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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“Until they materialise, however, it is only a dream and something that is written on paper. <BR /> <BR />My constituency is probably the one out of all 18 constituencies that has had the fewest social houses built in the past number of years. Anyone who has listened to the debate will know that every party in the House feels strongly about the issue, which affects us all. It affects everyone throughout our communities. It is not about talking around the Chamber but about grasping the reality. Minister, there is a crisis, and we must suspend the scheme for now. I urge the House to support the motion until such times as the figure of 9,000 or 9,500 materialises as actual houses. I should say that I would like to see it go much further than the figure that has been put out there.”
“This is not about preventing people from owning their home; the SDLP has largely supported the positive concept that that has been for some years. I have family members who bought their social house and benefited hugely as a result of that. They have put their children through university and done many other things. When the supply is not there, however, we have to look after what we have. The House needs to note that very quickly indeed. <BR /> <BR />We have huge housing challenges ahead of us, but the motion before us is the right one, given the circumstances that we are presented with. We must suspend the scheme until we have houses built. At the minute, all that we are looking at is a figure of 9,000 houses, and we are saying, "Let's build houses. Let's build houses".”
“We need to ensure that, if we are to sell off stock, we replenish it, reinvest and build. That has not happened for years. We have heard for years about the need to build houses. Thankfully, following his appointment, Minister Givan has, in recent times, finally grasped the nettle. The Government have finally woken up and realised that there is crisis and difficulty in our constituencies. When people cannot get housed, we are in severe difficulties with the confidence that people have in the House. <BR /> <BR />The figures are stark and have been repeated throughout. As an MLA in a rural constituency, I share the very real concerns articulated by Michelle Gildernew. I also listened to the MLAs from the cities, and it is the same there. The solution is to build houses.”
“Another mother, who is separated from her husband and has three children, two with learning disabilities, is homeless and has nowhere to go. She came to my office — she may have attended Sinn Féin's office in the same constituency — begging —”
“In my constituency and in many constituencies, particularly those represented by the Members who have spoken so passionately in the Chamber today, the reality hits hard. There is no availability of social housing. <BR /> <BR />In the last week, a mother with five children came to me. Due to financial difficulties, her house had been repossessed, and she has nowhere to go. She has a son at university in Liverpool who cannot come home for Christmas because she does not know where she and her other four children will be. When she presented to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, she was told that she had 120 points. Even if she had 150 points, she still would not be housed, because there is no available housing.”
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in today's debate, and I thank Fra McCann for bringing this forward. It is a very important debate, and it is one that we could all talk on for a considerable period. <BR /> <BR />The DUP Member has missed the point of this. My colleague certainly did not say that this is about removing the opportunity to avail oneself of owning a home; it is about the reality that we are in. We are in a housing crisis. We are in a housing crisis. We are in a housing crisis. The Minister needs to grasp that very quickly. I note, from the statements that he has put out in recent months, his vision to build 9,000-plus new social houses across Northern Ireland.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer and your attention to the issue for a long number of months. It has been going on for nine months. Will she confirm to the House that she has got to the bottom of the issue? Will she also confirm what the overall figure is and who was at fault for the scandal in the trust?”
“Does the Minister recognise the invaluable contribution that the GAA has played in communities such as mine? What is the Minister doing to promote and support the enhancement of the sport going forward?”
“Minister, is it the case that no Fresh Start moneys will be allocated to the NCA to tackle organised crime in this financial year?”
“I will not. The SDLP cannot accept amendment No 1, which was tabled by the DUP. However, we see no reason to reject amendment No 2, which was tabled by Sinn Féin. Therefore, I urge support for the motion and for amendment No 2.”
“We have never supported any violent organisation. To use your former leader's phrase, we have "Never, never, never" supported violence, and we will never support violence. I totally reject Mr Poots's comments. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the SDLP —”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Allister questioned the actions of a party in the current Government. <BR /> <BR />Mr Poots, my party leader, Colum Eastwood, and many Sinn Féin Members discussed disclosure. Let me make it very clear that disclosure is not a one-way street: it is not just about the British Government; it is about the many violent organisations that existed also coming forward with the truth. The SDLP has been very consistent in relation to that. <BR /> <BR />In answer to a point that Mr Poots made about my party leader, let me be very clear that the SDLP has never in its entire existence supported violence.”
