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 thank the Minister for his answer. I hope that he will forgive me as I pay tribute to two people who died on the road. One was a former Fire and Rescue Service colleague and one a friend with whom I grew up. <BR /> <BR />I know that the Minister is wedded to delivery. The Minister outlined the time frame for the completion of the project: will he also outline the cost implications and say whether there are any budgetary pressures? Can we get a commitment that the project will be delivered on time, regardless of budget?”
“How can we achieve that if there is no functioning government to take ownership of those challenges? I call on everyone to recognise that today.”
“Between 2017 and 2019 and between 2022 and 2024, Northern Ireland suffered from political instability whereby government collapsed. Those five years without a functioning Executive have not just stifled progress but added to the burden on those who are suffering poor mental health. I will accept that it was, perhaps, without intent, but it is an unmitigated fact that I will face anybody on. We should be talking about health and suicide ideation until we have fixed them. <BR /> <BR />I spoke about the need for interconnectedness. This is where that comes from. The Protect Life 2 strategy provides a blueprint for action. It:”
“If people are left unattended, that is a dereliction of our duties. Women, particularly those who are in the perinatal phase and those who have been affected by violence or abuse, are at greater risk of poor mental health and suicide. Let us not forget the stark reality that men are four times more likely to die by suicide. Those statistics are not just numbers; they represent lives cut short, families devastated and communities left in mourning. <BR /> <BR />What underpins the failure to transform mental health services? Many will focus on funding, but — I am not pointing the finger here — we have to face the truth that, in some part, the failure to transform comes from the lack of effective government and governance.”
“That is because one Department alone fulfilling responsibilities for the health service is not enough to address societal issues that require a whole-of-government approach. Mental health is affected by education, housing, employment, social services and, as has been picked out, poverty, to name but a few factors. If we do not recognise that interconnectedness, we are setting ourselves up to fail. <BR /> <BR />We must also recognise the particular vulnerabilities of different groups, such as young people, especially those who are affected by adverse childhood experiences, including trauma, poverty, bullying, particularly online, and unmet or undiagnosed mental health needs. The fact that those people remain on long waiting lists for essential services hurts us all. It is not just tragic.”
“Those were critical steps forward, albeit they were not enough, and they were taken in the face of objections to achieving them previously. <BR /> <BR />I stand before you today not to celebrate those milestones but to remind us of the work that still needs to be done. The motion calls on the Minister of Health to work with Executive colleagues to:”
“That groundbreaking moment sparked conversations in the Chamber that I, with pride, will always be grateful that I was able to have, because, in 2016, he appointed me as the dedicated mental health spokesperson. I am not sure whether that was a first for any party in the UK, but it certainly was on this island. That demonstrated our commitment and that of this gentleman, the Health Minister and Ulster Unionist Party leader, to tackle the issue. However, we need to be clear that, whilst progress has been made, it has been painfully slow. Only through sheer determination and doggedness did the Ulster Unionist Party manage to achieve an agreement in 2020 on a 10-year mental health strategy as part of the New Decade, New Approach deal. We also secured the appointment of an independent mental health champion.”
“However, when I read the next paragraph, I ask him to reflect on it and take me at my word, because having this gentleman, Mike Nesbitt, as the Minister of Health in the Executive is better than a rubber stamp on any Programme for Government in this sense, and I hope that the Member will listen in. <BR /> <BR />As we reflect on the magnitude of this crisis, we must also acknowledge the tireless efforts that have been made over the past number of years to address mental health. I will give the man sitting to my left the credit for that, because, in 2015, Mike Nesbitt, as the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, commissioned the first stand-alone policy paper on mental health from any political party in Northern Ireland.”
“The very important motion and amendment, call on us to face the stark and distressing reality of mental health service provision and how people across Northern Ireland are suffering. As already outlined, regrettably, we find ourselves in a situation where more people have tragically lost their lives to suicide than to the Troubles. However, it would be absolutely remiss of us not to understand that the nature of our Troubles is being played out in intergenerational trauma, which obviously has an impact on the high prevalence of suicides, mental health issues and addictions in this country. <BR /> <BR />I ask the mover of the motion to reflect on what I will say. I understand fully why he and his party are reluctant to accept the amendment.”
“I believe in that dream, and I hope that others can see it too.”
