Daniel McCrossan
West Tyrone · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Member for giving way. She has raised some points of interest. Aside from the Bill at hand, the Department of Finance currently collects rates from property owners across Northern Ireland. I have found that there can be difficulties with that when properties have been lying vacant for a significant period.”
“That applies in particular to those who have been land-banking over a period of time — that happens everywhere, unfortunately — with the hope that the big cash cow will be coming and, ultimately, they will be relieved of their responsibility to maintain, look after and enhance the landscape in a town or village by spending the necessary f…”
“As is often the case when we speak in the House, it may be that some ratepayers or members of the public will take it as a given that the Bill will be the silver bullet that will resolve the dilapidation issues in towns. Depending on which area you are in, the scale is very different.”
“We need to be creative in how we can put the Bill to task. <BR /> <BR />Certainly, as I have said, it is good policy. I have no question that the Bill is well intended.”
“<BR /> <BR />Addressing dilapidation is not simply a matter for local government in isolation. The responsibility lies with the Executive as a whole. The Executive have had their eyes closed to this matter for too long, and many of our buildings have deteriorated significantly across council areas over a long period.”
“That encourages private investment, and there is natural enhancement from those investors. However, in areas that lag behind because of economic decline, underinvestment and general deprivation, many towns and cities can quickly become the poor cousin.”
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“Our Minister stood firmly, even on Friday, defending the system, but here we are today. I will say again that I welcome it. Our young people are relieved; they are happy that we are in this situation. The reality is that, when it comes to university places, a huge number of our young people have been rejected. Again, on Friday at the Committee for Education, the Minister told me that he was assured by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) that young people would not lose university places. That was incorrect. I was not out of the Chamber two minutes before a spate of emails told me otherwise. Who is advising the Minister on this? He is severely off-track. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the Minister's apology, given publicly to teachers and young people, but, Minister, we need to go further.”
“It is a situation that downgraded students from a grade C to a U, and then, at 7.00 pm on the night before the results were released to young people, they were told that it was an anomaly. Young people are not anomalies. Their futures cannot be hung in the balance of an algorithm that has not been tried or tested.”
“However, early yesterday morning, the Minister said that we could trust teachers' judgement when it came to GCSEs. Then, by 4.00 pm, it was, "We'll trust teachers' judgement in terms of A level and AS level now as well". How our teachers have been treated is intolerable and unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />The House needs to do what is right for the people whom we represent, not follow London. Have we learned nothing from the chaos of Brexit or the Government? It is vital that, at all times, we put the interests of the people whom we represent first. That brings me to an important point: I want the Minister to tell us whether he will produce the formula or algorithm to the public to be checked. That is what caused the situation to begin with.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reality is that, even given all the concerns that were raised, the Minister and Justin Edwards, the chief executive of CCEA, were determined to see that system out, to die in a ditch for a model that was untried and untested and to stand by an algorithm that no one has even seen. That brings me to a fundamental point: I asked on Friday, as I have done for months, for the algorithm to be produced for checking. We are now sitting on Tuesday and the public have not yet had sight of it. Why is there a huge cloak of secrecy surrounding the processes of CCEA? There are serious questions about the processes that determined grades — they have not been checked — and dismissed the judgement of teachers. I had to listen all week to Justin Edwards, the chief executive, saying that teachers' judgement could not be trusted.”
“Thanks very much for your intervention. You will note — this has been acknowledged by the Minister and the chief executive of CCEA — that I have raised considerable concerns about it. Throughout the past few months that have led to today, I was told by the chief executive and the Minister that it was a work in progress and that they would get a model that, they felt, would work. It turned out, from information that was received shortly after that date, that that was not going to be the case. From that, I raised concerns over Zoom with Justin Edwards, the chief executive, and I realised at that stage that we were on a slippery slope.”
“The reality is that young people will pay the price for that. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I am glad that you have moved, but I regret that it took Boris Johnson or London to move first. That really begs this question of the House: are we here as public representatives of the people of the North of Ireland, Northern Ireland or whatever you want to call it? Are we here to represent them, or are we to take our lead from London? Are we here to put first the best interests of our young people and teachers, or are we to follow the British Government and their agenda? There are really serious questions about what has happened here. Yes, we are in a better position today than we were in yesterday, but huge damage has still been caused. Damage has been caused to the mental health of young people. Teachers have been offended and annoyed.”
