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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“Does she accept — she did not answer the question — that the families of those killed and injured on Bloody Sunday are, like all other victims, fully entitled to truth and justice? Will she answer my question about what her party leader said last week?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an leasChéad Aire as a freagra.”
“To put it in context, there is a storm warning for tomorrow. Minister, you will be aware of the recently reported situation in which 11 people from Belfast were not provided with accommodation during the recent cold spell in early January. I note that you have discussed the matter with the Housing Executive. Will you go a bit further and explain the circumstances that led to that unacceptable outcome?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“I welcome reports that, in December, the footfall increased by 31% from 2024. I also welcome the success of the late-night transport services, as the Minister mentioned. Will those measures feature in the Department's vision for the eastern transport plan 2035, as it is developed?”
“<BR /> <BR />The reason that I raise this now is that a known loyalist is posting on social media that there will be a similar gathering at the council meeting later this month. No public representative from any party or background should be subject to that kind of abuse, which could turn physically abusive at any moment. <BR /> <BR />Political disagreement and free speech are part of democracy, but what we witness increasingly is not peaceful protest or free speech but targeted harassment led, to a great degree, by loyalists. Sinn Féin will not be intimidated by loyalists or right-wing gangs. We will continue to stand up for our communities and those who elect us.”
“Those loyalists and right-wing elements bring nothing but hate and disruption, but they will not stop us working on behalf of the people who elect us. <BR /> <BR />What made the situation more concerning was the lack of response from the PSNI, which was actually present at the time. No meaningful action was taken to stop the escalation of abuse or to protect those who were being targeted. Two meetings took place with the local PSNI district commander after the event in which the lack of preparation and necessary action was strongly challenged. Public representatives and members of the community must be able to rely on the police to act to prevent threats and intimidation.”
“On Monday 27 October, a mob of up to 30 people, including some masked individuals, gathered outside Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council. When the Sinn Féin councillors left, they were met with abusive swearing and intimidation. One female councillor, who was isolated and surrounded, was effectively prevented from moving forward and had to call for assistance. Sectarian insults were shouted, and the councillors were verbally abused for not wearing poppies and were called "rats" again and again while those people walked behind them. <BR /> <BR />That was not a peaceful protest. It was a loyalist-coordinated attempt to intimidate those who were elected to represent their constituents. Many Sinn Féin elected representatives have faced threats before, as have elected representatives from other parties.”
“The Minister knows that this is much wider than a data breach. I think that he pointed out at the beginning that the police are vastly under-resourced. Can the Minister outline what steps he is taking to support the Justice Minister and Chief Constable's call for additional funding for the PSNI?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo.”
“— I think. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has been in post for 18 months, and, as yet, we have no date for the language strategy for the North. I can tell you that Gaeilgeoirí across the North are getting very frustrated and concerned that it will not come at all. Can he give a firm commitment, or tell me when he will be able to do so, on when that strategy will be brought to the Executive?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra —”
“Minister, as was mentioned by the previous Member who spoke, intimidation points were done away with in, I think, March. I agree that they were being abused, but, in situations such as the recent case, in which it is obvious that there was intimidation — indeed, the police have said that the UDA was involved in such intimidation — and a specific threat, is there a method of accessing housing? Obviously, we need the points process for everything else, but I am worried that, having removed intimidation points, we have nothing with which to replace them.”
“While I understand that the PSNI also requires mutual aid to come here on occasion, the sight of the PSNI being used to arrest peaceful protesters in London at the weekend has given rise to deep concern. That is especially so given that senior members of the Conservative and Labour parties are talking of increasing draconian measures against protesters in Britain and possibly here. I understand what the Minister said, but can she give her view on any further proposed legislation to attack the right to peaceful protest, especially by rolling back human rights safeguards, which was discussed by both parties in the media over the weekend?”
“<BR /> <BR />The failed Tribeca — I hate the name as well, just for the record — development is a lesson in what can happen when development is handed over to private businesses without accountability. The people of this city deserve better. We deserve a city centre that belongs to us. It will have a snowball effect. It is a huge site of 12 acres that will spread out and attract tourism, nightlife and all the rest of it. I think that everybody is united in arguing for that.”
“Save CQ has sent thousands of letters objecting to the wrong type of development. The group is advocating for social homes and safe play areas to be included in any development and for developers to engage with artists and with the culture sector, which is essential to our city. Save CQ is rightly calling on developers to develop, not demolish, a lot of our heritage. <BR /> <BR />The Department for Communities and the Minister have the vesting powers and the regeneration powers. I think that the Minister spoke about that earlier. I agree that the matter is not just for the Assembly and the Minister; it is also for the council, which has showed leadership on all of it. If the developer cannot develop what it promised, those powers should be used.”
“The area is a site of absolute dereliction. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Rooms is one of the most historic buildings in the city, and it was left abandoned while developers chased profit. The building is where Henry Joy McCracken was sentenced in 1798, and it should be restored and respected as an important part of our history, whatever our view of history is, not left to fall into disrepair. Belfast City Council, as I understand it, is at the contract stage of purchasing the building and bringing it back into the ownership of the people of Belfast, which is what we should see done with the entire area, at least where that is possible. We expect completion soon. That is the leadership that we need. <BR /> <BR />Community groups have also stepped up where developers have failed.”