“More importantly, it is about changing lives and creating a place where everyone, no matter their ability or means of communication, feels valued, understood and heard. We can only do that collectively, so it should be our commitment, as legislators, to put our shoulders to the wheel. With our support, a truly transformative space can be built with the power to spark real change across all our communities. <BR /> <BR />I ask you to take a moment to visit the Love Needs No Words NI Hub website, learn about their vision and think about the difference that we can make together. It takes only one connection or one act of kindness to set off a ripple that can help many wonderful individuals on their journey to finding their voice. Let us join forces, lift each other up and create a community in which everybody belongs.”
“Advocates for and parents of non-verbal children have unwavering optimism for what can and should be, because they know that together we can build something special and something that truly matters. Their approach is guided by kindness, care and a deep sense of responsibility to foster inclusivity in all communities. They are not just creating a hub of support but changing the way in which the world understands non-verbal communication. <BR /> <BR />I invite members to join us in celebrating this important day — National Nonspeaking/Non-verbal Awareness Day. Together, we can bring awareness to a world that often overlooks the beauty of non-verbal expression and build a community that is compassionate and open to the diverse ways in which people communicate. It is not just about raising awareness, however.”
“Some may be aware that today is National Nonspeaking/Non-verbal Awareness Day. I make the House aware of a vision called Love Needs No Words NI Hub. Its mission is clear: to create meaningful connections and to provide vital services for individuals who are nonspeaking and non-verbal, regardless of their disability, diagnosis or age. I ask everyone to imagine a world where every voice is heard, even those of people who cannot speak. Imagine the breakthroughs in understanding and the joy that we could cultivate by simply giving people the tools and space to communicate in their own unique way. That is what should drive us: the belief that communication is more than just words and that every individual deserves to have their own way of expressing themselves.”
“I hope that we can keep things on the rails in the Chamber and deliver for the people of Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last night, there was a meeting of an all-party group on political engagement for young people, and the topic was housing and quality homes. Every Member who has spoken in this debate has touched on that issue. That tells me that our young people, who are suffering the burden of poverty, inequity and inequality in respect of suitable accommodation, see that as a pressing priority for the Government. <BR /> <BR />We have only two and a half years left to get on the rails. We all accept that ending poverty has to be our political aim. It will take time, and it will take political stability, a political will and a singular purpose among everybody in the Chamber. By the end of the debate, I am sure that we will all agree on the sense of direction.”
“Everybody is right to point to the previous Conservative Government, their austerity agenda and the changes that have been manifest, but if we do not look at ourselves in this Chamber, when we did not sit for five years out of eight, we neglect the responsibility of political failure here. We are as responsible for the political failure to tackle poverty as any other political agency on these islands, and we need to learn from that. At the weekend, the leader of the DUP hinted that he perhaps would not be bringing the Assembly down. I hope that that applies for any reason, and I hope that, perhaps, at some stage, the Sinn Féin leader can also give this country confidence that tackling poverty and promising our young people a better future will the number-one political priority.”
“If you live in poverty, you are less likely to achieve educationally. If you live in poverty, you are less likely to have a suitable home. If you live in poverty, you are less likely to be contributing to the environmentally friendly nature of climate protection. Poverty has strange and many diverse bedfellows, but none of those bedfellows is worthy of pursuit. <BR /> <BR />In saying this, I will remain apolitical. I have listened with interest for many years, and I know that Carál Ní Chuilín is absolutely passionate about quality homes. I have loved working with Carál on that issue on different all-party groups. Poverty is a political choice.”
“I suppose that our Executive can be forgiven for that because we had a compressed time frame to put it together so we had to list a number of priorities that we are going to tackle. However, the Executive cannot be forgiven for this: the missions all begin with the letter "P" — it is like Presbyterian alliteration — and we have "people" "planet", "prosperity" and "peace", but there is not a particular target on poverty. If poverty were there as a particular target, I think that the rewards would be off the charts. As many Members have said, if you live in poverty, you are more likely to suffer from poor mental health. If you live in poverty, you are more likely to be suicidal. If you live in poverty, you are more likely to have a physical disability or a learning disability.”
