Keith Buchanan
Mid Ulster · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, we watched a gentleman having his head nearly removed on the street. That is a problem, whether you think so or not. I referred to it as being like something that I witnessed in the slaughterhouse in my previous job. We have to address it. I am not radical; I am just a normal MLA who talks to normal people in the street.”
“It is always a privilege to celebrate sporting success in mid-Ulster. Today, we congratulate Nigel Davidson, a proud Cookstown businessman, on his outstanding achievement at the Hyrox world championships in Stockholm. To see him compete and succeed on the world stage is an achievement that makes all of us in Cookstown incredibly proud.”
“Minister, I was contacted on Friday by a lady whose brother was in Muckamore — a lady who did not tell her story. Now the report has come out and sparked a degree of need for her to speak. I use the word "need", but that is maybe not the best word. What can that lady do now?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. We are starting to see the impact of investment into local communities through funds from the Ulster-Scots Agency and the Arts Council. In the past, Sinn Féin has been critical about your priorities, complaining recently that consistent funding for Ulster Scots and bands was for "vanity projects".”
“Last Friday, I had the privilege of walking alongside the Veterans Commissioner for Northern Ireland, his dedicated team and veterans as they completed a six-day journey: the Somme 110 walk. The final day coincided with the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Battle of the Somme is not just a story from the past but one that lives on in families, regiments and the hearts of those who continue to serve. It stands as a stark reminder of the sacrifice, suffering and bravery of those who fell and fought. Those men faced unimaginable conditions so that others might know freedom.”
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“How many warnings were issued by the East Tyrone brigade of the Provisional IRA to police, army and UDR personnel over the years of its campaign? My milkman and postman were both assassinated. They got no warning. They got no choice. They were doing a day's work and were assassinated like dogs on the side of the road. The guys who went out that night had a choice. If you engage in a so-called war, be prepared for bullets coming back at you. That is what war is about. Wars are wrong, but bullets will come back. That night, the terrorists chose their alternative, and, on that occasion, it was the wrong choice. <BR /> <BR />It is easy for some to look at events and come to the conclusion that an easier way could have been found. These people were not out collecting for the Red Cross. They were out to commit murder — murder.”
“The SAS were faced with a heavily armed terrorist gang of approximately 10 and had to act decisively to neutralise the threat. Four IRA men were killed during the operation by the security forces, the others made their escape. <BR /> <BR />There is no place in any civilised society for terror. Not now. Not then. Not ever. There is always an alternative to terrorism and violence — always. Those four terrorists had an alternative that night, but they went out with the intent of taking lives and destroying property. Make no mistake: that was their intention. They could have been at home with their family or loved ones, like most other people. They could have been out socialising or working, but they made a choice. They made the choice to try to commit murder. The British Army had no alternative that night.”
“On 16 February 1992, an armed IRA terrorist gang set out with the intention of murder when they attacked the RUC station in Coalisland. There is no doubt that they intended to murder. At 10.30 pm, a stolen car and lorry were driven into the centre of Coalisland and, from them, 30 rounds of armour-piercing, tracer ammunition were fired, at close range, into the station. A machine gun was mounted on the back of the stolen lorry. Make no mistake, the intention of the attack was to murder and maim police officers and soldiers. That murderous attack posed an immediate and ongoing threat, not just to security forces but to civilians. After the attack, when the IRA gang was returning to a rendezvous point, it was intercepted by the SAS.”
“What is the plan and the timeline for that? I appreciate that it is a big task, but a lot of parks are shut, and obviously we have lost a lot of trees. I appreciate that they do not grow overnight, but what is the plan to get them replanted and get the parks open?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, I appreciate your response about the new rural policy unit's reviewing and evaluating the rural halls refurbishment scheme. We have seen the work that rural communities have done over the past few weeks to help keep Northern Ireland moving. Will you commit to ensuring that the scheme is included in the new rural policy?”
“Farmers and landowners will be put under pressure by the figure that they might receive for compensation. I understand that they are not to be better off, but they will definitely be worse off because they cannot replace the land that has been taken from them. Obviously, the price of land will go up because everybody will try to replace the land that they have lost. What do you say to local landowners?”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far and for his efforts in supporting the bands and individuals. That support is greatly needed. Will the Minister ensure that that support for the marching bands and individuals will continue into the years ahead? Will he provide a more accurate update on the impact that the programme has had on marching bands and individuals?”
“The men who were killed that day were Gary Bleeks, Cecil Caldwell, Robert Dunseith, Oswald Gilchrist, David Harkness, Bobby Irons, Richard McConnell and Nigel McKee.”
