Declan Kearney
South Antrim · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“The 'good jobs' Bill is designed to benefit every single worker across this society, regardless of background. It is not anti-business. It is about growing economic productivity and enhancing employment and workers' rights.”
“The rhetoric around proper scrutiny is a complete red herring; it is an attempt by the DUP to run down the clock in relation to the mandate. Why is that? What is the DUP afraid of? Why is it vetoing the 'good jobs' Bill?”
“The fallout from Brexit is a reality that is being felt hard by workers and families across the North daily, and that is illustrated in evidence sessions that we have received in the Economy Committee. In one, we learned that our electricity bills here are now higher as a result of Brexit.”
“Catastrophic, kamikaze economics, politically toxic — there is no other way to describe the Brexit debacle. Yet, 10 years on, those in the Chamber who continue to cheerlead are burying their heads in the sand.”
“The fact is that Brexit has brought a positive focus to the democratic logic of self-determination and constitutional change in Ireland. There is a way to remove the negative and enduring legacy of Brexit. Irish unity provides that option. Therefore, it is time to widen participation in the debate.”
“Minister, do you agree that the discrimination in employment and the political vetting that have been practised in this state for so long, and actively supported by some Members, have no place in today's society, and that appointment to government boards should be open to all sections of society, including such citizens as Peter Lynch?”
The complete record
Every one of 988 lines we hold for Declan Kearney, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 20.
“In the coming weeks, Sinn Féin will be conducting a house-to-house canvas throughout the North to discuss the 'good jobs' employment rights Bill, which will be brought before the Assembly in 2026. The Bill aims to introduce unprecedented improvements in all workplaces. Workers and employers will benefit, so it will be progressive and consequential legislation. Sinn Féin's grassroots political engagement will provide information about the proposed legislation and how it will advance economic productivity and shared prosperity. <BR /> <BR />As the all-island economy continues to grow, it is essential that everyone feels the benefits of prosperity, but that can only be achieved when workers are well paid and guaranteed secure employment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tá mé cinnte de go gcuirfear breáthacht Bhéal Feirste i lár an aonaigh sa dóigh a rachfar i gceann an fhéile a reáchtáil anseo. Tá mé ag tnúth go mór lena thaispeáint go bhfuil an chathair seo i gcroílár athbheochan na teanga. Taispeánfaidh sé gur teanga í an Ghaeilge a bhfuil stair shaibhir aici agus go bhfuil sí bríomhar agus faoi bhláth inár láthair, agus go leanfaidh sí ag fás léi amach anseo. Beatha teanga í a labhairt. Guím gach rath ar an Oireachtas agus é i mBéal Feirste agus tá mé ag súil go mór le bheith páirteach sa chraic, spraoi agus cultúr le linn na féile.”
“Is deis den scoth é sin leis an dul chun cinn atá déanta le déanaí a léiriú. Táthar ag súil leis na mílte Gaeilgeoirí as gach cearn d’Éirinn, agus níos faide i gcéin, i mBéal Feirste don fhéile. Tá deireadh seachtaine na n-imeachtaí á eagrú ag An Oireachtas i gcomhar le Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste, an Roinn Pobail, gníomhaireachtaí turasóireachta agus grúpaí Gaeilge, lena n-áirítear Conradh na Gaeilge. <BR /> <BR />I measc na n-imeachtaí, beidh díospóireacht ar siúl faoi "Ról na nGael i dTógáil Éire Nua", díospóireacht ina bpléifear an tábhacht a bhaineann le Gaeilgeoirí in Éire nua a thógáil. Ba chóir leas a bhaint as gach deis le bheith ag ullmhú don aontacht, don todhchaí, agus d’Éire nua.”
