Gerry Mullan
East Londonderry · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“There was a flawed tariff in place, no cost controls or progress reviews, limited inspections and very little regulation. Finally, as far back as 2013, there was a complete failure to act on a whistle-blower's warning.”
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in today's debate concerning very hastily brought forward regulations that attempt to mitigate spend on the botched renewable heat incentive scheme. I do not need to remind anyone that the unregulated and uncapped RHI cash for ash scheme is indeed the biggest scandal ever to hit this country.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Member for his comments and I agree totally. I was asking what the money could possibly have been used for had it not been squandered to the extent that it was. Hospitals and our GPs are facing crisis point and our roads are in a dilapidated condition.”
“I am sorry; I will not take any interventions because you have had long enough to say and do the right thing. You have not done so up to this point and you will certainly not take advantage of me to make any political points.”
“That is why, from day one, the SDLP called for the First Minister to step aside during a public inquiry into this botched energy scheme that would be devoid of any political influence or conflict of interest. After all, the scheme will cost the taxpayer £85,000 per day or £600,000 a week.”
“Does the Member agree that the fishing analogy that Mr Frew used in his contribution was somewhat unwise when he referred to the feeding frenzy and to members of my party being caught on the hook?”
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“This is a follow-up to Mr Middleton's question about elective care. As far as the lack of care centres is concerned, does the Minister intend to increase capacity here, especially through new capital build projects in the public sector, rather than having a total reliance on the private sector?”
“What is the Minister's Department doing to address the very serious problem of housing benefit fraud, or dole drops, as they are more commonly known?”
“— and offer cancer patients equality of treatment in the North.”
“— the punitive individual funding request (IFR) process and prescription charges. <BR /> <BR />The Minister needs to take notice of the motion, take action, commission the cancer strategy —”
“Forty drugs have the potential to extend the lives of many cancer sufferers here but, rather than establishing a specialised medicines fund like they have in Scotland, a previous Health Minister decided to review —”
“We can all hide behind rhetoric but these crisis conditions are literally putting people's lives at risk, and that, in itself, is unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />Time after time, we have had reports such as 'Transforming your Care: A Review of Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland' or the Donaldson review, but I have yet to witness any positive change emanating from them. The Minister should not hide behind another review. It would be more appropriate for her to commission a cancer strategy to ensure that cancer services are properly invested in and developed. <BR /> <BR />There is also a huge gap in the provision of cancer treatment here; it concerns cancer drugs that are available in Great Britain but not in Northern Ireland.”
“The percentage of women seen within 14 days of urgent referral for breast cancer has also fallen sharply since last year. Just 64%, which equates to 914 out of 1,433, of referred patients were seen on time, compared to 80% in June 2015. In the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area, 93% of patients waited more than the target of 14 days for a first consultation following an urgent referral for suspected breast cancer. <BR /> <BR />Those figures demonstrate the very stark reality we face and show that a dark shadow is hanging over cancer provision here. The failure to meet these treatment targets is a damning indictment of the very real pressures that the wider health system faces. Rather than the Health Minister hiding behind the Bengoa report, I call on her to publish it.”
“<BR /> <BR />Those are all evidence of a progression that I welcome and one that is evermore important considering the prevalence of cancer in Northern Ireland and the increasing number of patients diagnosed every single year. However, Northern Ireland's position as a world leader in cancer research and treatment is now in jeopardy following what seems to be a crisis at the heart of the health service that is negatively impacting upon cancer services. <BR /> <BR />Some 95% of patients with an urgent GP referral are supposed to be seen within 62 days. However, since records began six years ago, the target has never been met, and the latest figures show that, between April and June this year, only 70% were seen in this time. <BR /> <BR />Breast cancer treatment targets are also falling by the wayside.”
“However, it has to be said that Northern Ireland has come a long way with cancer treatment and research and that there has been improvement. In 1993, breast cancer screening was established throughout the North. In 1994, the cancer registry was established. In 1999, the first cancer incidence data was compiled. In 2004, the Cancer Network was established, and, in 2006, the cancer centre was opened. The new radiotherapy unit in Altnagelvin will, hopefully, open next month. The work of individuals such as Joe O'Sullivan and Paddy Johnston has been instrumental in driving forward this change, which has been hugely beneficial for local cancer sufferers.”
