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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“Can the Minister give any assurance that she will engage with the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy to take action that will really make an impact and a difference for businesses and traders alike?”
“Minister, thank you for meeting with Newry BID, the council and other stakeholders in relation to parking, greenways and cycleways, and for giving them a road map for the resolution of this matter. Parking is an issue for some traders and businesses, but there are other issues. Furlough has ended, the high street voucher scheme has, for a large part, displaced Christmas shopping, and meanwhile the costs of living and of running a business are spiralling. It looks like it will be a bleak first quarter of trading for 2022. Can —”
“I welcome the new Member for West Belfast. It is good to see two gold fáinnes in the Chamber at the one time. Excellent. <BR /> <BR />Minister, will you update me on the FASTER project and the ESB monopoly in providing the EV charge points, and will you tell me how someone who is a provider and innovator in that space and might be useful on the EV task force can get on that task force?”
“Minister, you will be aware of the educational trauma experienced by children and young people awaiting a statement and support; the ripple effect of that, which cuts through not just their family but their community; and its impact on them in later life. Will you give us an update on the waiting lists for special educational needs assessments and support, and will you update us on the conversations that you are having with the Health Minister around tackling waiting lists?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. How will the Executive Office bring Ministers and Departments together to tackle the climate crisis in a collective, meaningful, impactful and consistent way, and do you recognise and appreciate the urgency of the word "now"?”
“I welcome the statement and any initiatives to help our biodiversity, environment and green economy. However, what I do not get from this statement or the previous one is a sense of urgency. We need a flashing green light on the roof of this place telling us that we are in a climate emergency. <BR /> <BR />There is no mention of the reintroduction of species or of species that are under threat. There is no mention of big picture items that will really make an impact. I do not see that ambition here, Minister. Forgive me if I am not getting it, but I do not sense that ambition. We need a flashing green light on the roof of this place telling us that there is a climate emergency.”
“Thank you, Minister, for the statement and for the impetus for the statement. We all need to play our part in creating a new green society. <BR /> <BR />The statement lacks vision, big-ticket items and blue-sky thinking. I will make a suggestion: how about opening the canal between Newry and Lough Neagh? How about reopening, reconstructing, refurbishing, revitalising, rewilding and restocking the Newry canal, involving Infrastructure, Economy, Education and Health? Let us do something brilliant and imaginative and rewild that artery through our land. How about that for an idea?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I spoke to Oliver McVeigh on All Souls' Day last week. His brother Columba was abducted on Halloween night so many years ago. What will you, as joint First Minister, say to Oliver McVeigh? What will be done to ensure that his brother's remains will be found and given the dignity of a Catholic burial? What will you commit to doing? No more platitudes like, "We can do better. We can work together". What will you, as joint First Minister, do to give that man and his family some peace and peace to the families of the disappeared?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House to answer this important question. Minister, what hope can you give to patients and the families of patients who are waiting for cancer operations, hip replacements, scans, gall bladder operations or consultant appointments?”
“Minister, I have just attended a gut-wrenching event at the front of the Building, at which the families of the disappeared walked in silence to the steps of Stormont and laid a wreath in memory of those who have disappeared. I was speaking to Oliver McVeigh, whose brother has been lost for so many years. I was speaking to Anne Morgan, whose brother Seamus Ruddy was found four years ago and then buried. She still pinches herself every day that he was found. <BR /> <BR />The families are so strong, and their dignity is extraordinary. Although there are pressures on the Justice Department's resources, can you tell me whether the resources are there to help those families locate their loved ones? Moreover, are the resources there to ensure that those who were responsible for the disappeared will be brought to justice?”
“The Member talks about the importance of our doing something. Can he clarify his understanding of what happened at the Executive meeting? The Communities Minister put in a bid for an uplift in universal credit, which has obviously been taken away by the Tories. We have to play our part here and care for the people who need that support the most — the most vulnerable people in our society, as the Member mentioned. Can the Member clarify his understanding of what happened at the Executive meeting? Who supported that bid and who was opposed to it?”
“Apologies, Cheann Comhairle. I just feel strongly about it. Others will have a different view, but there should be no opposition to anything that reduces the pressures on our health service and keeps people alive. <BR /> <BR />I support the implementation of the regulations. I look forward to hearing other people's contributions.”