“I have a lot to get through. Chris Lyttle, from the Alliance Party, criticised the Fresh Start Agreement and the lack of action flowing from it. He stated that we need to redouble our efforts in tackling the past. He specifically mentioned the important work of stakeholders in pushing the agenda to Stormont. <BR /> <BR />In a very emotional statement, Doug Beattie gave a personal account of victimhood and mentioned his Uncle Samuel. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP leader stated that we cannot leave victims behind and said that there is a great need to solve the issues of the past. He said that disclosure is crucial and that everyone involved has responsibility for that. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCann passionately questioned the integrity of the current Secretary of State and gave a considerable analysis of his view of him.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Frew outlined the DUP's position, stating that there needs to be a holistic approach to dealing with the past and that this must be a matter of urgency. I do not think that any of us will disagree with that. <BR /> <BR />Mike Nesbitt, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, gave some personal accounts of the issues facing victims and highlighted the importance of having support mechanisms in place for the many people and families impacted by the past. He further stated the need for a three-pronged approach of truth, justice and acknowledgement. I think that we can all agree with that approach.”
“I will not. We have witnessed stall after stall, and it has become clear that there is little appetite for full, rigorous and comprehensive unearthing of the past among the governing political parties or from Westminster. Some simply have too much to hide, and some have too much to lose. <BR /> <BR />I turn to Members' individual contributions. From my party, Alex Attwood, in moving the motion, noted the importance of dealing with the past in its many manifestations. He questioned the budget made available through the Fresh Start Agreement, which is insufficient to have any meaningful impact, and he urged support for today's motion calling for the Executive to act as a matter of urgency.”
“I will not; I have a lot to get through. <BR /> <BR />There is not much prospect of implementing the Stormont House Agreement due to the historical and, perhaps, more recent acts of some political parties and the lack of willingness to unearth the truth. The Stormont House Agreement provides for some £30 million to deal with the past. We all know that that is nowhere near enough to deal with the demand for services. Due to the Troubles, hurt, pain and suffering are embedded in our society, as evidenced by the fact that requests for services go up by almost 30% year on year. As more and more people come forward, there is not the capacity to deal with such demand for justice services, health services or social services — services that, 18 years later, should be in place.”
“<BR /> <BR />Against that backdrop, it beggars belief what the past can bring up and what has been hidden, but there seems to be little appetite for such emanating from Whitehall, nor is there much prospect of implementing —”
“These people still need closure on the deaths of their loved ones. <BR /> <BR />The British Government also have a lot to answer for, as Mr McCann mentioned very passionately: the internment of hundreds of innocent civilians without due process, trial or charges, and the litany of human rights abuses carried out by the British state behind closed doors in places like Castlereagh. We have the so-called hooded men, a shoot-to-kill policy used against innocent civilians, and we have had atrocities such as the Ballymurphy Ten and Bloody Sunday. That is not to mention the dealings of operatives such as Freddie Scappaticci — agent Stakeknife, as he is known — who was an alleged high-ranking British agent in the Provisional IRA who was responsible for an estimated 50 murders.”
“<BR /> <BR />While political parties and the British state all say that they are committed to the idea of some sort of truth and reconciliation, none of them really wants their own past to be dredged up: all of them have something to answer for. Sinn Féin hides behind the mantra that the IRA no longer exists, despite the gross atrocities that the IRA caused, while others have questions to answer, none more so than in relation to the Omagh bomb in my constituency. It raises the question of what exactly Sinn Féin is scared of. What skeletons are still left in the cupboard? What about abuse cover-ups? What about Jean McConville? What about the disappeared? The IRA inflicted great pain and suffering across the North and on its own people, yet Sinn Féin is still found wanting in answering the most fundamental questions.”
