Maurice Bradley
East Londonderry · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“The proposal to establish formally the post of Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime, which is efficiently held in designate form by Geraldine Hanna at the moment, has the potential to provide victims with a stronger voice and ensure that public bodies are held to account for the services that they provide.”
“Good intentions alone are not enough. <BR /> <BR />I would argue that victims must never become an afterthought in our justice system, whether that be when considering road traffic offences, violence against women and girls, child criminal exploitation, hate crime or sentencing reform.”
“I will speak as a DUP member of the Justice Committee on the Second Stage of the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill. For me, the Bill is not simply about creating another office or changing another piece of legislation; it is about people.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Bill progresses through Committee Stage, I will approach its policy objectives with an open mind. I look forward to hearing directly from victims' organisations, witnesses, legal professionals and criminal justice agencies. Where the Bill can be strengthened, it should be strengthened.”
“One of the comments that I hear most often is not about what happened but about how people felt afterwards. They felt forgotten, left in the dark and like just another case number moving slowly through a system that they did not understand. That should concern every one of us. Justice should not end when an offender is charged.”
“Minister, you have partially answered my question, but it was really about the fact that, when services are centralised in the greater Belfast area, services are denied to those elsewhere in the Province. There has been a continued reduction in services across Northern Ireland because of their centralisation in Belfast.”
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“If included, my constituency stands to gain from the motion through increased investment, job creation and cross-border trade opportunities. We would all acknowledge the opportunity to redress regional balance by leveraging the region's unique strengths in tourism, education and renewable energy. The region can play a crucial role in the broader north-west economic strategy. The development of an economic task force and a joint investment strategy will be essential in unlocking such benefits and ensuring long-term regional prosperity, but it must be across Northern Ireland.”
“I also encourage cluster development, particularly in emerging sectors such as green technology and advanced manufacturing.”
“The motion calls for coordinated investment in the north-west's infrastructure, which could directly impact on the Causeway Coast and Glens area through enhanced transport links between key economic corridors, indirectly benefiting connectivity in the region, but there is no mention of the other north-west. There is also the potential for sustainable tourism development, capitalising on existing attractions such as the Giant's Causeway and the walled city and enhancing visitor accessibility. A joint strategy involving Invest NI, InterTradeIreland and IDA Ireland aims to attract new businesses and support start-ups in the north-west by September 2025. Of course, the Causeway Coast and Glens area must be included, enhancing collaboration between local enterprises and cross-border trade initiatives.”
“<BR /> <BR />The region's coastal geography offers opportunities in offshore wind, tidal energy and sustainable tourism, creating direct and indirect employment from the Foyle to Ballycastle and beyond. Manufacturing hubs in the north-west could benefit from shared cross-border expertise, creating supply chain opportunities for businesses in the Causeway Coast and Glens region as well. The proximity to Northern Ireland's growing fintech sector, coupled with digital infrastructure improvements, could support the development of financial technology start-ups in the area, utilising Coleraine's unique data centre, but there is no mention of that.”
“If implemented effectively, it could also yield significant benefits to the Causeway Coast and Glens region, but there is no mention of that. The north-west and north coast have strong potential in health and life sciences, renewable energy, regulated manufacturing and fintech, all of which align with the evolving economic landscape of the Causeway Coast and Glens area. The expansion of medical research and biopharmaceutical industries at the Coleraine campus of Ulster University, which is home to the university's world-leading biomedical research facilities, should see increased investment and job creation, but no major investment in the Coleraine campus has been announced in the House.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, you can rest assured that I will stick to the topic. I concur with my colleague Gary Middleton about the announcement this morning of the £40 million investment in Londonderry and Coleraine. I did not get a chance to speak earlier, but I feel that I should recognise that. <BR /> <BR />Job creation and cross-border cooperation in the north-west would have implications for my constituency of East Londonderry. The problems that the north-west has are exacerbated even more in the other north-west, which never received a mention in the previous Economy Minister's regional balance initiative. The motion emphasises economic growth, infrastructure development and cross-border collaboration in the north-west.”
“I will be brief, because the Minister has answered my supplementary question, which was about what he was doing to mitigate the potential impact of inheritance tax changes on family-run farms, so well done.”
“I learned today from an elderly friend that an important hospital appointment scheduled for this morning was cancelled because the scanner at Causeway had broken down. That person faces a wait of a further month or more to be seen. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate my East Londonderry colleague highlighting the various and many issues faced by the elderly. I hope that the motion will not be lost in a strategy and become a document sitting on a shelf but will, in fact, grow legs and start to run into something tangible.”
