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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“It is clear from our research that, where a range of social deprivation factors come into play — my colleague from the Department for Social Development will be very aware of this — the outcomes can be particularly bad for young people. There are a range of programmes through the Department for Social Development and OFMDFM that we will continue to roll out in relation to spatial deprivation. But there is a lot of misunderstanding in relation to objective need. There needs to be greater clarification about that. Hopefully, we will take the opportunity to develop the strategy and give clarity on that matter.”
“In fact, the Northern Ireland Executive roll out the vast majority of their programmes to address poverty and deprivation in relation to objective need, but that objective need pertains to either the individual or the family. If you have a health need, your personal, objective, medical needs are taken into account. If you are unemployed, it does not matter whether you live in Comber, Richhill or north Belfast, you objectively get support from the Government for that. The vast majority of the services that we roll out through the Northern Ireland Executive are on objective need, but not necessarily on spatial objective need. <BR /> <BR />That said, targeting programmes in relation to spatial deprivation is also very important.”
“There has been a great deal of misunderstanding in relation to the court judgement. It did not examine whether the Office of the First and deputy First Minister and the Northern Ireland Executive were fulfilling their obligations in relation to objective need; rather, it examined whether the work that we carried out constituted a strategy. The judgement was absolutely clear that it would not go into the detail of objective need and a definition of it, so there has been some confusion. I welcome the opportunity to clarify that. <BR /> <BR />There is a proposition out there that all our programmes should be rolled out in relation to spatial need; so, depending on whether you live in a particular area or another area, you should get a range of services. However, that is not what objective need means.”
“However, our outcomes-based approach looks much more widely than those income-based measurements in the legislation. I suspect that we will continue to do that. If you look at our indicators on education, health and a whole range of other issues, it is not just those measurements. So, regardless of whether those measurements change or remain largely the same, the Northern Ireland Executive will continue to look at poverty across the spectrum, not just income poverty.”
“We have had many discussions over the last five years, particularly in the context of Delivering Social Change, on the most appropriate measures. The child poverty legislation kept many of the child poverty measurements. Those measurements are entirely income-based, so they do not measure, for example, poverty in education, opportunity or aspiration; they simply measure how much income a family has. <BR /> <BR />Neither do they take into account a range of measures from the Executive to keep family household outgoings down. We were always of the view that there were flaws in how the measurements were carried out. The Conservative Government have indicated very clearly that they are looking at those issues, although the detail is not clear at this stage.”
“We have spent over £27 million on our Delivering Social Change signature projects, including significant contributions to the projects jointly funded with Atlantic Philanthropies, which in total are worth almost £60 million over this year and the next three years. In all that work, we have focused strategically on improving outcomes across a range of poverty and deprivation measures, including health, education and developing the economy to improve the lives of those in poverty. <BR /> <BR />I am disappointed that the court took a very narrow view on the definition of what constitutes a strategy, but we are working to address the concerns of the court, and we will bring forward proposals in the coming months, following appropriate consultation and deliberation.”
“We have accepted the court's judgement on our statutory obligations to provide an anti-poverty strategy, although I was disappointed that the court did not give more weight to the significant range of actions that we have been taking to address poverty, social exclusion and deprivation, particularly the innovative and exciting work on our Delivery Social Change framework and on developing an outcomes focus on addressing poverty and the consequences of poverty. <BR /> <BR />Through the Executive's Delivering Social Change programme, we have committed over £100 million to reducing poverty and the consequences of living in areas of deprivation.”
“Again, the First Minister has been very clear that people need to come forward. They need to tell the truth. They need to give that information. Although there is that quest for knowledge by all of us on those matters, the focus of the question and of my comments today is that the need for truth and justice for victims and survivors in particular is absolutely acute. We know that there are people across Northern Ireland who hold information that could give justice and truth to those victims and survivors. Therefore, today, I would like the focus to be on their cause, and I reiterate that anybody who has information should come forward to the PSNI and give that closure to victims and survivors.”