“We have witnessed inquiries into the grievous crimes committed on Bloody Sunday, and we have had other inquiries and investigations by the Historical Enquires Team and the Police Ombudsman, along with a number of inquests and civil cases, all leading to limited prosecutions. <BR /> <BR />There has been a series of political attempts to address the legacy of the past, most recently with the Eames/Bradley talks, right down to the proposals in the Stormont House Agreement. Eames/Bradley was a high-water mark in providing the most coherent and effective way forward in scale, powers and ambition, but, in each subsequent conversation or round of talks, this threshold has been degraded substantially, and we have to ask ourselves why.”
“<BR /> <BR />Needless to say, the Troubles resulted in a terrible loss of life; too many families are still seeking truth and justice for the deaths of their loved ones 18 years after peace has been delivered. In the years following the Good Friday Agreement, we have seen very little agreement on many, many issues. There is little common ground between the Government parties about how and what we commemorate, remember or, perhaps, conveniently forget and, significantly, who should be called to question, either legally or morally, for the many deaths, injuries and atrocities.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this all-important debate. Over 3,500 people here were killed and thousands more were injured during those very dark days. Local businesses and livelihoods were destroyed, and sectarian entrenchment deepened to an unprecedented scale, which, in homes and throughout our communities, we are still living with today in the politics of the North. The British state responded heavily and, in many cases, unjustly. Many civilians suffered physically through maiming and disability, while, for many others, the mental flashbacks continue to haunt their very existence. An estimated 200,000 people were impacted in some way by the Troubles, and they are struggling to access basic care and support services. I have seen this at first hand in my constituency and home town of Strabane and throughout West Tyrone.”
“I will indeed. I think we are all aware of the points and how it affects our constituents on the ground and that the fines are far too heavy.”
“Yes, it is taken on board, but I think it is a wholehearted debate in relation to parking generally.”
“Every council area has a different approach to this. I am aware of some that have provided free parking, and it has worked considerably well. That puts those town centres at a distinct advantage over, for instance, mine in Strabane or Omagh. We need to address this, and a more local approach needs to be taken. I believe there could be some accommodation. As Glyn Roberts said today, it would be hugely welcome.”
“Absolutely, there are certain areas. I remember a particular redcoat in the Strabane district who was almost handing them out like raffle tickets at one stage, and her colleagues had to pull her back slightly. It damages those people's safety as well, and it is deeply frustrating having been on the tail end of it on one or two occasions. <BR /> <BR />I fully support providing the first 30 minutes free of charge, as it would be of huge benefit to town centres such as Strabane and Omagh. I am being parochial, but I am sure that, right across the board, not many will disagree.”
“We have all witnessed to some degree, redcoats, as they have been called in the House, handing out tickets for the slightest mistake. That causes concern for people, particularly those who may have difficulty in getting back to their car, whether they are elderly or a mother shopping with her children during the day. They might be 10 minutes over and have to pay a significant fine as a consequence. Is that realistic or necessary? Absolutely not. It is more about the approach to handing out fines. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that many people in my constituency have questioned the integrity of parking enforcement officers. I am sure that redcoats' jobs are not easy. They are doing what they are told to do, but some go way beyond that; you would almost think that they were commission-based.”
“<BR /> <BR />Turning to the motion, I am not wholly against on-street parking restrictions because they are vital for the proper flow of traffic through cities and town centres, particularly in Belfast where there is considerable congestion. Each and every area has its own circumstances and, as the Member for Fermanagh said, different councils have taken different approaches. For instance, in the immediate aftermath of the reforms, Derry and Strabane District Council took away the five-hour car parking slot for £1. Omagh District Council kept it, but, having spoken to traders in Omagh, I know that it has caused them considerable difficulties with turnover and flow. There are considerable concerns in that regard. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned that fines are not handed out in a fair and proportionate way.”
“Ironically, that Chair followed his party and voted against this amendment, yet here we are today with the DUP spinning busily around the proverbial roundabout proposing this motion, which it could have prevented four years ago. It is all very well saying that we are very concerned now, but it is four years too late when many people have been facing considerable stress in relation to what is a £90 fine. <BR /> <BR />Make no mistake about it: it is a £90 fine, because although there is a 14-day window, and that is the issue, many people who are paid monthly and are struggling cannot afford to pay that fine within two weeks. No one in the House will disagree with that. I ask the Minister to consider that when he reviews these circumstances.”