“<BR /> <BR />Older people have complex healthcare needs. Hospital beds are often blocked through no care package being available to let patients return to their home or their loved ones. As I speak, there is a consultation to remove acute services from the Causeway Hospital, which would centralise major healthcare in the greater Belfast area and require older patients to make more costly journeys to access healthcare. The problem is exacerbated when one considers that, should Causeway lose its acute status, the nearest hospital to the Causeway Coast and Glens area would be not the Northern Trust's Antrim Hospital but the Western Trust's Altnagelvin, a hospital that is already under pressure.”
“Given the time, I will try to be brief. I thank my East Londonderry colleague for bringing the motion to the House. I also express my thanks to my North Antrim neighbour for his contribution a few moments ago. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the older population, I would suggest that today's motion highlights a catch-all without really identifying the immediate needs of the older population. Ageism is a difficulty that older people experience in unsuccessful employment applications, which often lead to isolation and a loss of age-gained work experiences. The Labour Government's raid on pensioners' fuel allowances has led to many making a choice between heating and eating. Many pensioners struggle to make ends meet, and, while the £100 fuel allowance from the Minister is welcome, it is not nearly enough.”
“Millburn has also showcased its pupils' talents at Stormont and Belfast City Hall. At all levels, Millburn Primary School has been a strong and vibrant ambassador for the Causeway Coast and Glens area. I wish continued success to the staff and pupils in learning and speaking Mandarin and in enriching the Chinese culture at Millburn Primary School.”
“<BR /> <BR />In a themed assembly hall, the significance of the Chinese New Year was highlighted through captivating stories, music and performances. The school choir and singing quartet delighted us with songs that were performed in Mandarin. Pupils and parents were also treated to a mesmerising Chinese opera performance and an exciting dance that featured a unique mask-changing technique, which mesmerised the children. The activities not only entertained students but helped them to appreciate and understand the rich traditions of the Chinese New Year and the 5,000-year history of China through language, culture, music and dance. <BR /> <BR />The school enhances its pupils' employability by helping them to achieve recognised and accredited Mandarin language qualifications.”
“I was honoured to be invited to attend Millburn Primary School in Coleraine on Friday morning to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, thanks to the kindness of the school's principal, Mrs Lamont, and her dedicated staff. They were privileged to have the Chinese consul general, Mr Li Nan, as their guest of honour. Millburn Primary School stands out as the only primary school in the United Kingdom to hold both a hub status for the Confucius Institute and the prestigious 'Global Classroom of the Year' award. Millburn has a been a pioneer in teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture, providing invaluable opportunities for pupils across all Key Stages and staff to visit China and perform at illustrious events.”
“The Minister remains committed to supporting private renters, while adopting a sensible approach that ensures that sufficient safeguards are in place. By focusing on increased housing supply and adjusting the benefits system, we can create a more balanced and sustainable rental market. I call for a common sense resolution to the problem, one that everyone in the House can support.”
“As was said earlier, PropertyPal reports an average of 73 enquiries for each advertised rented property. If we lose a substantial portion of our rental supply, while discouraging the construction of rental homes, that situation will only worsen. <BR /> <BR />The most effective ways to alleviate pressure on rent affordability are by increasing housing supply and ensuring that the benefits system adequately reflects housing costs. The Private Tenancies Act has provisions to restrict the frequency of rent increases. The Minister introduced that power earlier this year, which aims to provide greater stability and predictability for renters by ensuring that they are not subjected to frequent and unpredictable rent hikes.”
“I thank the proposers of the motion and the amendments for a very worthwhile debate. As mentioned, housing is a prevalent issue, and I see that in my constituency office, as I expect does every other MLA in their constituency office. <BR /> <BR />I want to address rent control and reduction, which is a critical topic that deeply affects many of our residents. The powers that were granted by the Private Tenancies Act (NI) 2022 to implement rent controls have lapsed. Moreover, independent research has highlighted the potential negative impacts of such controls. Research indicates that a significant number of landlords might exit the private rented market if rent controls were imposed, exacerbating an already severe shortage of rental properties. The demand for private rented sector properties is exceptionally high.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am getting another one in. <BR /> <BR />Is there strategic planning and adequate funding to ensure that the justice system can effectively protect and serve the public? Albeit not exclusively, but a reduced police presence and 15 years of underfunding have increased pressures, with an adverse effect on crime prevention and crime detection.”
