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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“<BR /> <BR />I note that the Finance Minister is not here in person, although we appreciate the presence of the junior Minister, who has updated the Assembly on the Department's work. It is important that we ask the Finance Minister what action he intends to take and what response his Department will make to the report. That is important. From a recent response that I received to a question to the Minister, it seems that the only action that has been taken to date is simply sharing the report with the Treasury and meeting the Chief Secretary in April to press for action. The Finance Minister also circulated the report to Executive colleagues and encouraged business groups to lobby Westminster themselves. That is all noted, but let me be blunt: that is not a plan. It is ducking and diving.”
“They warn of reduced hours; job losses; in some cases, service cutbacks; and, all too often, closure. The Ulster University Economic Policy Centre's cost of doing business impact report, which many Members referenced during the debate and which the Department of Finance commissioned, spells that out clearly. Northern Ireland faces some of the highest cost pressures in the UK, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, care, retail and the voluntary sector. A typical hospitality business could face significant increases of up to £73,000 in labour costs, which is enough to put any of them out of business. That is not just a figure in a report; it represents people's livelihoods and the viability of local services hanging in the balance.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank all the Members who have contributed to this important debate. We have heard a reflection of the concerns being raised to each of us, collectively, by businesses across Northern Ireland that are being pushed to the edge by rising costs and of the fact that action to support them, particularly at Executive level, has been far too slow or, in some cases, non-existent. <BR /> <BR />In a recent survey by Retail NI, 96% of businesses reported that they felt that the Executive were doing nothing to support them. That is a damning indictment of how the Executive are failing to support our local businesses across this place. We in the SDLP have listened to what businesses in every town and village across the North have told us.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you for allowing a point of order. I apologise to you, Mr Speaker, the Minister for Infrastructure and the House for not being in my place to ask the first question of Question Time. I will not make a habit of it. I apologise.”
“I am not sure why the Members across the way are clapping. Many people, including the 49,000 people who are on a housing waiting list and the 38,000 in housing stress, will be very concerned about parts of the statement. The Minister has declared it a crisis but funded it like an afterthought. Minister, you have admitted that the budget will fund only around half of the social homes needed to meet the Programme for Government targets — your targets. How do you justify calling it "a crisis" and then not putting your money where your mouth is?”
“Every time that there is an accident or a death on the A5, it re-traumatises the families who have gone through the dreadful, terrible, painful, devastating loss of life when mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, neighbours and friends have not returned home. <BR /> <BR />The A5 was closed for 10 hours on Saturday. The bluegrass festival in the folk park was cancelled on Saturday night. The Tyrone and Donegal game was delayed. The road impacts on every part of our life. We need the upgrade, we need to protect people who travel on the road and we need to ensure that no one else dies on the A5.”
“Last week, I witnessed a number of accidents. This week, we witnessed a serious accident that claimed another human life. Fifty-seven people have died on that road since 2007. How many more deaths will there be on the A5 before the upgrade is delivered? No section of the road is safe; unfortunately, every part of it has now claimed a human life. It is the most dangerous road on these islands — there is no other way to describe it. I understand that, across my constituency, those whose land and businesses are affected have concerns about the development of the A5, but none of that really matters when it comes to the loss of human life. The knock on the door of every one of those families is devastating beyond all words. It is unexplainable. Sadly, it continues.”
“Over the weekend, another serious collision occurred on the A5, just next to the Ulster American Folk Park. As most of us do at various times to go about our business, Bernie Cranley, aged 82, left her home in Lifford. She travelled on the A5 and, sadly, did not return home. She died a short time later as a result of that accident. Another lady, who was in the other vehicle, remains seriously ill in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Once again, we are seeing the worst possible consequences of travelling on the A5. First and foremost, it is vital that we send our thoughts and prayers to Bernie Cranley's family and to the family of the lady who, hopefully, continues to recover in hospital. <BR /> <BR />The A5 continues to put people at risk on a daily basis, and our public's patience is wearing thin.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I find it fascinating. I am sure that he would like to send pretty much most Members in the House across the border if he had the opportunity to do so. You may not agree with this, but I think that your mantra should be, "Brits in, and everyone else out".”
“I thank the Member for giving way and for her contribution, which is spot on. Does she agree that the DUP's language is nothing short of depressing and is trying to deflect from the fact that it has done more damage to public services in Northern Ireland than anything else, particularly through the collapse of these institutions, for which it was responsible, and RHI?”
