Kellie Armstrong
Strangford · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Water Environment Bill. It is timely and important. Miss McIlveen, a fellow MLA for the Strangford constituency, has just spoken.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill reflects the realities of the post-Brexit landscape by aligning protections here with those in other UK jurisdictions and the UK Fisheries Act. That consistency is important for standards, enforcement and international confidence in our products.”
“Last year, I met the Department and we discussed that. The opportunities for seaweed farming in Strangford lough are wonderful, and the opportunities from seaweed that Queen's University has identified are incredible. We are lucky to have those opportunities on our doorstep, as long as there is licensing and it is properly looked after.”
“Moving beyond managing individual fisheries, the Bill recognises the interconnected nature of our rivers, loughs and seas — an approach that is very much in line with Alliance's commitment to evidence-based environmental policy. The inclusion of a national benefit objective is also significant.”
“A while ago, we saw that commercial bottom trawling had all but decimated the horse mussel population in Strangford lough. It has since been changed to a special area of conservation. That limits a lot of activity in the lough, which is not a bad thing considering that horse mussels are coming back.”
“They allow for timely action on lower-level offences without over-burdening the courts while still acting as a meaningful deterrent. If only everybody were acting properly, we would not need to have those deterrents, but we are where we are, and the Bill hopes to improve upon that.”
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“We know that already in the year 2020-21, 45% of our energy was generated from renewables. Therefore, we have the opportunity to do that. We also need to improve the planning process so that solar and wind farms get through the system quicker. <BR /> <BR />In the long term — I appreciate what Mr Frew said earlier — it is not all down to wind energy. Where do we live? We live on an island. We could have tidal energy. We are not investing in that at all. In the long term, we need to invest in offshore energy, because that is where the solutions are: they are in wind and tidal offshore energy and energy storage. In the week that we are in, while COP is happening, we must not keep navel-gazing and taking knee-jerk reactions to rising fuel prices and fuel poverty. We need to plan and take actions to deal with poverty and fuel poverty.”
“As Mr Allen from the Ulster Unionists said, perhaps the Minister could clarify what is happening with that £14 million. Will there be a fuel poverty funding pot? I would love to hear what will happen with that. I will, of course, support the Minister if she puts forward a bid for that total amount. <BR /> <BR />In the short term, if we are to deal with fuel poverty that is caused by rising energy costs, the solution is money. We have to be honest about that. We all know that it is in tight supply at the moment. We need money now. In the medium term, we need more consideration to be given in the three-year Budget plan to things like insulation, retrofitting and investment in alternative, sustainable fuels. We need to look at energy options such as solar and wind. We need public education.”
“Thank you. A stronger regulator would certainly do that. I agree with the Member. <BR /> <BR />Let us address the short-term impact of energy cost increases. Bryson Charitable Group has won the fuel bank research tender. However, I assume that that will not be delivered on for this winter. National Energy Action NI and Advice NI have put in a bid for emergency energy support for people across Northern Ireland who have no resources to pay for home heating, so that, if, for instance, someone approached their MLA for a food bank voucher, they might also be offered a home-heating voucher. I do not know what is happening with that bid. The bid could provide the solution to a means-tested winter energy fund. People are already on the ground and ready to help us.”
“What can we do in the short term? Of course, we should write to the UK Government and ask them for financial support. We should also challenge the regulator and energy providers more. However —”
“Of course, the motion calls for joint departmental working by asking the Finance, Economy and Communities Ministers to work together to create a means-tested winter energy emergency fund to help people in need. We should never allow any citizen to sit in a cold home. Older people, children, people with disabilities, and all others should never, in a First World society, sit freezing or foundered in their homes. <BR /> <BR />The increasing cost of energy also impacts on public services. Schools and hospitals will pay more for energy. We must do something about that. The Minister is here to respond to the motion. I will be honest: we have just had the October monitoring round, and no money has been allocated for a winter emergency fund, so what can we do? People who are cold want solutions, not finger-pointing.”