“The debate is an important one, and I am glad that it has been brought to the House. <BR /> <BR />On-street parking is vital for many of our towns and villages in managing the flow of traffic effectively and supporting the local economy by providing parking access to our town centres. It is vital that this balance is struck proportionately and that people are not penalised for wanting to shop in town centres that are facing considerable challenges in trying to keep their heads above water in a very difficult economic climate, particularly in my own town. <BR /> <BR />I must remind the Chamber that, in 2012, fines were increased from £60 to £90 and that the then Regional Development Committee Chair moved a motion to block that change.”
“I am delighted to speak on the motion, not only as the SDLP spokesperson for infrastructure but as someone who, like many in the House I suppose, has been at the tail end of the odd fine now and again. I almost feel that I own a part of the tarmac in the car park outside my office in Strabane. <BR /> <BR />As we approach the busy Christmas period, this is a debate that we should be having. It is a very important one and is an issue that causes considerable frustration to many throughout our constituencies. It impacts heavily on those who are less financially well off, particularly the elderly, as Mr Humphrey mentioned, and single parents — people who are struggling to keep their heads above water or, in what will be a very cold winter, put fuel in their oil tanks at home.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will he agree with me when it comes to these closures? We are now seeing a further eight Bank of Ireland branches close, on top of the original 19. The chief executive told us last week that the bank in Castlederg in our constituency was in profit, as was the one in Belleek. Does the Member agree with me that this is about profit and not people?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I would not say that it is complaining; it is delivering a message from the ground and I am sure you have heard it loud and clear at this stage. You have talked about what the benefits will be when Brexit comes, and Brexit has not yet come. What are these great benefits that you are telling us about?”
“I ask the Speaker to review those comments, to make a ruling on whether they were in order and, if he finds that they were not, to ask the Minister to withdraw his remarks and apologise in the Chamber.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. During the Finance Minister's answer to a question during Question Time, he made comments about a former Member of the House and a current SDLP public representative.”
“There is nothing petty about £8 million a year, Minister.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer, but she has not answered my question. Minister, it is now September, and we still have no figure for the shortfall, we still have no solutions, and we still have no explanation. What is the figure? What is the solution? What happened in the trust? Where has the money gone?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer so far. He highlighted public confidence. Is the Minister not concerned that, following the revelations surrounding a former party colleague and the alleged coaching of a witness due to appear before the Assembly Finance Committee, any investigation undertaken by the House might be compromised due to political involvement? Is he not also concerned about the allegations linking him to the coaching of the witness concerned?”
“In England, you can get on a train, travel anywhere with no difficulty, there are the necessary halts and there is accessibility. We are completely and utterly disconnected, and that needs to be appreciated in this debate.”
“The rail infrastructure in the North is not fit for purpose, and if we genuinely want to compete internationally for investment and boost local tourism, airport rail connectivity plays a central role and it is up to the Minister to lead on this. Minister, I believe that you could lead fully on this and set the bar very high.”
“Although today's debate focuses solely on Belfast International Airport, we must also consider rail connectivity to the other regional airports: Belfast City, and the City of Derry. At the former, the Sydenham halt is about half a mile down the road from the airport, and you often see passengers with suitcases walking along the road in very dangerous circumstances. That is not acceptable, and it is my view that the halt could be moved adjacent to Belfast City Airport, with an over-road accommodation bridge for foot passengers. I would welcome the Minister's views on this and whether a feasibility study has been conducted. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, I support today's motion.”
“We know that, since 2012, it has cost £1·5 million, despite being used only in an emergency. I ask the Minister, rather than pay for a railway line that serves little purpose, to invest in and pay for a railway line that serves the North and its people. The Minister has also said that in order for the service to become economically sustainable there needs to be 10 million passengers per year, which is 5·5 million short. From the population projections, the airport will reach 10 million by 2035. I ask the Minister if it would be better to invest now rather than pushing the issue down the track for another day?”
