Rosemary Barton
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Unfortunately, I see nothing about women in agriculture in your statement. You talked about succession, for example. Will there be extra support to allow women to succeed to the family farm? Many women have caring responsibilities.”
“My question leads on from Mr McGlone's. You talked about responsibility for the environment, but everybody has to take responsibility for their local environment, and that is the aspect at which I want to look. What conversations have you had with councils about how they will be able to help you meet the strategy's challenges?”
“Thank you, Minister, for that comprehensive answer. Those investments are all very fine and are very welcome in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. We still have a communication problem owing to the mobile network coverage, however. Can you think of any way in which to put further investment into Fermanagh to try to alleviate that problem?”
“When there is an issue involving devolved matters, it is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Assembly to legislate on those matters. The UK Parliament retains the power to legislate on them, however.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of strengthening arrangements therefore needed to be considered. There must be an assurance that the Assembly is made aware in a timely manner of those Westminster Bills that require an LCM. There needs to be improved communication from Ministers to the Assembly if normal timescales cannot be met.”
“The amendment that we are debating is to Standing Order 3, and it covers what happens in the event that a Member cannot attend, whether through illness or for another reason, the first meeting of the Assembly following a dissolution. That Member, therefore, would not be able to declare his or her political designation.”
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“DAERA will be one of the lead Departments in working towards the reduction of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions as Northern Ireland progresses its Climate Change Bill. Incentives are needed to encourage change on our farms by using machinery or promoting the green growth approach, which DAERA will be expected to deliver. <BR /> <BR />With the exit from the EU, it is anticipated that a new future agricultural policy framework will be launched specifically for Northern Ireland in the next year or so. That will bring about change in the basic payment and support for the agricultural economy.”
“During COVID, DAERA had an allocation of £25 million, and I welcome the further £9·8 million secured for further COVID-19 support in 2021-22. Looking at the Budget from a DAERA perspective, it is disappointing to learn that, once again, we have only a single-year Budget. This is not a multi-year Budget, which will be essential as we move forward. Long-term strategic planning is impossible. How can prosperity across Northern Ireland be promoted or a balanced and sustainable agri-food economy achieved when year-on-year cuts to the Budget are being made? DAERA must be equipped to support the agri-food sector, which is so vital to the local economy as it is worth £5 billion and supports in excess of 100,000 jobs. It is disappointing to see that the DAERA budget of £553·8 million has decreased by approximately 3%.”
“While we have had a year of considerable challenge due to the pandemic, the focus, quite rightly, was on saving lives, a pathway that Minister Swann was always focused on and never veered off. With the vaccination programme — recognised in Europe as one of the most successful — progressing at pace, with shops and non-essential retail having opened up and with the infection rate declining daily, it is only right that our attention turns to the revival and rebuilding of the rural and urban economy, including our agri-food sector.”
“Minister, you have just said that you will uphold decisions made by the independent panel. Will that policy be backdated to 2016, 2015 etc?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. In it, she said that Ministers noted that both Governments remain committed to the A5 scheme. The scheme will result in improved access to Donegal. Was there any discussion about whether the Republic of Ireland will reinstate the full £400 million roads grant that it offered towards the A5 and subsequently withdrew?”
“I, too, would like to put on record my thanks to the domiciliary care staff and givers. They have provided a great service to those who needed them, particularly during COVID, and when many people needed to be looked after in their home. <BR /> <BR />In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, we have a number of problems around domiciliary care packages. Domiciliary care packages are recommended, but we have difficulty with getting individuals to take up positions in the domiciliary care career pathway. Minister, what steps will you take to try to recruit new members?”
“Therefore, I ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to remove the exemption and ensure that every teacher has equality of opportunity and is able to apply for work in any school, regardless of their faith or perceived community background. No teacher should be denied an opportunity to teach or become a principal of a school on the basis of their religious belief.”
