Paula Bradshaw
South Belfast · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“They were places where those who were vulnerable were concealed, young mothers were stripped of their babies and children were stripped of their identities. Let us be resolute in our remembrance of what happened behind the doors of those institutions.”
“At all stages, the Committee has set out its clear support for the legislation's overarching aims and principles, which are to establish a statutory public inquiry into the systemic failings associated with mother-and-baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses between 1922 and 1995 and to create a statutory redress scheme for t…”
“Again, I refuse to call them "mother-and-baby homes", for we now know that there was nothing homely about them. What the Bill can and must do is offer a tangible declaration that the state accepts its responsibility.”
“As Chairperson of the Committee for the Executive Office, I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Final Stage of the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.”
“Key points were also made in relation to redress: the need to ensure that the Executive Office introduces clear guidelines for the scheme as soon as practicable; the need for the Executive Office to widely communicate and promote the scheme to all victims and survivors, including those who live overseas; and the need for the Executive Off…”
“The First Minister and deputy First Minister tabled a number of amendments that gave effect to the Committee's intent across a number of clauses. In several instances, the Committee chose to withdraw its amendments in favour of the Ministers' wording, where that better reflected the broader book of the law.”
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“Deputy First Minister, you mentioned the work of the historical institutional abuse campaigners. You will know that they are very concerned that a lot of people will not be able to submit an application for redress. Given that the redress board was up and running during the pandemic, when people were not travelling or communicating, have you given any thought to extending the deadline to ensure that all people receive the justice that they deserve?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. We want to see a situation in which there is stability here and a party cannot block. We do not want to exclude anybody — we want the Assembly to work — but if you are not prepared to work, we would like to get on with the job.”
“Thank you for giving way. I would appreciate it if you could outline what our "wish list" is?”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Several times, the Minister said that my party colleagues needed to apologise to the principal and the school for begrudging them the funding. I sat through the whole session; not once did I hear an Alliance MLA say anything like that. Will you look at the Hansard report and come back to tell us whether the Minister is right to call for an apology when one is not warranted?”
“Thank you, Minister, I am really pleased to hear that. As you know, in its annual statement, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission talked about bringing that legislation forward. I have nothing to add other than to say that I look forward to that.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her statement. She will be aware that, a few weeks ago, the Executive Office Committee consented to the Northern Ireland Climate Commissioner Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024. There is quite a bit in the statement on net zero targets. Will she provide an update on when the regulations will be brought forward?”
“Minister, you talked about the fair work forum. I have a constituent who had to take time off work because she picked up a bug in a nursing home. She was not paid for the shifts that she missed. What is being done to improve the terms and conditions of our care assistants and domestic workers etc, who provide vital support in our care homes?”
“Thank you, First Minister and deputy First Minister, for your statement. I join others in thanking the front-line support agencies for their efforts over the past few days. <BR /> <BR />I believe that in Scotland, for example, they offer hotel accommodation to people who have not got electricity. As you said, First Minister, it seems as though some houses will be without power for a number of days. Given that you communicate through online news outlets and social media, would it be prudent to think about offering hotel accommodation to the families who are most vulnerable?”
“We can take pride in having taken in children who were fleeing Nazi rule, as part of the Kindertransport, so that they could be part of a Northern Ireland that offered them solidarity and safety from persecution. <BR /> <BR />I have had the opportunity to visit Bergen-Belsen and to sense, in that tragic place, the scale of the human loss and of the inhumanity that caused it. We remain capable of such inhumanity, so we must constantly be on our guard against any slide in the direction of its recurrence. We must never take for granted the freedoms that we enjoy today, as we observe populist politics that continue to threaten democracy in different parts of the world and marginalised groups that are being used as scapegoats.”
“We must be able to separate the two: it is entirely possible to be sympathetic to the plight of the people of Gaza, vehemently opposed to the actions of the Israeli Government and hugely concerned about the day-to-day impact on, and experiences of, the small Jewish community here, which still lives with the appalling trauma of the Holocaust. <BR /> <BR />We can be proud of the role that Northern Ireland has played at crucial stages in offering sanctuary to those who needed it: from Nazi oppression in the 1930s and those fleeing Soviet oppression in the 1950s and 1960s to Ukrainian families that were forced to leave their homes by Putin's aggression in the 2020s.”
