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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“Allowing biological males, particularly those with violent or sexual offences convictions against women, into those spaces undermines those protections. <BR /> <BR />The Department of Justice claims to manage transgender prisoners on a case-by-case basis, yet we lack clarity on how decisions are made or whether sufficient protections exist. Other jurisdictions have stricter policies. In England and Wales, transgender individuals with male genitalia or violent offenders are generally not housed in women's prisons. In Scotland, risk assessments prevent individuals with histories of violence against women from entering women's facilities. Does Northern Ireland provide similar safeguards? I do not know. Are provisions in place for transgender individuals who cannot be safely accommodated in either male or female estates? We do not know.”
“Today's debate demands compassion and common sense. It is about ensuring the rights and safety of all individuals in prison while protecting the dignity and security of women. Personally speaking, I do not like labels. I do not assign labels to anybody. Therefore, when I speak, I speak of all, not one particular section of the community or another. We all have rights, and we are here to defend those rights. <BR /> <BR />The motion highlights the need to support all minority communities and underscores an important principle: custodial facilities must safeguard the welfare of all inmates. Women's prisons exist to meet the unique needs of female inmates, many of whom have suffered trauma or abuse.”
“When that happens, it creates offence right across the board. There is something badly wrong with the mindset of anybody who puts out a deepfake video. It could be a sickness, or it could be pure, deliberate vandalism that is trying to cause harm to an individual or organisation. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion. I hope that it passes and that something concrete comes out of what we decide to do here today.”
“Legislation needs to be put in place to tackle that before it happens rather than after it has happened. <BR /> <BR />Owners must take responsibility for the content that is published on their platforms. That has not come across yet, and the Governments in Westminster and here need to take account of it. Those owners must be held responsible for any content that they publish, just as a newspaper is. Legislation has not kept apace with the expansion of the internet. It is too easy to make a false profile and to hack a social media account and cause offence not only with the material that is published but to the holder of the account that has been hacked.”
“I support the motion. Legislation to tackle platform promoters who provide a platform for such social abuses to be published and then shared needs to be addressed, because they are guilty. They are guilty because they have provided that platform. To use a platform, you must be a member of it; therefore, those people are responsible for their membership. <BR /> <BR />It is too easy to acquire a fake profile or account. The likes of Facebook, X, which was Twitter, Instagram and Meta need to do more to regulate their platforms, because they are making money out of them and profiting from the abuse of others. Not only are they not doing enough to regulate who becomes a member of those social media platforms but they are not doing enough to remove videos or offensive material once they have been identified.”
“I apologise for Gerry, because he did not have much time either.”
“Stephen Dunne highlighted the number of incidents that go unreported because of fear. According to Stewart Dickson, violence against women and girls is an epidemic: I agree. He called for a collective effort to tackle the failure to firmly take on violence against women and girls. Diana Armstrong highlighted the failure to tackle violence against women and girls and the misogynistic mindset across Northern Ireland, where women live in fear in their own home, in workplaces and in society in general. Justin McNulty made another passionate plea and called for an immediate end to the scourge of violence against women and girls. He criticised the slowness in implementing the Gillen report. Timothy Gaston highlighted historical violence against women and girls and the lack of movement in recognising it.”
“Connie Egan said that problems still exist and that, while the Gillen review is welcome, it needs further implementation, and she called for more judicial training. Doug Beattie called for a cross-departmental approach to dealing with the problem, and said that he would add the word "abuse" to the heading "violence against women and girls". He talked about the importance of early education. Sinéad Ennis highlighted the unwelcome shadow of violence and domestic abuse and the effect that it has on children and families across Northern Ireland. She called for the safety of all women and girls throughout the province.”
