Caoimhe Archibald
East Londonderry · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Taken together, that points to a scheme that is operating effectively in its early stages, while, of course, remaining under review as further evidence becomes available. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend to the Assembly the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026.”
“I seek the Assembly's approval for the Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay (Employment and Earnings) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026. The statutory rule was made on 1 April and came into operation on 6 April. It is before the Assembly today under the confirmatory procedure.”
“The 2026 regulatory impact assessment estimates one-off employer familiarisation costs of up to £1·36 million, with wider HMRC implementation costs forecast at £1·5 million and annual systems maintenance costs of around £10,000. It may assist Members to note that early implementation has gone smoothly.”
“The amendment ensures the continued operation of those regulations and forms part of a wider package of legislative measures establishing statutory parental bereavement pay as an entitlement for bereaved parents.”
“The regulations before the Assembly today are a key part of that implementation and ensure the continued operation of the statutory parental bereavement pay framework. The policy objective is clear: to support bereaved working parents at a time of profound loss and provide a minimum standard of protection in law.”
“<BR /> <BR />The confirmatory procedure means that the regulations before the House today have come into operation before the Assembly debate has taken place and must then be approved by the Assembly within the relevant statutory period. In this case, the deadline for approval is 20 September 2026.”
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“The Committee is acutely aware that the Department for the Economy has been in the eye of the storm, so to speak, in responding to this devastating crisis. That, amongst other reasons, is why it is one of the five Departments likely to run out of funding by the end of June; hence the need for today's Vote on Account. As I have highlighted on a number of occasions, the Committee is extremely supportive of the response of the Department and, indeed, the Executive to COVID-19 so far. The Committee is advising on gaps and issues in that response as well as on strategies and solutions to recover and rebuild through our extensive stakeholder network. Members will acknowledge that, as a key driver of the COVID-19 response, the Department for the Economy must have its budgetary needs prioritised as much as possible.”
“There was an expectation that social enterprises and sole traders would be included. They are facing real financial difficulties and are despondent at not being included. Does the Minister agree that that should be addressed and that those businesses should also get support?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I very much welcome the £1·4 million towards the student hardship fund. He will know that I have been highlighting that issue for many weeks. I hope that the Economy Minister will top that up. <BR /> <BR />The rate relief extension will be very welcome news for businesses. Over £700million, including grants, has now been directed at supporting businesses. That is hugely important. <BR /> <BR />The criteria for the hardship fund were published at the weekend.”
“The challenge facing us is great, but our response must be one that tackles inequality and builds resilience to future pandemics like this one.”
“An all-island approach to the recovery is the only sensible option. Coordinating a response, benefiting from our interconnected supply chains and building on our strengths just makes sense.”
“We need to be prepared to respond to that and ensure that young people have alternative pathways to develop their skills or learn on the job in new industries.”
“<BR /> <BR />Prior to the pandemic, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing and many other sectors were thriving. Social enterprises and cooperatives were doing brilliant work in communities. They will need support and guidance to return to doing what they do best. While some sectors have ground to a halt, others, such as the digital economy, cybersecurity and delivery services, have had to expand rapidly to support new working arrangements. In planning for the recovery, we should seek to develop the sectors that have high-value growth potential. That will require investment in digital infrastructure, skills development and innovation through research funding but will have great benefits. <BR /> <BR />For the second time in little over a decade, an economic crisis is likely to result in high youth unemployment.”
“As we look forward to planning for the recovery, there needs to be debate and discussion about the type of economy and society that we want, as we come out of the pandemic: an economy that recognises the vital role of the healthcare and other key workers who have stepped up to the plate to ensure that essential services continue to be delivered, many in roles that the British Home Secretary deemed to be "unskilled" not so long ago; an economy that upholds workers' rights, where zero-hour contracts and bogus self-employment are things of the past and agency workers enjoy the same rights as other employees; an economy that encourages entrepreneurship, where businesses can thrive; and an economy with decarbonisation as a core tenet that harnesses the potential of natural resources through a green new deal.”
