Órlaithí Flynn
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />Parliamentary privilege is a complicated issue, but it is a very important one for all Members to understand. It was helpful to get Matthew's intervention on the fact that the repeal changes nothing for Members. It simply takes away the reference to privilege which never fully existed. I thank Matthew for his intervention.”
“My comments will be brief. As Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, I welcome the opportunity to conclude today's debate on the motion to repeal Standing Order 70 and make a number of consequential amendments.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank the Chairperson and members of the Committee on Standards and Privileges for undertaking a comprehensive review of Standing Order 70 and for bringing the outcomes of that work to the Committee on Procedures, with the recommendation to make the changes to Standing Orders.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. As you outlined, Minister, a key part of creating a more resilient road network is having the workforce to deliver it. We know that British austerity has severely impacted on our workforce in DFI, creating an over-reliance on contractors and driving up the cost of works as a result.”
“I support the motion, and I thank its sponsors. <BR /> <BR />For many people, the journey to becoming a parent is not straightforward. Whilst some conceive without difficulty, others face years of heartbreak, uncertainty and loss.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have learned that people often talk about IVF as though it guarantees a baby. Tragically, the reality is that that is not always the case. This is not the first motion calling for three cycles of IVF that we have debated.”
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“I also support the Health and Social Care Bill as amended by my party and other Committee colleagues. <BR /> <BR />The closure of the Health and Social Care Board is a policy that has cross-party support, and it has the support of those who gave evidence to our Committee and many of those who responded to the consultation. As we know, there is almost universal recognition among all participants that reform is necessary and that what will replace the old board must be better. The closure of the board is a step in the right direction in the transformation that, we know, is vital to improving Health and Social Care services.”
“He wrote it just before he went into rehab in Liverpool, and it is called 'The Days of My Life':”
“It gives me no joy to present this petition to the Speaker today, as it comes from a place of great sadness and tragedy. <BR /> <BR />I have worked with Jack Brennan's family and his mother, Lorraine, since his untimely death in January of this year. The petition that I bring to the House today has been organised by the Brennan family and signed by over 2,000 people. It calls for improved addiction, rehabilitation and crisis services in west Belfast for all those who are battling the awful disease that is addiction and also a mental health condition. Sadly, Jack's experience of seeking help was not an isolated one. Arguably, it is the most common experience that many families are facing in west Belfast and many other areas across the country. <BR /> <BR />I will conclude my remarks by reading one of Jack's poems.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mr Catney outlined the Bill's objectives, and I am happy to support each of those individually, because we need to work towards improving access so that people have the products that they need. As I said, it is not good enough or right that so many people cannot afford access to the products and, as a result, suffer unfairly and mentally. We need to change that. I commend the Member for introducing the Bill, and I am happy to support it at Second Stage.”
“The Bill's introduction of free period products will go a long way, and seeing that progress is a great first step. It needs to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />We know that being unable to manage a period with appropriate menstrual products can make people feel upset, distressed and uncomfortable. The limited research that has been done has found that the impact of that can affect people's mental health. While the Bill is welcome, it is important to recognise the broader issues around poverty, not just period poverty. Some of that has been touched on, but, in aiming to deal with this issue, we need to view period poverty as part of the wider issue of poverty. We know that poverty, never mind period poverty, disproportionately impacts on women and girls as it is. The Bill is welcome, but we need to look at all of those things in the whole.”