“To those cowards who ran away that day — they did run away — if you are still on this earth, there will not be a day that you will not think about what you have done — not one day when you will not think about what you did. There will not be a night when your head touches the pillow that you do not think about what you did. <BR /> <BR />To those who think that there was no alternative, I say this: there was. Those who carried out that attack may have escaped justice in this world, but they will most certainly not escape it in the next.”
“The blast was heard at least 10 miles away. The Provisional IRA's Tyrone brigade claimed responsibility for the bombing shortly after, saying that the workers were killed because they were "collaborating" with "the forces of occupation". <BR /> <BR />To date, no one has been convicted in connection with the bomb attack. It is important not to have a hierarchy of victims, and no murder is any more deserving of investigation than another. We will continue to remember those who lost their life during the Troubles, and I again highlight the importance of bringing any knowledge and information about the activity of terrorists during the Troubles to the police.”
“This coming weekend, we will remember those who were murdered at Teebane between Cookstown and Omagh. On 17 January 1992, eight Protestant workmen were murdered and another five were injured when an IRA roadside bomb blew up their minibus at Teebane crossroads. Apparently, the men were targeted because they carried out work for the security forces. They were returning from work at Lisanelly army barracks. They all worked for Karl Construction. Those men were simply tradesmen doing an honest day's work. <BR /> <BR />The bomb contained an estimated 600 lbs of home-made explosives in two plastic barrels, and later estimates reported that it was a 1,500 lb device. The Provisional IRA detonated the bomb from about 100 yds away using a command wire, and witnesses reported hearing automatic fire immediately prior to the explosion.”
“I thank you for your answer. Minister, I understand that the Hydebank and Mallusk centres will add approximately 20% to the system's capacity, which will reduce delays even further. Will you provide an update on when those sites will open to the public?”
“I listened this morning to the entirety of that interview with the official. To be fair to the gentleman, he answered a lot of difficult questions. <BR /> <BR />You made a point about the lights breaking down, but there was time to repair them. They broke down during the day, yet they were not working in time for the rush hour that evening or the next morning. That happened — they have been repaired — but, going forward, what can we do to ensure that parts are there so that they can be replaced more quickly? We have to keep what we have going as best we can for as long as we can.”
“Minister, I listened attentively to your response to Mr Clarke on output compared with pre-COVID levels. Is the example that I gave an outworking of that? Further to that, is the private medical sector operating at 100% pre-COVID levels?”
“<BR /> <BR />Craig was not expecting to be detained when he returned to the United Arab Emirates after commenting on an online review about the problems that he had with a former employer. I understand that Craig's former employer had reported him to the UAE authorities as having absconded from work when he did not appear for work, despite Craig's having provided a doctor's certificate as proof of his illness. Craig has found the whole experience to be very traumatising, and his family, understandably, are also worried and stressed. I wish for the issue to be resolved soon and I wish Craig well.”
“Last week, I raised the issues of social media — its benefits and negatives. This week, I highlight the case of my constituent, Craig Ballentine from Cookstown, who, after travelling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for a short holiday, has been detained in Dubai after posting on social media. I spoke to Craig on Friday and have offered him and his family support. Initially, when Craig was first detained, he was unable to contact his family. Currently, he has been released from custody but, due to a travel ban, he cannot leave the country and return home. Due to cybercrime laws in the United Arab Emirates, he could face a custodial sentence. He has been transferred from Abu Dhabi to Dubai, where he now awaits either the case against him going to court or charges being dropped.”
“I urge the Minister of Health and the Minister for Infrastructure again to push forward with their officials to engage with community transport providers and others to investigate and identify the most practical way in which they can support delivery of their services, especially to the rural community. Rural community transport could be more beneficial to the public purse if those issues were looked at. <BR /> <BR />Many in the Chamber live and work in rural constituencies. We want action to address the challenges and financial difficulties that our constituents face. I want to see delivery for our rural communities. It is essential that we continue to breathe new life into rural communities across Northern Ireland.”
“The rural community hall scheme that the previous Minister launched and completed supported 113 halls and communities. That created a major impact in rural communities. I urge the Minister to open the scheme again and follow on from the great work that was started. <BR /> <BR />A few weeks ago, I highlighted the need for additional funding for local community groups and support services. Such groups are vital in rural areas. One group that needs support and sustained funding is our rural community transport providers, who do vital work transporting people in rural communities to hospital appointments when general public transport does not meet that need. I highlighted the figures that I received from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, which showed that it had spent £2·3 million on private taxis and private ambulances in 2023-24.”
