Colin McGrath
South Down · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, regardless of where people stand on the exact figure, surely we can all agree that a health service cannot function without the doctors whom it trains.”
“Minister, climate change is happening, and extreme weather events are taking place. We saw that in Downpatrick a number of years ago when the town centre was ravaged by flooding, and it has taken the businesses affected many years to try to get over that flooding.”
“Minister, given that capital funding is, generally, being decimated, the extent of which may increase as a result of the Executive's not agreeing a Budget, what impact will that have on any final road maintenance strategy, and are any contingencies being put in place to manage that?”
“<BR /> <BR />Since March 2025, the parliamentary excellence programme has delivered dedicated sessions with the Executive Office on the strategic framework and its delivery plan, enhancing Members’ understanding of the cross-government approach and their role in scrutiny, legislation and constituency engagement.”
“<BR /> <BR />More broadly, the Assembly Commission supports Members and Committees in carrying out their scrutiny functions, including in relation to the Executive Office’s work on that framework.”
“As the Member mentioned, one example is the Assembly's Women's Caucus, which has a particular focus on supporting women in public life and highlighting the increasing challenges that women face in the digital sphere, including online abuse.”
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“I also want to raise the fact, given that it has been mentioned, that we have had a number of debates today on similar issues, so the issues are a bit repetitive. This is something that I mentioned earlier: if we are going to move into a phase where we have an adult protection Bill, multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) continuing to roll out, the Adoption and Children Act and learning and disability frameworks, there is going to be an even greater emphasis on the recruitment of social workers and that is, inevitably, going to divert some away from the roles that they are in at the minute, because there are just not enough social workers to cover the patches as it is.”
“A crisis will beget a crisis that will continue to impact on the area. Having worked for many years in diocesan-based youth services that have youth centres across North Belfast and West Belfast, I am aware from those staff — I continue to hear this from them — of the problems and the scale of the issues for the young people with whom they work. There is a real issue on the ground and a real problem in responding to it. That is the sort of cocktail that will lead to problems. As Mr Carroll said, it could ultimately lead to some very dangerous outcomes, and it will be some of our vulnerable young people or our elderly people who will be impacted on.”
“Obviously, I am from South Down, but, if there is any Adjournment debate in which I feel that I can participate, I will do so. As the son of a Clonard woman and an Ardoyne man, I think that I get to speak on an issue in North Belfast and West Belfast. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP supports the Adjournment topic and the issues that have been highlighted. We recognise that there are a massive number of vacancies, which Members have mentioned. I will highlight the fact that such a high level of vacancies across social services in the area can create a continuing problem. The fewer staff there are, the more pressure there is on those who are there. Those jobs become less attractive, and people then leave. <BR /> <BR />It would be good to hear whether the Minister has a human resource plan to respond to a staffing crisis.”
“Our carers are the unsung heroes of our social care system, often providing essential support without the recognition or resources that they deserve. We must ensure that they have access to the support, training and respite that they need to continue their vital work. <BR /> <BR />The time for talk is over. The people of the North are counting on us to act.”
“<BR /> <BR />I sound like a broken record, but, again, it is not lost on me that we have an Executive party motion and an Executive party amendment that ask a Minister from another Executive party to do something. It sometimes feels as though the conversations just go around in circles with people talking to themselves. You are the Executive, so, if you want to prioritise it, prioritise it, and let us stop talking about it. <BR /> <BR />We must revise care standards for nursing homes. Our elderly and vulnerable populations deserve to live in environments that meet their needs and ensure their dignity. Caring standards must reflect the realities of modern care and the expectations of the families who entrust their loved ones to those facilities. Furthermore, a review of the carers' strategy from 2006 is long overdue.”
“It is time to prioritise the recruitment, retention and training of our social care professionals. <BR /> <BR />While the Department tells us that the vacancy rate in social work is 5·4%, the British Association of Social Workers has been informed of vacancy rates of 30% to 35% in family intervention teams and in excess of 40% in looked-after children's services. If we want to go into specifics, the Department needs to accept the reality that, if the adult protection Bill is to go ahead in this mandate, alongside the roll-out of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs), the Adoption and Children Act 2022 and the much-needed learning disability framework, we will need hundreds of new social workers. I ask the Minister this: where will they come from? How will we keep them? The entire system will need money.”
