Richie McPhillips
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />The authorities failed many, many victims and individuals across a number of institutions, but, most worryingly, the inquiry found that those institutions were seemingly more concerned about their own reputation and protecting the perpetrators than about looking out for the best interests of some of the most vulnerable childr…”
“As a member of the Committee for the Executive Office, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this evening's important debate, which was brought to the Assembly by non-Executive parties and concerns the publication of the historical institutional abuse inquiry report.”
“Paula Bradshaw expressed her disappointment at the collapse of the Executive, which, as I pointed out, means that there will be a future delay and a big disappointment that no redress programme has been put in place. Mr Stalford pointed out that there was never any disagreement on the Committee for the Executive Office.”
“These individuals and their families have suffered long enough, and it is issues of abuse that really put things into perspective as to where the Assembly is today and who it is that we serve.”
“It is important, however, that we in this very Chamber also remember people who do not always get the headlines: women such as Pat Hume and the late Gertrude Mallon also played a pivotal role in the agreement. <BR /> <BR />It is true that the North has come a long way since 1998.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the midst of the current political uncertainty and the fall of these institutions, we have hanging over all of us the growing shadow of Brexit, which will disproportionately hit the North of Ireland. Wales has a plan, and Scotland has a plan, but this Executive have been found wanting once again.”
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“Thanks to the Minister for her answers so far. She will be aware of a letter that she sent to the chief executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council that states that she cannot force:”
“— we need to move communities on, through education and support. I completely agree with that. It is also high time that some political parties dealt with their past and that the Assembly dealt with the issues of the disappeared and the abused.”
“We often hear that we need a multidisciplinary approach to paramilitaries and that —”
“The supposed Fresh Start Agreement was meant to be the final straw for paramilitaries. We have yet to see that work out. We often hear from the Chief Constable and others that the PSNI is not equipped to tackle paramilitary organisations in the North, so I ask the Minister this: what additional funding have the PSNI and the NCA received since the Fresh Start?”
“Paramilitaries limit educational outcomes, quality of life and social mobility among our young people, who are impressionable and are attracted into a life of thuggery and crime, rather than staying in education. That is a huge issue and concern, and action needs to be taken urgently to give those young people the chance to change their lives for the better and allow them to contribute to society. This cannot be acceptable and cannot be allowed to continue.”
“How do the Executive intend to promote the North of Ireland as a new, vibrant society when they fail to deliver on a robust plan, which has resulted in the Westminster Government withholding funding? The failure to act holds many communities back, as paramilitaries' criminality deters investment, jobs and, importantly, reconciliation. Their activity only strengthens a deeply entrenched mentality of "us and them" and has absolutely no purpose but to hold back people and communities. <BR /> <BR />These communities still have the dark shadow of paramilitaries hanging over them, due to the inaction of this institution and the current Executive. Paramilitary groups feed off the deprivation that further compounds the situation that many young people find themselves in, especially in poorer communities.”
“First and foremost, I am not going to stand here as a member of the SDLP and take lectures from the DUP. I am a member of the nationalist community and have lived through the history of the Troubles. I remind the DUP of the Third Force and organisations like that. You have had truck with paramilitaries for years, so do not lecture the SDLP. <BR /> <BR />As the report makes clear, tackling paramilitaries, as I said, requires a concerted effort by the Government, but they have been found wanting on delivery. They have failed to produce a detailed plan that was meant to deal with one of our most chronic and embedded issues. It is inadequate and badly lacking.”
“<BR /> <BR />On the monitoring arrangements, I welcome the three-person panel's report on paramilitary activity in the North and the proposals brought forward. As the report makes clear, tackling paramilitaries requires a concerted effort by the Government, but, instead of taking positive action, they have been found wanting on delivery.”