“I, too, welcome this opportunity to discuss these very important matters that affect people right across my constituency of East Derry and, indeed, people in local communities in every other constituency in the North of this island. <BR /> <BR />I would like to focus my comments on cancer care provision in Northern Ireland. At the moment, it is failing so many patients. The rate of cancer diagnosis has continued to rise, and, in 2014, some 9,000 people were diagnosed with cancer in the North. Sadly, almost 4,000 people die each year due to this horrible disease. <BR /> <BR />Like many Members, I know people who are currently suffering from cancer, have been cured of cancer or have, sadly, died from cancer.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer so far. Considering the fact that a huge number of people have expressed concerns about the very limited provision during the summer and other holiday periods, can you give me a guarantee that you will consider extending extracurricular activities at the school to ensure that the children get the additional support that they need?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. The case of young Connla Quinn is very distressing and has been widely reported in the media recently. Has the Minister considered providing undergraduate training in dental studies at Ulster University in Coleraine to alleviate the problem of staff shortages in the Western Trust and reduce ever-increasing locum costs on dentists?”
“Minister, do you maybe plan to raise the issue at the next North/South Ministerial Council meeting?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, the Member has just asked the question that I was going to ask.”
“Statistics show that across the North there are only about 10 epilepsy specialist nurses, with only a 0·5 whole-time equivalent in the Western Trust.”
“There are guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence that lay out a clear pathway, where there must be a wrap-around service in place following GP referral and there must be access to specialised nursing. <BR /> <BR />I know that there are issues with misdiagnosis in GP practices and delays in referral to consultants, and that has already been spoken about today, but equally important —”
“This is the harsh reality that many sufferers of the condition live with daily. We can only imagine what it must be like for someone who has to wear a helmet, especially a woman. It impacts completely on her dignity as a human being. <BR /> <BR />It is important to remember that a significant number of people with epilepsy have avoidable seizures. That is what makes the debate and the work of the all-party group so important. If the correct treatment is given at an early stage, many of the negative consequences associated with the condition can be avoided, for example, the loss of employment, or having to give up studies, due to a lack of support. Following diagnosis, it is important that there is a pathway to ensure that people with epilepsy are properly supported. Often, that reduces the ongoing bills in the health service.”
“When we in the Chamber look at issues like the statementing process and the colossal waiting list for child psychological assessments, we must also bear in mind their impact on children suffering from epilepsy. All have a knock-on effect, and it is important that we have an intergovernmental, cross-disciplinary approach to tackling the issues facing children with epilepsy. <BR /> <BR />Epilepsy in adults can have severe consequences, as it is a very difficult and unpredictable condition. There are people who have seizures every 10 to 15 minutes, and this has an impact on their health, employment and social well-being. I know first-hand because I have a neighbour with chronic epilepsy who has to wear a helmet to protect her from falls during seizures. She is afraid to go out, she cannot socialise and she needs round-the-clock care.”
“<BR /> <BR />Although we have witnessed many advances in treatment and managing the condition, living with epilepsy has a wide-ranging impact on all stages of life, and I want to address that here today. <BR /> <BR />Across the North, children with epilepsy are being severely disadvantaged in school, which is leading to underachievement and impaired social development. It is important that the Assembly recognises that early intervention is critical for children with epilepsy to ensure that they get the best possible support at the earliest opportunity. <BR /> <BR />It has, as already referred to, been estimated that some 46% of children who have autism also have seizures.”
“I speak today as a relatively new member of the all-party group on epilepsy. However, what I am not new to is the impact that epilepsy has on the many people in my constituency who suffer from the condition. In this regard, I thank Mr Robinson for bringing the motion to the House today. <BR /> <BR />One of the biggest barriers for sufferers of epilepsy is, in my view, the stigma that is associated with it. I am glad that the debate allows us to address a lot of those stigmas. Epilepsy is a large-scale, chronic condition that directly impacts on the lives of 20,000 people in the North, as Members have said, and around 40 people lose their life to the condition every year.”