“Nuala mentioned — she did not use the term — land banking, and that is what Tribeca appears to be. Land banking does not only happen here, but the Tribeca site is a huge example of it. Companies will flip the land when the price goes up, after which somebody else will hold on to it for a long time, waiting for the right opportunity to make the most money from selling it on. We have to look at that and see what we can do about it. <BR /> <BR />I read some of Castlebrooke's stuff. The company said that it was frustrated: it is not as frustrated as the people of Belfast. Who pays the price for the delay? It is not the developers in London but the people of the Belfast. As has been mentioned, small businesses have been pushed out of the area. Others have been brave enough to stay, and fair play to them for doing so.”
“Consensus has broken out, so I will keep this short. There were a couple of points that I really wanted to make, but some of them have already been made. <BR /> <BR />I thank Phillip Brett for bringing the topic to the Chamber. It is opportune. Planning permission was granted in 2020 for what was sold as a £500 million regeneration scheme of the Cathedral Quarter, whereby 12 acres of the city centre were meant to be brought back to life with homes, offices and shops. Five years on, however, nothing has happened, as other Members have said; in fact, planning applications have only been withdrawn. No real step forward has been taken; promises have not been kept; and the site lies idle. <BR /> <BR />I agree with all that has been said about Castlebrooke Investments. Unfortunately, that probably goes for a lot of huge investment companies.”
“Sinn Féin also believes that implementing Patten's recommendation number 40 on enhanced oversight — that there should be a commissioner for covert law enforcement in the North — would add a layer of scrutiny and could be a practical safeguard against further unlawful practices.”
“Public trust, especially among those targeted, has been badly damaged. That trust will only be rebuilt by firm, transparent and time-bound accountability. <BR /> <BR />The Chief Constable has stated that there are no criminal and no misconduct issues. However, given the gravity of these issues, it is my view that the Policing Board should follow through with a section 60 inquiry under the Police (NI) Act 2000 to fully examine the issues that have arisen in the section 59 report that we have received. I believe that we need the whole truth to restore public confidence in policing.”
“Those were unnecessary, disproportionate and, therefore, unlawful. The report identified 24 applications that appear to have been made with the purpose of identifying journalists' sources. The applications relate to nine investigations that involve 1,014 telephone numbers. The deliberate use of covert intelligence to identify journalistic sources, and surveillance activity in and around court buildings, are particularly egregious. Policing can never be above the law. Recognising the gravity of what has been revealed, the Policing Board, on a cross-community basis, has treated this as a section 59 report from the Chief Constable, which is unprecedented and underlines the seriousness of the failings identified. <BR /> <BR />There is much more to consider in the 200-page report, including lack of disclosure and candour.”
“Let me begin by stating that I am a member of the Policing Board, but I do not speak for it today. The McCullough review report sets out a stark assessment of the PSNI's practices around the surveillance of journalists, lawyers and others. Sinn Féin welcomes the depth of his work in uncovering the scale of activity and also recognises the limitations of what he could access. It is now clear that some elements of the PSNI's defensive operations include:”
“I think that the First Minister has already alluded to this, but will she do everything that she can to continue to commit to supporting the development of the Irish language? There is much more to do.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as an fhreagra sin.”
“All of this emerged from the sterling work done by two other journalists, Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney, on the Loughinisland massacre. Instead of being lauded for what they had done to bring out the truth about what happened there, they were pursued by the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />MI5 is not an accountable organisation, but it needs to be made accountable. Freedom of the press is, of course, critical to a democratic society and democratic governance. The issues with the PSNI and MI5 have been raised a number of times with the Chief Constable and at the Policing Board. Where there are accountability mechanisms for the PSNI, at least we have the ability to use them. Where is the ability to stop the surveillance, interference and illegality by MI5?”
“A Cheann Comhairle, as you will know, it was reported in the media yesterday that MI5 conceded that it had obtained information from well-known journalist Vincent Kearney's phone. It was also said that that was an unprecedented admission, and that is true: I cannot remember MI5 ever admitting anything. While the admission was unprecedented, from its foundation MI5 has been doing that all along. It is part of its raison d'être. The question is this: who else? Are there other journalists whose phones or laptops are being tapped? Is it politicians? Is it lawyers talking to their clients or even judges? In case that sounds a bit out of kilter, remember that it is not so long ago that the PSNI was checking journalists' phones every six months.”
“She has probably answered the supplementary question that I was going to ask, but I thank her for taking up the issue of the Crumlin Road crossing. To add to what Brian Kingston said, it is a very fast road. There is a huge retail park there now, and lots of people have to cross to it from the other side of the Crumlin Road.”
“The Minister may have answered most of this: although we may get the statistics later on, would the Minister like to expand on the benefits of hybrid working?”
