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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“It has been said that, in the grander scheme of things, the COVID recognition payment will only amount to a small contribution but, symbolically, while carers say that they do not feel visible, appreciated or recognised, the gesture of that payment sends a positive message to every carer in our society. <BR /> <BR />I believe that if the motion is passed and implemented, all of the additional measures that we are calling for in it will go a long way towards addressing the mental health needs of carers, which are often neglected despite many of them experiencing poor mental health. Reports have shown that over 70% of carers have poor physical or mental health. Those mental health problems include emotional distress, depressive symptoms and clinical depression. Cara mentioned the impact on young carers.”
“The impact of COVID saw respite services and day-care centres pulled almost overnight, which meant that carers' usual coping strategies and support plans also disappeared immediately. As we know, those facilities have been slow to return and many carers continue to struggle. The Chairperson of the Health Committee said that it is getting to the stage where many people will be facing burnout, which is a real concern. Those carers need access to day breaks. <BR /> <BR />We heard from Kellie about the importance of overnight respite stays both for carers and the person who is being cared for. They also need the full resumption of day centres. The COVID recognition payment was mentioned. Cara has asked the Minister to provide an update, so I hope that we will get some more detail on that.”
“I am happy to support the motion. It is great that another Health Committee motion has been brought to the Assembly with the support of all the parties that sit on that Committee. It is a good opportunity to show the Committee and the Assembly's appreciation for all carers in our society. <BR /> <BR />It has been said previously that we already knew that carers were in need of considerable support pre-COVID, and that many carers struggled to have their roles properly recognised and valued by public services. Paula Bradshaw mentioned some of the figures that we got from Marie Curie and the estimate that, of the 310,000 people in the North who may be providing care to a family member or a loved one, almost 100,000 have become carers since the start of the pandemic.”
“Go raibh maith agat, Minister, for that answer. There was another car accident on that road a number of days ago, so it is obviously still a major worry. There is another hotspot in the area that we are worried about, right beside Our Lady Queen of Peace Primary School. I know that the Minister's schedule is extremely busy, but, if it is OK, we would love to have the opportunity to get you on-site to show you around some of those areas in order to see how we can progress.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing this important statement to the House. I sincerely hope that he gets all the support and investment that he needs to deliver the framework. We all understand its importance and what people are living through. <BR /> <BR />Minister, there appear to be some practical solutions that are missing from the statement, albeit with all the different initiatives that you have spoken about. Will you be putting in place any plans to allow GPs to carry out some simpler procedures? I am thinking about carpal tunnel surgery, for example. Some of those more simple procedures could be done by GPs and might just help to reduce the waiting lists. Is that being looked at?”
“Minister, we have been speaking about the overall mesh implant scandal for a number of years now. Of course, it is applies not just to hernia mesh but to vaginal mesh. Many, many men and women are living in great pain as a result of the mesh implants that have been inserted into their bodies. While I accept that the proportion of people who have had the hernia mesh inserted and are living in long-term pain is probably small, will the Minister confirm when the mesh clinic at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) is due to reopen? I have submitted a question for written answer on that but am yet to receive a response. I am not sure whether there is any update on the Julia Cumberlege report. I know that the hernia mesh issue is separate to that, but it will need to be looked at so that men can also avail themselves of the treatment.”
“I will just pick up on the Minister's last point about the delayed trauma that might impact on children and young people. Recently, the interim mental health champion said that she is fearful of a potential tsunami with regard to children and young people's mental health and well-being. In that context, is the Minister confident that the critical incident response team that is in place is sufficiently resourced and funded for the surge that we might see in coming months and, indeed, years?”
“I thank the joint First Minister for her response. I agree that this issue certainly overtakes any sort of party politics right across the board. Is the Minister confident that the Executive can come together to formulate an Executive-wide response, similar to the work that was done in responding to COVID, to try to tackle the waiting lists?”
“I thank the Minister for his response, and I am glad to hear that he is going out on a site visit. In his letter, he mentioned that the health implications were of the utmost concern to him. Although the Public Health Agency (PHA) has advised that unpleasant smells are not known to be harmful to health, the PHA has also said that persistent odours can cause headaches and nausea and that extreme smells and unpleasant odours can lead to mental health issues. All of those effects have been reported from local residents. What is the Minister's opinion on the assertion that there are health implications for residents? Will the Minister give a firm assurance that he will try to get this sorted?”
