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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“<BR /> <BR />I want to focus on a couple of the positives during that journey as I reflect back on the things that we wanted to see. The Autism (Amendment) Act had three key elements: the training that was required, which would have been cross-departmental; the funding for the commissioning of services; and the appointment, as has been mentioned, of an independent autism reviewer. Those elements were debated in the Chamber, through the Committee, and got the necessary buy-in from Members around the House. <BR /> <BR />It is unfortunate and regrettable that we have been in a position whereby the Act has not been properly implemented. It is a disgrace that people are not getting the diagnoses that they require, because it is often those diagnoses that unlock for them the services and interventions that help them to realise their potential.”
“I welcome the opportunity to take part in this important debate. It can be born out of frustration with the lack of movement on this issue that we are focusing maybe a little bit on what has not happened, and that may be perceived as being a little bit on the negative side. If we put that into context, we had the instability of the Executive and Assembly, which created an inability over the past number of years to deliver on the work that we wanted to do. <BR /> <BR />As we look back on the historical context, as others have mentioned, people from all sides of the House wanted to see movement and progress. I know, not least from the work that Pam Cameron did on the Committee the last time we were here, that there was good support from everybody to see movement.”
“On behalf of the staff and parents but especially on behalf of the children of Knockevin, I thank the Minister for his statement and the announcement that is in it. We have waited many years for this day. I am afraid that I cannot confirm whether the child who pulled your ear was put up to it in advance of the visit or whether it was the tray bakes that you got on the day that swayed it. What will be the next stages in the delivery of the programme?”
“The discussions about tourism at the NSMC meeting have been mentioned, including the appointment of Alice Mansergh as CEO of Tourism Ireland. Given the opportunity for joined-up working through the NSMC, does the First Minister agree that the development of the Ireland's Ancient East brand must extend beyond the border to my constituency of South Down, bringing economic, cultural and historical opportunities?”
“Therefore, the need for a multi-year budget to enable the Department to fund those organisations has never been greater. Our Executive should work to provide that funding.”
“In that void left by the statutory sector, it is often community and voluntary sector organisations such as Life Change Changes Lives, MYMY and The Well that step in to provide a much-needed listening ear, a shoulder to cry on or words to calm a troubled soul. In some circumstances, those organisations literally talk people back from the edge of death. They do it not for profit or headlines; rather, they do it because it is the right thing to do and because they care for the people in our communities. <BR /> <BR />Yet, here we have an Executive who do not believe that those organisations deserve the funding to do the work that they do. Often, there is no cure for adverse mental health but, rather, the imparting of skills, knowledge and understanding to help those suffering to live with their conditions.”
“Medical professionals tell us that the legacy of the Troubles has contributed to the greater prevalence of mental health issues in the North compared with England, Scotland or Wales. Therefore, the need to implement a fully resourced and funded mental health strategy and action plan has never been greater. <BR /> <BR />Often, those who require counselling to help care for their adverse mental health can avail themselves of only six free sessions under the current model that is provided by the statutory health trusts. It seems ridiculous that we have one size that is expected to fit absolutely everybody and is such a short supply of what they need. Mental health does not follow statutory guidelines. After six sessions, people are often left at a cliff edge, wondering whom to turn to.”
“I want to make a Member's statement about the provision of mental health services in South Down, notably those that are offered by three local organisations that I have worked with, Life Change Changes Lives in Downpatrick, Mind Your Mate and Yourself (MYMY) in Newcastle and Castlewellan and The Well in the kingdom of Mourne. <BR /> <BR />The issues of mental health and well-being and, indeed, suicide will impact all of us at some point, whether directly or indirectly. While we are 26 years since the Good Friday Agreement and are grateful for the peace that we now enjoy, so many families and individuals still live with the trauma and the trans-generational trauma that the Troubles caused.”
“The motion directly asks Executive Office Ministers to do something, but they are not here to hear it. I hope that a cross-departmental loneliness strategy will be implemented as soon as possible.”
“Absolutely. If we can work in a coordinated way to challenge that, it can only be good for our health service and, most importantly, for the people who feel that loneliness. <BR /> <BR />We are also told that one third of adults feel ashamed about being lonely; one third feel anxious as a result of loneliness; and almost half would never admit to feeling lonely. I think that we can all, in some ways, subscribe to that. Nobody wants to put their hand up and say, "Hey, I feel lonely, and I need some help to talk to people". <BR /> <BR />As I said, the loneliness that people experience comes from the same place as the need that we have to connect with people. I hope that we can try to address that. Reaching out to others is a basic form of our humanity.”