“The forum has brought together key stakeholders to identify the challenges we face and to develop solutions that can lead us towards a better social care system. We are grateful for their contributions and insights, but we cannot afford to let the work sit on a shelf. <BR /> <BR />We need action, and we need to see it now. To that end, I call on the Minister of Health to bring forward the key policy development priorities from the collaborative forum without delay. That includes the Health and Social Care workforce strategy 2026, which is essential for addressing the workforce shortages that are crippling our services. As with all sections of our health service, we cannot provide quality care without a well-supported and adequately staffed workforce.”
“Our social care system is meant to provide support, dignity and care to those who are the most vulnerable, yet it is falling short. We must ask ourselves how many more families must struggle before we take decisive action. <BR /> <BR />I recognise the incredible contribution of our front-line staff, providers and community and voluntary sector bodies. Those individuals and organisations work tirelessly, often in challenging circumstances, to deliver care and support to those in need. They are the backbone of our social care system. However, admirable as their efforts are, we must acknowledge that they cannot compensate for a system that is in crisis. That is why the work of the Social Care Collaborative Forum is so vital.”
“Today's motion addresses an urgent matter that affects the lives of countless individuals and families across the North: the transformation of our social care system. The topic has been discussed extensively, yet we find ourselves expressing frustration at the lack of meaningful progress since the publication of the 'Power to People' report in 2017. That report was meant to be a catalyst for change and a beacon of hope for those on social care services, but, nearly six years later, we still await the actions that are so desperately needed. The reality is stark: workforce shortages, care home capacity constraints and the long delays in accessing community care packages leave too many people without the high-quality services they require when they need them most. That is unacceptable.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. To quote the incisive words of the poetic group ABBA, this is about, "Money, money, money". Have you had any indication from the Finance Minister that additional funding will be made available or that there is an opportunity for money to be made available? Do you have a sense, within your Department, that you will not be able to progress matters unless there is additional money? We know that it will not work if you are left to divert money from other parts of your Department, so Executive buy-in is needed.”
“If that is going to happen, we need to see commitment to it from all the Ministers involved. <BR /> <BR />It is not lost on me that eight of the nine members of the Health Committee belong to Executive parties. I hope that every Health Committee member who is a member of an Executive party encourages their Ministers to make sure that they work with the Health Minister to deliver the change. Otherwise, the Committee's motion could be accused of being simply warm words. For the sake of our young people, we cannot allow that to happen.”
“I commend the Member's eyesight. My next sentence is, literally, "I urge the Minister to work closely with statutory partners and relevant stakeholders". That includes youth workers and others, including in the community and voluntary sector, in order to create a holistic approach. <BR /> <BR />We also need an interdepartmental working group, if not a subgroup of the Executive, to take some of these moves forward. The changes that are recommended in the review go as far as the recommendations of the review of public administration years ago. They ask some Departments to give up massive agencies within their remit and pass them to an arm's-length body. Let us be clear about it: we know that Ministers, along with their civil servants, do not like to let go of and pass on big swathes of their Departments.”
“Since June of last year, we have continued to have lots of words from the Executive and lots of good feeling that things need to happen. It was mentioned that there were 53 recommendations. Some are easy to do; I think that they have started. There are a couple of big bruisers that would provide the fundamental review that is required, and they are not just as forthcoming. There is an obvious answer as to why they are not happening. <BR /> <BR />Reform cannot happen in a vacuum. It requires investment of both financial and human capital to create a system that is responsive, compassionate and effective. We need to equip our social care workforce with the tools and support that it needs to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families. Collaboration is the key to success. I urge the Minister to work closely with —.”