“Is é Oireachtas na Samhna an t-imeacht lán-Ghaeilge is sine ar an oileán seo. Beidh sé ar siúl ón 29 Deireadh Fómhair go dtí an 2 Samhain i mBéal Feirste. Déantar an Ghaeilge, na healaíona agus traidisiúin na hÉireann a cheiliúradh ag Oireachtas na Samhna, agus beidh díospóireachtaí, scannáin, ceardlanna chomh maith le himeachtaí eile ar siúl le linn na féile. <BR /> <BR />Níor chuir sé iontas ar bith ormsa gur roghnaíodh Béal Feirste le féile na bliana seo a óstáil. Leoga, tá Béal Feirste ar thus cadhnaíochta in athbheochan na Gaeilge. Is léiriú ar an cheannasaíocht é an beartas nua Gaeilge atá comhaontaithe ag Comhairle Cathrach Bhéal Feirste. <BR /> <BR />Ina theannta sin, roghnaíodh Béal Feirste le Comórtas Péile na Gaeltachta, Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge agus Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann a óstáil ar an bhliain seo chugainn.”
“It is clear that the American market is a very important asset in the promotion of tourism here. What more can be done to optimise the promotion of our tourism offering here — on an all-island basis — within the United States?”
“— our exports are growing. Therefore, Minister, do you agree that now is the time for us to maximise our access to the dual-market economy?”
“Minister, I turn to the economic element of our relationship with Europe. In your Transforming Communities for Inclusion (TCI) global conference speech, a few days ago, you said that the North can now boast that Titanic Belfast is one of the most attractive visitor experiences in Europe, that we are now looking at cruises to this destination becoming more popular than in any other part of Europe in a relative sense, and that, in the context of the all-island economy —”
“Last year, the Minister launched a public consultation on the draft fuel poverty strategy. Will he provide an update on the progress that has been made and on how the strategy will alleviate the pressures on families who are getting it so tight at this time?”
“Níl an t-am agam, gabh mo leithscéal. <BR /> <BR />Bíonn an DUP ag caint arís agus arís eile ar airgead poiblí bheith á chur amú. Ba chóir fiafraí díobh, áfach, cá mhéad airgid a chuir siad féin amú agus iad ag troid i gcoinne an bheartais seo sna cúirteanna — ba chóir an t-airgead sin a chaitheamh ar sheirbhísí a fheabhsú. <BR /> <BR />Ná bíodh aon amhras ann: is í an urraim an t-aon rud amháin atá á héileamh: urraim ar an Ghaeilge; urraim ar na daoine a labhraíonn í agus ar mian leo í a fhoghlaim. <BR /> <BR />Deirim seo leis an DUP tráthnóna: tá aimsir an leithcheala thart. Tá aimsir na scoilte thart. Tá an t-am acu bheith ag obair leis an chuid eile againn ar mhaithe lenár bpobail uilig in ionad bheith ag iarraidh scoilt a chur eatarthu. Tapaígí an deis.”
“Níor chóir do dhuine ar bith eagla a bheith air roimh an Ghaeilge; ní bagairt í an Ghaeilge. Is linn go léir í, beag beann ar chúlra nó ar chreideamh. Is teanga bheo í. Beatha teanga í a labhairt. <BR /> <BR />Ní aniar aduaidh a tháinig an beartas seo. Is toradh é ar na blianta de rannpháirtíocht pobail, eagrú agus comhairliúchán ar leibhéal an phobail, agus níl an tacaíocht dó teoranta do aon chuid amháin dár gcathair. <BR /> <BR />Ar an drochuair tá an chomharthaíocht dhátheangach á loit go fóill, agus caithfear deireadh a chur leis sin. Caithfear deireadh a chur leis na hathbhreithnithe breithiúnacha costasacha atá cuid daoine a úsáid le bac a chur ar an dul chun cinn.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tá an beartas atá idir camánaibh againn inniu bunaithe ar chomhionannas, ar an smaoineamh go bhfuil sé de cheart ag gach duine a bhféiniúlacht agus a gcultúr a fheiceáil sa tsaol phoiblí. <BR /> <BR />Ní bhaineann an rún seo ón DUP le pobail a chosaint. Sin cur i gcéill. Baineanna sé le heagla agus teannas a chothú inár bpobail. Céim ar gcúl atá ann, tá sé frith-Ghaelach, agus tagann sé iomlán salach ar an chomhionannas féin. <BR />Léiríonn an chomharthaíocht dhátheangach urraim, agus tugann sí le fios do mhórán daoine ar fud na cathrach go bhfuil urraim agus fáilte roimh a bhféiniúlacht anseo. <BR /> <BR />Ní beartas ar chomharthaí amháin atá sa bheartas seo; léiríonn sé an cineál cathrach atáimid ag iarraidh a dhéanamh — cathair do chách, atá dearfach, measúil, atá forásach.