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 fundamentally believe we need to take a much stronger and strategic approach to workforce planning. I understand that, in this case, there is a 1·5 whole-time equivalent breast surgeon's post vacant, as well as two vacancies for breast screening radiologists in the Southern Trust area. Can I ask the Minister for an update on the recruitment to those posts? We cannot allow workforce planning issues to continue to impact cancer services, particularly in the way we have witnessed to date. Cancer care is a top priority for the people we all represent. We must see improvements in the care we offer.”
“Often, the care is administered by a small specialist team; any discontinuation of health personnel can have a big impact. We are all too aware of the staffing challenges facing the different areas of our health service, from GPs in rural practices to consultants in emergency departments to nursing staff in our hospitals. I experienced the pressure on an emergency team in Newry with a loved one in the last month. I saw the pressure under which they functioned, and it was extraordinary to see the care and attention on offer from people who were working at breaking point.”
“I know that the Minister will tell us that, as we speak, those figures have improved; in fact, 100% of patients referred are seen within 14 days. The Minister will assure us that the dip in performance in June and July of this year was due to unforeseen circumstances. Whilst I appreciate that may be the case, for those waiting for those appointments in June and July, that delay only added to the worry and anxiety. <BR /> <BR />The services offered to breast cancer sufferers at the Mandeville unit or the Macmillan cancer care unit in Craigavon Area Hospital are second to none. The compassion and care on offer are shining lights. Time and time again, families tell me of the love, the care and the attention given by the staff there. Cancer care, however, is such a specialist field.”
“Forgive me: I empathise with all Members who have lost a loved one, and my empathy rings true. <BR /> <BR />The motion refers to the crisis affecting cancer services in the North and, in particular, the fact that only 6·7% of breast cancer patients in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area were seen within 14 days during June of this year. Mr Deputy Speaker, if you or your loved one has been referred to a cancer specialist, be it for breast cancer or any other cancer, even 14 days seems too long. The agony, the worry and the anxiety must be terrible as a patient. If your father, mother, wife, husband, son or daughter is going through that anguish, it must be heartbreaking. We as a legislature must step up and tackle the issue. <BR /> <BR />The Southern Trust covers the area I have the privilege of representing.”
“Standing here, my blood boils when Members in the Chamber accuse the Opposition of political point-scoring, scaremongering or being negative in tabling this motion. That is the stock answer. You have all been well coached. That does not wash when it comes to cancer services. It has already been said that there is no home or family across this region that has not been touched by cancer. I have to empathise with those Members who have lost loved ones and who have been touched by cancer. Whilst the survival rates across the range of cancers are constantly improving globally, if you have lost a loved one those survival rates are cold comfort at a time of great loss.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers to date. What are the guideline specifications that the utility companies must adhere to, and what is the timescale by which they must comply for the reinstatement of footways and roadways?”
“Your predecessor announced £10 million capital funding, of which more than £9 million has not been drawn down and returned to the Treasury. What will you do for GPs now by way of a rescue package that can go into front-line general practice before large areas of my constituency are left without a GP?”
“As of last week, a large practice in County Armagh is operating with ad hoc locum cover —”
“The Minister will be aware of the real pressures on GP practices, especially in rural south Armagh and rural Fermanagh. This pressure has now reached urban areas, with many practices at risk of collapsing —”
“Thank you for your answer so far. Will the Minister commit to a condensed Budget timescale and agree additional sitting days and Committee meetings in December to ensure that elective representatives can give fair scrutiny?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers to date. How many rates bills were reduced following reassessment in the last financial year?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. In it, she referred to the issue of mental healthcare in prisons and the work that she is doing with the Minister of Health in the North and the Minister for Justice in the South. Will she outline the shape of the discussions that she is having with the NIO in relation to provisions for those with mental health trauma arising from the conflict as part of current legacy meetings? Is she having a similar discussion with the Minister for Justice in the South, given that there are people in Ireland, North and South, who are victims and survivors of the conflict?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer thus far. Will he update the Chamber on what actions he has taken to address the lengthy precautionary suspensions of staff that are costing the Executive millions of pounds a year?”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion. Last night, you may have seen Tomás Ó Sé, a guy whom I had the honour of playing football against, on 'Claire Byrne Live Extras'. Having identified a lack of education on diet and lack of exercise in primary schools. he has instigated a programme that is starting to educate young people about the sugar content of their food and the importance of exercise. It has had tremendously positive effects on young people, not alone on their health but on their self-esteem. The power of sport and exercise in developing kids and improving their health is enormous, and it is very positive in developing their self-esteem and character.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. The Newry canal is of obvious historical significance to our region of Newry and Armagh and has the potential to link Coleraine to Carlingford lough. What has been done to exploit the commercial and tourism potential of our eastern seaboard canals? Will the Minister outline whether he has discussed this development and provide a time frame of when he expects the work to be completed?”
