Steve Aiken
South Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, as well as the move to reduce the cost to the Assembly of vacant non-domestic properties and to increase liability so that we will not have so many vacant properties, you will be aware of the Dilapidation Bill and of the conversations that have been taking place in Wales and Scotland about…”
“Instead, that most dysfunctional Department, under the most inept Sinn Féin Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly and a series of grossly over-superannuated permanent secretaries, gave the money back.”
“We know that her Department spends more on legal cases, fighting judicial reviews and being chastised by judges for legal ineptitude and on vesting land and ripping out hedges and fencing and then trying to unvest it and paying even more money to put back the fences and hedges that it took out.”
“We can hardly blame the current permanent secretary, as she has just taken up her post, but, surely, her predecessors must bear some accountability or responsibility, especially considering the senior civil servants' salary scale of between £146,000 and £163,000, with, of course, their taxpayer-funded pension contribution of 34·2% — £218,…”
“It must be said that £181·3 million is a lot of taxpayers' hard-earned money. It is money that is raised from local commuters, vehicle owners, farmers, local businesses, logistics companies and, above all, our constituents — those vital people whom we are elected to represent.”
“The Minister will be aware that, under the public appointments guide published by the Executive Office, it is clear that she is supposed to take independent advice before appointing board members. What independent advice did she receive, particularly about the board members selected?”
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“The changes have particularly affected pupils at Ballyclare High School and residents along and in Hillmount Avenue, Rathmena estate, Rashee Road and Readers Park. Last Friday evening, I witnessed 300 children walking or, to put it more accurately, stumbling towards the new bus stops at Readers Park, a distance of approximately one mile, along wet, ill-lit roads and narrow pavements. They were rushing to get buses within 15 minutes. Several pupils have been left behind by Translink's buses leaving in a rush. That is happening even before midwinter sets in and along pavements and side roads that are notorious for being seldom, if ever, gritted. <BR /> <BR />Translink's response to the entreaties of the school's senior leadership has been indifference.”
“First, I declare an interest as a parent governor at Ballyclare High School. <BR /> <BR />We are, unfortunately, all used to our public utility companies making changes that often defy logic and exacerbate rather than solve problems. Anyone who lives in Ballyclare or has children at any of the excellent schools in our town will know the times to avoid due to school traffic. There have been ongoing issues with bus timetabling, access along the narrow streets and tight car parking around the Square. The buses pick up close to the school, with the embarking and driving off happening within minutes of the end of school. That has been largely an encumbrance, but it has not led to real concerns about child safety until now. <BR /> <BR />Due to a series of managerial and staff issues, Translink has decided to change the bus pickup areas.”
“Minister, thank you very much indeed for agreeing with the Health Minister to look at this and to move those funds across. As you are aware, however, that is about 1·2% of the Health budget. Looking ahead at the next three years, is there an intent to profile and prioritise public-sector pay to begin with, as you mentioned, and to measure the quantum of that public-sector pay over the next three years?”
“Thank you very much indeed, Cheryl. All other Members who are called to speak will have approximately five minutes.”
“Thank you very much. I was not going to intervene, but I have a question. Of the people from Northern Ireland who are currently in the British armed forces, approximately 40% come from what we would describe as a "nationalist" or "republican" background. They have joined the armed forces because they want to serve this nation. We say that there are two communities here, but would the Member agree that there are many people from all communities across Northern Ireland who serve in our wonderful armed forces and that they are doing a fantastic job, keeping our nation safe?”
“Minister, you will be aware that, this morning, the Chancellor of the Exchequer made an unprecedented speech, basically signalling that she will put up taxes and that she will prioritise health and other areas of public service. Bearing in mind that, if that goes through, additional consequentials are likely to come our way, will the Minister commit to ring-fence those moneys for Health to pay for health workers in particular?”
“Thank you. Just for a bit of clarity there. <BR /> <BR />Obviously we will not be supporting Mr Gaston's opposition to the schedule. We believe that the Bill needs to be given due consideration when it moves through to the next stage. <BR /> <BR />My final remarks are to the people, and the bereaved families in particular, who came and gave evidence to us. It was both humbling and a privilege for Committee members to hear from them.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I will move on to amendment No 6. With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, I would like some clarity from Mr Tennyson. In his remarks in the Chamber, I think that he said that it would be 12 months, beginning with the day on which the Act receives Royal Assent, but it says "12 weeks" in the amendment. Is it —?”
