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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“The fourth amendment is concerned with a duty on the Department of Health to reduce waiting times for autism assessment and treatment services provided by trusts. The need for the amendment is a symptom of our health system as a whole and the extensive waiting lists that we see across the board. However, it is of particular importance to those with autism, as structure is so important for such individuals. If the Department gives a date for an assessment, it is essential for that person's well-being that the Department honours that. <BR /> <BR />Amendment Nos 5 and 6 relate to clause 3, which details the methodology of the autism strategy. With regard to amendment No 5, whilst the Bill and the strategy are led by the Department of Health, the nature of autism is such that it requires a cross-departmental response.”
“A key component of such data collection is early intervention. The earlier we identify where a child is on the spectrum, the better placed we are to identify what resources they need. Amendment No 1 clarifies that. The second amendment is concerned with adults who have received a diagnosis of autism and the importance of their physical health. The third amendment is also concerned with clause 2 and addresses the provision for housing by inserting "housing" into the list of the needs of adults. That is critical for many of the families that I meet in my constituency of South Down who have an adult family member with autism who needs and seeks the independence and autonomy that housing can provide.”
“The Bill, which has been taken forward by my Health Committee colleague Pam Cameron, has five substantive clauses and would enhance the autism strategy as we progress through the new decade. Thanks must go to the all-party group on autism, Autism NI and other groups and stakeholders that contributed to the development of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Children and young people and, indeed, adults who are diagnosed with autism need all the support that we can offer them, but there is also much that we can learn from them. There is an important need for the collection of data and consultation. Those are key components of the Bill and form the basis of clause 1, which the Committee was satisfied with. <BR /> <BR />Clause 2 is concerned with additional components of the autism strategy, and it is here that the Committee proposes amendment Nos 1 to 4.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to speak at Consideration Stage of the Autism (Amendment) Bill and to address amendment Nos 1 to 7, which have been submitted as a result of the Health Committee's scrutiny process. When my SDLP colleague, the former MLA Dominic Bradley, introduced the Autism Bill to the House 11 years ago, he paid tribute to the late John Fee, a former SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh, who introduced the first autism motion to the Assembly in 2002. It is only right that we recognise the contribution of Dominic Bradley and hope that Pam Cameron's version does justice to that and to the cause that John Fee brought in many years ago.”
“While their start in life may not have been simple or straightforward and may, at times, have been traumatic and painful, we can ensure that they have a brighter future in which they are loved and supported and know that they have a valuable contribution to make to creating a more positive, inclusive and progressive society for future generations. <BR /> <BR />For those reasons, the SDLP supports the amendments in group 3.”
“The adoption system deals with children and young people from diverse backgrounds who often carry great trauma with them. By placing our children and young people at the heart of our adoption system, giving them a sense of control and making them part of the decision-making process, we empower them and help them to get a firm footing in life. We will walk with those children and young people and their new families on that firm footing as they commence an educational and training journey that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”
“However, removing as many of the unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles to the process as possible will only help the children who need a for ever home.”
“They may not be directly witnessing behaviour, but they are definitely still exposed to it and carry the hurt and harm from witnessing or absorbing that behaviour into their life. I therefore welcome the fact that the amendments speak to that fact and try to mitigate it. <BR /> <BR />By its very definition, the adoption system is a complex process.”
“so that the element of training outside the formal education sphere could be included and promoted as well. <BR /> <BR />We also see the Bill's cross-cutting nature in clause 133. Although there are only three lines to it, they have a major significance. The clause pertains to the definition of "harm". I particularly welcome amendment Nos 19 and 20, which the Minister tabled and which reflect and learn from the recently enacted Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Bill by detailing that a child does not necessarily have to be present to be affected by harmful behaviour. That is so important. Again, that shows us the complex nature of the adoption system. Having worked in youth services, I can definitely vouch for the fact that young people soak up and absorb much more than they see. In the home environment, they absorb an atmosphere.”
“The clause shows the often cross-cutting nature of such legislation. Various Departments have a duty to ensure that we seek to retain those young people as much as possible and that we do not lose them to foreign shores, as has been the case. The Committee concluded, for that reason, that it was necessary for clause 122 to be amended from simply promoting a child's "educational achievement" to promoting a child's:”
“It is therefore incumbent on government, in some shape or form, to try to provide help and support to assist children from an adopted background so that there is a level playing field. That would enable them to achieve. It would close the gap by making sure that they get as many education qualifications and develop as many skills as possible to aid them as they move forward in their life. <BR /> <BR />We need to acknowledge that a child's educational journey, like the adoption process, is complex and not simply a linear one from primary school through post-primary school and onwards. Many children take a different path and join regional colleges or other training programmes at post -primary age. Many will seek to expand their skill set and perhaps take up a trade. Those are also outcomes that we should definitely want to encourage.”
