Justin McNulty
Newry and Armagh · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for challenging some of the narratives that are peddled in relation to immigration. <BR /> <BR />Minister, what steps are you taking to support community safety partnerships in addressing misinformation on illegal immigration and to help build confidence in how local criminality is being managed?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I welcome the progress that has been outlined today on major waterways projects, including the Ulster canal project.”
“Will you commit to throwing your full support and that of your Department behind that effort by backing the establishment of the task force and by working proactively with local councils and partners, including the Department of the Taoiseach's Shared Island unit, to realise finally the enormous economic, tourism and environmental potenti…”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. We have all seen the deterioration of our high streets and streets in our towns and villages with the shift to online shopping. Vacancy and dilapidation are now sadly the norm. Will the review act as a stimulus for businesses on those streets in our towns and villages?”
“Absolutely. The Minister and the Department can never relinquish the reins of proper scrutiny. <BR /> <BR />The reclassification by ONS will mean that all trust ports can borrow, which will allow them the commercial flexibility to invest more in their infrastructure.”
“<BR /> <BR />The trust port model has stood the test of time and has worked well for the North. We can see the economic and social benefits in the local communities around the ports. In 2025, the DFI completed a review of the trust ports in the North to explore how the Department's policy on trust ports could be updated.”
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“The cost of living is out of control. Hard-working families are really struggling, and we are facing the biggest cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Working families are buckling under the pressure of the exploding cost of heating a home, running a car and putting food on the table. Five hundred litres of oil cost over £600, the price at the pumps in my constituency is among the highest in the North, with some having to pay close to £2·00 for a litre of diesel. That added burden is making it impossible for families to keep their kids in new clothes, make improvements around the house or, God forbid, put a few pounds away for the future. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin has brought the issue before the House today, but the question has to be asked: what has it been doing for the last six months?”
“I understand that you feel regret, but it has to be recognised that the Bill should have united the House. Integrated education should have united the House. Unfortunately, the process undergone to bring the Bill to the House has not united it, and it is obvious that there is division. That is a sad outcome of the way in which the process has been handled. I support integrated education. Our party supports integrated education, and we always have done.”
“Sorry, no. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP believes that what parents want is not a legal definition but their children being educated together, and there are many schools out there that are not integrated formally but that are brilliantly successful at bringing children together. I will tell you what parents want: good schools. The SDLP will always be fully supportive of children being educated together. The SDLP will always be, and always has been, fully supportive of tolerance, equality, fairness and respect for diversity being promoted in all schools. The SDLP wants the child to be back at the centre of our education system. We will continue to spill our sweat for that.”
“The SDLP has been the bridge-builder in the whole process. We have put enormous effort into making the defective Bill better. We were determined and worked diligently to make the Bill a workable piece of legislation that will not disadvantage other sectors.”
“I am not sure how the Member can draw that assertion. I am telling you how I was made to feel throughout the process. That is how I feel, and nobody can deny that. <BR /> <BR />I tell that story about my education because it is vital that the Assembly does not lose sight of the fact that it is not all about integrated education but rather integrating our children together in the maintained, controlled, Irish-medium and integrated sectors. That is already happening organically in many schools across the North, and long may that continue. <BR /> <BR />We in the SDLP want to see our children being educated together. We all want to see our children being educated together. However, the process has been fraught with turmoil, because of the way that it was handled by the Alliance Party. The process could and should have been much better.”
“Sorry, not yet. <BR /> <BR />I had friends such as Lawrence Wong from Malaysia and Davy Lo from Hong Kong. Through Aidan O'Rourke, our outside-the-box-thinking English teacher, the Abbey played sporting contests versus Newry High School at Newry Olympic Hockey Club's pitch: one half GAA and one half hockey. I will not tell you who won the GAA and who won the hockey, but I can say that the Abbey won on aggregate score. I will give way.”
“My education at St Malachy's Primary School, Coláiste Bhlinne Camloch and Scoil na Mainistreach, Iúr Cinn Trá — the Abbey Grammar School in Newry — promoted tolerance, peace, reconciliation and respect for other people's viewpoints.”