“— about the issue. Jonathan encapsulated it: it is when we talk about the families who have lost.”
“When you do not get people at the right time, they get to a crisis point. Minister, I have spoken to you many times about why I feel so passionate —”
“Minister, all the positive actions that are being taken with the strategies — the crisis review, the perinatal services, the money that goes to charities and everything that you have spoken about — are great. It is really good stuff that shows your commitment to mental health, but it is the funding that really worries me. If we cannot break through that 5% to 6% of funding for mental health, it will not have an impact and bring down the number of deaths. <BR /> <BR />I do not have my glasses, so I am not sure what time I have. To finish, I will ask this: as the threshold to accessing services increases and the waiting lists lengthen, what happens to those who cannot seek the help when they need it? They reach crisis point. We have heard it from Jonathan and others. That is the worry.”
“However, I also feel strongly that we need a psychology lead in the North to have a voice and direct input into the discussions and programmes of work that take place at management board level.”
“I appreciate that the Minister has just appointed a new director of mental health, which is an important role, and I really wish him all the best in that.”
“We do not like to use the term "stats", because it is about people, but you are four or five times more likely to die an alcohol or drug death if you live in one of the most deprived constituencies as opposed to the least deprived. Again, I call on the Department to try its best to get some sort of dual diagnosis system up and running. I know that the Department is looking at the introduction of minimum unit pricing, which is work in progress, but we need to keep working on that stuff at pace. <BR /> <BR />Someone mentioned the idea that we need targeted funding to capture the areas that are most deprived. Ideally, the Department of Health should ring-fence funding for where it is needed, and, again, I think that Alan mentioned having the support of the Executive to try to ring-fence that funding to save lives.”
“Thanks very much for the intervention. We spoke about that in the Committee with the Minister, and we have seen the increase in antidepressant prescription forms across almost all constituencies, so it is a worry. <BR /> <BR />I will just finish off my previous point. The number of patients who have been detained is double this year what it was last year, so it is just to put in the context — Alan raised it — of the impact of the pandemic and how that will increase the pressures on the mental health system. <BR /> <BR />I will bring it back to health inequalities, which we have covered in our Health Committee. The Minister will be well aware that the biggest health inequality that exists in the North is in relation to drugs and alcohol. We have seen and heard the stats.”
“The health services across the island have looked at different services, but we should look at those options to prevent people having to travel long distances to get those specialised treatments. <BR /> <BR />As has been mentioned, we know that, over the course of pandemic, many patients suffering with severe and diagnosable mental illnesses have deteriorated further.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sadly, we know that many specialist services are not available or do not have the inpatient beds to provide the care that people need. Since 2015, 142 patients have been referred outside the North for services that were not available locally. Sixty-eight of those related to personality disorders, and 45 of them, as you know, related to eating disorders. That is not right, and it is not good enough. I do not put the blame solely on you as Health Minister, but I think about the people who have to travel to get that treatment. We need to do something to change that, and I appeal to the Minister to consider all the options that are available, including any all-island options.”
“I am happy to speak in support of the motion. I like how people have taken a different focus in each speech, and, without coming across too negative today, I would like to focus our minds on — it will not come as news to the Minister — the pressures that mental health services face at present. We marked Mental Health Awareness Week last week, and it is important to be aware of the realities and pressures that some of the services are under. Minister, last week, you told the Health Committee in your own words about the increase in referrals and the situation with the bed occupancy rates, which are actually above 100%. We need to take into account the pressures that you, as Minister, and your Department are under in dealing with what is a serious enough situation with mental health capacity.”
“— as a result, is that we really need to be careful with our language in the Chamber. Until we see the evidence and the outworkings that our citizens are being impacted, we have a responsibility to be really measured and to focus on progress and solutions.”
