but supporting the pursuit of truth and justice.”
“The Assembly and Committees do not investigate crimes and it was never intended that they would do so. The NCA has skills and training on objectivity and on the value and weight of evidence. It represents an independent and robust body with full investigatory powers. The Committee has agreed that an appropriate and prudent way forward is to listen to the National Crime Agency. Mr Smith and the Ulster Unionist Party want to disregard that request and advice.”
“Sorry, I am going to continue. Why would they want to take any action? What value do they believe that Philip Smith or Claire Hanna would add that the National Crime Agency cannot add? Perhaps they would provide news headlines or a bit of self-publicity or party publicity. <BR /> <BR />There are very good reasons why the NCA and any police force are set up the way they are. They are independent because it is deemed that, for these type of matters, public confidence is best served by independence from political interference or influence. The Assembly and Committees are not independent; they represent a range of political interests. The National Crime Agency has full investigatory powers and we, in the Assembly and Committees, do not. Our powers are limited for a reason.”
“I am sorry, no, I am going to continue. Can our inquiries or debates help the quest for truth or justice? Only if the answer to that is yes should we continue. To debate, work, and inquire and add no value is pointless. Worse than that, to debate, inquire and cause the investigation harm would be disgraceful and the exact opposite of what we are elected to do. We have strong advice that further inquiries by the Committee or the Assembly would, in fact, potentially damage or harm the investigation by the National Crime Agency. In that context, why would the Ulster Unionist Party or, for that matter, anyone else want to create a new Assembly or Committee inquiry at this time?”
“He has received those confidential briefings and legal advice. He has received the request in the strongest terms. Yet, despite this, he has made public comment showing that he does not seem to care about that request, indicating that the Ulster Unionist Party wishes to ignore the advice of the National Crime Agency and blunder forward. I find this approach bizarre and perverse. <BR /> <BR />We have heard much about public expectation and building confidence; we need to step back and fully consider the current situation. There is a serious criminal investigation ongoing. As public and elected representatives, we have a duty to do what we can to scrutinise. Furthermore, one of our key roles is to help and support people as much as we can. However, there is a critical question to be asked.”
“That is why it is disappointing and surprising that, despite the clear advice and request from the United Kingdom's key criminal investigative body, the National Crime Agency, the Ulster Unionist Party has continued to make public comment, calling for the Committee and the Assembly to examine the issues immediately, and brought forward this motion, seemingly seeking to disregard that advice and request. <BR /> <BR />Based on the advice that we received, I believe that similar advice will have been received by the Ulster Unionist Party on bringing a motion on NAMA to the House. Mr Smith, one of its signatories, sits on the Finance Committee.”
“The Committee received a confidential briefing from the National Crime Agency at a special meeting on 11 July 2016. On the back of that briefing, we had written and oral legal advice over the summer. In addition, we wrote with urgency to the National Crime Agency following the 'Spotlight' programme. We received a detailed response and, on the back of that, are awaiting further legal advice. <BR /> <BR />The United Kingdom's National Crime Agency advised us in the strongest possible terms that the Committee should not conduct further investigations into the matter, given the stage of its investigations. Not only did it issue that advice but the agency requested strongly that we did not, indicating that, in its view, there could be a serious risk to the investigation.”