“The justice system must be reformed to address inefficiencies and reduce those delays. The laws around consent must be clear and fair for all parties and developed through consultation with victims, legal experts and the accused. Any legal changes, particularly to the reasonable belief defence, must consider the rights of defendants, ensuring a fair and balanced justice system. <BR /> <BR />Many Members have highlighted the disgust that abides in the Chamber around the issue of violence against women and girls. Sinéad McLaughlin called for greater education to ensure confidence in the justice system. Emma Sheerin made a passionate plea for the case that Northern Ireland is the most unsafe place in Europe and highlighted the fact that 25 women have lost their lives since 2020.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I support the DUP amendment on the serious issue of violence against women and girls. I highlight the fact that it is a societal problem that must never be tolerated, and it is our collective responsibility to protect the victims. <BR /> <BR />Legal reforms must be carefully considered, evidence-based and balanced to ensure fairness for victims and the accused. Sexual crime cases often face low conviction rates and difficult legal processes, but progress is being made and there are increasing conviction rates. The focus should be on fair, transparent justice and not just statistics. Education is vital to challenge harmful rape myths, but interventions must be carefully calibrated to reflect juror attitudes. Delays in sexual offence cases cause further harm to the victims.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Tree planting is just one of many measures that can be employed to reduce the blue-green algae in Lough Neagh. Has the Minister experienced any difficulty in acquiring semi-mature trees in Northern Ireland? Has Brexit or the Windsor framework hampered the ability to bring semi-mature trees in from the rest of the UK?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. My office has been working closely with council dog wardens in my constituency to tackle the issue in a number of areas along the north coast. The dog wardens are doing their best with limited resources. Is the Minister aware of how many fines have been handed out by councils in the past year to dog owners who have let their pet foul?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. I acknowledge that he is working hard on the matter, but it is an approval that was issued by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and is waiting for a call-in from your Department. Hopefully, the matter will be resolved soon so that the hotel can be completed for the 153rd British Open at Royal Portrush in 2025, given that just under 238,000 people attended the last event there.”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. It is important to advertise Civil Service jobs and either make new appointments or make temporary appointments permanent. It has to be done sooner rather than later. Over 2,000 temporary appointments is too many.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, temporary promotions are not intended to last for more than one year. While there is no strict maximum duration for temporary promotions, prolonged periods going from one year to over four years can lead to complications. For instance, if an employee remains in a temporary role for an extended time, they might argue that the temporary position has effectively become their substantive role. Could that lead to claims of implied contractual terms based on custom and practice? Is it not promotion without the due process of advertising roles and having interview and selection processes, and, if so, what does the Minister intend to do to rectify that situation?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. It is very welcome. It gives schools in my constituency an opportunity to apply for much-needed funding. <BR /> <BR />Can the Minister explain why he believes that the programme is needed? Can he also give us an idea of whether schools that have next to nothing will be given some sort of priority over those that already have facilities?”
“The council sought guidance on 3 September, and it is now 3 December: two months later and still no guidance has been issued by the Department. <BR /> <BR />A new hotel on the north coast would provide much-needed accommodation, create various employment opportunities, offer training and support local businesses. If the planning application is subject to a call in, it faces further political delay. Mr Speaker — sorry, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker — I urge Minister O'Dowd to issue guidance to allow the project to commence and be built and functioning in time for the Open golf tournament and the North West 200. <BR /> <BR />Apologies.”
“Located near the start and finish lines of the renowned North West 200 motorcycle race, the project has faced several legal challenges over the years. The project now faces further delay, with the application sitting on the Minister for Infrastructure's desk waiting to see whether it will be called in. I checked with the council yesterday, and it said that it had written to the Department on 3 September and 12 September to seek guidance on the application's status. I asked the Department for an update on 7 November, and there has been further correspondence from Gregory Campbell MP. The council issued additional correspondence on 28 November, but the Department for Infrastructure has not replied. Paragraph 11.2 of the Department's guidelines on processing a call-in application states that it has a 28-day period within which to reply.”
“I rise to highlight the further delay to the commencement of work on Portstewart's Merrow hotel and spa complex, which will be a tourist destination of immense benefit to the tourism offering in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area. The hotel project has finally been approved, following prolonged legal disputes that were led, in the main, by North Antrim MP Jim Allister, on behalf of objectors. <BR /> <BR />Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's planning committee approved the £20 million Merrow hotel and spa complex in Portstewart on Wednesday 28 August 2024, despite further submissions being made. The project has been beset by objections since it was first introduced by C&V Developments in 2016.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, given your subregional economic plan and the recommendations to send £45 million to be dedicated to kick-starting the economy in that area, what engagement has your Department had with Invest NI to explore the use of the land across East Londonderry and the Causeway coast and glens area?”