“Will the Minister give his assessment of student travel concessions, especially for those at university? Does he think that those concessions are reasonable at present?”
“Thank you for your answer, deputy First Minister. I hope that you enjoyed the match yesterday. We are going to get another day out. Will the deputy First Minister provide an update on how dormant bank accounts in the North, which amount to some £7 million, will be used for social investment strategies?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers to this point. Will she outline whether she intends to bring forward new adoption and fostering legislation to ensure that looked-after children are placed in a safe and caring environment rather than being kept in institutional care and other temporary care settings?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I am sure that he is aware that many residents and businesses in my constituency cannot access fibre-optic broadband, especially in places like Derrynoose, Armaghbreague and in the heart of south Armagh. Will he explain his Department's future ambitions and planning for the delivery of broadband infrastructure beyond the Continuing to Connect strategy, which takes us up to 2017 only?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Can he give the House an update on the progress of the INTERREG IVa applications that went to the steering committee last week, some of which are for projects in my constituency? Will he assure the House that letters of offer for successful projects are issued in advance of the Chancellor's autumn statement?”
“I congratulate the Minister on her appointment. I wish you well in the months and years ahead in your new role. In light of the outcome of last week's EU referendum and the "Leave" campaign that your party supported — your party said that we would all be better off as an outcome of us leaving — what guarantees can you give to our farmers that their single farm payments will continue beyond the two-and-a-half-year period? How much reassurance and comfort can you give them that they will be better off as an outcome of leaving?”
“What proportion of the funding will be available to Newry and Armagh?”
“Our leadership has a duty to be conciliatory and not triumphalist. Unionists need to reflect on the disuniting nature of this outcome. For the Irish Republic to remain part of the EU, it must now join the Schengen agreement, which, inevitably, will lead to a hard border, but where? The land border must move to the island of Britain. This decision will have an impact on all our islands.”
“This outcome has disrupted relationships at best.”
“The QUB cancer researchers, the aeronautical researchers and other higher education research departments rely heavily on EU funding. For us to remain competitive, we need a strong tertiary education system with strong research functions. What reassurance can you give them? What is your plan? <BR /> <BR />How relevant is your Budget now, given Friday's outcome? Does it need to be rethought? It is not my intention to catastrophise. The tsunami has landed; we are where we are, and we need cool heads. We are in the situation that we are in, and the First Minister's party proposed this. We need to see leadership from her and from the Minister of Finance. We need to see her plan. This has so many implications across our society and across our Ireland. On this island, 30 out of 32 counties want to remain part of the EU.”
“They want answers. <BR /> <BR />What are the implications for Invest NI? An outcome of Friday's decision is that access to market now has a big question mark over it. Will Invest NI have no certainty for two and a half years? What do they do now? Do they just press the pause button? <BR /> <BR />I have spoken to our voluntary and charitable sector. They have had sleepless nights. How is your Budget linked to the charitable organisations? They say that, without EU funding, they will not have jobs. Can you reassure them? <BR /> <BR />I have spoken to our tradesmen, men who leave in their vans for Dublin every morning. They are worried about the impact that Brexit will have on them. Can you give them any comfort? <BR /> <BR />Many of our major stakeholders do not know, as of last Friday, the status of their budget.”