“I speak on behalf of the Democratic Unionist Party but alongside that in my role as Chairperson of the Finance Committee, which is referenced in the motion. <BR /> <BR />I believe that everyone in the House wants to get to the truth around the allegations. Furthermore, I want to see justice done if or when wrongdoing is identified. There is no condition or reservation in that aim. I have said that repeatedly to the Committee, and, from our discussions thus far, it is clear that there is eagerness across all parties on the Committee to do what we can to support and help in the process of getting to the truth and getting justice.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I am sure that she will agree that those 11,000 screenings really alleviate a lot of pressure. Although it is not traditional for the Department of Health to fund third sector capital builds, there have been examples of that in the past with the Mencap new build, also in south Belfast, and the hospice. Can the Minister take it away and look at the issue? She may be aware that Action Cancer has purchased a building in order to expand its services, including breast screening. Are there any opportunities for potential funding, despite it not being the usual way that the Department of Health funds such projects, given that it has happened in the past with Mencap and the hospice?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Can he give a commitment that he will work with his Executive colleagues to look at a stimulus and encouraging business and economic growth here? He will be aware that infrastructure projects, unfortunately, take considerable time in what is referred to as the pipeline; it could be three, four or five years. Will he do everything in his power to ensure that resources and processes are fit for purpose to enable these projects to get shovel-ready and be ready to go when we get that certainty from Her Majesty's Treasury?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I think that he shares my view that one-year Budgets should be avoided if at all possible, but we acknowledge that sometimes that is not possible. I ask the Minister, and I have raised this with him already, to take into particular consideration those in the third sector — the many thousands of community and other organisations relying on grant funding. For them, in particular, short-term one-year Budgets can be tough, especially when they have contracts and other things to extend and bills coming in. I therefore ask the Minister to continue to engage with the Department for Communities and to give a commitment to this House that he will try to get information out to them as soon as possible in this financial year to enable them to plan for the next financial year, if it is a one-year Budget.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement this morning and I welcome, in particular, the clarification and commitment given by Her Majesty's Treasury to underwrite and guarantee signed-off EU expenditure by the autumn statement. I also welcome the Minister's comments around the commitment to maximise expenditure. It is worth remembering that this is indeed money that is paid into the European Union by the UK and we want to maximise that expenditure. Will the Minister give a commitment that he will continue to maximise that expenditure by ensuring as much sign-off as possible by the autumn statement and that, in that context, he will continue to liaise with Her Majesty's Treasury to see what further flexibility there may be in and around the underwriting and guarantees?”
“All of us have spoken to families that have said, "What could I have done better? What more could I have done? Why was I not enough?". Mental health has an impact that is much wider.”
“During the Troubles, there was a range of issues. I think, as an example, of the many women who sat at home, waiting for their husbands in the security forces to come home and dreading and fearing that they would not. I have spoken to many wives who did not sleep until their husbands were back safe in the early hours of the morning. <BR /> <BR />I have spoken to many people, not only those who are impacted by mental health but also to their families.”
“When we discussed this in the negotiations around Fresh Start, working very closely with the Health Department, it became very clear that actually, on mental health issues, the need was much, much wider than just victims and survivors. It is desperately needed. We want to reduce waiting lists. We need to have that early intervention to prevent people falling into more complex needs, and, when people have complex needs, we need to work with them to prevent self-harm and suicide at every stage and opportunity that we can. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the comments that have been made, particularly on the security forces and others.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to echo the words of Gary Middleton on welcoming not just the concept of a champion but action to address this, and that is why I warmly welcomed the announcement of a mental health service for Northern Ireland by the then Health Minister, Simon Hamilton, with the aim of having a world-leading centre of excellence for mental health, based on the previous reviews and an acknowledgment that more must be done to address the issues. The origin of the idea is very interesting in that it came about through discussions with victims and survivors initially, with the universities coming forward with ideas about a mental health service for them.”
“I am also conscious of the mental health charities, some of which I have met, and I am aware of the various fundraising campaigns, which include Mindwise, Aware, Niamh and a great many others that have been mentioned today. There are also individuals like Lindsay Robinson, who is the wife of East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson. She has done a huge amount of work to raise awareness of perinatal care and postnatal depression through the use of social media and other platforms. There are incredible champions out there, but anything that raises awareness of these issues must be welcomed, so I welcome today's motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have also spoken to many young mothers — I welcome the fact that that has been referenced — on issues of postnatal depression and perinatal healthcare, and the acute needs that they present. There has been much speculation and discussion on the causes of the increased high levels of mental health challenges in Northern Ireland. Regardless of that analysis and discussion, we need to acknowledge that it is a problem and take action. That is why I welcome the motion for a champion, but I am also very aware that there are many fantastic champions for mental health out there, such as the victims and survivors groups that have done such an incredible job through the decades of raising awareness of mental health.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am very aware through having spoken to many young people and many young people's organisations that have raised the issue of mental health. This seems to be an increasing problem and represents a challenge for young people. There is a service through schools, but we routinely hear that the need is increasing and cannot be met by what is there at the moment — we need to address that. I am very aware that, particularly with our young people, it can manifest itself in very self-destructive behaviours such as self-harm and suicide, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, all of which give rise to lifelong challenges for our young people, including in employment and their life outcomes around education and health.”
“Like so many others in the House, I commend the Member for bringing forward this motion. It is very welcoming that we have such a level of consensus and agreement around these issues. Over the last decade, both in my work as a special adviser in the Office of the First Minister and in my new role as a public representative, I have been hugely humbled to have the opportunity to speak to many people who have either experienced, or are still experiencing, mental health challenges. I think in particular of the many victims and survivors whose incredibly harrowing experiences have had such an impact on their mental health, from low mood and isolation through to depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and the more extreme challenges they face.”