“To that end, the SDLP calls on the Health Minister to provide a detailed timeline for the implementation of the review's recommendations. It is only when we know when things will happen that we can adequately hold the Department to account and see the change that is needed. It is not enough to simply acknowledge the findings of the Ray Jones review: we must translate words into action. The timeline must be clear, it must be realistic and it has to be achievable. It is about ensuring that we do not lose the momentum that there is in that critical initiative at the moment. <BR /> <BR />Moreover, we must ensure that adequate resources and funding are allocated to ensure the effective reform of those services. I have to say that I do not have a massive amount of faith that we will do that.”
“The independent review of Northern Ireland's children's social care services, which was published in June 2023, provides us with the critical road map for reform. The Ray Jones review, as has been mentioned, is a comprehensive piece of work. It not only identified the systemic issues in our social care framework but outlined a clear way forward. We must commend the thorough work that the review team and Professor Jones undertook, which shines a light on the challenges that our children and families face and which emphasises the urgent need for change. <BR /> <BR />Vulnerable children and families often navigate a complex web of social, economic and emotional challenges. We must act decisively to address their needs and ensure that they receive the care and protection that they need.”
“It is clear that immediate and sustained action is required to protect those who are at risk.”
“We are here today to discuss a matter that is of the utmost importance: the well-being of some of our most vulnerable children and families. It is our task to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment.”
“This place often apportions great volumes of time and energy to addressing matters of language and identity, yet we do not see that same time and energy go into supporting people who are deaf or hearing impaired. Those who are deaf or hearing impaired often face negative perceptions and inequalities as a result of the design of their environment. Surely we owe it to them not to place obstacles in their way. Rather, we should recognise their needs and respond to them so that they can enjoy as full and purposeful a life as possible. That begins with their ability to access the news of the day in their own language. I therefore urge the BBC to restore what is a vital service for the almost 110,000 deaf and hearing-impaired people across our society.”
“As a result of the Communications Act 2003, broadcasters in the UK have a legal obligation to provide at least 5% of content in sign language, yet BBC NI has now set a precedent whereby those who are deaf or hearing impaired cannot access their news at the same time as hearing people can. I have written to the director of BBC NI to request that that decision be reversed and those 90 seconds of sign language be returned to the end of the BBC NI lunchtime news broadcast. <BR /> <BR />There is also a compelling argument to be made to the Communities Minister, who has yet to publish the long-awaited sign language Bill, which would enshrine into law the right of deaf and hearing-impaired people to access services in one's own language, whether British Sign Language or Irish Sign Language.”
“Mr Speaker, apologies for my phone making noises during Nick's speech. <BR /> <BR />I would like to speak on BBC NI's regrettable decision to withdraw sign language from its lunchtime news broadcast. While no doubt well intentioned, the decision sends an adverse message to the nearly 110,000 people who are deaf or hearing impaired, many of whom rely on sign language to communicate. Those who are deaf or hearing impaired and continue to pay the licence fee no longer have the same opportunity to access news as those who do not rely on sign language. <BR /> <BR />Approximately 6% of our population are registered as deaf, with BSL as their primary language.”
“which is at the core of a just transition. It is about helping those farms, providing them with funding and allowing them to move into more environmentally sustainable practices. The key, however, is to provide the support and to make sure that it is there. <BR /> <BR />I will not reference any of the other comments that were made. We were all in the Chamber as they were made. <BR /> <BR />Our agriculture sector is critical to the facilitation of jobs and economic prosperity in rural communities. Support for them is critical. We must also support rural funding for rural community development, which is critical for communities to connect, flourish and prosper. The SDLP is steadfast in its support for farmers and our rural communities, and I urge support for our amendment.”