“The U3A has 25 branches across Northern Ireland and a membership of over 1,200 people. Since 1990, it has been clear that the U3A does great work. While some councils fund some work to coordinate and organise activities for older people, I would love to see that extended across Northern Ireland so that we have programmes of activities available for older people in all areas instead of a postcode lottery. <BR /> <BR />The importance of that is the fact that none of us are getting any younger and the numbers of us who reach older age is increasing year on year. It is more important that we have those activities and structured opportunities because then we might be able to combat the negative health impacts that come from —.”
“When I look at my constituency of South Down, I see great work being undertaken by many local organisations, such as our local libraries; the Good Morning Down project, which makes phone calls and looks out for people by checking in with them; the local Men's Sheds that have sprung up across the place and give men the opportunity to get together and check in; and, on a slightly wider scale, the University of the Third Age (U3A), which I love to talk about because I have a family member who participates in it. The U3A plays that essential role in giving older people opportunities to avail themselves of new interests or develop existing ones and to do so in social groups where they can make new friends or strengthen the interactions and relationships that they have.”
“<BR /> <BR />The reasons for loneliness are as diverse as the people who are impacted by them. Without a fully funded cross-departmental strategy in place, we are only hampering our ability to alleviate that loneliness. That can have a devastating impact on health, well-being and quality of life. There are visible and invisible realities of loneliness. <BR /> <BR />I echo the remarks made earlier about my former colleague Sinéad Bradley, who worked so diligently in the last mandate to help establish and chair the all-party group on loneliness. She represented a rural constituency and understood how living in a rural area can impact on loneliness. <BR /> <BR />The Executive have a moral duty to alleviate that loneliness and must act to do so. That is why I feel so passionate about a Minister being here to hear that.”
“However, when we leave the Chamber, we are able to pass each other in the corridors, stop and have a chat and go and have a coffee and discuss how our working week is going. We might even have a laugh together and ask how each other's families are keeping or share a moment or two together in a working week. We do that because, while we may debate with each other politically, we recognise that we are human and have that need for human interaction. However, many people across the North may not be in such a position and cannot experience such social interactions. As I said, one in five of the population suffers from loneliness and one in 20 suffers from chronic loneliness. Those people may go days or even weeks at a time without interacting with another person.”
“I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate, and I thank the Member for tabling the motion. I echo some of his opening remarks. I feel a bit lonely, because we do not have a Minister here to pick up on any of the discussion that we are having or the points that we raise or the fact that we are highlighting that nearly one in five of our population is impacted by loneliness. What will happen about it in this Executive? Zero, because there is no one here to listen to what we say. <BR /> <BR />The need for a loneliness strategy is an important matter. If I look around the Chamber, I see that we are all different. Often, our disagreements in here can be heated — just like my remarks a few moments ago — and rightly so for what we are debating.”
“Has the First Minister considered the appointment of a dedicated advocate for the victims and survivors of mother-and-baby institutions, given that many of them feel left behind and let down by the process?”
“I ask the Minister whether consideration is being given to how the outcomes of that report will be implemented. I look forward to hearing the answer to all those questions and getting an update from the Minister on them, but the SDLP is happy to support the motion.”
“We may be in the position where we have fewer people who are willing to foster, but, hopefully, the Minister will be able to address that. I ask him whether we can get an update on what work is being done to address that gap. <BR /> <BR />Towards the end of the previous mandate, the Minister allocated an additional £1 million to those who foster. Hearing whether such funding could be replicated in the incoming year would be welcome. I appreciate that there were two years in which this place did not sit. Work went on to complete the independent review of children's social care services by Professor Ray Jones. That review is now complete, and there are 53 recommendations. While I agree with the specific text of the motion, it is also a timely reminder for the Executive to consider the outcomes of Professor Jones's report.”
“Children who are asylum seekers may need a foster family. Some foster parents may even host a mother and her child. Therefore, the foster care that is afforded to children is often bespoke, and the families providing that care do so because they have a particular gift or a vocation to foster a child. <BR /> <BR />While a child may only be in a family's care for a set period, long or short, those families provide essential care and compassion for that child during that time. It is nothing short of remarkable. I, too, pay tribute to our Lagan Valley colleague Robbie Butler, who has spoken so passionately of his experiences of fostering children. <BR /> <BR />The most important thing that we can do is to ensure that we have a structure in place to match the right family with the right child.”
