Sinéad Bradley
South Down · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />Periods have had many different names and have come, as Emma correctly pointed out, in many different colours. Mostly, they were talked about in hushed tones, but that is no more.”
“I, too, support the Bill, and I thank Pat Catney, my friend and colleague, for introducing it. <BR /> <BR />As a Member who sat on the Justice Committee, I am all too aware of some of the harrowing circumstances that young women face every day.”
“Pat's charm allowed everybody to embrace what he is trying to achieve today. I genuinely mean this: the people of Lagan Valley served the House proud when they put Pat Catney here. It is having people like Pat, with a good heart and good intentions, in a place where change can happen that results in days like today.”
“I am privileged to support the motion on behalf of the SDLP. Like other Members of the House, I have heard at first hand about the horrendous and heinous acts that led to the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act.”
“I thank Members across the Chamber for their kind words. <BR /> <BR />I suppose that all of us like to consider ourselves to be fair. I include myself in that.”
“I thank my party leader, Colum Eastwood, for hearing my calls, understanding the importance of the Narrow Water bridge and making sure that it was included in the New Decade, New Approach agreement.”
The complete record
Every one of 747 lines we hold for Sinéad Bradley, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 14 of 15.
“<BR /> <BR />Also speaking to the amendment, Jo-Anne Dobson identified the role of nurses, and very publicly and in a nice way, she thanked the nurses who have helped her family along the way. I think that we would all like to express that sentiment, because we have all shared those stories. Jo-Anne, I am maybe not as good as you at remembering the names — I am impressed by that — but that is something we would share across the House. She referred to the problem of staff in private nursing homes, and those nurses who are attracted out of the private nursing home sector, creating another cohort of problems, and no doubt going to work as agency staff. <BR /> <BR />There was a bit of debate about whether the amendment brought added value or not. The original motion states:”
“In his true style, he referred, although very seriously, to the midwife crisis that is looming. He also referred to the disparity of pay, which is an issue that perhaps would not get enough attention in the time allowed today. <BR /> <BR />Robbie Butler spoke to the amendment, and he expressed his concern that the roles have widened in what it means to be a nurse or midwife and resources are subsequently overstretched. He expressed concern at the low level of nurses we have and are able to attract from overseas. No doubt that is a costly exercise, and we are not getting the return that we would hope. He said that extra nursing training opportunities had eased the problem but, as he rightly pointed out, had not yet solved it.”
“I welcome the motion and the chance to speak to it and to an amendment that, I believe, brings added value. <BR /> <BR />Moving the amendment, Mark Durkan, my colleague, outlined how it incorporated the work of midwives. I ask the House not to just overlook that point. He referred to the heroic and often thankless work of nurses and midwives working in our trusts, and he highlighted the fact that one fifth of newly qualified nurses look for a job elsewhere. He rightly pointed out the uncertainties arising with Brexit and the visa problems that could derive from that. He looked at the problems with skills programmes and training. He referred to a 100-midwife shortage by 2017, and the inadequate numbers being retrained to make up the number when we look at the age profile of our existing cohort of midwives.”
“Given the acute issues with mental health in our prisons, and across society in general, can the Minister advise on details of any new bid for increased moneys to address mental health issues as part of the proposal to deal with the past?”
“Does the Member accept that it is a postcode lottery, given that, as he referred to, the Western Trust is able to supply healthcare, while the Southern Trust cannot?”
“Is the Minister aware that a section of the A2 dual carriageway, from Newry to Warrenpoint, is in particular need of resurfacing? If so, has he any plans to carry out that resurfacing?”
“Does the Minister have any plans to introduce routine screening for group B strep?”
“I know and accept — I have a certain level of sympathy with the Minister — that this is not an easy Department, but the Minister will forgive me if I reserve the greater part of my sympathy for those women who are not getting the help and care that they need from this Government and this health service at this moment in time.”