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Tuigim go bhfuil mo chara anseo ag iarraidh cor a chur ar an díospóireacht. Le scéal fada a dhéanamh gairid, glacaimid go bhfuil ceart ag gach saoránach. Ceist agam ortsa: an dtuigeann tusa anois go bhfuil aitheantas bainte amach ag an Ghaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil sa stát seo? Maith thú. <BR /> <BR />Tá daoine dubh dóite de pholaitíocht seo na deighilte atá cuid páirtithe a chur chun cinn. Is é fírinne an scéil nach bhfuil suim ag formhór mór na ndaoine sna cogaí cultúrtha bréagacha seo. Tá siad ag iarraidh feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí poiblí. Tá siad ag fanacht le páirtithe cur lena bhfocal agus an comhionannas a chur i bhfeidhm.”
“Caithfear bheith soiléir: ní bhaineann an rún seo ón DUP le comharthaíocht. Ní bhaineann sé le beartas. Níl ann ach iarracht eile lenár bpobail a tharraingt ar gcúl. Bhog daoine ar aghaidh; bhog an tsochaí ar aghaidh. <BR /> <BR />Tá muintir Bhéal Feirste, ó gach pobal, ag iarraidh dul chun cinn a fheiceáil. Tá urraim agus comhionannas uathu.”
“I hope that, in the months ahead, the legislation will be scrutinised in a non-partisan way and, moreover, that its focus on strengthening the economy and making life better for workers and families will be supported right across the Assembly.”
“It will tackle fire-and-rehire practices, ensure that tips are passed on in full to the workers who earned them and give workers a right to disconnect from workplace demands. It will also expand trade union membership rights, strengthen collective bargaining, provide better leave entitlements for carers and implement neonatal pay and leave entitlements for the parents of newborn children. Those elements are among the proposed legislative improvements to modernise our workplace and our economy. The legislation is focused on improving the lives of all our workers and families across our entire community. It is so important that we get it right.”
“In that context, the need to build a well-paid, secure and highly skilled workforce to support that continued economic growth is key. Stronger trade union organisation is a foundation on which to maximise productivity and shared prosperity. <BR /> <BR />The 'good jobs' legislation will address fair play in benefits, terms of contracts, leave entitlements, flexible working arrangements and protections from redundancy, thus strengthening union organisation and improving collective bargaining arrangements. The proposed Bill is premised on four key themes: terms of employment; pay and benefits; voice and representation; and work-life balance. It will, for instance, allow workers on zero-hours contracts to move to banded-hours contracts.”
“That Bill will be the most progressive workers' rights legislation ever introduced in this state. Its strong workers' rights provisions will protect the most vulnerable workers, among them young people, women and citizens with disabilities. It is designed to support workers who find themselves bearing the brunt of unfair and unequal employment practices. They are those whom we describe as the "precariat": those who endure precarious working conditions. That progressive legislation promises to transform workplaces positively through proposals that will bring tangible benefits not only for workers and families but for employers and businesses. The legislation will come at a time when cross-border and all-Ireland economic activity increases to record levels.”