“The theme for this year is "For a Better Future", and I sincerely hope that, amid the rise of autocrats around the world, we can, as democrats, all commit to that. That theme is supposed to offer us some hope. It implores each and every one of us to reflect on the atrocities of the past so that we may prevent anything similar from happening in the future. We need to ask ourselves whether we are truly committed to that in a world that is, seemingly, becoming increasingly divided and where almost any form of conduct is acceptable, provided that it is carried out by "our own side". For example, we need to reflect on the very real concerns felt by the local Jewish community in Northern Ireland at the hatred that is being directed towards them because of the conduct of the Israeli Government.”
“I recognise Holocaust Memorial Day and emphasise how now, more than ever, we must stand united against antisemitism and all kinds of prejudice, hatred, discrimination and violence. This year's Holocaust Memorial Day is particularly significant, as it marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex. It also marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, part of the appalling and all-too-often-forgotten Yugoslav wars of the mid-1990s.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. As you know, Minister, the grammar schools in particular in South Belfast are popular not just with those in the constituency but those from neighbouring constituencies. What consideration is given to that? The children of a lot of the families that I represent cannot get into schools in their neighbourhoods and have to leave the constituency. What consideration does area planning give to that?”
“<BR /> <BR />That leads me to the third reason: the presence of such a sharp deadline. That does not strike me as adequately trauma-informed. It puts significant pressure, not on the institutions responsible, which have never faced deadlines, but on the victims and survivors. Many of them, as I said, may still be considering whether to make an application. However, they must be given the choice, and they must be enabled to make that choice at the appropriate time, not under pressure because of an arbitrary deadline. I recognise that the ability to change the deadline is not straightforward, as it is defined in the Historical Institutional Abuse Act 2019, which was passed in Westminster. However, we in this legislative Chamber know that legislation can be amended where there are particular circumstances.”
“As an important side note to that, last week, we heard at the Committee that some solicitors' firms have already stopped taking new cases. Although we are chasing that up with the Law Society, it compounds the issue as regards the appropriate support that the victims and survivors require. I do not think that it is appropriate, given that people may still be considering, for legitimate reasons, whether or not to proceed. Added to that is the reality that, for some of the years during which the scheme has been open, the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Interactions between people were, obviously, very curtailed, and we saw a huge reduction in people travelling home to Northern Ireland during a significant period in which the scheme has been open.”
“In evidence to the Executive Office Committee this year, we heard of a gentleman in Fermanagh who had not heard about the opportunity to seek redress. We have heard countless other stories from people who are not resident in Northern Ireland and who had no idea about it. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, the deadline is already very tight — 71 days from now — and refers specifically to the receipt of applications. In practice, that means that someone still considering applying, for whatever reason, is already close to running out of time to do so. In reality, they would have to access the relevant evidence that they need, get the documentation together, engage a solicitor and send it to the redress board well in advance of the deadline.”
“On behalf of the victims and survivors of historical institutional abuse (HIA), I appeal for an extension of the deadline for applications to the redress board past 2 April 2025. There are a number of arguments for that extension. <BR /> <BR />First, I acknowledge the work of the HIA implementation unit in the Executive Office in using its contacts around the world to share leaflets and posters to try to raise awareness of the redress scheme and its efforts, over the years, to promote the scheme. We also appreciate the efforts of the Commissioner for Survivors of Institutional and Childhood Abuse and others in supporting the victims and survivors in making their applications. However, it has become increasingly evident that we have not located all the victims and survivors.”
“In evidence sessions to the Committee for the Executive Office, we have been advised that there is no definition of "good relations" on the statute book. Will the Executive Office be taking forward work on that?”
“We must focus on fostering a compassionate, practical and fair approach that supports the rights and safety of all individuals. By rejecting the motion, we reaffirm our commitment to a justice system and a Prison Service that protect the vulnerable, empower professionals and ensure equitable treatment for everyone who is in custody. For those reasons, I urge Members to oppose the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important to emphasise that opposing the motion does not mean dismissing concerns about safety in prisons. On the contrary; I wish to demonstrate my party's commitment to addressing those real concerns in a way that prioritises fairness, respect and the protection of everyone who is involved. The current case-by-case risk assessment approach offers the best framework for balancing safety and dignity. It allows professionals to weigh individual risks and to make decisions that are based on evidence and not arbitrary rules. We should be proud that our Prison Service meets best international standards in that risk assessment model. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I implore the Assembly not to be drawn into divisive rhetoric or simplistic solutions that fail to address the underlying complexities of our justice and prison systems.”