“In fact, studies from 'The Detail' show that, from 2006 to 2015, 22 people lost their life to paramilitaries; there were over 1,000 shootings and bombings and 787 punishment attacks; and nearly 4,000 people were forced from their home by paramilitary organisations. Last year, we had the murder of two high-profile republicans that threatened to bring down these very institutions. I think that it is fair to say that paramilitary organisations are very much alive and well in the North of this island. Last week, we saw a 'Belfast Telegraph' report that, last year alone, 433 people sought emergency housing due to paramilitary intimidation. In 2016, how can such action be tolerated, never mind accepted, and how can paramilitaries be allowed to get away with such criminal acts?”
“It is a damning indictment of this institution that, 18 years after peace was delivered through great men like John Hume and others, paramilitary groups still have such influence in our communities. We have been very clear that we in the Assembly cannot sit back and allow paramilitary groups to use the tactics of fear and intimidation to extort and control our communities as they line their own pockets. Those same groups have terrorised communities across the North. They have held them back, with no respect for the rule of law, through arbitrary killings and so-called punishment beatings.”
“I welcome the opportunity to participate in the debate today, and I support the motion. The SDLP has come in for a great response from the DUP Benches, so I will start by making it clear that those involved in any kind of paramilitary activity serve no purpose and have no place in a modern Northern Ireland, be they republican or loyalist. Paramilitary groups were not justified in the past and certainly are not in the present or the future.”
“We look forward to the report very soon. The First Minister and the deputy First Minister will be aware of Margaret McGuckin's comments that the financial redress scheme would cost in the region of £20 million to £30 million. Can the First Minister outline how confident she is of securing that funding? Will it be in the next financial year, and will it be ring-fenced or subject to budgetary constraint?”
“I thank the First Minister for her answers so far. Last week's High Court decision was significant in that it disallowed the use of the prerogative power to rush through the triggering of article 50. Considering such developments, what is the Executive parties' plan should there be a vote in Westminster on triggering article 50?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement today. Last week, in the company of colleagues, I met the chief executive of Translink, who raised concerns over the impact that Brexit would have on the capital and resource budget, especially in relation to the purchase of new buses. The Minister's statement notes that £10 million is to be allocated for the purchase of new buses. Will the Minister outline how much of that will be spent on upgrading the rural bus fleet?”
“The Minister has touched on the subject of my question a number of times. Do you agree that the plastic bag tax has greatly contributed to a reduction in litter in urban and rural areas?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I welcome it and the acknowledgement that the health service is at breaking point. <BR /> <BR />The Minister noted the need for change in the configuration of acute services. At this stage, does she have any information on where regional services will be provided, especially those in the Western Trust?”
“Does the Minister's Department have any plans to increase the number of foster carers here?”
“Does the Minister plan to impose a punitive rates system on charity shops? Will he give a commitment not to impose any rates on charity shops, such as St Vincent de Paul, which provide an excellent service to some of the most deprived in our society?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I note that, on the topic of Brexit, you and your counterpart have commissioned exploratory work on the key justice issues. Can you provide us with some detail on this now? Will you also lodge in the Library the details of the explanatory work that is being done? Can you also explain what is going on between the PSNI and the gardaí in respect of Brexit issues?”
“— and educate and raise awareness to tackle racial inequalities and hate crimes in the North of Ireland once and for all.”
“<BR /> <BR />We need the strategy to do what it says on the tin: provide ultimate protection for ethnic minorities —”
“These are welcome developments and have an important role, but there has been a fundamental failure to include an action plan, there are no specific time frames, nor has there been the correct level of resources for implementation. We have no responsibility or accountability. <BR /> <BR />If this Chamber and the Executive want to take racism seriously, they must properly develop and invest in a coherent action plan. Otherwise, any advancements will be only tokenistic and will not end the plight of racism that many suffer on a daily basis. It is for this reason that I, and my party, will support the Ulster Unionist amendment. We need to get serious on racism, and we hope that the First Minister and the deputy First Minister fully acknowledge the concerns raised today and take meaningful action to rectify them.”
“Despite the publication of the new strategy and all its commitments — for example, in attempting to tackle bullying in schools, calling for a review of fair employment legislation and a promise to tackle racial crime — the only progress that has been made to date has been the appointment of a subgroup and racial equality champions.”
