Robbie Butler
Lagan Valley · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Officials highlighted that alignment was provided through existing EU-derived arrangements and that coherence with existing regulatory frameworks was identified as a main consideration.”
“I note that the Member for Strangford agrees: she understands the value of our fisheries in those areas. There are other complexities. The Isle of Man Government have now done a bit of a circle around that island, which makes it difficult for our fishers from Portavogie, Kilkeel and Portaferry to craft and graft a living from some of the…”
“The Committee took the opportunity to question officials on several issues and highlight matters warranting scrutiny at Committee Stage but was not limited to those areas.”
“As the Minister said, they have possibly been viewed as competing demands, but they are not competing demands, because clean water is part of sustainable food production.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am glad to see language in the Bill on the sustainability of the aquaculture sector, and I want to lean in a bit on that. Aquaculture pastimes have, perhaps, been underutilised, whether they relate to the angling fraternity or other river and water users.”
“Today, I want to talk about a very talented young girl from Lisburn called Freya Terris. Freya, who is 17 years old, attends Friends' School and studies the piano under former Lisburn resident Rory Dowse. Freya is an incredibly accomplished young pianist and has performed in the Ulster Hall.”
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“I welcome the Minister's announcement. Indeed, it is very much in keeping with the Ulster Unionist Party's proposal of about six months ago when my predecessor, Tom Elliott, whilst in support of the creation of a review, asked for an estimation of governance. I appreciate that. <BR /> <BR />The Minister talked about the stakeholder group. Will he assure us that under-represented groups, such as the disabled and children and young people, who have previously been neglected in government policy, will be consulted on the establishment of the panel and its membership?”
“I thank the Minister for his response to that question. I also thank him for his written responses to the queries that have been raised with me by constituents who cite service-reliability issues, safety-and-capacity issues, economic impacts and environmental concerns. People are finding themselves late for work and hospital appointments. Is the Minister open to looking at the timetabling of trains going to Grand Central, taking into consideration those things that are impacting on my constituents?”
“Can the Minister guarantee that, in those conversations with the Minister for Communities, it will not be lost or set aside and that it will form part of the wider strategy?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I am enthralled by his speech, because he is fulfilling part of the purpose of the motion, which is to get an update. I am a bit perplexed by what he said about the conversation with the Minister for Communities. The issue is wrapped up in the sense of wider poverty, but we must not lose sight of the absolute fact that there is holiday hunger.”
“The Member raises a really good point, and I do not disagree about being honest with the electorate on what can be achieved. However, the Member's party, before the last two elections, announced significant build projects that run into hundreds of millions of pounds. There was a debate on the radio this morning about when they will actually be built. I agree with the Member's statement, but we all have to hold ourselves to the same account.”
“We urge the Assembly to take decisive action to support our children and build a society where access to basic needs is no longer a barrier to basic education.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly has an obligation to respond to those issues with immediacy and compassion. We must look beyond consultation and begin implementing policies that relieve families from the constant financial stress related to schooling expenses. A holistic anti-poverty strategy that prioritises basic needs, food security, adequate, affordable and available clothing and a safe learning environment must be at the forefront of our educational agenda, and it will have a knock-on benefit for health and well-being outcomes in later life. <BR /> <BR />Supporting the motion signals a commitment to providing vulnerable families with the resources that they need, ensuring that no child faces hunger or the stigma of inadequate clothing simply because their family cannot afford it.”
“<BR /> <BR />A national parents' survey from Parentkind has revealed troubling statistics: 41% of parents in Northern Ireland have had to ration heating, and nearly one in five is accruing monthly debt. Furthermore, one third of parents are struggling financially, with many skipping meals to make ends meet. The value of providing a school meal cannot be overlooked in the further benefits that it might provide to families. The cost of school uniforms and the pressures of school-related expenses, such as trips and voluntary donations, are taking a significant toll on many families across Northern Ireland. More than one in three parents has reported a major financial strain due to school uniform costs alone. As much as we would love to think that education is free at the point of access, that, inevitably, is not the case in some schools.”
