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 welcome the fact that we will not delay the passage of the Bill with a lengthy Committee process and look forward to its further progress later today and its swift enactment.”
“The Bill allows a lot of major decisions that are currently in, for example, the planning system to be taken quickly, and that will provide a positive boost for the economy of the North and allow major projects that are in the system to be delivered on the ground faster, as that allows for the potential for jobs in our construction industry and, with new factories and facilities, more jobs in all of our communities. I appreciate that the drafters of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 may not have understood every nuance of the implications of their Bill, but often it is in practice where the best understanding of matters comes from, and I appreciate that that is the case here.”
“Members recognised that infrastructure projects were absolutely key to recovery and that any further or unnecessary delays in planning decisions could have serious implications for our economy. It was the Committee's firm view that decisions on the planning applications that are currently sitting on the Infrastructure Minister's desk need to be made as soon as possible. The legislation would allow that to happen and needs to be progressed with urgency. The Committee for the Executive Office, therefore, supports the motion that the Bill proceeds under accelerated passage procedure. <BR /> <BR />As an SDLP MLA, I welcome the accelerated passage, as it will allow for the quickest possible introduction of the Bill, which will help to make for a smoother passage for the decisions that may come down the line.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee understands that the urgency around the legislation is to remedy the situation where planning decisions that could be open to challenge because of the judgement in the case of Buick cannot be made by the Minister for Infrastructure; rather, they need to be approved by the Executive Committee. The Minister has already provided significant detail on the issue, and I do not intend to repeat it. However, I want to point out that, in deciding whether to support the request for accelerated passage, the Committee took into consideration the current COVID-19 pandemic and the need to regenerate the economy as quickly as possible, especially as we move into the recovery phase.”
“I am pleased to speak to the motion on behalf of the Committee for the Executive Office. On 23 June, the Committee for the Executive Office received notification from the First Minister and deputy First Minister that they intended to introduce an Executive Committee (Functions) Bill and seek the Assembly's support for accelerated passage. The Committee did not consider the matter at its meeting on 24 June, as an explanation was not provided of why accelerated passage was needed and what the consequences would be if it were not granted. However, in compliance with Standing Order 42(3), the First Minister and deputy First Minister provided that explanation to the Committee at its meeting on 1 July.”
“The relaxation of the regulations does not mean an immediate return to business as usual. It is a move to a new way that we all must adopt immediately so that we can save lives, stop the spread of the virus and continue with our lives as best we can in a common effort and with a common purpose.”
“<BR /> <BR />This will be a long journey. There will be no quick and easy solution until we see a vaccine.”
“It is fairly obvious that some in this place think that the regulations that we pass here do not apply to them, and I want to send a clear and unequivocal message that the regulations apply to everyone. We all must do what we can. It is unfortunate that those in positions of responsibility have chosen to be lax in their approach to the regulations. That has caused difficulties. That has caused confusion. It does not make the journeys that we all must make any easier. I commend people who have stuck with the rules, made the sacrifices and borne the scars of the impact of the regulations. Thank you. Thank you for making that sacrifice. You have helped to stop the spread of the virus. You have helped to save lives. You know where your loyalties lie: with all of us in our community and not the narrow constituency of your mates.”
“The evidence shows us that the community transmission rate is now as low as it will get in the absence of a vaccine, but, for that situation to continue, everyone must continue to show discipline and be compliant. <BR /> <BR />I would like to make one or two remarks as an SDLP MLA. I thank the Minister for his report this afternoon. I see that you are now prompting many of the questions that we are going to ask and our remarks, so that allows my remarks to be somewhat shorter. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the continued relaxation of the regulations, safe in the knowledge that you are introducing them after consulting our scientific community and the leading experts. It would be, of course, remiss of one not to ask and encourage the community of the North to do their level best and stick to the regulations and stick to the guidelines.”
“No one can work in isolation. We have a long road ahead of us, but the road is worth travelling if it leads to effective health, economic and full recovery. <BR /> <BR />On the face of things, it looks as if we are moving fast towards normality. We can go back out for a meal, we can get a haircut later today and we can go out to the museums. However, it is important to emphasise that things are not normal. A pandemic situation is not the norm. We might be able to do all of the things that the junior Minister has outlined, but we must do them responsibly whilst observing social distancing guidelines and washing our hands frequently.”