“It would also allow for far greater west to east train connectivity because the Knockmore line would link Belfast International Airport and Derry. There is also potential to link Derry with Dublin for a train journey that would last three and a half hours. We have considered the infrastructure deficits in the west including the failure to develop the A5 and the A6, and I have spoken clearly about them since I was elected. Expanding the limited rail infrastructure could go some way to alleviating the regional imbalance. My constituents and the people of the west have suffered for decades. <BR /> <BR />We must also consider the cost. It has been estimated that re-opening the Knockmore line may cost in the region of £100 million. I ask the Minister how much it has cost to maintain the line in the 13 years since it was closed.”
“It also has the potential to assist with the growth of tourism through the provision of direct access for air passengers and would offer a long-term sustainable public transport alternative for accessing Belfast International Airport. It would reduce congestion and provide important environmental benefits, as articulated by other Members. <BR /> <BR />Over the past number of years, there have been several proposals put forward on establishing a direct line to Belfast International Airport including reopening the Knockmore line through the construction of a rail spur to provide a halt serving the airport. If operational, the Knockmore line would enable the airport to be accessed directly from stations across Northern Ireland through connecting with existing services from Lisburn to Belfast or Portadown and from Antrim to Belfast.”
“It should be our ambition in Northern Ireland to seize the opportunity and reap the many benefits that airport and rail connectivity can bring. <BR /> <BR />As we consider the Programme for Government and the infrastructural needs, it is my view that a modern Northern Ireland must have modern rail infrastructure and we must ensure the continued development of a modern railway system throughout the North and across the island. Minister, the fact that, in 2016, we do not have a rail link to Belfast International Airport or any other airport is nothing short of scandalous. Any airport rail link to and from Belfast International Airport has the potential to stimulate economic growth not only in Belfast but throughout Northern Ireland.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in support of the motion, and I thank the proposers for bringing this important issue to the House. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP supports improved connectivity between all our airports and rail services. Access to airports through direct railways is a hallmark of most major European and international cities and is essential to expanding Northern Ireland as a business and tourist destination. Airport rail links are vital to any European city and any country that must compete for inward investment. Over the summer holidays, like many in the House, I have been abroad. I have been to London and Barcelona, and it amazes me how connected public transport is and how efficient the services are.”
“Just last week I attended the funeral of a gentleman in my constituency, but by the time I got back from his funeral, four people had called my office to ask whether there was any possibility they could get that house. "Desperation" is the term we must use. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that today is the starting point of the new Assembly term, and I am glad that this issue has been raised for debate. There exists serious need for new social housing, and it is my view and the view of the SDLP that such need can be met only with new builds.”
“I know of a mother of three children — she is very young and single — who went into a hostel. She has been there for eight months, and there is no sign of having her housed. She is in desperation and is living in very poor circumstances. I have been speaking to staff in the Housing Executive. Morale is at an all-time low. One lady said that she has worked for the Housing Executive since its foundation and has never seen things as bad. <BR /> <BR />In most instances, temporary emergency accommodation is provided, but that can be anywhere across Northern Ireland, which removes the family and friends' support structure that exists. Things are very, very bad.”
“Given the chronic waiting lists for social housing and the rise of homelessness in Strabane, I am glad that the Minister has finally taken notice and is directing some resources to Strabane by committing to build 105 new social housing units in the area. But that is only the tip of the iceberg and will not resolve the impending crisis. I want a commitment that these proposed builds will happen on time, and I stress the need to the new Minister for further new build programmes across the entirety of the west Tyrone area. <BR /> <BR />Turning to the selection process, which has dominated today's debate, there are some serious issues with it, and I see them every day. As other Members highlighted, these are very real issues in our communities, and I will give you a few quick examples.”
“In fact, the waiting list in my constituency is, as articulated by others, at an all-time high, with 1,400 people on waiting lists and 600 deemed to be in housing stress. There has been little or no reduction in those numbers in the last 10 years. That is a reflection of the failure of the House to meet the most basic needs of our community. <BR /> <BR />It is of no surprise that, since 2011, West Tyrone has had the lowest number of new builds of any constituency across the North. That has left many individuals and families, especially those with young children or suffering disability, in a state of anxiety and depression.”