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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“I cannot let today pass without welcoming the reopening of the emergency department at Daisy Hill Hospital. I thank the Health Minister, the chief executive of the trust, Shane Devlin, and the entire team at the Southern Trust for their work to remodel Daisy Hill in order to open the emergency department today. Most of all, I pay tribute to the medical teams and support staff for their commitment and determination to keep the show on the road despite untold pressure, duress and uncertainty. They are the heroes who are ultimately responsible for the reopening of Daisy Hill's emergency department.”
“Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí. The principal, parents and board of governors are passionate about the philosophy of educating young people through the medium of our indigenous Gaelic language. The Minister knows that, previously, I have asked him a number of questions about the school and the ongoing work towards its enrolment of 105 and qualification for inclusion in the capital works scheme. Can the Minister advise the House on whether the Department has agreed a site for any new build? Will he take the opportunity, when public health guidelines permit, to visit the school and see the incredibly positive work that is going on there?”
“The Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Michael McBride, who has been as solid as a rock throughout the pandemic, is on record saying that he would be happy for his guidance to be published. People, individuals, families and businesses are now even more anxious, fearful and confused. Given the severity of the situation and the impact of the proposals being made hare today, do you intend to publish the Chief Medical Officer's guidance? We need to break the chains of transmission of this virus, but we need to break the chains of transmission of anxiety, fear, speculation and conspiracy. Can you tell the people that we will defeat this virus if we all play our part and work together?”
“Thank you, First Minister, for your answer. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireas na daoine. We rely on each other for shelter. When Casement is completed, when our stadium of dreams is built, will you commit, if we are still in this place, to attend, alongside me and other Members, the first Ulster final to be played in Casement Park?”
“It is good to hear that you had a meeting with Mick Mulvaney, First Minister. I hope that you enjoyed the craic with him and talking about his Irish roots in County Mayo. Was a minute of the meeting kept, as suggested in regard to openness and transparency under New Decade, New Approach? If so, was a minute kept of the conversation with the Chinese consul to Belfast at your meeting earlier in the year?”
“Is he also referring to the people whom Sinn Féin MPs represent in court?”
“When the Member refers to the people whom Sinn Féin MPs represent by not going to Westminster, is he also referring to the people whom Sinn Féin MPs represent in court?”
“Minister, are you confident that these proposals will facilitate an assessment that will be a true reflection of students' ability? Can you outline how the proposals will impact on languages such as Irish, Spanish and French?”
“What support is required from across the Executive to deliver on all-island rail that will help to enhance our all-Ireland economy?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for his steady leadership throughout the pandemic. Everybody in the health and social care service, and everyone else, recognises the confidence that he gives them through his steady guidance. Will the Minister comment on the recommendation from the Royal College of Surgeons about ring-fencing beds? Will he confirm that emergency surgery will return to Daisy Hill on the resumption of the ED in the coming weeks?”
“No, I want to get home. <BR /> <BR />That cannot be allowed to happen. My rights and the rights of every EU citizen, every Irish citizen, must be protected. The Ireland protocol must be honoured. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am a proud Irishman and a proud citizen of Europe. I abhor the fact that my rights as an EU citizen are being stripped away and that there are those in this Chamber who are going along with it to appease Tory overlords.”
“They know that if you try to assert exclusive sovereignty over this part of Ireland, you are doomed to failure. Are we, here, just going to be collateral damage of Tory ideologues' Brexit bonkers? <BR /> <BR />Over 20 years ago, the Good Friday Agreement recognised the importance of shared sovereignty and recognised the importance of the EU, the UK, the Northern Executive and the Dublin Government's involvements. The British Government's threatened divergence from previously agreed international agreements breaks the law. It is incredible that there are Members opposite who are cool with that. <BR /> <BR />A Member opposite spoke of cynicism. Well, he cannot be cynical about the SDLP's commitment to the EU and to the values of respect, human dignity, human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law.”
“Right now, businesses want and need clear and unambiguous information on where they stand and what the future holds so that they can plan and prepare. Right now, businesses and communities know that the way to achieve this is for the UK to abide by its treaty obligations and work constructively to implement the Ireland protocol.”