“They want to know if the export of live lamb to the South will continue. They have huge concerns. Minister, are you not worried about the tractors coming hurtling up the avenue because the farmers have not received their subsidies? They will not be coming to see me; they will be coming to see the First Minister and they will be coming to see you. Where is your plan? <BR /> <BR />People in our tourism industry are worried about the images we are sending out to the world as an outcome of last week's vote. I have talked to our newcomers in Armagh city. They say that nobody knows what is going on or what the future holds for them. They are worried about travelling and their jobs. Can you reassure them? They want answers. <BR /> <BR />I have met industry in Newry city. They are worried about their competitiveness. Will there be tariffs?”
“In Newry and Armagh, we hope that that type of relationship can be extended to other border communities to pool resources and expertise and help our people. The question that the Finance Minister has to answer is this: how has Brexit impacted on our ability to expand services on a cross-border basis? <BR /> <BR />I live in a border constituency. An estimated 30,000 people cross the border every day, a large proportion of whom are from Newry and Armagh. I have been out speaking with people, and last week's referendum result has left a sense of shock. People are worried about the consequences for them. The result has huge ramifications, not only for people in Newry and Armagh but for Ireland. I have spoken to our farmers in south Armagh, and they want to know if the single farm payment is guaranteed for the next two years.”
“Report after report on high waiting times, coupled with the recent Assembly debate on waiting times, highlights the need for urgent action. By addressing those problems, the Minister can begin to tackle emergency room waiting times, which have spiralled out of control. People in my constituency are angry because they feel that decisions about healthcare are made to save pennies rather than to save lives. They do not want to travel further and longer for healthcare treatment or wait longer for consultations and essential treatments. <BR /> <BR />We have already seen the potential for cross-border initiatives with the new radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin. That is a pioneering project in terms of North/South cooperation, facilitated by our membership of the EU.”
“How does it plan to deliver all of the A5 and A6, never mind the much-needed east link and north and west link roads in Armagh and the southern relief road in Newry? Minister, can you tell me how much of the Northern Ireland Executive's Budget is match funded by the EU? <BR /> <BR />Moving back to my constituency and turning to health, I reiterate the words of my colleague Mark H Durkan: we need to spend money on health much more wisely, as opposed to just spending more. Daisy Hill Hospital and its emergency department are vital resources for our community. Recently, there have been discussions about staff shortages and the failure to fill publicly advertised posts. Health trusts have collectively spent over £50 million on temporary staff alone. They should focus on reducing that and recruiting permanent staff as a cost-saving measure.”
“He knows so well, being from a rural constituency, of the impact of dangerous driving conditions and the damage and danger that they cause. Investment in road upgrades will continue to help to improve road safety and ensure access across the North. So far, in my short time on the Committee, I have seen that the outlook is bleak. We have heard about the 9% budget cut and the £1 billion backlog in investment. The Minister and the departmental officials did not seem to have any suggestions about how to deal with that backlog other than trying to keep on top of it, which does not fill us with much confidence. If that is the way in which the Department deals with issues such as road maintenance, we are right to be concerned.”
“Northern Ireland must have a modern rail infrastructure, and we must see the continued development of a modern railway system throughout the North and across the island. <BR /> <BR />A vibrant and equitable economy cannot operate without a modern road network. Chronic underinvestment in the past means that Northern Ireland's road network is no longer fit for purpose. The SDLP wants to see a roads strategy using 20 years' modelling and agreed in cooperation with the Dublin Government. In the situation in which we now find ourselves, that cooperation is even more crucial. <BR /> <BR />Alongside delivering roads, the maintenance of our current roads is vital. I also called on the Minister to prioritise rural road repairs.”
“Thousands of people in my constituency get in their car every morning and travel to Belfast because there is inadequate rail provision. I know that many of those people would much prefer to use the train for their commute to work. Over the past number of years, we have seen rail services between Belfast and Newry becoming less frequent and more expensive. There are 46 trains from Portadown to Belfast every day and only 10 from Newry. The last train for Portadown leaves Belfast at 11.00 pm; the last train for Newry leaves at 8.00 pm. I have previously asked the Minister for Infrastructure what he intends to do to address that inequality in rail provision, and I repeat that call today.”