“I speak from the position of having family who live in West Belfast, which, obviously, borders Lisburn and Castlereagh, Lagan Valley and North Belfast. I share the name with those family members; they are the Butlers in Highfield, in Belfast. Statistically, because I live in Lisburn, in Lagan Valley, I am expected to live somewhere between 10 or 11 — maybe 13 — years longer than them. I hope that that is not the case, but it is absolutely ridiculous. It is a postcode lottery, and it really is wrong. <BR /> <BR />I really am glad that we have a Programme for Government. I have no critiques about the content, but I certainly have some critiques about the omissions.”
“I thank Nuala McAllister for securing the Adjournment debate. It is a really important topic. I will speak not from notes but genuinely from my heart on this issue because poverty is an issue that we have debated in this Chamber since I started in 2016. When you think that we live in, perhaps, the fifth biggest economy in the world, it is ridiculous that, in 2024, we have pockets in this country — given its size; we are not very big — where we see young people at birth, pre-birth and through their early lives faced with inequalities that should not exist in this society. <BR /> <BR />Poverty has many and diverse, but strange, bedfellows, unfortunately. If you are born into poverty, your life expectancy is already reduced.”
“<BR /> <BR />Politics in Action and the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, in particular, are at the forefront of the movement for votes from 16, advocating passionately for the rights of their young people. Those organisations have highlighted the fact that young people are already politically aware, engaged and capable of making informed decisions. They are leading campaigns that speak truth to power and are demanding that Northern Ireland catches up with its neighbours. We must not stifle that energy nor waste the opportunity. The time has come to give young people the democratic voice that they deserve. Let us lower the voting age to 16 and, in doing so, build a fairer and more responsible and representative society for all.”
“Empowering youth through education is key to cultivating informed engagement and engaged citizens who will actually shape our future. <BR /> <BR />The idea that young people lack the maturity to vote is outdated and baseless. At 16, they can join the armed forces; they can pay taxes; they can even get married. Most concerning, perhaps, is the fact that, in Northern Ireland, from the age of 10, young people can be held criminally responsible. We entrust them with these enormous responsibilities that I have mentioned, yet we deny them a say in shaping the laws that govern their lives. The argument against lowering the voting age falls apart when we consider the contradiction that those who resist votes at 16 often shy away from, which is to address the glaring imbalance with the criminal age of responsibility.”
“Granting them the right to vote at 16 must be supported by high-quality, universal and accurate education before they reach that age: that is from the voices and mouths of those young people. That foundation of education is essential, not only to encourage greater participation from this cohort in the democratic process but to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to make those informed decisions. By fostering a deeper understanding of civic responsibility and political systems, we can ensure that young people wield the power of their democratic will with a level of insight and preparedness that surpasses many of the generations before them, including my own.”
“Thank you. On that point, we were all ill prepared for that vote, and look at how it turned out. The critical point about that is the education piece, which I am going to go on to, and I thank the Member for his intervention. <BR /> <BR />In Scotland, studies have shown that voter participation among 16- and 17-year-olds exceeds that of 18- to 24-year-olds, largely because younger voters are still embedded in environments like school and in the family, which promotes socialisation and civic responsibility. Extending the vote to younger citizens is crucial to cultivating lifelong voting habits, ensuring a vibrant and enduring democracy. <BR /> <BR />Young people today are eager to be empowered.”
“With their higher voter turnout, they are proving that young people, when given the chance, engage seriously with the political process.”
“Members, today we will debate a matter that could, in a very positive way, copper-fasten our ambition and secure Northern Ireland's democracy for generations. The voices of our young people, particularly those aged 16 to 17, are growing louder. Our young people are more informed and passionate than they have ever been. Those young citizens are not only the leaders of tomorrow but active participants in today. They care about their future, and they care about our future. They care about climate change, mental health services, education and equality, and it is time to entrust them with the vote, just as we entrust them with so many other responsibilities in their life. In Scotland and Wales, 16- and 17-year-olds already enjoy the right to vote in national and local elections.”
“I take the opportunity, on behalf of the House, to congratulate them on their awards, and I congratulate all who perform heroically on our front line.”
“Many times, when we come to the Chamber, we talk about negative stories, negative impacts on people's lives and the difficulties that pertain for most people in even accessing services, but there are examples of really good practice. I bring to Members' attention that, yesterday, Dr Chris Hall of Hillsborough Medical Practice in Lagan Valley won the GP of the Year award, and Aghalee Surgery won the Surgery of the Year award. Front-line workers, such as GPs and surgery staff, provide a vital service in all of our communities. All too often, they receive letters from some of us about pressures that people face, but that is to neglect the overwhelming hard work of most of our front-line staff, such as Dr Hall and the staff at Aghalee GP surgery.”