“Absolutely. We have made it very clear throughout the process that victims deserve justice and truth. It is very sad that victims have had to wait so long to get that justice and truth. However, throughout the process — in fact, throughout not just this process but the Stormont House negotiations last Christmas and the Haass negotiations — the Office of the First Minister has been absolutely at the forefront of fighting for justice and truth for victims and survivors. Across the House, I think that we support calls for those who have information on any event or act of terrorism in the past to come forward and tell people what information they have and, importantly, tell the PSNI, in order to allow victims and survivors to get the closure and justice that they rightly deserve.”
“The Member will be very much aware of the position of the Office of the First Minister on the matter. The First Minister recently made clear during the talks process that the DUP supported the proposition by the British and Irish Governments that the entire legacy section should be made available to victims and survivors, and, in addition, that the very substantive piece of legislation drafted at Westminster on behalf of the parties here should be published.”
“All citizens across the United Kingdom need to have the protections afforded by the national security protections at a state level, so a compromise does need to be reached, but it has to go both ways.”
“As the Member will be aware, the issue of national security was the subject of considerable discussion throughout the recent talks process. In all those issues, there is a matter of compromise to be had. On one hand, families want access to truth and information. In particular, many hundreds of families have contacted me and the Office of the First Minister in relation to their quest for justice. However, on the other side of that, there need to be protections in relation to national security. Just this week it has become clear that at least seven attempted attacks across the UK this year alone have been foiled by our security and intelligence services. Therefore, the techniques deployed need to be protected.”
“<BR /> <BR />The significant progress made by the programme, and the positive feedback received to date, was discussed, along with key strands of work being taken forward under the Stormont House Agreement in relation to advocacy, a pension for those severely physically injured and the establishment of a mental trauma service. The implementation of the Together: Building a United Community strategy was also discussed. Those discussions included the recently published good relations indicators and the application of an outcome-based approach to monitoring and evaluation. Mr de Greiff will now prepare a report on his findings from the visit, which will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2016. Our Department will give his advice and recommendations due consideration.”
“Officials from our Department met Pablo de Greiff, the UN special rapporteur on truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence on 11 November 2015. The purpose of the visit was to offer an objective assessment of the various initiatives undertaken to deal with the legacies of the Troubles. Discussions focused on the holistic approach being taken to improve services for victims and survivors here. Those focused on the victim support and individual needs programmes and our Department's ongoing collaborative design programme, which we have undertaken in conjunction with the Commission for Victims and Survivors and the Victims and Survivors Service. The programme aims to ensure a level of service provision that better meets the needs of victims and survivors.”
“Government alone cannot solve the big challenges that we face, but, working in partnership across parties, Departments and agencies with communities, individuals, families and the private sector, I know that we can make Northern Ireland great. Let us have a vision that we all can share: support our small businesses while growing the economy and attracting foreign direct investment, protecting people and tackling educational underachievement and social deprivation. <BR /> <BR />I have a passion for people and a passion for positive change. I hope that you will accept the hand that I extend to you today and work with me in pushing forward a positive agenda for bringing hope and a better future to South Belfast and Northern Ireland.”
“I want to work with DFP to look at innovative ways, including examining the rates system, to encourage and incentivise investment in those areas so desperately in need. One example is across our urban village areas in south Belfast. There are high levels of poverty, dereliction and vacancy. I am looking forward to working further with areas such as the Lisburn Road in developing the business improvement district and helping our urban villages and centres such as Finaghy and Stranmillis. <BR /> <BR />I know from speaking to my ministerial colleagues that there is a commitment to building a robust economic future for Northern Ireland. Small business is a key part of that.”
“We have worked closely with great organisations such as the Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) to develop policy to support small business. We were, for example, the first region across the UK to introduce the innovative scheme of small business rate relief. We are also conscious that much more can be done to support small business as we emerge from the difficult economic downturn that devastated so many. That is why we are looking closely at a range of further proposals to help further and support growth in the sector. <BR /> <BR />South Belfast is a diverse constituency, where the best and highest quality can be celebrated, but where challenges and poor outcomes can so often overshadow.”