“A great start would be to provide a single, universal, free school meal at primary school and to ensure that the impact that that would have on learning, health, well-being and childhood poverty is captured, and that we build upon it and do not do it simply for the sake of doing it. <BR /> <BR />Additional support for families of children with special educational needs is paramount to what we do. That means providing supplementary support for families with children who have special educational needs or disabilities. As we know, those families face unique and often higher costs related not only to school uniforms but to other educational materials.”
“I know that he is working on that, and I am grateful, but I ask him for an update on the pace of departmental work in that regard. The Department of Education's recent consultation on school uniform price caps and exploring legislative potential is in train, but we need to see action to ensure that it does not just slip further down the priority line. <BR /> <BR />We also ask the Department to consider the removal of mandatory branded items in PE kits and to lower the cost. We also seek the Minister's view on widening free school meals access and to develop a plan to widen access across the estate, targeting, perhaps, larger groups of families in need and, perhaps, expanding the criteria to provide support for children who are currently ineligible and who struggle with food insecurity — an issue that is very much in our sights.”
“Such programmes should be backed by government support and scaled to meet the demands across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />In response to these challenges, we call on the Minister of Education to do a number of things. They are captured in the motion, but I will take the opportunity to read them into the record and perhaps expand on them a little. We ask the Minister to provide an urgent update on holiday hunger relief, to inform the Assembly about the steps being taken to restore or replace the school holiday food grant scheme and to ensure continued support for our families. Immediate action is needed to prevent children from experiencing hunger during school breaks. <BR /> <BR />We ask the Minister to provide an update on the steps being taken to address school uniform costs.”
“Carers NI's statistics show that 83% of disabled individuals in Northern Ireland have seen their financial situation worsen in 2024 alone, which underscores the urgent need for policies that support all members of society, especially vulnerable populations. Angel Eyes NI, which I mentioned, had a recent summer programme that identified the desperate need for holiday hunger relief. The programme provided meals, food vouchers and family outings and had a significant and positive effect. It employed a holistic strategy, and the results speak for themselves: as I stated, 100% of families felt that the food vouchers and free meals alleviated financial pressure, and over 99% reported that the events positively impacted on their families.”
“That amendment calls for a comprehensive review of eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants and supporting measures to cap uniform costs. Alliance at least recognises the dark co-morbidity of poverty and its impact on many of our children. Alliance's emphasis on removing branded items, such as compulsory PE kits, and expanding access to free school meals is an important recognition of the financial struggles that a growing number of families across Northern Ireland face. <BR /> <BR />The financial pressures faced by families across Northern Ireland are increasing at an alarming rate. They disproportionately affect disabled people and low-income families.”
“Our community and voluntary sector has filled the gap, with groups such as Children in Northern Ireland and Angel Eyes NI standing in over the summer to provide hot meals, food vouchers and inclusive events for families, thereby directly addressing holiday hunger. According to the recent Angel Eyes NI report, 100% of families who received that support stated that it had had a positive impact. That underscores the importance of continuing such support on a formal level. I might add that, when families respond in the manner that they are, they do not do so with any sense of pride. It is a deep hurt for any family or any parent to face into that pressure. <BR /> <BR />By contrast, the Alliance amendment seems to take a more practical approach and recognises the crucial and valuable motion that the Ulster Unionist Party has tabled.”