“As we know, this is happening at the same time as the wider cost of living costs are increasing. What a way to come out of the pandemic. Because of the Spend Local cards, the impact of the loss of the uplift to universal credit of £20 per week has not yet been fully felt in many households. Many of my constituents have used the £100 on their Spend Local card to pay to heat their home and top up their electricity meter as much as they can in advance of winter. That means that, for many families, the money on the Spend Local cards has masked the impact of the removal of the COVID uplift. For most of them, November will be the month when energy costs hit worst. <BR /> <BR />What can we do?”
“This is not an unexpected rise in fuel costs. I have to admit that, 30-plus years ago, when I sat in my geography class in Queen's University, Dr Nick Betts predicted that, around this time in this century, we would see an increase in the cost of energy because we would have to move away from fossil fuels. That man should be given an award for predictions. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Alliance Party, I support the motion. I thank the Members for bringing it to the Floor of the House. The rising cost of energy is not going to impact every household; it is impacting every household. The cost of home-heating oil, gas, electric and, let us not forget, car fuel, is rising. Predictions are that those costs will only continue to rise before the end of this calendar year, which is months away.”
“For example, I am aware of a company that was refused access to the Department for Communities' JobStart scheme because the Department did not believe that the jobs were skilled enough. Those jobs were in the service sector, yet coffee houses were allowed to join the scheme. <BR /> <BR />We need to support the skills of all businesses in Northern Ireland. We need to come forward with a skills strategy that reviews the needs of all businesses that deliver for what Northern Ireland needs now. If we are to have an effective skills strategy and prioritise the delivery of skills over the next number of years, the Assembly needs to set aside party political Budget segmentation and design a Programme for Government and a work programme to deliver for this place that we call "home" and for the citizens who live in it.”
“When they make their winding-up speeches, I ask the Members to confirm what their thinking is on the apprenticeship levy, given how many companies pay into it but do not receive an effective return. <BR /> <BR />Investing in skills is, of course, integral to economic recovery, following the fallout from Brexit and the pandemic. I agree that we must improve the number of people qualified in STEM subjects, but I also ask that we are mindful that, with an ageing society, we do not forget the growing need for social care provision, including an increase in the skilled social care workforce, to deliver care in the community. There needs to be real consideration of how we pay people properly and how we provide them with training to ensure that they have the skills to look after our older and vulnerable fellow citizens.”
“I am not 100% certain how a ring-fenced budget can or would work. As we all know, there is a structure to how a budget is developed and delivered. How can there therefore be a ring-fenced skills fund? If a skills fund budget is limited to the Department for the Economy, how can we effectively scrutinise the other Departments that have a role to play in delivering the skills strategy? I hope that the proposers of the motion and the amendment can explain that, because it is one of the aspects of today's debate that has not been clearly enough explained. <BR /> <BR />There is also no mention of the apprenticeship levy in the motion or the amendment.”
“I have a concern about the amendment where it seeks:”
“All of that can be delivered, but we need an improved impact assessment process, whereby all Departments have to align their policies to ensure that improved equality, sustainability and carbon-impact assessments are carried out before a scheme is brought forward. It is time for all our Departments to stop working in silos and move to deliver effective actions that will help achieve what the proposer of the motion and the proposer of the amendment seek to achieve.”
“<BR /> <BR />Earlier, my colleague Stewart Dickson spoke of the published Alliance green new deal, which confirms that we need a realignment towards sustainability, reducing inequalities and an employer-driven apprenticeship strategy.”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />I absolutely agree. I am extremely concerned about the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Committee for Communities has heard time and again that Supporting People, for instance, could fall by the wayside. We do not know how that is to be funded. This is about not just young people but people of all ages. The Economy Department needs to bring forward the skills strategy to collate all that work and ensure that there is a joined-up approach. I look forward to the Budget-setting process for cross-departmental bids to ensure that skills, which is a cross-cutting issue, is funded and headlined in the Departments that I have mentioned.”
“In a moment. <BR /> <BR />— in jobs and benefits offices identify and help people not in employment to access training and develop their skills. <BR /> <BR />I give way.”