“or problems. Women need to have holistic care, treatment and support as they go through their monthly cycle. The Global Menstrual Collective also states that people should have access to information about menstruation, life changes and hygiene practices; the ability to care for themselves during menstruation; access to water, sanitation and hygiene services; the ability to receive a diagnosis for menstrual cycle disorders and access to healthcare to help with those; and a positive, supportive environment in which to make informed decisions, including decisions on participating in daily activities, such as going to work or school. Even when you take into account only that small number of recommendations made by the Global Menstrual Collective, you can see that we have a lot more to do to give menstrual support to those who need it.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some figures have been quoted. The sponsor of the Bill said that 800 million people are having periods every day and that, globally, an estimated 500 million people have their period but lack access to the products and hygiene facilities that they need during their cycle. That figure cannot be overstated. <BR /> <BR />Although period poverty is a widespread problem, there is still a lack of research on the topic, as, I am sure, many of you will have found out before the debate. In 2019, experts from academic institutions, NGOs, Governments, UN organisations and elsewhere came together to form the Global Menstrual Collective to try to solve the issue. The Global Menstrual Collective defines menstrual health as:”
“One of the most awful things is that it can make women feel embarrassed or ashamed of their periods. That is wrong, because they are a fact of life. Of course, when people feel that shame and it is mixed in with the stigma that already exists and has existed for too long, it prevents people from talking about period poverty and the shame and embarrassment. <BR /> <BR />Period poverty causes physical, mental and emotional challenges. From what I have just said about the mixture of embarrassment, shame and stigma, Members will understand why it also presents a mental and emotional challenge for many people. The Bill will, hopefully, go a long way to easing some of those challenges. I am glad that the Bill sponsor is a male. It is a subject that is usually taboo and is seen as a female issue, so I am delighted to see that.”
“<BR /> <BR />Nicola covered the fact that period poverty affects attendance at school and can and does have an effect on the academic achievement of many girls, particularly those from the most deprived communities. The example that was used by the Chair of the Education Committee, Mr Lyttle, was powerful. The experience of that young girl who was worried about going home and letting her mother know that she needed period products, because she was fearful that her mummy could not afford them, is the experience of many other children and young girls. <BR /> <BR />Stats have been quoted that show that one in seven girls and women have said that they struggle to afford their sanitary products and that one in 10 have, at some point, been unable to afford them. We know that period poverty affects people in a variety of ways.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill as an MLA, as a member of the Health Committee and as a woman. Rosemary has just mentioned the fact that period products are not luxury items; they are essential items in the life of every girl and woman. We all need them. They are also costly, particularly when income is limited. Period care is essential healthcare, and monthly menstruation is a natural biological process that is out of our control and to which we need to attend. Period poverty means that financially struggling families face the additional stress every month of trying to find money to have those basic essential items at hand and in their home. It is unimaginable that anyone should dread the arrival of her period each month because she cannot afford the products that she needs.”
“Minister, you said that 233,000 people had been seen by their GP via an appointment, which is great. Does the Department have evidence that the lack of GP access or provision contributes to the crisis in urgent and emergency care?”
“I am very sorry that I am out of time. I had notes on the contributions from Alan, Gerry and the Minister. Thanks very much to everyone for their input. I am really happy to support the motion.”
“Fra talked about reusing the contaminated kits shift after shift after shift, which is clearly very dangerous and something that we need to do all that we can to avoid. <BR /> <BR />Like Pam, the Deputy Chair of the Health Committee, I acknowledge the proposer's personal and emotional attachments to the motion, of which I was not aware. I commend Mr Hilditch for his work and for all his energies in tabling the motion. I thank him very much for that.”
“<BR /> <BR />Paula Bradshaw, the chair of the APG on cancer, focused her remarks on prevention and made the point that thankfully the problem is being taken more seriously. Hopefully, Paula, our amendment can help with prevention. <BR /> <BR />I could devote the next half hour to talking about Fra McCann. Big congratulations to you for all your years in service: I completely respect you, and you inspire me every day. I will move on to your remarks on the motion, because, otherwise, I would go on and on. Fra spoke about the importance of firefighters' first-hand experience . We tried to base our amendment on some of the feedback that firefighters had given us on their uniforms and their PPE.”
“They may or may not have had enough protection, although I do acknowledge that they were dealing with a really extreme incident. As Robbie Butler said, there is no hierarchy of incidents to which firefighters respond. They could be putting out a fire on a grass lawn, but the quality of their PPE needs to be of high standard regardless of the incident that is being responded to. <BR /> <BR />Robbie also mentioned the mental health pressures placed on firefighters as a result of harmful exposure to different toxins. The important thing to come out of that is that, if we invest more in enhancing PPE, uniforms and the washing of kits, there could be a positive knock-on effect on our firefighters' mental well-being.”
