Joanne Bunting
East Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Their input was instrumental in shaping the Bill that the Assembly will shortly be invited to pass. <BR /> <BR />For those affected by the mother-and-baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and related pathways and practices, the process has taken too long, but we can be pleased that we got there, for the victims' sakes.”
“It is still cruel, disheartening and difficult to fully comprehend. I hope that the experiences of the many women who were affected by those institutions and practices will serve as a challenge to us all.”
“We thank all who participated in the Victims and Survivors Consultation Forum. We know that that has not always been an easy space, but we hope that, today, they can reflect on all their efforts with pride.”
“<BR /> <BR />To victims and survivors considering whether to engage with the redress service, I send an unequivocal message: the scheme exists because your experiences matter, and you need not face the process alone.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, the experience did not end with the institution itself; rather, for the victims and survivors — those women and children — the period has been a thread of pain that has woven its way through their entire lives.”
“It is not an exaggeration to say that today is a momentous day. It is an honour and a privilege for me to move the Final Stage of this important legislation on behalf of the First Minister and the deputy first Minister, junior Minister Reilly and, indeed, the Executive.”
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“I am really grateful to the Minister for that comprehensive answer, because, as he well knows, the current criteria are proving really detrimental to working families, who either struggle to get their child placed and end up paying for childcare or get their child placed far from home. I give credit to the Minister for providing financial assistance with childcare to thousands of homes across Northern Ireland. He has given some indication of the timeline, but can he tell us how long it will take before everybody has access to 22·5 hours? What can be done to assist working parents in the interim?”
“We will continue to oppose all glorification of individuals associated with paramilitary violence, and we will press for a justice system that treats innocent victims with the dignity and fairness that they deserve.”
“Sinn Féin has the audacity to chide DUP Ministers for meeting those who are trying to steer people and groups away from paramilitarism, the past and criminality, while lauding those who murdered and maimed. We will take no lectures for encouraging people to change, start over and obey the law. <BR /> <BR />The continued failure to hold anyone accountable for Robert McCartney's murder is a stain on our society. I have previously urged those with information to come forward directly to the police. I have also encouraged the police to speak to those who gave statements to third parties at the time, and I do so again. We in the DUP support the McCartney sisters and all innocent victims in their pursuit of truth and justice.”
“Sinn Féin seems to be wilfully deaf and blind to the impact on victims of the Provisional IRA of its weekly glorification roadshows. It is disgraceful and insensitive, though no surprise. Once more, it has reverted to its old, faithful routine of "Do as we say and not as we do". It is one glorification after another in circumstances where, on the one hand, literally millions of pounds of taxpayers' money are being spent by the Executive to tackle paramilitarism and move our society on, and, on the other hand, the biggest party in the Executive is hailing as heroes those who did the damage. The hypocrisy and double standards are shocking.”
“His sisters' and partner's pain and anguish are understandable and deeply moving. No family should have to endure the added trauma of seeing the individual whom they believe ordered their loved one's murder being publicly honoured.”
“I rise in solidarity with the McCartney family, following yet another glorification event by Sinn Féin and attempt by the party to rewrite history. As a member of the Policing Board, I have met the McCartney family. I have read the transcript of the trial in the aftermath of Mr McCartney's murder, and I have read their book. Their brother's murder was brutal and merciless. The omertà that followed was shocking. Instead of being shown support and sympathy at a time of bereavement, that family could no longer reside in the area in which they lived. The whole situation was repugnant and eerily similar to that in the murder of Ian Ogle in my constituency, which was also all because of an accusation of looking at somebody the wrong way. <BR /> <BR />The details of Mr McCartney's murder in the court transcripts are brutal and harrowing.”
“Therefore, on behalf of the Justice Committee, I support the motion. As the justice spokesperson for the Democratic Unionist Party, I reiterate that our position is reflected in that of the Committee.”
“The text of the proposed amendment was included in the Committee's call for evidence on the Justice Bill, which closed at the start of last month. The Committee will now consider any evidence that it received on the use of live links as it works through the detail of the Bill and the amendments. <BR /> <BR />As I stated at the beginning of my contribution, the Committee's position on today's motion remains the same: most, if not all, Committee members are broadly supportive of the use of live links. The Committee considered the statutory rule at its meeting on 10 April 2025 and was content to recommend that it be approved by the Assembly, subject to the Examiner of Statutory Rules' report. That report was published the following day, and the Examiner raised no issues with the technical aspects of the rule.”