“By contrast, imposing a blanket rule would strip professionals, who are, in my opinion, the people best placed to deliver them, of the flexibilities that they need to address those challenges effectively and responsibly and to care for some of the most vulnerable people in our prison system. <BR /> <BR />Prisons are inherently difficult and, at times, dangerous environments, and managing risks in such settings requires expertise and informed judgement. Professional assessments ensure that decisions are tailored to individual circumstances, recognising that no two cases are identical. A one-size-fits-all policy, as proposed in the motion, would tie the hands of those who are best placed to safeguard prisoners and staff. It is not only impractical but counterproductive and, frankly, cruel.”
“Instead, it risks creating greater vulnerabilities and undermining safety for all. <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Prison Service already employs a case-by-case approach to determining where and, indeed, how prisoners are housed. That system relies on thorough and well-tested risk assessments and professional advice, including input from South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust staff, in order to make decisions with safety as the top priority. Such a people-centred and evidence-based approach is essential in managing the complex risks that are in custodial settings.”
“Sadly, and to the disgrace of those who advocate it, the motion seeks to undermine that duty by supporting an approach that fails to address the complexities and sensitivities of the issue and, indeed, jeopardises the very safety that it seeks to protect. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: my party has always proudly championed the rights of and protections for LGBTQ individuals, women and other minority groups in Northern Ireland. That commitment is reflected in the policies that we, as a political party, develop and the work that we do every day. The motion takes us not only in the wrong direction but in a very dangerous one. A rigid ideological policy that segregates prisoners solely based on biological sex does not account for the nuances or the realities of often challenging custodial environments.”
“I oppose the motion. I am, sadly, as disappointed as I am outraged by the gross insensitivity and playing to the audience by the proposers of the motion who, as individuals and as a party, are playing a very dangerous game with some of the most vulnerable people to have been committed to the care of our Prison Service. <BR /> <BR />Given the size and nature of the prison population in Northern Ireland, the motion and the solutions that it proposes are not only overly simplistic but could create severe risk and cause greater harm. The Assembly has a duty to ensure the safety and dignity of everyone in Northern Ireland, whether they are in wider society or in our prison system.”
“I would like to know what support you can and will provide to Forge Integrated Primary School to progress its proposals. I hope that you can help it to address long-standing queries with DFI Roads and help the scheme to progress at the pace that it deserves after eight years.”
“Since that time, the principal has tried to keep the project moving forward at pace, despite facing many challenges along the way, not least the COVID pandemic. The two most enduring issues are the significant delay in getting planning permission, which is moving into its fifth year, and the challenge of ensuring that all aspects are ready for the development so that, when the opportunity for funding arises, everything is in place. It should be noted that it is envisaged that the new build will include an autism support centre for Key Stage 1 pupils and a general learning support centre for those at Key Stage 2. No one in the Chamber will fail to appreciate how much demand there is for those new learning units in South Belfast. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I appreciate your coming to the Chamber.”
“<BR /> <BR />Not to underestimate those efforts, I highlight the challenges that the principal and the school community at Forge Integrated Primary School have faced and continue to face in making their move from the current site on Carolan Road, which is adjacent to Wellington College. As a side note, I mention the proximity of the two schools because I am sure that Wellington College would, no doubt, be able to expand with minimal disruption onto the Forge Integrated Primary School site, if and when it becomes available, thereby addressing some of its own challenges with the huge demand on its confined site. <BR /> <BR />Turning back to Forge Integrated Primary School, in 2016, it was announced that the school would take forward plans to relocate to the former Knockbreda High School site along the Knock dual carriageway.”
“I hope that the Education Minister can provide us with an update on that today and indicate whether, given the ongoing growth of the population in that area of South Belfast and the fact that 250 pupils will be joining from Blackwater Integrated College, he believes that a 600-place school will be big enough to meet current and future demand. <BR /> <BR />Moving to primary-school provision, I should note that pressure for primary-school places has been eased to a small degree through the triumph last year of the conversion of Cairnshill Primary School to integrated status. The principal and the school community worked so hard to achieve that for the parents who voted for the conversion in such high numbers.”