“That is my hope and aspiration for the present and future of our beautiful land, but to achieve it requires focus and attention. I will strive tirelessly to make Northern Ireland work, to move Northern Ireland forward and make a better future for all, regardless of faith, politics, sexuality, race or gender. <BR /> <BR />Today's Adjournment debate is on rates in south Belfast. Northern Ireland is a country of small business. It is a country that, through the worst of the Troubles, was supported and lifted up by the many thousands of family businesses that built our economy when others would not or could not invest. Small business was a strong foundation that, through our darkest days, lifted us up, and that remains so today. <BR /> <BR />The DUP is proud of its record on supporting small business.”
“There were many who lived and worked in my constituency in hospitals and on the front line, as paramedics and as firemen and women, and in the army and the police, who dealt with some absolutely horrific things, and did so with the utmost care and compassion, regardless of background, creed or faith. What a debt we owe those public servants. And I know, absolutely for sure, that I do not want anyone to live through such a thing again. <BR /> <BR />One of my favourite poets said that the past:”
“Through my previous role, I had the great privilege to meet many thousands of people from right across the political and community spectrum, and, to me, one thing is clear: whatever divides us from time to time is so much less than that which we have in common, and that which separates us is nothing when compared with the strong bonds that hold us together. So, what is this common thread? Hope, hard work, compassion and a mutual aspiration to build, from the ashes of our past, a strong and better future. <BR /> <BR />Last night, I watched the very moving 'Nurses on the Frontline' documentary. What a testament to strength, resilience and the power of endurance over adversity.”
“I pay tribute to his work. I wish him a long and happy retirement and trust he will spend many happy times with his wife Lynda and children and grandchildren from whom he gets such joy. I hope to do his legacy proud, to be a strong advocate for all in South Belfast, to work tirelessly to make a positive difference across the constituency, and to help bring about a better and brighter future in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />In Northern Ireland, we are a people of strong and oft-times opposing views, not just on constitutional issues but on many others across the spectrum of political ideology.”
“It gives me great pleasure to speak today on the issue of small business rates in my beautiful and diverse constituency of South Belfast. I am humbled to have the privilege to carry on the mandate of my predecessor, Mr Jimmy Spratt, who retired due to serious ill health. Jimmy spent most of his career in selfless service in the RUC before entering the world of politics, where he proved to be a robust representative for the people of South Belfast.”
“OFMDFM wishes to develop the new strategy through co-design and engaging with Departments, external stakeholders and children and young people throughout the process to gather views, test assumptions and develop an agreed approach. <BR /> <BR />The Bill has highlighted the need for better cooperation in this vital policy area. The range of outcomes that we wish to achieve for our children and young people can be realised only if we all work together. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“If the Bill is supported by the House today — I understand that it will be — that will be only a first step. Consideration will be required of how cooperation can be promoted and integrated working supported. A key element of that will be getting the next children and young people's strategy right. Work is already under way in the Department on the next strategy, given that the existing one concludes in 2016. It is therefore timely that this legislation has come into play. The new strategy will be expected to consider the key issues facing children and young people and outline how government will work collaboratively to improve the well-being of our children and young people.”
“I absolutely welcome the Bill — it is a useful contribution to that — but we will continue to work our hardest to ensure that there is willingness at all levels to cooperate and collaborate fully on these important issues.”
“As the Member is aware from many long hours of negotiation, I am not somebody who gives way very easily. <BR /> <BR />I do not think that we really want there to have to be a statutory duty for people to cooperate, and I suppose that that is what I am trying to get at. A statutory duty in that sense is the last resort. We want agencies and Departments to want to work together to reach better outcomes for our young people. I believe that, in the work that we have carried on through the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, we see that change starting to permeate across Departments and agencies. I think that it is a change of culture, as opposed to one necessarily of statute.”