“However, apart from independent Christian schools, all schools in Northern Ireland are fully state-funded, so should teachers not have a right to apply for all available positions within their ability without being curtailed? <BR /> <BR />In April 2019, 98% of those surveyed for a LucidTalk poll indicated that organisations that employ teachers should aim to select the best person for the job, while 82% stated that those organisations should be subject to the same equal opportunities monitoring as other employers. A total of 71% believed that the teacher exception to the Fair Employment and Treatment Order should be repealed. <BR /> <BR />It is certainly not acceptable that teachers today are subject to discrimination on religious grounds.”
“That has happened particularly in the controlled sector, where appointments are more subject-based. Teacher mobility between the traditional sectors is also inextricably connected with the separation of teacher education institutions and the policy concerning the place of religion in schools in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As we become an increasingly multicultural society, the Fair Employment and Treatment Order needs to be recognised in Northern Ireland's education system. Parents have a right, according to the European Convention on Human Rights, to bring up their children in the religion or belief of their choice.”
“Over the past few years, approximately 40% to 50% of the jobs advertised in teaching have limited appeal to all teachers because they do not meet the eligibility criteria for teaching posts, particularly in the Catholic maintained nursery and primary schools. Those positions require the applicant to possess a recognised RE certificate, which leads to inequality when teachers apply for those posts. That mandatory certificate was a CCMS requirement, although I have learnt this afternoon that it has now dropped that requirement, which is good news. <BR /> <BR />In very recent years, particularly in the post-primary schools, there has been greater mobility among the teaching profession, with many controlled schools now employing teachers who have not been educated in the faith of the school.”
“It remains perfectly legal for an employer to select between applicants for teaching posts in grant-aided schools solely on the basis of their faith or religious belief. Unlike other organisations and businesses that employ 10 or more staff, teacher employing authorities are not required by law to monitor their practices for fairness or to record the community composition of their workforce. <BR /> <BR />It is, however, clear from this afternoon's debate that a fairer way, leading to equality of opportunity for all teachers as they enter the profession and apply for their first post or as they progress up the career ladder, will have to be established.”
“He spoke about Catholic culture and said that it defended the Irish identity and helped it to exist. <BR /> <BR />Mr McNulty spoke about his very good Catholic education that made him the man that he now is. He believes that there is still a place for faith in education but legislation must be brought forward to ensure that there is no discrimination against teachers when they apply for positions in schools. <BR /> <BR />Ms Armstrong asked questions about the Executive Office and what the hold-up was. She also said that teachers must be afforded the right to fair employment and that there must be developments towards an inclusive education system. <BR /> <BR />I will say a few words on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party. In Northern Ireland, discrimination laws still apply.”
“Mr Lyttle spoke passionately about the legislation that he hopes to bring forward. He talked about the Equality Commission and about teachers in primary and secondary schools. He said that their employment needed to be reviewed and monitored in the future when the legislation is brought in. <BR /> <BR />Ms Brogan spoke about teachers' representatives and called for the removal of this discriminatory law. She spoke about it being supported by the Equality Commission and said that all workers should have the right to fair employment protection. <BR /> <BR />Mr O'Dowd supported the removal of the FETO clause and said that it was no longer necessary. He said that the controlled sector was wide and varied, with people from different communities and backgrounds.”
“He said that such laws needed to be enacted as quickly as possible to get rid of that discrimination.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Sheehan gave his support to the motion and said that we in Northern Ireland have the longest tale of underachievement in Europe. He said that schools are not required to carry out a review of their workforce in relation to fair employment. He also talked about the excellent teaching standards in Catholic schools, which he attributed to their ethos. He also spoke about the greater levels of professional mobility across the sectors that there are now. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCrossan said that he was disappointed that no Minister had turned up to listen to the debate and that the SDLP would be supporting the motion. He said that laws against religious discrimination needed to be brought forward and said that we need to ask what is holding that up from happening in the Assembly.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank everyone for taking part in the debate. It has really been interesting, and it is great to hear everybody speaking with such a united voice. <BR /> <BR />Mr Butler spoke first, saying that removing the inequality is something that the UUP has been working towards since 2013. Sandra Overend brought several motions on the issue to the Assembly at that time. Robbie said that he is looking towards a much better and shared future with inclusiveness and diversity in which we work together. He talked about a chill factor that is related to discrimination in the teaching profession and looked forward to that being removed. <BR /> <BR />Mr Clarke gave his support for the motion and welcomed it. He stated that everyone should be treated equally and that religion should be taught in churches and not schools.”