“It is my opinion that the vast majority of people in the North of this island are repulsed and disgusted by racist attacks, but we must acknowledge that certain sections of society have certain prejudices, and the Executive have failed to address them due to inaction. They have failed to permeate the deeply held views in some of the most deprived communities. Tackling this must be a main priority during this mandate as we move closer to a Programme for Government. <BR /> <BR />Since the last racial equality strategy expired, it has taken almost 10 years to produce another. This is mostly due to mounting pressures from the Equality Commission and other organisations, which have clearly identified gaps in provision here and have called on the Executive to drive forward and implement a racial equality strategy.”
“Despite this, and perhaps most worryingly, the most recent PSNI figures from June 2016 show that racist attacks continue to be a scourge on society. In the 12 months to June, 1,113 incidents were recorded where there was racist motivation, of which 700 contained one or more crimes. This means that, each day in Northern Ireland, there are a worrying three hate crimes reported to the PSNI. Only yesterday, the 'Irish News' reported that, during the period from 1 April to 1 October 2016, there were 600 hate crimes. That underscores the big issue that it is across the North, and immediate action must be taken. <BR /> <BR />Such crimes are intolerable.”
“Racism and xenophobia take many forms in society and actively disadvantage people based on their race, ethnic background or religion. The debate is timely, as there is a lack of clarity on future British Government policy regarding immigration and there is yet to be a very clear reassurance to the immigrants and migrants who have chosen to make their home here in the North. <BR /> <BR />As we discuss the motion, it is of utmost importance that the Assembly acknowledges that migrants make a huge contribution to society, from local economies to providing key roles in the health service and tourism sector. Without this contribution and the cultural variation that exists, the North would be a much more depressing place to live, and our public services would most likely collapse.”
“As the SDLP spokesperson on the Executive Office, I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on an issue that, considering the increase in race-related crimes, has, at least prima facie, got much worse in recent years. Issues of race and immigration have raised their ugly head across the UK and Northern Ireland in recent months, and it is concerning that the North of Ireland is often labelled as a racist state. It must be said that, especially in Great Britain, racist attacks have been exacerbated by the decision of England and Wales to leave the European Union, which has brought with it a sad state of affairs.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Can she update us on increasing GP places and how newly qualified GPs will be incentivised to work in rural areas?”
“Can the Minister provide an update on what contingency measures her Department is taking to tackle this impending rural GP issue?”
“We have already seen the shortage in Ederney and Rosslea, and there is no replacement GP available for the local population.”
“Will the Minister give us an update on the £600,000 that was allocated to address flooded roads in areas of south Fermanagh?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. I come from Fermanagh, where we get our fair share of wet weather, and some farmers in my constituency still have to harvest their grass. Will she outline what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the farming sector on measures to minimise the impact of the poor weather conditions on farmers?”
“Can the Minister advise how many civil servants and employees of public bodies earn in excess of £100,000 per annum?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Obviously the concerns about closure have been looming for the last number of years. I am aware that he is relatively new to the post. In that context, with closure looming — I was made perfectly aware of that when I visited a board of governors meeting recently with my party colleagues Councillors Coyle and Gallagher — will the Minister give a commitment to visit the school with me and meet the board of governors to hear their concerns?”
“In this regard, I urge support for the motion as proposed and I cannot accept the Sinn Féin amendment.”
“In the long term, it is my belief that the Assembly needs to make a clear statement that we will not sit back and allow the gradual erosion of services by stealth, and we must review this situation and consider whether legislation is appropriate to safeguard banking services. <BR /> <BR />I will now address the Sinn Féin amendment. It remains clear that rural broadband and mobile phone connectivity is not up to speed. That is why the SDLP brought a motion to the Chamber in June. However, Sinn Féin fails to recognise that the issue is much greater than connectivity; it is about access to banking services in rural communities. Internet and mobile banking cannot be a substitute for local face-to-face banking, and it cannot be used as an excuse to rubber-stamp the closure of these vital services.”