“Colm Gildernew, the Chair of the Health Committee, made the glaringly obvious point that the risk does not end for a firefighter at the scene of an incident. He talked about the importance of having the appropriate PPE. That is critical. The critical nature of PPE has been evidenced throughout the past 18 months of the COVID pandemic, so we need to work towards having the best possible PPE procedures in place, not just for dealing with COVID-19 but for our firefighters. <BR /> <BR />I turn now to Cara Hunter's contribution. I am delighted that there was strong support from the SDLP for my party's amendment. Cara raised the poignant example of the 9/11 experience and some of the awful outcomes for firefighters who attended the scene that day. A lot of those outcomes could have been the result of the PPE that they were wearing on that day.”
“Probably his most important point was on the need to raise awareness among firefighters and their families by covering every aspect in order to prevent some of those health and social care staff from ending up with serious illnesses and, if they are carrying any, from passing contaminants on to their families. Thanks to Mr Hilditch for that.”
“It was said that there was a culture in the fire service that having a dirty kit was the sign of a good job done, but, obviously, with the health repercussions and with more evidence and more research being done, as David said, it is really important to challenge some of those old habits. David also pointed out the reality of the time limitations placed on firefighters. That is an issue when they are trying to be more careful in changing their PPE and their uniforms and stuff, because they are limited in their time to carry out proper decontamination.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Chomhairle. I will just do a quick review of some of the issues that Members have touched on. I will try to keep it specific to the content of my party's amendment, which was around best practice procedures, PPE, fire kit laundry and how, by putting more effort into those elements, some of the contamination issues affecting firefighters and their families can be prevented. <BR /> <BR />I am delighted that Mr Hilditch is happy to support our amendment. He spoke about the importance of the DECON campaign, to which the Minister also referred, and of challenging old habits.”
“It is right that we all look towards a system that will protect and respect women and, in this case, pregnant people in the choices that they will make, by not only providing safe and accessible services for them but safeguarding their privacy, which is really important. It is not acceptable that anyone should be made to feel unsafe or unsupported when accessing healthcare, no matter what that healthcare is. I am happy to support the Bill.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is regrettable that we have to have this discussion and that safe zones are even necessary, but they have become necessary as a result of the pickets and protests that we have seen intimidating patients and staff. The situation that we are in needs to stop. People can protest in an appropriate place, not where services are being provided. Safe zone legislation has been introduced successfully in other countries. Passing the Bill would send a really important message that there is support for such legal provisions and protections here. <BR /> <BR />There has been a long history of shame and hypocrisy — Emma touched on it too — about not just the issue of abortion and whether you are pro-life or pro-choice but women's health issues overall.”
“However, the harassment of women outside medical facilities in an effort to physically, mentally or emotionally obstruct and restrain them from accessing services is not a legitimate form of protest. <BR /> <BR />Some Members mentioned in their interventions the fact that the protections in clause 6 already exist in law, but, as the Bill sponsor said a few times, clearly something is not working. Whatever the circumstances, if women and staff do not go down the route of reporting offending behaviour to the police, what more can the Assembly do to help prevent some of it and support those people? The system is not working. Paula touched on whether it is a case of enhancing those protections.”
“However, it is also important that patients and healthcare workers, regardless of funds or resources, can go about their treatment and their business safely. The Health Committee has heard evidence of trusts having to secure buildings, and, again, that is an additional cost. From health trusts, we have heard about patients and workers being confronted by offensive and traumatising images and slurs. We have also heard of protesters who have recorded and taken pictures of patients and workers as they enter and exit the clinics. Those behaviours are nothing to do with rights or freedoms; they are basically the intimidation and harassment of vulnerable people in many circumstances. The right to protest in a way that does not constitute harassment should absolutely be protected and provided for.”