“As I have said in every debate on the amendment regulations, the Committee welcomes the lifting of the restrictions when the time is right. The First Minister and deputy First Minister attended our Committee meeting on Wednesday past and provided an update on the Executive's response to the pandemic. The Committee was concerned about the wider health, societal and economic impacts of the regulations and the significant and serious implications that the crisis has had for all sectors of our community and the economy. Members were, therefore, pleased to hear that a process to develop an Executive strategy for recovery has begun. It is clear, though, that, for the strategy to be effective, we need constructive collaboration between Departments, local government and the private and community and voluntary sectors.”
“If Ministers were able to come on the Thursday after the announcements have been made, we would be able to seek that clarity and deliver it straight back, which would be a much better system. It is not about agreeing to the changes, which, I think, you mentioned at the beginning.”
“I waited until you got through everybody before raising this. At the beginning, you mentioned the suggestion that I made about going to the Ad Hoc Committee and said that there was a bit that was not clear. I want to clear that matter up. The idea would be that, if you make announcements on a Thursday and a Monday, the Ad Hoc Committee would meet on the Thursday after to clarify any questions that Members have. It is not about agreeing to the changes; it is the questions that you get. A number of Members have mentioned that, when a statement is made, there is a lack of clarity. We get bombarded with questions, and, if we have to go through the departmental system, it can take weeks to get the answers back, which just adds to the confusion.”
“Does the Member agree with my earlier remarks that that is the very purpose of having an opportunity for the House to question the Ministers a few days after the announcement is made, rather than what we have been doing, which is having a couple of weeks of speculation and then, four weeks later, amendments are laid and we need to get clarification? Would it not be good if we could get the clarification a few days after the announcement?”
“However, I hope that officials and the relevant Ministers are aware of the impact that their oversights can cause, with the negative impact that they can have on community relations in the North. They must exercise absolute care in the future to make sure that there is no repeat of this exercise. Thank you.”
“<BR /> <BR />To not support these amendments today would mean that the relaxations that were introduced would be overturned. It would mean that weddings and civil ceremonies would, once again, be banned and other restrictions, such as the number of people who can gather in public places, would be reduced. I am not sure that is what many grandparents who have been able to meet their grandchildren for the first time in months would want to see. I am not sure that it is what those who live alone and are, at last, able to go out and meet with small groups of friends want to see. I am not sure that it is what the public, in general, want to see. <BR /> <BR />I will support the amendment and the relaxations that it contains.”
“To penalise people for gathering safely and within the guidelines, as they saw it, was, possibly, wrong. However, it is not for this place to determine whether that was appropriate; it is for the police and other authorities. If one was cynical, you could suggest that the power to issue fines was added in a rushed manner to enable the control of planned demonstrations that were taking place in the days after. However, in the Health Committee — I do not want to steal the thunder of the Chairman — we asked specifically about that matter, and we received assurances that the amendments were not introduced quickly to allow fines to be handed out at those events. Therefore, I am quite happy to take people at their word as they have given that assurance to a Committee.”
“Often, by the time we find the answer, somebody else has gone public with it, and we are then copying the information from news websites. <BR /> <BR />This typifies the announcements. They are sometimes a little bit scant on detail and plentiful on confusion. The timings and briefings are being done behind the scenes: they are almost pointless as announcements. As I say, rather than grandstanding upstairs at 4 o'clock in the Long Gallery, it would be better if we could get an update in the House that we can interrogate, so we can find out what is meant by it. That is further to the remarks that you made about this, Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />There has been much confusion about this amendment and the process for it. The timing of the emergency addition to the powers on fines was a little bit misjudged.”
“I will now make a number of points in my role as an SDLP MLA. I want to reiterate the remarks that I made on behalf of the Committee on the confusion in our communities about the decisions the Executive are taking. They are now only loosely connected to the road map and, once again, we are left with constituents scratching their head and wondering what the implications are for them. To use terms such as "close contact services" but not detail what they are effectively makes the announcement verge on the useless. We end up with people from across many different sectors contacting us to ask whether we know — and we do not — and we have to try to search and find out who is the relevant person within a Department to give an answer.”
“It would be a very helpful approach for Members, so, if possible, I make that suggestion. The Committee has not yet received a response to the suggestion, but, hopefully, it can be given some serious consideration.”