“Minister, given that there are questions about whether the numbers of training places meet the level of demand for services, can you provide an update on when the safe staffing legislative process will commence?”
“I urge colleagues to reject the amendment and to stand in support of the original motion in order to support our museums, our communities and our shared responsibility to decolonise our understanding of the past.”
“In many cases, repatriation opens the door to new global partnerships, collaborative research and mutual learning. It builds trust and it builds bridges. We must not let short-term funding challenges be used as a reason for holding on to the legacies of colonialism. <BR /> <BR />Education is key, and museums play a vital role in that, but education cannot come at the expense of justice. The real lesson for us all — for our children, our schools and our communities — is that we are willing to admit when wrongs have been done and to take meaningful action and steps to repair them. <BR /> <BR />The original motion reflects a more forward-looking vision for museums as places not just of preservation but of reconciliation, where the past is not hidden but confronted ethically, honestly and inclusively.”
“I tend to disagree. This is not about blame; it is about responsibility. The amendment also implies that the ethical return of artefacts risks undermining collective heritage, but whose heritage are we speaking of, because many communities around the world have had their cultural identity stolen, displayed and sometimes even distorted without their consent? On this island, with our own history of colonisation, appropriation and displacement, we, above all people, should understand why decolonisation matters. We know what it is like to be silenced and to have our history told by others. I understand that museums face financial pressures, but ethical repatriation is not a financial burden; it is an act of moral leadership and courage.”
“The amendment seeks to dilute that message, as it suggests that returning artefacts could be confused with ideological revisionism.”
“Quite the opposite: it is about telling the full story, which is one that includes the voices and experiences of peoples who for centuries were silenced, exploited and stripped of their cultural identities. When we return human remains or sacred objects to indigenous communities, we are not surrendering history but honouring it. We are saying, "We hear you, we acknowledge your pain and we can and will do better in future".”
“I support the motion. The SDLP will not be supporting the amendment, however. At its core, the motion asks us to reflect deeply on the role of museums in shaping how we understand the past and how we move forward into a more just and inclusive future. National Museums Northern Ireland and, indeed, the Ulster Museum have shown leadership by actively embracing decolonisation through exhibitions such as Inclusive Global Histories and through the ethical repatriation of human remains and sacred objects to the people of Hawaii. <BR /> <BR />That is not just commendable but morally necessary and shows leadership from our local museums. Decolonisation is not about erasing history, nor is it about hiding artefacts or whitewashing our shared past.”
“When Nichola Mallon was the Infrastructure Minister previously, we were starved for funding, but there is no such excuse now, because all that the Infrastructure Minister has to do is speak to the Finance Minister from her party to get the funding to resolve the waste water infrastructure crisis that is hindering the progression of all things in Northern Ireland, including housing development. <BR /> <BR />It is time to get real. The truth is that those on the Executive should have very red faces, because the Budget is a sham, and it will leave people worse off than they were yesterday.”
“After the squabbles have ended over who is First Minister and who is deputy First Minister and the dust finally settles, at the end of the mandate, the DUP, Sinn Féin and the other Executive parties will need to point to what they have achieved in government that has improved people's lives, because the picture out there is very depressing and is worsening by the day. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin is in government and on the Executive. It holds the posts of First Minister, Economy Minister, Finance Minister and Infrastructure Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />This week, when we hear about tuition fees and about the concerns that young people are leaving these islands, and this part of this island, to go elsewhere, it has to be said that that is not just down to the challenges with further education but down to everything. The Executive have failed at absolutely everything that they have touched. They are a disaster. <BR /> <BR />People on the ground are starting to realise that the DUP/Sinn Féin love-in in government has not been in their best interests.”
“That comes down to complete and absolute incompetence at the heart of government to get projects done in a timely fashion and in a cost-effective way that is in the interests of our taxpayers. <BR /> <BR />The truth is that the Executive have no vision, no ambition and no plan. Their plan is very simple: stand still, look busy for photographs and pretend that everything is going well. On the ground, however, the situation is very different. In our emergency departments, it is very different. In homes across Strabane, Omagh and other parts of Northern Ireland, it is very different. People are struggling daily, and — guess what? — it is the responsibility of the Executive to improve people's lives and to bring about the changes that will lift up our people and offer them some hope for the future.”