“Six years on, I note that the last update on that from the Minister was in September 2024 to my party colleague Nick Mathison, in which he stated:”
“<BR /> <BR />Back in 2019, the Community Conversation report, which was produced by the Integrated Education Fund and Ulster University and focused on the Castlereagh and Carryduff areas, stated:”
“What we are talking about, however, is parental choice. When it comes to parental choice, the availability of integrated education provision in South Belfast falls short. <BR /> <BR />For example, Lagan College, which is admittedly based just over the constituency boundary in Strangford, has a huge intake from South Belfast and, every year, has nearly double the applications for admissions than it has places to fill. That has been the case for many years, yet progress on securing a site for the proposed 600-pupil, mid Down integrated post-primary school is still to be publicly announced. We need to see a firm commitment from the Minister that he will proceed at pace when that site is found.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I will not need anywhere near that, but I appreciate Members taking the time to join me in the Chamber this evening to debate the topic. I want to focus specifically on the issues facing integrated education provision in South Belfast. I do not believe that, during this debate, we need to rehearse what recently happened with the schools in North Down. MLAs can return to that at another time. <BR /> <BR />It is important to emphasise that successive surveys reinforce that integrated education provision is inadequate in Northern Ireland and specifically in South Belfast. To be clear, no one in my party is talking about enforcing integrated education. Many parents choose state or maintained schools for very good reasons. Indeed, I was among them in sending my children to Belfast Royal Academy, for example.”
“That led to a scenario in which 69% of those injured in winter pedestrian accidents on Swedish roads were women because of the roads that they commonly used. Bear in mind that the roads to the locations that women were likely to want to access were not prioritised for snow clearance and the fact that they were less likely to have access to a car in the first place. Once the authorities switched that around, clearing footpaths and cycle paths first and leaving the ring roads to a later stage of the process, overall casualties in wintertime fell by half and the gender imbalance amongst victims disappeared. In other words, we should not just look at the dry bureaucratic process: it is about how we develop and implement policy from the outset and the practical outcomes of that policy.”
“<BR /> <BR />Thirdly, there is a question about how we ensure that equality and fairness are embedded in policy in the first place. That is not just about equality in a rebalancing sense. Some of you will be aware of the Swedish example that is cited in the work of Caroline Criado Perez, where it was found that policies and practices that were put in place by committees that were dominated by men had led to snow clearing taking place on roads that were used predominantly by men, often ring roads and roads that led to factories and offices. However, roads that were more commonly used by women, notably roads to schools and care centres, were not prioritised. Footpaths and cycle paths were cleared last.”
“Another is the lower rate of participation in the workforce among females, particularly at and after middle age, where there is a marked discrepancy between Northern Ireland and neighbouring jurisdictions. There are, of course, other areas. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, tied to that, there is the absence of a single equality Act in Northern Ireland. That, of course, brings us to the work of the Committee for the Executive Office, which is coming to the end of its inquiry into gaps in equality legislation. There seems to be no doubt that one area of investigation should be into whether equality impact assessments should include gender-responsive budgeting and, potentially, gender equality action plans. It would also be necessary to improve our data gathering to ensure that such assessments can be carried out effectively and with purpose.”
“I also support the motion. I do not wish to use the brief time that I have to speak about points that have already been made, but there are, broadly, three points on why gender-responsive budgeting is helpful and how it would fit into wider equality work. <BR /> <BR />First, despite significant strides in some cases, there are identifiable areas where we, in Northern Ireland, are further from gender equality than neighbouring jurisdictions. The most obvious of those, which we, of course, hope to tackle effectively as a priority in the Programme for Government and in the Executive Office, is that the scale of violence against women and girls here is considerably worse than in comparable places.”
“Thank you. I was not sure that I was going to get in. <BR /> <BR />I would be grateful if the Minister could confirm whether the anti-poverty co-design group has been involved up to this point? What role do you see it playing over the next few months?”
“Minister, will you please outline what the proposed new organised crime offences will be?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I want to pick up on your point about the anticipated reform of stroke services, the outcome of which will be subject to consultation. You will be aware that there was a pre-consultation in 2017 and a public consultation in 2019, and that an action plan with key actions was published in 2022. Your predecessor said that we did not need a strategy and that we needed an action plan. We know what needs to be delivered, yet there is no real progress on delivery. Are you able to provide us with an update on that matter?”
“They all deserve consistent funding in order to be able to deliver the services and support that our constituents deserve. <BR /> <BR />Nexus puts the victim first, and, as we have heard today from Members, it provides support to parents who are so distressed when they hear that their loved ones have been the victim of sexual abuse. We should commend not just Nexus but all those who work to support those who are impacted on by that abuse. I call on the Assembly to reaffirm its commitment to, and support for, actions to tackle all forms of sexual abuse and abusive relationships and to commend all those who work to support people who are impacted on by it.”
“We are now moving on to historical clerical sexual abuse, and I urge the Executive Office to move on that as quickly as possible. We must reflect that when Nexus was formed 40 years ago, a lot of those abuses were happening in real time. <BR /> <BR />Members have welcomed the domestic and sexual abuse strategy, which is a joint strategy of the Justice and Health Departments. Members also welcomed the legislative interventions that have come forward in recent years, but we need to do more on prevention as opposed to the justice and accountability that comes at the far end. In that regard, I place on record my thanks to and support for the PSNI, Women's Aid, the Rowan sexual assault referral centre, the NSPCC, Barnardo's, the Men's Advisory Project, Victim Support NI and those who man the various helplines that support those organisations.”
