Danny Kennedy
Newry and Armagh · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />I know the circumstances that we are in, but my hope is that departmental officials will continue to explore these issues and find solutions so that, at the earliest point, those solutions can be delivered to my constituency and to the people who have such frustration with the lack of service.”
“This situation is also prevalent in other rural areas of Northern Ireland. People in areas such as Lissummon, Ballygorman, Cladymilltown, Altnamackan, Loughgall, Mullaghglass and countless others, unfortunately, all of which are located in my constituency, find themselves in a position currently where they are provided with little or no e…”
“I, with others, receive regular contact from my constituents on this issue. It is abundantly clear from the representations that I receive that the lack of broadband provision, particularly in rural areas, impacts in many ways on families and businesses that reside in various locations across the constituency.”
“Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I thank you and the Business Committee for affording me the opportunity to debate the issue of broadband provision directly relating to my constituency of Newry and Armagh. I also place on record my good wishes to you as you leave the House, and I wish you well for the future.”
“The lack of high-quality broadband, for instance, has an impact on the ability of many rural businesses to function efficiently, placing them clearly at a disadvantage to other competitors in their particular field.”
“I could continue to detail many more circumstances, but I want other Members to contribute and to hear what the Minister has to say. I take this opportunity to make an impassioned plea to the Minister to pursue, within a quick time frame, the network improvements that are so clearly required.”
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“I thank the Minister for giving way. I have listened intently to what he has said and understand completely that it is not a devolved matter as such. Nevertheless, are there any ways in which we can improve that situation, even by making representations to, and getting acceptance from, the Westminster Government on the greater devolution of powers over such issues, particularly broadband and its provision in rural areas?”
“<BR /> <BR />I know the circumstances that we are in, but my hope is that departmental officials will continue to explore these issues and find solutions so that, at the earliest point, those solutions can be delivered to my constituency and to the people who have such frustration with the lack of service. The Department should give priority to improving our local network, within an urgent time frame, to ensure that we do not continue to fall behind others who are investing heavily in their respective networks. I am pleased to have had the opportunity to address the House on this important issue. I know that the Minister takes it seriously and that his officials are working on it. My hope and plea, on behalf of the many constituents all over my constituency of Newry and Armagh, is that better service is provided as quickly as possible.”
“I could continue to detail many more circumstances, but I want other Members to contribute and to hear what the Minister has to say. I take this opportunity to make an impassioned plea to the Minister to pursue, within a quick time frame, the network improvements that are so clearly required. We are living in an age where the world is heavily dependent on digital services. Frankly, it is not acceptable that so many households in my constituency, and across Northern Ireland, find themselves at a clear disadvantage to others as a consequence of being unable to avail themselves of high-quality broadband provision. Unfortunately, the development of our broadband network in Northern Ireland appears to be well behind that in other parts of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and parts of Europe.”
“They are not getting anywhere near that service. People are asking why they are:”
“Some people have expressed themselves tired of phoning BT to come and sort it out; others are concerned about having to change over to satellite broadband. Yes, alternatives are advocated — I have no doubt that the Minister will speak to those — but, in some cases, those have proven to be much more expensive, so we need to look at that. Realistically and properly, some people are asking:”
“Aligned to that are the costs. People have said:”
“On social engagement, people have reported:”
“Some have even been timed out from completing government sites, which is bizarre and should not be the case. The comments on education are very similar:”
“That means that they have to travel to those alternative locations. <BR /> <BR />Many utility suppliers ask for payment of bills online. Again, families in rural areas are hindered in completing such tasks as a consequence of poor access to broadband coverage. Even communicating with family and friends who reside elsewhere in the world has proven difficult because of this situation. <BR /> <BR />I want to relay some of the stories and comments from those impacted most by this in rural parts throughout my constituency. I have quotes here from the business community:”
“The lack of high-quality broadband, for instance, has an impact on the ability of many rural businesses to function efficiently, placing them clearly at a disadvantage to other competitors in their particular field. This undoubtedly places additional pressures on such business owners, discouraging them from remaining in their current rural locations. <BR /> <BR />Also, poor-quality broadband provision has a negative impact on the quality of life enjoyed by families who live in rural areas of my constituency. Students find themselves unable to complete homework or assignments because of insufficient broadband coverage, and they have to depend on alternatives in their schools and colleges, or on other facilities such as libraries or cafes, to access or download materials required to assist their studies.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have met a number of community groups in my constituency regarding the problems that they experience with broadband provision. In one instance, over half the residents in the Lissummon/Ballygorman area, a strongly rural part of my constituency, find themselves in a position where they cannot receive a service of two megabytes per second, whilst over 90% are unable to get 10 megabytes per second. This is far from satisfactory, and it compares very unfavourably with UK and Northern Ireland comparable data. <BR /> <BR />There is clearly an urban/rural digital divide in the quality of broadband provision offered, but deep frustrations also exist regarding the lack of detailed information provided by the Government and BT regarding broadband improvement plans for rural areas.”
