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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“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. You delivered a statement this morning on the reconfiguration framework for better outcomes. Will that have any impact on current waiting times? Do you see it having any advantage in reducing waiting times?”
“Providers are not site sharing or mast sharing as they should be, and councils are not aware of the issue. It is not for every provider to have its own mast. We see that in the move from traditional hilltop to roadside masts, which is being done to prevent payment to landowners, and that reduces signal quality. It is something of which councils are not aware, so a wee bit of work needs to be done on that. <BR /> <BR />I look forward to the Minister's comments on the issue and the steps that he, along with Executive colleagues, can take to address the problem.”
“It will not only help individuals make personal calls but allow businesses to stay in touch with suppliers and customers, whilst making everyday banking and electronic payments more accessible. Councils need to have clear guidance and the capacity to handle planning applications that are integral to developing SRN projects and investing in new digital infrastructure in rural areas. <BR /> <BR />We need coverage, but we do not need unnecessary masts, which Andrew and John touched on. Providers are moving from traditional hilltop masts to roadside poles. I am no telecommunications engineer, but I know that recent applications to Mid Ulster District Council were not optimising the mast share or site share part of the policy. Everybody seems to want their own.”
“We will continue to ensure that that roll-out is completed by the end of 2025. <BR /> <BR />I will pick up on Cathal's point from earlier and say that a lot of places did not make it on to the whitelist. The Department of Finance can maybe answer the question of why its system did not put houses there on to a list, as they would then have gone on to the whitelist. I appreciate that that is a problem across Northern Ireland, but a lot of those buildings there did not exist on any list. The Department of Finance did not send that list across to the Department for the Economy. That is for another discussion on another day, however. <BR /> <BR />We must build on this and ensure that we have proper and adequate mobile coverage for all communities. The provision of high-quality mobile coverage is essential in rural areas.”
“On a number of occasions, constituents trying to access their GP or a hospital have not been able to connect or their signal has dropped during the call. That is unacceptable. No region of the United Kingdom should be left behind. No part of Northern Ireland should be left feeling abandoned and disconnected. <BR /> <BR />During the general election campaign, my party included in its manifesto the need for and benefits of the Shared Rural Network initiative, the aim of which is to ensure high-quality mobile coverage from the four main operators. In my constituency of Mid Ulster, however, my office consistently deals with cases in which mobile coverage is poor or non-existent. It was my party that secured the £150 million in 2017 and spearheaded the provision of full fibre broadband across Northern Ireland.”
“I have noticed recently that, in areas that once had it, good coverage has now disappeared. As Colin mentioned, we are all aware of the roads on which we will need to say to the person to whom we are talking, "I will ring you back, because I am going to lose signal". <BR /> <BR />Something has changed. Things are happening, but I am not sure what. The signal has disappeared in areas where it was once good. For example, the A29 corridor had perfect coverage, but the signal now completely disappears on part of it. Something is changing. Areas such as Tobermore, Killeen, referred to by the Member who spoke previously, Ballyronan and Moneymore, to name but a few, have always had poor or no coverage.”
“Access to reliable and fast digital connectivity is essential to our rural communities and rural economies in all areas. It also allows people to stay in touch with friends and family. That connectivity should be affordable, and it is essential that we work collectively to deliver for our constituents. Constituents should have adequate coverage whether they live in rural, suburban or urban areas. Coverage varies in different parts of the country, with urban areas having better coverage, broadly, than rural areas. <BR /> <BR />I have recently been in contact with O2, Virgin Media and Vodafone about coverage in Mid Ulster, and I will continue to liaise with all providers to ensure that not just constituents but those in the whole of Northern Ireland receive the necessary service.”
“<BR /> <BR />Various events will take place this week, in person and virtually, and people will have the opportunity to learn about the origins of the Orange Order and how it has developed. It is about more than just wearing a sash or collarette on 12 July and walking to the field. It is about community, friendship and upholding morals and the right of religious freedom for all. This week is an opportunity to create a greater understanding and increased acceptance of the institution, serving to nurture better community relations.”