“A recent survey by Parentkind revealed that over 66% of parents in Northern Ireland find buying school uniforms to be a major financial challenge. The issue disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities, who often face extra uniform-related costs. <BR /> <BR />There are two amendments to the motion, which, I believe, are mutually exclusive. That means that we have to choose between them. In my estimation, the DUP amendment highlights concerns that holiday hunger relief could be further removed into the Executive abyss, potentially ignoring the immediate needs of children and families. That stance risks diluting our focus on this pressing issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />One of the most impactful measures, which, my party believes, was a critical loss, was the funding for the school holiday food grant scheme. The scheme previously offered support to prevent holiday hunger for around 100,000 children and young people across Northern Ireland. Its loss has left families facing deep uncertainty. The end of that vital scheme demonstrates a failure to recognise the reality of holiday hunger, which is a real and present issue that, sadly, affects many children today. <BR /> <BR />The situation is compounded by the rising cost of living. The costs of basic necessities, including food and clothing, continue to rise, pushing many families to the brink. The high costs associated with school uniforms, particularly branded uniforms and PE kits, add an extra financial strain.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The purpose of today's motion is to ensure that, as an Assembly, we recognise the immediacy of the crisis and that we take steps to move beyond consultation and procrastination to address the serious issue of holiday hunger and the high cost of school uniforms and PE kits that places a heavy burden on families across Northern Ireland. We, the Ulster Unionist Party, are gravely concerned by the impact that the absence of a functioning Executive had on social support programmes. The absence of a Government for five out of eight years means that, today, we revisit matters such as school uniforms and holiday hunger that, during my time as an MLA, we have debated at length, as far back as 2017 and, again, in 2020. They were probably debated even before 2017.”
“Minister, thank you for your statement, particularly the part about the just transition. You will know that mental health is an issue of real primacy for me and young people. Will you outline to us what engagement will look like with young people and, in particular, young farmers? I am thinking about the Budget from two weeks ago. Its further implications may mean that they do not see a future for themselves in farming and in agriculture more widely. How will the just transition fit into that and perhaps protect them?”
“First, we can recognise Hourglass and its important work to ensure that older people do not feel isolated, neglected, trapped or powerless. We can speak up about the issue and signpost people to the Hourglass helpline. We can also support Hourglass by looking out for older people in our families, among our friends and neighbours and across our community. We should create an environment in which people are able to grow old safely. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case. <BR /> <BR />Members, take note: we will all get older, and we will all want to be protected from economic and other abuse. Let us support Hourglass and the valuable work that it does, which not only changes lives but saves them, and let us not only do that in Safer Ageing Week.”
“Many older people who are grandparents fear losing access to their much-beloved grandchildren if they do not comply with the attempted manipulation or coercion around their money. Often, the family members who abuse the older person are their only meagre means of support if they have been purposely isolated. The abusers in such instances thrive on that type of impossible scenario, as they know that it makes the barriers higher and increasingly impenetrable for the older victim, who is often left powerless. Feelings of shame and fear of further isolation combine to create a wretched environment akin to a psychological prison for many of our older people. <BR /> <BR />What can we do? Indeed, what can I do?”
“I am told that, every day, the Hourglass helpline hears from older people who have become victims of a range of nefarious individuals. There are distressing accounts of theft and robbery, of being taken advantage of by rogue traders acting in bad faith, and, perhaps most shocking of all, of family members pressurising their older relatives into relinquishing control of their finances or building up massive debts in their name. Since 2021, Hourglass has worked with older victims of economic abuse in Northern Ireland, who have lost an estimated total of around £700,000. Those are only the recorded cases, however; much of the abuse goes unreported. <BR /> <BR />In a cruel twist, economic abuse is often accompanied by emotional blackmail — the aforementioned psychological abuse.”
“I take the opportunity to make Members aware that this is the start of Safer Ageing Week. Safer Ageing Week is an initiative run by the charity Hourglass, which is the only UK-wide charity dedicated to calling time on harm and abuse of older people. Through its helpline, casework service and awareness-raising, it works daily for safer ageing and a fairer society. I fully support its work and agree that it is time to wake up and speak out on the abuse of older people. <BR /> <BR />Older people experience the same forms of abuse as all other age groups: psychological, sexual, physical and domestic abuse; neglect; and, sadly, economic abuse. During Safer Ageing Week this year, Hourglass asks us to take note and call out specifically the economic abuse of older people.”
“For such continued cruelty to be faced by Mr Black and those who lost so much in this horrific and depraved attack is a damning indictment upon every individual and agency that has obstructed, whether by intent or by negligence, the truth about this darkest time being brought to light. I and the Ulster Unionist Party support the motion, and we hope that those with information and those with authority will act.”
“I think that Mr Black was very kind in his description.”