“The SDLP brought a measure of protection to Irish-medium schools and to the vital shared education programme, which promotes peace and reconciliation among 100% of our schoolchildren. Our amendments were vital and covered significant gaps in the legislation. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP is in favour of parental choice. That is why we have always sought to support integrated education. The SDLP also recognises the vital role that other sectors have played in educating our children and promoting peace and reconciliation. <BR /> <BR />Throughout the process, I was made to feel like the Catholic education that I received was bigoted and sectarian. I can assure you that that is far from the reality.”
“Problems and concerns were raised by the Irish-medium sector and, more surprisingly, by some integrated schools. I do not want to break confidentiality, but two separate legal advisers pointed to the multitude of complex legal ramifications of the Bill as drafted. <BR /> <BR />The short Bill has been subjected to over 100 amendments, some of which were tabled by the Bill sponsor herself at the earliest possible stage as a result of concerns raised at the Education Committee. The SDLP tabled 25 positive amendments, 18 of which were moved. Those have brought greater clarity and equity to certain clauses, some of which will help to avoid the potential for judicial reviews.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Final Stage of the Integrated Education Bill and thank the Bill sponsor for bringing the legislation to the Assembly. I also thank the many hundreds of parents, teachers and principals who contacted me with their views and concerns. I hope that the assiduous efforts that our party has made to amend the Bill have gone some way to assuage their concerns. <BR /> <BR />It has been a very difficult and complicated process. If we had had a full year at Committee Stage, we would not have addressed all the concerns relating to some elements of the Bill's drafting, legal competence and unintended consequences. Various sectors clearly outlined their concerns about the impact of the Bill and the lack of proper consultation with organisations.”
“I thank the parents and advocates, many of whom are in the Public Gallery. They are all very welcome. It is good to see them here; it is the first day that we are open. They know how important the legislation is. I thank the children and adults with autism for their voice. <BR /> <BR />Amidst all the doom and gloom, of which there has been so much in recent days and weeks, today is a positive day. I stand here as a proud Member of the Assembly; proud that we have sought to provide children and adults with autism with the support that they deserve.”
“I stand here proud of my SDLP colleague John Fee, a Crossmaglen man, who was the first person to mention autism in the Assembly — the first person — God rest him. Sadly, much of the promise of the original Autism Act has not been achieved. That is why the Autism (Amendment) Bill is so important. We must deliver on the promise of the Autism Act for the one in 22 children who have autism, the 18,000 children in the North who have autism, and all the adults who have autism. <BR /> <BR />I applaud the Bill sponsor, Autism NI and the National Autistic Society. I see Kerry Boyd and Arlene Cassidy in the Public Gallery, smiling from ear to ear. They know the work that they have done, but they know that the work starts now. We must deliver for children and adults with autism.”
“I support the Bill. I stand here as a proud south Armagh man. I stand proud of the invaluable contribution of my south Armagh predecessor and family friend Dominic Bradley, a Bessbrook man, who introduced the Autism Act 2011. That Act was described by Dr Arlene Cassidy of Autism NI as "landmark legislation". I will quote her verbatim:”
“Soccer clubs are infuriated by delays in receiving payment from the subregional programme. Can you clarify whether they will receive payment in the mandate? Will you release the legal advice received by your Department in relation to the subregional stadia programme?”
“The Southern Trust has said that, despite repeated recruitment attempts, it has not been able to fill emergency general surgery posts at Daisy Hill Hospital and that that has forced it to remove that service from the hospital. However, in your response to a question on recruitment that I put to you on 20 January, you indicated that the trust last advertised for a permanent general surgeon position at Daisy Hill Hospital on 5 October 2019. The 5 October 2019. That is a symptom of either woeful mismanagement or wilful indifference. Which is it?”
“Minister, I fully agree. It would be positive if you made representations as Minister of Justice. Can you, as Minister, call a shadow Executive to make representations on behalf of this place, state your opposition to visa restrictions and make this place more welcoming to refugees?”
“That is really positive. Today, you made another positive announcement about freezing fare hikes on public transport. People will be delighted about that with the spiralling cost of living and the impact on them. Does the fall of the Executive prevent other parties from putting people first in the way that you have? Why are other parties and their Ministers not stepping up to the plate and putting people first and not party, as they have done for the last 15 years?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answers thus far. The roads in Newry and Armagh are deteriorating. I know that the Northstone case has been a factor in the delays in resurfacing works. Can you give me an update on the investigations following the Northstone case? When can we expect to see further resurfacing works completed in Newry and Armagh?”