“The Committee was content to accept the wording at this stage because we believe that the intention is indicated in the subclause, but the drafting could be tightened up. <BR /> <BR />Those are the only two issues that I wanted to speak on. As I said, the Chairperson has very adequately outlined many of the other amendments, both for clarity and for consequential —”
“The concern is that, for example, Members could attend international conferences where hospitality is provided to a huge number of third parties attending, possibly from many countries. It could run into hundreds, if not thousands, of people, and I do not think it is practical or realistic that Members could register all the hospitality granted to third parties in those circumstances. I raise the issue because I do not believe that this is the intention, and I want to put on record that, in my view, there should be further consideration or further clarity on that clause, perhaps to specify that you are to register any visits or hospitality as a Member of the House or for "any connected third party", as opposed to "any third party", as is currently contained in the code.”
“I want to put it on record that, at some stage, there should be further consideration of the intention of that amendment and whether we need to clarify it further. Is it the intention that Members have to register if they fundraise over a certain amount for charities as opposed to just for political activities connected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. <BR /> <BR />I also want to reference and put on record a point about paragraph 45 of the code. This is around the registration of visits and hospitality and makes reference to "any third party". Therefore, it is about registering an interest by you and any third party. There has been an effort to clarify this by putting in a subclause, but the subclause is not exhaustive. It references four categories, but it is not finite.”
“I want to put it on record that it was my view that it should be considered further. Perhaps further clarity is required on whether the intention is that the "political activities" referenced in the code and in the guide are to be those connected to the work of the Northern Ireland Assembly and the work of Members as representatives of the Northern Ireland Assembly, as opposed to something wider than that. I am conscious, when I say that, that many charities now have a political role, from cancer charities and other health charities through to Greenpeace or even the National Trust — most will have a political lobbying role. Therefore, reference simply to registering fundraising "for your political activities" could go well beyond that if, for example, Members are involved in fundraising for charities.”
“I do not want to regurgitate what has already been said by the Chairperson of the Committee. I want to talk briefly to two of the amendments that we discussed at the meeting last week. Many of the amendments to the code are relatively minor or consequential. There is a minor amendment to paragraph 31 where the words "or for your political activities" are being included. We discussed this at the meeting on Wednesday, and we understand why the phrase is there and believe it is necessary. We welcome a number of the amendments to the guide. The purpose behind them is to further clarify for Members and for those who may adjudicate on complaints or other issues what the intention is. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was happy to accept the proposed amendment, but there was some discussion around whether the phrase should be further clarified.”
“In my relatively short political life thus far, I have been struck by the genuine compassion and the desire to help people and improve Northern Ireland from Members right across all parties and across the Floor. I honestly believe that most people get involved in politics and do this job because they want to make a genuine difference. I believe that they work hard at that. They help many people. However, we also have to acknowledge that there is an issue with perception out there. Therefore, it is welcome here today that we have these improvements being brought forward in relation to the guide and code for Members to try to rebuild some of that trust and build confidence with the public about the work that the Members of the House carry out.”
“Does the Member agree with me that this is particularly ironic, given that the erroneous definition of victim in the 2006 Order was brought in during David Trimble's reign as First Minister? It was first mentioned in a consultation paper launched by him when he was First Minister.”
“We want to see collaborative working, evidence-based policy and the transformation and reform of processes to ensure effectiveness. We advocate fiscal responsibility. There is nothing to fear in that, but we want a context of taking brave steps and necessary decisions and showing leadership on rebalancing and stimulating the economy of Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom.”
“The negotiations in the autumn in relation to the multi-year Budget will be essential for that, particularly if we are to stimulate economic growth; increase the size of our private sector; use our well-skilled workforce, low staff turnover and other attractive attributes here to attract foreign direct investment; and use innovative tools to grow our indigenous businesses and increase exports and business development. To talk and lament where we are now will not change anything, so let us move on positively by working collaboratively to bring about the economic transformation that we need and want to see. Let us see the opportunities, not the challenges. <BR /> <BR />I have stated before that the DUP is committed to a strong and sensible approach to the Budget and fiscal matters.”
“Let us be brave in stepping forward; let us take this opportunity and take the essential steps required to lay the foundation for a better, more vibrant and sustainable economic future for Northern Ireland out of the European Union. <BR /> <BR />In Northern Ireland, we needed a game-changer. Before this, we had the shackles of the European Union. We now have an opportunity to maximise and examine best practice and innovation from around the world.”