“In my view, the Bill is entirely in line with the work that we have been doing in OFMDFM on collaborative design or co-design, as it is known, and on collaboration on a cross-departmental and cross-agency basis. It is in that context that the Bill is, if I may use the term, pushing at an open door. I am confident that it can be mainstreamed in the next Programme for Government because that is the context in which we are developing a range of new initiatives.”
“That should provide greater clarity for bodies wishing to pool budgets and ensure that the practice is not undermined by poor procedures. <BR /> <BR />I turn briefly to the points raised by Mr Attwood. On the good relations and equality duty, the relationship between section 75(1) and (2) is well established, and I know that the Member is well aware of that. I am confident that there will be no difficulty. Section 75(2) is, of course, without prejudice to section 75(1). However, the good relations duty is a severable duty on all public authorities. Sometimes, that can be overlooked, but I believe that the perceived tension between section 75(1) and section 75(2) can easily be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Mr Attwood asked about mainstreaming.”
“The strategy and progress reports must focus on continually improving well-being. That is all the more welcome as the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has been at the forefront of some exciting and innovative work in driving forward outcomes-based monitoring and outcomes-focused policy development. <BR /> <BR />The Bill provides potential opportunities for authorities to pool budgets in order to carry out activities that improve well-being. In a time of reduced budgets, it is important that Departments consider innovative ways of achieving outcomes with less funding. We welcome the amendment tabled by the Finance Minister that will allow DFP to produce further regulations on the issue.”
“It is clear that the Bill's intention is to ensure that organisations work better to deliver better outcomes to support better lives. The definition of well-being in clause 1 is welcome, given that it aligns closely with the current children and young persons strategy. It also provides a clear purpose to the duty to cooperate prescribed at clause 2. The issue of well-being in our policy work is something that we are actively exploring for further application. <BR /> <BR />The Bill places a number of duties on the Executive. They will be expected to introduce arrangements to promote cooperation, to develop a new strategy for children and young people and to report on progress in the achievement of key outcomes. In each of those duties, it is important that the focus remains on the well-being of the child or young person.”
“The early intervention and transformation programme has also involved a number of Departments working on the co-funded delivery of better outcomes for children. It is now important that we work together to turn that good practice into common practice.”
“Those goals transcend normal departmental boundaries, and, in fact, I believe that they transcend normal party political boundaries. <BR /> <BR />No Department, agency or organisation can on its own improve the well-being of our children and young people. The issues facing our children and young people are so vast and varied that an holistic approach is required, and cooperation and collaboration are key. Of course, there are already examples of good practice in government. The Delivering Social Change framework driven forward by the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister has encouraged Departments to work closely on the delivery of schemes such as the family support hubs, the numeracy and literacy scheme and the nurture units, delivering over £36 million worth of anti-poverty programmes in the last four to five years.”
“The Bill before the House today is now clearly focused on ensuring that all relevant bodies work together to improve the well-being of our children and young people. We understand that the Office of the Legislative Counsel has supported the work on the amendments and informed the thinking of officials and the Member as the Bill has been revised. As always, the expertise and knowledge of counsel is greatly appreciated, and the Bill is better for its valued contribution. <BR /> <BR />OFMDFM, the Executive and, I am sure, everyone in the Assembly want to see our children and young people achieve their potential. We want them to be healthy, achieve in education, have time and space to play, experience economic well-being and contribute positively to society.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important matter. First, I commend Mr Agnew for the work he has undertaken to bring the Bill to Final Stage. He has acknowledged that there were some serious initial concerns about the Bill, but we appreciate that it has been significantly revised since it was introduced in December and that many of the amendments were a result of Mr Agnew's constructive collaboration with the sector, with Departments and particularly with the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. There is no doubt that the Bill has been improved by the amendments, and many of the concerns that were raised by Members at Second Stage have now been addressed.”