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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“Because of that, we in Alliance ask all parties to support our motion and send a united, clear message to the Government that they cannot take a unilateral decision that will harm our people, friends and families. <BR /> <BR />As my colleague Sian Mulholland stated earlier in the debate, we need a different path. We need to stop asking, "Who deserves support?" and start asking, "What support helps people to thrive?". That is why the motion calls for a rejection of the Government's punitive approach; a UK-wide commission to shape real, compassionate solutions to economic inactivity among disabled people; a focus on progressive means of generating more revenue for public services, particularly by increasing tax on the superwealthy; and a clear signal from the Assembly that Northern Ireland will not be punished for needing more support.”
“<BR /> <BR />As has been said, if we want more people to be in work, we need to set up the structures to enable them to go to work. Westminster has discussed the programmes that it intends to deliver; it is now over to Communities and the Department for the Economy to present their actions. Those actions must be decided in partnership with the people on whom they impact the most. <BR /> <BR />Our system is broken, and Labour is making it worse. It is more of a lack-of-care system than a welfare system. Irrespective of the amendments that were tabled today, the House is sending a clear signal to Westminster that its welfare reform proposals will harm people who live in Northern Ireland.”
“We could increase investment in supported employment, but, given how much the community and voluntary sector has had its core and operational costs cut by most Departments and with no clear replacement for European social fund funding, who will deliver those programmes? <BR />It is time that we got real. Instead of using negative language such as "abusing the system" or "fraud" when speaking about people on benefits, how about we now all commit to focusing on the potential for people who can work to join our workforce? How about recognising that it is not a binary choice to be in work or on benefits but about giving our friends, family and neighbours support to have a decent standard of living that will, in turn, give them the capacity and confidence to be employed?”
“I absolutely agree with Mrs Dillon. As part of assessing the impacts, we need to understand what happens when the support is removed. Do people fall back more on our health system? Do people fall back more on other benefits? What will happen to our people in Northern Ireland? <BR /> <BR />One of our concerns is that the Green Paper says that GB will continue to receive investment in employment programmes but we may not. It clearly states that Westminster sees this as a devolved issue and that we therefore need to find resources to address the harm that they will cause to our fellow citizens. We could invest in a financial mitigation package, but where will the money come from? Health takes up over 50% of our Budget. Where will we get the money? Will we close wards?”
“We can all speak to people with disabilities and understand their fears. Indeed, one of the people whom we spoke to today said that they were not able to sleep, that they were living in fear and that they did not know what their future would hold. <BR /> <BR />I would like to explain to everyone in the House that 638 people have died under the current system, one because of a work capability assessment. The person received a letter asking them to go for an assessment, and they could not cope with it. People are taking their lives because of the stress and the lack of dignity in how they are treated by the system.”
“No impact assessment has been done to consider the impact on people across the UK, particularly in Northern Ireland. While Westminster does not have to consider the impact on section 75 groups, we do. Any impact assessment should consider the negative impacts and what positive actions will need to be taken to reduce the harm that will be caused. <BR /> <BR />If only the Chancellor respected the devolved regions and had consulted us in advance, perhaps we could have had solutions in place. During the debate, I noted that the Department for Communities has put the DWP consultation on the reforms on its website. Should we not do our own consultation? We do not know, as the Minister has confirmed, how many people in Northern Ireland this will impact, how much it will cost them and what harm will be caused. We can all guess.”
“<BR /> <BR />I remind Members that social security is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, but we retain parity because, to be frank, we cannot afford not to. Alliance voted against welfare reform in Westminster. It is not a system of our design, but it is one that we have sought to improve through mitigations and by ensuring that people with lived experience are given a voice. In the debate, we all agreed that the UK Government should not take the reform forward and should fix the problem. We should not raise the false hope that the Northern Ireland Assembly can do the fix by itself. <BR /> <BR />Significant changes to the welfare system are being brought forward by Labour without appropriate consultation or any consideration of an impact assessment, which has been confirmed by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I may not take all of those minutes. There appears to be clear consensus on all sides of the House that the UK Government are imposing a reform of benefits that will have a negative impact on people with disabilities in Northern Ireland and that it is wrong. <BR /> <BR />Their cuts will force our people into poverty and, as Andy Allen said, make life harder. The cuts are more about saving money than saving people. Social security is now social insecurity for many citizens who have a disability. Today, in advance of the debate, my colleague Sian Mulholland MLA facilitated a meeting with people with disabilities and organisations to hear at first hand their lived experience. That was more consultation than the Labour Government had with people who have disabilities who live in Northern Ireland.”