“The reality of the situation that we are in today is that young people in our respective constituencies, whom we represent, have been let down and failed. I welcome very strongly the Minister's move, in the first half of the day, on GCSE and, in the second half of the day, on A level and AS level. I just regret that it did not happen sooner and that the concerns and worries of young people, teachers and academics across Northern Ireland and further afield were ignored. <BR /> <BR />I raised considerable concerns with the Minister and CCEA, as did others. David Canning has been a huge support and help to me in that regard. At a very early stage, when exams were cancelled, we realised that there would be huge difficulties in trying to roll out the system. It is a system that has failed and confirmed our worst concerns.”
“I will, shortly. <BR /> <BR />After months of warning the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and the Minister about the concerns that were being shared with me, I was very frustrated to see that the Minister and the chief executive of CCEA were adamant that they would continue, quite determinedly, down the line that they were going, which has absolutely disadvantaged quite a number of young people. <BR /> <BR />I thank the various parties that signed the recall petition. It is vital that we are having the debate, and although the debate has shifted somewhat, serious issues remain that must be addressed.”
“The system failed them incredibly, and after —.”
“I welcome the Speaker's confirmation that we will have an opportunity in September, hopefully, to pay tribute to him. He was of such significance to this place that only history will properly reflect it. <BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, I asked for the support of parties to recall the Assembly today, very importantly to ensure that the concerns shared by young people, parents, teachers and the public across Northern Ireland could be heard and that we, as a House, could speak and act on that. I am delighted, however, that, late yesterday, the Minister moved from his original position to a position that we had discussed in detail over the course of the past months, particularly in the past week. What happened this week to 28,000 of our young people, particularly the 11,000 students and young people who had their grades downgraded, was unforgivable.”
“Before I speak on the motion and the amendment, it is important to follow on from the comments made by the Speaker in relation to the former SDLP leader, MEP, MP, MLA and peacemaker, John Hume. It was with great sadness that we learned of John's death . He had been unwell for some time, as many will have known. Unfortunately, in the circumstances that we faced during COVID, we could not give John the send-off that we would have liked, albeit that he got a really lovely send-off in his home city of Derry. I know that many would have loved to have lined the streets, paid tribute to him and comforted his family, and many would have loved to have said thank you to John for the huge sacrifices that he made that, undoubtedly and absolutely, benefited each and every one of us and the children of this society.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I welcome you back to your duties after being off for a few months and I wish you well in resuming those duties. I also thank the Assembly and parties for supporting the recall petition that I felt was so absolutely necessary in order to have the debate today. <BR /> <BR />I will start by —.”
“Again, Minister, I want to put on record my thanks to you for your leadership on the huge challenges that have been thrown at you since you were appointed as Health Minister. I ask you to reinforce your message on hand sanitisation. Hand washing is very important, and it is important that that message does not get lost or fade. <BR /> <BR />In relation to mental health services, Minister, you will realise that, throughout the pandemic, a huge number of people have been very badly impacted. People are fearful and anxious, and all that feeds into their mental ill health. What extra funding will there be, if any, from the £600 million from Westminster COVID-19 moneys that might support mental health services that are so badly in need of it at present?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for providing updates to the House during the pandemic, particularly on the important issues that continue to be raised. <BR /> <BR />On elective care, specifically orthopaedic surgery, the Department received an additional £90 million earlier this year and the Executive will receive a total of £600 million of new money from Westminster to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. What total additional funding will be allocated to elective care to ensure that surgery and appointments take place? Also, will the Minister update the House on what work has been done, aside from the important task of tackling COVID-19, to ensure that waiting times are reduced from the four- or five-year period that people have been told about?”