“We have heard about that 6.7%, although the Member for Upper Bann did remind the Minister that these are her figures that she is questioning. These figures have been released by the Department, as she rightly said. The Minister cannot come here and question her own figures and try and put a slant on it. It is time. The time is not tomorrow; it is not next week. The time is now that we deal with this problem. The time is now that we bring the solutions to the table, rather than going into defence mode and saying that it is not actually a problem. It shocks me that I actually am listening to that type of rebuttal across the Floor of this Chamber.”
“No, I will not give way because my time is limited on this. <BR /> <BR />— and not knowing what is ahead of them: that is where the health service is not meeting their need. That is where the fall-down is this Government is. There are people in Action Cancer and Marie Curie who are lifting those women through that difficult time. They are the point of contact. This is the point where the health service is failing people in Northern Ireland. I suggest that, rather than get into defensive mode, we at least acknowledge that that is happening and it is not good enough.”
“Are you suggesting that the two-week window is of no importance to the group of women who are not in that 6·7%? I think not. That two-week window, when those women are trying to get on with their daily lives not knowing — not knowing — whether they have cancer; not knowing whether they have stage one, two, three or four; not knowing what their future is —”
“Thank you. The 6·7% refers to the people who have possible cancer.”
“They have no news to break because they do not know what is happening and they are doing their own, if you like, Google research. We have all been there; we have all done it. They look at the stages of cancer and find themselves asking, "If I have it, what stage is it at?" There is a delay. <BR /> <BR />Most people outside the House are not watching what the 14-day target might be; most people are unaware of it. It is not something that they talk about casually, day to day. Most people would like to think that, once their doctor has noted them as an urgent case, they are in safe hands. Quite frankly, this is one figure that I just cannot get past: 6·7% of women presenting with possible breast cancer as an urgent referral in the Southern Health Trust have been seen. That figure cannot be overlooked.”
“Not only are they getting good healthcare, they are receiving a caring service. Having spoken with professionals along that path, I could not fault it anywhere: from going through the door, through the treatment, the service that was afforded by Health and Social Care here in Northern Ireland, and I would not want any slight on the debate to suggest otherwise. <BR /> <BR />During the two-week window, when people are living in that torturous situation and are asking, "Do I have cancer or do I not?", they have access to very little. Remember, most of them will already have had their third or forth appointment with their GP before the referral was made. Away from that, they are trying to carry on with everyday life.”
“I welcome that the Minister is here during this critical debate. I am acutely conscious that there will be people who are inside the two-week window and are living with the torture of not knowing whether they have cancer. I am sure many of us in the House have travelled that pathway with people, even if it is not at first-hand, and the two-week window cannot be overlooked. In many cases, people get the good news that they do not have cancer, but let us not brush over the fact that they are trying to get on with their daily lives. They are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters, and there is a whole plethora of stories behind each one of those individuals, and nobody is here to suggest that the care that they get, when they finally make it to the healthcare system in Northern Ireland, is not second to none.”
“They, too, have also not ruled out the possibility of moving South. I ask the House this: where does it leave our future exports when we face the real possibility of exporting our exporters?”
“Instead of going into the political arena, they are focusing heavily on the real issues. One business informed me that it has considered the possible impact that tariffs may have on sales and it will consider the possibility of setting up business in the South if the burden of costs and administration imposed on it weighs too heavily. A second export business that I spoke to was less concerned about talk of tariffs but recognised that its particular business was heavily dependent on the free movement of people to maintain a level workforce.”
“We must acknowledge this as a reality, and it is something that we need to collectively protect. <BR /> <BR />In its submission to the refocus of Northern Ireland's economic strategy, the Federation of Small Businesses quoted NISRA statistics that the EU represented 59% of our exports, with 37% of that being made in the Republic of Ireland. During recent visits to local businesses and companies that are involved in exports, I have been told that ease of access to trade negotiations, ease of transport with no dependency on shipping, a shared cultural understanding of product and demand and the security of working in the single European market are just a few reasons why the South is such a sustainable export partner. <BR /> <BR />During the visits, CEOs and management teams also shared with me their thinking on the recent referendum result.”