“This situation is also prevalent in other rural areas of Northern Ireland. People in areas such as Lissummon, Ballygorman, Cladymilltown, Altnamackan, Loughgall, Mullaghglass and countless others, unfortunately, all of which are located in my constituency, find themselves in a position currently where they are provided with little or no effective broadband provision. Whilst there has been an indication that some postcodes located in those areas will be included in future broadband improvement projects, the reality is that many families and business owners who reside in those areas have no confidence in the ability of the Executive or of BT, as the network supplier, to deliver on their promise to provide the necessary improvements required. For the avoidance of doubt, I should place on record that I am a former employee of BT.”
“I, with others, receive regular contact from my constituents on this issue. It is abundantly clear from the representations that I receive that the lack of broadband provision, particularly in rural areas, impacts in many ways on families and businesses that reside in various locations across the constituency. The Minister will know that I have raised this matter frequently with him and with previous Ministers. Indeed, I recently met officials from the Department for the Economy to discuss this very issue. <BR /> <BR />It is clear, however, that my constituents remain deeply frustrated by our Executive's failure to achieve swift progress in delivering an efficient and high-quality broadband service. There can be no doubt that a serious deficit exists in the quality of broadband offered to rural areas of my constituency.”
“Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I thank you and the Business Committee for affording me the opportunity to debate the issue of broadband provision directly relating to my constituency of Newry and Armagh. I also place on record my good wishes to you as you leave the House, and I wish you well for the future. I sincerely hope that this is not the last time that I address the Chamber, but, as there are at least five others in the same position, I think it will be for the electorate to make those decisions. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the attendance of the Minister and his officials at the debate. It is the last debate of the current mandate, and I welcome the important fact that the very significant issue of broadband provision throughout the Newry and Armagh area is being afforded a hearing in the Chamber this evening.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Would he accept Sir Patrick Coghlin's recommendations in respect of the two panel members and endorse and confirm his choices?”
“— will take place tomorrow. Given that ETI will not be able to finalise a complete report because of the industrial action, will the Minister undertake to look at this situation to ensure that no school is left with an unsatisfactory finding and damage to the school's reputation as a result of —”
“I ask the Minister to bear in mind and look closely at the work being carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) during this industrial action period, because a school in my constituency, Cortamlet Primary School, has been informed that a monitoring inspection —”
“The early part of the Minister's response highlighted the need for the retention of GP services in Armagh and, indeed, in County Armagh. How will the Minister react and, more importantly, what will the Minister do to deal with the current wider GP crisis highlighted by the comments today by the chairman of the Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee, Dr Tom Black, warning that Northern Ireland GPs will vote to leave the National Health Service because of the crisis in the political institutions?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. The Member has, importantly, reminded the House that he did indeed serve as a DUP Minister. Mr Poots, during your tenure, were you aware of a system of collective responsibility operated by the DUP team of special advisers?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can I bring you back to the original request by the First Minister and deputy First Minister on behalf of the Executive Office to bring forward a statement on RHI today? Clearly, when that original request was made, circumstances were different, but, in a fluid situation, it appears that events have overtaken it. It is clear now that the current statement is not being made with the agreement of the deputy First Minister. Surely the item of business for which the Assembly was recalled — the joint statement to the House — would, with other items of business, then fall, allowing the second and principal item of debate, namely the motion of censure. Then, with some amendment, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party could have made her points in respect of the scheme.”
“The Minister will know of my interest in this issue. Is he in a position to state the level of commitment required to provide an adequate and effective system of broadband in Newry and Armagh, and can he indicate how much money has been earmarked for that in the immediate future?”
“We are about getting a proper inquiry into the mess in the formulation of the process.”
“Nothing, frankly, surprises me about the management of this at the top political level. This is not a criticism of people on the ground who have spent their own time on effecting positive change in communities. I pay tribute to that work.”
“In January of this year, when officials from the Department appeared before the Committee, they revealed that the actual spend had been only £4 million of an available £80 million. January 2016 was 10 months on from the original date on which the social investment fund was supposed to finish. Is that not embarrassing?”