“Yes, the changes are having to take place, but the important thing for us as MLAs, and people were saying how our constituents might suffer —”
“The language that the CPO used at the Committee was that all that work that has been done and is still being done is standing us in good stead in our understanding of supply chains. <BR /> <BR />We know that our medicine supply chain is being reorientated as we speak, and there is no change in that. That is happening as we speak. We are now working towards this phase of a new normal for a wide range of partners in the industry. The pharmaceutical industry is a broad family, and it is looking at highly complex supply chains from around the world. They are looking at different ideas but are having to make decisions, and they are making decisions already around transporting to the South of Ireland from the North and direct models into the North as opposed to via Britain. That is work that they are used to doing. This is a complex business.”
“That is the important thing that we need to be talking about and keeping checks on. We heard about the potential for slow access to new medicines and delays to the introduction of variations in licensing. The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer has made it clear that that has been given top priority. More importantly, it is part of the ongoing talks between the British and European Union negotiating teams. That is where you will get progress and movement. <BR /> <BR />We heard about the large programme of work that is being undertaken by our Department of Health, the CPO, the Department of Health and Social Care over in England and by HMRC. An enormous amount of work has been done to reduce the risk to our supply chains.”
“<BR /> <BR />Cathy Harrison has briefed the Health Committee on a number of occasions about the impact that Brexit is having on medicines and supply. Members will know that, every time, we have asked what is being done to address those problems. That is the point that we need to get to. We know that the mitigations thus far have ensured minimum disruption to patients and citizens, and we know that many of the issues that were raised were about the readiness of traders and the short grace periods. It also has to be said that the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer stated that the majority of those issues have been resolved and that they are working through them, albeit on a case-by-case basis, and that, importantly, they have a further enhanced surveillance system in place.”
“I thank the Member for making that point. I want to bring my remarks back to the word "solution". <BR /> <BR />We hear about the threats and the 90%. We need to focus on medicines disruption. Carál referenced it earlier in relation to Scotland. The disruption that we see is not unique to the North. If it is not unique to the North, logic tells you that it is not unique to the protocol. Carál mentioned the Scotland example. A committee has been set up to monitor the availability of all medicines across England. As recently as 14 May, that committee revealed that the latest shortage that has been reported is for fluoxetine, which is an antidepressant. The shortage exists for England, Wales and us in the North. It cannot be said that the protocol is causing those shortages; it is bigger than that.”
“When Cathy Harrison gave us a briefing at the Health Committee, she talked about long-term change and a new normal. We have heard all those comments being made. The long-term change that has been identified and to which the industry is trying to adapt has been a result of the process that has flowed from the Brexit referendum.”
“Although the point has been made a couple of times in the debate already, it is fair to say that no one in the Chamber wants to see any disruption to our medicines and medical supplies. You, Jonathan, will know from the Committee that it is an issue that we are all aware of. The problem with the motion is its essence and content. It ignores the glaring reality of why we are at this point. Members across the way have made the point that it is as a result of the protocol, but we are not debating the issue of unfettered access to medicines and medical devices as a result of the protocol. As has been said, the reality is that Brexit is the problem. Brexit is the point. We have been brought to where we are now because of Brexit. The protocol emanated from Brexit. Brexit was the catalyst. Language is changing.”
“The First Minister outlined some of the issues that high streets were facing even pre pandemic. All the work that the task force is carrying out is great. Does she have any update on another important initiative to help support the high streets, namely the high street stimulus scheme?”
“Minister, you have partly answered my supplementary question. First, I am delighted to hear that legislation is being prepared and will be progressed, because we know how many families are living in substandard housing accommodation. It is not fair; it is not right. Can you elaborate on the timeline for that legislation's progression?”
“What is the Minister's assessment of the benefits that the Casement Park development will bring to the wider community of west Belfast and, more broadly, to Gaelic games and culture?”
“Go raibh maith agat. Thank you to the joint First Minister for that response and those assurances. That sounds like a firm and clear commitment to see the full implementation of 'New Decade, New Approach'. Can the Minister provide an update on what discussions are taking place with the two Governments about their commitments in the agreement?”
“To follow Mr Stewart's point, over the past number of weeks we have seen the destructive influence that paramilitaries can have on our society in working-class, loyalist communities and the murderous intent of the so-called dissident micro-groups. Does the Minister agree that those gangs need to be condemned outright and removed urgently from our society and that those who refuse to abandon that criminal activity must face the full consequences of our criminal justice system?”