“Why is there opposition in the House to vaccine certification in order to keep our healthcare staff, families and communities safe, lessen the waiting lists and reduce the waiting times for people who are waiting for operations and cancer treatments? Why is there opposition to that? What is the problem? <BR /> <BR />It is important that everyone is absolutely clear: the decision not to employ vaccine certification abdicates —”
“<BR /> <BR />The evidence from other jurisdictions is clear. The introduction of vaccine certification encourages vaccine uptake, particularly in younger age groups. Surely that is not too much to ask in the interests of keeping the public, families and staff safe. Our proposals for vaccine certification were blocked in the Executive by the DUP and Sinn Féin, who have, instead, left the matter in the hands of individual businesses. Some businesses are stepping up and taking responsibility. I believe that, to attend this year's Belfast Christmas Market, you will have to have a vaccine certificate.”
“We are still recording over 1,000 new cases of the virus daily, and people are, literally, dying. We hear about the challenges being faced by our emergency departments and the threat of closure of some of them. <BR /> <BR />Everyone in the House should recognise the need for vaccine certification while we are in this situation. To me, it is a no-brainer. Anything that can encourage more people to get vaccinated, to lessen the demands on our health service and shorten waiting lists is a no-brainer. Why is there opposition to it? The SDLP has been absolutely clear from the start about the pressing need for vaccine certification. Vaccine certificates are a proven alternative that will allow us to prevent another lockdown. Who could be against that? They are about protecting our health service from being overrun. Who could be against that?”
“People such as Séan Cunningham, Anne Garvey, former commentator on this place Eamonn Mallie, Liam Hannaway and Úna Walsh created a tremendous sense of optimism, and they have turned that into a book and held a great event in Lislea last weekend. The proceeds of the book will be donated to the Rural Health Partnership, which helps people deal with mental health challenges. It is a positive story from lockdown. <BR /> <BR />I will move on. Rarely a day goes by without another horror story about the state of our health service. This year's winter pressures have arrived earlier than normal and are affecting services across the board. Our healthcare staff are crying out for help; they know that what is to come will potentially be a "winter of discontent".”
“I could see, in the weekend press reports, the excitement on the faces of young people who were out having fun and socialising in a way that has been denied them for so long. It was heart-warming to observe. <BR /> <BR />Mrs Cameron referred to the arts sector opening up again. I, too, am a big fan of the arts sector, and I am excited about the Lislea drama festival being able to run in 2022. So many negatives have been associated with lockdown, but the Lislea community prepared a poetry book, 'Room to Rhyme', based on the poetry recitals given on Facebook during lockdown. That lifted people and gave them a sense of hope.”
“It is important that everyone who has been invited for a vaccine booster takes up that offer and that those who have not yet been vaccinated come forward to receive their vaccination. That collective action will be vital in allowing our NHS to cope with additional seasonal pressures and ensure that, over the winter months, non-COVID patients get the care that they need and have waited for so desperately. <BR /> <BR />Amendment of regulations and easing of restrictions gives many people cause for excitement. The public are happy that they can return to nightclubs. Young people have been deprived for too long, and I feel for them because that big part of their life has been taken away from them for so long.”
“Some 90% of our people are vaccinated. That creates space for cautious optimism, and we have to say, "Well done" to the healthcare teams and volunteers who ensured that it could happen. Nightlife venues have reopened, and that is an indicator of a return to normality. <BR /> <BR />Only 52·5% of 16- and 17- year-olds are vaccinated, and uptake needs to be higher among young people. They need to do the right thing to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe. We are behind with the roll-out of the booster jab. The Health Minister will probably enlighten us as to why that is. <BR /> <BR />Every winter, seasonal pressures are felt across the NHS, and this year will be no different.”
“In terms of putting up or shutting up, Minister, which Ministers in the Executive supported the bid for the universal credit uplift? Name Ministers who did support it.”
“Our children deserve to be looked after"; and "You can go into a restaurant and get pinged for sitting beside somebody for 15 or 20 minutes, but you can go into a classroom and be in close contact with numerous other children who have tested positive, and nobody is even notified. That needs to be addressed". <BR /> <BR />The prayer of the petition is that, if classmates of pupils who have tested positive for COVID are classified as close contacts, parents should be informed if a pupil in their child's class tests positive for COVID.”
