Danny Kennedy
Newry and Armagh · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />I know the circumstances that we are in, but my hope is that departmental officials will continue to explore these issues and find solutions so that, at the earliest point, those solutions can be delivered to my constituency and to the people who have such frustration with the lack of service.”
“This situation is also prevalent in other rural areas of Northern Ireland. People in areas such as Lissummon, Ballygorman, Cladymilltown, Altnamackan, Loughgall, Mullaghglass and countless others, unfortunately, all of which are located in my constituency, find themselves in a position currently where they are provided with little or no e…”
“I, with others, receive regular contact from my constituents on this issue. It is abundantly clear from the representations that I receive that the lack of broadband provision, particularly in rural areas, impacts in many ways on families and businesses that reside in various locations across the constituency.”
“Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I thank you and the Business Committee for affording me the opportunity to debate the issue of broadband provision directly relating to my constituency of Newry and Armagh. I also place on record my good wishes to you as you leave the House, and I wish you well for the future.”
“The lack of high-quality broadband, for instance, has an impact on the ability of many rural businesses to function efficiently, placing them clearly at a disadvantage to other competitors in their particular field.”
“I could continue to detail many more circumstances, but I want other Members to contribute and to hear what the Minister has to say. I take this opportunity to make an impassioned plea to the Minister to pursue, within a quick time frame, the network improvements that are so clearly required.”
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“I am grateful to the Member for his question. The Member will know that I instigated a PAR (performance assessment review) report, which is being made available to the members of the Committee for Regional Development. I am also indicating today that a copy of that report will be placed in the Assembly Library for all Members to consider. That deals with the issues. <BR /> <BR />The original problems were caused by a guesstimate, effectively, which was woefully underestimated at something in the region of £20 million. It is worth saying that this work could never have been completed — the work involved could never have been done — for that sum of money of £20 million. A more realistic assessment was carried out at my behest. We have moved to that situation, and we are now able to progress this important scheme.”
“They both agreed that to proceed with this project was the best thing to do, given its importance to the north-west and to transport generally. There is no dispute between me and my permanent secretary or the chief executive of Translink.”
“I am grateful to the Chair of the Committee for his question. This has been a challenging project to deliver, and there have been issues that we have had to deal with. On the overall budget, as I said in my original answer, next year's budget is not fixed. However, the fact is that capital moneys will be allocated to the Department for Regional Development. I made it clear to both the Department and Translink that I see this as a priority scheme. It is a Programme for Government scheme and, therefore, has the priority of not only my Department and Translink but the Executive. I will make preparations for it on that basis. <BR /> <BR />I remind the Member that the caution of the chief executive of Translink and the permanent secretary of my Department was simply a consequence of their own financial responsibilities.”
“I can reassure the Member that budgets are in place for this year. This project is a key Programme for Government commitment and, accordingly, it will be prioritised next year. I will make the funding available from my departmental capital budget. The Member will know that budgets have not yet been set for next year. As you are aware, the overall cost of £46 million is higher than originally envisaged, but it reflects the real market we are competing in. The project should be substantially completed by December 2016.”
“I believe that the important, and very good, announcement I made earlier today on the commencement of phase 2 of the Coleraine to Londonderry rail project is very good news for the north-west and for railways and public transport. The path to today's announcement has not been straightforward, and it has not been without criticism, but I have remained committed to the north-west and to this project. Today is very tangible evidence of that commitment. We successfully delivered phase 1 on time and on budget. The second phase announced today will safeguard the future of the line and enable an hourly service to be run on it. <BR /> <BR />Translink's profile of capital spend for this project is one third in 2015-16 and two thirds in 2016-17. Translink's corporate plan includes this project in its plans for this year and next.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. You will confirm that, in the course of my remarks, I made the personal relationship absolutely clear in relation to my wife being a teacher at Markethill High School. I declared that openly before the House. We are listening to a political smokescreen, as usual, to hide old-fashioned bigotry.”
“I await with interest the response of the Minister.”
“I believe that such comments are not only disgraceful in themselves but give rise to the very deep suspicion felt by people and parents in my community that there is more than a whiff of party politics being played out here — deeply sectarian and offensive politics, too. I listened with interest to Pat Sheehan saying that there should not be any political point-scoring. The Minister needs to address this issue urgently, and he will know that I have requested an urgent meeting with him and other representatives to thoroughly discuss the matter. I hope that the Chairman and the Education Committee also investigate the issue. <BR /> <BR />These issues all impact on local area planning, and I trust that the House will support my raising of the very serious issues that I have highlighted today.”