“Just to give the Member an update, a high-income earner is somebody who earns over £130,000 a year. The superwealthy or super-rich are people who have a net income in excess of £30 million to £50 million.”
“That will bring many companies back to Northern Ireland and generate a growth in skills in the retrofitting and new technologies that we need. By embracing those solutions, we can transition Northern Ireland's housing sector to a sustainable, low-carbon future, ensuring environmental stewardship and economic resilience for generations to come.”
“I welcome the fact that the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has committed £14 million to the energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies that will be retrofitted in over 300 homes by spring of 2025. That type of initiative will not only reduce carbon emissions but address fuel poverty by lowering household energy bills. <BR /> <BR />We can catch up by taking a systematic approach to transitioning to low energy. To do that, our electric network needs to be ready to deliver the main source of energy across Northern Ireland, replacing our dependency on oil, particularly in rural areas. We need to take an area-based approach, focus the transition and ensure best value for money for the public purse in order to give the construction industry confidence that there is a work pipeline for them.”
“The Climate Change Committee's recent report states that electric technologies will benefit Northern Ireland, which underscores the necessity for Northern Ireland to transition its homes to low-carbon solutions and aim for a 77% reduction in emissions from 1990 levels by 2042. <BR /> <BR />In order to replace inefficient fossil fuel systems, I call on the Executive to commit to implementing the Climate Change Committee's specific recommendations to support households in transition to low-carbon energy. Northern Ireland is falling behind the rest of the UK and Ireland because we do not have a clear approach to helping transition our homes. Achieving those goals will necessitate a collaborative approach that integrates policy reforms, financial investment and community engagement.”
“It is time for government to act: to remove unnecessary barriers and ensure that terminally ill people receive what is rightfully theirs. I hope that we will all stand with Marie Curie and those affected by that injustice. I urge the Minister for Communities to write to Westminster to confirm that the entire Assembly supports reform and asks for immediate action.”
“<BR /> <BR />When the issue was discussed in the House of Commons, mention was made of the research from Loughborough University, which highlights the fact that giving working-age terminally ill people access to their state pension could vastly reduce poverty. It is right that we in the Assembly add our voice to that call. We must urge the UK Government to amend pension legislation to allow terminally ill individuals to access their state pension early, just as they would if they were to live to retirement age. If we can make exceptions for early access to private pensions, we must extend the same compassion to our public system. As others have said, societies are judged by how they treat those in their most vulnerable moments.”
“Imagine the impact of being told that you have an illness that will end your life and that you will be leaving behind your partner, children and wider family and then carrying the burden and guilt of knowing that you will cost that family a fortune, and you have no way of helping with that. While the special rules for terminal illness have been reformed to allow faster access to some benefits, the reforms do not go far enough. Marie Curie's campaign is clear: those who have contributed to the system should not be denied their pension simply because they will not live long enough to reach retirement age.”
“I rise today, as all others have done, in support of the campaign led by Marie Curie to grant early access to state pension for those who are terminally ill. It is a matter not just of policy but of dignity, fairness and compassion. Right now, the law does not recognise the cruel reality that terminally ill people face. Many have worked their entire life, contributed to our economy and paid into the system, only to be denied the financial support that they need in their final months. As it stands, the state pension age remains rigid, forcing people with a terminal diagnosis to navigate complex welfare systems, rather than spending precious time with their loved ones. Some have to work right up to the very end in order to save for their family.”
“Will the Minister confirm what action he can take to ensure that people with limited capacity, and their carers, are informed about securing the lasting power of attorney, enduring power of attorney, deputyship or a Court of Protection order?”
“Minister, thank you for allowing me in. Is the Minister surprised that, when the Committee for Communities met Northern Ireland Water, it confirmed that housing was not part of its priorities? The only priority is clean water and the provision of it, and NIW has no intention of dealing with housing issues.”
“<BR /> <BR />We must ask this: how do we streamline those processes while maintaining transparency and accountability? We need a conversation about planning reform, infrastructure investment and ensuring that public land serves the public good. We must work across government, councils and stakeholders to unlock land for housing, green energy and essential services. <BR /> <BR />This is not a challenge that we can ignore, but, for the thousands of people who are homeless today in Northern Ireland, it is one that we could address together. I welcome further discussion on how we could move forward. I thank the SDLP for raising the matter. The solution is not easy to come by, because of all the regulations that I have spoken of, but we need to do more to meet housing need in Northern Ireland.”