“I feel quite uncomfortable about that and about supporting it, and that is for reasons that I do not wish to go into in the Chamber. It is something that I have been particularly noted on as well. <BR /> <BR />I would like more clarity on amendment No 5, because, although I understand the sentiment that Mr Gaston and others in the Chamber expressed, I do not really get why clause 11(1) does not cover those areas, particularly 11(1) and 11(2), and how they cannot be interpreted in that way. Mr Gaston, maybe you would like to make an intervention to explain particularly how clauses 11(1) and 11(2) do not cover that — sorry; through the Chair.”
“I have been in a similar situation. Proposed new subsection (3A)(a) talks about:”
“The Bill has to be dealt with in very compassionate terms, and I made my points clear when I was in the Committee, particularly when we were talking with those bereaved people who were dealing with the issue. This is a deeply sensitive and very touching issue to many, many people. It is important that we get this right, and the intent of the Bill so far has largely been going in that direction. <BR /> <BR />Many Members have spoken very passionately and very clearly about their views on the amendments and the Bill. I do not want to delay Members, because much of what they said is what I would say anyhow. From our party's perspective, we will support amendment No 1 and then either amendment No 2 or amendment No 3, depending on which way they come through. <BR /> <BR />I have a question about amendment No 4.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. That is a very important point, which exercised the Committee. If the Department is never going to use the power, why would it have it in the first place? It would send out a strong message to everybody if we agreed to the amendment. Charging for a certificate is not appropriate, and I do not think that that is the Minister's or the Department's intent.”
“I declare an interest, because I was on the visit as well. Minister, will you comment on the fact that, when we went to the Ofek school, which is led by Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders, we had to have our meeting in a bomb shelter? Why would a school for children need to have a bomb shelter?”
“Is the Minister confident that his appointment of Professor Mark Taylor as the clinical lead for reducing Northern Ireland's waiting times will serve as an important opportunity for a focus on why the number of procedures delivered on hospital theatre lists can sometimes differ from what are independently recognised baselines, such as those in Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT)?”
“She was then murdered and mutilated, although it is uncertain whether all the mutilation was carried out pre- or post-mortem. <BR /> <BR />They were murdered that day, along with thousands of others, just because they were Jews. Everyone whom we met desired peace, but how do we make peace with people whose mentality is such that they sadistically strangle a child in front of their mother? The sad fact is that, on 7 October, the words "never again" became "now". Shalom.”
“<BR /> <BR />We then stopped outside what remained of the home of the Bibas family: husband, Yarden; wife, Shiri; Ariel, aged four; and Kfir, aged 10 months. The light was dropping as we gathered close to see where the shooting and grenades had left their mark. Outside, there was a washing machine and dryer with baby and children's clothes still in it. Beside it were children's toys, including a plastic house and swing. I have exactly the same toys in my garage for my children and grandkids. Yarden eventually came home, severely traumatised. Kfir, at the age of 10 months, was strangled in front of Shiri, and Ariel was murdered shortly thereafter. It is known from forensic evidence and Hamas's sick records that Shiri was alive to witness that.”
“The abuse, torture, sexual mutilation and violence and the pure brutality that occurred on 7 October are unfathomable. Far from being a victory to the Palestinian resistance, it was a horrific example of what I can only describe as pure, unadulterated evil. There was no attempt to hide what they did; in fact, they livestreamed it. <BR /> <BR />Some of the greatest horrors occurred at Kibbutz Nir Oz. That is, in the saddest way, ironic because it was known across Israel as the "peace kibbutz", where the residents went out of their way to help and support their Palestinian neighbours. That is where actual genocide was committed. Rita Lifschitz, a resident of the kibbutz, guided us around the burnt-out buildings. She walked us through the homes where the residents, many of whom were elderly or young, were murdered.”
“Last week, along with several colleagues, I visited Israel. As a declaration of interest, the visit was paid for by the Israeli embassy in London. I thank all those whom we met: those of the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Bahá'í and Druze faiths or of no faith; and those who consider themselves to be Israeli, Palestinian or Druze. The many people whom we talked to all mentioned the trauma and enormous suffering that happened on 7 October 2023 and the impact that that and the subsequent war are having on their lives. They all want a just and, hopefully, lasting peace. <BR /> <BR />The testimony that we heard directly from the innocent victims was in many, if not all, cases harrowing — so harrowing that, even as a military veteran, I find it hard to comprehend.”