“To strike a positive note, I welcome the legislative programme that has been outlined and today's debate on it. <BR /> <BR />As legislators, we must grasp every opportunity to improve the lives of the people whom we represent. In the Executive legislation programme for 2025-26, there is very worthwhile legislation from every Department. The Executive Office's proposed race equality Bill, for example, is much-needed legislation. It must be conscientiously progressed at a time at which we face increased racial and sectarian tensions in some parts of society. <BR /> <BR />As Sinn Féin's workers' rights spokesperson, I particularly welcome the proposed 'good jobs' employment rights Bill, which the Minister for the Economy will introduce in the Assembly in January. My party has consistently advocated for stronger workers' rights.”
“That extends to all guarantors, holding Israel to its commitments and ensuring a withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the West Bank and from Gaza and the demilitarisation of the overall situation. In the meantime, increased global pressure to ensure compliance with international law is more urgent than ever. Multilateral institutions, the Arab world and progressive Governments and parties throughout the international community must act together and speak with one voice to ensure that the Palestinian people and their thirst for peace and justice and national freedom will finally be achieved.”
“Therefore, the talks breakthrough presents a pivotal moment for the Palestinian people. It holds within it potential and significant challenges. <BR /> <BR />The immediate focus must be to alleviate the suffering and the starvation of Palestinians in Gaza. A potential opportunity now exists to establish a peace process based upon continuing negotiations that address all issues. New phases of talks must address the root causes of Israel's illegal occupation and apartheid system in Palestine and the creation of a permanent peace process, established within the framework of international law. Success will depend on all sides committing to negotiate with good faith. Agreements made must be honoured, and guarantees on implementation will be essential.”
“We must hope that the ceasefire announcement in Gaza will now mark a step change in guaranteeing a durable peace process for Palestine and the Middle East. It must open up a pathway to Palestinian self-determination and national sovereignty. <BR /> <BR />For two years, Israel has relentlessly bombarded the Gaza Strip, making it a graveyard for international law and the most dangerous place on the planet for a child to live. Israel has waged a genocidal war against the Palestinian people while being given political cover, funding and weapons by the US, Britain and other Western states. At the same time, annexation and ethnic cleansing are being systematically implemented in the West Bank and east Jerusalem. All of that must end if there is to be a permanent peace for Palestine and Israel.”
“Sadly, what happened in Manchester is a reminder that we must continue to campaign for a world in which everyone, regardless of religious belief or ethnicity, can live in dignity, with respect, equality and freedom.”
“The attack in Manchester against the Jewish community was horrific. It was a despicable, murderous attack on innocents. That heinous event was made all the more vicious and appalling because it occurred on the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. It has, understandably, caused huge pain and torment for Jewish people everywhere. On behalf of Sinn Féin this afternoon, I extend our thoughts and solidarity to the Jewish community, not just in Belfast and in the rest of the North but everywhere. <BR /> <BR />It is at times such as this that we must speak with a united voice. There can be no room for hatred. We must oppose antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and sectarianism from whatever source.”
“Tá an t-am ann le Benjamin Netanyahu agus na gealta ina Chomh-Aireacht a thabhairt os comhair na Cúirte Coiriúla Idirnáisiúnta. <BR /> <BR />Caithfimid rún comhchoiteann a bheith againn ceartas, comhionnnas agus síocháin a bhaint amach do mhuintir na Palaistíne ós sin is brí do Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Síochána.”
“Cad é an cineál domhain a bhfuil muid inár gcónaí ann? <BR /> <BR />Tá freagra na ceiste sin le fáil i gcruachás mhuintir na Palaistíne. Tá uileloscadh comhaimseartha ar siúl os comhair shúile an domhain. Tá stát ag baint úsáid as an chinedhíothú, as an ocras éigeantach, as an ghlanadh eitneach, as an choinneáil agus as an chinedheighilt, agus tá stát ag ciorrú páistí nuair a scaoileann naoscairí sa cheann iad. Agus tá sin uile go léir á dhéanamh d’aon turas. Tá an dara cothrom lae den chinedhíothú seo ag druidim linn. <BR /> <BR />Ar mhaithe leis an chine dhaonna, ní mór don domhan gníomhú le deireadh a chur leis an tsádachas seo. Ní mór trádbhaic arm chuimsitheacha, smachtbhannaí agus dífheistiú a chur i bhfeidhm i gcoinne Iosrael.”