“The social investment fund has come under intense scrutiny over the past number of months, particularly focusing on one individual. However, it is important to remember that concerns about the design and management of the process were raised as far back as 2011. In our response to the consultation on the proposed social investment fund in 2011, the Ulster Unionist Party raised concerns. We identified problems with the First Minister and the deputy First Minister being solely responsible for identifying groups and individuals to form the steering groups, which, even at that time, perpetuated the feeling that the social investment fund could be used as a slush fund by the DUP and Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />It became clear, prior to the Assembly election, that the then First Minister and deputy First Minister could not give the money away.”
“We should be abundantly clear that the mess in this has been with the establishment of the process. The public have been let down, and I think the defensiveness of the DUP and Sinn Féin reveals that they themselves know that.”
“Clearly, the Member is in winter wonderland if she thinks that Colin McCusker or any representative from the Ulster Unionist Party would do otherwise, because, at community level, that is what supporting communities is about. We do not see anything wrong with, or strange about, people behaving in that fashion, but Colin McCusker —”
“Sorry, we are saying that we have legitimate concerns around the control freakery exercised by the funding Department, OFMDFM, now called the Executive Office.”
“<BR /> <BR />This issue at stake today is not the idea or concept that addressing areas of deprivation throughout our country is in any way wrong; rather it is the maximum control freakery with which the SIF was planned and prepared by the DUP and Sinn Féin. I am happy to acknowledge the very valuable projects that SIF has supported, including the project in my constituency that was referred to earlier. I have actively supported and encouraged such projects. I pay tribute to those involved in working at the Kilcluney hub at Markethill. I feel more than entitled to attend events at Kilcluney, whether opening events or other events, because I have supported that fully and will continue to do so. We are not criticising the efforts of those at local community level.”
“It is important that we have the opportunity to debate this important issue before we break for the Christmas recess. I think that we have already heard that there are some in the House who would rather the issue was not on the agenda. <BR /> <BR />The social investment fund was intended to bring relief and hope to some of our most deprived communities. That, in itself, is a very noble thing and is supported by the majority of Members but I am afraid that it has descended into controversy and not a little farce. Whilst there are those who feel the need to try to muddy the waters today and portray valid scrutiny and criticism as an attack on those whom the fund was supposed to help, that is not the case, as those who are slinging that mud are well aware. It is at times like this that the Executive parties reveal how thin their skin is.”
“I am grateful to the Minister for her answers thus far. Is she aware of the discrepancy in the times that it takes local councils to process agricultural planning applications? For instance, in Antrim and Newtownabbey, agriculture-related applications last year took an average of 18 weeks, compared to over a year in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. Will the Minister investigate whether there are any issues for NIEA and with her ministerial colleagues?”
“It is important that the Executive, when building relationships with other nations, give consideration to the adherence to human rights requirements and make that an important factor when assessing whether to progress the relationship. <BR /> <BR />I urge those, particularly from the party proposing the main motion today — Sinn Féin, which recently rushed to pay tribute to Fidel Castro and Cuba — to consider how it might have tempered its words with a bit more condemnation of his appalling record on human rights. The liberal establishment nearly fell over itself to laud the achievements of a leader who had scant regard for human rights and those who opposed his regime —”
“The rise of ISIS and the ongoing conflict across the Middle East, not least in Syria, have provided striking reminders of the importance of the universal declaration and the need for democratic nations to continue to uphold its ideals. The images of beheadings, torture, slavery and genocide that have emerged from the region are a chilling reminder of the evil that can take hold when a nation does not embrace human rights. <BR /> <BR />Of course, 24-hour media has now allowed us an insight into the conditions in which people live in regions such as Syria and Iraq, but we must also be mindful of the more secretive nations and regimes and their failure to adhere to human rights requirements.”
“Austin Hunter was one of the outstanding broadcasters and journalists of his generation, but he was also a man of great humanity and compassion who, through his professional career, covered some of the worst atrocities of the Troubles. He did so with care and respect to those most deeply affected and with great courtesy, and I know that the House will join me in extending our sympathy to his wife, Jean, and to his family at this time. <BR /> <BR />The theme of this year's international Human Rights Day is to stand up for someone's rights today. In the past 12 months alone, we have seen the importance of defending the human rights of others as we have witnessed that there are still groups and individuals out there who hold little regard for human life.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to remember the context in which the United Nations general assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Europe, we remember, had been torn apart by war and by the genocide of millions at the hands of Hitler's Nazi regime, which had demonstrated the brutality that humans could visit upon fellow men and women, and the declaration gave the universal protection of the rights of all for the very first time. When you consider how, just a few years before, elements of humanity had demonstrated how little value they gave to the lives and dignity of their fellow human beings, you get a sense of the enormity of that moment. <BR /> <BR />One such person who cared deeply about human rights was Austin Hunter, who very tragically died over the weekend. It is right that we refer to him.”