“Without doubt, it improved the economic prospects and quality of life of rural dwellers and made those rural communities more attractive and vibrant. Nowhere do we see similar funding opportunities, and that is why it was important that pillar 2 is referenced in our amendment. <BR /> <BR />There is real evidence that we need to support our farming communities with funding but also recognise other funding streams that our rural communities need. We have heard Members refer to the lack of reference to a just transition in the amendment. There is such a reference, however, because we refer to:”
“<BR /> <BR />In my council area of Newry, Mourne and Down, for example, the village renewal scheme stands out, as it delivered over £3 million of rural village improvements to Annalong, Ballyhornan, Dundrum, Hilltown and other villages district-wide. Those environmental improvements enhanced the physical and social infrastructure of those villages. The funding allowed for widespread consultation, which informed each village's individual renewal design and included a combination of new paving, street lighting, gateways, railings, shrubbery and landscaping. I say that just to show that, while we have absolute support for our farmers, the impact reaches far beyond them, right down into the lives of people living in rural areas. That funding model allowed a bottom-up approach to community funding.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also highlight the fact that the motion ignores any reference to the rural development funding stream, pillar 2, which is in danger. We cannot leave that funding to the whim of the British Government's Shared Prosperity Fund or their Levelling Up Fund, as we do not know whether that funding will be delivered. The former rural development programme offered funding streams that helped agriculture and rural areas become more resilient and more sustainable. Those opportunities came via a number of schemes, such as the rural business investment scheme, the rural basic services scheme and the village renewal scheme.”
“There is the impact of climate change requirements, the war in Ukraine impacting on prices, the very prices that farmers get at market for their produce, the weird weather patterns that we have had to contend with and, of course, Brexit, Brexit, Brexit and the impact that it has had on our farmers and rural communities. Getting the support intervention right is critical. <BR /> <BR />As with any amendment to a motion, the question has to be this: what does the amendment do? We feel that there is a weakness in the motion, in that it simply calls for a continuation of the funding scheme as is. There is no reference to the policy changes taking place that are affecting practices. To proceed without acknowledging such policy changes would be a major fault of a funding scheme.”
“The SDLP is clear that our amendment and our support for the motion is support for our rural communities. The agriculture industry in our rural communities contains some of the most vital businesses that we have in Northern Ireland. They support tens of thousands of jobs and generate billions of pounds of output. Getting the support funding right for the agriculture sector is not something that we should do but something that we must do, and we must do right. <BR /> <BR />Our agriculture industry is the cornerstone of rural life, supporting economic prosperity in areas such as South Down that are otherwise overlooked by the Executive. Recent years have brought about significant changes for the industry.”
“Minister: neurology, urology and cervical screening. Will you be the Minister who gets to grips with all the controversies in our health service and ensures that those who are impacted — patients numbering in the tens of thousands — get the information that they need when they need it? What will you do to ensure that?”
“Does the First Minister accept that, by not disclosing all the information relating to the investigation around Michael McMonagle and the British Heart Foundation, her party's handling of the issue damaged the reputation of the charity, these institutions, her Executive and her office?”
“You have not answered any of the questions.”
“I appreciate your reiterating those points. Given the positive nature of the debate, I was hoping that we could get to these questions: what can we do, and what do we intend to do? It is only fair for the residents of Warrenpoint that those questions are their measurement for this place. What is it that you actually have the power to do? Do the Minister, the Department and NIEA have the power to reduce the levels of waste that are permitted to be stored? Do they have the powers to direct it as a transit site only? The question, then, is this: will the Minister and the Department exercise those powers? That is the clarity that residents need.”
“Would it not be more appropriate for all concerned to have only a transit site? Would that be possible?”
“Why, after a number of breaches, was the licensee permitted an increase from 116,000 tons to 500,000 tons a year? Will the NIEA change its practice of not notifying a landowner who is not the licence-holder of breaches of compliance? Will the NIEA change its practice so that, when it undertakes a full inspection, it actually undertakes a full inspection? Will it conduct investigations at night? Is the NIEA fit for purpose? <BR /> <BR />Finally, will the Minister undertake to work with the NIEA to reduce the level of waste that can be stored at any given time to the level that it was at when no smells were present? Will he address the question of whether it is appropriate for the NIEA to grant a licence for the storage of thousands of tons of household waste so close to a town centre?”