“In the light of this, the Committee agreed to write to the First Minister and deputy First Minister. Perhaps the junior Minister will relay the message to the ministerial team: if amendments are being made, the Ad Hoc Committee should sit on the Thursday immediately afterwards to give Members the opportunity to seek clarity on questions that have been raised. Often, announcements are made on a Monday or a Thursday, after the Executive meet. However, an Ad Hoc Committee meeting, with a Minister present, on a Thursday afternoon would allow Members to ask the questions that have been raised with them in the intervening time. It would allow us to give that direct clarity back to our constituents rather than having to write through ministerial offices or ask questions in the Assembly.”
“We are all acutely aware that the public eagerly await news on what restrictions are being lifted and when, but, with that news, questions flood in from our constituents, and they are sometimes questions that we cannot answer at that stage. I am sure that all Members now expect to receive calls as soon as announcements are made. <BR /> <BR />When considering the last set of regulations — the amendment (No. 4) regulations — the Committee noted the time difference between the date that they came into operation and the date that they were debated. They came in on 21 May but were not debated until 16 June. Between those times, there was not always clarity on what restrictions were being lifted and what that meant in practice.”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. Of course, for all the Members who have left, it is their loss not to hear my remarks. <BR /> <BR />Further to the Minister's remarks, I promise to talk only about the amendment that is presented to us today. I give that pledge, unlike him, who went on to give us a list of all the other easements that have been made since. It was great to hear about all those, but I will stick to discussing this amendment, given that, in some instances, it was so badly handled. <BR /> <BR />As has always been the position, the Committee welcomes the lifting of the restrictions when the time is right.”
“I note that there is £6 million for paramedic services. Will the Minister assure us that, whilst a monitoring round allocation is often a one-off payment, that money will help the Ambulance Service, going forward, given that in rural constituencies such as mine and his, many people are left for far too long to wait for ambulances because they are trapped in urban areas?”
“I am not speaking today as Chair of the Committee for the Executive Office, because we did not get that return until last Friday, when it was too late for us to be able to give it consideration and come back to you here today. Do you think that that is acceptable, given that we have a new era of openness and transparency?”
“Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, we welcome you back in your role here today, and also look forward to seeing you at Committee again tomorrow. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his very comprehensive statement, most of which I read this morning online. It includes £2·5 million for the victims' scheme that has not started and does not have a budget. We are led to believe that we do not know the full list of who will be entitled to it, never mind it not having a lead Department to deliver it. <BR /> <BR />My question relates to transparency. When was the return made from the Executive Office to the Department of Finance?”
“The Minister's answer will give some reassurance to the sectors on the timetables. We are all aware of the critical importance of funding. Will the Minister provide an update on an associated fund that is referred to as "the Minister's fund"? It was the Member for Upper Bann, I think, who introduced it a number of years ago. It was worth over £1 million and was to help tackle problems in disadvantaged areas and provide outreach support to groups of young people who would be on the streets. Has that fund ceased? Has the money been taken back to the Department? Is the money still with the EA and being used for other purposes?”
“I thank the Minister for coming today to address this urgent matter and for his response to my question, which has at its core the protection of our vulnerable and elderly relatives. <BR /> <BR />It would appear that the management of RQIA was systematically dismantled in the middle of a global pandemic, without the consent of its board. Was this the sensible thing to do, Minister, given that our care home sector is on the front line of the pandemic? Who took these decisions, and do you stand over them?”
“I welcome the Minister's reference to a bid in the June monitoring round to get additional funds, because, as, I am sure, many Members are aware, within 48 hours of the scheme opening, it had to close. There will be hundreds of groups that were not able to access the scheme. If there are additional moneys, will the Minister commit to helping some of the governing organisations, as that might help to send funding out on the ground?”
“I welcome the appointments and appreciate that they are filling spaces on North/South bodies following the lack of an Assembly for three years and that they are essential appointments to important boards. I hope that the appointments do not follow what has happened in the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA). I tried checking the North/South Ministerial Council website but cannot find the names of the people who were appointed, and I was wondering whether we could get those as soon as possible, unless they are maybe posted elsewhere. Given the critical North/South nature of the bodies and the work that the Council does, will the Minister detail the obvious, urgent and additional workload that the Council and the bodies will have to undertake as a result of the rushed Brexit process that we are being subjected to?”