“As I said then, and as the Minister has reiterated this afternoon, the Committee was advised that the Minister was satisfied that there remains a clear role for the continued use of the provisions in order to tackle the backlog of cases that have accrued during and since the pandemic and may take until 2028 to clear without extra resources. The Department also advised that it was the Minister's intention to include provisions for the wider use of live links in the first Justice Bill of the mandate. The Committee was assured that reliance on the powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 is, therefore, an interim arrangement. <BR /> <BR />As the House will be aware, the Minister now plans to make permanent provision for the wider use of live links by way of an amendment to the Justice Bill at Consideration Stage.”
“I will speak briefly as Chairman of the Committee for Justice. I declare that I have an immediate family member who works in the legal profession. <BR /> <BR />The Minister outlined the intention of the statutory rule, and it is not my intention to repeat that. The current Committee for Justice has previously considered a number of statutory rules to extend those provisions, and its position has not changed. As Members will recall from previous debates on motions to extend the provisions, the Committee asked the Department for its views on whether the continued use of the powers in the Coronavirus Act 2020 was appropriate and proportionate in a post-COVID environment. The Committee also requested details of the Department's plans to make permanent provision for the use of audio and video links.”
“As I have said in the Chamber many times, I reiterate this: there is no place for biological males in women's safe and single-sex spaces, including changing rooms, shower rooms, toilets, sports and even prison cells.”
“For once, what about acknowledging them, their protection and their needs? <BR /> <BR />Following the ruling, we saw criminal damage to female statues and footage and photographs of takeovers of women's toilets in order to film videos and protests outside women's toilets. Hence, women and girls have had to run that gauntlet to use the bathroom. Is that in any way acceptable? I look forward to hearing from each Minister about the implications of the ruling and actions across each of their Departments, given the Supreme Court's indications on the judgement's likely highly persuasive and consequential precedent for local courts. Women in Northern Ireland deserve the same legal definitions, equality and protections as every other woman in the UK, and they will accept nothing less.”
“Yet those same Members, without a hint of irony or self-awareness, will come to the House and wax lyrical on their supposed prioritisation of the safety of women and girls from violence, abuse, predatory behaviour and intimidation, yet they see no problem in permitting biological males with full male genitalia into women's safe and private spaces and into their sport, which presents enormous physical risk. There are those who argue that there is no difference and no distinction in performance in sport. However, if that were the case, why is sport segregated at all? Nonsense has prevailed for too long at the expense of half our population. In the course of this Matter of the Day, many have sought to acknowledge the trans community and its needs, but this whole issue is not about trans; it is about women — biological women.”
“At every turn, as these changes were being made for biological males, it was at the expense of biological women and their rights and needs. It is women who have suffered and watched as their rights have been eroded and their safety compromised. <BR /> <BR />Some in the House have been seeking to dilute women and their rights by making them invisible — erasing their very definition, as per biology, and regardless of their basic respect, safety and privacy.”
“I welcome the ruling. As my colleague has said, it is a victory not just for women in the UK but for common sense. Nevertheless, I express my regret that this was the length to which women in this country had to go to ensure that their spaces were protected and their very existence recognised, defined and protected from biological men. It seems to me that, of late and until now — after hundreds of years of fighting for rights and equality — the most fundamental of rights for women and girls were being eroded and erased under the guise of so-called progress, even in language, never mind definition. Women are not merely "people who menstruate" or "people who chest feed". Let me be clear: women did not view any of this as progress or advancement for them.”
“— that the Department is appropriately funded and that it prioritises its spending —”
“Given the chief's warnings, particularly about child sexual abuse, I am concerned about the damage that may be inflicted on society in the three years that it is scheduled to take the PSNI to reach 7,000 officers. It is also clear to me, however, that awards to the PSNI would have an impact on the courts, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), legal aid, the Prison Service and the probation service, as the branches of the justice system are interdependent. <BR /> <BR />It is imperative, for the sake of society's safety —”
“The Committee recognises that, despite the increased allocation for 2025-26, the Budget remains challenging for the Department of Justice. Officials have reported that there is minimal, if any, scope to reduce resources or divert them from one area to another. The indications are that pressures are unlikely to be eased through in-year funding, and the Department has advised that difficult decisions on prioritisation and, indeed, service provision will be required across the Department and its NDPBs. <BR /> <BR />I will now speak in a personal capacity. There is no question that the warnings raised by the Chief Constable about the limitations that the Budget will place on the PSNI and its ability to keep people safe are deeply alarming.”