“<BR /> <BR />As clause 11 of the Bill stands, references to teacher training are divided over subsections (g) and (h). In particular, subsection (h) involves the training of very diverse groups of people with significantly different but important roles in schools and in support of schools. It is eminently sensible to group, in all instances, the totality of training for the professional teaching staff who are to undergo initial teacher training and continuous professional development, so that all their integrated education training needs can be specified and catered for. That is the purpose of amendment No 18.”
“I move to amendment No 18. The House is well aware that numerous pieces of legal advice pointed to significant drafting errors in the Bill. In some instances, the errors would bring confusion about the Bill's intentions to such an extent that legal challenges would be likely to follow. As the official record shows, that presented major problems for the Education Committee when it conducted its scrutiny role. It is beholden on the House to ensure that only good legislation is passed. In bringing such a significant number of amendments to the House, the SDLP's intention is to address as many of those drafting problems as possible, thus enabling integrated education to benefit and more parents to realise their preferences for their children. In pursuit of that goal, we tabled amendment No 18.”
“What is more, it is fully in keeping with the Bill sponsor's declared intention of recognising the special circumstances pertaining to the Irish-medium sector. It remains to be seen whether the amendment will address all the issues that may emerge when the Bill's provisions are rolled out as an Act. However, the SDLP sees it as an important first step and will have no fear of returning to the House to seek fresh redress on behalf of the Irish-medium sector, should there be good cause. We stand for equality and have a bone-deep desire to see our children as equals. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.”
“Therefore, the SDLP decided to table the amendment. It is a small but significant amendment for Irish language schools.”
“<BR /> <BR />Indeed, the Bill sponsor had indicated under her original proposals for all new schools to be presumed integrated and that Irish-medium schools be considered as a special circumstance and excluded from provisions for integrated education. <BR /> <BR />Following representations from Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, it indicated that, as the Bill emerged from Consideration Stage, it was going to create a conflicting statutory duty on the Department of Education as the Department already has a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish-medium education. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, the UK has a treaty-based commitment to the Irish language more generally, including undertakings under article 8 of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which already apply to the Irish language in the North.”
“It is good to hear the Members opposite debating as Gaeilge. Following on from something that a Member said previously, the SDLP speaks for all sectors. We speak for fairness and equality because that is who we are. <BR /> <BR />I will speak on amendment Nos 11 and 18. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. Following the publication of the Bill and after the amendments made at Consideration Stage, it immediately became obvious that, as a result of what we would recognise as an unintended consequence, potential new schools in the Irish-medium sector would be caught up in the new consultation and reporting process in a way that was probably never intended by the Bill sponsor.”
“I support the two Committee amendments. They make perfect sense. I have not moved amendment No 1 and I will not move amendment No 4 as I feel that I need to do further positive work with the sector. I thank the sector for its advice to date.”
“Minister, this is a bit of a left-field question. You mentioned Monkstown Boxing Club and the wonderful contribution that it makes to its community. The social inclusion and social responsibility that it participates in is incredibly strong and powerful, as are the impacts of sport and the life skills that can be gained from sport. How concerned are you about the IOC's decision to remove boxing from the Olympic Games and the impact that that will have on children and young people? Every child and young person who is a boxer aspires to win a gold medal at the Olympics. What are your concerns about that?”
“However, in this instance, the cause is a good one, and I support it wholeheartedly. Huge credit goes to the Minister for listening and to the parents, families and TinyLife, who have brought the issue to the fore and been instrumental in it being brought into legislation. That is really important and will have a positive impact on children and families in the future.”
“I am supporting the School Age Bill because children, particularly premature children or those who are young for their year, will have the flexibility to start formal education at a time when they are ready. The current system does not afford them that flexibility. Other jurisdictions have already addressed that important issue for children and families. Now is the time for us to do the same. <BR /> <BR />Accelerated passage is not an ideal way of doing it.”