“That has been said across the House today, but, unfortunately, in some circumstances, it is not always the case. While those freedoms and rights on free speech are important, they neither supersede patients' rights to get the healthcare that they need nor workers' rights to go to work safely and without distress. <BR /> <BR />In recent Health Committee briefings — the Committee Chair touched on this — we have learned that some services provided by clinics have now had to be moved because of the intimidatory nature of certain protests. Extra resources have also had to be spent on relocating some of those healthcare facilities. Obviously, that is an expense that the healthcare system can ill afford, because it is already under immense pressure.”
“I am pleased to support the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, as it promises to protect the rights of patients who are accessing vital healthcare, often in the most traumatic circumstances. In recent months, it has been distressing to hear from patients who are being obstructed and harassed as they exercise their human right to access healthcare. Offensive images that are meant to cause hurt and distress do just that. They amount to the psychological and emotional abuse of patients. That is no way to exercise your right to protest or to free speech, nor does it show much respect for the rights of others, especially at such a vulnerable time in their life. While I support the right to free speech and the right to protest, I also support the notion that those rights should be exercised with respect and care.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. She will know that the wider impact of crime goes well beyond the criminal justice system, and, in a lot of cases, it impacts on the health and mental health of the victim. Will the victims of crime commissioner designate have any responsibility that relates to the Department of Health? Will they be able to make recommendations to the Health Minister, for example?”
“Thanks to the Minister for the response. He is probably already aware that the Climate Change Committee (CCC) expressed its intention for carbon capture and storage (CCS) to form a major part of Britain's emissions reduction strategy, yet the committee indicated that it is not due to operate here in any significant manner. Can the Minister tell us what interventions and supports his Department intends to offer in the absence of CCS technology to reduce emissions in the fight against climate change?”
“Although some do well, the educational achievement of looked-after children or children looked-after as a group, unfortunately, remains unacceptably low, which is clearly why the Department has included the duty on local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of a child. <BR /> <BR />I will bring my remarks to a close, but I am conscious that there are many more important clauses and aspects of the Bill that I have not touched on. Other Members mentioned some of them, but, as I said in my opening remarks, it is important to get the Bill passed at Second Stage today and for the Assembly and the Health Committee to use whatever limited time we have to progress it as quickly as possible.”
“As I said, the adoption process is difficult for the parent and, in particular, the child, which is why the requirement for authorities to promote their educational achievement should be the bare minimum in order to give those children and young people only what they deserve, which is the best chance of a happy and successful school journey, followed by a future career or job prospect of their choice if they are supported in the right way, which is, hopefully, what that will lead to. <BR /> <BR />In many cases of adoption and transition between families, the emotional and psychological distress felt by a child can lead to behavioural challenges at home and at school. Sometimes, that can essentially set them on a course to academic underachievement.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is vital that children and young people feel supported. We know that children who feel that they are listened to are more likely to be honest and to open up about things like abuse or other horrible things that might be affecting them. A couple of Members touched on that. We all want the same goal: to protect children from harm and ensure that they are safe: the advocacy role can provide that opportunity. <BR /> <BR />The Bill proposes a new requirement for authorities to promote the child's educational achievement.”
“As we know, the ultimate goal is always to ensure that all our children are happy, healthy and safe, but the advocacy services can help to champion some of their rights. Hopefully, they can help to support them and play a role in promoting equality issues and in keeping an eye on current services to ensure that no young person is discriminated against for whatever reason. Hopefully, they should also be able to give confidential help and advice quickly as and when it is requested. The most important part of this is that children and young people will have a statutory service that works exclusively for them and is dedicated to them and their needs. Such a service will help to guide any child through the adoption process and act on their behalf to communicate their needs and wishes.”
“I thank him for that because, to be honest, it has never been brought to my attention. However, like a lot of things and from dealing with suicide prevention, I know that some of the language needs to be dealt with sensitively, so I will bear that in mind. He referred to "children looked after". It is a subtle difference, but it may make a difference to someone watching the debate. <BR /> <BR />Advocacy is vital for children and young people, who, as we know, often have a lot of major decisions in their lives taken on their behalf. Many children who are looked after in care or are in the child protection system often have choices made for them. A statutory advocacy service should ensure that they will have a say about some of the care that they will receive.”