“We are all grateful that the decision was reversed at the end, but it must have been very time-consuming for the staff and board of Nexus to have gone through that. <BR /> <BR />I am particularly interested in and concerned about historical institutional abuse. We know from the testimonies of people who came forward to the historical institutional abuse inquiry about the sexual nature of the abuse that they experienced in the homes. The Committee for the Executive Office has also worked with the truth recovery panel on the mother-and-baby institutions. Again, many of the women who were housed in those institutions were there as a result of sexual assault and rape, many times in the home and by supposed trusted adults.”
“We need a wee bit more information on the specifics around how the strategic framework will be rolled out and how it will impact on the ground. <BR /> <BR />Getting back to Nexus, it must be noted that it is not just about supporting women; it is about supporting anyone who is impacted on by sexual abuse or abusive relationships. Again, that is not limited to adults but includes children. It is very clear that Nexus has a lot of work to do if it is to continue to have the positive impact that it has had. We need to ensure that it has security of funding, and many in the Chamber, including Cara Hunter, pointed out that the number of constituents who contacted us when Nexus's funding was under threat was very significant, and it caused great concern to many.”
“One reason why we probably have not done enough to prevent sexual abuse and the development of abusive relationships is that we have left it to the volunteers at Nexus, for example, to step in and provide support to those impacted on by abuse after it has happened. <BR /> <BR />We may have lower crime rates in Northern Ireland generally, but we have very high rates of violence against women. While many Members gave some of the really harrowing, horrendous statistics, it is worth remembering that behind each statistic is an individual. As Diana Armstrong and Diane Forsythe said, we must do more. <BR /> <BR />Gerry Carroll mentioned that we need more information on actions around the use of technology.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will pick up on some other points. My colleague Connie Egan said that it is not just the Members of this legislature but other outlets, including the media, that have a significant role to play. In reporting on sexual abuse crimes, they need to stop victim-blaming and perpetuating falsehoods, and they need to join the rest of us in dispelling the myths around such crimes. <BR /> <BR />We all welcome the Executive's ending violence against women and girls strategic framework. It is robust, well-consulted-upon work. However, Sinéad questioned why the funding allocation seems to be less than is needed at this point. My party colleague Connie Egan has raised that time and again. If we are to really tackle the issue a generation on from the agreement, we need to put the resources where they are needed.”
“The work of those who built the charity, and of those who volunteered and helped with fundraising efforts over the years, is truly remarkable. They cannot be thanked and congratulated enough for their work and what they have achieved over 40 years. As others said, Nexus started in my South Belfast constituency, but, as Sinéad, Diana and others said, its reach is also very much felt and appreciated in rural communities and less urbanised areas. As Joanne Bunting said, Nexus is a trusted and discreet form of support. It is a significant contributor to the community and voluntary sector in my constituency and across the Province. The motion is very simple. It states that we, in the Chamber, reaffirm our commitment to breaking the cycle, and tackling all forms, of sexual abuse and abusive relationships and that we commend Nexus for its work.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank everyone — all the members of the Women's Caucus steering group and other Members in the Chamber — for their contribution today, in particular the chair of the steering group, Claire Sugden. I know that the issue is and has been very close to her heart, including when she was the Justice Minister. <BR /> <BR />The Women's Caucus is a united group of elected representatives. I welcome Diana Armstrong who recently joined us. What we are trying to do is work collectively to take forward our positions. In this case, it is about tackling all forms of sexual abuse and abusive relationships and ensuring that that remains an Executive priority. <BR /> <BR />Like others, I congratulate Nexus on its 40th anniversary and commend it in the strongest possible terms.”
“Apologies, Minister: I was not here for the start of your statement. I have a lot of constituents who are termed "property rich, cash poor" and will be concerned about the proposal to elevate the maximum capital value. Have your officials made an estimation of how much that would be in monthly rates for a household?”
“Like Deborah, I am feeling very smug because I got the train into Belfast yesterday, and it was nice that it was busy. Has the Minister considered lowering the cost of the fares from the park-and-rides into the city centre during this period?”
“The Alliance Party is very supportive of reform and transformation. First Minister, how can you ensure that the reform and transformation unit will have meaningful impact, given the fact that the different Departments are legally independent of one another?”