“The Minister should also know that the situation has been further compounded by the very unhelpful comments made by his party colleague Mickey Brady MP MLA, who, in welcoming the St Paul's decision said:”
“Obviously, the school, its leaders and the board of governors were very disappointed by the outcome of their application, but that has been compounded by the decision taken last week by the Minister to grant a temporary variation of some 24 places to St Paul's High School, Bessbrook. <BR /> <BR />I want to make it absolutely clear that I am not objecting to the granting of the temporary variation to St Paul's, which is also in my constituency, also provides an excellent education to its pupils and is also popular with parents. However, I seek to highlight the different outcomes from the Minister's decisions, and he needs to explain that urgently. These are two successful non-selective schools within a few miles of each other, both serving their local community very well, yet Markethill High School has been denied its request.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister will recall that Markethill High School recently applied to his Department for a temporary variation of some seven places, only to be refused. The school, which is in mid-Armagh, enjoys a deservedly high reputation for its educational outputs and quality, and it is popular with parents. It serves the growing, mostly unionist, population in the mid-Armagh area. At this stage, I should declare a personal interest, in that my wife is a teacher at the school, but I do not believe that that represents a pecuniary interest or is a reason for me not to comment on the matter.”
“The members of the Education Committee and the Minister will know of the issues surrounding the Armagh area planning proposals. I encourage everyone to continue to work to resolve all the issues in a way that will not descend into a winners and losers scenario. Whilst the debate is largely concentrating on general themes to be taken forward in area planning, I want to draw the Minister's attention to my concern about an issue in my constituency, as other Members have done, which needs his urgent attention. Indeed, he will know of the urgent correspondence that he received from me overnight. It is, I believe, relevant to area planning, in that the issue of parental choice should always be a factor in considering outcomes.”
“This is an important debate. I broadly welcome the recommendations made by the Committee of Education after its consideration of these matters. As a former Chairman of the Education Committee, I can well understand the amount of work involved in producing a report of this nature. <BR /> <BR />I particularly welcome recommendation 6, which is that the Department of Education and its arm's-length bodies:”
“Let us not forget how they have sat on their hands since their flip-flop and watched while this place has haemorrhaged £2 million a week that could otherwise have been channelled into public services. So, I appeal, even at this late stage, to Sinn Féin and the SDLP to do the right thing. Accept your responsibilities. Acknowledge the political reality here. It is not too late to bring this place back from the brink.”
“This place can no longer be held to ransom by Sinn Féin's southern command, with every policy potentially doomed to failure as Martin McGuinness is shaken by the tail again and again by Gerry Adams. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin's cries of anti-austerity simply lack credibility. They continually voted in favour of a Budget that has delivered the severe cuts over the past number of months, and they have presided over those cuts as they have continued to fall across every Department in the Executive. Equally lacking in credibility are their claims that they are standing up for the vulnerable, because today they will set in motion a series of events that will see further drastic cuts to public services that will devastate the vulnerable in our society that Sinn Féin and others purport to defend.”
“I am grateful to the Member for the point that he makes, and I concur with it. Whilst the Irish Open is a major showcase for sport and tourism, it opened further opportunities for economic benefit to the Province, some of which will now clearly be put in jeopardy by the decision that is likely to be made in the coming hours by the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />What will we say to the many international visitors when they ask about the current impasse? Frankly, embarrassed silence will not do. It is no longer enough to say, "This is just par for the course in Northern Ireland" and trundle along to the next crisis. The people of Northern Ireland deserve better, and politics in this country must deliver more for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“The traders and the townsfolk have excelled themselves, and I saw that at first hand. This is the type of event that the people of Northern Ireland should be enjoying, and for too long we lost out because of political instability.”
“I spoke earlier of the air of unreality in this place today on the issue. Even after this debate and after the inevitable decision is reached to kill the Bill and create a crisis, that air of unreality will continue. It is curious that, as we debate this issue, golfers from all over the world are preparing to participate in the Irish Open at Royal County Down, Newcastle. A huge amount of work and preparation has gone into organising that event, not least by the golfing fraternity and our local superstars: Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board worked its socks off, and Departments such as mine, including my staff in Transport NI and Translink, have pulled out all the stops. I was in Newcastle over the weekend, and it is looking absolutely pristine.”