“We need an education system that is celebrated for delivering access to employment and life opportunities here at home. The DUP's underachievement piece is betrayed by the commitment to the transfer test. We need to get real with our education system. We also need to consider how the Department for Communities identifies skills gaps and other development opportunities through the Job Start scheme, or, indeed, any future employment schemes, or how work coaches —”
“As my colleague Stewart Dickson indicated, Alliance will support the amendment and the motion today. As the amendment confirms, we need a cross-departmental approach to skills development in Northern Ireland. For example, we need to review our education system and the type of courses being offered. Are they delivering the skills that we need to develop a future workforce? When was the last time that our GCSE courses were reviewed in partnership with our businesses to consider whether we are enabling our young people to have the skills needed for a future workforce? <BR /> <BR />We have a false system here, where newspapers promote as the best the schools with pupils achieving A*s, but where do those young people go? Many of them leave Northern Ireland, never to return.”
“I take the Minister back to Mr Beggs's point about MOTs and taxing a vehicle. She said that taxing a vehicle is outside Northern Ireland's control. Given that people cannot tax their vehicle unless they have a valid MOT certificate, what conversations has the Minister had with the DVLA to try to deal with that issue for Northern Irish customers?”
“I absolutely welcomed the Job Start scheme when it came forward. Has the Minister, too, heard complaints from businesses that the take-up rate for Job Start opportunities has been disappointing? She talks about helping to encourage young people into positions, but where are the jobs advertised? As we know, they do not read the newspapers. Is there anything that the Minister can do to help businesses that are offering opportunities?”
“Violence has no place in Northern Ireland, and people who carry out violent activities have no place in our society. No rationale or reason excuses that criminal activity. It is a misguided sense of entitlement to cause criminal damage. Like my Strangford constituency colleague Mr Nesbitt, I absolutely condemn those who were behind the attack. It was an attack not just on our public transport service and public services but on the whole of society.”
“I am sure that the whole House will condemn the atrocious activity this morning and support the PSNI in its endeavours to catch those individuals and remove the weapon or weapons from the community.”
“The people behind this attack on a public service have no remit for doing so. They are criminals. They have caused delay and upset in the residential areas of Movilla and Bowtown, near Abbey Primary School and Castle Gardens Primary School. They have harmed the community. They are anti-community. They are a disgrace.”
“I, too, rise to speak about the attack in Mr Nesbitt and my constituency this morning, and I, too, would like to pass on my support to the bus driver who was targeted and, understandably, very shaken after the attack this morning. The police have called for information from anyone who was in or around the Abbot Drive area at around 6.30 am who may have seen the hijack take place and can help the police to catch the individuals, who are alleged to have been masked and armed. <BR /> <BR />This is 2021, not 1971. The Troubles are behind us. Paramilitaries, no matter what type, should have left the stage, yet here we are: two masked men brandishing a gun hijacked a bus in a residential area, poured petrol into the bus and set it on fire. Thousands of pounds worth of public property was damaged by two thugs.”
“When the Member says that there are us-uns and them-uns and portrays Alliance as being on the outside, we are on the outside, because we do not have the same vote as you. I am a lesser person, and my vote counts for less when a cross-community vote happens here. Is that not correct?”
“Can the Member confirm how she feels that cross-community voting that does not count my vote in the same way is protecting me as a minority in the House?”
“Yes. I would just like to say that this is exactly why this is happening. I respect all your political opinions. Why am I still a second-class citizen in cross-community voting in the House? Why can we not have equality?”
“Minister, I am glad to hear that you are working on that. Given the pressure on homes as a result of the financial crisis, are you working with the community and voluntary sector to ensure that oil clubs, for instance, are promoted to winter fuel payment recipients or that the Consumer Council's price checker comparison information is available offline — for example, in libraries?”
“I will try to be quick. The forms ask for anecdotal evidence, which is what takes so long. Another problem is that the forms ask disabled people who are attending the development course how disabled they are. That is quite negative. Can that be reviewed and treated more positively?”
“Will the Minister confirm when 16- and 17-year-olds will be offered a second vaccine dose, given that that is clearly recommended for the delta variant? Parents tell me that that age cohort cannot access COVID certificates without a second dose.”
“by parallel consent or a weighted majority. If we are to meet the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, we have to ensure that all sections of the community can participate. Alliance acknowledges that, if we are to take forward changes in time for the next mandate, the UK Government will need to make them as soon as AERC has provided its report on the alternative to designations and the issue of the First Minister and deputy First Minister. <BR /> <BR />Members, let us make good government. I ask the House to vote for the motion and the Alliance amendment.”