“During the past weeks, we have heard much about culture. This week, 21 to 28 September, marks Orange Heritage Week. The timing of Orange Heritage Week has historical and cultural relevance, commencing on the anniversary of the formation of the institution in 1795 and finishing on Ulster Day, 28 September, the anniversary of the signing in 1912 of the Ulster covenant by unionists in opposition to home rule. <BR /> <BR />It is important to have an understanding of your heritage and culture, and this week gives people the opportunity to delve deeper into the culture and heritage of the Orange Order. I am proud of my heritage and culture and to be a member of the Orange Order. I ask others to respect my culture in the same way as they ask me to respect theirs and as everyone should respect the culture of minority groups in Northern Ireland.”
“The press statement from NI Water on Friday indicated that over 40% of the water that goes to homes across Northern Ireland comes from Lough Neagh. NI Water is now dealing with an issue that it has been contributing to for decades: the grey water that flows into rivers each day. Farmers across Northern Ireland have said to me, "Look at that grey water". To be honest, NI Water is not taking the responsibility that it should. What is NI Water doing to address the issue that it has contributed to and is now trying to deal with?”
“Thank you, Minister. I also thank the Minister for his visit to west Tyrone in July. He saw at first hand the tremendous work being done with children and young people by the football clubs there. Will the Minister ensure that grassroots football remains a commitment for The Northern Ireland Football Fund?”
“The Member is scathing of the police. If he is in trouble tonight and rings 999, who will he ask for?”
“The DUP will always side with the Chief Constable in his efforts to uphold the rule of law and build safer communities across Northern Ireland. Last week in the House of Commons, our party leader, Gavin Robinson, urged the Prime Minister to provide a funding package to alleviate the current pressures on the PSNI. That is where the focus of the House should be. <BR /> <BR />The amendments proposed by the SDLP and the UUP are in keeping with the spirit of our motion. The focus on increasing additional security funding is especially relevant, as that has plateaued in recent years and no longer reflects the challenges facing officers and our citizens from dissident republicans. Those gangs exert criminal control over many of our communities.”
“We will continue to press the Government to tackle those challenges and to urge others to support that crucial message, not to undermine it. We hope that the Minister will reflect on the damage caused by her Department's intervention in this case. <BR /> <BR />An advantage has come from this difficult situation in that it seems to have sparked more constructive engagement by the Minister with the PSNI on the Chief Constable's proposed recovery plan for rebuilding officer numbers. Let us be clear, however, that that should not have required public anger at the Minister and her Department's attitude towards the Chief Constable and his attempt to secure the necessary funding. <BR /> <BR />The PSNI has statutory obligations to protect life and property, maintain law and order, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice.”
“It is also crucial that the PSNI has the necessary resources to combat the ongoing threat from dissident republicans who still seek to unleash terror in our community. A significant proportion of the police budget is made up of additional security agreed with the UK Government. The idea that it violates protocol or principle for the Chief Constable to advocate for additional resources from the UK Government is therefore baffling; in fact, it would be remiss of him not to raise those issues at the highest levels of His Majesty's Government. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that we all agree that there has been chronic underfunding of policing and public services in Northern Ireland and that that must be addressed.”
“Thankfully, there was little action that night, but it was a great opportunity to have a one-to-one conversation with two officers for the entire night in the back of a police car. We were heavily flak-jacketed up, but it has to be done, and it was good to get an understanding of what the PSNI faces nightly. I recommend anybody to do it. <BR /> <BR />The Chief Constable and his predecessor have highlighted to the Policing Board stark warnings about the impacts of cuts on front-line policing in Northern Ireland across the political spectrum. Concerns have been well documented and recognised. We believe that the Chief Constable was right to seek additional funding from the Prime Minister and the UK Treasury, and that is not at all the position held by the Northern Ireland Executive.”