“I look forward to the disability strategy, which, I hope, will be introduced during the mandate, being a crucial step towards addressing the barriers and injustices that disabled people still face today. The time for change is long overdue, Let us ensure that it finally happens.”
“He has had to spend time away from his family and the Chamber. The fact that such situations occur even when clear communication has been made shows how deeply flawed airlines' systems are. <BR /> <BR />Disabled people deserve to be treated with the same respect, dignity and consideration as everyone else. Andy's experience should challenge each of us to demand better, not just from airlines but from every service provider and institution. I commend Andy for raising the issue publicly, and I hope that his doing so encourages other disabled people to do the same, but, as legislators, we must do more. We cannot allow those inequalities to persist.”
“I echo the frustrations felt by the many disabled people, including my colleague Andy Allen MLA, who bravely continue to speak out against the inequalities that persist in our society. It is outrageous that, in 2024, basic rights and access that most of us take for granted are still denied to disabled individuals. It is a stain on those who profit from their activities whilst neglecting their responsibilities to all their customers. <BR /> <BR />Take airlines, for example. Time and time again, we see them make headlines for that very reason. It is unacceptable that, despite adequate notice of the need for assistance, my colleague Andy was told that he could not fly from Birmingham to Belfast yesterday, that his luggage would be removed from the flight and that the plane would take off without him. That is simply not good enough.”
“Will the Minister outline what steps he is taking to ensure that pupils with a learning disability or a physical disability receive the same curriculum support and content and other support measures to develop healthy and respectful relationships?”
“The Minister may be aware that legislation is passing through Westminster on the issue. Is she aware — this is local to me in Lagan Valley — that, in complex arrangements where there are commercial and residential leasehold properties, the properties are not only impacted on by the management fees, which are outstripping the rates, but are being devalued, meaning that people who are trying to sell their properties have to decrease the value of their property to make a sale?”
“Will the Minister outline the expected revenue from the proposals to remove the exemption provided by industrial derating? Has she considered — I think that she has already spoken to this — the impacts on the manufacturing sector in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer, which was given with brevity. Two hundred and forty nine thousand is an incredible number; it is almost a quarter of a million. Will the Minister detail the concerns that he has raised about the disproportionate effect that it will have on pensioners in Northern Ireland, given that it is a disproportionate number? Will his Department introduce a support scheme, such as the previous emergency fuel payment scheme, to assist householders who are in need?”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. This will not take long.”
“Our communities and services, and the people who rely on them, deserve better. It is time for decisive action to be taken, before it is too late.”
“While we are at it, let us not forget that the new UK Government, under Labour, have an obligation to reverse the broken promises that were given pre Brexit and its so-called sunny uplands. Let us be honest: so far, Brexit has been a disaster for Northern Ireland. It has created not only an economic strain but an Irish Sea trade border and a democratic deficit that, at times, threatens the very fabric of our political society. <BR /> <BR />The upcoming comprehensive spending review is the ideal moment for the new Government to right those wrongs and deliver deliberate, targeted funding that will transform the lives of those who need and deserve it the most. We cannot come back and keep coming back to the same cliff edges, asking the same questions and begging for the same solutions. The time for excuses is over.”
“Let us be clear: the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, introduced by the previous Government, is not a full replacement for the EU funding that Northern Ireland was promised post Brexit. Without real action and long-term solutions, we will lose skilled staff, vital services and, most importantly, the trust of those who rely on the supports. The human cost could be devastating, with more people becoming marginalised from the labour market and more vulnerable individuals pushed further into the fringes of society. The Assembly must — with one voice — call on the new Labour-controlled UK Government to fulfil the commitment of the previous Administration to replace EU funding in full.”
“They provided tangible life-changing benefits to some of our most vulnerable communities and, in particular, the community and voluntary sector — especially those in the area of disability and learning disability — which has empowered thousands of people to gain skills, employment and volunteering opportunities that have transformed not only their lives but the lives of their families and the communities in which they live. Those organisations that rely on this funding are the unsung heroes of society. They help people with disabilities to break out of isolation and into meaningful roles that build self-esteem and enrich our collective future. <BR /> <BR />Despite that indispensable work, the voluntary sector is facing a funding cliff edge, with no guarantees beyond March 2025.”