“Many of the issues that we are discussing have been resolved to a certain extent as a result of public pressure and engagements held by the licence-holder and the landlord. It was certainly not as a result of the NIEA's work. <BR /> <BR />As I said at the outset, Warrenpoint is a beautiful area. It has a thriving tourism industry at the port. It is hoped that the historic Warrenpoint Baths will be restored to their former glory. With the cross-border benefits that the construction of the Narrow Water bridge will bring, the last thing that we want is a repeat of the issue. <BR /> <BR />All of that leads to questions for the Minister. Can he order a business to leave the town? Why was the level of waste able to be stored at any one time increased to 20,000 tons?”
“Did that inspection flag any issues with permitted waste quantities, staffing, understanding of the licence, availability of a technically competent person, a site identification board, fires on-site, a waste quantity measurement system, security and availability of records or a site diary? We do not know, because, by the NIEA's own admission, those matters were not inspected. <BR /> <BR />I ask the Minister to clarify exactly what constitutes a full inspection. All those inspections were carried out during the day, yet the licence-holder operates throughout the night. Perhaps the Minister can detail how many of the 1,140 NIEA inspections across the North last year were conducted at night.”
“As more complaints were made about the foul smell, flies and leachate, further inspections were completed, during which those carrying out the inspection recognised the smells. Flies were noted, including in the inspector's car when leaving the site. As time progressed, the smells got worse, and it was identified that the bales of waste were squashed and had holes in them. Bales were identified as having been there for more than five months, and a brown-yellow liquid was leaking out of them. The NIEA conducted a follow-up meeting a number of weeks later, when the bales had been removed.”
“The inspection reports make for interesting reading and raise further questions about the NIEA's competence. One inspection lasted two minutes: two minutes. Did that inspection identify any issues with staffing or supervision? Did it flag any issues with understanding of the licence? Was there a technically competent person on-site? Was a site diary kept? We do not know, because, by the NIEA's own admission, those matters were not inspected: they were recorded as "NI" in its report.”
“One would think that, had NIEA made the landowner aware of the breaches, engagement with the licence-holder could have begun much sooner, and the issue would not have gone on for so long. Yet, the Minister has told me, in writing, that the NIEA has no plans to change this practice. Will the Minister now consider that? <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned, when the NIEA became aware of those breaches of the licence, inspections took place. I was made aware that, last year alone, 12 visits took place and 11 breaches of compliance were detailed, including breaches of control procedures, permitted waste quantities, monitoring of odours and pest control.”
“Will the Minister consider that now? Will he detail why, in response to a number of breaches, the maximum level of waste that can be exported from Warrenpoint in any year has increased from 116,000 tons to 500,000 tons? <BR /> <BR />When there are complaints of non-compliance and the NIEA is made aware of it, what does it do? It engages with the licence-holder, makes directives about what practices need to change and issues notices. Does it engage with the landowner, when the licence-holder is a tenant, and make them aware of the breaches and complaints? No, it does not. Yet, as soon as the landowner at Warrenpoint harbour became aware of those breaches, they immediately began a process of engagement with the licence-holder and local residents and produced an independent report to try to prevent it from happening again.”
“Depending on what way the wind was blowing, those smells could carry into local homes and businesses. How did the NIEA respond to that? It responded by increasing the level that could be stored at any one time, not just by a little but by double. As a result, more smells began to present, and they became more persistent. Local residents became increasingly concerned about the levels of waste being stored and the length of time for which they were being stored. <BR /> <BR />In response to my question for written answer a few weeks ago, the Minister stated:”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2013, the NIEA received an application for the storage and disposal of waste from Warrenpoint harbour. The request was for the storage of waste that is then exported, burned and turned into energy known as refuse-derived fuel (RDF). The NIEA consulted with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, the Planning Service, the Loughs Agency, NI Water, the council's environmental health team, the NIEA's water management unit, the NIEA's environmental crime unit and the landowner. The NIEA determined that the licence-holder could have a maximum waste storage of 10,000 tons. <BR /> <BR />All seemed to be going well. Waste was collected, stored and exported. However, as the level of waste exported began to increase, nauseating smells began to present in the local area.”