“Has the Minister considered a similar scheme for here or funding for schools here to ensure minimal disruption to schools, to ensure that we minimise the risk to our children and our staff and to ensure that schools will not have to close again if these actions are taken?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Educational underachievement has been a huge issue here for a long number of years and one of great concern. The issue will clearly have been compounded by the huge interruption to education during COVID-19, and that will add to considerable concern for schools. There is concern, and the Southern Government and the Minister for Education there have taken action to make €370 million available to fund 1,000 teachers, 125 new additional educational psychologists, new buildings, enhanced cleaning regimes, hand-sanitising and personal protective equipment (PPE).”
“When a wrong has been made, the best way to make that wrong right is to apologise and admit that a mistake has been made.”
“I am not sure that the deputy First Minister or her party fully understand the depth of damage that has been caused to the credibility of these institutions. <BR /> <BR />I appeal to the vast majority of people who have abided by the regulations to please continue doing so to ensure that each of us is kept safe. Do not allow this to derail your commitment to fighting the virus and looking out for each other. In spite of the breach of trust that has taken place, please stay with us. <BR /> <BR />I ask the deputy First Minister, and I know and acknowledge that she and her party colleagues have had a great loss as well, to please acknowledge the loss that the rest of us have also endured and suffered, and that we could not attend those funerals, and please apologise.”
“<BR /> <BR />For a party that claims ownership of the idea of republicanism, the principle that all citizens are equal and that everyone be afforded the same opportunities and treatment under the law, the actions of those Ministers are a great betrayal of that ideology. That is what has annoyed so many. There cannot be one rule for those who govern, and another for the rest of us. <BR /> <BR />The motion is an opportunity for those who breached the public health advice to acknowledge the additional hurt and pain that has been caused to those who have already endured hardship throughout the COVID crisis. It is a further opportunity to apologise for the actions that have damaged the credibility of the Executive's public health messaging.”
“<BR /> <BR />I think of colleagues in other parties in this Chamber, such as Edwin, who have experienced the loss of a loved one and were not able to share their pain with family members in the way that we normally would, and the sacrifice that he and his party colleagues have also made, in terms of attending the funeral of his late father. <BR /> <BR />It is a matter of profound regret that, having asked so many to selflessly put their personal paid aside and to act to keep each other safe, members of our Executive, including the joint head of Government, could not share in that sacrifice, and that is what is at the heart of today's issue. It just seems to many out there that there is a hierarchy of pain that Ministers in Sinn Féin have created.”
“I think that we should reflect on the scale of the sacrifice that every single Member present here today has asked the people in our respective communities and constituencies to make on a daily basis. <BR /> <BR />I think today of my colleagues in the SDLP who were lifelong friends of our dear friend John Dallat, a former Deputy Speaker of this House. We were denied the opportunity to say goodbye and honour his contribution to our island, to our peace and to his people in East Derry. We made the decision that our pain, our needs and our grief had to come second to the public health advice that we have all committed to, and asked others to do the same.”
“The sacrifices that those families have had to make are immeasurable and will stay with them for the rest of their life. I have seen this at first hand across my constituency in West Tyrone, where grandsons, granddaughters, nieces, nephews, cousins, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, neighbours and friends were unable to attend the funerals of loved ones and friends. They are doing that on the advice given to them by our Executive every week. <BR /> <BR />The motion is about recognising the immense pain and hurt that has been caused to people in all our communities, who were asked to make significant sacrifices in the interests of protecting friends and families.”
“Only this week, the US special envoy Mick Mulvaney praised our efforts in curtailing the deadly virus on these shores. I am proud, as an MLA for West Tyrone, of that fact that the actions taken by the Executive and in the Chamber have had, and continue to have, life-saving consequences for the public and have saved countless lives. <BR /> <BR />We have made a massive impact on stopping COVID-19 here, and that is due to the many sacrifices that people have made during lockdown, as instructed by our Executive continually, week in and week out. Those personal sacrifices will continue to have a massive toll on people, and that is especially the case with funerals. Many families have had to say goodbye to loved ones, with no wake, no physical mass and no funeral burial at all. We have all become accustomed to that during COVID-19.”