“She wants parents to be kept informed and kept up to date on what is happening. <BR /> <BR />Some of the reasons given for signing the petition are: "I work in day care, and it is ridiculous that children can come into a setting when there is a positive case at home"; "I work in a school where nine children out of my class have tested positive, while a few others have been off sick and came back early without being tested"; "It is the right thing to do to protect our young people"; "As a teacher, I know that children in schools are, without doubt, in close contact. The current regulations are shocking. It is as though COVID doesn't exist in schools, which couldn't be further from the truth.”
“They talked to me earlier about how worried they were when a friend in their classroom tested positive, yet their parents were not automatically informed. They are worried. What is happening in schools at the moment is inconsistent. Contact tracing amounts to nothing in some schools. It is largely fair in other schools, while a strict approach is adopted by others, whereby all classes are sent home. There is too much inconsistency, which is creating too much fear and concern around the issue. Parents and children are worried, and, even though adults are doubly vaccinated, they can still get sick from COVID. Those people are still expressing huge levels of concern and anxiety. <BR /> <BR />The bringer of the petition sees this as being a health issue and wants it to be addressed as such. She does not want schools to be closed down.”
“It gives me no pleasure to table a petition with 35,425 signatures from parents, teachers, grandparents, carers and classroom assistants who are concerned about the contact-tracing measures currently in place, or not in place, in schools. They want the contact-tracing system to be reassessed. Some 35,425 people have expressed their concern about the current arrangements, or lack thereof. <BR /> <BR />The bringer of the petition is Suzanne Kenny, and I thank her for starting it. Her mother is here today, and she says that the petition just goes to show the depth of concern in school communities from parent groups, teachers, support staff, grandparents and carers. <BR /> <BR />Suzanne's children, Eva-Rose and Scarlett, are here today.”
“Yes, very quickly, Mr Speaker. I feel that it is long past time that the DUP get off the back of the GAA. The GAA is not a sectarian organisation.”
“<BR /> <BR />While we will hear a lot of words from world leaders and media pundits over the next few weeks, it is only through radical, collective action that we will seize this moment to save our planet. For the sake of our planet, we must demand that radical action from our leaders across the globe over the next two weeks. We owe the next generation nothing less.”
“At this summit, the global community must finally recognise that this cannot be a moment for small thinking, small talking, limiting our ambitions or tinkering around the edges. Neither is it a time for platitudes, warm words or rhetoric alone. If we are to save this planet, this is a time for radical action. That is why we have co-sponsored a climate change Bill in the Assembly, why our party leader has proposed radical climate legislation in Westminster and why Dolores Kelly is bringing forward her environmental and nature restoration Bill. We recognise that further hesitation is simply not an option. Young people everywhere are showing and leading the way with their activism. We must listen to their leadership, follow their example and step up to the plate.”
“As the COP26 summit gets under way in Glasgow, the challenges facing the North could not be starker. We remain the only part of these islands not to have net zero carbon legislation, and we have failed so far to take the bold steps necessary to transform our economy and society to address this crisis. This is despite the fact that we risk suffering the worst effects of climate crisis, from flooding, coastal erosion and extreme weather events to threats to our biodiversity and more. The SDLP's message on the climate emergency is clear: it is the greatest threat that our world faces. It is the fight of our lives, and it demands radical action. <BR /> <BR />While we often hear this crisis described as an urgent emergency, too many Governments are still abdicating their responsibility to treat it as such. It is time for that to change.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I remind him that his party handed over welfare to the Tories. I am really disappointed that the Minister and his party refuse to accept responsibility for the situation. First, they blamed the British Government, and now they are accusing the SDLP of being responsible. I am here representing families who have been left with nothing. Will he accept responsibility and reverse the cut?”
“Minister, will you confirm whether you have received any bids from the Communities Minister for the additional costs that it will obviously be necessary to meet on account of delays to the Casement Park project?”
“As an SDLP representative, I am delighted to say that my party has supported the Albert Basin park proposal every step of the way. It is fantastic that other parties have come on board of late, and that is very positive. <BR /> <BR />The Minister talked about the Irish Government's commitments through the Shared Island Fund. What are his commitments, as Finance Minister, to delivering funding to develop infrastructure opportunities on this island? What are his commitments to the Albert Basin park development as Finance Minister in this part of the island?”