“The changed context opens up and creates the space for an exciting conversation about what new initiatives can be created and driven forward for Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />There will, of course, be some apprehension. We have heard that from some business organisations and around the Chamber. There will be, as there is at every time of significant global events, market movement, followed by recalibration. It was ever thus. However, to fear or avoid change and improvement because of that would be foolish. To shy away from changing what is wrong and what is not working due to uncertainty and fear creates only stagnation.”
“Indeed, the Committee wrote to other Statutory Committees just last week to highlight that very matter. <BR /> <BR />I will now speak in my capacity as a DUP representative. We are entering an exciting new chapter for the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. The next Budget, which, at this stage, is still likely to be a multi-year Budget, will incorporate for the first time the implications of leaving the European Union and the additional resources that we will no longer, as the United Kingdom, be giving to the European Union. It will be a time of considerable opportunity. Being freed from the obligations and rules around trade constraints and state aid will provide potentially game-changing opportunities to stimulate our economy and form new trade relations across the globe.”
“In that regard, speaking on the Committee's behalf, I am confident that, as we progress, a positive, constructive and productive working relationship will develop with the Department. It is my hope that the Committee will assist and support the development of improved policy and better legislation, while continuing to fulfil a valuable scrutiny and advisory role. <BR /> <BR />As I draw my remarks to a close in my capacity as Chairperson, I highlight the fact that, in scrutinising the forthcoming Budget, Departments and Statutory Committees alike must prioritise that work to maximise the limited time available. Early engagement by Committees in the process will assist in providing a degree of certainty in respect of Budget allocations for the coming years, which will enable Departments to plan their spending needs.”
“<BR /> <BR />At its meeting last week, the Committee agreed that Assembly and departmental officials should follow up on the work undertaken in relation to the memorandum of understanding, which will, if implemented, provide opportunities for Statutory Committees to engage with their respective Departments for the forthcoming multi-year Budget at appropriate stages in the process. The public expenditure envelope is, as we know, constrained. Therefore, for those successive years, Departments will need to ensure that every penny of public money is maximised in order to efficiently deliver the level and quality of public services expected by those whom we have been elected to represent. <BR /> <BR />There will, no doubt, be many challenges ahead, some of which will be unprecedented.”
“I will speak first in my role as Chair of the Finance Committee. As outlined, the Bill makes provision for the balance of cash and resources required to reflect the departmental spending plans in the 2016-17 Main Estimates. As I indicated in previous debates, the Committee agreed, under Standing Order 42(2), to grant accelerated passage to the Budget (No. 2) Bill on the basis of it having been consulted appropriately on the Bill's expenditure provisions. <BR /> <BR />It is imperative that the Department meets that requirement for appropriate consultation on each occasion, given the importance of such Bills progressing through the Assembly before summer recess.”
“<BR /> <BR />We stand here today free to negotiate and build a new and recalibrated relationship on the world stage, including with the European Union, and a better deal for an independent and sovereign United Kingdom on the world stage. <BR /> <BR />Our message today is one of hope, not despair. People need to keep calm and listen to what is being said. Do not listen to the hysteria. We should not fear change but embrace the opportunities that will come from removing from our wrists the shackles of this failed European Union project.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I stand here today to give assurances to the people of Northern Ireland — I know that other Members will do so as well — that the First Minister will fight for the best deal for Northern Ireland in the renegotiations. She will roll up her sleeves and fight fearlessly for all in Northern Ireland, including those who decided to vote "Remain" and those who decided to vote "Leave", and I want people to be reassured of that today. <BR /> <BR />This is a new dawn for the United Kingdom. There is of course much work to be done and much negotiation, but there is also much opportunity. Today, as I stand here, I am still a European. People need not to listen to the hysteria but to buckle down and look at the opportunities that this provides for us.”
“The mouse has roared and become the lion, and millions of decent, upstanding people have all the lefty liberals in a spin. The reality is that Europe had become too detached and too unaccountable, yet, in that context, there was an ever-growing agenda of increased scope and remit. <BR /> <BR />There is an irony about the position of Mike Nesbitt. He criticises others when he represents neither the view of unionism in Northern Ireland nor, we suspect, even the views of the Ulster Unionist Party. <BR /> <BR />I know that my party leader, the First Minister of this country, will fight her hardest for the best deal for Northern Ireland, the best deal for farmers, the best deal for the economy and the best deal for our public services and all in Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Secondly, it is offensive and unacceptable that there are those in the "Remain" camp, particularly elected representatives, in Northern Ireland who try to portray those "Leave" voters as racist, stupid, uninformed, misinformed or uneducated. This is an issue of respect about the outcome. Today, we have already heard a patronising view towards those who voted "Leave". They may not be the commentators, the journalists, the Establishment or the left-wing liberals who dominate the public narrative, but there is a clear message: the so-called little people have spoken. The oft-silent majority across the United Kingdom have made their feelings clear.”