“Thank you, Mr Temporary Speaker. I absolutely acknowledge that there is grieving family, but I also acknowledge that there are many grieving families whose grief has been compounded by their inability to have a traditional wake and funeral, which are so important to the fabric of our society. The SDLP recognises the grief of the Storey family and we do extend our thoughts and prayers to them at this time, but this debate is not about the Storey family. It is about us, as an institution, practising what we preach to ensure confidence in the House, in our Executive and in those who lead our Executive. <BR /> <BR />The lockdown restrictions have not been easy for many people, but the vast majority of people across the North have heeded the advice that we, as an institution, gave.”
“Your Department needs to resolve this", when, in actual fact, this could and should be resolved by the Executive, given that a significant amount of money has been returned because businesses have not availed themselves of the grants that were put out over the past months. <BR /> <BR />If we are serious about delivering for those in the haulage industry, taxi drivers and driving instructors, let us work together to do it, instead of pointing the finger across the Chamber at Ministers who have worked very hard to ensure that the voices of those who fell between the stools have been heard clearly throughout the entire pandemic.”
“I will not. <BR /> <BR />DUP and Sinn Féin logic would almost suggest that, because councils are responsible for granting licences for pubs, for example, we should expect councils to pay the grants for bailing out pubs and businesses. <BR /> <BR />We need to get to the facts, and the facts are that the Department for Infrastructure's statutory functions do not include the power to create grant support for hardship or loss of income to those sectors. Youse know that. So why are we standing in the House today pointing the finger and saying, "You need to resolve this, Minister Mallon.”
“Well, I am sure that I and other Members and those watching would like to think that, given RHI, that is a bit of a loose statement to make. It would give Sam McBride much to write about when he looks at how money has been spent beyond COVID-19, if that is the attitude of certain parties as to how public money is to be rolled out. I would hope that lessens have been learned.”
“No, I will not. <BR /> <BR />Singing from the same hymn sheet about who is responsible for the grants being rolled out. <BR /> <BR />I note that although Mr Boylan jumped to his feet today to acknowledge that it is a cross-cutting exercise, in the same breath he said that he was not going to support the amendment — an amendment that provides a resolution to the issue and ensures that there is some delivery. I am, at least, pleased that his colleague Ms Anderson acknowledges that it is a cross-cutting issue and that it has to be resolved by the Executive. <BR /> <BR />Mr Frew, I have often listened to your interventions in debates, but, today, I am somewhat worried — actually, I am alarmed — about the intervention that you made because you said that there is plenty of money in the coffers; they have not dried up.”
“They should be recognised in the Chamber for the vital work that they have done and continue to do. They should not be subject to a political point-scoring exercise, where the issue is clearly a cross-cutting one that needs to be dealt with by the Executive. There should be no pointing the finger at my colleague Minister Mallon, saying, "You must do this", when people in the Chamber and, in particular, on the Infrastructure Committee, rightly know that it is not her responsibility to address the issue of grant funding to bail out taxi drivers, haulage companies or others. <BR /> <BR />I am not sure why two parties in particular are perched up like two hummingbirds singing from the same hymn sheet —.”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. I was lining up for the interventions for this. <BR /> <BR />First, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate, which is an important one. I agree with the substance of the motion, which is that there are substantial gaps in support for taxi drivers, driving instructors and bus companies. I want to put on record that the transport sectors have been very important in getting us through the pandemic. Many people who work in transport have been key workers in every sense in ensuring that vital medical supplies were delivered to vulnerable people, that supermarkets were appropriately stocked and that many elderly and sick people were able to attend appointments, scans and other medical procedures.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that a lot of frustration among principals and teachers is due to the lack of clear communication from the Department of Education and the Education Authority?”
“We can talk about the start and the end of the school day, but it starts when the child leaves the house in the morning and ends with the child's return. If we are to talk about social bubbles and social distancing in schools, we need things to be put in place to ensure that, whilst on school transport, children are kept at a sufficient distance to ensure their safety. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I will finish on this. Personal protective equipment (PPE) has caused some confusion. You are on record as saying continually that there is no real requirement for it to ensure the safety of staff and pupils. Why is it that other scientific and medical advice has suggested that it is absolutely essential in a confined space, be that on public transport or in other areas? Minister, will you accept that it is a vital —?”