“I am sure that the First Minister is looking forward to the day that the Ulster final will be played in Casement Park. In the next couple of weeks, we will see the semi-finals, albeit it in Croke Park. I just thought that, since we are heading into the recess, she might want to make some comments about the semi-finals coming up.”
“I welcome the detail in the Minister's answer. Will she give her assessment of the racially motivated violence that we have seen on our streets recently?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chéad-Aire as a freagra.”
“The Minister will know that the lifestyle framework is intended to provide coherent life stage-specific support from early age to old age, but, as he will also know, stakeholders argue that the draft strategy has diluted its ambition. Will the Minister outline whether the draft strategy includes robust measurable commitments for each life stage? Does it maintain genuine co-design input?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a fhreagra.”
“Further to what she said, does the Minister agree that, at a time when parents are skipping meals so that their children can eat, as highlighted by the Consumer Council, it would be unconscionable to place further costs on top of their bills?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a freagraí go dtí seo.”
“I remember that he had a diplomacy and a patience, which perhaps some of us, including me, did not have, when he was talking to people with whom he clearly disagreed, but he always exhibited great diplomacy and showed respect to others across the board, and he was respected for that as well. Even when he was disagreeing with people, they never went away feeling annoyed at having had a conversation or, for that matter, a debate with him. He understood the value of dialogue, and he proved that throughout his long life. <BR /> <BR />He will be sadly missed by his family but also by his party. As you pointed out, Mr Speaker, he was there at the beginning, and he laid the foundations for the growth of that party. I send my deepest personal sympathies to his wife and family.”
“In 1997, he became a councillor, and he was also on the Alliance talks team on two very important occasions in his life: when setting up the previous Assembly and this Assembly. He was a mayor. He was clearly respected in the type of jobs that he got. He ended up in charge of the Alliance Party for a period just after 1998, and he was then, of course, an MLA. He was the leader of the Alliance Party for a few years. He was clearly a stalwart of his party and is well remembered for that. As was pointed out, he was very passionate in his beliefs, as he should have been, and was very proud of the party that he was involved in.”
“, we come from a certain age, as you pointed out earlier. I knew Seán from 1998. Moving towards that time, I first met him in about 1996. I start by sending my condolences to the party and his grieving family at this moment. <BR /> <BR />I was looking at some of the stuff over the weekend that people were sending in. When I was reading some of the things that were written about him, it showed the type of respect that people had for him. I had not realised that he had been a teacher in St Comgall's High School in Larne. That is probably where he got his diplomacy and patience to become a politician, because he had more of both than do many of us here. <BR /> <BR />He had a long history.”
“Will the Minister update the House on any discussions he has had with the British Government on the possibility of changes to the two-child limit?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a fhreagraí go dtí seo.”
“I welcome the Minister's confirmation last week that further engagement with stakeholders will commence in the coming weeks. That provides a valuable opportunity to ensure that everyone's views are heard and that the scheme, when it comes forward, works for everyone.”
“Those are important considerations that cannot be overlooked. While pedestrianisation can enhance the public realm, improve safety and create more pleasant spaces, which are the intentions, it is essential that any scheme works, as far as possible, for everyone. That means recognising the needs of businesses on Hill Street, which rely on regular deliveries at different times, and how they will be affected, and ensuring that access remains available for people with disabilities and others who need it. <BR /> <BR />I support the pursuit of a workable and fair solution. It is important that the concerns of businesses on Hill Street, as well as those of other stakeholders, are fully listened to and addressed as plans develop.”
“I feel like calling for equality between those of us who have seven minutes and those of us who have five minutes, but I will not need that long. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate on the pedestrianisation of Hill Street and, indeed, Gordon Street, which was also mentioned. I also welcome the clarity that Minister Kimmins provided on that important issue during Question Time last week. We can all agree that any plans for pedestrianisation must take into account the views and needs of those who will be directly affected. Last week, the Minister outlined that concerns have been raised by businesses — as she has explained today, concerns are different from objections — including about access for people with disabilities. I know that the Member will agree with that.”
“Thank you, a Phriómh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle”
“I will be very brief. The Member said that he was not being facetious, but I presume that he is aware, because he has been following the issue, that the Minister made it clear last week, in answer to a question in here, that the scheme was not delayed because of costs?”
“Before I move on, may I bend procedure, just a little, in order to welcome the Holy Cross Boys' Primary School's school council and teachers who are in the Public Gallery? <BR /> <BR />Will the junior Minister detail the criteria that will be required to be met in order to be part of phase 2 of the Urban Villages programme?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire shóisearach as a freagra.”
“Will the Minister expand a little on how the new simplified procurement process helps local small businesses to access public-sector contracts?”
“<BR /> <BR />The two Governments' proposal, as I said earlier, might not be successful, but bringing in an independent expert to look at the issue afresh is the thing to do. It will do little harm and will possibly help. There will be a conclusion and a report at the end of the study, and we can look at it then and talk about it during it. Again, let me emphasise that there must be a short time frame. Give it a chance. I urge Members to vote for the Sinn Féin amendment.”