“Indeed. <BR /> <BR />Who will defend it from the drug smugglers, the narco-terrorists, the terrorists and just about everybody else? It is refreshing to see that some of her views are not necessarily followed by all the people who voted in her support, and there has been a degree of concern raised across the piece. <BR /> <BR />It is the Irish people's choice, and we recognise that. When she comes to Northern Ireland as the head of state, we will recognise that role and will bear it in mind that she is here in what is supposed to be a politically neutral position to represent the people of Ireland and is not here to be like President Higgins and interfere with the political process.”
“We also need to reflect on her remarks about defence spending in Ireland. We know that the Irish Republic is freeloading on its defence. Everybody from the United States and Europe — everywhere — has been saying the same thing. However, when Catherine Connolly says that Ireland does not need an army, navy or air force, just who, does she propose, will defend the Irish state?”
“President-elect Connolly spoke in support of former MEPs Mick Wallace and Clare Daly when they refused to vote in favour of a tribunal to prosecute Vladimir Putin. She also refused to join in and clap Vlodymyr Zelenskyy in Dáil Éireann when he was there. That seems to be very partial. In her recent election campaign, she agreed with People Before Profit that NATO was warmongering and that Germany's move towards rearmament was equivalent to that in the 1930s, a clear reference to Germany's long-gone fascist past.”
“The Ulster Unionist Party recognises that President-elect Catherine Connolly is the choice of the Irish people, given at the ballot box, and has been duly elected. As a party, we respect the choice of the Irish people and will treat her, as we do all democratically elected heads of state, with the due respect that that office holder has. Be it the head of state of Ireland, the United States, the Ukraine or wherever, we treat them all with that respect. <BR /> <BR />We note with some concern, however, the president-elect's approach to Europe, particularly to peace in Europe. First, there are her comments on being ashamed at being part of the European Union led by Ursula von der Leyen. There is then the fact that she voted against virtually every EU treaty that has come through. <BR /> <BR />This is quite a strange one.”
“Anybody studying or looking at European trade bodies, think tanks and parliaments knows how seriously the changes to the UCC are being taken everywhere that the single market applies, except here. Inexplicably, OFMDFM has refused to sign off on the head of our Northern Ireland Bureau coming to speak to us. Our meeting on Thursday to discuss those vital changes has now been cancelled. Why? <BR /> <BR />We complain about being denied information to conduct our scrutiny in the House, and it is beyond acceptable that our Executive think that they have more information and understanding than the House, particularly about the Windsor framework. Spoiler alert, Members: as the Windsor framework debacle has shown so far, they do not. It is 72 days and counting, and we are not doing well.”
“The extensive reports by Lord Murphy and the House of Lords Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee have made it clear that there is limited understanding and knowledge about how the Windsor framework should work. The Federation of Small Businesses was much starker: the reality is that the Windsor framework is not working, even in its current form. <BR /> <BR />The Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee decided, for once, to be curious about the UCC. Bearing in mind the time available before it was introduced, we asked to speak to the head of our Northern Ireland Bureau in Brussels. We know how important it is for all of Northern Ireland, bearing in mind that we are about two months out. We were scheduled to speak to him this week.”
“The Union Customs Code (UCC) defines the legal framework for customs rules and procedures in the EU customs territory. It was introduced across the European Union in 2016, but, because of its complexities, a transition period was set to run originally until 2020 and has now been extended to a final date of 31 December 2025. The revisions of the new Union Customs Code will apply to Northern Ireland by the end of the year. The rules are mandatory, as detailed in the Community Customs Code Council regulation (EEC) No 2913/92. That is 72 days away. <BR /> <BR />The existing provision of the customs rules, which covers every good in the single market, is not, to put it mildly, well understood by companies in Northern Ireland or GB companies that trade into this part of the United Kingdom.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. We have heard a lot about grids and access to renewables. One thing that we have not heard about is synchronicity and inertia, which are vital. Does the Member agree that, in any future discussions, we need to make sure that we have enough conventional or nuclear supply to have synchronicity and inertia, or else the system will not work?”
“Thank you very much indeed for giving way. Does the Member agree that it is an absolute scandal that the likes of NIE and the System Operator for Northern Ireland (SONI) have made considerable profits on those networks even though they have not invested in them at all, despite the fact that "severe weather events" have been signalled for quite a long time by agencies such as the Met Office?”