“They are children with real and complex needs. If we want them to have the best chance in life and the best possible educational outcomes, we therefore have a responsibility to ensure that their educational journey is not just supported but facilitated insofar as that is possible. <BR /> <BR />I did not get to the point of tabling an amendment on the introduction of financial assistance for adopted children's educational journey. That may sit more with the Department of Education than with the Department of Health. It is key to note, however, that, in evidence that the Committee received, we were told that children who have gone through an adoption process are much less likely to succeed and achieve in their educational journey than their peers.”
“and that is the focus of amendment Nos 14 and 15. <BR /> <BR />In discussing clause 122, the Committee felt that it was important to expand on the duty with which we are charged in order to ensure that children and young people, particularly those who have been adopted, have the best chance in life. For that reason, we felt that it would be prudent to change the wording of the clause from describing the duty of authorities to "promote" educational achievement to "promote, facilitate and support". After all, the adoption process is not simply a linear one in which a child is adopted and then that is it, with the child not being a concern any more. Rather, adoption is a complex system with many twists and turns. We are dealing with children who have potentially come from very disjointed and fragmented backgrounds.”
“As its title states, it is concerned with the:”
“In my contributions thus far, I have spoken of the need for an adoption system that is transparent, efficient and meets the diverse needs of our children and young people. In speaking to the third group of amendments, I will focus on the importance of our children and young people's education and their learning environment. <BR /> <BR />Clause 122 is incredibly important and caused considerable conversation in the Committee.”
“Therefore, in an effort to strengthen the adoption system and ensure that it meets the needs of the children and young people of today through learning from those lessons of the past, the SDLP is happy to support the amendments in group 2.”
“It is also important to note that the amendments in the grouping, in an effort to meet the diverse needs of children and young people, actually empower them. For instance, amendment No 11 includes a child in the list of those who can request an assessment of need for special guardianship, and it then defines a "relevant child". <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 47 removes the requirement for those who were adopted before December 1987 to attend an interview with a counsellor before information on their birth records is provided to them. These amendments will give those who have been through the adoption system a sense of autonomy, and they will feel that they are part of a decision-making process that affected their past and will also affect their future.”
“The Bill, which we are working to strengthen, is concerned with children's futures. If we want children to have the best possible future, whether they are adopted, in foster care or at home with their biological families, that means ensuring that they have the best start in life. We must listen to the voices of those who were failed in our collective past through state, Church or voluntary institutions. The lessons that they have to teach us are of the utmost importance. <BR /> <BR />The report that was published by the truth recovery design panel makes for important reading. Most importantly, it will effect real and lasting change here so that never again will a generation of children have to tell us how they were failed while in the care of the state.”
“In addressing the second group of amendments, I want to hone in on the importance of an adoption system that meets the needs of children and young people. The amendments being discussed are important measures to tighten up the structures and provide the clarity that was previously missing from the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The other amendments in the grouping are to clause 102, which relates to access to the information involved in pre-commencement adoptions. The amendments aim to address issues that were identified by victims and survivors during the work of the truth recovery design panel. I cannot stress enough the importance of these amendments and the work that has been carried out by that panel. Its work is concerned with events of the past, albeit that, for many, it was the all-too-recent past.”
“Although we acknowledge the sterling work that is done by carers and foster carers, and although those children are undoubtedly resilient, we must do more to cut down those times as much as possible. Hopefully, that is what the amendments will do: streamline the system. In an effort to make our adoption system more transparent and more efficient, we in the SDLP are happy to support the amendments in group 1.”
“For the most part, amendment Nos 1, 2, 22 to 46 and 48 to 60 are technical amendments that reflect our recent vote to dissolve the Health and Social Care Board, to strip down the levels of bureaucracy and to make the system much more accessible. If we can help our adoption system become less bureaucratic and more efficient, that will help the children and young people who are still waiting on a permanent home. <BR /> <BR />Last year, we saw 57 children across the North adopted from care. They now have a home. Some 47% of them, however, had to spend between three and five years in care before they could be adopted. That is three to five years of instability, inconsistency and change.”