“We all know that, if all public land were to be made available at this moment, most of it could not be developed because of the lack of waste water infrastructure under the ground. Other limits, including roads and access to sustainable energy, can make development difficult. Public-sector budgets are stretched, and funding models often rely on private-sector investment, which, in turn, requires clarity and confidence in land availability and planning timelines. <BR /> <BR />I look forward to the Finance Minister's review of the public estate, which will identify surplus land that may be available. The suitability of that land will need to be considered. For example, building homes in the middle of an industrial park that lacks access to services will not achieve our aims for building sustainable communities.”
“Balancing economic growth with environmental protections under laws such as the Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 can slow projects considerably. Building on public land means balancing the needs of communities with the demands of developers. Public land is not just an asset; it belongs to the people. The Land Acquisition and Compensation (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 and other regulations ensure fair valuation and compensation, but they also create layers of bureaucracy that can complicate land transfers and approvals. <BR /> <BR />Even when land is available, there are infrastructure constraints, such as the limits placed on development by the capacity of waste water infrastructure.”
“We have a housing crisis in Northern Ireland. That means that more children, families and individuals are living in temporary accommodation — in homelessness — than ever before. The issue of building on public land in Northern Ireland is one of both opportunity and challenge. We know that demand for public housing, infrastructure and public services continues to grow. Public land presents a potential solution, yet navigating the legal, environmental and planning framework remains a complex and, at times, frustrating process. <BR /> <BR />Our planning system, governed by the Planning Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, requires rigorous assessments, particularly for developments on public land. That ensures proper land use, but it also leads to delays and uncertainty.”
“It has been working on tidal energy, wind turbines and the types of wind turbines that can capture as much energy as possible. Our coastlines have the potential to support our energy requirements as part of a mix, but we are failing to grasp the opportunities that are on the doorsteps of most of our constituencies. We have to engage all the opportunities to actively replace our dependence on fossil fuels. <BR /> <BR />Hydrogen development in Northern Ireland is a multifaceted strategy that combines the efficient use of renewable energy, technological innovation in electrolysis and storage and forward-looking policy reforms. That integrated approach is essential for reducing reliance on fossil fuels, enhancing energy security and driving economic growth through the creation of new green jobs and sustainable infrastructure.”
“I ask the Minister for the Economy to develop and consult on that strategy as a matter of urgency. I also ask that, if the Minister is taking forward a consultation on this, she consider that our Education Authority has one of the largest fleets of buses in Northern Ireland. Why is it not on hydrogen already? Our health service pays a fortune for its energy consumption in hospitals. Why can we not move those sectors into hydrogen use as well? <BR /> <BR />I am interested in the potential for harnessing energy from our waters. My constituency of Strangford has the longest coastline. For anyone who has listened to me — I can bore all day on it — I am passionate about renewable energy and the untapped potential of our local waters. I visited the Queen's University Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy in Strangford.”
“By harnessing our open coastlines and investing in the hydrogen skills base, we can establish Northern Ireland as a hub for low-carbon advanced manufacturing with the UK. As my colleague said, we need to consider our place in the world market. We have the perfect place where we can tap into the European market and the United Kingdom market. We also have the opportunity to attract funding from both. <BR /> <BR />To drive all this forward, as others have said, we need to have the workforce and we need to prioritise skills development, including dedicated hydrogen apprenticeships. To realise that potential, we need a dedicated hydrogen innovation strategy for Northern Ireland that sets out clear objectives for production, storage and use across sectors such as transport and heavy industry.”
“Thank you. Hopefully, I will not need it. I agree with the Member. This has the potential to reduce our dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets for homeowners and businesses. Lower carbon emissions and creating high-skilled jobs — what is not to love? The Alliance Party produced a green new deal paper in April 2021 calling for exactly this. We wanted Northern Ireland to be a world leader in emerging hydrogen technologies, promoting innovative projects that produce hydrogen gas and alternative blends and researching how it could play a part in meeting the challenges with energy storage, home heating and transport, which are two of the largest carbon emitters. <BR /> <BR />That new deal outlined a vision for a cleaner and more resilient economy, with hydrogen playing a key role.”