“Thank you for your answer, Minister. Do you agree that, given the cost-of-living crisis that our constituents are facing, it would be entirely unacceptable for any more money to be left unspent? What proposals has your Department to deploy any underspent funds to help struggling families, who need that money most?”
“As a Member for the predominantly rural constituency of Newry and Armagh, I recognise the critical importance of connectivity to high-speed broadband for all country families and businesses. Given that Sinn Féin is on record as appearing to have serious reservations about broadband connectivity for rural businesses and families, will the Minister give me an assurance that he remains committed to ensuring that every family and every business in our rural communities is connected to high-speed broadband and that he is demonstrating good value for public money?”
“In my role as an SDLP member of the Education Committee, I support the Education Minister's Bill. I have nothing further to add, other than to say "Thank you, thank you, thank you; go raibh maith agaibh" to our teachers, who have kept the show on the road throughout the pandemic. They have been pushed from pillar to post, often putting their health and the health of their families at risk in their efforts to keep educating our children and young people.”
“Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. I recognise that the GTC has had a very rough passage over the last few years, and I recognise that there are good people there who are not necessarily associated with the culture that has been allowed to cause all the damage. <BR /> <BR />The concept of teachers having a voice in shaping their profession, including teacher conduct, is important, but the vehicle, as it is currently constituted, is not fit for purpose and is not delivering for teachers professionally or for society. Therefore, we must go back to the drawing board. The SDLP supports the Minister's Bill, because it is a necessary step in starting again.”
“Minister, your heartfelt words about your loss and feelings at the passing of Christopher Stalford, who was your dear friend and our fellow Member, were very moving. I share with you in offering my sincere condolences to Christopher's family — his wife and four young children — his extended family, his friends and you, his DUP colleagues. He was a man I respected. He was a man of passion and principle. I hope that the glowing tributes that were made to him in the House and elsewhere will provide some solace to Christopher's family in the future. Christopher Stalford made an indelible mark in the short time that he was here. <BR /> <BR />I speak as the son of two teachers. I am very proud of their commitment to their profession. There should be a prestige associated with the professional representative body of that proud profession.”
“It is important that we all recognise the brilliant work of my predecessor, Dominic Bradley.”
“Thank you for giving way. Does the Member agree that it is important for all of us here to recognise the invaluable contribution of my predecessor, Dominic Bradley, in introducing the Autism Act 2011? That Act was described by Dr Arlene Cassidy of Autism NI as "landmark legislation":”
“It is disappointing, Minister, that that funding will not be made available for the subregional stadia programme as a consequence of those who walked away from the Executive. I am encouraged by your commitment to try to resolve that and find a way around it. It is good to hear that. <BR /> <BR />Minister, have the recommendations, identified as part of your Department's refresh and re-engagement exercise, been presented to the Executive?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does the Member agree that the crucial contribution from Belfast Mum, as has been mentioned a few times already, has been amazing and that we have to pay tribute to their determination, their ferocity and their commitment to the issue?”
“The Minister needs to work with the Health Minister in the South to solve those issues on a cross-border —”
“Daisy Hill is primely and centrally located on the eastern seaboard in order to serve the wider hinterland of the border regions of Armagh, Down, Louth, Monaghan and Cavan. In view of that, I have had a constructive engagement with the Department of Health in the Republic, and the Minister there has expressed a willingness to work with the Minister up here in order to solve those issues. Can the Minister work with him? There has been too much of people saying, "Last to get, first to lose", and we are sick of it.”
“By its own admission, the trust has said that that will result in an increased demand for ambulance transport. Diverting to Craigavon's emergency department those ambulance patients who have problems that might require surgery will increase the burden on the Ambulance Service and on Craigavon's emergency department. How does putting further pressure on the Ambulance Service increase patient safety for a child in Kilkeel who is having a prolonged seizure? What about the safety of vulnerable elderly patients in Cullaville for whom surgery is not required but who, due to the nature of their illness, should be looked after by a surgical team? <BR /> <BR />Daisy Hill Hospital has been treated like it is located at the end of the world. Well, I have news for some of the establishment thinkers: the world does not end at Newry.”