“In the next few weeks, as pressure mounts in our health service, as education becomes a wasteland, as essential public services cannot be maintained, as the grass grows even higher, as the gullies are stuffed and blocked even more, as darkness overcomes our street lights and as potholes worsen and road defects increase, does anybody in the House really believe that politicians can keep their credibility? The answer is "Of course not".”
“The impact of that pressure is already being felt, and Members are already pressing me on it. Bizarrely, those are some of the same people who will troop through the No Lobby later this evening, having already signed a petition of concern, to salve their conscience and make them believe somehow that they are class warriors defending the poor and the vulnerable. How wrong they are, because, when the money runs dry — as it will do, and, by current estimates, will do so by late July or early August — lives will be impacted on, services will be devastated and our political credibility will lie in shreds.”
“The stances adopted by Sinn Féin and the SDLP throughout the debate have been nothing short of disgraceful. Even at this late stage, they should reflect again and withdraw their petition of concern, because, outside of the Stormont bubble, people have rightly become cynical of the crises of politics that these institutions are now accustomed to. This place simply does not relate to the lives of the many thousands of people whom we purport to represent, but the outcome of today's date will have a real and meaningful adverse impact on the lives of those same said people. <BR /> <BR />I have made no secret of the challenges currently facing me as Minister for Regional Development. I am facing a £60 million cut in resource spending in this financial year.”
“At the outset, I join others in offering my good wishes to Mr Peter Robinson for a full and speedy recovery and to his family and his party at this time. <BR /> <BR />This is an important debate, with an equally important decision to be made at its conclusion. I say that not just as a Member of the Assembly or, indeed, as a member of the Ulster Unionist Party but as a member of the Executive. This is a critical day. The almost inevitable outcome today means one thing for the Executive: it represents failure. However, there is an air of unreality to this today, with some parties simply unable or unwilling to accept any responsibility for the consequences of their actions. This is a proper political and financial crisis at the very top of the Executive.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I can confirm that, as a Member for Newry and Armagh, I have had meetings and discussions with concerned business operators in that area. I understand their concerns and am very sympathetic to them. A rate reduction would be a matter for DFP and would require the appeal procedure to be used. It is my experience that, sometimes, it is a mistake to appeal rate valuations because, as well as coming down, they can go up. I have had that unhappy experience. Nonetheless, I understand the concern. That is why I am particularly keen that the work, which is almost at completion, should be completed, and, hopefully, contractors can move off site, and normal traffic and normal business hours can be resumed.”
“We will then hopefully have a better traffic situation in the centre of Armagh.”
“I am grateful to the Member for raising the issue. The work at Friary Road and Newry Road on that scheme is at a very busy and complex urban junction in Armagh city. It is progressing, but, due to issues regarding services and ground conditions, it is behind schedule. However, work is due to be completed, as I indicated to Mr Bradley, early in June. Of course, whilst the ongoing works have caused some disruption, I hope that, when it is complete, the scheme will improve conditions for traffic and pedestrians at that key junction in the city. <BR /> <BR />Rather than postpone the work at Barrack Hill and the work of NI Water and then start the whole regime, if you like, of inconvenience, it was considered better to proceed with that, get the work done and move off site.”
“Thank you very much indeed for the supplementary question. The Member will know, as, indeed, members of the Regional Development Committee will know, that the current chief executive, David Strahan, has successfully made efficiency savings in the overall Translink budget. Obviously, that will not end there. It is important that, on an ongoing basis, we look at the overall costs of all companies such as Translink and NI Water and, indeed, my Department. If that can reduce impact on front-line services, so much the better, but it is not easy because, in organisations like Translink and NI Water, the pips are already beginning to squeak.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his question. I am advised by Translink that the use of taxis is closely regulated and they are used only when it is the most economically viable solution. There are often practical operational reasons for their use. However, not least because of the public comment and the overall financial position, I am concerned and will pursue the matter with Translink in the coming period.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his question. The issue of blue flag status and all those awards is more properly directed, he will know, to the Minister of the Environment, Minister Durkan. However, I am led to believe that the impending awards will be potentially good and welcome news for Northern Ireland beaches. It is encouraging that, in spite of the economic challenges, we are able to maintain water quality and an environment in which people can enjoy some leisure at the many beaches across Northern Ireland.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his question. He will know that there is an ongoing issue as to how we have to maintain waste water and other treatment works under our responsibility. This remains an important feature, as is the quality of drinking water, to the population, which is why I have attempted in the current financial year and with a very challenging budget to protect the allocations to NI Water as far as I can. We have not been able to do that fully. There is something in the region of £5 million potentially, but we will work with the company to ensure that adequate service is maintained and that that service is in line with European regulation.”