“I want to probe a little further into GCSE mathematics. You said that there might be additional examination aids for candidates. Will consideration be given to allowing pupils who are taking GCSE mathematics, the content of which has not been cut, to retake their exam for free at a later date if they do not do as well as they anticipated?”
“<BR /> <BR />Some years ago, a cross-border group, which was facilitated by Fermanagh and Leitrim councils, looked at the A4/N16 Enniskillen to Sligo road upgrade. The feasibility study might even have been produced by that group. However, it did not seem to progress any further. Any support to improve the transport infrastructure in the south-west would be most welcome.”
“I am not sure what the community of Fivemiletown and the surrounding area thought of the plan at the time. The Department's investment delivery plan for roads estimated that the scheme in that south-western policy proposal would be delivered within the period from 2013 to 2018. Obviously, that did not happen. Indeed, I have never heard it mentioned since. I look forward to comments on that. <BR /> <BR />Fermanagh and Tyrone do not have any rail connections. Fermanagh does not have any motorways or dual carriageways. There are many strong and well-established businesses in Fermanagh. The infrastructure to and from the county is extremely poor. In order to provide help and support to the local economy, there is a genuine need to upgrade that transport infrastructure.”
“It is vital that genuine plans are put in place to progress a scheme that upgrades the A4. I recall a document from 2010 from the Department for Regional Development, which is now, of course, the Department for Infrastructure, that was entitled the 'Regional Strategic Transport Network'. The plans in that included key strategic transport corridors, link corridors and the road element. One of the sections in it was a south-western corridor that included a three-and-a-half-kilometre, two-by-one bypass of Fivemiletown.”
“<BR /> <BR />When constructed, the Enniskillen southern bypass will provide major benefits by improving safety and journey times and for the strategic traffic that passes through the town. It will also provide significant traffic management and environmental improvements for Enniskillen town centre. It will be a significant investment and benefit for the area when it is eventually constructed. I trust that the Department is looking beyond this part of the process and setting a timescale for when the development on the ground can commence and for a completion date. Maybe the Minister can give us some indication of those timescales today. <BR /> <BR />We now join a long and historical list of politicians calling for work on the A4 upgrade, which is for the economic benefit of Fermanagh and the Clogher valley.”
“Today's written ministerial statement on the Enniskillen southern bypass has maybe avoided some of the debate on that part of the discussion. I place on the record my welcome of today's announcement by the Minister for Infrastructure that the Department will now publish the formal environmental impact assessment notice to proceed and make the direction, vesting and bridge orders for the Enniskillen southern bypass scheme. Ulster Unionist Party representatives have long campaigned for that important scheme. Former Minister Danny Kennedy drove the project forward when he announced the preferred route almost 10 years ago. It is disappointing that it has taken so long to get to this stage.”
“I am delighted that there do not seem to be any more hiccups and that the expected completion date is 2025. Can you give an update on the expenditure so far for the Strule campus and the figure for completion?”
“We want the public to enjoy the beauty and experience of our natural habitats in this beautiful countryside. Yes, by all means, enjoy it, but please do not destroy it. Many of those areas have served our community and society for generations, and many are improving in their quality, but, when a fire such as the one in the Mournes happens, it destroys years and decades of natural habitat and growth and the development of important species. <BR /> <BR />A combination of management, protection, advice, education and enforcement is required. All have their place in developing a way forward, but they must be directed at the proper methods in an overall strategy. We must work collectively with all the agencies, landowners, local people and the public to ensure the protection of such important areas for our community.”
“I am most certainly not saying that that should be a reason or an excuse for such destruction — definitely not — but it is unfair to designate land and farm areas with specific protection legislation without having an appropriate discussion with the farmers and the landowners. <BR /> <BR />While more and better advice to farmers and landowners is important, an education process and, at times, an improved enforcement mechanism is required for the wider public and the users of such locations. We are blessed in Northern Ireland to have many renowned locations that are rich in their environmental quality, and many of those areas are known throughout the world. It is therefore vital that those who use such locations do so with responsible behaviour.”