“and that this place should be operated on a cross-community basis. Under the section on safeguards, it states:”
“Some have talked about returning to the original Good Friday Agreement. Although it is preferable to the changes that were brought in by successive agreements, it was of its time and is no longer adequate to deal with the changed demographics of who we are today. It does not reflect today's society. Returning to the consociationalism of the Good Friday Agreement would not reflect who we are. The agreement did not foresee the collapse of these institutions. We should build on the intention of the Good Friday Agreement to build consensus, deliver fair and equitable government and allow all of us elected to this place to have an equal say in all decisions. The Good Friday/Belfast Agreement states:”
“After an election, parties would negotiate a Government, as in most other societies, but contentious votes would have to be carried out on a two-thirds majority in order to stop the domination of one party by another. Such a majority would, effectively, guarantee cross-community support and enable all elected politicians to have their vote treated equally. We need to prevent the cycle of crises that has affected progress in our devolved institution. We also need to deliver fair representation for the 111,000 people in 2017 who gave their first preference vote to parties that were not unionist or nationalist. <BR /> <BR />We need to look at how the joint office of First Minister and deputy First Minister is elected. Without designations, there would be an opportunity to deliver something better and more reflective of the whole community.”
“It is also important for empowering individuals and groups, and it is one of the core elements of a human rights-based approach that is aimed at eliminating marginalisation and discrimination. However, in the House, every time that a cross-community vote takes place, the votes of all of us placed in the category of "other" are not counted with the same value. I ask all unionists and nationalists: is that fair? If you were denied the right to an equal vote because of your political designation, would you be happy, or would you challenge the blatant unfairness of the process? <BR /> <BR />I turn to political stability. Removing designations from the Assembly and how the House works would create the ability to have stability.”
“However, in the House, because of the designation system, my vote does not carry the same weight as that of a unionist or nationalist. How is that upholding the code of conduct? <BR /> <BR />Let us consider the type of decisions that treat my vote as one of less importance. Cross-community voting is used for the election of the Speaker, changes to Standing Orders, approval of the Budget and any vote that is subject to a petition of concern. Equal participation in politics enables the advancement of all human rights. It plays a crucial role in the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, social inclusion and economic development. It is essential for reducing inequalities and social conflict.”
“Not counting my vote in the same way as the vote of a unionist or a nationalist is demeaning. Just because I am not a nationalist or a unionist, I am considered to have lesser value in the House. I look to all of you: is that really how you see me? If the House used my gender, race, sexuality, marital status or religion to treat my voting rights differently, I could engage a solicitor and sue the House for discrimination. The House treats my vote as different from the votes of the rest of you on the basis of my political opinion <BR /> <BR />Members, why are you allowing difference, discrimination and damage to happen each time there is a cross-community vote? In the code of conduct for MLAs, we are all required to uphold the principle of equality. In that published code, principle 8 states:”
“It is time for all of us who respect democracy to replace the cross-community voting system, based on political designations, with a weighted majority system that is free from designations and can be used in place of cross-community voting in the circumstances specified in the Northern Ireland Act 1998 or when a reformed petition of concern is invoked. It is astonishing that cross-community voting continues to treat cross-community parties, such as Alliance, the Green Party and People Before Profit, as being lesser than those who are nationalist or unionist. In 1998, when the Belfast/ Good Friday Agreement was signed, not too many thought that there would be a significant growth of non-aligned parties, but here we are. <BR /> <BR />I find cross-community voting insulting.”
“I will not give way as I go through this. Sorry, I just want to get it out. <BR /> <BR />People in Northern Ireland enjoy free elections and can vote for representation. They vote for an elected representative to make decisions and cast votes in an equal system in which every vote is treated the same. However, the House provides a type of democracy in which, in some votes, only unionist and nationalist votes carry the same weight. Every time a cross-community vote takes place, my vote is treated differently.”
“If that had an impact on your party, time being short would not stop changes being made. Given that alternatives to designations could stabilise the institutions, we must find time. <BR /> <BR />Alliance has made it clear that it respects democracy and the devolved institutions. We are trying to find ways to stabilise the institutions so that we do not have another collapse and failure to deliver. We can do that by removing designations from the processes. I respect everyone's right to their political opinion, but why should we continue to base our political process on the protection of two opposing political opinions.”