“<BR /> <BR />For the most part, the Committee was able to agree on the amendments and work with the Department to achieve the best possible Bill for children. That cross-party support and scrutiny is important. We also engaged with and listened to a variety of groups from the sector. We heard evidence from the Children's Commissioner, the Department, Barnardo's, Family Routes and many more. Those organisations told us that our systems need to be less bureaucratic and that the needs of the child should be to the fore. That is what the Bill seeks to achieve. <BR /> <BR />The amendments in the first group are particularly relevant to that outcome.”
“What has remained constant, however, is the fact that there are still children who require adoptive families, stability and consistency in their lives. They require a place that they can call home. We need to look forward and ensure that our adoption system is fit for 2022 and not stuck in 1995. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to speak on this group of amendments. The Health Committee spent considerable time and effort on its deliberations on and scrutiny of the Bill and the amendments that we are discussing today. I thank the Chair and the Deputy Chair of the Committee for guiding us through that process. I also thank the Committee staff team, who liaised with the Department to prepare, at very short notice, detailed papers providing us with information on what is a large and, in places, complex Bill.”
“Likewise, I begin by offering my best wishes to the Minister. You may look fine and well on a TV screen, but I appreciate you were catching for breath a few times in your contribution. I wish you all the best in your recovery from COVID. <BR /> <BR />This is an important debate, and the Adoption and Children Bill is an important piece of draft legislation. What we are discussing is another example of what this place can stand for when we achieve and work collectively and look forward progressively. I say that because it is 20 years since our adoption legislation was last amended. Society has progressed and operational systems have changed.”
“I take the opportunity to congratulate the whole team on their win, to wish them well in their victory and to congratulate the club and the people of Kilcoo.”
“<BR /> <BR />In leading the club on Saturday, Mickey Moran showed the determination that a good leader needs to show, and it was evident that he had trust from the team. For those of us who were following the match, it did not look as if it was going to go the way of Kilcoo, until towards the end when they got the equaliser in the last few minutes, which brought them to extra time. I am sure that that had everybody in Croke Park on the edge of their seats, as it certainly had for everybody in the community of south Down. <BR /> <BR />Leadership, dealing with adversity and trying to overcome all the obstacles that exist are lessons that the House could take from Kilcoo as we try to make sure that we can stabilise and have a Government and Executive for the people.”
“I offer my congratulations to Kilcoo GAC on its historic win at the weekend as its senior team secured the AIB All-Ireland Senior Club Championship. That win is a testament to not only the team and management but the entire club, their family members and all in the community who have supported the team, stood with them all the way through the journey and dealt with the defeats of the past before they managed to secure this wonderful victory. It is a great recognition for the entire community in Kilcoo. Kilcoo GAC is synonymous with victory, but it is also synonymous with culture and providing a great resource in the local community in which everybody can be involved, play a part and be active.”
“Today shows the Assembly at its best. It is delivering real change that will impact on people's lives positively. It is delivering laws that make lives better. It is us being responsible, sensible and diligent. I am happy and glad to support the Bill.”
“It will also ensure that those right hooks will continue for the next set of Ministers.”
“I am not quite sure whether the Health Minister is over it yet, but that showed the power of his campaign and the power of what young Dáithí has done in bringing all of us along and ensuring that we progress this legislation. <BR /> <BR />There is much more that I could say about the Bill and the need for it, but suffice it to say that it is my hope that, in three years' time, through the Bill and public awareness, those 115 people, including young Dáithí, will no longer be awaiting the gift of life but will have received their transplants and be enjoying a happy, healthy and active life as a result of the organ donation programme.”
“<BR /> <BR />The success of the Belgian model comes from a broad package of measures, including a media information campaign and awareness raising among the wider public about the merits of the system. That needs to form part of the continuous learning process in our legislation. As has been referenced, I am sure that all Members are aware that such a campaign has been ongoing here for some time. The example has been set by young Dáithí and his family. Dáithí has been awaiting a new heart for the past three years. He, like the superhero he is — we have our badges on today in honour of Dáithí — has been highlighting the importance of organ donation wherever he goes, including here at Stormont today. The first time that I had the pleasure of meeting young Dáithí, I saw him giving our Health Minister a powerful right hook.”
“<BR /> <BR />I add my voice to the others today that have thanked the people who are live donors, or who donated after they died, for their incredible bravery. I mention in particular a young woman called Rachael Molloy, who had her whole life in front of her but, sadly, passed away a number of months ago. Her family are very close to the SDLP in Belfast. The family took that very brave decision, which resulted in three people receiving organs and surviving. The family who made that sacrifice are very close to some members of our staff and wider team in the party. I extend my thanks to Rachael's family for their bravery during what must have been an incredibly difficult time for them.”