“Ná haifir orm é, ach caithfidh mé sin a léamh amach an athuair. Is é a dúradh sa tuarascáil:”
“Rinne na Náisiúin Aontaithe Lá Idirnáisiúnta na Síochána a cheiliúradh Dé Domhnaigh seo a chuaigh thart, an 21 Meán Fómhair. <BR /> <BR />Tugann an lá sin deis don domhan ár machnamh a dhéanamh — agus ár dtiomantas a athdhearbhú — ar an dóigh a dtig linn deireadh a chur leis an choimhlint, cearta an duine a chosaint agus síocháin an domhain a chur chun tosaigh. <BR /> <BR />Tugadh dearbhú cinnte an tseachtain seo caite i dtuarascáil ó Chomhairle na Náisiún Aontaithe um Chearta an Duine go bhfuil stát Iosrael ag déanamh cinedhíothú in aghaidh mhuintir na Palaistíne. Is é a tuairiscíodh inti:”
“All-island investment in rail infrastructure and services will be essential in helping to grow the all-Ireland economy. I trust that all of those considerations will have been reflected in the feasibility study submitted by Translink to the Department for Infrastructure. It is important that we unlock all areas of opportunity for our regional economy. The restoration of the Knockmore line is just such an opportunity, with its potential to help drive job creation, increased tourism and increased investment. Realising those opportunities will require ambition and, of course, the necessary capital investment, but delivery on that strategic vision will be to the benefit not only of the people of South Antrim but of the entire region.”
“This is at a time when the airport is seeking to strategically position itself to attract increased airlines and flight routes, with the knock-on effect, which the airport management has correctly assessed, of attracting increased investment, tourism and the associated generation of employment in the constituency. In short, the Knockmore line and its reinstatement is about much more than the reinstatement of rail track. It can and must be seen as a strategic asset to enhance infrastructure and transport services, as well as being a net contributor to economic growth and complementary to the expansion of our regional airport. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that submissions from me and others ensured the inclusion of the Knockmore line in the all-island strategic rail review.”
“Restoration of the line is widely and correctly, in my view, viewed as a key to mitigating the transport pressures that are experienced by local people between Antrim and Lisburn and then, in terms of connectivity, towards Belfast. <BR /> <BR />The loss of that key section of regional rail network has also adversely impacted on the economic potential of South Antrim and, indeed, the overall region. The case has been made that reinstatement would extend to rail connectivity to Belfast International Airport for customers and staff. That contention holds water.”
“That is not a challenge unique to South Antrim. It is a characteristic of rural town expansion throughout the North. However, the parts of South Antrim that I mention fall within the commuter belt of Belfast city, so the daily commute to Belfast for employment, school or college has now become huge. That reality is a major factor driving the real public demand for restoration of the Knockmore line, currently mothballed but once an important section of the Antrim and Lisburn rail infrastructure. Significantly, that section of track continues to be maintained to a standard appropriate for use as an emergency alternative operational route.”
“Over the past 40 years, South Antrim has experienced an absolutely huge surge in population. It is particularly pronounced in the population centres of Crumlin, Glenavy and Ballinderry. Today, the population of Crumlin village — others will call it a town — exceeds 5,000. I remember the early 1980s, when the population of Crumlin did not exceed 500. The resulting pressures on infrastructure and services as a direct consequence of that exponential growth in population are self-evident.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tréaslaím do John an díospóireacht Atrátha a thabhairt faoi bhráid an Tí anocht.”
“Lough Neagh is no longer a regional crisis; it is far beyond that. It is a national emergency that demands a joint political priority from the Assembly and the Irish Government. Our response to the scale of the crisis in the lough requires North/South governmental action with a dedicated focus from the British and Irish Governments. That should be an agreed position from our Assembly and Executive and, I hope, flowing from the debate today.”