“<BR /> <BR />In my view, businesses in Northern Ireland are amongst the most versatile in the world, and they have had to be. I am confident that they will respond to any challenges and opportunities presented to them. However, it is wholly unreasonable for anybody to expect them to respond to challenges that are unknown to them. <BR /> <BR />Whilst welcoming the 9·5% growth, it is incumbent on all of us in this House to take a much wider view of the economic performance and policies. Today's report issued by the Ulster Bank's purchasing managers' index (PMI) tells us that output and new orders have stagnated during the month of September. The HMRC statistics that we are considering also reaffirm that our largest export market continues to be just over the ditch and further South, right across Ireland.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I assure you that I am immune. <BR /> <BR />It is worth looking at. The figures that have gone through are very impressive. <BR /> <BR />I also note all the companies in Northern Ireland that have contributed to exports. It is worthy of note, and we should take time to congratulate those businesses. They are not asking this House or this Sinn Féin/DUP Government for congratulations. If anybody is really listening to the business community at this time, they will hear that it is asking for leadership and for an economic anchor in this pre-Brexit period. Likewise, companies that are contemplating the possibility of the export market must be supported and encouraged. Policy must reflect something that they recognise as being something that they can approach and adopt for their own business.”
“As SDLP spokesperson for the economy, I welcome the 9·5% increase in export growth. Before I get into my speech proper, I note with some amusement the secondary clause in the motion that somehow suggests that the two clauses are connected and that the growth may, in some part, have something to do with this Government. Some might even stand to argue that it happened despite this Government rather than because of them. <BR /> <BR />That said, amongst the many figures that are presented, there is a breakdown in the overall growth. The stand-out figure has to be that 56·3% growth from chemical and related products and life sciences, which is an impressive growth in any one year. Also worthy of specific mention is the growth in exports to the US. It is unfortunate that the SDLP/UUP joint motion —”
“I welcome the Minister's comments that she values the work of Community Pharmacy and sees an enhanced role for it in the future. Can she give an assurance that, in packaging up that enhanced role, there will be sufficient budget to run alongside it?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. I ask her to recall that, on 20 September, she said, in answer to a question, that she had had a conversation about the Sean Lynch report. Can the Minister share with us today whether she called a meeting to discuss the report with the Prisoner Ombudsman or senior management in the prison? If so, when does she expect the recommendations of the report to be implemented?”
“I genuinely welcome that you are determined to see it delivered, as I hope it will be. You rightly point out that the political landscape has changed. Does the Minister acknowledge that there is now greater emphasis on the House and our Departments to deliver on this bridge? I know the Southern Government are firmly on record as being supportive of it, but, in the absence of any European funding, the pressures will be added to us.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. You very astutely referred to the Narrow Water bridge, which, I am sure, you pre-empted as the subject of my supplementary question. You talk about the years ahead. Will you give a clear answer: do you see the Narrow Water bridge being delivered during this mandate?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I applaud her optimism, although I do not fully share all of it. Is it now time for us to have a more balanced debate? Should we be forced to leave the EU against the will of the people of Northern Ireland, is it not realistic that we should start to look at the risks and threats that exist, particularly for those who work in the agri-food sector?”
“Can I assume, then, from the Minister's answer that he did have sight of the document ahead of the referendum?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. When talking about the industry, bringing things up to date and, obviously, craft beer, you rightly point out that there is agreement here. There are barriers but there is also the aspect of actual sales outputs and looking at online sales to be considered. This is a new venture for a lot of those industries and it may be worth looking at the context of the online sale of alcohol as well.”