“Minister, you say that the Department of Finance has issued guidance. Does that guidance amount to additional funding for the contracts? What is the impact on the programme's time frame? Are contracts being delayed, and are long-awaited school builds being delayed even further?”
“Has additional funding for school transport been made available through the education catch-up programme?”
“Thank you very much. I support the motion.”
“It is not just a physical issue; it is an emotional and a mental well-being issue. Sport is a tool to help children to grow and shine. I am talking about children of all abilities. The effect on children of the withdrawal of that for so long has to be identified and addressed. Hopefully, more support will be provided to allow every child to grow and shine in a sporting sense, in an educational sense and in their lives.”
“In addition, 72% of parents believe their children's mental health has deteriorated during the pandemic. That is another really worrying statistic. Furthermore, 95% of parents say the Department has handled the pandemic badly or could have handled it better. Those statistics are concerning, but I know that you, Minister, will do your best to address them and help every child to have the opportunity to grow. <BR /> <BR />The Minister said that children are strong and able to bounce back and that they have resilience. We must place our focus there. Children are strong and resilient. The Minister was the only Member to mention sport and physical activity. Nobody else mentioned it. What has been the impact of our children not having any access to organised sports and physical activity for over a year?”
“They have had an extraordinary impact throughout the pandemic. I also pay major tribute to sporting organisations, such as the GAA. They have played an enormously important role. <BR /> <BR />Minister McIlveen talked about the pandemic and highlighted the many steps that the Department took. She spoke about how well the Department has done. I have to challenge that, Minister, because the SDLP conducted an education survey that had over 700 respondents. It shows that 87% of parents feel their children have significantly missed out on learning, and 77% believe that has impacted their children's life chances. That is a really worrying statistic, Minister. The survey also shows that 86% of parents believe their children should be given the opportunity to catch up on missed learning.”
“Young people are resilient, strong and determined. They can pull through. Mr Harvey identified the unprecedented level of support that was given to schools in order to address the effects of the pandemic. It is true that there has been a huge level of support, but some people feel that not enough support has been given to certain areas. It is important to recognise that there have been unprecedented levels of support. <BR /> <BR />Colin McGrath spoke about the volunteering work in youth services and the extraordinarily important role they have played. My God, they have. It has been wonderful to observe. Only for them, where would children be? Only for youth services, where would the mental health of so many of our young people be? I thank our youth services, youth workers and volunteers.”
“<BR /> <BR />Nicola Brogan talked about the tsunami of mental health challenges coming down the tracks as a consequence of the pandemic, and she highlighted the importance of more being done to support children and young people's mental health. Ms Brogan drew attention to the abandonment in the first lockdown of children with special educational needs. We do not know what the impact of that has been, but it was a horrendous situation for those children and parents alike, who were in crisis stations every day because of the experience. <BR /> <BR />Harry Harvey highlighted the resilience and determination of young people. That is so important. We must not forget that our young people are resilient and determined. They can overcome the challenges that are placed before them. We must not talk them into a hole.”
“Diane Dodds noted the amnesia in the House about the roles played by certain parties, particularly when it comes to failures in education. Reading between the lines, I think Mrs Dodds was referring to the fact that Sinn Féin had the Education Ministry for 12 years. She wondered whether the references to incompetence and the failure of Ministers applied to its Ministers as well. I wonder about that. Importantly, Mrs Dodds identified the isolation and loneliness that was experienced as a consequence of the pandemic. She said that addressing that was crucially important. She also highlighted the importance of the Finance Minister providing support.”
“I second that — generation courageous — because courageous is certainly what they are. The impact on young people has been extraordinary. Place yourself in a young person's position: your social life, education and sport have been taken away for almost two years of your life. The impact of that on young people may be extraordinary, but I draw attention to the fact that young people are resilient, tough and able to pull through. <BR /> <BR />Pádraig Delargy pulled no punches whatsoever. He talked about a lack of leadership and communication and about the incompetence of the two most recent Education Ministers, Michelle McIlveen and Mr Weir. He talked about how teachers became healthcare workers, IT consultants and contact tracers overnight.”