“However, we need a report on that work to be produced before the end of this mandate, preferably before the pre-election period starts. <BR /> <BR />The AERC has been tasked with investigating designations, but, at its last meeting, there was an issue, and the subject of designations was relegated to the "too difficult" box. Instead, a collection of external academic reports will be collated and provided to whoever is on the AERC in the next mandate. Effectively, the can is being kicked down the road. When I stated in the meeting that the issue of designations had already been deemed a priority, I was told that there was not enough time. There is time, if there is a will to ensure that the votes cast for every elected representative in the House are treated equally during every vote.”
“Instead, we have political bickering in a mandatory coalition that is no longer working and is not acceptable to the public. <BR /> <BR />The Executive are failing to deliver effective government. Ministers block legislation that could help to make the lives of citizens better. Why is that legislation being blocked? It is being blocked because it can be and because mandatory coalition does not work. The designation system is not working. It forces parties that have contradictory political aspirations to work together. The resolution to a broken system is fixing it. Therefore, on behalf of the Alliance Party, I welcome the work initiated by the Assembly and Executive Review Committee (AERC) to consider replacing the current cross-community voting system.”
“The threats to bring down the political institutions are happening at a time when we have the worst patient waiting lists on these islands, as highlighted today by the news about the number of our children who are waiting for first appointments for serious illnesses such as cancer. We have more citizens living with pain and an exhausted, demoralised health service workforce. We are not delivering effective care or respite for people with disabilities, older people or their carers. We have people on benefits who are living in poverty and having to choose whether to heat or eat. We have a broken system that needs a stable Government who are committed to delivering for everyone. Our economy needs a Government that will lead the way and take opportunities.”
“Now, due to the politicking of some over the Brexit result and its progeny, the protocol, we are under the threat of a further collapse.”
“In bringing the motion and the amendment to the House today, my Alliance colleagues and I seek clear affirmation from all Members of the importance of the stability of these institutions in order to deliver for all the people of Northern Ireland. In this mandate, we have already suffered a three-year collapse.”
“Thank you very much, Minister. Can you outline how the cross-departmental Budget planning and the management of that Budget will go forward to ensure that no Department is working in a silo? You mentioned that. Housing, for instance, is a cross-cutting theme.”
“I absolutely welcome the announcement of PEACE PLUS coming forward. I was fortunate to meet representatives of Community Development and Health Network across Northern Ireland, and they have asked for clarifications. How will the PEACE PLUS money meet social and economic development needs? Will it be provided to councils, or straight to community-led organisations to reduce administration?”
“I will indeed. <BR /> <BR />— and build on Northern Ireland's rich culture. <BR /> <BR />I thank the proposer for bringing the motion forward. Now that the amendment has been clarified, I confirm that Alliance will be voting for both the motion —”
“It is vital that support is provided to all those who issue departmental grants to ensure that everyone in the arts and cultural sector is able to make applications and provide the necessary evidence. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of Alliance, I confirm, and I believe, that if we moved forward on meeting part 27a of the New Decade, New Approach agreement to introduce the agreed office of identity and cultural expression, our arts and creative industry could promote cultural pluralism —”
“The Assembly needs to ensure that arts funding here is put on a par with at least Wales. In doing that, surely we could require the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to target those additional resources beyond Belfast. <BR /> <BR />If you have only £10 million to start with, and you fund an orchestra and a producing theatre — which, by the way, are enjoyed by many across the whole of Northern Ireland, regardless of their location — which take up a third of that budget, the room to invest in and develop others is severely hampered. That needs to be corrected. It is time for rural proofing to be proactively built into the design of all grants and contracts.”
“We need the Department for Communities and the Assembly to correct the structural imbalance of arts funding across Northern Ireland and these islands and increase the budget for the arts locally at least in line with Wales, which receives twice as much funding per capita. <BR /> <BR />In the South, the Government allocated €130 million for the arts in 2021 and consolidated emergency moneys into the arts sector, which is more than five times per capita what the Assembly allocates to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, which is about £10 million per annum. The Welsh Government allocate more than twice as much per capita to the Arts Council of Wales than we do here. That is a stark issue. The budget for the arts has been consistently cut, year on year. We need to correct that.”