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate and support the motion as presented. There are many reasons why children may be taken into foster care. Most children come into care as a result of some form of neglect. They may have experienced a family breakdown, including domestic violence. They may have been the victim of physical or sexual abuse. In exceptional cases, it may be because of the death of a parent. <BR /> <BR />Every child is unique. Every child is an individual. Every child has an inalienable and fundamental set of rights. Children who enter care will have experienced much in their young lives. They may have experienced deep-seated trauma or have complex needs. The history of this place often adds to much of that complexity. A child may have a disability that requires a particular level of care.”
“Does the Member agree that, when we had the discussions about the original Bill, never mind delays, there was no mention of criteria being put in place that staff would have to meet to avail themselves of free parking? The whole way through the process, we were led to believe that staff would be able to access free parking and that that was the purpose of the then Bill. Yet, now, the Department will suggest to the trusts that criteria be introduced, which will see many staff not being able to avail themselves of free car parking. Their hopes have been built up and they have been told that they will get money back in their pockets, but the bottom line now is that a sizeable majority of them will not.”
“I ask that because if we go back and look at Hansard after Hansard after Hansard of the original debates on the original Bill, we see that it was always the intention of those who were supporting it that there would be universal free car parking. Moving now to that not being the case, and supporting the fact that there are going to be criteria, is significantly different from what the Bill sponsor, and others, were suggesting at the time.”
“Most of this conversation is around two or three issues, all of which will have been known when the Bill was passed. We are hearing a lot about financial implications. It would be clearer to simply say, "We just do not have the money to do this at this time, and that is what we are looking the extension for". Encompass was on the table when the Bill was passed, but it is being used now as the reason for a delay. It seems that it is being brought up as a way of saying, "We can't do it because we're too busy doing something else". <BR /> <BR />Has the Minister had any indication of how many staff will have parking spaces available?”
“That is why we have proposed the reasonable compromise date of May 2025 for the removal of that unfair tax on patients, their families and hospital staff. I urge other Members to support the SDLP amendments.”
“The amendments that we have proposed would speed up the removal of car parking charges for patients, their families and healthcare staff, some of whom are spending thousands of pounds every year on parking charges. The timescale that we offer is achievable: we have suggested changing it to one year down the line instead of two. We have examined the Hansard reports of the Committee engagement and the Second Stage of the Bill and see no reason for delaying it for a full two years. We appreciate that, for whatever reason or regardless of who is at fault, the legislation has not progressed at the speed at which everyone who voted for it in 2022 understood that it would progress. However, a two-year wait is unfair and ridiculous, given the evidence that we have been presented with.”
“Surely this is something that has not just transpired. Was it not discussed that, rather than there being universal free car parking for staff, there would be criteria set and free car parking for some — not all — staff? Was that discussed with the sponsor of the then Bill throughout the legislative process? Were the Executive aware that there would not be a universal free facility as a result of the legislation? Have all the Minister's Executive colleagues been made aware that there will now be a tiered system of free car parking for staff and that many staff will, in fact, lose out? <BR /> <BR />As I said, the SDLP amendments are minor.”
“Does the Minister think that that could be an unintended consequence of the 2022 Act? Did the initial sponsor of the 2022 Act ever discuss that with him? <BR /> <BR />Last week the Minister said:”
“On top of that, at the Committee, we heard from departmental staff that the criteria might also mean that a consultant would meet the criteria due to their working across three sites in a day. They might have surgery to perform in one hospital, a clinic to hold in another and be on call. We could have a nurse not being able to avail themselves of the pass because they earn more than a porter, but also because they do not meet the criteria that a consultant does. If that nurse lives in Carryduff, they might have to take the bus into the city centre and the Glider out to the Royal, which means that they would incur more cost than if they were paying hospital car parking charges. That cost could be above and beyond what they were paying for car parking. In other words, it could cost them more.”
“Can we get an assurance today on when that provision will be made available for staff? When will that be introduced? I ask that because we know that the removal of hospital car parking charges will, should it happen, provide a welcome morale boost for our hospital staff who work in some of the most pressurised environments. <BR /> <BR />However, I add a note of caution, which I would like the Minister to reply to in his remarks, on the criteria that will be set for free car parking for staff. We know that, at some of the larger sites, a significant number of staff receive varying scales of pay. If one of the criteria is based on income, will some staff will lose the ability to get a free pass? For example, could a nurse lose out on a pass because they earn more than a porter?”