“It has comprised £370 million for grant schemes, £100 million to date for the rates holiday and a further £40 million towards a hardship scheme to support those who have missed out on other support that, we hope, will be announced soon, along with support for others who have not yet received any funding. <BR /> <BR />The growth deals and city deals funding that was announced yesterday for regions across the North are also very welcome. I thank the Minister for his work on those. They will be very important in the years ahead. However, I think that we all recognise that there will be a need for further targeted support and that the British Government will have to invest further to support the economic recovery.”
“The restrictions that have been put in place have severe economic consequences, but they have been necessary to save as many lives as possible. As we plan for the recovery, that remains our aim: to save lives. We need a phased return to business that keeps the spread of the virus under control, because lifting the restrictions too quickly and allowing the virus to spread could lead to further lockdowns that would cause even greater economic damage. <BR /> <BR />The £510 million that the Finance Minister has directed towards supporting businesses to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 so far has been most welcome.”
“<BR /> <BR />While it is not possible at this point to make definitive statements or scrutiny points on the Department's budget, the Committee remains ready to offer advice and guidance to the Minister in the challenging days ahead. Members are cognisant of the fact that considerable resources will be needed to get the economy back on its feet and to begin to build the recovery. The Committee is united in its view that, at present, this is, first and foremost, a health crisis and the Budget must be deployed appropriately in response. For now, the Committee for the Economy is forced to reserve its position, as this is not a normal Budget process. <BR /> <BR />I will, now, make some remarks in support of the motion in my capacity as Sinn Féin's economy spokesperson. The current priority for us all is to deal with COVID-19 and its impact.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a key driver of the COVID-19 response, the Department for the Economy must have its budgetary needs prioritised. The Committee looks forward to the outcome of the June monitoring round to better assess where the Department's budget position sits. The Committee has concerns about the other work that is a vital part of the Department's remit: the response to Brexit and the impact of the protocol; dealing with the RHI inquiry response; and strategies across a range of policy areas that include energy, tourism, further and higher education and skills. Additionally, the Department has a number of actions that come from 'New Decade, New Approach'.”
“The Committee is very supportive of the Department's COVID-19 response to date and is advising the Department on gaps in schemes and other issues through extensive consultation with its stakeholder network. <BR /> <BR />The Committee cannot make a definitive judgement on the Department for the Economy's 2020-21 budget plans at this stage because of the issues that I have outlined. However, members stand ready to scrutinise the Department's budget as and when there is greater detail and certainty. The Committee has already raised the issue of the need for sign-off on the graduate medical school at Magee project before the end of May, as per the General Medical Council's requirement for opening in the academic year 2020-21. Members support the required funding being made available by the Executive once the project receives timely sign-off.”
“It will be some months before there is a truly clear picture of the impact that the COVID-19 crisis and the subsequent Executive response is having on the 2020-21 Budget. <BR /> <BR />In their briefing to the Committee for the Economy, officials indicated that there may be elements of the departmental budget, and those of its arm's-length bodies, that can be repurposed for the COVID-19 response. Again, that makes scrutiny at this point difficult.”
“The Committee for the Economy and, I expect, most other Statutory Committees, will not feel that they have been able to apply the level of scrutiny to the Budget that they normally would at this stage. I know that some members of my Committee have expressed frustration that the Department's budget has been a moving target. <BR /> <BR />The allocations made in the latest Budget document are likely to be subject to an unknown level of change and that hinders scrutiny. We do not know how long this situation will last and, as a consequence, it is difficult to assess how many of the Department for the Economy's budget allocations can and will be utilised for their original purpose.”