“Today, in this debate, the current crisis in Lough Neagh needs to be elevated above party politics. There has been too much point-scoring over recent months, none of which will resolve the crisis in the lough and none of which will redeem the fortunes of fishermen, their families and everyone who lives around the lough shore. We need political agreement, not divergence, in our collective efforts, as an Executive and throughout the Assembly, to address this unprecedented ecological emergency.”
“The intensified pollution of this year needs to be met with decisive, coordinated action involving all the relevant stakeholders, including the Fishermen's Co-operative and the Lough Neagh Partnership. I know that the Minister is directly engaged with both. <BR /> <BR />Sometimes, there are issues in politics, and in this place, that are so critical that they demand consensus.”
“Following the termination of eel fishing in 2025, I wrote to the AERA Minister calling on him to introduce a financial assistance scheme for Lough Neagh eel fishermen. I appeal again to the Minister and the Department to consider the necessity of a support package for our commercial fishermen. They have been left without income since May, and many of them face unemployment, debt and financial ruin. The repercussions for local fishermen, their families, eel exports and the wider lough shore community are frankly incalculable. <BR /> <BR />As we work to address the ecological catastrophe in Lough Neagh, immediate supports are needed to secure that critical tradition of commercial fishing and the livelihoods of all those who depend upon it.”
“Throughout this summer, the catastrophic pollution consuming Lough Neagh has become even more extreme, but it did not start this summer. The biodiversity and ecological well-being of our lough now faces a sustained existential threat, the like of which we have never seen. So too do the commercial fishing industry, the tourism offering around the lough shore, the historical heritage and all associated with Lough Neagh. <BR /> <BR />Our commercial fishermen, and those of us who work with them and who know the lough shore, have predicted, since 2023, that this pollution would continue to worsen. That is what has happened. The total termination of eel fishing for the 2025 season graphically illustrates how this deepening crisis has devastated livelihoods and economic activity right around the lough shore and into the adjoining waterways.”
“The world, particularly the Global North, must finally recognise the Palestinian right to self-determination and statehood.”
“Its latest terrorist act was demonstrated no earlier than today when it bombed the Hamas negotiation team in Doha, Qatar, while it was reviewing the proposals and ideas that it was supplied with, via the Qataris, by the United States. What happened? The very people who were looking at the proposals and ideas for progressing a ceasefire were bombed by the terrorists. <BR /> <BR />Comprehensive and robust actions must be taken to end the genocide and hold Israel to account for its crimes against humanity in the Palestinian territories. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Israel must lift the illegal blockade on humanitarian aid into the Strip. Israel must be held accountable for its war crimes and its state terrorism. Netanyahu and Gallant must be brought before the International Criminal Court.”
“That UNGA will mark 23 months of sustained genocidal war against the Palestinian people, and we must hope that those gathered at the Assembly will call for action under the "Uniting for Peace" resolution, empowering the General Assembly to circumvent the ongoing obstruction that has been taking place at the Security Council with the misuse — the egregious misuse — of vetoes. The most powerful in the international community can no longer ignore or stay silent in the face of Israel's war crimes. Their prevarication and conditionality are now morally and politically bankrupt. <BR /> <BR />Israel is a terrorist state.”
“Israel stands in defiance of international law and the multilateral order. It is in violation of the Geneva conventions, the Rome statute, the genocide convention and the UN charter. It is in breach of the international obligations that an occupying power must observe. The Israelis and those who support them are destroying every diplomatic and humanitarian norm that has guided the world over the past eight decades. <BR /> <BR />In violation of the UN headquarters agreement obligation, the US itself, in another disgraceful act of complicity, has refused to grant entry visas for the Palestinian delegation to attend the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today. That US-Israeli censorship will only bring greater focus on the queue of countries that are now assembling at the UNGA to recognise the state of Palestine.”
“Ordinary people all over the world understand what they are seeing daily in their media: a desperate people being deliberately starved, displaced and murdered in a sustained genocide.”