“In the Great Hall, just yards from where I stand, Mr Black said, in his own words:”
“<BR /> <BR />A year ago, the Chief Constable stated that the investigation of an incident at the ombudsman's home in September last year would be resolved in weeks rather than months. Twelve months after that statement and 14 months after the incident, we have had no movement on the matter. That must raise the question of how the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland can function without having the ombudsman in her role for such a period. What impact has her absence had on the office's ability to deliver on essential issues such as the release of the Kingsmills investigation findings? <BR /> <BR />Last month, Mr Black was in this very Building to highlight the impact that the continued failure of the Office of the Police Ombudsman has had on him and on the families of those who were murdered.”
“It has failed to move the Irish Government finally to give up their secrets about that vile episode. That is something on which many of us have communicated with the Irish Government numerous times. <BR /> <BR />The most damning failure to date, however, must be that of the Office of the Police Ombudsman in not providing the findings of its investigation. That failure adds more distress to the sole survivor of the atrocity, Alan Black, along with the families and loved ones of those who were so callously murdered in that horrendous act. The failure of the Office of the Police Ombudsman to provide clarity and to publish its findings, which would perhaps offer some recourse, raises questions about its ability to carry out its remit.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Members who tabled this important motion for debate this evening. There were many dark days during the period that we refer to as "the Troubles". Among the very worst of them was the Kingsmills massacre. It was one of the most barbaric and blatantly sectarian atrocities in our history. <BR /> <BR />It has been eight years since the inquest into the Kingsmills massacre of 10 Protestant workmen began. To say that the process has failed at every level would be an unacceptable understatement. The process has failed to give the families confidence that they will receive information about the loss of their loved ones. It has failed to identify publicly those responsible for that horrific crime, although they are known.”
“Thank you for your indulgence, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Apologies for not being here for the start of your statement, Minister. Does the Minister agree that the Chancellor has potentially drastically under-represented the scale of the problem faced by farmers in Northern Ireland, given that agricultural land in Northern Ireland is somewhere in the region of 20% or 30% more expensive than it is in GB? Also, will the Minister commit to working with the Minister of Agriculture on a specific report that measures, once and for all, the food security implications in Northern Ireland and the impact that agricultural property relief will have on farmers here?”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Speaker, you will well know that Northern Ireland alone feeds around 10 million people annually. It produces 15% of the UK's food supply. The Chancellor seems to forget that that vital food production does not come easily. What the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and the Labour Government have done with the Budget may well be the final straw for many of our struggling farmers. The move undermines not only their livelihoods but the stability of our nation's food security. It is a shameful assault on the families who have dedicated their lives to feeding us all. <BR /> <BR />Let us send this clear message: our farmers deserve better; our food security deserves better; and if the Labour Government will not stand with our farmers, we will.”
“It is critical that we speak up, united, and challenge the Labour Government's alarming disregard for the future viability of family farms in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />Farming, as we know, is already a relentless, hard-work, low-profit industry. Farmers push through 365 days a year in every weather, facing fierce, global price competitions and mounting climate and environmental demands. We also know that there are growing labour shortages. Yet, in a single Budget, its first in 14 years, the Labour Party has struck a potentially devastating blow to our family farms, unravelling one of the last supports securing their very future. The precarious balance of securing farms of scale and family tenure could be destroyed in one fell swoop by changes to the agricultural property relief.”
“<BR /> <BR />We cannot allow convicted abusers to return to environments where they can harm animals, nor can we permit any leniency that devalues the life and well-being of animals in Northern Ireland. The motion and the USPCA's proposals are a step forward in ensuring that justice is served and that we prevent further suffering. Let us not forget that every time we fail to act on this issue, innocent animals will pay the price.”
“<BR /> <BR />The fourth recommendation is to promote community reporting. A public campaign could and should be launched to empower communities to report suspected cases of animal cruelty. If we are, indeed, a nation of animal lovers, I do not think that it will be too difficult to get people to reach out, because early intervention can help to save lives and end suffering, and greater awareness will help to shine a light on those heinous acts. <BR /> <BR />The fifth recommendation is on annual reports. The publication of annual reports detailing disqualification orders and compliance rates would bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the enforcement of the law. As we know, measuring effectiveness is the only way to achieve and improve compliance rates.”