“Guidance has now been provided, although I do not agree with the method by which it was provided — through the BBC largely — but, now that they have received the guidance, the principals' big question is this: "How do we implement the guidance? How do we ensure the safety of staff and pupils if we are not being allocated an extra pound or penny to ensure the safety of staff and pupils?". For the public to have confidence in the safe reopening of schools and to ensure that children are safe and staff are comfortable returning to schools, we need schools to be safe and to have the money to put in place the necessary resources for that aim. <BR /> <BR />School transport, Minister, will be a huge issue.”
“I have addressed that issue with you, and I appreciate that you have recognised that there are issues that need to be addressed there. Other countries have reopened their schools successfully and employ cleaners on a full-time basis to ensure the health and safety of staff. If social bubbles are to work without there being rigid infection controls, there has to be no cross-contamination. That will be difficult to ensure, especially if areas such as toilets are not regularly cleaned. Schools need more guidance and reassurance on the issue, and it should not come at added expense to already stretched or overstretched budgets. <BR /> <BR />Principals say, "We want guidance that is clear".”
“Thank you, Minister, for accepting my concerns about children. I do not want to comment on the antics of the Executive, because, believe me, you would not like what I have to say. <BR /> <BR />Those are all questions that have, so far, not been answered. They are all massive issues to be addressed if the plan is to work and be successfully implemented in nine short weeks' time. <BR /> <BR />The concern that I have is that teachers and principals have again been thrown in at the deep end and expected to bear a huge amount of stress in order to solve the many problems on which they have been asking for clarification since lockdown began. It is not fair that our teachers and principals continue to carry the burden of such stress. <BR /> <BR />It is imperative that there be additional cleaning staff in schools.”
“Principals have not even been told what measures can be introduced to increase class sizes or teaching space. That brings me to a fundamental point.”
“One of the main concerns surrounds the Minister's plans for a one-metre social distancing rule in schools and plans to create bubbles where that is not possible. At the same time, teachers are expected to maintain a two-metre distance. It does not make sense, particularly with younger children, who may be distressed, need comforting or whatever and will need the attention of the teacher. The two-metre rule will be very difficult. School principals have rightly called out the measure as being unworkable and believe that classrooms can accommodate only 50% or less of the class under the guidance. That is especially the case for many rural schools, which are traditionally smaller. Many are already oversubscribed. <BR /> <BR />The Minister's guidance also encourages schools to make use of all available space.”
“I am glad that the concerns I am sharing here will have such an invaluable impact on the education of our children. However, whilst we are talking about the Executive, if every Department is funded fairly — I absolutely include the SDLP in that, instead of the carve-up between the big two — I will be a happier man. Thank you for your intervention. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to the Minister's plans, which were published last week, on the reopening of schools. The SDLP has engaged with principals and teachers from across the North of Ireland where considerable concerns have been raised. They believe that the guidance has been insufficient and that they have not been given enough time to properly implement the Minister's plan before the end of August. That has been shared with Members from across the House.”
“That is another worrying figure. That margin is shocking, and it is one that we cannot allow to continue. <BR /> <BR />While it is clear that all children have lost out over lockdown, it is especially the case for those from socially deprived backgrounds. The SDLP believes that a catch-up programme paid for by the Department of Education is essential to ensure that no child is left behind. I, therefore, urge Members to support the SDLP amendment. It is important that we do everything we can to support all children in education. However, the most disadvantaged must be looked after. It is reprehensible that the two governing parties in the Executive continue to fall out over the simplest of things and our children lose out as a consequence of that.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Institute for Fiscal Studies published a report in May stating that children from more affluent families spend 30% more time on home learning each week than children from more deprived backgrounds: a shocking figure. The Education Endowment Fund also published a report in June this year that adds weight to the claim, and it states that the impact of school closures on attainment:”
“It shows that 25% of parents do not have access to a printer at home. The report states that there are significant connectivity issues caused by poor broadband provision in many parts of Northern Ireland. Collectively, those issues have prevented many children from progressing their education over time. The SDLP believes that it is incumbent on the Chamber to do something about that. Despite the Minister's roll-out of electronic devices, which was very welcome, the fact that it was done in late June has meant that catch-up has simply not been possible. It is vital that we acknowledge that poverty has had a major impact on the education of our children and that impact has been exacerbated in the past four months.”