“<BR /> <BR />There are further questions on which we require clarity from the Health Minister. Last week, I twice asked the Minister specifically about the expedited introduction of free car parking for staff. In one response the Minister said:”
“Absolutely, and I thank the Minister who, throughout the Second Stage debate and this debate, has been upfront and honest about the impacts of the Bill. However, it really is galling to see people jumping up and down, saying that the delay is absolutely horrendous, and then voting at every stage to create the delay. There is something in there that does not match up. It is important for the public and the staff who work for patients at the affected hospital sites to realise that you cannot have both: you cannot say, "It is a disgrace and it needs to change immediately", and then say, "But we will delay it and delay it". Contrary to what Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance and the UUP say, there is no need to delay the removal of charges at hospital car parks for two years.”
“That will only cause confusion and disarray for patients, their families and hospital staff. The SDLP amendments, on the other hand, provide a proper lead-in time for the legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />While we recognise the good intent behind Mr Carroll's two amendments, it is our view that the Department will not be able to deliver on them. Should those amendments be made, the charges will be abolished on 1 September 2024, at which stage the barriers will go up for everyone, but the trusts will still be implementing the new system.”
“That is the work of a constructive Opposition. <BR /> <BR />The Minister outlined last week that the need for the delay was the result of a lack of access to NHS England's shared business services framework. The health and social care trusts here had to set up a regional procurement plan of their own, and that resulted in a legal challenge. The legal challenge has now been resolved, and the Department still hopes to award the contract for the new system this month. The Minister has said that the system will not be ready until September and suggested that there will be a need for another few months to complete the process of ordering the equipment, assessing ground conditions and installing the equipment. We believe that will take us up to about February 2025.”
“The SDLP and others want to see earlier removal of hospital car parking charges. However, as the Department evidently cannot deliver that within the time frame set out in the Act, the official Opposition have tabled two amendments to today's Bill. <BR /> <BR />Our two proposed amendments are minor and will work for patients and their families. The need for patients to have easy access to hospital services is obvious. It would be remiss of me not to mention that Asthma + Lung UK are in the Building today to launch its "Saving Your Breath" report, as it advocates the need for close and free access to hospital car parking services for those suffering from asthma. Its event will take place between 1.00 pm and 2.00 today. Our amendments will also work for hospital staff and, we believe, for the Department.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last week, Sinn Féin expressed its disappointment that the Hospital Parking Charges Act 2022 had not been implemented and asked how hospital car parking charges could be justified. The DUP said that it hoped that it would not take two years to get the 2022 Act into operation. The Alliance Party said that it supported the Hospital Parking Charges Act and welcomed its passage through the Assembly in the previous mandate. Alliance also stated that the Bill does not alter the intentions of the 2022 Act, but it does. The UUP has given its full support to today's Bill. <BR /> <BR />Let us not dance about it: while all parties endorsed the original Bill to remove hospital parking charges just before the election in 2022, today, only the Executive parties endorse delaying that by another two years.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at Consideration Stage. While I welcome the Minister's response on the Bill last week and the level of clarity provided in his comments, it was as a result of those comments that we felt an amendment would be the best course of action. <BR /> <BR />In the previous mandate, all Executive parties supported the Hospital Parking Charges Bill through its entire legislative process. Today, all four of the Executive parties — Sinn Féin, the DUP, Alliance and the UUP — support the use of accelerated passage to delay the removal of hospital car parking charges. While, admittedly, it is for the Executive parties to justify or not justify their position, they have all had the opportunity to table an amendment to the Minister's Bill, and they have not done so.”
“If we want children to have more knowledge and better attitudes, to improve their communication skills, to understand boundaries and to nurture positive and healthy relationships, let us equip them with the skills to do so. I urge Members to do the right thing for our young people by accepting our amendment and supporting the motion.”
“They shared with me their concerns that a lack of awareness of the matters covered in a healthy RSE programme means that young people do not realise when they are being abused, which results in them not reporting it. In reality, we are saying that, if we do not teach healthy boundaries, children will not know when those boundaries are being breached. After 16 years of being a full-time youth worker and having some of the responsibility for child protection and well-being in my area, I could not rest easy if I thought that we could put young people at risk — a safeguarding risk — by not implementing healthy RSE.”
“By the age of 13, 50% of children across the UK have seen or regularly view pornography. I will run that one again, because I found it a bit shocking. If we do not show our children about appropriate relationships and provide healthy RSE, by age 13, 50% of children will have seen or regularly view pornography. That is not a healthy way for children to learn about boundaries, communication or nurturing positive relationships. Other data indicates that children who receive comprehensive RSE engage in their first sexual experience later than those who receive no RSE or abstinence-only RSE and are less likely to take sexual health risks. Why? Because they are equipped with the skills and understanding to make those decisions. <BR /> <BR />I met the NSPCC just last week.”