“It was extremely dangerous for the people involved in tackling the fire, and it was particularly devastating for the environmental conservation of an area that is significantly rich in its quality and diversity of habitats and is populated with plant and animal species that are extremely rare, scarce and limited. We really must look at the protection and preservation of such areas. <BR /> <BR />Of course, we must do more. Some of my experiences have been that some of our agencies have acted more as enforcers against farmers and landowners, while they could achieve more, perhaps, by acting as advisers.”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, for allowing me to contribute to the debate, which I welcome. I also thank the proposer of the motion. <BR /> <BR />Watching the wildfires spreading across the Mournes just over two weeks ago was a heartbreaking sight for us all. At the outset, I record my and my party's thanks to everyone who assisted with controlling and fighting the fires, including Fire Service personnel, DAERA staff from the Forest Service and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the PSNI, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Irish Coast Guard and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, along with the local residents, community activists and businesses.”
“Minister, I, too, welcome the investment in the Greenmount and Loughry campuses for the future of our young people who wish to work towards a career in the agri-food industry. Thank you for that. Has consideration been given to increasing the university status of Greenmount by offering an increased number of agricultural or agriculture-based courses there? <BR /> <BR />I hope that you do not mind my asking a little extra question: has consideration been given to a university course in equine studies, perhaps in the west, such as at the Enniskillen campus?”
“Minister, has any progress been made on the biosecurity of cattle ear tags, given that, occasionally, although the carcass of an animal in a meat factory is found to be infected with bTB, the DNA does not match that of the mother?”
“It was established to provide financial support to horse racing at Northern Ireland's two racecourses because of a decline in revenue, such as from gate receipts, as it was no longer necessary to attend a race to place a bet. <BR /> <BR />The payments go towards the cost of ensuring adequate safety measures for spectators and riders and that there are improved technical and personnel services in place to ensure proper operation of the races. However, there are issues in relation to online gambling on horse racing. Those are not for this Bill, but will have to be considered at another time. I support the Bill.”
“This Bill has been brought forward to make minor amendments to the Horse Racing (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 to reflect the recent change in the named operator at Down Royal racecourse and to amend it accordingly. Making this change will allow for the reinstatement of payments to Down Royal and the racecourse at Downpatrick. Because the payments to Downpatrick were suspended, paying one racecourse and not the other could have created unfair competition in the market. <BR /> <BR />The fund that provides the payments is made up from a levy that has been collected from licensed bookmakers since 1961 and is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.”
“It happened in an area of historical and architectural significance in Enniskillen. What added security will you put in place to ensure that there is no breach in future?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Hopefully, the all-in-one stops will improve the accessibility of care for all patients. Will you, Minister, give your assessment of the impact of the MDT model so far?”
“Minister, while travelling from Fermanagh to here, I listened to commentary on the radio about the fire. Reference was made that a number of Fire and Rescue Service personnel had quite a distance to walk to get to the source of the fire. Have you given any thought to perhaps providing vehicles that could be more adaptable than a fire engine to move personnel much more quickly to the source of the fire?”
“Minister, thank you very much for your statement. Like others, I reiterate my thanks to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and all the other emergency services that helped put out the fire. I also thank you and Mr Swann for being available at the weekend to help out and support the people on the ground.”
“The Minister will also be aware that many couples have organised and reorganised weddings and that many have lost deposits as a result of that. Where service providers have held on to those deposits, can they claim from the various COVID schemes and grants that have been made available?”
“Thank you, Minister. Now that we are talking about the issues with the protocol etc, will you give an update on the regulations that are in place for importing pedigree cattle into Northern Ireland? Is there any movement there?”
“Minister, have you determined a change in the departmental policy on the final decision-making power of the DAERA appeals process yet?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I welcome the successful roll-out of the regional day procedure centres at Lagan Valley Hospital and the ongoing utilisation of the lists at the South West Acute Hospital in Enniskillen. Minister, do you believe that, compared with only a short time ago, there is a new outlook not only among patients but among clinicians and that people are now prepared to travel slightly further if it means receiving or delivering treatment much sooner?”