“We are not here to call for the expulsion of a private company from Warrenpoint. Every elected representative knows that to do so would not be feasible, practical or possible. To the best of my knowledge, it is not even within the gift of the Minister to do that. I would be grateful if the Minister could clarify that in his response. We are here today to discuss a lasting political solution. <BR /> <BR />Warrenpoint is a beautiful, historic and significant town. Tourism is an essential part of the town's identity. Pride in the local surroundings will feature in any local resident's value system. A sense of welcome and hospitality is at the heart of Warrenpoint. Next year, Warrenpoint will welcome a number of cruise ships to the town, with the local port already almost fully booked to cruise ship capacity.”
“I say that because, for too long, residents and businesses across Warrenpoint and visitors to the town have been assaulted by rotten and nauseating smells, with brown and yellow liquids and flies and bluebottles on their streets, in their homes and even in their cars. All of that has stemmed from waste disposal, waste management and the operation of the NIEA in how that waste disposal is licensed and managed. <BR /> <BR />It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute, at the outset of the debate, to the residents of Warrenpoint and the community organisations, such as Rotten to the Point and Rostrevor Action Respecting the Environment (RARE), who have ensured that the matter has remained firmly on the public agenda. <BR /> <BR />It is also important, at the outset, to detail what today is not about.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the opportunity to open the Adjournment debate today on the NIEA and waste management issues in Warrenpoint. Today's debate has been a long time coming. At the outset, I will say that, as part of our debates in this place, we use our words to paint the most illuminating picture of the specific issue. We articulate a position so as to convince one another of the veracity of our arguments, but to properly paint a picture of the SDLP's argument for today's debate would require an assault on the senses of those represented in the Chamber.”
“I hope that that same protection can be provided for children if we are going to provide it for adults. As the Minister responsible, are you concerned by reports today that the British Heart Foundation was not informed by a political party that a member of staff was being investigated by the police for child exploitation?”
“Minister, I acknowledge your statement. We have had Bengoa, 'Developing Better Services', 'Transforming Your Care' and, today, it is 'Hospitals — Creating a Network for Better Outcomes'. The document, in its summary, details the why, how, what, where and when. We already know the why and the what. There are scant details on the how, and, given that the where is controversial, I can understand why you have omitted that. <BR /> <BR />When will you publish a concrete timescale that will detail the changes and when they will be implemented that is measurable and accountable? Failing to provide that just gives the impression that this will be yet another document that will lie on a shelf and gather dust without delivering any real change.”
“The review of public administration (RPA) was not universally popular, with some areas losing out to others in the new super-council model. Given that the Minister's policy suggests developing subregional partnerships, will he insist on guidelines that ensure that new partnerships provide subregional balance within council areas, so that no area is left behind?”
“Those small measures could give people peace of mind, a sense of security and a belief that the Executive parties care about them, but do we see that? No. We have a Minister who insists that only his officials can provide him with advice that he will take and that the views of people in Downpatrick do not count. It does not inspire much confidence or instil us with much hope. To keep the Minister happy, let us hope that it does not rain much this winter.”
“Local people often refer to Downpatrick as a forgotten town. The council does not appear to be too interested, and neither are the Executive knocking down the door to provide help and support. With traffic congestion, empty premises and businesses not being properly supported, one cannot help but agree with the locals. <BR /> <BR />Given the Infrastructure Minister's remarks yesterday, there is, apparently, plenty of activity happening in Newry, but what about Downpatrick? Numerous small things could have been done to try to help. We could have had emergency access set aside for the bales of hay that were used to create a barrier against the water. We could have had emergency access to sandbags. We could have cut the dense and sprawling overgrowth along the River Quoile's edge, and the plank drain could have been desilted.”
“Now that their colleagues are in charge of ministries, however, we hear nothing from them and see nothing of them, and there is no road map to facilitate the necessary help.”
“<BR /> <BR />I think of the effort that was made last year, when we had no Executive, to raise the issues with the Northern Ireland Office and of how some local political representatives brought NIO officials into the town to seek help and then complained because that help was not forthcoming.”