“I too extend my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of my constituency colleague John Dallat. <BR /> <BR />It really does not seem that long since I rose to speak in the Chamber during the Second Stage of the Budget Bill in February, yet so much has changed since then. None of us could have imagined the situation that we now find ourselves in. The COVID-19 pandemic and crisis has changed all of our lives in so many ways. The pandemic is the extraordinary backdrop against which we discuss the 2020-21 Budget. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that the Minister of Finance, other Members present and the Committee Chairs contributing to the debate will acknowledge that this crisis has had a large impact on the Budget process.”
“It seems somewhat immoral that companies on a tiny fraction of those profits are uncertain if their employees will be covered by this scheme. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that the Minister would agree with me that workers are the backbone of our economy and that their livelihoods need to be protected in all of this. Could you give us an update on the discussions with Treasury to try to get clarity on eligibility for the job retention scheme?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for his work and that of his team in responding to this crisis. <BR /> <BR />The schemes that have been introduced to support workers so far have been really welcome, but there is a lack of clarity and some gaps in those. In particular, there is a lack of clarity around whether all non-essential businesses will be able to avail themselves of the job retention scheme. There are businesses that are very keen to close and allow their workers to stay at home for their health and peace of mind but that are unsure whether they will actually be able to pay those workers. You then have companies like Easyjet that are able to pay out hundreds of millions of pounds in dividends to their shareholders and, at the same time, avail themselves of public funding to pay some of their employees.”
“It is not possible to legislate for abortion in the case of rape in a compassionate way and, for that reason, our position is that abortion should be available for a limited gestational period in line with best medical advice. What has been brought into play is only right and proper: that women can now access abortion services without having to travel and are free and able to have healthcare in a modern and compassionate way. We will also put on record that we believe that the Department of Health needs to consider the circumstances at the minute in respect of access to all appropriate healthcare.”
“There is no doubt in anybody's mind that abortion is a very sensitive and emotive issue, but there is also no doubt that the legislation and regulations that we had in place were failing women and that the legislation that criminalised women for having an abortion needed to be repealed and replaced with legislation that was appropriate and modern and provided for compassionate healthcare services. Sinn Féin's party policy on abortion is very clear and has been well-debated amongst our members. It states:”
“These are all issues that have been raised, and we are working to get answers. I welcome the clarification that you have given about the business grant schemes. Can you give more clarification about the time frame for trying to get it out the door? Can the grant be worked out for businesses who pay their rates as part of their rent? Finally, particularly over the last 24 hours, we have been contacted by many people whose businesses continue to be open and they are concerned about social distancing and having proper hand sanitising facilities in place. What direction is being given to businesses on those issues and also on closures and the enforcement of closures?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. The broad remit covered in your statement really shows the amount of issues that there are in this particular Department. Obviously, so many of them are so important to people's livelihoods. First and foremost, ensuring an income for individuals and families is vital, and the job retention scheme was really very welcome last week. As you outlined, we do need to see support for the self-employed, those on zero-hours contracts and agency workers. It is important that everyone has that same certainty. <BR /> <BR />There are many issues that we could raise, and I am mindful of the Principal Deputy Speaker's warnings. How do we ensure that vulnerable or elderly people have access to gas or electricity if they are self isolating or ill? What about income for students and their rental accommodation?”
“The continuity plans that are provided for in clause 36 should be undertaken only as necessary in consultation with the governing bodies of the institutions and on the basis of expert medical advice to support our vital services. <BR /> <BR />Like others have said, normally my reaction would be to oppose many of the measures that are contained in this legislation, but this is an emergency situation and we need an emergency response. Finally, I want to offer my gratitude to all those who are battling on the front line in the health service and other services on behalf of us all. I implore everyone to take seriously the health advice and the measures that are being put in place to protect them and their loved ones and all of our loved ones.”