“When we talk about blending — I agree that we need to be taking forward hydrogen as a blend with gas — we need to look at what the capacity could be in Northern Ireland to create a different mechanism and a different heating system that will benefit our people. We can certainly sell off our surpluses, but we need to consider how much our people are spending on fuel to heat their homes. Fuel poverty levels in Northern Ireland are appalling, and hydrogen is one of those mechanisms that we could use to help people.”
“Thank you to the DUP for tabling the motion. Hydrogen development in Northern Ireland is emerging as a pivotal element of the region's transition to a low-carbon economy. Such development utilises Northern Ireland's substantial renewable energy capacity, which is predominantly wind, and innovative applications of electrolysis to convert surplus curtailed energy into green hydrogen. That stored hydrogen can later be used to decarbonise transport, heat and industrial processes. <BR /> <BR />While many Economy Committee members have talked today about the opportunities for export, I would like to bring the issue back to the internal market. Today, in Northern Ireland, we have a Housing Executive supply that is largely dependent on oil.”
“Minister, if this were private business, somebody would lose their job. We all know that, as you said, you do not get enough money to fund Northern Ireland Water in the way that it wants. Public-sector budgetary rules constrain Northern Ireland Water's ability to access and utilise funding beyond that provided by the Department. Will you confirm to the House that, at long last, we will have an evaluation of the current model, so that we not have to, as the Audit Office report says, have increasing numbers of people living in homelessness in Northern Ireland, with the barrier to housebuilding being caused by Northern Ireland Water?”
“<BR /> <BR />I reiterate the call for the Minister for the Economy to work along with other Ministers, in particular the Minister for Infrastructure, to reform planning policy in a way that balances environmental protections with the urgent need for energy transition. I ask all Members to support the Alliance amendment, because, without the interconnector, everything else is just words on a page.”
“Would it not be great if we could see the SONI able to connect Drumlin Wind Energy Co-op and so on across Northern Ireland so that local communities might be involved? <BR /> <BR />A critical element is the North/South interconnector. It is vital infrastructure that will increase grid capacity, reduce consumer bills and enhance our energy security by allowing greater flows of renewable electricity across the island. Delays to that project are no longer acceptable. I fully support cross-border cooperation to accelerate its delivery and to ensure that our electricity market functions efficiently for all.”
“We must also update the standards for what we are building, because there is no point in our Minister for Communities having a housing strategy if it pumps out houses that still rely on oil and gas. <BR /> <BR />Our neighbours across these islands are moving forward. The Irish Government have launched new offshore wind auctions under their renewable energy support scheme, while Scotland is rapidly expanding its offshore wind sector. Northern Ireland cannot afford to be left behind, and that is why I welcome the call in the motion for the introduction of a new renewable energy support scheme: one that will unlock investment, drive innovation and ensure that communities benefit from locally generated clean power.”
“I am on the Committee for Communities, and, my goodness, fuel poverty is causing so much harm across our society. At present, the planning system is not fit for purpose for renewables. The strategic planning policy statement (SPPS) for Northern Ireland and Planning Policy Statement 18 on renewable energy are outdated and do not reflect the scale of ambition that is required in order to meet our legally binding Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 commitments. If we are to achieve at least 80% renewable electricity by 2030, we must streamline planning proposals for wind, solar and emerging technologies such as battery storage and green hydrogen.”
“Northern Ireland stands at a crossroads. Our energy security, economic growth and environmental responsibilities demand that we take bold action to expand our renewable energy capacity, yet outdated planning policies remain a major obstacle to progress. Without reform, we risk stalling investment, missing our climate targets and failing to provide affordable clean energy for households across the region.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. Because I only have three minutes, I will speak really fast, and I will not take interventions. I start by saying that, when King Charles confirmed his Government and gave a commitment to clean energy transition, I did not see him salivating. I thought that that may be worthwhile for Mr Gaston to consider. <BR /> <BR />I rise to support the Alliance amendment, which calls for urgent action to accelerate the delivery of the North/South interconnector, because, without it, all of this is just words.”
“Thank you, Minister. Introducing section 19 and 22 permits would allow community transport to address the lack of transport in rural areas and increase the amount of accessible transport in rural areas. What is the barrier to bringing forward legislation that is used in the rest of the UK?”