“You probably do not think about that unless you have been close enough to the experience of adoption, but it is about reaching out to the wider family. Other children in the home might need additional help or support if a sibling struggles to settle into their new environment. Even the youngest of children, no matter their age or how well they are able to comprehend what is happening with their new brother or sister, can pick up on stress and tension in the family, if there is any. We must be mindful of the other siblings in the transition process: they are part of it too. <BR /> <BR />I will move on quickly to the statutory advocacy services for current and former looked-after children. Mr McNulty made a point about the language around looked-after children.”
“According to the World Health Organization, a variety of evidence-based programmes can reduce the risk of mental illness, and intervention strategies can target the parent and the child at the different developmental stages. The strategies vary on the basis of the type of mental health you are dealing with, but most focus on the likes of developing social skills and emotional resilience and having general, healthy coping mechanisms. Hopefully, some of those worldwide and international strategies are already entwined in our local support services to support some of the parents or kids who might be struggling. <BR /> <BR />Another factor to bear in mind when considering an assessment of need for parent and child — Mr Butler is not in the Chamber now, but he touched on this — is having some thought for the rest of the family.”
“When it comes to the relationship between adoption and mental health, knowledge and prevention are power. Access to the right support services at the right time is an important first step for a parent or a child. I welcome that particularly for children who, commonly, are unable to vocalise or identify what they feel. The assessment of needs could address and identify multiple issues. I think that it was Kellie Armstrong who made the point about identifying needs early enough to prevent what could happen down the line. That better support for the parent, child and guardian is welcome. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, little research has been done on the prevention of adoption-related mental health issues — the Department might consider that — but implementing the practices and the needs assessment is a good place to begin. That is a positive.”
“As has been stated, adoption is an extremely difficult process for everyone involved. The process of gaining a child by removing him or her from another family can and does trigger a range of emotions — positive and negative — and those emotions can be difficult to process, particularly for the child. The advantages of a safe, stable home where the physical and emotional needs of the young children are consistently met are critical, as research has shown that adoptees are, sadly, more likely than non-adoptees to be diagnosed with mental health issues. Additionally, research suggests that adoptees are more likely to abuse substances and even attempt suicide than their non-adopted peers. Some of that is, obviously, due to the trauma that some of the young people and kids have experienced earlier in their childhood.”
“Some Members have spoken about their personal experience of the adoption process, but whether it be personal experience or engagement with constituents or social services as they go through the process, which, I am sure, we have all had, the most important factor and number-one priority is the child's welfare, safety and best interests. I welcome the fact that that is contained throughout the Bill and, rightfully, takes its place as a priority. <BR /> <BR />Another important aspect of the Bill is the provision of a new right for adopted children and adoptive parents to request an assessment of their needs for adoption support services. The Bill provides that that process will also be available for special guardians who might need additional counselling, advice or information.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some of the elements in the Bill that I will focus on are the child's welfare; the right to an assessment of need for a parent, child or guardian; the importance of the advocacy services; and the requirement for authorities to promote the child's educational attainment. I will address a bit more generally the mental health impact that the complex process can have on families. <BR /> <BR />The Bill aims to bring adoption law into line with the Children Order to ensure that the child's welfare is the main focus in decisions. That is crucial.”
“<BR /> <BR />As the Chair mentioned, when scrutinising any legislation that deals with vulnerable children and young people, it is essential that we focus on making sure that the process is transparent and that those in adoption agencies and in the Department are accountable. The Minister said that there was some feedback from the sector in the consultation that was carried out. I spoke to some groups in the sector. Barnardo's reached out to MLAs in advance of today's debate. Like many other stakeholders, it is keen to see the passage of the Bill through the Assembly as quickly as possible.”