“I get that it is a difficult subject, but it is one that we need to discuss, because we have heard of cases where individuals who were banned from owning animals simply moved into households, or already lived in households, where pets were present. That undermines the intent of the ban. That is what I call a loophole, in that it is incongruous. <BR /> <BR />Another recommendation is for regular inspections: council animal welfare officers should be required to conduct quarterly inspections of individuals banned from owning animals. That measure would provide an ongoing safeguard against further abuses and ensure compliance with disqualification orders. As we heard, there is a shortage of those officers, unfortunately, so there may be a workforce issue, as there is across most of the public sector today.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will read through a few of the recommendations, if that is OK, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. The first is on the register of banned offenders that has been called for. We must establish a publicly accessible register of those who have been convicted of animal abuse. Whilst GDPR may limit those who can access the register, it should not prevent its creation. We can work out in the Chamber how best to ensure that that information serves the purpose for which the register would be established. <BR /> <BR />The second recommendation is to amend the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, extending the bans to include those who live with convicted offenders. It is crucial to consider that recommendation.”
“Those are the same doors behind which the cases that we hear about occur: cases of kittens or pups being cruelly drowned, suffocated in bags or starved to death when they are not fit for the purpose that people want them for. Those horrific practices still occur and need to be rooted out. The USPCA, along with many other stakeholders, has put forward a series of vital, practical proposals that could strengthen our animal welfare laws. The Assembly should listen carefully to those who are on the front line of animal protection. I echo the calls on the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to take decisive action and adopt those recommendations. We have had some discussions about that, and I know that the Minister is committed to engaging on animal welfare issues.”
“That is simply unacceptable. When individuals commit acts of cruelty or violence against animals or neglect them, they must face meaningful consequences that prevent them from reoffending and deter others from committing similar crimes. I cannot even bring myself to read into the record some of the disgusting instances of animal battery and neglect that I read of in the research papers and the papers supplied by the USPCA. As we have seen, despite that, current bans on keeping animals have proven to be ineffective. High-profile cases, such as those that Members will, I am sure, have read about, show that convicted individuals can slip through the cracks, which can have devastating consequences for the animals. <BR /> <BR />The truth is that cruelty often begins behind closed doors, but it does not stop there.”
“I thank the Members who tabled the motion. I support the motion, which seeks to address the scourge of animal cruelty in Northern Ireland. As a society that often describes itself as animal-loving, we should hold ourselves to the highest account in how we treat the most defenceless amongst us, which includes animals, who rely on us for care and protection. The figures provided by the Department of Justice, which are mentioned in the motion, are alarming, showing:”
“<BR /> <BR />The need for a robust and sustainable sensory service and specialist workforce is urgent and critical, mirroring the need for more teachers of the deaf. Without adequate support, deaf children in Northern Ireland face unnecessary challenges in their education, social development and mental health. In line with the UNCRC and 'A Fair Start', it is imperative that we invest in future-proofing the teachers of the deaf workforce and expand specialist roles, thus ensuring early intervention for all deaf children. Only by taking those steps can we ensure that every deaf child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive and, therefore, fulfil their potential and contribute to a more inclusive, accessible society.”
“That applies across the full range of disabilities and impacts on people who are deaf. Conversely, children who do not receive adequate support may face barriers to employment; social exclusion; and, as I alluded to, mental health challenges later in life. Therefore, by future-proofing the teachers of the deaf workforce and ensuring that every deaf child and their family have timely access to specialist professionals, Northern Ireland can create an education system that promotes inclusion, equity and excellence. That approach aligns with the principles of 'A Fair Start', which emphasises the importance of removing barriers to learning and providing every child with the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”
“<BR /> <BR />The decline in the number of teachers of the deaf and the anticipated retirements in the next decade present a significant threat to the future support available for deaf children. Investing in more teachers of the deaf is not just a matter of ensuring educational equity; it is a long-term investment in the future of Northern Ireland's society and economy. Children who receive the right support from an early age are more likely to succeed academically; enter higher education or the workforce; and become active, contributing members of our society. On that point, as chairperson of the all-party group (APG) on disability, I have become more acutely aware of the regrettable stats in Northern Ireland on the employment of people with a disability.”