“The Chief Constable should be commended, not chastised, for his action to date. As well as the forthright approach that he has taken to the challenges that his organisation faces, Jon Boutcher is well known and highly respected in UK policing and has a strong relationship with Ministers and officials in Whitehall. Why, then, should he be expected to hide his light under a bushel and not use every tool at his disposal to advocate for the best outcome for Northern Ireland? <BR /> <BR />In recent weeks, I had the opportunity to complete a weekend ride-along with officers in Magherafelt. That gave me an opportunity to understand at first hand the many issues facing our local officers. The trip around Magherafelt started at 7.30 pm and ended at around 2.15 am on Saturday night/Sunday morning.”
“<BR /> <BR />For some time, the PSNI has warned of the pressures facing its finances as a result of years of underinvestment, but those warnings have been largely ignored by the Department of Justice and the UK Government. Funding in England and Wales between 2010 and 2022 increased by 20%. By comparison, the PSNI budget has gone down slightly. Over the same period, inflation was at 36% and, consequently, the PSNI budget has decreased. <BR /> <BR />At a meeting with the Northern Ireland Policing Board in April 2024, the Chief Constable said:”
“OK. The Minister can obviously feed back later, if she has had time to reflect, on whether she is supportive of the letter that was written. Whether she saw the letter or not is irrelevant: did she support it? <BR /> <BR />I will continue. The role of the Chief Constable includes being the accounting officer for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In light of that, the Chief Constable was entitled to make approaches to the Prime Minister on the financing of the PSNI. Funding of the PSNI involves the interests and responsibilities of not only our devolved Government in Stormont but the Westminster Government. It is the Chief Constable's role to ensure that he has a significant investment to increase police officer numbers and to allow him to ensure that we have a visible, accessible, responsive and community-focused service.”
“Minister, you can respond when you have the opportunity; maybe you will feed back in your comments. Did you support the letter from the permanent secretary to the Chief Constable?”
“I welcome the opportunity to open the debate on the case for additional policing resources. The Democratic Unionist Party stands with the Chief Constable as he continues to make the case powerfully for additional resources for policing in Northern Ireland. In tabling the motion, my party and I understand the strain on the current PSNI budget and the need for a budgetary increase to ensure community safety and combat crime in all its forms. <BR /> <BR />Each of us is seeing growing pressure on neighbourhood policing, crime investigation and community PSNI officers in our constituencies. It is deeply troubling that the Justice Minister has endorsed attempts to undermine what was an entirely legitimate request for extra support from the Prime Minister.”
“Thank you for that information, Minister. Given that approximately £180 million is outstanding, at what point does your Department write off debt? Is there a period — four or five years, for example — after which you look back and say that it is written off? Have you any figures on that?”
“Minister, how can Waterways Ireland or your Department solve the safety issue on the River Blackwater, with access for boats into and out of Lough Neagh? Was that issue discussed, given the tourism potential if that access were opened up?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. My question relates to the presentation on biodiversity in the sector that was provided to the Minister. What are the objectives of the North/South Ministerial Council on that? Will he give more insight into that?”
“I thank the — I was about to call you Minister, but that would be a bit much. I thank the Member for the answer. Do you have any idea of the cost of the remedial works to make the roof safe?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. How did Northern Ireland's results compare with those of other jurisdictions and participating countries?”
“Thanks for your answer, Minister. Can you advise me on the part that the private sector plays, or played, in achieving those numbers? If an individual is referred to the private sector by the trust, and the private sector is not fit to deal with that person, who then goes back to the trust, where is that person on the list?”
“Minister, do you recognise the need to ensure that arts funding is distributed in a fair and impartial manner across Northern Ireland, including in rural areas and in support for marching bands?”
“The crime that that young fella committed was driving a crane. That was his crime. <BR /> <BR />Reggie was 19 when he was murdered and tragically taken from us, but, as we hear from day-to-day, there was "no alternative". After all that trouble that the family went through, Reggie's father died of a heart attack, five months after Reggie died — the man did not die of a heart attack: he died of a broken heart. <BR /> <BR />The McCollum family was at the service on Saturday. I do not know how they did it. They went and they commemorated Reggie's passing 30 years ago. They are typical of families in Northern Ireland who suffered so much, but you do not hear them. They get on with life, day by day, and you do not hear from them. I pay tribute to them, and I pay tribute to Reggie, the young fella I knew when I was growing up.”