“If we seek to develop the whole person, part of RSE must include teaching about consent, education on coercive control and promoting positive relationships. That is why we tabled our amendment. If we fail to ensure that our young people are equipped with that knowledge, understanding and skills, where will they learn about those things? <BR /> <BR />Admittedly, some of the education in RSE might be difficult for parents to effectively communicate to their children. Ofsted told us three years ago that:”
“Healthy RSE is not about promoting abortion; it is not about transgenderism and whatever that is; and it is not about teaching primary school children about sexual pleasure. That is what it is not about. What is healthy RSE about? It is about improved knowledge and attitudes; improved communication skills and understanding of boundaries; and nurturing positive and healthy relationships not just for someone's future partner but for all the relationships that a young person will have in their life. Education does not seek to simply instil knowledge or an ability to repeat facts; it seeks to develop the whole person. Education is about just that: children asking questions of trained and trusted teachers and learning and growing as a person.”
“I am sure that it is known that the motion has no legislative underpinning. It provides an opportunity for all of us to give our views, and it is clear that we are getting those views. One thing that I will reflect on is that, as one of the major outcomes of the motion is children's safety, it is important that we dial the rhetoric down a bit and have the conversations on the basis that it is about protecting children and young people. <BR /> <BR />Like many Members, I have had emails over the weekend from individuals who are rightly voicing their concerns about today's motion. It is part of a democratic society that people get to put their views forward. However, at the outset, I will dispel some of the myths that have been generated as a result of recent social media activity.”
“I know that the Minister gave different timescales in his response, but can we get a date at which staff will get access to free car parking? It was mentioned in the correspondence and in several contributions today that it will happen. It was expected on 12 May. When can they expect that from the Department?”
“The Alliance Party said that, because staff often work shift work, public transport does not always align with that, hence charges are an unfair tax. It has to sit very uncomfortably with those Members that they have asked for the deferral of an Act, the provisions of which they so vigorously supported just over two years ago. Some might ask whether they would support the deferral if it were being brought forward a few weeks before an election. Those are important questions that I hope can be answered before the new Bill progresses any further.”
“The Executive have made much noise about what they will do to tackle poverty, yet the deferral will only intensify poverty. We all agreed that poverty exists, and that we needed a Bill to address it, but, now, we are simply holding off for another two years. What are the Executive doing to mitigate the intensification of poverty if they are agreeing to defer the implementation of the Act? <BR /> <BR />When the initial Bill was brought forward, its sponsor, who is now a junior Minister and has agreed to defer what was in her own Bill, said:”
“I will move on. <BR /> <BR />Those are reasonable questions that any MLA should be asking the Minister and the Department, but there are also questions that must be asked of the Executive and the parties that are represented here this afternoon. The tasks of the Executive Office are detailed on its website and include promoting and monitoring the implementation of equality of opportunity and good relations, and tackling poverty and social exclusion. However, the First Minister said that the Executive had no choice but to accept the Health Minister's proposal for the deferral. The deputy First Minister said that the Executive unanimously agreed to the Health Minister's proposal to bring forward a new Bill through accelerated passage.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. He gets a free pass on his birthday. That is not a problem that has just arrived today. We have known about it from the very beginning of the conversations about introducing free car parking. Somebody in the Department did not suddenly scratch their head last week or the week before and say, "Hey, we've got three weeks to introduce this. We need to get something sorted out". There was plenty of time to plan. We did not need to wait until the supplier of the car registration identification system was chosen before specific planning was done and some of the issues were dealt with. Those issues could have been addressed alongside the introduction of the Act, and we would have been two years into the provision.”
“An obvious question has to be this: why are we looking for a delay of two years if the system can be brought online in a few months? <BR /> <BR />I would really like the Minister to answer one specific question in his remarks. I would like a crystal-clear response. Can we have a date on which staff will get access to their free parking? When can they expect the system to be in place? It is referenced in the letter that was sent to the Committee, it was mentioned in the Committee's discussions and it has been referenced here today, but we have not been given a date. If there is a two-year delay —.”
“However, free parking at every site across the whole of the North now has to be delayed for a further two years, and we are heavily citing those two sites as reasons for doing so. <BR /> <BR />Part of the rationale for the 2022 Bill was to help to address the imbalance faced by people in rural communities who have no choice but to take their car to make hospital visits. How has the deferral been screened for its impact on rural communities that will have to wait for another two years for free car parking to arrive? <BR /> <BR />The Committee was told that the procurement process had caused a legal challenge and that that would mean that the system would not be ready for another three or four months. That brings us to August or September.”