“I rise to speak specifically on how the Budget will affect our people: our businesses, our farmers, our healthcare users, our tradesmen and our newcomers. Newry and Armagh is a great constituency. However, things are not all positive. There are constant threats to services in Daisy Hill in Newry. The withdrawal of services in Armagh city is hitting our people hard. Hard-working families, the vulnerable and the elderly are constantly being squeezed. Our young people need jobs at home, and our education system needs fixed. We need real investment in our roads, rail and communications infrastructure, and we need solutions to the problems facing our farmers and rural communities. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Infrastructure Committee, I will highlight public transport.”
“It will, however, go some way towards helping to ensure that our existing businesses are able to compete at a global level. <BR /> <BR />I want to finish by remembering two very important groups. The first is the leaders of the SDLP in my constituency: Séamus Mallon; Dominic Bradley and the late John Fee. The other group is the leaders of the SDLP, who are the reason why I am here.”
“Our young people need jobs at home, and we need solutions for problems facing our rural communities. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of building a truly connected Newry and Armagh. Improvements to broadband will not, in themselves, make Newry and Armagh a truly connected constituency; much more investment and infrastructural improvement is needed before that becomes a reality.”
“Without the correct communication infrastructure, Newry and Armagh, as well as other rural constituencies, cannot attract the investment that is so desperately needed. Businesses tell me that lack of broadband holds them back and costs jobs not just in rural areas but in places like the centre of Newry. Despite years of lobbying BT, it was only through the use of the broadband voucher scheme that high-speed broadband was brought to the WIN industrial estate in the city. I place on record my thanks to Orla Jackson from Newry Chamber of Commerce and Thomas O'Hagan of B4B Telecoms for working with us on that. <BR /> <BR />There are many other issues including health, education, infrastructure and investment that I will use my time here as an MLA to fight for in order to improve the situation for people in the constituency.”
“<BR /> <BR />Reliable broadband is essential for competitive and successful enterprise in a growing digital economy. It is vital that rural communities and businesses have access to effective and affordable broadband if the digital divide between rural and urban areas is not to grow any wider. <BR /> <BR />Newry and Armagh is a great constituency, but things are not all positive. The motion highlights one area in which vast improvement is needed. Just last year, we saw a raft of posters erected claiming to be delivering broadband to south Armagh, but, again, our people have been failed. Just as the posters disappeared, so did those promising to deliver broadband.”
“That is being compounded by widespread digital dereliction, where businesses, schools, farmers and homeowners struggle to reach even basic levels of broadband speed and connectivity. Not spots, as they have become known, impact not only on business but on people living in rural constituencies, farmers, children's education and the ability to drive economic growth and productivity. <BR /> <BR />These are real experiences that our offices are dealing with week in, week out. Just last week, one gentleman from Armaghbreague was told by BT that he will never get broadband. His kids have to travel into Keady to the library to do their homework. There are similar stories in places such as Derrynoose, where in the community centre we met local businesses and broadband providers seeking new and innovative ways of providing broadband.”
“The speed proposed is 10 megabits per second, which is much faster than the 2 megabits per second that is 15% of my constituents' best hope for Internet speed. Many premises in places such as Derrynoose, Madden, Killylea, Cullyhanna, Aughanduff and Forkhill do not have any access at all. <BR /> <BR />Ofcom's most recent report stated that at least 14% of premises in Northern Ireland do not have access to the proposed universal service obligation of 10 megabits per second. The deficit in service provision is most acute in rural areas. In border communities, 42% of premises do not have access to the proposed universal service obligation speed, compared with just 2% of premises in urban areas that currently fall short of the requirement. <BR /> <BR />Rural communities already experience significant isolation.”
“<BR /> <BR />The same report put my constituency at 12th out of 650 when it came to constituencies with 15% of connections being slow, at less than 2 megabits per second. In fact, five of the 12 slowest constituencies for broadband are in Northern Ireland. That means that at least 15% of broadband connections in Newry and Armagh, South Down, Mid Ulster, Fermanagh and South Tyrone and West Tyrone, which, unsurprisingly, are all constituencies with a substantial rural population, are below 2 megabits per second. That is a shocking statistic when you look at the motion. We refer in our motion to the universal service obligation speed, which was proposed by the London Government in November 2015.”