“I support the motion. Even though it feels a bit like a repeat of previous motions, there is merit in revising the arguments. <BR /> <BR />The Ireland protocol contains vital protections for the North and the whole island of Ireland. The protocol is no one's first choice for our island, but it is a necessary response and compromise that has been forced by the hard Brexit ideology of the right-wing ideologues in Downing Street. The Internal Market Bill is a blatantly irresponsible instrument that seeks to override the Ireland protocol. It recklessly threatens the Good Friday Agreement, in substance and spirit. <BR /> <BR />Right now, businesses want the protocol implemented in a way that works. Right now, businesses want maximum access to the UK and EU markets.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House and for her answers so far. She will be aware of the plight of cross-border workers, who have been impacted adversely in the north-west and in my region throughout this pandemic. When support is brought forward, Minister, for the north-west, and in response to any future COVID restrictions across the North, will she, along with the Communities Minister, who, ultimately, has responsibility for cross-border workers under EU law, ensure that they are looked after as part of any future arrangements?”
“Sectarianism is accepted as a form of racial abuse. After over 10 years of a DUP-Sinn Féin duopoly here, will the office of the joint First Ministers tell me at what stage their Department is at with the long-overdue implementation of a racial equality strategy?”
“Craigavon Area Hospital is an exceptional hospital, and Daisy Hill Hospital is an exceptional hospital. I agree with the Member for Newry and Armagh that we need to see the ED opened at Daisy Hill Hospital to ease the pressure on Craigavon Area Hospital.”
“<BR /> <BR />I hesitate to pre-empt some of the findings of that investigation, but I believe that a fundamental finding will be that staff were not listened to. Staff were not listened to. Why did they have to come to me with concerns around testing and delays to testing? Why did they have to come to me with concerns about deep cleaning of the ward and deep cleaning of the canteen? Why did they have to come to me concerned about why infection control was not engaged fast enough? Why did they have to come to me concerned about staff being moved from a COVID ward to a clean ward? Staff were not listened to. <BR /> <BR />I want to finish by paying tribute to those staff, the doctors, nurses, porters, cleaners and cooks. Where would we be without them?”
“She said that the level of care that her father got was exceptional. <BR /> <BR />There are 112 staff off isolating between the two hospitals. Can you imagine the duress that that puts on wards and on the remaining staff? Those staff need to be reassured that the lessons that need to be learned will be learned, and learned fast. Patients and their families need to be reassured, and the wider community needs to be reassured, that their hospitals are safe. I welcome the announcement of a level 3 serious adverse incident review and the investigations that will take place in both hospitals. Those investigations must take place post-haste, and I am not filled with confidence having heard the chief executive of the trust on the radio this morning talking about still deliberating over the terms of reference.”
“I thank the Member for Upper Bann for bringing this important Adjournment debate today. I cannot stand here today and pretend that the outbreaks at Craigavon Area Hospital are not connected or linked to the outbreak at Daisy Hill Hospital. Twenty-five patients have tested positive; 11 patients have passed away, tragically; 44 staff have tested positive; and 112 staff are isolating. Eleven families are in the depths of grief, and my sympathies are with those families. They need answers. The words of Yvonne Stewart, who I spoke to, are ringing in my ears. Her father, John Fleming, was admitted to hospital for routine medical treatment. He has since been buried. She deserves answers. Yvonne Stewart could not thank the staff, doctors and nurses at Craigavon Area Hospital enough.”
“Reduction is probably less difficult than utilising a different approach.”
“In the '80s, there were 5,000 breeding pairs of curlews. Now, there are 130. That is a 97% reduction. Many other species are also threatened. The disproportionately high level of ammonia production on this part of these islands is having an adverse impact on the environment. Given the destructive impact of ammonia on the environment, and the threat that it presents to many species, is the Department exploring any innovations to ensure that that destructive agricultural by-product is utilised in an environmentally safe way? I know that reduction is probably less difficult —.”
“Further to Mr Frew's question and supplementary question, what protections are in place to protect someone who has been subjected to persistent unfounded legal action?”
“We need to sharpen our message and we need to lead by example and to suppress the virus.”
“<BR /> <BR />As a member of the Committee for Education I must also pay tribute to the teachers, school workforce, parents and children who have had to change their whole way of teaching and learning. They are showing the rest of us just how we can stand and how we should be able to adapt to what has become the new norm. <BR /> <BR />I have sought to abide by the regulations and the guidelines. Like many others, I could not visit my parents in their home. I could not attend the funerals of people who I knew — people like John Dallat and John Hume. Some of the messaging has been unclear, behaviour from those who should know better has been inconsistent and messages around the regulations and the communications, especially around those regulations, have been mixed.”
“No. I know what you are going to say, so there is no point. <BR /> <BR />I also express my gratitude to the front-line staff in our hospitals and healthcare settings who have fought the good fight, and who are fighting the good fight under incredible pressure and duress, particularly nurses, doctors and healthcare workers in the community, nursing homes and in our hospitals. We owe them a deep and sincere thanks. I especially note the medical teams in Daisy Hill Hospital and Craigavon Area Hospital for their commitment, dedication and devotion. In the face of COVID outbreaks, and while so many staff are off self-isolating, they are still stepping-up and caring for the patients.”