“Committee members voiced particular concerns about the impact that the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions will have on the community and voluntary sector organisations that carry out vital work in the justice sector on behalf of or in partnership with statutory agencies. The Committee welcomed assurances from officials that individual business areas are alert to the issue and will engage directly with community and voluntary organisations to deal with pressures on a case-by-case basis. <BR /> <BR />As Members will know and as I have previously outlined, the Department's budget is predominantly demand-led, with the Police Service, courts and tribunals, prisons and legal aid accounting for the majority of it. It must be recognised that there is increasing demand for all services across the justice system.”
“Thankfully, it appears from the Finance Minister's comments yesterday that that practice is coming to an end. The PSNI also expressed concern that insufficient funding will impact on its ability to implement its recovery plan and increase police officer numbers. <BR /> <BR />The PSNI was concerned about meeting the cost associated with the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions. That concern was echoed by all the Department's non-departmental public bodies. While the Committee heard that additional funding towards the cost was expected, the Department advised that it was unlikely to be sufficient to meet the additional pressures in full.”
“As well as the stabilisation pressures, the Department faces exceptional pressures of £227 million in relation to holiday pay, the McCloud injury-to-feelings remedy and the PSNI data breach, although it is not yet clear when those costs will crystallise. The Committee has repeatedly been advised that those exceptional pressures cannot be managed within the Department's Budget allocation. <BR /> <BR />To help to inform the Committee's consideration of the Budget, we invited the eight non-departmental public bodies to outline the likely implications and pressures arising from their indicative allocations. The PSNI, while welcoming the increased allocation, expressed concern that it would not be sufficient to meet its pressures and, in general terms, its disappointment at yet another one-year Budget.”
“The pressures faced become even greater due to the anticipated additional cost of National Insurance contributions of £15 million, revised pay award assumptions of £4·3 million and the estimated £6·55 million required to implement the Burgess report recommendations on an uplift in legal aid fees, which is seen as an urgent priority.”
“The Department will receive a capital allocation of £100 million against a final bid of £135·3 million, which, it has stated, will be used to address inescapable capital bids. The non-ring-fenced resource DEL allocation represents an increase of £132·3 million, or 10·9% on the previous year. While the additional funding is welcome, it still leaves the Department facing stabilisation pressures amounting to some £33·9 million.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak as Chairperson of the Committee for Justice. I declare that I have an immediate family member who works in the legal profession. <BR /> <BR />Towards the end of last year, the Committee received briefings from officials on the Department's planning for the 2025-26 draft Budget, and we then heard evidence on 6 February on its draft 2025-26 Budget allocation. The Budget provides the Department of Justice with a resource DEL allocation for the 2025-26 financial year of £1,406 million. That includes earmarked funding of £37·8 million of additional security funding, and £16 million for the Executive programme for tackling paramilitary activity and organised crime, of which £6·8 million is due to be allocated to Departments other than Justice.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us not underestimate the economic impact of the Giants' success. They attract thousands of fans every week, including many visitors from overseas, supporting local jobs, tourism and the night-time economy in east Belfast and beyond. <BR /> <BR />Well done to all involved in this great victory, and long may their success continue.”
“<BR /> <BR />What makes the Belfast Giants so special is not just their performance on the rink but the role they play in the life of this city and region. Since their formation in 2000, the Giants have done more than just bring silverware to Belfast; they have made ice hockey what it is in Northern Ireland. They have built the fan base, been instrumental in the growth of ice hockey in Northern Ireland and inspired countless young people to look at the option of sport on the ice. <BR /> <BR />The Giants' community outreach work also deserves particular recognition. From supporting youth mental health initiatives to engaging with schools, championing anti-sectarianism and anti-racism campaigns, the club has consistently used its platform for good. It is a role model for how professional sport can make a tangible difference in society.”
“I extend warmest congratulations to the Belfast Giants, who have once again made Northern Ireland proud by winning the Elite Ice Hockey League title for the 2024-25 season, which is the third time in four years. It goes beyond a sporting victory: it is a celebration of excellence, determination, dedication, commitment and the will to win and a demonstration of the unifying power of sport in our society. The Giants' success on the ice is truly remarkable. To lift the league title in such a way and in such a competitive environment is no mean feat. That title win was not a given: it was hard-won in a tough sport. The victory speaks volumes about the professionalism and dedication of the players, the coaching staff and everyone behind the scenes at the club.”
“Thank you for everything that you have done for us over the many years that you have been here.”
“This announcement has taken me by shock this morning. Alex will be a significant loss to the Assembly and to the House. I have worked with Alex for many years during my time as a member of staff in the DUP Chief Whip's office and as DUP Chief Whip. She was always there if I needed to understand something, needed something explained or needed assistance or help. Alex was always a very steady hand, dispensing sage advice. It was a joy to work with her and to know that she was there to give that advice and assistance, and she was always good fun. <BR /> <BR />Alex, I cannot thank you enough. I appreciate that it is not protocol to speak beyond the Speaker's Chair, but, on behalf of everybody in the DUP, I wish you every success in the next phase of your life. You will be sorely missed.”