“I am grateful to the Member and understand his points entirely. Unfortunately, there will be a level of inconvenience and a reduction in the services traditionally associated with the Enterprise, which is always a popular form of travel. We want to maintain that as best we can. We cannot make omelettes without breaking some eggs, and we are anxious to move the refurbishment scheme on as quickly as possible. I can tell you that my officials and Translink are working hard to ensure that that is the case.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his question and, indeed, for his interest. The refurbishment and upgrading of the Enterprise service is an important facility. We want to see that carried out as speedily and quickly as we can. There will be real benefits when that service is upgraded. The Member will know that there will be some inconvenience to travellers while that work continues. Translink is attempting to manage that as best it can and will continue to do so. I very much hope that the initial problems will have been ironed out by early August, but we are mindful that the improvements will be welcomed by the many thousands who use the Enterprise service daily and weekly.”
“As I said, the difficulty is not just a location for a bus station but the resulting revenue costs when a new bus station is built. However, I am open to suggestions from the Member and other local representatives in trying to find a solution at the earliest possible point, setting aside some of the financial considerations, which are there. If he has any input to that, I will happily receive those representations.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his question. He will know that there have been considerable discussions over the years on improving the facilities at Kilkeel, not least on finding a suitable location for any new bus centre and the attendant issues around planning for such a proposal. However, the current financial position that my Department finds itself in makes it difficult to see how we can carry forward a particular scheme at this point in time. I am open, of course, to continuing discussions, because I am aware of the importance that such a new bus centre could have for the people of Kilkeel.”
“The Member will know that the review will not be meaningfully possible until the works that are taking place at the Friary Road and Newry Road are completed and evaluated. I hope very much that that section of scheme will be completed in early June. At that point, we will be able to assess traffic flows in and around the centre of Armagh and their impact and then look at any gyratory proposal that was originally made. Of course, we need to be aware and conscious of the public interest in the issue from public representatives, the council and, not least, The Mall residents' association. It will be important to ensure that everyone is aware of any proposal on the project that ultimately emerges.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his question. He will know that consideration has been given to the proposal, which was to create a gyratory one-way system around the centre of Armagh. The Member knows that I have received considerable correspondence on this; indeed, I have had conversations with representatives from The Mall residents' association. Having taken those issues into account and following discussions with my officials, I have recommended a complete review of the proposed scheme. I will be particularly interested in the outcome of that review.”
“I am very glad to please at least one Member during questions today. Those Members who, for various reasons, were not able to attend missed a treat.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am pleased to confirm that the consultation process to provide a 40 mph limit to the west of Greenisland to include the Monkstown Road junction and extend the existing 40 mph limit to the east of the village to include the development around the Trooperslane Road junction is to begin shortly. In addition, it is proposed to increase the existing 30 mph limit at Woodburn Road and extend the existing 40 mph limit for approximately 575 metres from the new line. I can also confirm that the consultation process to provide a 40 mph limit on the A2 at Knocknagulliagh is under way.”
“My officials, in conjunction with the PSNI, recently completed the review of speed limits in the Carrickfergus area to consider the existing speed limits on the B90 from the Monkstown Road to the B149 Beltoy Road as well as the A2 between Carrickfergus and Whitehead. The review indicated that, given the gradual increase in residential development and traffic volumes around Greenisland, a revision of the current speed limits along the B90 at Greenisland would better reflect the function of the road and improve driver respect and, in turn, compliance with the speed limits.”
“I am grateful to the Member for the point that he makes. I am not able to specify in close detail just how much it is costing staff, but it is costing the reputation not only of my Department but of the Assembly and the Executive when gullies are not emptied, grass is not cut, road defects are not addressed and street lights continue to be out. There is reputational damage, but financial damage is also done to the workforce, many of whom are not earning high salaries. I do not think that people who have to fend for their families are impressed by the political stunts of Sinn Féin, which claims to represent working people and yet, by its actions, ensures that working people are not earning sufficient to allow them a proper income.”