“Currently, the freedom flotilla has 50 boats from 44 countries spanning six continents, and it is the largest humanitarian fleet in history. Yet, in another outrage this morning, the flotilla has been bombed with a drone. Last weekend, the Global Day of Action for Gaza mobilised millions around the world, and tens of thousands of people marched in our cities, towns and villages across Ireland and elsewhere in solidarity with the Palestinian people, calling for the US and British Governments to end their complicity, to stop the slaughter and to support a ceasefire. So in some respects, the tide of world opinion is beginning to turn.”
“Israel's indiscriminate warmongering has resulted in the murder of journalists and healthcare, civil defence and humanitarian aid workers. The United Nations has asserted that over two million people are being trapped, bombed and starved. Israel's murderous intent for the region cannot go unchallenged. This Israeli regime is now applying a systematic, scorched-earth strategy in Gaza. Rafah, which was the second-largest city on the strip, no longer exists. It has been turned into rubble. Currently, every high-rise building remaining in Gaza City is being destroyed daily. A ruthless holocaust is being inflicted on the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. <BR /> <BR />The launch of the Global Sumud flotilla is a powerful demonstration by people from all over the world to demand the end to this genocide.”
“<BR /> <BR />Since the launch of the US-funded Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in May 2025, over 2,000 Palestinians have been killed at so-called humanitarian aid distribution sites. In reality, they are nothing more than deathtraps. The United Nations also warns that enforced disappearances of starving civilians, including children, have been reported at those sites. Israel's vicious and brutal onslaught on Gaza and the West Bank has resulted in the death of over 64,000 Palestinians, 20,000 of whom are now recorded as being children. The actual death toll is much higher, because what is not known is the number of bodies that lie lifeless beneath the rubble. <BR /> <BR />There are no safe places in Gaza, despite the Israeli black propaganda.”
“"Leave now or face obliteration". That was the message that was received this morning by children in Gaza who picked up leaflets that were dropped by the Israeli military. As of August 2025, a catastrophic famine in Gaza has been confirmed. The situation in Gaza is beyond apocalyptic. The horror is absolutely unimaginable. Four hundred Palestinians have died from starvation, including 135 Gazan children. One in three children is acutely malnourished. Starvation is being used as a weapon of war. One child is killed every hour, and Gaza is now the most dangerous place on the planet for children to live. A deliberate, man-made famine is being inflicted on a defenceless population, who are being murdered systematically as they search for food.”
“Truth be told, the motion is a distraction brought to us by the very people who campaigned for Brexit and, 10 years later, are still complaining about how it has all played out. <BR /> <BR />It is time for the DUP to get real. The Windsor framework, friends, is here to stay. Here is a wee word to the wise: the DUP should stop mixing up the implementation of the Windsor framework with the pressure that it is under from the TUV. Everybody sees that for what it is. It would be much better if it were to finally accept reality and join the rest of us in being solution-focused and maximising opportunities for local businesses and the regional and all-Ireland economies.”
“The fact is that the majority support for the Windsor framework across the North stands in direct contradiction to the DUP claims that are contained in the motion, so what is the motion really about? The repeat posturing of the DUP on the Windsor framework has more to do with its own electoral and political pressure, as the TUV snaps at its heels. It is increasingly obvious that the DUP's political agenda is being set by the TUV. The 2027 Assembly election beckons, and we can expect a lot more of that between now and then. In reality, the debate is simply a proxy for intra-unionist competition between those two parties. It is nothing to do with being solution-focused in the interests of businesses, employers, workers or families.”
“There have been various references to the FSB in the debate to date. The FSB has also called for a pragmatic and business-focused implementation of the Windsor framework, which is in all our interests. That is why the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee exists: to ensure the smooth and democratic implementation of the commitments that were made in the Windsor framework. <BR /> <BR />The consequence of Brexit has been to create multiple challenges, which need to be carefully navigated. Of course, none of that was ever in the thought process of the Brexit cheerleaders. Like lemmings, they simply followed the mantra to get it done. Meanwhile, back in the real world, others have worked to straighten out their mess. We continue to do so.”