“The only specific funding that comes from DAERA into rural communities across Northern Ireland at present is under the tackling rural poverty and social isolation programme (TRPSI); the DAERA rural micro grant scheme, which, thankfully, was released yesterday and is up to £2,000; and the DAERA rural business development grant scheme, which is up to £4,999. Those are all welcome, but they are not a replacement for LEADER. I thank the Minister for releasing the funding streams again and acknowledge the benefit that they bring. The EU PEACE PLUS rural scheme has opened for applications and is currently under assessment. It is a regional programme with no specific ring-fencing of funds in Mid Ulster and is very much targeted at larger-scale organisations and statutory bodies.”
“When Edwin Poots was the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, he took forward a rural policy framework in consultation with rural stakeholders that outlined a proposed new seven-year programme, but, to date, that has failed to materialise. Rural development is a proactive approach to working with rural communities to improve the social, economic and environmental development of rural areas. That is best served by engaging communities in a bottom-up approach, which the LEADER programme did.”
“The weakening of agricultural relief will heap further pressure on the future of family farms. That will accelerate the breaking up of farms and drive more young people away from farming at a time when more of them are needed. That will affect our food security going forward. The DUP asks the Government to review that decision. Maybe the Minister will confirm what he can do or is doing to put pressure on the Labour Government to address the issue. <BR /> <BR />Our farmers and the rural economy need our help and financial support. There is limited specific rural funding for communities in Mid Ulster.”
“<BR /> <BR />Farmers also play an important role in protecting our environment and promoting biodiversity, but the farming community across Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland and, indeed, the UK feels that it has been badly let down. The autumn Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves has undermined farm families and their business. The president of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), William Irvine said:”
“<BR /> <BR />Our rural communities have an intrinsic relationship with farming and farmers, who are seen as the custodians of the countryside. Farming is critical to the agri-food industry in our country. There are many agri-food industries in Mid Ulster from the large factories such as Dunman creamery and Karro — the "bacon factory", as it is known locally — that provide hundreds of jobs for local people to smaller food production companies such as the Big Pot Company and Cloughbane Farm Foods. Our farmers and producers are vital to the Northern Ireland economy. Indeed, I worked in that sector for over 22 years in an engineering department. You cannot mention Mid Ulster without mentioning engineering.”
“The more remote the area, the greater those additional costs. The biggest difference is the greater access to public transport in urban areas, whereas rural households depend more on cars. Domestic fuel costs are also higher in some rural areas because of older, less fuel-efficient housing and the lack of mains gas. The consequence of those higher costs is that families in rural areas need earnings well in excess of the minimum wage to afford the necessities of life, yet low pay is more common in rural areas than urban areas, creating a double disadvantage. <BR /> <BR />There is an increased focus across government on improving regional balance, which is welcome. However, it could be argued that Departments should be delivering regionally anyway and that should not be seen as a replacement for rural development.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Given that I represent a largely rural constituency, I make no apologies for highlighting the need to ensure that there is adequate financial support for rural communities in Mid Ulster. Many simply do not understand the needs of rural communities. They see country living as idyllic and think that it is for those with financial security. It is important to highlight the challenges facing many of our rural communities. It is imperative that the Government recognise that financial support is needed. It is important to help improve our rural communities to ensure that they are thriving, sustainable and inclusive places to live. <BR /> <BR />A study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that people in rural areas typically need to spend 10% to 20% more on everyday requirements than those in urban areas.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, will you commit to working with the airport to resolve the restriction on wind generation? The planning is there, but the airport is the bottleneck.”
“<BR /> <BR />To summarise, it is about how you police the developers to make sure that they finish the work to a standard that does not leave people in the position that others are in now. It was a good debate: a lot of things were covered several times over, but most points were covered. The Minister has, to be fair, made some commitments.”
“Some other very good points were made, such as checking the storm and foul pipework, getting meaningful enforcement and asking when that is going to happen. To be fair, the Minister covered most of those points. <BR /> <BR />Phillip Brett talked about the criteria for enforcement action. Paula Bradshaw made the valid point that people are not going to shout to the media for obvious reasons; it is going to be counterproductive for them. The Minister is last in my notes. I usually refer to Gerry Carroll last, but he got his touch earlier. The Minister talked about the 92% that have no issues, which is fair enough, but that leaves 8%, which is still a lot and is a big issue for the people who live in those areas. The worrying part is that there is no funding stream to bridge the gap and to look at the bond levels.”