“They have to deal with the many queries and frustrations of the general public when they ring in to report defects and to ask for work to be carried out only to be told that there is insufficient money. It is not a virtual circle at all; it is a vicious circle, and I want to get out of it as quickly as possible.”
“I thank the Member for his supplementary question, but, again, the Department's work, which is so necessary, is not being achieved because of the financial constraints. That is having an impact on the ground on the emptying of gullies, grass cutting, road defects and street lighting and, consequently, is having an impact on the staff who work there — not just on their wages but on their morale. <BR /> <BR />The Member will be interested to know that I was in the Armagh section office last week on a routine visit and that I took the opportunity to speak with staff who are attempting to work through the very challenging positions on the front line.”
“Transport NI management is endeavouring to utilise the capacity freed up within the industrial workforce through the reduction in activities with high levels of cost for materials, such as pothole repairs, or for waste disposal, such as the emptying of gullies, on alternative work in those areas that requires less cost. That is to ensure that industrial staff are fully occupied and to provide the opportunity for productivity-related earnings.”
“Transport NI operates a productivity incentive scheme for its industrial staff. The scheme does not allow for the withholding of productivity-related earnings, but it does allow for such earnings to be reduced or recovered where workmanship has been found to be below the required technical standard or where higher productivity than the scheme allows has been claimed. Productivity-related earnings have been retrospectively reduced and recovered on occasions over recent months but no more frequently than normal. <BR /> <BR />However, the current pressure on Transport NI’s resource budget is so severe that I have had to scale back to a skeleton service, which has reduced work volumes in certain activities. Consequently, that has impacted on the productivity earnings of some industrial staff.”
“I am not sure where the Member gets any previous commitment from. It was not from me or any of my predecessors, because my Department has never funded the Magilligan to Greencastle ferry, even when it was under the stewardship of his party colleague Conor Murphy. <BR /> <BR />Capital funding for the ferry's establishment was provided through a number of streams, including the EU Special Support Programme for Peace and Reconciliation; the Republic of Ireland's then Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; the then Limavady Borough Council; and Donegal County Council. As to the running of the service, the Limavady and Donegal councils subsidised the service up until 2013. Since then, the service has not received any funding, and its operation is financed solely through fare revenue.”
“The Member should be clear that my Department has no legislative responsibilities for the service, nor does it have any operational or financial obligations associated with what is essentially a private sector enterprise. Given those circumstances, I have had no engagement with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on retaining and supporting the Magilligan to Greencastle ferry.”
“We initially checked out what interest there was among local government in particular, as the reservoirs have recreational benefits. However, as they no longer serve the local population with water, NI Water's interest in them is increasingly limited. That is why it is more sensible that they move to a new owner, and that is what we are seeking to do.”
“I am grateful to the Member. My Department's interest in reservoirs is increasingly limited because NI Water no longer uses them or draws water from them to serve the local population. To that extent, they are redundant as a water supply. On that basis, it is more sensible to look at opportunities to offload or sell them.”
“I am grateful to the Member for his supplementary question and for his interest in the matter. He will know that, effective from 18 December 2014, the responsibility for fishing rights at the 28 reservoirs at which angling is permitted has been transferred to DCAL to manage under the terms of a service level agreement with NI Water, which will be incorporated into the conditions of any sale. That will allow for existing recreational activities to continue. I am content that DCAL will handle that appropriately, in accordance with the agreement with NI Water.”
“<BR /> <BR />Following an active marketing exercise during 2014, Northern Ireland Water agreed the sale of Knockbracken reservoir in Belfast and Craigahulliar reservoir in Portrush to private purchasers, and contracts are progressing with solicitors. Neither of these assets attracted any public-sector interest. The remaining impounding reservoir sites will be assessed for development and recreational potential and advertised on the public market accordingly.”
“Expressions of interest were invited from the public sector during 2014, in accordance with the Department of Finance and Personnel's 'Disposal of Surplus Public Sector Property in Northern Ireland' guidance document. Expressions of interest were received from local councils for three reservoirs: Altmore and Cappagh in the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council area; and Portavoe in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. The councils are considering the feasibility of procuring those assets. NI Water hopes that ownership of the assets can be transferred to the councils within the current financial year.”