“Their bottom line was that that median wait time, when combined with the finding that one death occurs for every 82 patients who are delayed in emergency departments for more than six to eight hours, means that, every two days, a patient who would have survived if they had been on the ward will die in Craigavon hospital's emergency department. How will redirecting patients from Daisy Hill to Craigavon do anything but add further pressure to Craigavon hospital? <BR /> <BR />Patient safety has been cited as a central consideration for the trust in deciding to withdraw emergency surgery from Daisy Hill. The argument is that Daisy Hill cannot offer a safe surgical service and that, consequently, the service will be consolidated at Craigavon.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am open about the fact that I am speaking on behalf of not just the people I represent but the medical staff at Daisy Hill who have come to me confidentially with their concerns about the impact of the proposals on Daisy Hill and on patient safety. I feel humbled by the trust that they have placed in me, and I feel a sense of responsibility to represent their views and concerns. They have reminded me that the median waiting time, which was published last week, for admission to Craigavon Area Hospital is 14 hours and 24 minutes. They pointed to the fact that approximately 40 patients per day are admitted to Craigavon Area Hospital.”
“I wish to speak in support of Daisy Hill Hospital. On 20 January, the Southern Trust announced the withdrawal of emergency surgery from Daisy Hill. That has come as a sore blow and has brought a degree of fear to the people I represent, as we are faced, once again, with an attempt to dilute services at our hospital. <BR /> <BR />I am fully committed to health service transformation and the need to rationalise our health service. I will refer to a paper that was published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine on 21 May 2021. That study demonstrates that time is associated with all-cause 30-day mortality for patients who remain in emergency departments for more than five hours after their time of arrival. One extra death occurs for every 82 patients who are delayed for more than six to eight hours.”
“Will that rail link be factored in to the reduction of traffic —”
“Yes. How will traffic be reduced by reopening the Armagh to Portadown rail link, which has been factored into the rail review that the Minister recently completed with Minister Ryan? How will that, hopefully, help our climate as well —”
“Happy St Brigid's Day to you, a LeasCheann Comhairle, and to the Minister. <BR /> <BR />It is fantastic news to hear of the widening and resurfacing of the A3 carriageway from Armagh towards Portadown. The Minister mentioned the Tirnascobe Road junction, near which there is a house that requires a crash barrier. I hope that that can be factored into the design of those road improvement works. <BR /> <BR />The traffic on the road is immense —”
“Minister, you have just described very worrying human rights failures in the Department of Justice. You presented barriers to implementing the strategy, including resource implications. What conversations have you had with your Southern counterpart, Minister McEntee, about pooling resources, both infrastructural and in terms of personnel and expertise, to ensure the best outcomes for all prisoners on this island who have mental health challenges?”
“Minister, I have mentioned this a number of times at the Education Committee, and it is something that I feel strongly about. I will give you the SAC: Stop Acronymising Children. Acronyms dehumanise children and young people. It is time that your Department committed to no longer using acronyms when referring to children and young people. It is not appropriate, and it dehumanises those children; it almost objectifies them. Can we commit to no longer using acronyms when referring to children and young people?”
“It is the same for amendment Nos 66, 67 and 68. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 69 is from the Chair of the Education Committee and removes an unnecessary subsection. Some Members want to remove clause 12 altogether, and we are saying that that is too severe a measure. On amendment No 70 to clause 13 from the Minister, we are saying yes, because it is consistent with changes to clause 6. Amendment No 71 from the Minister is linked to amendment No 7; if amendment No 7 falls, that will fall with it. <BR /> <BR />My friends, that finishes my remarks for now.”
“I trust that the House will see the intent of our proposal and see that our desire is to protect vulnerable children, including those in integrated schools, by enabling social workers and others to concentrate on their vital core functions. <BR /> <BR />On amendment No 61 to clause 12 from the Minister, we are saying no; if amendment No 2 falls, that will fall with it. On amendment No 62 to clause 12 from the Minister, we are saying no; if amendment No 2 falls, that will fall with it. On amendment No 63 from the Minister, we are saying no; if amendment No 2 falls, that will fall with it. On amendment No 64 from the Minister, we are saying no; if amendment No 2 falls, that will fall with it. On amendment No 65 from the Minister, we are saying no; if amendment No 2 falls, that will fall with it.”