“We talk lots about reducing corporation tax and giving our banks massive tax cuts, but what about a reduction in corporation tax and having social clauses in which there must be a commitment to rural banking services in order for banks to avail themselves of any tax break? <BR /> <BR />The Assembly needs to make a statement that rural bank closures are unacceptable, especially when it is the last bank in an area. It will be detrimental to farmers, SMEs and investment in the area. I want the Chamber to be proactive rather than reactive. In the short term, I request the Minister to engage with the Bank of Ireland to outline our concerns and that he meets Des Crowley who is on the board of directors in London.”
“None of this has taken place to date, and it is important that we in the Chamber challenge the bank on whether it is using this protocol. There are 54 staff across the North who are impacted by the decision in that they are now left in uncertain circumstances. They will either have to take redundancy or travel miles to get to and from their work, and, if you live in Belleek, that comes as a massive inconvenience. <BR /> <BR />It is against this backdrop that I find it crucial that the Chamber sends a direct message to the Bank of Ireland and to the wider banking services that we will not sit back and allow the gradual erosion of local and rural services. For far too long, rural communities have been stripped of services by banks and other institutions with little challenge and few ramifications.”
“Again, however, the bank was pressed further on the issue, and it seems that the Brexit decision and future financial uncertainty means that that option is also highly unlikely. <BR /> <BR />Neither I nor my colleagues are satisfied with the proposed alternative arrangements, nor am I satisfied that a proper engagement and consultation process has been or is being completed. Staff, customers and businesses have been left completely in the dark. That is despite the fact that, last year, the banking sector came together at Westminster to agree the access to banking protocol, which sets out specific requirements for closing a bank. Those include the adequacy of alternative banking services and customer and staff engagement.”
“<BR /> <BR />The bank has also stated its intention to integrate banking services with local post offices, which are themselves facing many pressures. Gone are the days when you had a dedicated post office that was well staffed and offered an array of postal and financial services. Now it is crammed into the corner of the local shop. It therefore cannot be a realistic alternative to bank branches. the post office is simply not able to deal with the heavy footfall, while the privacy aspect of local banking that we have all become accustomed to has been removed. <BR /> <BR />Another possibility being considered by the Bank of Ireland, in the Belleek branch at least, is the linking of Belleek services with those in Ballyshannon in County Donegal.”
“We specifically outlined our concerns, and it became clear that the decision has been made in order to increase profits rather than look out for the people of Belleek and elsewhere and the thousands of people who use the bank. <BR /> <BR />I will now turn to Bank of Ireland's reasoning for the closures. In its statement, it mentions alternative banking and how important it is to move online. When pressed on the issue, however, it became clear that the bank has made no assessment regarding access to Internet and mobile phone services. I know at first hand that there are many people in Belleek who do not have a stable Internet connection. The bank has made no assessment of what impact its decision will have on older people, who may not be tech savvy and may not be able to use computers. That simply cannot be acceptable.”
“<BR /> <BR />The proposed closure will also impact on cross-border trade, as a number of large businesses in the Republic have accounts in Belleek, and it is impractical for them to travel to Enniskillen or Lisnaskea. There is also the security issue, as many local businesses will have to transport vast sums of money in cash rather than deposit it locally. The closure of the bank will also have a negative impact on investment in the area. There is Belleek Pottery, and a new hotel has been proposed to open in the near future. With no local banking services, it does not bode well for the future of the area. <BR /> <BR />Last week, along with my SDLP colleagues, I met Sean Sheehan, the bank's regional director for the North, and Des Crowley, who is on the bank's board of directors.”
“It is a major part of the fabric that supports the vast majority of financial activity in the village, for businesses and individuals. Bank of Ireland's decision to close the branch has been devastating, especially for rural dwellers who have no access to other banks, because it is the last bank in the village. Those people now have to travel considerable distances to towns such as Enniskillen, Lisnaskea and Irvinestown in order to avail themselves of basic banking services. That is despite the fact that a NISRA publication found that the Belleek area is the second most deprived area for access and proximity to local services in the North of the island.”