“Send it out in time, if you do not mind. <BR /> <BR />Andy McMurray talked about high numbers, developer responsibility and, again, the bond values. To be fair to Tom Buchanan — I am not defending Tom as my colleague — he made some good points about the installation work and building control only monitoring the pipework until it leaves the curtilage of the house. Who actually polices the developer? Not that they are all bad, but, sometimes, it is not tens of pounds or thousands of pounds but tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of pounds to put those issues right. Who is actually going to do that? It is about who polices that work outside the curtilage of the house. The houses are good enough to sell, but it seems that when you leave the curtilage of the house, the developer gets into a land of confusion and no responsibility.”
“We will put that in our diaries, if you give us the date, Stephen.”
“She mentioned funding from the UK Government. I do not know how that is relevant when the Department is not holding developers to account, but she made the point, which is valid enough. <BR /> <BR />Stephen Dunne talked about high numbers in the southern division, selling properties and bond rate increases. Then I have written down "house-warming", so maybe Stephen is going to invite us down to his house-warming party.”
“That will be an interesting piece of work: how much does that bond actually need to be and how will you manage it, Minister, for three, five or seven years? It is difficult to get that piece of work correct, to have some control over it. <BR /> <BR />Mark Durkan talked about the residents having to pick up the pieces: 147 unadopted developments in Derry and Strabane. I think that he referred to the community pride issue — it was Gerry's point as well — and about people having to go in and tidy up their own areas. There is nothing wrong with that, but they should not be the sole people to do that. They should not be tidying up something that has not already been, to some degree, tidied up. <BR /> <BR />Ciara Ferguson talked about gritting, health and safety and developers going into liquidation.”
“You get to some housing developments and there are 30 or 40 wheelie bins at the end of the estate. It is a big issue for people, and it is a very practical thing for them. Councils will not go up those estates; we know that. There are trip hazards, and they have done risk assessments etc. They will not go up there with a bin lorry to collect the bins. That is one issue relating to that. <BR /> <BR />Gerry also talked about management companies charging for grass cutting etc in areas that are not adopted. That is a point, and I have heard that before in relation to many issues. He also talked about volunteers tidying up alleyways. <BR /> <BR />Cathal Boylan referred to having inadequate funding for some developers. That goes back to that bond issue.”
“You are all smiling. Developers just need a little bit of focus, a little push or a little bit of persuasion. They are not all bad. That has to be taken into account, because I do not want to be referenced in those remarks. <BR /> <BR />I will briefly go through the comments that different Members made. Deborah Erskine referred to health and safety issues and mobility issues. There are a large number of people in those affected houses across Northern Ireland. The Minister, to be fair, touched on the value of the bond. We talked about article 11 being instigated and the current legislative upgrade of that. <BR /> <BR />Gerry Carroll talked about health and safety issues. Moving heavy wheelie bins is a big thing, believe it or not. A lot of people are moving large wheelie bins down to the end of their estate, which can be a fair distance.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I do not think that it will take me 10 minutes. I am going to rattle through this very quickly, because, to be fair, other comments have covered it. I was looking at my notes, and I think that some of you have spotted them and taken notes from them. A lot of points have been covered, but I will make a point broadly. I have dealt with several of these issues, from Maghera right down to Newmills in Mid Ulster. The Minister talked about 82%, I think that it was, if I am correct, of developments having no issues. Not all developers are bad. It is only very few, and I think that they just need a little bit of focus at times. We are all guilty of it. There are probably some phone calls that you did not make today that you should have made this morning, and you put the awkward ones off until tonight.”
“<BR /> <BR />One clear rule that everyone on social media should remember is to make sure that they do not say anything in a public forum that they would not say to someone's face. Remember that the person whom you are attacking has feelings and has family members who have feelings. When individuals are attacked, those in their family and in their employment are also hurt and left feeling dejected. Regardless of whether you are a politician, a celebrity or a child or young person in school, you are not fair game. It is all too easy to get carried away when there is a keyboard at your fingertips, but remember this: there may be consequences for your actions, as there is in the real world when speaking.”
“Public figures and politicians are not immune to that type of abuse, as keyboard warriors often feel that they can say what they want online without the need for accuracy of any description. There are those who believe that online abuse against politicians is inevitable and acceptable, and most public figures occasionally find themselves on the receiving end of spiteful and hurtful comments and attacks. Sometimes, a misunderstanding that could easily be resolved by a phone call or a face-to-face conversation takes on a new life when someone posts on social media. Many read comments on Facebook and other social media sites and believe the written word without doing their own research and fact-finding.”