“Therefore, I welcome the provisions in the clauses on emergency volunteers to protect workers' rights and to offer compensation while volunteers are in that role. There are some good examples of registers of volunteers in the South, and I ask the Minister to reflect whether those types of measures might be considered here. <BR /> <BR />In terms of the clauses on further and higher education, clause 35 and schedule 15 have mostly been superseded because universities and colleges have already taken steps to protect the health and well-being of staff, students and public. Obviously, there are many things that still have to be worked out in that respect and we are, of course, working to do that. However, at this moment in time, our number-one priority is protecting lives.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Department for the Economy can make relevant regulations, but it can regulate only when that is within the Assembly's competence and would not require the Secretary of State's consent in an Act of the Assembly. The regulations made by the Department for the Economy will be subject to negative resolution, so a prayer of annulment can be brought against them. On the basis of this short scrutiny, and without time for further clarifications, the Committee for the Economy is content, in principle, with the aspects of the Bill that deal with emergency volunteering. <BR /> <BR />I will now offer some brief reflections as Sinn Féin spokesperson for the economy. There will be many people who want to offer their services as volunteers to support the heroic efforts of those in the front line of the health service.”
“The certificate will be for two, three or four consecutive weeks and those must be in the same volunteering period. The period of 16 weeks will begin on the day that schedule 6 comes into force. Further periods of 16 weeks can be specified by the Secretary of State or the Department for the Economy. The Secretary of State cannot make regulations about the volunteering period for the North without the consent of the Department for the Economy. <BR /> <BR />Any employee who takes emergency volunteering leave will retain the benefits of all the normal terms and conditions of their employment. The volunteer has the right to return to the job that they left prior to volunteering without any loss of seniority. The volunteer will not lose out in any benefits of their employment, including pensions.”
“An emergency volunteer will receive compensation for loss of earnings only if they suffer a loss of earnings that they would otherwise not have suffered. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is aware that regulations will be brought forward about how the scheme will operate and they should provide more detail. However, members appreciate that the legislation has to retain a degree of flexibility because this is an extremely fluid situation. The Committee's primary concern is that the scheme will work efficiently and effectively, that no volunteers will suffer any detriment, and that they will be kept safe. <BR /> <BR />The Department of Health here will be the certifying authority and emergency volunteers are only to be deployed in health and social care settings and contexts.”
“<BR /> <BR />The nature of the coronavirus emergency means that the normal timescales and processes around bringing a legislative consent motion to the Assembly have not been observed. As others have already acknowledged, this is far from ideal, and members have concerns about that. The Committee has puts its concerns on record. Members acknowledge that we live in remarkable times and that the emergency nature of the legislation means that we must accept that that is the way that things have to be done. That said, members do consider that the legislation must be subject to review after six months. <BR /> <BR />Clause 7 simply directs to schedule 6, which makes provisions for the emergency volunteering leave. Clause 8 sets out how payments will be made to emergency volunteers for their loss of earnings and for travel and subsistence.”
“I rise to speak as Chairperson of the Committee for the Economy. The Committee held an additional meeting yesterday to discuss the aspects of the Coronavirus Bill that are relevant to the Department for the Economy. <BR /> <BR />The Committee sought to consider: clauses 7 and 8 and the accompanying schedule 6, that look at emergency volunteering leave, payment and its conditions; clause 35 and schedule 15 that look at the temporary closure of further and higher education institutions; and clause 36 and schedule 16 that look at temporary continuity directions around further and higher education institutions. Unfortunately, due to losing its quorum, the Committee could agree to a view only on clauses 7 and 8 in the accompanying schedule 6.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer, which, as she has outlined, has been very stark. Unfortunately, it does not come as much of a surprise because I have been speaking to representative organisations and other people over the weekend and there is real concern out there. Some have already taken decisions to close — difficult decisions for them and their employees. It is likely that, over the next number of weeks, we are going to see more of that. Will the Minister seek to clarify that insurance providers will pay out on insurance for employers who have to close but still pay their workers?”
“It is vital that we learn the lessons from the disastrous RHI scheme. We must implement the recommendations. As the Minister said, real positive change and reform is needed to rebuild public trust and confidence in these institutions.”