“On Saturday past, I attended a service to commemorate the murder of Reginald McCollum, who was murdered 30 years ago on Saturday in Armagh. Reggie — I knew him as Reggie — was 19 years of age. Nineteen. He was two years younger than me. Reggie was a typical young fella: he worked on a local farm and did all that young fellas did — probably things that they should not be doing — but his biggest crime was going for a night out to Armagh. That was his biggest crime. He was removed from a chip shop at two o'clock in the morning, tortured and murdered. <BR /> <BR />That is not all that the McCollum family had to suffer. Reggie's grandmother was blown up by a booby-trap bomb, a few miles from the village of Sandholes, and his brother lost his life to an IRA mortar attack in Keady, south Armagh.”
“In your remarks, you made the point that pig farmers are putting slurry into rivers that run into Lough Neagh. Will you confirm to the House how many reports you have made to the NIEA about that?”
“The Member referred to pig farmers spewing their slurry into rivers. How many reports have you made to the NIEA about that?”
“Thank you for your answer, Minister. When will you be in a position to make further announcements or update us on the issue?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I welcome the point, towards the end of the statement, about Sperrinview Special School, which will benefit the kids of mid-Ulster. My question is about finances. At the start of your statement, you referred to a figure of approximately £0·5 billion. Will you give a wee bit more detail on the, presumably, additional funding that is required for that and on the Executive's commitment to it?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement and answers. You indicated in your statement that 1·1 million vehicle tests were carried out in the past two years. Are the current 15 test centres operating at maximum capacity and doing 100%, bearing in mind that you are going to add 20% with Mallusk and Hydebank?”
“We are now back in the Chamber, so it is up to you to deliver that. <BR /> <BR />The amendment takes away from the motion and adds nothing to it, so we will not support it today.”
“Thank you for your input, Minister. We have now passed that. We cannot keep looking back at the past.”
“How has that affected the time that it takes to get additional units to the scene of a deliberate ramming incident? Are officers at heightened risk? <BR /> <BR />There is an onus on the Minister of Justice to make it clear through tougher custodial sentences that there is no place for that type of reckless and cowardly behaviour. Those engaged in such activity in order to evade arrest must feel the full weight of the law. We have heard from the Minister about plans to enact sentencing reforms. It is time to see practical action and not just empty promises. We need to see an effective and appropriate deterrent for those who attack police officers and other emergency responders, regardless of what form that threat takes.”
“Thirdly, almost a third of the Slieve Gullion neighbourhood policing team (NPT) is now using soft-skinned or non-armoured vehicles, including four liveried 4x4-type vehicles. The review said that that would lead to increased road safety and pursuit capability, yet it turns out that that type of vehicle was the target of 30% of ramming attacks in south Armagh in 2022-23. Is that coincidental? How does that lower level of protection affect the severity of officers' injuries? Given that the review envisaged unmarked armoured vehicles still being used for specialist operations, has the introduction of soft-skinned cars effectively made routine patrols a target? Has the weekly patrolling strategy meeting taken account of the threat?”
“First, the reforms saw officers with years, if not decades, of experience being effectively cajoled into leaving south Armagh to make the policing complement more accommodating. Has that led to a less risk-averse and less informed approach to patrols? Has it increased the likelihood of less experienced officers being faced with more sensitive and challenging operational situations? Secondly, as a result of the review, 85% of the Slieve Gullion fleet is now liveried, and 100% liveried deployment is par for the course. Road safety operations, like vehicle checks, are now effectively publicised with signage. Has all that meant that police cars are a soft target for those seeking to evade the authorities?”