“Minister, if you can answer that in the time left, I will be mightily impressed.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. To add to your woes, Minister, how much do you think the Labour Government's employers' National Insurance rise will cost the PSNI?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, there will be a cost to tackling fraud. Do you expect your Department to recoup savings to offset that expense?”
“Models evolve and develop in recognition of the level of need and the geographical area in which that need is found. <BR /> <BR />There has been widespread agreement across the House on today's motion. It is unacceptable that over 349,000 people across Northern Ireland are living in poverty. Collectively, we must remove the five-week waiting period in which people face financial hardship and strain. I commend our amendment to the House.”
“The Ending the Harm campaign has publicly demonstrated how lenders are to blame for the resultant harm, not the vulnerable people taking the loan. Desperate families may turn to illegal loan provision, and that leads to spiralling costs, debts and intimidation. <BR /> <BR />Childcare is one example of a financial burden on working families. The DUP designed a subsidy scheme that slashed childcare bills by 15%, which is saving working parents up to £160 a month. That is DUP delivery. In under four months, £4 million has been issued in support. We have seen the successful roll-out of the social supermarket initiative, which was co-designed with local councils to assist those facing food poverty. Social supermarkets provide wrap-around services to help address the underlying issues that contribute to a household's financial position.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Universal credit is one of the most common concerns expressed in my office. I am sure that the same is true for MLAs across the country. I thank the signatories to the motion for tabling it. <BR /> <BR />Our party continues to stand by families across Northern Ireland, many of whom are feeling the squeeze as a result of the soaring cost of basic goods such as food and of utility bills. In many cases, the need is being met by community, voluntary and faith groups, all of which do outstanding work in our communities. <BR /> <BR />Illegal moneylending and lenders having control over people, with the dire consequences that arise, should never be normalised. We say, "Enough is enough".”
“The things that we take for granted, she cannot avail herself of; that is, she cannot work. She cooks and purees every meal for her mother, who is lovingly hand-fed. This means that the daughter gets no trips to the hairdresser or to the shops for clothes. She is reliant on her friends to get groceries and to order and pay for heating oil. The daughter relies on anyone who is available to get emergency medical attention when it is needed. The daughter has medical needs herself, but cannot get to see a doctor. Those are just a few of the things that we take for granted, and they are only the tip of the iceberg of things that carers have to endure, especially those who care for elderly people for 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That is why I intend to support the motion and the amendment.”
“Northern Ireland is predicted to have one of the largest increases in dementia prevalence in the UK — an expected rise of 51% to over 43,000 by 2040. The largest cost associated with dementia is the cost of unpaid care. Carers need more holistic support to continue in that role. Support for carers must be sustainable for years to come because, as our demographics continue to change, the situation will get worse. The common-sense approach for carers ought to be UK-wide, safeguard Northern Ireland's budget for public services and provide equity and cohesion across the United Kingdom. That is where the focus must be. <BR /> <BR />On a personal note, I know a lady who cares lovingly for her mother, 24-hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. She has no family support.”
“Unpaid carers dedicate themselves to looking after others, providing valuable care, often at great personal sacrifice and cost. They cannot do that alone. They need regular and reliable respite. Remember, without the support of unpaid carers, our health and social care system would collapse.”
“I thank the proposer of the motion. I will support the motion and the amendment. <BR /> <BR />A recent report highlighted growing evidence that the demands of caring increasingly impact on carers' physical and mental health, with a further survey showing that lack of support and recognition from healthcare services is taking its toll on unpaid carers. Providing the support that carers need will require input from across the Executive in the areas of welfare, respite and employment.”
“Thank you very much for your answer, Minister. Surely, this is a priority funding stream that should be in place to help meet the Assembly's climate change targets. Such a grant would aid low-income households and become part of the House's climate change initiative.”
“Minister, it was remiss of me not to welcome you to your post. I do so now and wish you well for the future.”
“What funding have you set aside for Ulster University's Coleraine campus, considering that Coleraine is your home town?”
“He worries that help-to-buy schemes often benefit only the developers. David Brooks expressed concerns about cash buyers snapping up properties for Airbnb and buy-to-rent. Those and other concerns need to be carefully teased out to ensure sustainability. That is why I commend our amendment to the House.”
“Ciara Ferguson urged extreme caution over any policy that could have a negative effect on housing stock and called for affordable, sustainable housing. Kellie Armstrong highlighted how low mortgage rates are as relevant today as they were years ago. She singled out first-time buyers' reliance on the Bank of Mum and Dad and called for continued work on the housing strategy. Diana Armstrong raised the problems of rising rents and mortgages, saying that they are putting greater pressure on social housing stocks. She also called for more affordable housing. <BR /> <BR />Sian Mulholland said that house prices are too high and that first-time buyers, because they need a £17,000 down payment, do not have the equity to get on the property ladder. Gerry Carroll said that the lack of housing has a negative effect on communities.”