“Our students will not be fooled, and we will stand firmly in their corner, as we have done for the past number of years. <BR /> <BR />Poverty in this place has also spiralled out of control. One in four children in Northern Ireland is living in relative poverty. That is a shocking statistic, and — guess what? — it is worsening day by day on this Executive's watch. Parties promised the sun, the moon and the stars to people at the time of the election, but since they got into power and on to the Executive, they have delivered very little to improve people's lives. <BR /> <BR />My God, when you look at the Executive's record, it is embarrassing. What can they point to that has been a success? Even with the various projects that are being rolled out, be it Strule, the A5 or the transport hub, all have overspent.”
“I will not. I have a lot to get through. In the South, Sinn Féin is calling for tuition fees to be scrapped. In the North, however, the same party is saying, "Let's increase them". By implication, that means that, if Sinn Féin were in government in the South, students in Lifford would get free tuition, but, while it is in government in the North, students would be expected to pay thousands and thousands of pounds, and, in fact, Sinn Féin would continue to increase fees. <BR /> <BR />Where is the border when it comes to Sinn Féin? It is clear through its policies. It needs to be honest with the electorate, because the postcode lottery that it has allowed to be rolled out over the past number of years is unacceptable, and it is fooling no one whatsoever.”
“Moreover, young people in Northern Ireland are being failed day and daily. This week, we have heard about the challenges facing further education and universities. We are sympathetic to the universities, but the first reaction from the Executive, particularly from Sinn Féin Ministers, has been, "Let's increase tuition fees". The impact of that has been understated, to be honest, because, put quite simply, when students graduate from university, they are at a point in their life at which they are looking to settle down, start a family and try to get on to the property ladder, yet they are being hindered from doing so as a result of having huge amounts of student debt. That has a direct impact on their ability to pay a mortgage.”
“People have been left to go into care homes because they cannot get the support in their own home, which is a far cry from what previous Health Ministers offered in their role in the Executive.”
“Absolutely. When it comes to benefits, yes, the British Government, be they Labour or Tory, have failed vulnerable people. Again, we see that playing through with the changes to PIP and, ultimately, the impact of that. We have to remember that it was a previous Executive, in which there was the same parties, who wrapped the welfare reform legislation up in a big red bow and passed the powers back to Westminster to create legislation that affects people's lives here. That power was handed back. People complain about that now, but they gave the British Government the authority to make those changes to the lives of people in our society and communities, and that is having a direct impact. <BR /> <BR />Our elderly people have also been very badly treated by the Executive. Health outcomes have deteriorated vastly over the past number of years.”
“Again, we are well aware of the challenges and problems faced by our society, but where are the Executive? They are doing nothing. Their eyes are closed, and their hands are over their ears.”
“At a time when our communities face immense social and economic hardship, the Budget represents a deeply worrying failure, but that is not surprising. The Executive have an appalling record over the years. They have failed our people time and time again. Let us look at the Executive's appalling record and legacy. On their watch, we have the worst health outcomes and longest waiting lists in western Europe and a crumbling school estate and roads. Our mental health service is failing vulnerable people day and daily, and, even though we have identified how to fix it, nothing has changed. Nothing is moving or improving. Housing lists are spiralling out of control, with vulnerable people being left to live in hotels and accommodation that is not fit for purpose.”
“I thank the independent Member of the DUP for giving way. I find his remarks absolutely fascinating: I would nearly welcome him to this side of the House, because it looks like he is reading from our hymn sheet. Given what he has said to the House, does the Member agree that the history and legacy of this Executive has been disastrous for many years? Indeed, his party has been a part of that.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. She raises a very important point. Does she agree that it is entirely short-sighted of the Department for the Economy and its Minister to burden university graduates with extra debt when they are expected to try to get on to the property ladder, start a family and perhaps settle into married life? Does the Member agree that that would worsen their situation and that the Executive have done nothing for younger people?”
“Minister, I could be forgiven for asking this question: why did you hold a press conference and, at the same time, say that the strategy was going to consultation? Surely that is pre-empting the consultation to some degree. Most people who contributed to the process will be deeply annoyed by that. Has your Department ring-fenced any budget for the implementation of the strategy, or is it simply going to be like the child poverty strategy and sit on a shelf and do nothing?”
“Minister, I know that you are aware that there is huge concern amongst our public about access to GP services. In fact, the Public Accounts Committee is conducting an inquiry on the matter, and it is public knowledge that over 12,000 people who are concerned responded to that inquiry. Do you believe that your statement will worsen an already serious crisis and expedite a situation where GPs who had not decided to hand back contracts will, unfortunately, hand them back because a difficult situation has been made worse by a Minister who, it would seem, is not willing to respond to the concerns of GPs and the public on the matter?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way and for providing clarification on a number of points raised by colleagues across the House. Can the Minister shed any light on when we can expect a judgement from the judicial review?”