“To truly honour and preserve that integral aspect of our heritage, however, we must move beyond celebration and instead take concrete action. I urge the Minister for Communities to expedite the delivery of the long-overdue Irish language strategy, thereby fulfilling our collective responsibility to protect and promote Gaeilge for current and future generations. There is no excuse for continuing to fail to deliver or for delaying any language strategies. Let us stop politicising the Irish language and Ulster Scots and instead get on with delivery together. Not progressing strategies is a failure of the Executive to meet their legal requirements and says a lot about the Assembly's inability to recognise and celebrate the wealth of our shared culture.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is frustrating to me that the Identity and Language (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 had to be passed by the Westminster Parliament after attempts to pass similar legislation at Stormont encountered political difficulties due to disagreements over the status of Irish and Ulster Scots. Regrettably, to put it kindly — very kindly — progress has been sluggish. The Northern Ireland Executive have faced and continue to face legal challenges due to their failure to implement the Irish language strategy, which highlights the urgent need for us to affirm our commitment in the House today. <BR /> <BR />The Irish language and Ulster Scots provide a vibrant thread that is woven into the fabric of our society. Their resurgence in music, film and education is a testament to their enduring relevance.”
“That is something that we should be doing here. <BR /> <BR />I turn to Ulster Scots. The 1999 Northern Ireland life and times survey found that 2% of Northern Ireland residents said that they could spake Ulster Scots or Ullans, which would mean a total speech community of approximately 30,000. Most of them probably live in Ballymena, along the Northern Irish coast heading towards Scotland and on the Ards peninsula. Other estimates range from 35,000 in Northern Ireland to a total of 100,000 in Ireland, mainly on the east coast of Donegal, where half my family is from.”
“It is disappointing, however, to read BIPA state:”
“In its report 'Provision for Indigenous Minority Languages in the BIPA Jurisdictions', the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA), stated:”
“I thank Conradh na Gaeilge for its presentation — in Irish — to the Committee for Communities that also highlighted its frustration at the lack of movement on the Irish language strategy. <BR /> <BR />Despite those cultural advances, there remains a pressing need for formal support through a comprehensive Irish language strategy. 'New Decade, New Approach' explicitly mandates the development of such a strategy:”
“Today, we can all accept the historical, cultural and social significance and strength of the Irish language and Ulster Scots across our entire community. The Irish language or Gaeilge and Ulster Scots are more than means of communication: they are living evidence of our shared heritage and identity. In recent years, we have witnessed a remarkable resurgence of both languages in various cultural domains, including music, film, radio, television, festivals, events and sports. <BR /> <BR />I commend all the participants in Seachtain na Gaeilge, an annual festival that celebrates and promotes the Irish language across our island. The event fosters unity and pride and encourages fluent speakers and novices to engage with the language in meaningful ways.”
“My grandmother was probably the most fluent Ulster-Scots speaker whom I have ever heard, and you didnae want to get on the wrang side of her.”
“I am fluent in Ulster Scots; I was very fortunate to grow up in an area in which Ullans is spake all the time.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. During the session at the Committee for Communities last week, we heard from Conradh na Gaelige that the strategy was there and was almost ready; it just needed to be signed off. Does the Member agree with me, therefore, that the barriers to progress that are being put in place should not have to end up in court and that they should just get on with it?”
“<BR /> <BR />My second congratulations are to Ballynahinch Rugby Club, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. Ballynahinch Rugby Club was founded in 1954, and it is affiliated to the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The first team currently plays senior rugby union in All-Ireland League Division 1A, and the club fields six junior standard adult teams. Youth teams, both male and female, compete at under-16, under-14, under-12 and mini rugby levels. It is a fantastic club that showcases excellent coaching, excellent facilities and successful teams. I wish everyone well as they continue to develop the club. Here's to the next 70 years.”
“I rise to congratulate two long-standing organisations in my Strangford constituency that are celebrating significant anniversaries. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate Portaferry Women's Institute, which celebrated its 90th anniversary. Portaferry WI is the second-oldest surviving institute. It was set up in 1935, and, at the first meeting, members noted that they would meet on the second Tuesday of each month. Ninety years later, they still meet on that date. While the first president was Lady Nugent, I pay tribute to another lady: Mrs Betty White. Mrs White has been a stalwart of the WI and, at recent celebrations, produced scrapbooks that covered the 90 years of activity and events. I congratulate Portaferry WI on its momentous anniversary and congratulate all the women who are keeping that tradition alive.”
“Thank you very much. I do not retract it. Mr Beattie did say that there were members of paramilitary organisations who were OK.”
“In the same report, former Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan was quoted as saying that the comments did not surprise him:”