“I do not think that they will thank you for that Robbie; I think that you were talking about generation COVID and shortened it. However, it is startling to think about the impact that the pandemic has had on young people more than any other generation.”
“That has to be recognised: great exam results have been achieved, and, in the midst of a pandemic, that has to be commended. <BR /> <BR />Chris Lyttle said that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed many of the inequalities in our education system and impacted greatly on teaching staff and children, particularly those with special needs, which is a huge concern for us all. Teachers and principals became risk assessors and contact tracers overnight. What a burden that was to have placed on their shoulders, on top of trying to keep up with their teaching responsibilities and duties. Teachers, school staff and principals did that under extraordinary pressure, which is a wonderful achievement. <BR /> <BR />Robbie Butler suggested that this generation may be referred to as "generation C".”
“Why should my child have access to that provision but the children of some other parents have not? It is just inequality, which is not acceptable. <BR /> <BR />Robin Newton recognised the efforts of teachers and school staff and called out the Finance Minister for his support. It is good to batter the Education Minister, but if she does not have enough money to fulfil the tasks that she needs to fulfil, where do you come back to? You need financing to support all the things that you need to do. There has to be a cross-departmental approach to this: the Finance, Communities, Health and, of course, Education Departments all need to work together to help our kids be the best that they can be. Robin also talked about the great exam results that were achieved and how they were commendable.”
“<BR /> <BR />Pat Sheehan talked about education being dealt a critical blow and said that teachers and pupils have had to adapt to a new way of learning. Mr Sheehan identified the digital divide and how that has impacted on pupils and families. He talked about exams, transfers and the GTCNI fiasco — Minister, nobody can deny that it was a fiasco. He talked about the education of special needs children and how the emotional needs of children have been impacted on by the pandemic. <BR /> <BR />Pat recognised the crucial importance of early years education. I declare an interest as my son has just started early years provision with Sure Start in Newry, and what a provision it is: it is wonderful for the children and the parents. However, some parents do not have access to that provision, which is just not fair and is total inequality.”
“We are not using the data to monitor the impact of COVID mitigations on the rate of infections or contact tracing. <BR /> <BR />On the issue of contact tracing, Suzanne Kenny, who is a teaching assistant in Newry, has started a petition to highlight the concerns of teachers, staff and parents on contact tracing. That petition has 35,000 signatures, and I will be tabling it with the Speaker in the coming weeks. Thirty-five thousand people have signed a petition, sharing their concerns about contact tracing and expressing their wish that it be reassessed. <BR /> <BR />Daniel McCrossan also talked about going back to the drawing board on some of the measures and allocations. More allocations to be provided, perhaps.”
“I am going to draw attention to some of the comments that were made during the debate. Daniel McCrossan said that education has been hit hard. He thanked our principals, teachers and non-teaching staff for their efforts in overcoming the almost insurmountable challenges that they have faced, lockdown after lockdown. He said that sufficient resources must be provided to allow children to catch up. Crucially, he identified that some children have been more affected than others, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs. <BR /> <BR />Mr McCrossan also highlighted a worrying disparity between the spend on catch-up per schoolchild here compared with that in other regions in these islands; it is 60% less here than it is in Scotland.”
“We must recognise that one child in 10 is affected by dyslexia. What will the impact of the pandemic be on those children and on how they will navigate the education system? What will it be on the trauma experienced by children with dyslexia who have not had the appropriate resources allocated to them to allow them to shine and become the great students and leaders of the future that they can potentially become?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Go raibh maith agaibh to all teachers, principals, parents and pupils whose lives have been disrupted beyond belief since the arrival of the pandemic. They deserve major credit, and all Members have shared with me in giving them credit. What they have come through, and how they are prevailing, for the most part, has been extraordinary. <BR /> <BR />I want to identify that, every year, October is recognised worldwide as dyslexia awareness month. It is a time to come together to raise awareness of, share resources for and tell stories about dyslexia successes. One of those dyslexia successes is Dyslexia Awareness NI (DANI), an organisation that, through the Law Centre, will be presenting to the Education Committee tomorrow morning.”
“At this time of uncertainty, strife and struggle for so many people, will the First Minister outline what he hopes to achieve by non-attendance at North/South Ministerial Council meetings? Does he recognise that the politics of "No" and "Never" have not served his party well in the past, and will not do so now?”