“The road does not discriminate, and it never has done: it takes life recklessly. Upgrades in other areas have resulted in a massive drop in the number of road deaths. The road is a deathtrap, and it will continue to be one unless we act now. <BR /> <BR />I am hopeful that the judgement, which I am looking forward to hearing, will be favourable. Make no mistake about it: our door is open to listen to those who have been affected by the A5's progression, but it is vital, in the interests of saving human life, that we do whatever it takes to ensure that the road upgrade is delivered.”
“The taxpayer has had to foot the bill for the scandalous delays. The cost has increased to £1·6 billion, which is twice what it was when the proposal was first put on the table. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear: this is not a time to be weak but a time to see the road fully and absolutely delivered. It is a time to listen to the communities that are directly affected, particularly those who have lost loved ones: husbands, wives, sons, daughters, friends, grandparents and neighbours. All of them were going about their lives, travelling to work or to school. They were parents leaving their children to sports games of whatever variety.”
“They have not come from the wider farming community or from other people in our community; they have come from a small group of people. It is not acceptable that they have been allowed to use the system to delay progress on the road. <BR /> <BR />Enough really is enough. I have lost all patience with the delays. Anybody who visits the constituency where I come from, live and represent is deeply shocked at how cut off we are from the rest of the island. It is unacceptable. I say again that I have total sympathy for anyone who is affected, but I advise those who are impacted on or worried to visit the families of those who have lost loved ones on the road to see what real pain is and to understand what truly has been stolen — human life — as a result of delay after delay after delay. <BR /> <BR />The cost has not only been human life.”
“The A5 is one of the most dangerous roads on these islands. It is narrow, outdated and unable to cope with modern traffic volumes, and that has cost lives, livelihoods and opportunities for us all. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that the A5's progression will have and has had a direct impact on the landowners who are affected. I have been on record for many years offering my support to them. The progression of the A5 has been blocked by a handful of individuals who have not clearly stated where their interests lie, and the truth is that all of us have paid a heavy price for that disruption and reckless action. It must be made clear that the delays to the scheme have not come about because of widespread opposition.”
“To put a figure on it, since April 2006, 57 people have lost their lives on the A5. That is 57 families whose lives have been shattered. Dozens of young lives have been cut short, and countless more people have been seriously injured. Behind each of the numbers is a human tragedy and a political system that has not yet delivered the most basic infrastructure that is needed to protect people going about their daily lives. <BR /> <BR />The project is not new. It was first announced in 2007, yet we stand here in 2025, and the road remains unbuilt, blocked by continuous legal challenges and delays. Those delays have not just cost human life but affected businesses, farmers and the community as a whole. The delays have cost all of us, but the greatest cost, which I emphasise again, is the loss of human life.”
“I thank my West Tyrone constituency colleague Tom Buchanan for bringing the issue to the House. I also appreciate the Minister's attendance at the Adjournment debate. <BR /> <BR />The A5 transport corridor has been discussed, delayed, reviewed and re-reviewed for nearly two decades. It has been discussed for over 50 years, since we lost our rail links, which completely cut off all forms of transportation to the part of the island where I come from and live. <BR /> <BR />While I welcome today's focus on the local impact, we must be honest with ourselves and with the people whom we represent. The greatest impact of all has been the continued failure to build the road. The greatest cost has been the loss of human life. Nothing else trumps that: no field, no farm and no business. The priority must be that we protect human life.”
“Let us have the courage to put these boundaries in place by voting for the motion. I say clearly that the SDLP will support the DUP amendment, because this is the right direction of travel. This debate has been an example of how the House can pull together to protect and safeguard our children and young people. I hope that, beyond today, we see tangible action that puts those protections in place. <BR /> <BR />I commend the motion to the Assembly and urge all parties to seriously consider the proposal.”
“Of course, used wisely, technology has a place in education: it can enhance learning. Smartphones are not neutral tools, however — they are not. They are designed to cause addiction, to distract and to harvest attention. We should not confuse educational technology with unregulated, uncontrolled smartphone access. We need to ask ourselves what kind of society we are building if we allow the mental health of an entire generation to deteriorate while we look the other way. <BR /> <BR />This is a defining moment for the Assembly. We could stand united on the issue, as legislators. As parents, teachers and citizens, we have to decide whether to continue to tolerate a situation that clearly is doing harm or to act, decisively, in the best interests of all our children. We must be bold. We must be honest: this is happening.”