“The importance of this long-overdue legislation has been mentioned numerous times already. You said, Minister, that current legislation dates back 35 years, which is longer than my lifetime. Most of the measures in the Bill are around modernising the current framework, which is outdated for dealing with the adoption process. <BR /> <BR />The Chair said that we had only six months left in the Assembly term. The Assembly and the Health Committee are pushed for time for giving the Bill the scrutiny that it deserves. It is essential, however, that we use the limited time that we have to treat the Bill with the utmost care and attention, which, hopefully, will allow it to complete its legislative passage and ensure that children and families are supported.”
“Thank you for your response, Minister. You mentioned the work you are doing on suicide prevention in your Department. It is important to state that it is the responsibility of all the Executive parties and Departments to try to tackle this issue, which still impacts on our society. Could the Department look into expanding the scope of the pilot to include additional bridges?”
“Minister, in your opening remarks, you mentioned the stakeholder working group that has been set up for some of this work. It was on 22 March that you gave the commitment to establish that group. How many service users, carers or advocacy groups are on the working group, and has it met yet?”
“Minister, thanks for the response. I am glad to hear that the site visit went ahead. Can the Minister confirm, on the back of that site visit, whether he is ruling out calling for an independent investigation to see where the odour is coming from? It is still coming from the site, regardless of the measures.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. He will be aware that, over the summer, there were distressing reports of sectarian attacks and intimidation. There is still the issue of the burning of flags and other emblems on bonfires. What additional steps can the Executive take to tackle sectarianism in all its forms and manifestations?”
“I thank the Minister for her detailed response. She has probably partially answered my supplementary. <BR /> <BR />The additional money for active travel, which is a big improvement on previous years, is welcome, but only a small percentage of that goes towards cycling. Although the Belfast cycle network plan is also very welcome, the funding has to be delivered to the areas that need it. West Belfast only has 1% of the city's cycling infrastructure. Beyond the meetings with officials and the West Belfast Partnership Board, can the Minister use any other initiatives to ensure that active travel is firmly rooted in her budget and to spread that evenly across all areas?”
“Thanks very much, Minister. I am glad to hear that, although it is at reduced capacity, it has started to operate again. I am conscious that, this week, we are one year on from the Julia Cumberlege report. I know that you will probably make an announcement on that soon. On the back of that report, will you confirm whether there are any plans locally to look at reimbursing patients who have to travel to access private healthcare to remove mesh implants fully and safely? I know that there was some progress over in Scotland recently. Do you have any update on that?”
“I was unable to be in the Chamber last week, Minister, so I want to acknowledge the hugely significant announcement that you made about publishing the 10-year mental health strategy and funding plan. There are some detailed figures in them on different service developments that you hope to progress. <BR /> <BR />Can the Minister outline how he arrived at some of the costs? Was a needs analysis carried out to make sure that the demand is being met in the way in which he is breaking down those costs?”
“A carer's mental and physical health will have a significant impact on their ability to provide support for others, so let us do all what we can to help support them.”
“<BR /> <BR />While funding for services is a challenge in the overall context of the health and social care system, the number of people who are in need of long-term care is continuing to increase regardless. It is, therefore, crucial that in any system, including our own, that is reliant on informal carers, practical and financial support is available. The contribution of carers' support to the economy is priceless yet, unfortunately, their health and well-being is not often recognised or prioritised. <BR /> <BR />Caring can be physically, mentally and financially demanding. Without providing support for carers to look after themselves, we are, essentially, jeopardising their ability to provide that service.”
“One of the reports stated that almost 40% of them have reported having a mental health problem, yet only half of that 40% are getting any additional support to try to deal with that mental health distress. <BR /> <BR />As we know, for many years, carers have been highlighting that, one, they are not getting enough sleep; two, they are providing hands-on help for the person who they care for; and three, they are struggling to manage financially. Those are the three biggest things that are contributing most to their stress and anxiety. When carers go without any additional support to cope with those types of issues, is it any wonder that they go on to suffer from depression, stress, anxiety and strained relationships with their family and friends?”