“Growing up, many of us learned that the pen is mightier than the sword. That remains true today, especially when it comes to social media. Social media can be a powerful tool that helps us all communicate useful information to our constituents and wider society. Local and national media outlets use it, as do churches, schools and community groups, and our children and young people seem to spend a lot of time on their socials. <BR /> <BR />Despite the good and valuable information that can be found online, there is, however, a darker side that involves online abuse, and no one is immune to it. It can be a way for school bullies to continue their abuse outside the limits of school, and those with violent tendencies can often transfer their physical abuse to mental abuse through the use of social media.”
“Across all trusts, there have to be savings from using community transport, making it more beneficial to the public purse.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Rural community transport providers do vital work. They pick up in places that general public transport does not. However, information that I have received from the Northern Health and Social Care Trust shows that it spent £2·3 million on private taxis and, to be fair, private ambulances in 2023-24.”
“On parking schemes, Minister, are you aware of any tactics used by individual companies that are privately managed and privately run to get money out of people? There are several parking places in Cookstown that you drive into that have no signage or very small signage, and then you are fined £100 for a two-hour stay. There are also the tactics that debt recovery agencies use to get money out of frightened people. Are you aware of that? Is there anything that your Department can do to control that in any way?”
“I thank the First Minister for her answer. I welcome the fact that the First Minister and deputy First Minister attended this event and are engaging with the Prime Minister and other UK regions. Will she commit to me and this House to make a full statement on the back of that meeting to outline its benefits to this region?”
“I will continue to work for my constituents to ensure that they have GP services and will ask the Minister of Health and his Department to engage urgently with the community and local surgeries to ensure that patients and staff are accommodated.”
“Many found out that the practice was permanently closing via local social media. <BR /> <BR />Patients were informed of the potential problem by letter on 7 August and were asked not to try to change surgery or move to another one. Indeed, those who have tried to move surgery have found that to be difficult, as surrounding surgeries have stated that they are at capacity and can no longer accept new patients. It is my understanding, after speaking to those within the GP practice, that not one GP from Ireland or the United Kingdom applied for the position at this single-handed GP practice, to take on the general medical services contract for Fairhill medical centre in Magherafelt.”
“There is increasing concern in my constituency regarding the provision of GP services. Over the past number of weeks, I have been made aware of the potential closure of Fairhill medical centre in Magherafelt. That proposed closure will affect more than 2,300 patients. Patients recently received a letter stating the Department of Health's intention to place them with other surgeries from 1 November. There is lots of anger within the community as to why this busy practice has been left without a permanent GP. While patients and staff are sympathetic regarding the circumstances of the closure, they are unsure why the Department of Health has taken so long to inform them of its decision to close the practice. Questions are being asked as to why the Department of Health has not kept patients regularly informed or updated.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. What is the position today, and how many schools in Northern Ireland will that affect?”
“Thank you for your answer, Minister. You, obviously, hold responsibility for higher education and employment rights. A recent communication from the Equality Commission mentions equality of opportunity. Was there equality of opportunity in that process? Will you commit to tasking your officials with conducting an investigation and reporting back to the House on their findings?”
“I encourage the Department to open a further rural hall refurbishment scheme, like the one that provided support and capital enhancement for 113 facilities across Northern Ireland. It is important and essential that we continue to breathe new life into rural communities across Northern Ireland. I hope that the Minister will follow on with continual support for those rural facilities.”
“Rural halls can sometimes be underutilised, but, with the necessary funding, groups and organisations can bring their halls up to a better standard, thereby allowing other agencies to work with them to deliver a better service for all in the rural community. The work with many of those halls can go unnoticed, but, in many instances, they help to tackle social issues, such as poverty and social isolation, and deliver mental health and well-being support for people of all ages and from differing backgrounds. <BR /> <BR />Last week, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs gave a commitment to open a further tranche of their rural micro capital grant scheme.”
“Representing a largely rural constituency, I make no apology for highlighting the need to ensure that adequate funding is available to community groups and organisations from a rural background. To help to improve our rural communities, it is important to ensure that they are thriving, sustainable and inclusive places to live. Many community groups working in the rural setting provide a vital service, and it is imperative that there is the necessary funding to allow development and capacity-building training. <BR /> <BR />We also need to ensure that our rural community and voluntary organisations can deliver capital refurbishment works to rural halls to allow them to continue their vital work.”