“Our committee has recommended joint UK/Republic of Ireland maritime patrolling and increased joint working. Without NATO membership, however, Ireland has no access to a military alliance that can secure its borders. Hoping for good luck, the goodwill of hard-pressed neighbours or the beneficence of the triple-lock nations, is, I am afraid, no security at all.”
“We in Northern Ireland, as part of NATO, have a defensive umbrella that is widely stretched but protects us. The Irish, with their minuscule defence spending, have little or no willingness or capability to defend themselves, with few or no guarantees.”
“The lack of security for vast areas of sea, subsea, air and cyberspace are an open back door for those wanting to harm not only the Irish Republic but transatlantic trade, the European Union and NATO. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, there is a degree of hypocritical expectation from most Irish political parties, including the current presidential Sinn Féin candidate, that they pontificate about the UK and NATO for their so-called militarism and defence expenditure while doing absolutely nothing to defend themselves. Paradoxically advocating drone defences at Dublin Airport while bashing the only nations that can make effective protective systems is a case in point. <BR /> <BR />As we discovered at BIPA and as even the most myopic TDs or senators now know, NATO has other priorities.”
“<BR /> <BR />The report, which I recommend to everybody — I will ask the Assembly Library to ensure that it has copies of it — is well worth the read. The key supplementary themes became apparent during the investigation. The first is that there is a clear and present danger to this island from Putin and non-state actors, including narco-terrorists and criminal gangs. Attempts to sabotage critical cables, other parts of national infrastructure and the near relentless cyberattacks in every aspect of our lives show that the hybrid war is raging, and the Irish Republic has a particular vulnerability. Secondly, evidence shows that Ireland's shores, air and cyberspace are, regrettably, defenceless.”
“First, I make a declaration of interest as a member of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly (BIPA) and a long-standing member of committee B. Last week, our committee submitted a report on UK/EU defence and security cooperation post-Brexit. The committee consists of members from the Oireachtas, Westminster and the devolved Administrations, including members from Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Scottish National Party. We conducted the inquiry through a series of evidence-gathering meetings and visits to key areas. The meetings included talking to the ex-chief of the Irish Defence Forces; Garda Commissioner Drew Harris; the European Union, including the European Hybrid Centre of Excellence; NATO, including the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence; the National Crime Agency; and cybersecurity experts.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I apologise for not being in my place for a topical question. I was, as I previously briefed, at the funeral of a very important member of the Ulster Unionist Party. We send our party's regards to his brother on this sad occasion.”
“However, more importantly, the restoration of the peace process and the normalisation of politics in the Middle East between the Gulf States and the Saudis has been achieved. That has been done by the support and help of one man: the president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, who several parties in the Assembly would not deign to meet during a trade mission. We all owe a debt of gratitude to Donald J Trump today.”
“<BR /> <BR />For those who say that there was "no alternative" to terror, the reality is this: if 7 October had not happened, many thousands would still be alive. The paradox is that the Iranian-instigated Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis, Sinn Fein's presidential-pick and friend, Assad in Syria and thousands of other useful idiots were all designed by Iran to destroy the Abraham peace accords and enable Iran to develop its nuclear bomb. Right now, Israel has restored deterrence; on 22 June, Iran's nuclear programme lay buried under 400 feet of rock; Hezbollah has been emasculated; the Houthi leadership has been destroyed; Assad, much to Catherine of Galway's chagrin, is gone; and Hamas has been crushed.”
“For them, there is no joy of reuniting and the resumption of disrupted lives. Instead, there will be further mourning and pain. They, too, are at the forefront of our prayers, and my prayers, today. The murder of those people, including women and children, will forever remain a stain on the Palestinian terrorists and those in Gaza who facilitated their murder and torture and the desecration of their remains. It is also a stain on those useful idiots and fellow travellers who chanted for global "infitada" and rivers to the sea while giving agency to the global surge of antisemitism, no less than on this Island. As we can continue to see, those lies are not only unproven but a clear example of propaganda and add to the Jew hate, which, ironically, purports to be the truth for far too many in the Chamber and elsewhere.”