“I am grateful to the Minister for his answer. He has highlighted the fact that GRONI is working on the issue. He will be aware of the Tell Us Once campaign in Great Britain. It is being promoted by Marie Curie here. As chair of the all-party group (APG) on terminal illness, I am keen to see that bereaved people need to notify only one agency to ensure that they do not have to make repeated calls at a time of grief. The Minister is obviously taking it forward, but can he give us any indication of the time frame and the scoping needed for such legislation?”
“I am grateful to the Minister for that information. He will be aware that there are a number of entrance points to schools, particularly secondary schools. In my constituency, there is at least one school that has several buildings. The Minister has indicated that funds may be available and that schools should apply. Will he indicate how schools can apply for that associated funding for security for their estate?”
“In light of the Chief Constable's comments, will the Minister outline how the Budget will prioritise keeping people safe, if the people tasked with doing it indicate that they cannot do that with the money allocated to them?”
“Further to my colleague's question, the Chief Constable has indicated that the PSNI will struggle to carry out its basic functions and, indeed, some of its statutory responsibilities as a result of the Budget. I note from the Minister's statement last week that he intends to allocate £5 million to the safer communities programme and to make a £4·7 general allocation to the Department of Justice.”
“I thank the Member for her comprehensive answer. At this stage, does the working group or the Commission envisage any potential savings that could be made as a result of AI, including around translation services?”
“I am grateful to the Minister for the practical options that she outlined for those affected. She will be aware that the closure of Connswater is a significant body blow to the people of East Belfast and beyond. In addition to the good work that is done by East Belfast Enterprise and EastSide Partnership, what action can be taken and what work can be done by her Department to restore what used to be thriving areas in inner east Belfast, including the Newtownards Road, to help to create good jobs for people in the area?”
“The Member's original question sought the up-to-date position on the data breach. However, as the Minister referenced, there is also the McCloud judgement and the holiday pay situation. Could the Minister perhaps give us the most up-to-date position on each of those elements and any information that there may be on timelines for progressing those?”
“Our amendment builds on and strengthens the UUP motion, and I commend it to the House.”
“Now that the Irish Government have been presented with an opportunity to live up to the standards that they have so often demanded of others, we will watch and wait with anticipation. It is our hope that the Justice Minister will commit to seeking parallel investigative mechanisms in the Republic. I thank her for her response today. Ms Bradshaw indicated that that should be directed to TEO. I am certain that the deputy First Minister will make that case, but so should the Justice Minister. <BR /> <BR />There need to be concurrent inquiries with the necessary powers to get to the truth. Without that, we worry that any MOU could be proven to be toothless and worthless, that millions will be spent and that the families will be no further on at the end. That would be truly shameful.”
“<BR /> <BR />It was noteworthy to hear from Lord Caine, in an answer to Lord McCrea, that the then Secretary of State wrote to the Irish Deputy Prime Minister in January 2024 challenging the Irish Government's approach to addressing legacy issues, including the number of Troubles-related prosecutions that had been brought in Ireland since 1998. The Labour Government need to do much more than they have done so far: merely and meekly welcoming cooperation and stating that a decision on any inquiry is for the Republic. It may well be, but our Government need to exert pressure and influence, and they need to bring that influence to bear to ensure that there is a concurrent inquiry. <BR /> <BR />Over the years, we have heard countless criticisms from Dublin about perceived failures when it comes to dealing with the past.”
“They are ever content to tell His Majesty's Government what they should be doing while doing nothing themselves, failing to investigate repeated allegations of collusion and harbouring those who perpetrated heinous acts of terrorism and fled over the border to safety, and then refusing to extradite them to the UK. <BR /> <BR />Just for the record, between 1973 and 1997, 113 extradition requests were made to the Republic concerning terrorist-related offences, but only eight people were extradited. Between those same dates, 296 extradition requests were made that related to non-terrorist offences, which resulted in 124 extraditions. Interesting, is it not? Yet, as a member of the Europe Union, the Republic, too, is subject to the articles and obligations of the European Convention on Human Rights, including article 2.”