“The precise level of carbon dioxide emissions depends on a number of factors, including the efficiency of the boiler. According to one estimate, burning wood releases four times more carbon than natural gas and one and a half times more than coal. Despite that, wood is classified and accounted for by many official bodies as carbon-neutral. That is on the basis that the carbon released when wood is burned is equivalent to the carbon absorbed by the tree as it grew. Therefore, it is claimed, the two cancel each other out. It is also assumed that the trees that are cut down are to be replaced. <BR /> <BR />If we are going to spend public money on long-term programmes and schemes, we must ensure that they can be reviewed and adapted as evidence informs us. That is another important lesson from this whole affair.”
“It is incumbent on us to heed this advice, and a subcommittee, which the Finance Minister will chair, is being set up to consider the report. I am sure that it will consider all the recommendations, but it is important that Committees can perform their role. <BR /> <BR />RHI was designed to increase the proportion of heat generated from renewable sources. Moving to renewable technology and away from fossil fuels should ensure a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. However, evidence now shows that RHI for biomass technology may be not only ineffective in lowering carbon emissions but counterproductive. The carbon-neutral credentials of the wood pellets subsidised by RHI are now strongly contested in the scientific community. When wood is burned, it releases carbon into the atmosphere.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I will continue with what I was going to say, which is that we need to learn the lessons. The report recommends that the:”
“While the inquiry found that the ETI Committee was not provided with sufficient or adequate information — in fact, it was provided with incomplete and inaccurate information — to permit it to discharge its scrutiny function, it also found that the Committee accepted the assurances of the Department on concerns that it raised, and it did not follow up or check that DETI was delivering what had been promised. This is a clear warning signal to all of us, given our scrutiny function in Committees and our duty to act on behalf of those we represent. We are supposed to ask the difficult questions, demand the information and ask again until we are clear and satisfied that the policy is good, that public funds are being properly spent and that outcomes to better citizens' lives will be delivered.”
“The RHI inquiry report states that the ETI Committee:”
“I, too, welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I welcome the long-awaited publication of the report. <BR /> <BR />I want to cover a couple of things in my contribution: first, the role of Committees in scrutinising departmental policy and the actions of Ministers; and, secondly, the effectiveness of RHI in achieving its intended aims. <BR /> <BR />The role of Statutory Committees is laid out in the Good Friday Agreement:”
“Minister, you said that you have discussed the financial pressures with the various Departments. Could you outline the scale of the collective financial pressure facing the Executive?”
“However, for environmental purposes, APD is a badly designed tax, and we need to look at alternative, more effective measures. In the time ahead, the Economy Committee, my party and I will continue to support the work of our Executive Ministers and local businesses as they recover from the collapse of Flybe and try to secure other providers.”
“<BR /> <BR />Over the weekend, I was contacted by businesses that relied on Flybe routes and are keen that they be secured into the future. It is important that we now demonstrate that we continue to be open for business and that we support industry partners in their attempts to secure alternative providers. I understand that the Finance Minister discussed APD with the Scottish and Welsh Finance Ministers last week. Together, they agreed to put it on the agenda for discussion with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury tomorrow morning. As already outlined, it was due to be reviewed by the Treasury. In the context of the climate emergency, it is important that strategic policies are in place, including the statutory duty, primarily on big polluters, to reduce their omissions, as well as it being the responsibility of individuals.”
“Last Thursday, I spoke to the Economy Minister, Diane Dodds, about the immediate response. I also received a briefing from Department for the Economy officials on its role. I hope to meet the chief executive of Belfast City Airport later this week. The primary responsibilities for civil aviation are reserved and sit mostly with the British Treasury and Department for Transport (DfT). When the bailout for Flybe was put forward in January, it was agreed that there would be reviews of air passenger duty (APD) by the Treasury and of regional air connectivity by DfT in Britain. Those reviews have yet to be carried out, but the Department for the Economy is liaising with the Department for Transport in Britain on the terms of reference for the regional air connectivity review.”