“A number of those, such as Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Spain, have achieved incredibly high rates of donation. What helped those countries to achieve the high rates? Was it enacted legislation, or was it education that was delivered? As with all good forces of change, it was a bit of both. As legislation is progressed, public awareness is highlighted. Media campaigning also increases awareness. In 1986, Belgium introduced the system that we are debating here in 2022. Thanks to a public awareness campaign that ran concurrently, kidney transplantation from deceased and living donors increased from 19 per million to 41 per million of the population over a three-year period. The number of available transplants nearly doubled, thanks to the legislation and the education that went alongside it.”
“With almost 25 million people worldwide on the organ donor register, one would think that nobody should be left waiting for a transplant, but the cold fact is that, of the 500,000 people who die every year across these islands, just 5,000 — 1% — do so with organs that are viable for transplantation. Under our current legislation, organs may be donated only where an individual consciously consents to that while alive, or if their family consent on their behalf. The purpose of the Bill, which I am delighted to see reaching its Final Stage today, is to amend our legislation so that, when consent is not explicitly provided by the donor, it will be deemed or presumed. Exemptions, which are incredibly important to some, are built into the legislation. <BR /> <BR />Other countries have moved to an opt-out system.”
“It is my delight to speak about the Bill. This place is so often defined by the issues that divide us, but, with this Bill, we have been afforded an opportunity to let this place be a force for good and to be something positive. Ultimately, it is something that will save lives. <BR /> <BR />For a little moment, I will look at where we are. In the last year, 87 of our residents received 113 life-saving transplants from 51 donors. That is 87 of our citizens who might not be alive today were it not for the selfless choice of the 51 individuals who signed up for the organ donor register. The sad side of this, however, is that an average of 115 people across the North are waiting for a transplant. Today, we are discussing matters of life and death. Some people bravely stare that in the face every day.”
“Thank you very much for giving way. I want to follow on from the last remarks. Interestingly, if the Health Minister was able to take the decisions all along, he was not the one who was out announcing those to the public and who was seen as the guardian of the public. Other Ministers got out there and took to the fore in order to make sure that they got the limelight for that. Now that they are not in position, it is suddenly your issue, and you have to deal with it. <BR /> <BR />Will you undertake to publish this week the medical evidence suggesting that the regulations can be relaxed? That is especially important if they are not relaxed because, legally, you cannot do so. It is important that the public realise exactly why, if regulations can be relaxed, that is not being done.”
“When the leader of the DUP was all over the media last week saying that, in removing the First Minister, he had allowed the Health Minister to remain in post so that he could do the business, that was generous of him. However, if you can excuse my frustration, Mr Deputy Speaker, I say that it is the business of this place to legislate for the good of people. If our COVID response is to work, this place must work in the entirety of its parts. If some parties feel that their narrow, blinkered agenda is more important than the health of the public and our education services, perhaps they need to reassess why they are here in the first place. <BR /> <BR />We will support these regulations and do what we can to continue to help our communities to get through the COVID pandemic.”
“Say that to the family whose family member has died. Say to a relative of someone who has died as a result of the pandemic, which we have tried to prevent with these regulations, that financial issues in another policy area should impact on our capacity to legislate on this matter. The families of those who died will not find much comfort in it being argued that, somehow or other, there is a legitimisation of another policy area and that it can impact on this one. They would struggle with that. <BR /> <BR />The regulations that we discuss today — I do not want to deviate from the business at hand — have been a key tool in our fight against COVID.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. She may be right about the costs associated with the protocol. Say that to the families —”
“They distanced themselves from their families and friends and did every single thing that we asked of them. We were truly all in it together. However, at the last minute, the DUP has walked away. Suddenly, the hard Brexit that it championed seems to be more important than the COVID restrictions and public health. I wonder whether that has been the case —”
“<BR /> <BR />It has been a period of unprecedented crisis and, for some of us at least, continuous learning, such is the nature of an unknown and unseen virus. It forces us to constantly have to respond to its evolving presence, and, as the Health Minister detailed for us, it has been through the collective efforts of everybody working together that we have been able to turn this corner today. <BR /> <BR />We all have been working together for the past two years, but today we heard that, even without a First Minister and a deputy First Minister, the Health Minister may be able to remove further restrictions. The public will welcome that. Businesses will certainly welcome it, though, as the Health Minister rightly said, it cannot be a free-for-all. The public have worked with us for the past two years.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on these statutory rules today. I am fully aware that they allow for the easing of some restrictions that have since been amended, but that is the nature of the legislative process that we have dealt with over the past two years. In summary, the first statutory rule that we are discussing today is a technical amendment, the second one removes the need to be seated and the cap on the number of people at tables, and the third permits dancing and live music once again. The last one relates to face coverings. It removes the requirement to prove an exemption and allows for a reasonable excuse for not wearing a face covering. We will, of course, support those statutory rules today, as we have throughout the past two years.”