“Turning to the motion, I am delighted to make the winding-up speech on behalf of the SDLP. The motion is vital, not only to my constituents but to the whole of Northern Ireland. That has clearly been reflected by contributors to today's debate. The contributions of Caoimhe Archibald, Mervyn Storey, Sinéad Bradley, Gerry Mullan and others are reflected in my speech. <BR /> <BR />In 2014, a broadband report ranked all 650 Westminster constituencies by the average speed of broadband. Belfast East and Belfast South were seventh and eighth respectively, but Newry and Armagh was ranked 448th. That is 448th out of 650 constituencies. The only Northern Ireland constituency ranked lower was West Tyrone, at 458th. That means that 447 constituencies in the UK have better, faster broadband than my constituents.”
“I have drifted away to the tones of our musicians, dancers, rhymers, bards and poets. An Curadmír. Our dramatists have always made me think a little differently. <BR /> <BR />Newry: our frontier town; our city of enterprise, ambition and endeavour. First Derivatives, Glen Dimplex, Norbrook: three colossi of commerce, industry and finance, sitting atop a multitude of microbusinesses. Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for your indulgence.”
“Then, I awaken in relief, contented that I have not been transformed into an old, withered man. <BR /> <BR />I have travelled many parts of our county: Milford, Keady, Ballyhagan, the two Lisleas, an Mullach Bán, Killeavy, Middletown, Mullaghbrack, Corrinshigo, the Grange, Whitecross, Granemore, Tullysaran and Crossmaglen. I have kayaked the crooked lake, biked the Crooked Road and swum the Albert Basin. I have been inspired by our sporting icons: heroes in Gaelic football, hurling, ladies' Gaelic football, camogie, athletics, golf, soccer, bullets and rugby. Our Ireland captain is from Poyntzpass.”
“I am proud to follow in their footsteps, and, although I could not lace their boots, I will not forget the core values that they held dear. <BR /> <BR />I feel honoured and proud to be an elected representative of the great constituency of Newry and Armagh — Iúr Cinn Trá agus Ard Mhacha. Our place is a place of wonderful historical, cultural, geographical, musical, sporting and economic heritage. We have Eamhain Macha; our cathedral city; Ballymacnab; an Port Mór; Creggan; and the mountain of the steep slope, Slieve Gullion. At the summit of that mountain of the steep slope lies the highest surviving passage grave in Ireland, from where our mythological heroes' ghosts survey an area of outstanding natural beauty. Sometimes, I dream deeply at night, convinced that I hear the Cailleach Beara's keen.”
“They joined the SDLP at its inception and are still passionate, active supporters of the party. My grandfather on my mother's side, a Derry man, was in the RAF. He served in Gibraltar in World War II and went to live in Newry when peace came. He stood for election for the SDLP in 1974. That is a brief taster of the background that gave rise to discussion at our family table, so it was no surprise that I decided to follow in the footsteps of several family members. <BR /> <BR />As I stand here today, I am very aware of my party colleagues who represented the people of Newry and Armagh before me. My immediate predecessor, Dominic Bradley, served the constituency for the last 10 years. Before him, it was Séamus Mallon and the late John Fee. They have left big shoes to be filled.”
“I will make the winding-up speech on rural broadband provision. Before I address the motion, I want to introduce myself to this esteemed institution and formally kick off my role as an elected Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh. <BR /> <BR />My first faltering steps down the rocky road of politics were greeted with a mixture of derision and disbelief. What is a former Gaelic football player with the County Armagh team of 2002 doing? What does a Gaelic footballer and manager know about politics? What right does he have to stand for the SDLP? My family, on both sides, has been involved in politics for four generations. My parents were founding members of the civil rights movement. My father was a member of the committee that organised the Newry march in 1969.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I also wish the Minister well in her new and challenging role. Has any assessment been done by her Department on delays in the provision of beds for treatments due to lack of carers in the community who could facilitate the efficient discharge of patients from hospital?”