“I am pleased to contribute to this important debate. As with others, the irony is not lost on me that Sinn Féin proposed the motion. It is sometimes difficult to take lectures from Sinn Féin on the issue of human rights, given its background. One hopes that that is in the past, but it is important that those issues are not forgotten. <BR /> <BR />International Human Rights Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved since the universal declaration was first adopted 68 years ago; what work needs to be done, both here in the United Kingdom and on an international scale; and how we can use our influence to improve the lives of people living in countries that still have appalling records when it comes to the human rights of their own citizens.”
“What additional measures could be taken to attract even more uptake to the excellent education service that is available in Parliament Buildings. Can he give a breakdown of the Newry and Armagh figures for primary and post-primary school visits?”
“Will the Member accept that most of those illustrious people whom he has named are now dead?”
“Will the Minister give examples of that? <BR /> <BR />Paragraph 13 states that the next meeting is scheduled for Dublin in 2018. Given the importance of these matters, why are meetings only biyearly?”
“I am grateful to the Minister for his statement and answers. I refer him to paragraph 9, which states:”
“I welcome the statement by the Minister. I ask the Minister whether, at the sectoral meeting, there was any discussion on cross-border rural crime, which is very prevalent in my constituency and with criminal gangs travelling up from the Irish Republic to wreak havoc on rural communities. Will the Minister undertake to have this matter placed on a future agenda and seek input from the respective Justice Ministers to address this important issue?”
“Will the Minister return to the issue of the proposed rating of empty factories and provide clarification on the size of factory and whether his proposals will include industrial units? The Minister will know that many business and factory owners also own vacant units that they hope to develop at some point, subject to opportunities being provided for them. Could the imposition of rating charges on such units serve as a negative to owners and reduce their ability to provide employment opportunities?”
“Thank you for allowing a point of order, Mr Speaker. Is it in order for the deputy First Minister wilfully to mislead the House and misrepresent the facts of a situation? When Michael McGimpsey was on the Executive as Ulster Unionist Health Minister, he supported and lobbied for the facilities at Altnagelvin Hospital but was, rightly, concerned about resource funding for that centre. In fact, his predictions that the health service was drastically and seriously underfunded have come true, and we still live with those consequences today.”
“I am interested in the replies thus far from the deputy First Minister. Will he explain why he accepts the democratic will of the people of the United States in a presidential election, when the victor did not win the popular vote, but not the verdict of the people of the United Kingdom in the EU referendum?”
“— on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Will the junior Minister undertake to ensure full participation in future reporting cycles?”
“The junior Minister will be aware of criticisms from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, the Equality Commission and others about the non-participation of the Northern Ireland Executive in international reporting cycles, for example the International Covenant —”
“<BR /> <BR />The wider point relevant to this debate is that the current system is clearly unsatisfactory but any new system must be properly and fairly structured; we must avoid, at all costs, any attempt to rewrite history.”
“On the face of it, this should have been a welcome development, except that the existence of the palm print had long been known about, and we might have expected earlier progress in the criminal investigation in the 40 years since the horrific events of Kingsmills. Understandably, families and campaigners are rightly concerned and cynical about the resulting delays and that the public hearings of the inquest are currently on hold. Clearly, this is an unacceptable situation for the families, and it must be addressed as a matter of urgency. It is time for the truth about Kingsmills to finally emerge, however difficult and inconvenient.”
“The House will know that I have long been involved in the campaign for truth and justice for the Kingsmills families, who were devastated after the massacre by the IRA of 10 innocent Protestant workers in January 1976. I again pay tribute to those families, the sole survivor, Alan Black, and the groups and individuals who have supported the campaign and their persistence and dogged determination to pursue justice. After a prolonged public campaign and battle, we eventually succeeded in having a fresh coroner's inquest convened. This has been hearing over the past few months. However, just one week into the fresh inquest, it had to be stalled because of new evidence relating to the existence of a palm print, which led to the reopening of the criminal investigation of Kingsmills.”
“Surely that would signal a lack of confidence in the proposed HIU. <BR /> <BR />We must bear in mind the people who have been left with no option of review since the Historical Enquiries Team closed its doors. Those people were patiently waiting for the HET to work its way through its caseload, getting ever closer to a review for their loved one until that hope was removed. Those people have been left in limbo. They are ageing and fearful that they may never find out the truth about what happened to their loved ones and why, and they may never have a chance of finally seeing justice done. <BR /> <BR />The present situation is clearly unsatisfactory and imperfect, and there are issues to be addressed. I want to highlight some of the imperfections of the present situation.”