“I also worry that any proposals could prevent those on lower incomes and those deemed to have lower mortgage affordability from purchasing. I ask this question: should assistance be limited to first-time buyers? <BR /> <BR />We have had a good debate. In the previous debate, Daniel McCrossan highlighted the need for hard decisions to be made in this place. That is what is necessary in order to make the improvements to the waste water, sewerage and fresh water infrastructure that would allow housing to be built. There are lots of hard decisions to be made in the House. <BR /> <BR />Mark Durkan raised concerns that co-ownership and the rent-to-own scheme have not been the success that they should have been.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. This is a very important motion for debate. While I agree with the use of some sort of equity-based help-to-buy scheme and broader interventions to support first-time buyers, there are potential drawbacks. A help-to-buy scheme, without a corresponding increase in housing supply, could increase demand, driving up house prices further and making homes even less affordable in the long run. The scheme would need to be paired with an aggressive housing supply expansion, including incentives for new builds, streamlined planning and public-sector development. I do not foresee there being much progress on increased housebuilding during this mandate, given the often highlighted lack of infrastructure.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, the theme of which was equality. Can the Minister outline some of the inequalities that the controlled sector currently faces?”
“Community members and stakeholders are actively engaging in conversations to ensure its continued operation and significance in the region's cultural landscape. I urge the Minister for the Economy and the Minister for Communities to actively engage with Ulster University. Surely Members are not seeking to build up one university campus while actively seeking to destroy another through a lack of funding or willingness to engage with the university and the Causeway Coast and Glens councillors. <BR /> <BR />I urge Members to ensure that the Riverside Theatre and the Coleraine campus of Ulster University thrive. I ask Members to pay particular heed to that when they laud the expansion at Magee and forget about the Coleraine campus.”
“Over the past five years, Ulster University has spent almost £231 million on its Belfast/Jordanstown campus, over £14 million at Magee and just over £4·5 million in Coleraine. At the same time, Ulster University spent £7·5 million on Studio Ulster in one year — 2023-24. Some members of the Executive need to take heed of that spend. While millions have been allocated to the expansion of Magee Coleraine received a modest spend under the guise of regional imbalance. I question the imbalance in university funding. <BR /> <BR />As of January 2025, discussions have emerged concerning the long-term future of the Riverside Theatre. The theatre is considered a cultural institution in the area.”
“Six options were presented to me on Thursday, when I met the university officials. Only one was for closure; the other five were diverse but achievable. There are health and safety issues at the theatre, which may manifest themselves in the not-too-distant future, so Ulster University is looking at all the options. <BR /> <BR />The principle of a rural university for Northern Ireland was established in the 1960s, when Coleraine was chosen ahead of Armagh and Londonderry, in that order. While I am glad that the Member has raised this important topic, it leads to important questions about the three-campus model and the interrelationships between the campuses. The multi-campus model has cost the Ulster University almost £15 million over the past five years. That is an unequal footing compared with other universities.”
“I welcome this evening's Adjournment debate, and I thank the Member for bringing the topic to the House. <BR /> <BR />The Riverside Theatre, located at Ulster University's Coleraine campus, is Northern Ireland's oldest operating professional theatre outside Belfast. Established in 1976, it has become a cultural hub for the university community and the wider Causeway Coast and Glens region. The theatre boasts an intimate auditorium with a seating capacity that ranges from 278 to 350, depending on the configuration. That versatile space has allowed for a diverse array of performances, including comedy, dance, music, drama and lectures. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for raising this important topic. The theatre has been in use since 1976. It is tired, dated and in need of some sort of repair or refurbishment.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I am sure that it will be welcomed across Northern Ireland, as the issue has been a bone of contention in many areas. The immediate costs of implementing the change are expected to be minimal. The long-term financial impact as a result of the increased demand for housing assistance may be a factor, however. What additional resources are being allocated for that purpose?”