“While we celebrate an incredible life of dedication and devotion to his family, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, on behalf of my constituents in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, I extend their sympathy and condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and her family.”
“<BR /> <BR />However, it is through the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme that he will be forever remembered, with the encouragement that he gave to young people in building their resilience and increasing their confidence through the scheme. It was through the scheme, as an assessor, that I had the pleasure of meeting him several times. I found the duke to be very jovial. He always showed a great interest in my work and was always keen to learn of the experiences of the young participants in the scheme. He visited Hillsborough every year, from the foundation of the award in 1956 until 2017, to present the gold awards.”
“Today is really the end of an era, with the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip. His was a lifetime in which so much happened and so much changed. However, our thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty The Queen, who has lost her husband of 73 years, and her family at this very sad and difficult time for them. <BR /> <BR />Prince Philip dedicated his extraordinary life to selflessly supporting the Queen, who, in turn, affectionately described him as her bedrock. Over the weekend, we learnt so much about Prince Philip as a "dear papa", a role that we so rarely heard about. He was a father who was always available to sit down and listen to the woes of his family and always around to offer support and guidance, not only to his children but to their partners.”
“— will be measured by a year-on-year reduction in victims. The Ulster Unionist Party supports the motion.”
“I look forward to the day when the success of the strategy —”
“The third consideration for the strategy must involve the perpetrator being brought or held to account for their actions. Once the victim has reported the incident, they want to see the wrongdoer being brought to justice and taking responsibility for their actions, together with their being given the support to understand the consequences of their behaviour and the impact that they have had on the victim. <BR /> <BR />The strategy needs to be effective and cross-cutting across Departments, including Justice, Education, Health and Finance. It needs to encourage a society that is inclusive of equality and mutual respect and that repels all forms of violence against women and girls. It must recognise the importance of early and effective intervention to maximise the safety and well-being of women and children.”
“Thank you for your intervention. I totally agree. <BR /> <BR />The PSNI has attended domestic abuse incidents every 17 minutes. Those statistics prove how necessary it is to have emotional support, counselling and referral support, such as that from Women's Aid, but they must be properly resourced and funded.”
“Through awareness campaigns, there needs to be change in the long-established societal attitudes to domestic and sexual violence until the statistics start to reflect respect towards women and girls. <BR /> <BR />Another key consideration must be to improve the support available to victims. In 2019-2020, Women's Aid supported 560 women and 316 children in its refuges. From our community outreach support, we know that 5,536 women and 5,143 children experienced domestic abuse across Northern Ireland.”
“At the very least, the strategy must reflect the thoughts of those who have been victims and of the many agencies that offer support, and it must reflect how the perpetrators are to be held accountable for their actions. <BR /> <BR />One of the key considerations in the strategy must be education. Educating our youth is necessary. From primary school onwards, young people must be encouraged to respect, listen to and accept that violence is not the way forward. They must have an understanding of what is considered acceptable towards a young girl or a woman, but, most of all, they must have positive attitudes towards one another, and those must be encouraged. Our society must be educated.”
“As a result of gender-based violence, women are left with physical and non-physical symptoms, including feelings of worthlessness, disbelief, shame, disgust, utter humiliation and guilt, making it extremely difficult for them to report the violence and even preventing many from reporting it, to the appropriate authorities. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, as we read in our press today, since the COVID restrictions were introduced in Northern Ireland, the number of women murdered has doubled. Eight women have been violently killed as a result of gender-based violence since last March, so, if evidence were needed, there is no doubt that a violence against women and girls strategy is a must.”
“Given the sad news last weekend, the motion is extremely timely, and, I, too, wish to be associated with the condolences to the Newtownabbey family. <BR /> <BR />Gender-based violence against women is the systematic use of violence to reinforce power over women. That generally involves domestic violence and/or sexual violence, which is used to reinforce that power. While all violence is wrong and I recognise that there is violence against men by their partners and same-sex violence, the violence directed against women is disproportionate in comparison.”