“If you look at the figures of recorded incidents with and without injury, you see that the PSNI had 3,272 incidents compared with 1,625 in Greater Manchester, 792 in Northumbria, 2,475 in West Midlands and 2,030 in West Yorkshire. There is a problem, and there is a moral responsibility on all sides of the House to accept that. The evidence is undeniable. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that those acts in south Armagh have coincided with a sweeping set of reforms to policing in the area that were ushered in by the former Chief Constable, Simon Byrne, after a PR disaster during a visit to Crossmaglen. A number of the recommendations in that review are relevant to the debate.”
“<BR /> <BR />Newry, Mourne and Down had the highest number of recorded ramming incidents of any district, outside Belfast, in Northern Ireland, well in excess of the trend witnessed in other border counties and areas of Northern Ireland. In 2023, that represented around a quarter of such attacks on police officers. Those levels are disproportionately higher, given the population of the area. <BR /> <BR />When we compare the figures of assaults with injury on a constable with those of other areas in the UK, we see a stark difference. In 2022-23, there were 79 recorded incidents in Greater Manchester, 243 in Northumbria, 893 in the West Midlands, and yet the PSNI recorded 971 incidents.”
“Newry, Mourne and Down district recorded 24% of all deliberate collisions with PSNI vehicles. Some 30% of those involved armoured police vehicles. <BR /> <BR />Many of the incidents involved people trying to evade arrest for a range of offences, including driving with no insurance or drug possession. Specialist training for officers cannot diminish the risk to an individual officer when someone uses their vehicle as a weapon. Therefore, it should be for the PSNI and the Department of Justice to take a step back and ask themselves, "What can we do to change the culture that is driving those attitudes towards police enforcement? Can we increase the maximum sentencing?".”
“Due to the rise in the number of police cars being deliberately rammed in 2023, multiple officers suffered whiplash and neck and back injuries, and soaring bills for the repair or replacement of vehicles were incurred. The officers are resilient and dedicated; in most cases, they will be back to work and right in the thick of it within days. However, this question remains: is the PSNI doing enough to promote their safety at work? <BR /> <BR />In 2023, 45 police cars were deliberately rammed, compared with 34 the previous year. Of the 29 incidents in Newry, Mourne and Down between 1 January 2021 and 29 March 2024, 83% involved armoured vehicles, 38% targeted liveried vehicles and 10% involved soft-skin and liveried vehicles. In the 2023 calendar year, there were 42 deliberate collisions.”
“I declare an interest as a member of the Policing Board. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the opportunity to throw a spotlight on the actions of those who use their vehicles as weapons to target and attack police officers in south Armagh and throughout Northern Ireland. It is unacceptable that vehicles are weaponised against our emergency services. It is no exaggeration to say that the threat posed by those who turn their vehicles into weapons is as serious and real as that from those who discharge firearms or plant bombs. <BR /> <BR />Between 1 January 2021 and 29 March 2024, there were 127 deliberate collisions with PSNI vehicles across Northern Ireland, 29 of which were in the Newry, Mourne and Down district command unit.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Staying on the emissions theme, as we speak, the transport sector — lorries and cars — sits in Cookstown, waiting to get through it, which will take approximately 30 minutes. As the public information scheme is on today, will you commit to delivering the Cookstown bypass or bring the train?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. My mother is a service user, and I see the work that those workers carry out day and daily. When will the four additional providers that he mentioned make a real impact in the Northern Trust area? The Northern Trust has one of the largest backlogs in Northern Ireland. Recently, a lady in her 100th year had to wait six months for a care package.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, can you give me some indication of what broad implications the changes will have for the building and construction sectors?”
“I met Stuart a few years ago in Cookstown when a wall mural was painted of him, Raymond McCoy and Aaron Hughes, all Cookstown men who played for Northern Ireland. I wish Stuart and his family well for the future and thank him for his inspiration to many young footballers in mid-Ulster and Northern Ireland and for the legacy that he has left.”
“Since then, footballers, managers and pundits have all spoken about his ability on the pitch and his commitment to whatever club he was playing for. He finished his professional career with Leeds United, a club that he made 266 appearances for and where he scored 28 goals.”