“Will the First Minister provide an update on the community premises support project, which is designed to update the infrastructure of community buildings in the north-west, especially with regard to Limavady?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He will be well aware, due to the high-profile media attention, of the tragic death of 13-year-old Daniel Sheridan in August at Magilligan in east Derry. The incident really shook the whole community. Does the Member agree that, although motocross tracks may encourage more responsible use of these vehicles — I encourage that — it is of the utmost importance that health and safety be paramount for all riders, especially young people, and any controlled or purpose-built tracks should be included in a review of the use of these vehicles?”
“Minister, despite your protestations, I have to say that, during yesterday's debate, it was hugely disappointing that the DUP and Sinn Féin prevented moves for a new inquiry and an all-island investigation. Does the Minister agree that the actions taken by the Executive parties to create a smokescreen around issues with NAMA's sale of Project Eagle have only further damaged the credibility of the Executive and Government?”
“Can the Minister confirm the number of Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes across Northern Ireland where damp and condensation have been identified as a problem? What action is he taking to remedy this plague that is affecting Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes across every constituency?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is important that, as we debate the motion, we do not let deep divisions in our Executive act as a veto to a thorough examination of all the issues arising from NAMA's Project Eagle sale. The Executive parties cannot continue to stifle progress here, and they cannot impede the course of any investigation. The public want the truth, and they want accountability — they deserve just those. Any attempt to stop that should be seen as an affront to democracy and to the democratic institutions of the Assembly. I urge support for the SDLP amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />Any inquiry established must, at its core, reflect that the alleged corruption at the heart of the deal is an all-island scourge and a resolution can be achieved only through a comprehensive, all-island investigation. There are jurisdictional issues involved in parallel criminal investigations, but we cannot allow the border to become a barrier to justice or accountability for the Irish people. Any cross-border investigation will require changes to legislation. The SDLP has a draft Bill to amend the flawed Westminster Inquiries Act 2005 that makes precisely that provision in public inquiries. That will now be circulated at Westminster and elsewhere as further legislation is developed to make fresh provision for North/South models of investigation.”
“The only way to uncover the whole truth about Project Eagle is to have a cross-border investigation, and we cannot be found wanting. Sinn Féin's amendment is merely stating the obvious, which is that the Executive should be fully committed to any investigation: that should be the standard of any Government. Sinn Féin's amendment fails to recognise the importance of cross-border collaboration. The SDLP believes the only way to achieve the truth and accountability is to have a joint PSNI, NCA and Garda Síochána team to investigate the criminal allegations. Provision exists for that approach, and it should be deployed now and without any further delay. That would help to build confidence that all the evidence will be pursued, obtained and properly scrutinised.”
“Clearly, as the revelations unfold, it has become increasingly clear that the Project Eagle scandal is multifaceted and multilayered. Complex as it is, one thing is quite simple and crystal clear: the manner in which further details and accounts of the transaction are emerging from private sources is doing great reputational damage to this institution and to the trust and confidence the public have bestowed on us as their public elected representatives. <BR /> <BR />The Irish Government's plan to establish their own inquiry into Project Eagle is a welcome development. The issue demands political consensus on the way forward because it is bigger than any one party and any one jurisdiction. In that context, I turn to today's amendments.”
“It has been a very interesting and insightful debate thus far. As a Member for East Derry and a member of the Committee for Finance, I welcome the opportunity to engage in the debate as well. As we enter our first Opposition day, I welcome a debate on what has been the biggest financial scandal of a generation. <BR /> <BR />As other Members and my colleague Claire Hanna have outlined, in recent weeks, developments have been picking up pace on NAMA's sale of Project Eagle, the biggest ever property deal in the North of this island. Some of the revelations in the media and other places have been deeply worrying, and the report of the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General, which catalogues the irregularities in the Project Eagle sale, should be compulsory reading for everyone in the Chamber.”
“Minister, you will be aware that there is a great need for a new build for Magilligan prison, which would benefit not only the prisoners and the staff but the local construction industry and would be a valuable asset to the local economy in general. Given that the business case has already been approved by the Department of Finance, do you agree that the project is shovel-ready? What assurances can you give that you will be knocking on the door of the Finance Minister's office to ensure that additional capital funding will be sought for this development?”
“We do not want to exacerbate further the condition of our roads.”
“In conclusion, I hope that this is a good debate, the main theme of which is to improve road maintenance programmes. The infrastructure of the North is much too important to neglect.”