“Minister, thank you very much for your statement to the House. The proposed reforms are well intentioned and address critical issues in the justice system. However, their success depends on clearly defined goals, realistic financial planning, effective stakeholder engagement and phased implementation. Addressing these flaws may enhance the programme's credibility and its likelihood of achieving meaningful improvements. <BR /> <BR />Acknowledging the financial constraints across Departments, will the necessary finance be available for the strategy, and could private financing options create inequalities whereby wealthier individuals have better access to justice? With that in mind, does the Minister think that there will be pushback from the legal profession?”
“Kellie Armstrong and Paula Bradshaw said that, for the Alliance Party, the position on such issues is a matter of conscience as opposed to a party stance. They also said that the House has failed to implement the UNCRPD recommendations. Sinéad McLaughlin said that too many barriers still exist at all levels for those with a disability and highlighted the fact that they receive lower wages than able-bodied people in the same form of employment. Timothy Gaston acknowledged the fact that 25% of people in Northern Ireland have a disability and mentioned the diversity of disabilities across society. He referred to the assisted suicide Bill, which will test society in general. <BR /> <BR />I commend the DUP's amendment to the House and hope that we can all support it.”
“Colm Gildernew said that people with disabilities struggle with employment opportunities, and he highlighted our out-of-date laws to deal with direct and indirect disability discrimination. Emma Sheerin called for the implementation of the UNCRPD and highlighted a lack of opportunities, including access to benefits and to financial and practical help. <BR /> <BR />Diane Dodds supported our amendment and argued for support for people with a disability from the womb to their final breath. She argued against abortion on the grounds of physical impairment and cited articles 4, 5 and 8 of the UNCRPD on protecting the rights of the mother and child. She also highlighted the right-to-die legislation that is to be debated in Westminster this week.”
“Brian Kingston highlighted the fact that one in five people has a disability of some form and called for the Executive to form a disability strategy group to ensure that the UNCRPD requirements are implemented. <BR /> <BR />Mr O'Toole said that he would prefer to be debating disability legislation. Robbie Butler agreed with that sentiment, as do I. The most important thing that we can do here is debate legislation. The most important work that we have to do here is in the Committees, yet Mondays and Tuesdays are taken up with motions. I am not saying that they are not valuable — they are — but we could find a way to make better use of our efforts.”
“Education Minister, Paul Givan, has made clear his commitment to supporting children with special educational needs, including those with disabilities. In April 2024, the Minister announced investment in the SEN capital programme, and over £51 million of capital funding has been invested through that this year. As a party, we are in the business of delivery, and we will continue to deliver for those who are living with a disability. <BR /> <BR />I will point out some of the issues that were raised. Danny Donnelly called for parity with the UK and a single equality Bill, which could lead to far-reaching and meaningful outcomes for those with disabilities.”
“The Minister also said that he plans to introduce a sign language Bill to the Assembly, which was a commitment in our manifesto. <BR /> <BR />The Democratic Unionist Party has championed and delivered on more accessible play facilities for children and young people with disabilities across Northern Ireland's councils and supported better changing facilities for all with disabilities. In the other House, our MPs have been a committed voice for people with disabilities. They co-signed the Down Syndrome Act 2022, which was the first legislation in the world to recognise people with Down syndrome as a specific minority group. Our MPs will vote against the assisted dying legislation on Friday. <BR /> <BR />We want to see a society that fully values those with disabilities.”
“Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank everybody who took part in this informative debate this evening. I value the opportunity for all in society to be the best that they can be in education, sport, employment and all other aspects of life in Northern Ireland. As my party colleagues mentioned, the Democratic Unionist Party is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can live full and active lives. We are a pro-life party and will always stand up for the right to life, from beginning to end. Our support for people with disabilities is demonstrated by our actions. Members heard the Minister commit to providing a disability strategy and ensuring that members of the deaf community have the same rights and opportunities as those in the hearing community.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, has your Department had discussions about enhanced pre-release housing assessments, strengthening partnerships between prisons, councils and homelessness charities or introducing a mandatory post-release housing plan? What regular audits and reviews of prisoner reintegration strategies have taken place thus far, considering the immense stress on housing throughout Northern Ireland at present?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. He has already answered most of my queries. It underscores the need for pensioners to review their benefit entitlements to ensure that they receive the support available to them. Has the Minister engaged with any Department other than DWP to ensure that nobody misses out on the one-off payment?”