“Although I agree with the contents of today's motion as proposed, I believe that it is missing a key component. The key component is ensuring that all pupils return to school on an equal footing following the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the last number of months, it has become clear that many pupils face limitations in accessing online courses and receiving tutoring. It is important for the Chamber to recognise that poverty prevents many children accessing online teaching and that many parents cannot afford private tutoring. <BR /> <BR />Dr Noel Purdy from Stranmillis University College published a report in June this year that sheds some much needed light on the issue. It states that only half of the children in the North have access to devices capable of accessing online courses for schoolwork.”
“They commit every fibre of their being to improving the educational outcomes of every child across the North. I fully and wholeheartedly condemn any elected representative or member of the public, for that matter, who brings the teaching profession into disrepute or criticises the huge efforts and contribution that they make to our society and the education of our children. Those comments have been unhelpful, upsetting and inappropriate, and that has been shared with me by many teachers.”
“They have been active in ensuring that as many children as possible have access to distance learning and they have been planning rigorously for a return to the schoolroom and to teaching our children. I want to make it abundantly clear and put it on record that our teaching workforce is made up of very hard workers. They have not been on holiday; they have spent the last number of months preparing and ensuring that children continue to be educated with the resources available to them.”
“Thank you, Mr Temporary Speaker. I know that it is unusual for so many of us to be looking to speak at this time of night, and I have a two-hour drive beyond the end of the debate. It is good to see you in your temporary post up there. It is almost as if the naughty boy in the corner has been put to the front of the classroom for being bold, so it will keep you well behaved. <BR /> <BR />As SDLP spokesperson for education and as MLA for West Tyrone, I welcome this opportunity to move today's amendment on what is an extremely important, emotive and difficult issue facing many principals, teachers and parents across the North. <BR /> <BR />I want to start my contribution by acknowledging the vital role teachers have played, and continue to play, during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Minister, thank you for touching on those issues. I welcome the reopening of society; I just want the guidance to be crystal clear. Until now, it has been as clear as mud, and that is the issue for our society. We need to be clear about what the regulations mean as we ease the lockdown.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will finish on this point: it becomes very, very frustrating for me each and every day to take calls from the public and not be able to clarify their concern or question because we have not received the information that is necessary to do so. If we are serious about ensuring confidence in this House and this Assembly, particularly when people's lives are at stake, let us get the finer details and the most simplest of things right at least.”
“Even with one-metre restrictions in place, which I welcome, there are still significant risks because our schools will be expected to reopen. There is no extra money in the budget, there is no money in place to protect staff or ensure the safety and health of our children and young people. That is the point that I am making overall. <BR /> <BR />For us and for the public to have confidence in this place, in our Executive and in us as legislators, if we are going to make announcements and continue making them to ensure that our society can unlock itself and emerge from this safely and to prevent a recurrence or spike of this infection, we need to provide all the details clearly and remove any ambiguity around what is expected in the guidelines.”
“I know that many MLAs will have heard from schools in their constituencies about the lack of guidance on the reopening of schools that gives confidence to principals, teachers, parents and people who work in the school environment that, when schools can be reopened, the health and safety of people in the wider school environment can be ensured. When guidance and regulations are being drip fed through the BBC, that also damages confidence in the House and the Executive. <BR /> <BR />It is not acceptable that principals and teachers are hearing about what is expected of them when they are expected to ensure the health and safety of children. They will be the first who will be exposed to large groupings of young people in schools, in small classrooms.”
“However, I will point out a glaring frustration that I had today. In recent months, we lost John Dallat, a man who was a public representative for 40 years. My SDLP colleagues could not attend his funeral because we respected the regulations that were in place to ensure the population's safety. We did that, importantly, to show leadership and that it was wrong to go there and put others and ourselves at risk. We are expected to show leadership, folks. It is very frustrating that, across the House, certain parties say one thing at the pulpit on a Monday and do something entirely different on the Tuesday. It damages confidence in the House and these institutions. <BR /> <BR />There are big concerns about the guidance on education.”