“<BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the community effort in the battle against COVID-19. I know that in my local area, and indeed, across the North and this island, the GAA has been the backbone of the community response. Be that in delivering food hampers or hot meals during the toughest times of the restrictions, or just checking out for people who are lonely at home, they have been unbelievable. On this day 18 years ago my Armagh teammates and I won the all-Ireland — I could not be prouder of the GAA and all that it stands for.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Minister said, we are at a critical time in our fight against the virus and we must redouble our efforts to suppress the virus, protect the health of our population and to protect the health and well-being of our front-line workers, especially healthcare workers. <BR /> <BR />While much has been done, I fear that the public's buy-in to the fight against COVID-19 is being tested. People are fed up of hearing about the coronavirus/COVID-19. They are frustrated with restrictions on their lives and they get really angry when they are making a real effort to comply with the regulations while others, especially those in leadership positions, do not. But however uncomfortable or inconvenient it feels it is imperative that we persevere and we must all lead by example.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing these regulations before the House. While I appreciate that this is a time of terrible turmoil, I, like the Minister and many others in the Chamber, note that some of these regulations have been superseded by events and time. <BR /> <BR />By my nature I am not someone who likes to see restricted movements of people by the Government; it does not sit easily with me that there are restrictions on civil liberties. Nor does it sit easily with me that restrictions have been imposed that mean that our economy is being compressed, which places jobs, our economy and families under real strain. However, I understand that our economy can rebound whereas people's lives cannot.”
“The overarching issue now, however, is that staff, patients, families and the wider community need to know that their hospital is safe and that they will be safe when in hospital. What actions have been taken and what additional resources have been put in place to ensure that that is the case? Can you reassure them today, Minister?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House today and welcome his confirmation that an investigation will now take place. I hope that the Minister will join me today in communicating a strong message that Daisy Hill Hospital is a first-rate hospital with a committed and dedicated staff. Five families are grieving. My thoughts and prayers are with those families. <BR /> <BR />Minister, staff should not have to come to me. I hope that you will ensure that an appropriate mechanism will be put in place for staff to raise their concerns and for them to be listened to. I have a list of questions that patients, families and staff want answers to around testing protocols and delays, infection control and ward deep cleaning — lessons that were not learned from Craigavon.”
“I thank the Member for his comments, but the businesses that I know have not welcomed it. <BR /> <BR />Businesses and communities know that the way to achieve a compromise is for the UK to abide by its original obligations and work constructively to implement the Ireland protocol. It is very simple. I support the motion.”
“Mr Buckley's party did not consent to the Good Friday Agreement, although it did consent to Brexit, which is the source of all the problems here. This island did not consent to Brexit. <BR /> <BR />Businesses want to see the protocol implemented in a way that works, businesses want maximum access to the UK and EU markets and cross-border workers — frontier workers — want to know that they will not be impacted. There are still unanswered questions. Businesses want and need clear and unambiguous information on where they stand and what the future holds so that they can plan and prepare.”
“The Member's party did not consent to the Good Friday Agreement.”
“The Ireland protocol contains vital protections for the North and for the whole island of Ireland. The protocol is no one's first choice for our island, but it is a necessary response and compromise that has been forced by the hard Brexit ideology of the right wing ideologues in Downing Street. The Internal Market Bill is blatantly irresponsible instrument that seeks to override the Ireland protocol; it recklessly threatens the Good Friday Agreement in substance and in spirit.”
“Minister, was the plight of frontier, cross-border workers raised at the North/South Ministerial Council? As per EU law, as I have been advised by various Ministers, North and South, the responsibility for assisting those people lies with the Minister for Communities. Will you confirm that and confirm whether you have made requests to the Minister for assistance for people who have been left behind or fallen through the gaps in the net of COVID support throughout the pandemic?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for coming here and making a statement. Minister, given what previous Members who have spoken said about the increasing numbers of COVID cases from Dublin to Derry, do you agree that we should adopt a Fortress Ireland approach, with heightened collaboration, North and South, to ensure that we battle this virus effectively together?”
“I thank the Minister for coming here today. I had to attend my doctor's surgery — McVerry and McEvoy in Newry — during the pandemic at a heightened time of lockdown, and, whilst the modus operandi of GP surgeries has been completely disrupted, I found it to be very efficient and effective. Thankfully, I did not even have to see a doctor; I was just triaged by a nurse. However, some people have contacted my office and are concerned by the fact that they have not been consulting their doctor. They have been sharing their medical conditions with people who are not their doctor, which makes them uncomfortable. Others have contacted me about delays in accessing their GPs. Those have not necessarily been specifically in Newry and Armagh, but how can you give those people assurances about what to expect going forward?”