“The decision has hit many individuals and businesses hard, especially those in rural communities. <BR /> <BR />Before discussing the overall implications of the decision, I will focus on the branch in Belleek, where the decision has been met with anger and frustration and is why 7,000 people signed a petition calling for a halt to the closure plans. Along with my SDLP councillor colleague John Coyle and Ulster Unionist MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Rosemary Barton, I witnessed that frustration at first hand when we visited the branch, its customers and local businesses to hear their concerns. <BR /> <BR />By way of background, the Bank of Ireland branch in Belleek serves some 5,000 customers and has done so successfully for decades. The branch is a lifeline for many people in the local area.”
“As a Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I welcome the opportunity to bring today's motion to the Chamber. It concerns a huge number of people and businesses in rural areas that have been, and continue to be, impacted by decisions to close local banking facilities. Despite promises of no more bank closures in 2013, on 20 July this year, the Bank of Ireland announced that it will close eight branches in Castlereagh, Draperstown, Antrim, Belleek, Castlederg, Newtownards, Maghera and Donegall Square South in Belfast.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. This is an issue that concerns many people in my constituency due to the downgrading of the Enniskillen office and the negative impact that it will have on service users and staff. This is simply another case of Belfast getting it all and Fermanagh losing out. Is the Minister satisfied, following the Housing Executive's decision to move its grants office out of Enniskillen, that rural proofing legislation been strictly adhered to? Is he satisfied that those service users impacted will be able to avail themselves of local services following the centralisation?”
“It would not only make money go further on the island but deliver better public services for the people of Ireland. Fourthly, the motion is about the Assembly creating a position of strength on the issue of spend on roads around the Programme for Government and Budget negotiations. However, Mr McAleer and others are already saying that there is no money, selling the pass before the negotiations have ended. What a weak place to be, but it was ever thus. All the big new roads — Carrick to Jordanstown, Ballymoney to Ballymena and Larne to Ballynure — are in the east, while not a foot of the A5 or the A6 has been started or even opened. Talk about getting your eye wiped. <BR /> <BR />I ask the House to support our motion.”
“That is what is needed: ambition, imagination and a paradigm shift. <BR /> <BR />Here are some of the big answers for Mr McAleer and others who asked where the money is to be found. First, we suggest that the First Minister and deputy First Minister do not employ a spin doctor. However, given Mr McAleer's utter failure to think boldly, Sinn Féin and the DUP will need a lot of spin. Secondly, do not spend £80 million through the social investment fund when there are better, more effective and better value-for-money neighbourhood renewal schemes that the money could be spent on. Thirdly, do not allow the DUP to continue to strangle North/South work. The scale of what could be done on infrastructure planning, health, procurement and so much more is enormous.”
“I have too much to say; I do not have time. <BR /> <BR />— his constituency of West Tyrone. He stated that the west had been neglected for years in the road maintenance budget. I certainly agree with him and support everything that he said. <BR /> <BR />Paul Girvan mentioned joined-up thinking and forward planning between the utility companies. Nobody could disagree with that either. <BR /> <BR />Throughout the debate, the one question that seemed to be asked time and again — it was asked by Declan McAleer to begin with — was where the money would come from. It was curious that he said that, essentially, with Brexit and further budget cuts, there was a lot less money, not more. His comments showed a paucity of ambition, a failure of imagination and an inability to think outside the box or to make a paradigm shift.”
“<BR /> <BR />Turning now to a summary of some of the points Members made, Kellie Armstrong moved the amendment, made the case for a long-term strategic investment plan and highlighted the need for more capital funding to undertake it. She questioned whether all the flagship projects should be completed at the same time. <BR /> <BR />William Humphrey mentioned the security threat due to terrorism over the years as a contributing factor. <BR /> <BR />Declan McAleer mentioned —”