“Research shows that deaf children in Northern Ireland are significantly more likely than their hearing peers to experience psychological disorders, particularly anxiety. Factors such as communication barriers, social isolation and a lack of deaf awareness contribute to the challenges. Early intervention by teachers of the deaf and other specialists can mitigate those risks, therefore promoting better long-term mental health and social outcomes for deaf children. The absence of timely intervention affects not only a child's language and communication development but their overall well-being and academic achievement. As the National Deaf Children's Society points out, early access to teachers of the deaf can prevent those challenges from escalating, ensuring that deaf children are able to fully participate in education and social life.”
“Those professionals could ensure that assistive technology is properly utilised in classrooms, thereby enhancing deaf students' access to the curriculum and their overall learning experience. By expanding the range of specialist roles, Northern Ireland's education system can better meet the diverse needs of deaf students. It is pretty well established — I certainly know this from my time on the Education Committee — that, like classroom assistants and teachers, teachers of the deaf play a unique and indispensable role by collaborating with a wide range of health and social care professionals to ensure that deaf children receive tailored early support. <BR /> <BR />Early intervention is crucial in improving outcomes, as delays in addressing hearing loss can result in significant developmental setbacks.”
“Although the cost of training is covered by the Education Authority's (EA) sensory service, the logistical challenge can deter candidates from pursuing that critical role. Furthermore, many mainstream teachers are unaware of the career path as a teacher of deaf children, which hinders recruitment efforts. By addressing those barriers and promoting awareness of teaching of the deaf as a profession, Northern Ireland can encourage more educators to specialise in deaf education. <BR /> <BR />In addition to the need for more teachers of the deaf, there is a need to create specialist roles such as communication support workers or specialist classroom assistants who could further support deaf children.”
“The number of qualified teachers of the deaf in Northern Ireland has declined by 32% since 2011, with 30% of the workforce expected to retire in the next decade. There is a pressing need to future-proof that vital profession. The decline in the workforce creates significant challenges for providing consistent support, especially when schools and services struggle to obtain cover for qualified teachers of the deaf. The shortfall in trained professionals compromises the support available for deaf children, risking long-term negative impacts on their education and well-being. <BR /> <BR />Teachers of the deaf are qualified teachers who complete additional postgraduate training in deaf education. However, Northern Ireland lacks training opportunities for prospective teachers of the deaf, forcing trainees to travel for their qualifications.”
“Their role extends beyond the classroom to ensure that deaf children develop the strong communication and language skills that are essential for academic success.”
“Therefore, ensuring that more teachers of the deaf are available will honour those commitments by providing the early intervention and specialised teaching that deaf children need to overcome communication barriers to thrive academically and socially. <BR /> <BR />According to the National Deaf Children's Society, Northern Ireland is home to around 1,500 deaf children. Supporting those children requires a high level of specialist knowledge and skills, particularly in the early years and educational settings, where teachers of the deaf play a pivotal role. Teachers of the deaf work with deaf children and their families from the moment a child's hearing loss is identified, often in infancy, through their entire educational journey, including their primary and post-primary education.”
“Deaf children, like all children, have the right to an inclusive and equitable education that meets their unique needs. Without adequate support from teachers of the deaf, that right is compromised. Additionally, article 23 of the UNCRC specifically highlights the right of children with disabilities, it states that they:”
“<BR /> <BR />The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) guarantees the right of every child to an education that maximises their potential. Articles 28 and 29 of the UNCRC emphasise the right to education and:”
“I thank the Minister for attending the debate on this important motion, because access to quality education is a fundamental right for every child, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. The educational journey for children who are deaf or hard of hearing can be filled with unnecessary challenges if early intervention and specialised support are not provided. This is especially true in Northern Ireland, where 'A Fair Start' emphasises the removal of barriers to education from the very earliest stages. To ensure that deaf children are given a fair and equal opportunity to succeed, it is crucial to invest in more teachers of the deaf to ensure their availability to every child, regardless of their degree of hearing loss.”