“All revenue-raising options that do not penalise the poor must also be put on the table and thoroughly considered.”
“We cannot have another costed plan with no incentive for the Minister and Department to adhere strictly to it. The SDLP believes that the only way to implement a strategic plan is to ring-fence the Department's maintenance budget. We therefore cannot accept the Alliance amendment. <BR /> <BR />Any motion concerning infrastructure investment always comes down to how we pay for it. If we agree that there is a need to increase the road maintenance budget to £137 million, we need to forensically examine the Department's budget and the Executive Budget. Departmental responsibilities, for example, have transferred from the Executive Office, but money has not followed this. The Minister must also put the case to his Executive colleague the Minister of Finance to ensure that sufficient funding is provided.”
“The motion is not about criticising the current Minister or the current funding shortfall in the road maintenance budget. It is simply calling for a ring-fenced allocation in the Department's budget that would allow for a more strategic approach to road maintenance than having a patchwork service that is almost wholly reliant on monitoring rounds to fund essential and critical road maintenance. There is an urgent need to reform how road maintenance is budgeted and planned. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Alliance Party's amendment in calling for a costed strategic plan. I think that, under normal circumstances, that call is worth merit. However, it fails to appreciate that, until now, strategic planning has been limited due to an over-reliance on in-year monitoring, which has resulted in a haphazard approach to road maintenance.”
“I welcome the new Minister's commitment to road maintenance since he came into post, which includes his announcement of a £10 million rural roads initiative fund. He also secured additional funding for road repair through the June monitoring round. Along with the progression of the A5 and A6, these are all positive developments with a focus on the west. However, with these additional funds in place, we are still tens of millions of pounds away from what is required.”
“It has been independently assessed that the overall annual budgetary requirement for just maintaining our roads is between £137 million and £141 million. That money is to simply keep our roads in the condition they are in; it is not meant for any service improvement. That is a scary situation when you consider the state of many roads across the network. <BR /> <BR />It is easy to see that, in the past number of years, the budget allocation given to roads maintenance has fallen substantially below the figure required. The 2015-16 opening allocation was a mere £22 million. This year it is slightly better, at £46 million, but that is still £95 million short of what is required. I do not see any attempt in the draft Programme for Government framework to address that.”
“After a number of road deaths, people are concerned that road safety measures may not be at an adequate standard. I welcome the Minister's view on that. <BR /> <BR />Turning to the motion, we have also learned over the past 12 months of the colossal backlog concerning the road maintenance programme, which is now estimated to be £1 billion. That backlog is having severe consequences across each and every constituency. It has limited flooding measures, gully cleaning, pothole repair and investment in road safety measures. We see many parts of our roads that have been marked for repair but have yet to be fixed. I ask the Minister this: how much does his Department spend on assessment versus physical repair?”
“Each week, I have constituents contacting me from places like Kilrea, Glenullin and Ballerin concerning the condition of the roads and the crater-like potholes they have to avoid on a daily basis while travelling to work or leaving their children to school. Those unrepaired potholes can cause serious damage to many cars on our roads. Last year, 600 claims were made against the Department for Regional Development for damage to vehicles caused by the state of our roads. Almost 200 of those came from the north-west of the Province, which is testament to the state the roads are in. The Department is paying compensation and losing money due to the historical failure to take strategic action. There are also concerns in East Derry about road safety measures, especially on the Agivey Road, the Drumeil Road and roads around Feeny and Foreglen.”
“That is an important point as, over the years, we have seen a short-term patchwork approach to maintenance projects, especially with the temporary filling of potholes and other road surface defects, which does not deal with the issue and costs more further down the line. <BR /> <BR />We are now some seven years on from the publication of that report, and I have not seen any concerted effort to address the funding shortfall. That is having severe ramifications for many road users across the North. In my constituency of East Derry, there is growing anger and frustration among local people about the decline in the state of the road network. They are angry that the issue does not get the attention it deserves from the Executive or the Minister.”