“I welcome the vote of the people of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union project. Over the last number of days, including today in the Chamber, I have listened to and read of the hysteria of those in the "Remain" camp. First, let me be clear: we all knew the terms of this referendum. We voted individually as citizens of the United Kingdom on the position of the United Kingdom. Those were the terms accepted by all sides, including the "Remain" side. It is fundamentally dishonest for some in the "Remain" camp to attempt to change the parameters retrospectively when the result did not go their way.”
“They want to see those who abuse or neglect or are cruel to animals face a punishment that fits the crime. I hope that the motion before the House will provide a new and fresh opportunity in this mandate for us to join together to fight against and stamp out animal cruelty in Northern Ireland.”
“It is incredibly difficult to comprehend some of the sentencing that is set down. Although, as a barrister, I understand the very good arguments that are often made against minimum sentencing, in this case, genuine concerns have been raised that, despite raising the other end and allowing judges the discretion to give more severe sentences, it does not seem to have had an impact on the quantum right across. <BR /> <BR />Animals give so much to individuals and families and to society. They augment our lives and provide so much love, kindness and joy. The abuse and misuse of that trust and the cruelty towards those so reliant on us humans for food, shelter and protection genuinely disgusts me. I know that it genuinely disgusts so many. It was clear at the doors that people want further action on this.”
“That came about because it was such a key issue raised with me on the doors by so many people. There is such genuine frustration out there. <BR /> <BR />I have sat in my constituency office over the last number of months and heard horrendous cases. I heard from a cat owner whose cat had gone missing. Unfortunately, she had to view footage of her pet being thrown into a cage to dogs and being ripped apart. Anybody who has ever owned an animal such as a cat or a dog knows their personality and what they are like, so that is absolutely heartbreaking and horrifying for any animal owner. The hurt is furthered by what seems to be weak sentencing of the perpetrators and the attitude of some of the perpetrators afterwards, when they show no remorse and have not been given a significant sentence.”
“I firmly believe that the issue of data protection can be overcome, and I wanted to provide the Minister with the opportunity, given that she is a new Minister, to look at the issues — hence the amendment to the motion — and to bring forward further proposals, particularly in light of the recent review mentioned in the motion. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the actions so far. I welcome the review. It is clear from the various responses in the Chamber previously by all parties and a range of Ministers that there is genuine consensus that we should tackle the issue, yet there is still frustration that we have not been able to do that. My first act as the newly elected Member for South Belfast was to go to the Bill Office and indicate my interest in putting forward a private Member's Bill on animal cruelty.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have tabled an amendment to the motion, and, although concerns were raised in the review about data protection and human rights issues in terms of an accessible register, this is an issue of considerable interest to people. In particular, people are dismayed that, when they want to sell an animal to someone, they cannot access information on who is disqualified from owning an animal. Some improvements have been made on that, but there is certainly strong interest in seeing further accessibility and further information on that issue.”
“There is abuse or deliberate injury of dogs, cats and other animals; use and abuse of pet cats as bait or fighting fodder; and cases of neglect and starvation. The new opportunities of the 21st century — the Internet and online marketplace — have brought increased dangers and risks in the transfer of ownership of animals. There is disappointment that, despite all the strongly worded motions and despite the moves to amend legislation to strengthen sentencing, the point does not seem to be getting through. I hear weekly from constituents who are dismayed at what they hear about sentences for horrendous acts of animal cruelty.”
“<BR /> <BR />For the purposes of the motion, I want to focus on non-farmed animals or, as they are more commonly referred to, domestic pets. There are hundreds of thousands of pet owners and animal lovers across Northern Ireland, and those pets give considerable love and happiness to many homes. The relationship between an owner and a pet is one of love and trust. Pets give incredible joy. They love, seemingly unconditionally, and see past our flaws when perhaps no one else is prepared to do so. <BR /> <BR />I am unashamedly a pet lover, and I know from speaking to so many people on the doorsteps that there are hundreds of thousands of genuine pet lovers and animal lovers right across Northern Ireland. Yet, all too frequently, we hear of shocking cases of abuse, cruelty and neglect.”