“Does the Member agree that, at the outset, the issue was to address equality of access to pension income but, in fact, it has had the reverse effect? Women did not have equal access to planning and scoping out their retirement and what their choices might be at that time. You mentioned 14 years and the scale of the problem: do you agree that this goes beyond inequality? It goes back to the Government at that time actually being negligent.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answers so far. As a Member from the South Down constituency, I want to afford the Minister an opportunity to perhaps put on record his support for a critical project in the Narrow Water bridge for the development of the tourism sector across South Down. It was always envisaged that the project would be part-funded by this House, the Southern Government and European funding. Can he give an assurance, one, that he supports the project and, two, that he has started to seek out possible holes in the funding package?”
“Yes, please. Given the issue of child poverty, particularly reaching out to marginalised families who are no doubt the people affected in this, does the Minister not feel a sense of responsibility to put up an immediate fast-track system that will offer reassurance to those who are waiting to hear it today?”
“What conversations has the Minister had around the Executive table on the issue of farmers accessing funds with, in particular, the Economy and Finance Ministers?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker; I will. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Members for bringing this forward. I look forward to supporting any robust eradication strategy.”
“That will, of course, include having to look at an all-island strategy on the problem. Transport lorries are, I believe, one of the potential carriers of the seed for this problem, so it would be naive to have a robust strategy that did not consider the island of Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />The previous Environment Minister asked the Department to undertake an analysis of the extent of the problem here. That is perhaps one of the starting points we have to consider — the extent of the problem. I do not think it has really been measured yet, and perhaps that has to be our starting point: where is the problem, where is it most prevalent and where do our resources have to be targeted? <BR /> <BR />I will go on to talk about the commissioning of the official study. We cannot pretend. In the motion we talk about a regional strategy, and in the European context there has been that acceptance that the problem is so big that it cannot be eradicated totally. Perhaps because we are on an island, we can be more ambitious in looking at long-term eradication.”
“We cannot shift the solution to this to the mortgage companies. Mortgage companies are in the business of measuring risk against their loan books, if you like. We need not look there for solutions, but we need to collectively look at what realistically can be done to resolve the problem. <BR /> <BR />The Environment Committee commissioned research into the existing legislation across these islands in relation to Japanese knotweed and the control of its spread into neighbouring properties. It was identified that there was no public assistance with redress for individual property owners — and that is a problem in itself. Someone who does not have the financial capacity to deal with the problem has the frustration of knowing it is there and watching the problem become bigger as the growth spreads.”
“<BR /> <BR />People sign up to a mortgage of 20 to 25 years, and, I am sure that most Members will agree, it is probably the biggest financial investment of their life. Financial products these days are understandably very flexible and mobile and allow people to move as and when life situations change, but, when something like Japanese knotweed enters the equation, people's lives are literally put on hold. It has an impact on their family and their life choices and causes stress and worry.”
“Looking at the structure of the weed, as, I suppose, it should be called, I find it shocking just how strong and persistent it is. There is no doubt that any proposal to put forward any programme will have to be as robust because it will not go away overnight; it needs something that we will commit to in the longer term and not just the short term. <BR /> <BR />Members will know that work has already been done in the House when the previous Environment Minister put forward the Northern Ireland invasive alien species strategy. The objective of that strategy, I understand, was to halt the impact on biodiversity and the economy of invasion by alien species. There is an economic impact, which is largely unmeasured at this time. There is also an impact when an invasive species — in this case, Japanese knotweed — reaches somebody's home.”
“I also thank the Members who tabled the motion. As you are aware, Japanese knotweed is a problem that is peppered throughout Northern Ireland, but we do not really have a handle on where it is most prevalent and where it causes most problems. However, as a Member for South Down, I can confirm that the problem exists in the constituency. Thankfully, it is on a smaller scale than in other constituencies, but, nonetheless, there is a worry that it will spread, and preventative measures not being taken could make the problem much bigger than it is today. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for moving the motion and giving the backdrop. I will not repeat that because it was comprehensive. Other Members have indicated the strength and speed of growth in a way that I cannot match, so I will not attempt to do that either.”