“For a number of years, the quality and frequency of maintenance provided to the roads network has suffered due to insignificant funding. A number of major reports and pieces of commentary highlight the detrimental impact of that. Perhaps most important, in my view, is Professor Snaith's report of 2009, which stated the need for significantly enhanced investment to carry out much-needed maintenance repair work across Northern Ireland. The Snaith report also states that historical levels of funding are unsustainable and underinvestment has created a vicious circle. As roads deteriorate through lack of planned maintenance, they require expensive patching to avoid public liability claims and maintain road safety. That draws funding away from good-value resurfacing and surface dressing.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is widely accepted that the condition of Northern Ireland's roads is vital to the economic and social well-being of the North. Adequately maintaining our road infrastructure is essential to preserving and enhancing those benefits and attracting much-needed inward investment. It is therefore important that, in the new mandate, the Chamber recognises that and ensures that road maintenance receives the necessary funding allocation to bring our road network up to an acceptable standard.”
“I welcome the opportunity to present the motion to the Assembly on an issue that many constituents raised with me on the doorstep as I canvassed for the May election. I am pleased that the Minister is here to respond, and I look forward to hearing the contributions of other Members. I also welcome the Alliance Party amendment, which I will address later. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP has tabled the motion because, as we approach the winter months, there are serious concerns among the public and Transport NI officials about what might happen to the condition of our roads. Most importantly, people are concerned about the lack of maintenance and, as we have witnessed throughout my constituency in recent months, the possibility of even more road deaths.”
“Minister, you will be aware that the new road has been diverted west. Will you update us on what will happen to the old road and the surrounding land?”
“I therefore ask the Minister what consideration he has given to the possibility of constructing a rail halt at the City of Derry Airport and whether he plans for his Department to conduct a feasibility study.”
“<BR /> <BR />Although today's motion focuses solely on the International Airport, the people of my constituency want to see greater rail connectivity to and from the City of Derry Airport in Eglinton, where the Derry to Belfast service runs adjacent to the airport yet no halt exists for airport passengers. The construction of a railway halt at Derry Airport has the potential to transform connectivity in the north-west, especially when we are attempting to attract record numbers of tourists into the area. It would not only serve the people of Derry city but could act as a gateway by connecting Castlerock, Downhill, Coleraine and Portstewart. There is also a possibility of constructing a railway halt at the Shackleton site in Ballykelly.”
“Therefore, I ask the Minister to detail how much his Department has spent on the line since it closed 13 years ago and where exactly the money has been spent. Surely that money would be put to better use if it were invested in a project that would see the permanent reopening of the Knockmore line. That would be a massive boost for travellers from not only Belfast city centre but across the North. This is especially the case when we consider the prospect of having a rail link from Derry to Dublin, a service that would allow people from my constituency of East Derry and from Foyle to be able to travel by rail rather than rely on buses that are inconvenient and inaccessible for many people.”
“<BR /> <BR />Today's debate has been informative in highlighting the many issues that surround establishing a rail link to the International Airport, especially through the reopening of the Knockmore line. In spite of the political posturing that we have seen across the Chamber today, I think that we can agree that this is supported by the majority of Members, especially those in the Antrim constituencies. <BR /> <BR />Despite no feasibility study having been conducted, it is estimated that reopening the Knockmore line will cost upwards of £100 million. However, as my predecessor John Dallat highlighted in the last mandate, the Department for Regional Development had been spending vast sums on the maintenance of the 20-mile stretch of line from Antrim to Lisburn with little or no return.”
“Access to airports through direct rail linkages forms a vital part of any modern city or region, especially when you consider its importance in attracting foreign direct investment and boosting local tourism. In this regard, we have seen cities throughout Europe invest heavily in their airport rail connectivity. We will all have experienced this when we have travelled to the continent and even within these islands. For example, no sooner do you land at London Heathrow than you are navigating your way through London Underground. This is the hallmark of any modern city that prioritises connectivity that saves travellers both time and stress. It is something that we in the North of this island should prioritise.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. As a Member for the East Derry constituency, I, too, welcome the opportunity to speak in support of the motion, and I thank the proposer for bringing it to the Chamber. Rail connectivity is a major issue in my constituency. There have been some major advances in upgrading services, carriages and halts in recent times. Indeed, in June, I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the opening of the new Bellarena halt, which has provided a great boost for local rail passengers. <BR /> <BR />As outlined by my colleague from West Tyrone, the SDLP is in support of improving our rail infrastructure. A vital component of that is improving airport rail connectivity.”