“With over 50 volunteers, including eight counsellors, the Ashes to Gold team donates over 1,500 hours of its time every month to make the lives of those involved in the project much better. I take my hat off to Ashes to Gold, and I congratulate it on that well-deserved award.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I will be brief. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate Coleraine-based charity Ashes to Gold, which has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service 2024. Ashes to Gold is a registered charity that serves the people of the Causeway coast and glens area. Its work is dedicated to promoting positive mental health and supporting those in need. Ashes to Gold provides purposeful activities to individuals in the Causeway coast and glens area who want to increase their confidence, motivation and self-belief while learning new skills. <BR /> <BR />The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK. It is equivalent to an MBE. The Coleraine charity is one of only 22 groups throughout Northern Ireland to receive the award this year.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. On the Minister's regional balance strategy, I look at the recent funding allocations by the university, which were supplied to my colleague Phillip Brett. Capital spend in the university for 2023-24 was £4·183 million for Magee; £7·658 million for Studio Ulster; £1·252 million for Belfast cross-digital; £1·880 million for Jordanstown; and £122,000 for Coleraine. Those figures are stark but not specific. Does the Minister think that it is time that the Executive looked at establishing an oversight body to monitor and regulate our universities to ensure equality of opportunity and equality of development?”
“Will the junior Minister give examples of projects for young people that the fund has supported across Northern Ireland to date?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, the Minister for Communities recently made a welcome announcement of 1,000 new jobs across Northern Ireland. What discussions have taken place between your Department and the Department for Communities on job creation in Coleraine in the light of the Coleraine site having missed out on the recent DWP opportunities?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Will he supply a detailed strategy on how his Department will identify constituencies that are under pressure in regard to sewage and waste water? How does the Department intend to prioritise that work?”
“I thank the Minister for his detailed response. If you look at a map of Northern Ireland and take the health proposals, you will find that nearly all specialist services are centred in and around Belfast, part of which is in Antrim. That leaves those of us on the north coast, right through north Antrim and east Londonderry, with one hospital, which is Altnagelvin. That puts lives in the Causeway coast and glens area at risk. <BR /> <BR />My preferred outcome, having listened to all that was said at that meeting, is option 5, not option 7. I would like to know — nobody can answer this — how they arrived at option 7.”
“As a party, we cannot support that, as it would impinge upon all other Departments in the Executive. Going forward, it would set a worrying precedent permitting all other Departments to ring-fence key elements of their budget for private projects. <BR /> <BR />We support the motion, except for the last paragraph, and the amendment. We look forward to something being done in the House to address the dire need for housing across Northern Ireland.”
“To combat one of the major obstacles facing the supply of housing, particularly social housing, that strategy must include the Department for Infrastructure. That obstacle is the lack of infrastructure for waste water, water, power, and sewerage capacity. Added to that are planning delays and a proliferation of second homes, many of them lying empty. <BR /> <BR />Yes, we are in the midst of a housing emergency, and we need to allocate resources to address those issues. We need to collaborate with councils and housing bodies to build 50,000 homes by 2032. That is quite a target. It shows the dire need to address the housing shortage across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The motion seeks a commitment to ring-fence any Barnett consequential funding for housing.”
“The motion recognises that the housing crisis in Northern Ireland is due to insufficient social housing, underinvestment in waste water infrastructure and rising difficulties for first-time buyers. In my constituency and in my council area, Causeway Coast and Glens, we bear the brunt, perhaps more so than some other areas. Not only do we have a serious waiting list but we have the added problem of many private lets moving into the Airbnb market, and displaced tenants seeking Housing Executive accommodation are adding stress to the existing housing list. <BR /> <BR />I agree with many of the points raised by the proposer of the motion, Mr McCrossan, and other Members, but I urge that we create a joined-up strategy.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. What other Departments is the Department of Finance working with to promote town centres? Are those collaborations proving to be successful in establishing a broader strategy to create vibrant, sustainable and economically thriving town centres?”