“Perhaps the appointment of external bodies or people, which, apparently, we are not allowed to discuss because there is democracy with a small "d" on certain days, is not a get-out.”
“I agree with that. We will put that into the catalogue of statistics that we can never really put our finger on. <BR /> <BR />What has come out of the debate today? If you stand on your feet to make any argument for or against Brexit and do not find yourself uttering the words "single farm payment" or words that are relevant to our business community, I ask you to please be seated and to go away and find a think tank.”
“I will in a moment — but do not do it in the hope that people will not notice that this Government are doing nothing.”
“May I remind the Member that we are Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly? I am elected to represent the people of Northern Ireland, a truth that may sit uncomfortably with the Member when he makes his reference. I do not dismiss the majority voice of Northern Ireland. If you feel comfortable and take security from breaking it down into green and orange, do that —”
“I have listened to debates in which people are very comfortable with breaking things down geographically and boastfully telling us that their constituency voted to leave, yet the mantra that this was a UK decision quickly follows. I also listened to Lord Morrow telling me eloquently about how the majority are unionists who voted to remain. He can cite that, and be dismissive of the fact that the majority of people in Northern Ireland voted to remain.”
“Nothing has been shared in the Chamber by the government parties today that is worth carrying out of the Chamber to those who have genuine concerns, those who are making decisions in the boardrooms of small businesses about whether their business will survive, those who depend on agricultural policies to keep their farm business open or those who are asking whether their sons or daughters will be able to carry on in their farm enterprise. There are no answers, there is no thinking, and no pathway has been pointed out here today that allows me to offer any assurance to any of those people. <BR /> <BR />The level of debate that has been offered here is nothing short of disgraceful.”
“Businesses are making decisions based on the uncertainties we face. This debate has offered nothing from the government parties to say to those people that we are even sitting down to consider what is happening. In fact, nowhere in the House can we look for an wider alleged position between the two government parties: one for "Remain" and one for exit. I say "alleged" position because I see neither party doing a whole lot about the position that it holds. <BR /> <BR />I look at them and think that the one agreed position that appears to have been adopted by this Government is "If we do nothing, the Opposition cannot scrutinise that. If we do nothing, nobody can say that we are doing it the wrong way. Nobody can say that our priorities are different from what they should be". Quite frankly, that is where we and this debate are.”
“First, I echo the comments made by my colleague Claire Hanna that it is nice that we have an opportunity to look at and speak to a document in the House. When I compare the document with that of the Government, I find that, of course, there is no comparison to be drawn, because there is none. We have nothing more than a letter. <BR /> <BR />It amuses me slightly to watch a debate on Brexit in the House become nothing more than a heckling and shouting match, while very good manners are demonstrated when others in government speak. It really is disgraceful that Members have come to the House today without even having an open mind to discuss how Northern Ireland will look and what the consequences will be. Why has the debate not raised issues on single farm payments? Businesses are looking for leadership.”
“— and I ask the Minister to carry out a thorough review of working with other Departments to make real, effective change.”
“That really undermines the reform of local government. Planning powers, community planning powers and regeneration powers go together and can play a greater role in sharpening up and regenerating our town centres. The SDLP is, again, calling for regeneration powers to be transferred to councils. Many councils previously drew down funds from OFMDFM to regenerate their town centres to encourage footfall, but we need to get past painting shutters to make shop fronts more attractive while they are closed. Business rates are within our gift —”
“Yes, I agree: we are all stakeholders. As the Member mentioned earlier, there are different sides to the argument, with people wanting support for one thing over another. We all have a part to play in this — you are absolutely right — but it is about making the high street enticing. Customers will not come unless there is an offer in place. <BR /> <BR />Looking at what is in the power of the House or the Government, I believe that investment must continue. We must look at why regeneration powers have not yet been handed over to council areas. The delay in devolving those powers is really unacceptable at this stage. The Regeneration Bill, which was not brought forward in the previous mandate, would have extended powers to councils to address social need and to carry out regeneration schemes.”