“I thank the Minister and welcome his timely and extensive report”
“I just want to point out that the reason we have the LCM is that it is necessary because of Brexit. Therefore, any of the objections to Brexit are the objections to having the LCM. The actual timing of it and the fact that we did not have time in the Committee to consider it is why we are not approving it this evening. It is not that we necessarily disagree with the LCM and what it will do. It is the fact that we have not had the proper time to scrutinise its impact or listen to the sector. The objections on the ground of Brexit are because that is why we actually have the LCM, full stop. There is a difference between the two objections.”
“<BR /> <BR />I think that the best way to sort out all the issues where there is a lack of clarity is for the British Government to swallow their pride and ask for an extension to the transition period, so that proper scrutiny and proper consideration can be given to the impact of rules that are being stuffed through in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and here. I just do not think that it is perfect at all.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention and wholeheartedly agree. I refer to the previous debate in which I said that every time that I have taken to my feet to speak, I have said that I am unhappy with the process. Should we be giving the critical assessment to this Minister in this place now? Yes. We should be doing it every time that we see laws being put through the Chamber in an imperfect way. I think that to simply sit back and accept that without challenging it means that we are not fulfilling the proper job that we are sent to the Chamber to do.”
“Yet again, another industry is subjected to the highs and lows of uncertainty emanating from this badly managed and roughshod Brexit process. <BR /> <BR />The lack of consultation, which another Member referred to, with the Committee and the fact that its members were not able to engage with the sector to find out what the ramifications of the process would be is not good practice. When we are not able to find out what the impact would be, that is not a good way of making laws or agreeing to other laws. <BR /> <BR />As a result of all of that lack of clarity, I do not wish to support the LCM, but, due to the issue's importance and urgency and the dire impact that it will have on people and industry, once again, I urge the British Government to —.”
“Exiting the European Union has a raft of implications that impact on us well beyond the mantra of taking back control. Again, we learn that the impact is more in reality than the simplicity of simply three words. <BR /> <BR />Many medical devices and, indeed, drugs and other pharmaceutical products are regulated by Europe using the combined knowledge, experience and understanding of 28 countries' medical and pharmaceutical experts. Alas, that will be for us no longer, and the UK will have to try to replicate that work, experience and skill. With the potential of a no-deal Brexit, the ramifications could be that future joined-up working might be in jeopardy. However, again, the key term is "might". It might be; there might be difficulties.”
“I appreciate that there is a necessity for this legislative consent motion. I understand from the presentation that was given to us at the Health Committee that officials are aware of the need to have this legislative instrument to be able to make crucial and critical decisions down the line. However, I am somewhat concerned that the impact of the motion will be to leave more questions than answers. When we questioned officials at the Committee, they were unable to tell us what the specific ramifications of the motion could be, and that has led me to the conclusion that I am unable to actively consent to the motion. However, in addressing the need that the officials mentioned to us and outlined, I will not actively block it from proceeding either. <BR /> <BR />The LCM is needed, ultimately, because of Brexit.”
“Further to his point, does the Member not think that we should be asking the Executive to look at other experiences? In Spain, for example, barbers have been open for the past four weeks, and I am sure that the hairdressers are open as well. They can open safely in other places. We have a sector here that is dying to reopen so that they can do the work, people want them to reopen and some countries have been able to reopen such businesses. Again, it brings it back to this question: why does the scientific evidence here say that it cannot happen, but, in other parts of Europe, it can?”
“I welcome the point that the Member is making. The scientific evidence sometimes underpins it and if people understood the scientific evidence, they might be able to accept it. If the scientific evidence is being published, it has not been very clear nor has it been widely available. Does he agree that making that scientific evidence more widely available would help people to understand why those differences exist? Like me, they do not understand why those decisions are being taken.”
“Many of the announcements could be bounced by public feelings and sentiments that are stoked by the leaks and briefings, and that is not helpful. We all should agree that the scientific evidence — I continue to call for that scientific evidence to be published — should be the guide, not just the last lobby group that we have met. <BR /> <BR />As I said, we are in the unusual position of agreeing to a decision that has already been taken and implemented, and therefore I welcome this announcement, as I did when it was announced about three weeks ago.”