“I thank the Minister for the announcement today. This money will be very welcome on the ground for a whole range of organisations, many of which are in my constituency, with the Mourne Mountains. For example, the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, the lifeboat and other groups help to encourage people to come to our area and feel safe using those resources. Whilst the pandemic has caused a problem for groups being able to attract money as they normally do, it has also encouraged many more people to go outdoors, which will continue into the future. Is there any intention to provide sustained funding in the future? All those groups will have more work to do as a result of the pandemic and will need more money to operate safely.”
“I welcome the answers that the Minister has given so far about what seems to be quite a logical process. In my area, through no fault of the Ambulance Service, you could be waiting for up to 18 or 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive in a 999 scenario, yet there are part-time fire stations that could have six paramedics rolling out within a matter of minutes. <BR /> <BR />Does the Minister have any understanding of the work of the Dublin fire and rescue service, where that co-response already exists? I am meeting the Chief Fire Officer in Dublin on Friday. If the Minister felt that it were useful, we could have some follow-up meetings with departmental officials to try to roll the measure out.”
“While I appreciate that he is not a magician and cannot magic GPs out of thin air, I hope that he attempts to holistically address the workforce planning matters that would ultimately assist in the delivery of the GP out-of-hours service in Fermanagh and South Tyrone.”
“Then, when it gets to the evening, they realise that it is not all right and have to access the out-of-hours provision. <BR /> <BR />When we put all those things together, it may make out-of-hours work not the most attractive work for GPs. As I said, if they have the pick of daytime work, that could cause problems. Together, all those issues create an environment in which the out-of-hours service is not necessarily an attractive place to work and not a service that is easy for patients to access, and, ultimately, it is the people of Fermanagh and South Tyrone who are impacted. The SDLP would like to see the Minister doing all that he can to address this important matter.”
“They would be of real benefit in the area. Having that range of medical professionals available to meet patients, rather than patients always having to go through their GP, would take away that GP gatekeeper role, and that would free up their time. Instead of directing people to other services, they would be able to focus on the service that they need to deliver. That may free up more spaces during the daytime, which could ease the pressure at night-time. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, in such a large rural area, the closure of GP clinics will have an impact because those areas are not accessible. In 2017, Rosslea GP clinic was closed, which forced people to travel, and travel may not always be accessible to people. Therefore, people may hold on until the evening hoping that everything will be all right.”
“It is not acceptable for those who desperately need the service to have to wait hours and hours for a return phone call to be able to speak to a doctor, especially given that many who access the service are very near the end of life and are looking for pain relief or some sort of palliative care. It is a traumatic period for people, never mind having to face difficulty in accessing services. I accept that there is a chain reaction as a result of all the issues that other Members and I have mentioned. <BR /> <BR />Locally, there has been difficulty securing and delivering the new Lisnaskea medical centre, and that can also have a knock-on effect on the delivery of services in the area. The fact that many Members have mentioned the multidisciplinary partnerships probably underscores their real importance.”
“<BR /> <BR />Fermanagh is a large county, and the constituency includes parts of south Tyrone, so the area that has to be covered by that out-of-hours service is vast compared with some urban centres. Due to difficulty accessing GPs during the day, our emergency departments are packed out, and ambulance cover can be sketchy in rural areas. It is easy to see how there can be an over-reliance on the out-of-hours service. However, the service is important. It is a critical and integral part of the health and social service provision in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and, like any other part of the health service, it has to be adequately resourced.”
“The problem is simply that we do not have enough GPs. <BR /> <BR />When you look at the out-of-hours service, you have to ask this: what is attractive about working all night and at weekends? Those are antisocial hours. If you have a plentiful supply of work available during the daytime, albeit that you may work a little extra into the evening, I am sure that, in terms of work-life balance, that is preferable to doing a 3.00 am, 4.00 am or 5.00 am shift and working at the weekend. I can see how that causes a problem, and it leads to an over-reliance on locums to cover that service. I am sure that we have all had conversations with the directors in our trusts. They will tell you that, at times, trying to get locums can be difficult: it can go right to the wire and may not always be possible.”