“Minister, a very welcome announcement indeed, especially in recognition of addressing regional imbalance. However, as the Minister is aware, I have highlighted the space available for his and other Departments in County Hall, Coleraine, to host circa 500 places in the building, not wanting to be left out in the constituency lobby that is prevalent around the Chamber. Will the Minister consider bringing new jobs to that site within the town curtilage in his next tranche of announcements?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, the reason for the question was that there was a huge spin-off, which you mentioned, from the 2019 competition but Portrush was described as a "ghost town". There was very little footfall on the peninsula, and businesses and traders lost out in the overall economic benefit from the competition.”
“<BR /> <BR />To the band officers, committee members and band members, I offer my congratulations on their vast musical repertoire and wish them continued success as they nudge closer to their 150th anniversary.”
“The band's commitment to its community and its musical traditions has made it a beloved institution in the Portrush area and further afield. <BR /> <BR />It features a variety of instruments from the flute family — the piccolo, the G treble flute, the C flute, which is the most common in use in the band, the G alto flute, the C bass flute and the contrabass flute — to enhance the band's sound depth. Those instruments contribute to the band's rich and dynamic musical performances, in which it plays a diverse range of music, including traditional marches and classical pieces. The band also plays contemporary music and modern pieces, thus adding a fresh touch to its performances. Its music selection helps it to connect with a wide audience, from traditionalists to those who enjoy more contemporary sounds.”
“I congratulate Ballywillan Flute Band from just outside Portrush. It celebrated its 140th anniversary with a special event at the Lodge Hotel in Coleraine on Saturday evening. In recognition of its anniversary, the band presented commemorative medals to current and past members and lapel pins and key rings to their guests. <BR /> <BR />It is wonderful to see such a long-standing tradition, spanning 140 years, being celebrated. Ballywillan Flute Band has a rich history, dating back to its formation in 1884. Over the years, it has become a significant part of the local community, participating in numerous parades, concerts and community events. The band is known for its dedication to musical excellence and community service. It is a regular fixture during the SuperCupNI and other community events.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and his answers. Minister, you have outlined some of the issues around the housing crisis, but will you give an update on the progress of your housing supply strategy?”
“I look forward to hearing evidence from stakeholders and witnesses as the Bill progresses and to the Committee getting down to scrutinising the various aspects of the Bill's journey and taking time to scrutinise any late amendments. In short, I welcome the Bill.”
“It is crucial to maintain that discretion for complex cases where remand is in the mutual interests of the child and the public. <BR /> <BR />In summary, the Bill may introduce some short-term challenges regarding decision-making and consistency. Its long-term benefits could enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of policing procedures and foster a more focused and rehabilitative approach to youth offending. <BR /> <BR />I will speak briefly to Part 4, particularly clauses 22 and 23. Again, we will look closely at the technical changes to the functions of the Policing Board. However, it is crucial that delegated functions, particularly in such areas as injury on duty and ill-health retirement cases, do not dilute the potential for scrutiny and oversight. <BR /> <BR />I conclude by stating my caution about the Bill.”
“I thank the Minister for her clarification. Her points are well made. <BR /> <BR />Clauses 9, 10 and 13 relate to a juvenile justice centre. Will those clauses enshrine in law that no young person under 18 will be held anywhere other than a juvenile justice centre? While that has been the practice since 2012, there may be cases where the juvenile justice centre is not the most appropriate placement due to the risk posed to the individual or peers. What flexibility do justice agencies have to vary accommodation on a case-by-case basis? <BR /> <BR />Clause 14 requires courts to consider the length of custodial sentence that a child might serve, if convicted, when deciding on remand periods exceeding three months. Will courts still have the discretion to refuse bail on the grounds of reoffending risk or public safety?”
“If so, what are the plans in the interim on whether it will ever be built, as it is a joint initiative with Health?”