“Kate Nicholl gave a comprehensive review of the timeline that led to the current situation and reminded us that it is children who are suffering most. Danny Baker highlighted the cost of living, which affects thousands across Northern Ireland. Timothy Gaston asked for councils, when increasing rates, to take note of the effect that the rate burden has on the cost of living for their constituents. <BR /> <BR />I have highlighted some of the salient issues that have been raised here today. Although I support the motion, I recommend the DUP amendment to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some Members raised very important issues. Colm Gildernew stated that food insecurity was unacceptable in 2025. He also talked about the 143% rise in the use of food banks. Andy Allen highlighted the grim reality of the past five years and called for more to help families in need to support their rights. He praised the many organisations that are helping to address the growing need. Mark Durkan said that 190,000 children in Northern Ireland are in child poverty. He also highlighted the despicable rise in loan shark activity, which further exacerbates poverty. Ciara Ferguson talked about some of the harsh choices that people have to make and how they are trapped in poverty by making decisions that can border on the illegal. She also called for a review of housing and for a multi-agency response across the Executive.”
“Measures that may help include raising universal credit rates to reflect actual living costs, ensuring that families have enough for basic needs; implementing comprehensive child poverty reduction plans, with measurable goals and timelines; looking at increased funding for local organisations addressing poverty, such as food banks, housing assistance and employment training programmes; and expanding eligibility and streamlining application processes to avoid barriers. <BR /> <BR />Vineyard Compassion, Ballyrashane Presbyterian Church, Building Ballysally Together, Millburn community cafe and other faith-based and community organisations in my constituency work with supermarkets tirelessly in their community. I am sure that the rest of Northern Ireland has similar community-based work programmes.”
“However, the reliance on this support is a symptom of systemic failings. In the past year, a significant percentage of universal credit recipients reported running out of food in the previous month, reflecting insufficient benefit levels to meet basic needs. The last child poverty strategy failed — and failed miserably. Therefore, there cannot be another rush job. Any new strategy must have a time frame and a measurable outcome. In other words, let us not have a strategy for the sake of a strategy and then forget about it. When the new anti-poverty strategy is agreed, it must be revisited annually against set targets to make sure that it evolves as society evolves to ensure success and future-proofing.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I also rise to highlight the critical issue of child poverty and the growing reliance on emergency food provision in Northern Ireland. It is a matter of moral and social urgency that demands our immediate attention. <BR /> <BR />Recent statistics underscore the stark reality: child poverty remains alarmingly high, with many families trapped in a cycle of financial insecurity, exacerbated by rising living costs and inadequate welfare support. That financial strain directly impacts on children's nutrition, education and overall well-being, perpetuating intergenerational poverty. Added to that, the impact on business and employees of the worst UK Government on record has exacerbated poverty for the least well-off in society. <BR /> <BR />Emergency food banks have become a lifeline for many.”
“I know from recent conversations with the university's vice chancellor that it stands ready to provide a veterinary college, but it needs the financial backing of the Executive to make that a reality. I call for the Executive to add a veterinary college for Northern Ireland to their Programme for Government and provide the necessary funding to ensure that the current shortage of veterinary professionals in Northern Ireland is addressed properly.”
“<BR /> <BR />The establishment of a veterinary college could enhance Ulster University's academic standing, attracting additional funding and partnerships. Allied to the already excellent research facilities at Ulster University's Coleraine campus, it would have the potential to advance veterinary research, particularly in areas relevant to Northern Ireland, such as livestock diseases, public health and rural sustainability, while strengthening ties with our local agriculture and industry stakeholders, promoting innovation and economic growth. <BR /> <BR />Establishing a veterinary college at Ulster University would bring long-term benefits to the region's agriculture economy, academic landscape and professional workforce.”
“I rise to highlight the need for a properly funded veterinary college for Northern Ireland. I first raised the matter when I was a member of the AERA Committee and secured cross-party support. I see here Patsy, Declan and Philip, who were members of the Committee at that time. However, securing the funding for such a veterinary college has been problematic, to say the least. Northern Ireland faces a shortage of veterinary professionals, particularly in large animal practices. A local college would bridge that gap and contribute to the region's agriculture and food safety sectors by producing highly skilled graduates. Economic benefits would include the creation of jobs during construction and operation. Such a college would have the ability to attract international as well as local students and would boost the local economy.”
“I am nearly finished. <BR /> <BR />Exceptions should only occur following rigorous risk assessments by multidisciplinary panels and ministerial approval. That approach respects individual circumstances while prioritising safety. It is not about denying rights but ensuring justice and protection for all. Women in custody must feel secure, and our policies must reflect that. Let us act decisively to safeguard those principles. If a panel decides to send a male to a female prison and it goes wrong, should that panel not be liable for prosecution for making a wrong decision?”
“That lack of transparency is unacceptable. We must embed a presumption that biological males convicted of violent or sexual offences should not be placed in women's prisons. Exceptions should only —.”