“Truth and justice must be delivered for the families of those who so needlessly lost their lives to Irish republican terrorism. We all, the Irish included, must listen to the voices of victims, engage with them and not run away from our responsibility to help uncover the truth. The Republic cannot, should not and must not ignore its duty in that regard. <BR /> <BR />It is difficult to understand how or why the Dublin Government are ignoring the comments of Justice Horner, yet it is not surprising. For years, there have been double standards when it comes to legacy and something of a say-do gap in their approach.”
“As has been said, the families of Kingsmills saw exactly what cooperation from the Irish Government looked like when it amounted to the inquiry being sent newspaper clippings as part of disclosure. That has created a genuine concern among the families that key evidence from the public may never be examined, and key evidence is exactly what it may be, given that the bombing was planned in the Republic and that the bomb was built and transported from there. <BR /> <BR />For us and, I hope, the rest of the House, it is unacceptable that the Dublin Government are refusing to provide a structure that would help bring the Omagh families answers. The victims and their families deserve truth, accountability and justice on both sides of the border, and our party leader Gavin Robinson has raised that matter with the Prime Minister.”
“We concur that there should be such an inquiry, with powers to compel any person in the Republic of Ireland to provide evidence, information and material that is pertinent to a full and unfettered investigation. The families deserve truth, and any inquiry must have, and must use, the power to compel people to participate. It must have the power to interrogate individuals and to compel them to provide any and all information and evidence that they hold. To our minds, that would be a much better and a more valuable and meaningful method of the Irish Government demonstrating their cooperation than have them sign a document. <BR /> <BR />Cooperation is entirely subjective and completely insufficient.”
“It is therefore imperative that the Irish Government instigate their own public inquiry into the Omagh bomb, as per the Horner judgement of 2021, in which Justice Horner stated:”
“I, too, am conscious that today is European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism. The accounts that we have heard in recent days about the atrocity in Omagh have been heart-wrenching and distressing, and I commend the families for their fight to secure their inquiry and for their bravery in recounting the worst times of their lives. The impact on them, as it is on so many others in our society as a result of terrorism, is lifelong. I am hopeful, rather than expectant, that they will receive the truth and information that they seek. <BR /> <BR />As Mr Buchanan said, our amendment stems from a concern that a memorandum of understanding would be completely inadequate in providing the answers for victims.”
“Let us honour her daughter's memory and the memory of all those who have been lost to ketamine and other drugs and dangerous substances by standing with her campaign and pushing for a safer, healthier future. On that basis, I encourage Members to support the motion.”
“We ask the Minister to work with the Government to put in place arrangements for those from Northern Ireland to inform the review and any future decisions. <BR /> <BR />If the testimonies that I read aloud do not make a convincing case, consider the views of Senior Coroner Mutch from south Manchester at the inquest of a young man called James Boland. The record shows that the inquest heard evidence that Mr Boland had previously used cocaine but had switched to ketamine on the basis that, because it was a class B drug, he perceived it to be less harmful. <BR /> <BR />Sandra Larmour has shown us what it means to fight for change in the face of great personal loss.”
“We know that it is a reserved matter, but we strongly believe that the Justice Minister has a role to play in working with the Home Office to allow families affected by ketamine and relevant stakeholders from Northern Ireland to have their voices heard and be included in the review. The voices of those who have lived through the nightmare of ketamine-related deaths should be amplified, and their experiences and insights could be invaluable in shaping future regulation. The reclassification of ketamine is not just a policy issue but a matter of protecting our communities by taking swift and decisive action. We can prevent further tragedies, support affected families and send a strong message, before it gets a grip on Northern Ireland, that the misuse of ketamine will no longer be tolerated.”
“By the way, in 2014, ketamine was upgraded from class C, and the maximum penalty for producing and supplying ketamine is currently 14 years in prison. If it is raised to class A, the offence could result in a life sentence for supply and production. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the Government's decision to commission advice on whether ketamine should be reclassified as class A. That is absolutely a step in the right direction, but we must ensure that the voices of families like Sandra's are heard in the decision-making process. It is vital that the Government listen to those who have experienced the devastating impact of ketamine at first hand and take their experiences into account. <BR /> <BR />That is where the Minister of Justice comes in.”
“Data from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) shows that 74% of those reporting spiking are female, with an average age of 26, but an increasing number of males have been spiked. <BR /> <BR />Ketamine is increasingly being used for spiking and is particularly dangerous when mixed with alcohol, because, together, the two have a very powerful effect that, in extreme cases, can lead to coma or death. Ketamine is one of the most detected substances in instances of spiking. <BR /> <BR />The Government are seeking advice on whether to reclassify the drug in line with narcotics such as cocaine, heroin and MDMA, so they wrote to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on 14 January to commission updated advice on ketamine, including whether it should be reclassified to become a class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.”