“Let me ask this: are we really saying that a child cannot be safe without having a smartphone in school? It is about busting that myth. Are we so beholden to these devices that we cannot imagine a structured, focused human environment without them?”
“That is a myth that needs to be busted. You can appreciate the need for them in some instances in which a child is extremely vulnerable, but there is not a need for them in all instances.”
“According to feedback that my office has received, teachers have been left to interpret inconsistent policies and face the backlash from parents when they try to impose such boundaries. We cannot expect our educators to be social media moderators, privacy officers and cyberbullying experts all at once. We need to put safeguards in place. We need a uniform policy that is backed by legislation and supported by training and resources. We must ensure that any new guidance has buy-in from parents, pupils and teachers alike. That will not be easy. There will be resistance. Indeed, I am aware of resistance today. Some will argue that phones are essential for learning or safety. They were not when I was being educated, and that did not affect me. I was not unsafe while travelling to or from school or while in school.”
“Absolutely. That is a very important point. I have a number of nephews and nieces. Often, when I am at their house, even on a sunny day such as this, they are on devices, such as iPads, or are stuck in front of a TV instead of being outside playing with friends or each other or doing any form of outdoor activity. That is not healthy, and it damages their progression and well-being. <BR /> <BR />This is not about punishing children or removing their voice. It is about protecting their future. It is also about protecting our teachers. What we have now is a patchwork approach. I appreciate the comments from the Minister today about his making every effort to ensure that there is consistency across schools.”
“Many schoolchildren right across Northern Ireland have never truly experienced the outdoors — they have not been in a forest, done orienteering or been near the water — and could not name wildlife or plants. Those are real, tangible experiences in life that many of us in the Chamber experienced when we were children because we did not rely on devices. We were put out on the street to play and enjoy life, childhood and freedom. Whether that involved jumping in puddles, running through fields or playing football, they were proper childhood experiences.”
“I speak as someone who is much older than a person who attends school today. All of us have a habit of getting addicted to social media, online platforms and the constant stream of negative information that we receive every day. I removed myself from X recently because reading half of the stuff on it every day would nearly give you a complex. I have also removed my personal Facebook page. Those are things that I have done as an adult in public life to protect my mental health and well-being. I can only imagine the impact that that has on children and young people in today's society. It is vital that we give our children space in which to breathe, learn and grow without the constant gaze of the online world. <BR /> <BR />I recently attended a very helpful outdoor programme at Baronscourt Estate with a number of schools.”
“I have heard from parents whose children are afraid to go to school because of videos that were taken of them without their consent. Tragically, we have all seen the headlines right across the UK and Ireland about cases where cyberbullying and social media abuse have contributed to deeply tragic outcomes, including, in some instances, loss of life. This is not a theory; it is happening today. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: this is not about demonising our young people or questioning their judgement. They are growing up in a world that is vastly different from the one that many of us knew. They are digital natives, constantly connected and often under incredible social pressure. However, the fact that that is their normal does not mean that it is healthy. Constant connectivity is not freedom; it is a kind of captivity.”
“We are resilient people who decided to enter politics and public life. It is not acceptable that we receive that abuse, but we do. We become quite resilient and thick-skinned, but children have not built up that resilience. In fact, they are entirely exposed, which leads to very serious issues with the mental health and well-being of our children and young people. Such a traumatic event can affect them for a very long time. A child who does not have the necessary support at home, let alone at school, could be impacted on for quite a number of years. <BR /> <BR />I am deeply troubled by how far this issue has gone. Teachers have told me that they feel powerless in the face of classroom disruption that is caused by phones.”
“Increasingly, however, our teachers are being asked to manage not just the education of our children but their digital behaviour, the social media disputes that end up in the classroom and online harassment, which is often a core complaint in a school. All of that is happening inside the school gates on a daily basis. It is important to recognise the harm that that has caused. <BR /> <BR />In recent weeks, Members have rightly spoken out about the online abuse that they have received. I condemn, totally, any threat of violence or any aggression towards any public representative or, indeed, anybody. Having been a public representative for 10 years, I, like many in the House, have suffered from quite a lot of online abuse, negativity and comments that affect me from time to time.”