“Once again, Northern Ireland finds itself teetering on a cliff edge. It is a term that we have become horribly used to. This time, it is due to the previous UK Government's failure to replace essential EU funding, which is picked out in the motion and the amendment. At other times, however, it has been due to having no Assembly and no accountability. How many times must we face uncertainty, whether from the removal of critical financial support or the refusal of politicians to take their seats? It is an all-too-familiar cycle, sadly, for the people of Northern Ireland, and the people of Northern Ireland are those who pay the price. <BR /> <BR />The European regional development fund and the European social fund were more than just bureaucratic lines in a budget. They were indeed lifelines for many people.”
“What will the Minister do to protect female prison officers, who are often subject to threats of sex-based violence from prisoners, given that the psychological effect is not captured in the staff handbook and sick leave cannot be granted to those women?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer, and I appreciate the answer. As a former prison officer who lost around 32 colleagues throughout the Troubles and in the history of Northern Ireland, I think that that is a good answer. Is there a commitment to unlock the potential of what is probably the most significant development site in Northern Ireland?”
“I do not want the First Minister and deputy First Minister to be fighting over answering my question, as they did for Ms Brogan's question. I do not want to be negative, but I will be honest, if that is OK. It is really good that you have brought this draft Programme for Government to us and put it out for discussion, but, in reality, the two things that have affected the people in Northern Ireland the most over the past eight years have been the lack of funding and political abstentionism. You have got off to a great start in your roles as First Minister and deputy First Minister, but the timeline of delivery will require a stable Government who are here when big decisions need to be made. Have we a commitment from the Executive Office that that will be the case, not just for this mandate but into the next one?”
“<BR /> <BR />From my own time in the Fire Service, I remember the impact of cost-cutting and changes to legislation and policy by those who did not have operational expertise. I echo and support the calls by the two Members I mentioned for support for the emergency services as we go forward.”
“A lack of regulatory oversight, cost-cutting measures and inadequate responses from the authorities compounded the tragedy. <BR /> <BR />The Grenfell fire stands as a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence and inequality, and it calls us all to action to ensure that every life, regardless of background or circumstance, is safeguarded by the highest standards of safety and care. I was struck by the comments made in the inquiry report — I thank Ms Brownlee and Mr Dickson for mentioning Emergency Services Day — by a firefighter who was at the Grenfell incident and subsequently had to retire early due to PTSD. That firefighter had an unfortunate calculation to make, whilst trying to rescue people from the twenty-first floor of the tower, on turning back for the sake of his own life and those of his team. He was left with that burden.”
“On 14 June 2017, the Grenfell Tower fire shook the world. At 12.54 am, flames engulfed a 24-storey tower in north Kensington in west London. That fire raged for 60 hours, tragically claiming 72 lives, injuring over 70 more and forcing 223 residents to flee. Last week, many of those families received some justice, which will have fallen far short seeing that they are without loved ones whom they have lost forever. We need to consider the inquiry and all the failings that were detailed in it. <BR /> <BR />The disaster was not simply an accident. It highlighted years of underinvestment, neglect and unsafe building practices. Despite concerns raised by residents about fire safety, including the highly flammable cladding that was used in recent renovations, those warnings went unheard.”
“The Minister is aware that we first met on 19 February to discuss section 12, which is part of the repeal by Justice Humphreys. In that regard, given the public interest and the further outreach by victims of historical sexual abuse and crimes, has the Minister had meetings with any of those bodies in the intervening time and taken into consideration the impact of the law on how they feel?”
“Will the Minister agree that an opportunity has been lost with the failure to deliver the Desertcreat tri-service training college, which would have assisted emergency response times, given that road traffic accidents involve a multi-agency response? Will the Minister explain what supports are provided for first responders after they attend such traumatic incidents?”
“Together we can work towards a future where the beauty of Lagan Valley is matched by the safety and well-being of its residents. I believe that we must act now to preserve the charm and appeal of our villages and ensure that Lagan Valley remains a desirable and safe place to live for generations. Once again, I thank the Minister for his attendance, and I look forward to hearing his response.”