“Today — 13 October — is Hoshana Rabbah, the final day of Succoth. It is the day on which Jewish people everywhere pray and look to the fate of the new year. As we have seen from the joyous scenes in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, today is also one of significant hope. The 20 living hostages are being restored to their families, friends and loved ones after two years of horror, barbarity, torture, sexual abuse and mental torment. Their recovery will be long and arduous, but I am sure that all here will join me in praying for their eventual healing. <BR /> <BR />It is also a time of immense sadness, not only for the families of the dead hostages who were murdered by Hamas and other Palestinians but for the millions across the world who were affected by the barbarity of 7 October.”
“Thank you very much indeed. There was a degree of guffawing and laughter from your party when we talked about Ofgem. Ofgem insists on minimum and maximum prices. Would that not be appropriate for where we are?”
“Speaking as the deputy chair of the climate all-party group, I remind its chair that we have advocated for a long time that we should get to net zero carbon as quickly as we can. Part of that is making sure that the grid works effectively and correctly. An Alliance Member said earlier that we are not interested in the North/South interconnector or an all-Ireland connection — I can point that way, too, John — but, in fact, that is fundamentally wrong. Will the Member correct that?”
“I do not know where the Member gets the idea that we are against the North/South interconnector. I have been one of the strongest advocates for the North/South interconnector for nearly 10 years and, indeed, before that when I was the chief executive of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. I do not know where you are getting that from, but so what?”
“He is correct. The North/South interconnector is the one fundamental failure of the whole I-SEM system. Without the North/South interconnector, it will not work. Burying the cable is being presented by some parties in the Chamber as a way ahead, but that is just going to put the cost up so much that it is never going to happen.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. As the Member will be aware, this is not the first time that that has happened with Kilroot power station. It has been an ongoing problem. Does there seem to be a lack of strategy to deal with the issue?”
“I do not mind at all making that remark about Alliance. That is why I recommend that Members accept our amendment, because it will significantly improve part of the motion.”
“Certainly. Sorry, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker.”
“Really. Why did you say what you said when I explained why it is vital —?”
“That is why I am being encouraging instead of listening to the rhetoric of the Alliance Party, which would rather just bash unionists, but that seems to be its modus operandi at the moment.”
“We cannot get that for two reasons. First, we do not have sufficient interconnection, which is vital to what we are discussing here. Secondly, we have a monopoly in Northern Ireland. We have a monopoly from ESB and EirGrid, aka Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and SONI. Our prices are fixed by the ability of the infrastructure to deal with the systems that we are dealing with. Unless we can sort that out, we will not get anywhere. <BR /> <BR />Our party is fully supportive of doing everything that we can to improve our housing stock, insulating homes sufficiently and fitting them with PV. However, unless we sort out the grid infrastructure, it is absolutely pointless. It will just be window dressing. It will just be greenwashing. Rather, we need to be able to make everything work.”
“If you listen to people who talk about the I-SEM, you will hear them say time and again how important it is for energy security in Northern Ireland. Anybody who understands electricity — it is a pity that Mr Frew is not here — will tell you very clearly that the I-SEM is a virtual-only market. We are not connected North/South. We are connected east-west, because every time that there is a power outage or shortage in the Republic of Ireland, it imports energy from Wales, and every time that we need to keep the lights on, we have to import power from Scotland. <BR /> <BR />One of the most important things that we need to be able to make any form of reliable energy and get towards net zero carbon in our housing stock is another interconnector. There is a large volume of cheap or even negatively priced renewable energy in the GB market.”
“We can look at things such as anaerobic digestion and injecting green hydrogen into the grid, but then we would need changes in the regulatory process to increase the amount of green hydrogen in the grid, which would enable us to have a much more dynamic power system altogether. We should be in a position where people can self-generate electricity and sell it to the grid. Again, that needs grid to make it work. Of course, unless we have a grid that works, all the things that the Alliance Party talks about will have no impact whatsoever, because if you cannot import or export power, it just does not work. <BR /> <BR />We also need to look closely at pricing and pricing structures. We are part of the integrated single electricity market (I-SEM).”
“It is not about saying, "I do not understand why the Ulster Unionist Party is raising this issue. It should have been raised under something else". That is pathetic. <BR /> <BR />We also need to look very closely at how we can add to the process. It is not just a question of reducing the amount of emissions that are required to keep our homes warm. It is also very much about how we can use the rest of the systems that we have. The Alliance Party talks time and again about getting towards net zero carbon and the approaches that are needed for that. There is great opportunity to do that.”