“It is important to stress that the Flybe routes were profitable and busy and will be attractive to other airline operators. Certainly, Belfast City Airport is working to secure other providers for those routes, with a provider already having been secured for some of them.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Matter of the Day, raised by Andrew Muir, on the collapse of Flybe. First and foremost my thoughts, as I am sure are the thoughts of other Members, are with the Flybe staff and their families, who now face uncertainty about their futures. <BR /> <BR />The majority of flights in and out of Belfast City Airport, as we know, were operated by Flybe, and were used daily for business travel as well as by students and families for travel to Britain and beyond. Therefore, the airline's entry into administration is a real blow to the local economy. It will also be a big inconvenience to those who have booked flights and who may now face a loss of money as well as inconvenience. The Consumer Council has issued advice, and I encourage people to check the advice and seek further information if required.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, it is welcome that the deputy First Minister, in her comments when introducing the debate, indicated that this is the legislative programme as it currently stands and that other legislation for which there is no time frame as yet has not been included. I look forward to a number of other pieces of legislation, particularly in relation to some of the commitments in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document, being expedited, not least in terms of my own remit on climate action and workers' rights. I look forward to those pieces of legislation being added to the programme.”
“Members have already talked about them. Some are very necessary and welcome, such as the Bill in relation to bedroom tax, the housing amendment Bill, and, of course, the domestic abuse Bill. We all welcome and look forward to those coming before the Assembly. I also welcome the legislation to implement the commitments in New Decade, New Approach, particularly in relation to the repeal of the Administration of Justice (Language) Act 1737, the appointment of an Irish language commissioner and the provision of official recognition of the status of the Irish language. Will the First Minister, in her response, indicate the time frame for bringing that legislation to the Assembly?”
“We have been advised that there will be a legislative burden associated with leaving the EU, and we anticipate turning our attention to the scrutiny of that. <BR /> <BR />As I mentioned, we have engaged with the Minister, who has stated publicly that she intends to legislate for statutory parental bereavement leave. We do not yet have a time frame for that, but the Committee is very supportive and welcoming of that, as, I am sure, most Members are generally. The Committee is still developing its priorities, and it will continue with that work over the next number of weeks ands months. Potential legislation will form part of that discussion. <BR /> <BR />I will speak now as a Sinn Féin spokesperson. Some significant and important Bills are contained in the legislative programme that has been published.”
“I, too, welcome the publication of the legislative programme and the opportunity to contribute to the debate here today. I will, first, speak briefly in my capacity as Chair of the Economy Committee. For the past number of weeks, the Committee has been engaged in what you could call a process of familiarisation with the remit of the Department. We have heard from the various sections of the Department on the programme of work. We have also engaged with the Minister on her priorities. It will be no surprise, however, for Members to hear that a large part of the Committee's work over the next number of months will be focused on Brexit and the impact that it will have across the remit of the Department.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Organisations such as the Red Cross and Barnardo's have done excellent work to support refugees and asylum seekers. As the Minister outlined, the Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme has really informed the work that is being undertaken. Will she further outline the expected time frame for the consultation?”
“I, too, welcome the Minister's statement. I also thank him for the response to my question for written answer on the issue. I am pleased to see that plans for an afforestation strategy are being progressed as one of the measures to tackle carbon emissions, and also the commitments around broadleaf native trees to support our biodiversity. <BR /> <BR />Following on from a previous question, tackling the climate emergency requires a framework for climate action, which would be underpinned by legislation. Of course, the Assembly has voted to declare a climate emergency and to implement the measures on climate in New Decade, New Approach. Will the Minister advise of the time frame for bringing forward a climate change Bill, please?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I am sure that I do not need to tell him about the importance of the various EU funding streams right across society: the community and voluntary sector; agriculture and rural development; and, importantly, research and innovation funding to boost economic development. I am sure that, like me, he is concerned about the loss of access to that funding. What will he do to try to continue to access those funds, and what replacement funding will he seek?”