“Industry, business and commerce need those timescales to prepare. The coronavirus has wreaked havoc on their work already, and they do not need the further uncertainty of a lack of timescale to add to their pain. Timings are welcome, and, if they need to slip by a short period, the sector will understand that. It will be happy that it has the target dates. <BR /> <BR />I continue to be unhappy that many of the announcements are being made in TV studios, on the air waves or in newspaper columns. That is becoming a little tedious. Ministers should have the decency to wait until a decision is taken by the Executive before briefing on it and should then come and update the House on it. That would feel more procedurally appropriate.”
“That was on the back of the hotels that were approved, yet, at that stage, there was nothing about the food and beverage outlets. Of course, beauticians and hairdressers have to wait, but we can get the dog groomed. Every decision tends to raise more questions and some concerns. <BR /> <BR />I welcome that, for the hospitality sector, there is now a date, and we accept that that is an indicative date. I welcome it that timings are now included, and, as I say and will reiterate, they are indicative times and people know that they can change, but at least that time is there. I have called for timings in every statement that I have made on the issue in the House. Indeed, the SDLP was publicly criticised by other parties for asking for them, but I welcome it that the Executive now understand and accept the need for timescales.”
“4) regulations, as I know that they will provide a form of entertainment that will help people, given that we have limited social outlets at the current time. I also acknowledge the futility of the debate today, given that, I think, we are up to amendment No. 8 in the regulations at this stage, which has been made and introduced, but we are at only amendment No. 4 in our discussions in the Assembly. The time lag makes these debates seem somewhat defunct. I will use the opportunity, though, to raise, as ever, my concern about recent announcements and, again, the lack of clarity that there can be in some of the more recent ones. For example, many businesses were very concerned last week because they did not know whether they were covered by the relaxations or whether their doors went out into a public place or not.”
“I recognise that events cannot happen indoors yet, but permitting outdoor drive-in events allows people to be entertained in safety while reaping the benefits for their well-being. As I have mentioned in previous debates, the reasons why restrictions can be lifted are largely down to the impact that social distancing is having on the transmission rate of the virus. Social distancing is no less important at this point in time than it was a couple of months ago, and I urge the public to keep up the good work and to continue to show discipline and to remain compliant with the social distancing guidelines. <BR /> <BR />Speaking in my capacity as an MLA, I welcome the relaxations in the amendment (No.”
“I will speak on behalf of the Committee. The Committee welcomes lifting the restrictions when the time is right; however, it would be remiss of us not to acknowledge once again that they have had and are still having a considerable impact on our normal life and, for some people, that is proving very difficult to live with. It is well documented that activities such as going to the cinema and attending live entertainment events are good for our health and well-being. Throughout the pandemic, we have heard about the negative impact that lockdown has on the mental well-being of all sections of the community, so taking steps to alleviate that is very welcome. Such events are also key to creating a sense of togetherness, and that is particularly relevant in these times, when a lot of the focus is on telling people to stay physically apart.”
“Given the destructive impact that COVID has had on business in the North and the fact that all sectors do not want to see any further damage caused to their business, have the Executive given any consideration to extending the transition period to make sure that Brexit has a minimal impact on businesses here?”
“I also ask the Minister to detail how the funding referred to in the motion will be distributed — I think it has been mentioned before — to see whether there is a possibility for payments to be weighted by the difficulties that individual farms face because of the constraints upon them. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, the motion refers to the valuable work that beef and sheep farmers do in the agriculture sector and the wider agri-food sector in the North. Of course, I welcome and endorse that. I see day and daily in my constituency of South Down the hard work that takes place, but also the real hardship that is out there. These are unprecedented times, and I look forward to the help and assistance that will be given to the sector and to assistance in the long term.”
“Additional support for the sector is needed. I ask the Minister to detail any approaches that he has made to the Finance Minister for additional funding, or indeed whether the Finance Minister has made any offers of additional funding, to see whether we can help the sector. I would be worried if no consideration had been given to additional funding, given that the motion comes from the party that holds the purse strings. I hope that there have been some of those conversations in the background. Otherwise, the motion will just be building up the hopes and expectations of the sector. If there is no finance to come in behind it, that will be quite unforgivable.”
“Cumulatively, these are massive problems for the sector, which does need assistance.”
“Of course, the sector is in major difficulty because of COVID, but then we could have the twin impact of Brexit added to that, which could create much uncertainty and difficulty for those in the sector, in another sense for a further short term, and give them more problems.”