“We are all too aware that the lack of a coherent energy strategy has held back our economy and Government. This planning application is the result of an energy strategy decades old. Have the Minister and her officials considered the impact of this approval on the new energy strategy, which has still to be consulted on? Does she consider this decision to be premature, and why is the interconnector not being laid underground?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the House to speak on this important issue. I am devastated today for Safe Electricity Armagh and Tyrone, local communities, campaigners, businesses, farmers and householders. There is going to be a terrible scar across our beautiful countryside in County Armagh. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that we are able to meet here today with the lights on. If we were to listen to the arguments presented by SONI, the lights would be off. The interconnector should be underground. EirGrid recently demonstrated that it is laying a cable underground in County Clare and County Meath. Why is that not possible in County Armagh and County Tyrone? <BR /> <BR />That ugly line of unsightly pylons is going to be unacceptable through our beautiful countryside.”
“Minister, the transfer test has been postponed until January. Is Christmas cancelled for young people and the families of the children who are affected?”
“I thank the Member for her contribution. I agree: people who are on their knees financially just want support. They do not care where it comes from. <BR /> <BR />I strongly support the delivery of supports and/or a support package for those who have fallen through the safety nets of supports. That is imperative for services in our community, for businesses and for jobs. If this place is to mean anything to the people whom we represent, we must act collectively and deliver a package of support for those who need it most and need it now.”
“<BR /> <BR />I strongly support the delivery of support and/or a support package for those who have fallen through the safety net of support.”
“No. <BR /> <BR />After months of denying responsibility, the Minister for the Economy surrendered the power and responsibility to the Executive last week. It has now been passed to the Infrastructure Minister to deal with. I am confident that the Minister, with, hopefully, the support of the Finance Minister, will deliver a package of support that the sector so badly needs, and quickly. Some in the House try to suggest that it was a game of ping-pong. Take the politics and the politicians out of it and listen to the sector. One of its leaders — Karen Magill — spoke unequivocally on the radio yesterday; she called it as she saw it. She noted who has been consistently honest and supportive of the sector through all these months: Nichola Mallon.”
“They, too, are entrepreneurs and are the backbone of our high streets, and yet someone in Netherleigh thought that they should not be eligible for support, despite a package being put in place by the Scottish Government for similar companies in Scotland. <BR /> <BR />Finally, there has been dreadful treatment of our bus, coach, taxi and haulage industry.”
“I agree with the Member who spoke previously: every Minister should fulfil their responsibility. <BR /> <BR />All those who are newly self-employed and the self-employed who are deemed to be company directors are frustrated, scared and financially on their knees. They are the entrepreneurs who are the bedrock of our economy. They have bravely taken the risk to establish a business. Their staff can be furloughed, and yet they have nothing. There are then the businesses that have multiple premises. They were ruled ineligible for business support grants. They are our small independent traders. They have shops and outlets in different towns or cities.”
“I have raised this issue with the First Minister and deputy First Minister, the Economy and Communities Ministers, and the Finance Minister. I have also written to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Social Protection Minister in Dublin. <BR /> <BR />Many of my constituents who cross the border daily for work are highly skilled workers who engage mainly in the construction sector. They pay their taxes and feel abandoned, North and South. The responses from all the people whom I wrote to were uniform; they all pointed to the relevant EU law and agreed that the responsibility to bring forward a bespoke package for the cross-border worker is with the Department for Communities. Everyone said that the responsibility lay with the Minister for Communities, apart from the Minister for Communities and her party colleagues.”
“I thank the Member for bringing this important motion before the House today, which I am happy to support. Over the past six months, I have been inundated with pleas for help from businesses in my constituency. Although we were able to guide them to many of the support packages, including grants, the furlough scheme and the package for the self-employed, a significant number of people and businesses have fallen through the safety net of support. <BR /> <BR />I come from a border constituency. One of the major issues that I have come across is the lack of support for cross-border workers. They have not been able to access the Irish Government's pandemic payment scheme or the job retention scheme here and have been left to fare on universal credit. Those highly skilled people are struggling to keep their families going on universal credit.”
“What is being done to ensure that staff and patients are being tested — and that test results are available — in a timely manner? I am talking specifically about what has been happening in Daisy Hill Hospital over recent days to some staff members and some patients in the medical wards. I want to offer my condolences to those families who have lost loved ones in recent days. I also want to convey my best wishes to those people who have contracted COVID and I hope that they can make a full recovery.”