“Once again, I emphasise and support the need for enhanced investment in those sensitive services, which are doing their very best to help people at the most difficult points in their life. I am happy to support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is my belief that we can go further and should consider the establishment of a psychological autopsy service, particularly — this is a bit more specific — for those who have been bereaved by suicide, who will have many unanswered questions about a loved one's death and whose grieving process is even more complicated by the effects of the stigma and trauma around people who die by suicide. That process could act as an additional avenue of support and could develop into a system of learning around the difficult and complex issue of someone who has completed suicide and died. <BR /> <BR />I will finish by taking the opportunity to join other Members in acknowledging the significant work of all our voluntary and statutory organisations that are providing those bereavement services at present and doing much more.”
“In many cases, it is only when a loved one has died that the family has that space to feel the impact of the loss fully, and it is usually then that they need that emotional support most of all. As part of the recent mental health consultation, we in Sinn Féin called for a specialist bereavement service to be established, even if it is on a regional basis, because we know that specialist services such as bereavement services are a necessity to help to support the families and carers, who, sadly, a lot of times, can be left to navigate the situation and learn how to cope by themselves.”
“Both of them were still so young when they passed away, and both battled with life-changing and painful diseases. As a family, you can only witness and watch the people whom you love gradually slip away, and, at times, you feel powerless to help them. It is really important that the needs of people of all ages who are living with dying, death and bereavement, including the families and the carers involved, are addressed, taking into account the preferences of those people and their wishes, because every family and every circumstance will be different. <BR /> <BR />As Kellie and Carál mentioned, bereavement supports are a vital part of palliative care.”
“Of course, we want to see our loved ones free from pain and discomfort and ensure that their financial, physical, emotional and spiritual needs are addressed as they face the end of their life. <BR /> <BR />Living through that real-life experience and even just having to undertake those conversations and decisions is really challenging and traumatic for any family to go through. Members have expressed that in the Chamber today. Many of you have endured that difficult journey through the process of losing loved ones from your family. My Uncle Jodie lost his battle with bone cancer a number of a years ago. He was still in his 40s when he died. Only a number of weeks ago, my cousins buried their father after a really long and difficult fight with motor neurone disease.”
“As other Members have done, I thank Joanne for bringing the motion to the Assembly today, and I welcome the opportunity to speak in support of it. Thank you for that. <BR /> <BR />The issues around death, dying and bereavement deserve to be treated with the utmost respect and compassion, and, through their remarks thus far, Members have all done that justice in today's debate. At some point in all our lives, we will face the illness and end-of-life care of a loved one. With that in mind, we need to make decisions on how end-of-life care should happen. When faced with the inevitable responsibility of caring for and supporting a loved one as they die, we need to ask what we would like to happen.”
“Will the Minister commit to putting it on the agenda for the next BIC meeting? We know that many people who are battling substance misuse are also battling mental health problems. I have regularly discussed in Health Committee meetings the number of cases that we, as MLAs, deal with of people in crisis who cannot get help and support. On Friday, I met the family of Jack Brennan, a young man who lost his life in west Belfast three months ago. Sadly, he is one of many. Can the Minister give any firm commitment on when a dual diagnosis service could be in place here or a timeline for that? It would be great to act as that voice in wider meetings on that important issue.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing the statement to the House today. This has been touched on, but it is disappointing that there is no mention in the statement of dual diagnosis. I am conscious that it was not on the agenda.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement to the House. The Minister mentioned that all the affected patients had been contacted by letter by the trust around making arrangements, providing support and all the rest. Can the Minister be sure that everyone has already received those letters? Is that the case, or may it be that some people are still falling through the gaps? What can the Department do to rectify that?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and his answers thus far. Will the Minister indicate when businesses can expect to be paid through the scheme that was recently announced on the COVID business support grants?”
“The Minister said that a lot of work was being done and it may be cross-departmental. However, given the impact that illegal and legal loan sharks have on our societies and communities, preying on the most vulnerable, are much more comprehensive measures required on top of the systems that are in place?”
“I thank the joint First Minister for her response. As we know, the pandemic has had a huge impact on many people, particularly the vulnerable, the lonely and those in poverty and housing need. Women, in particular, have also been impacted quite badly; we have seen increased levels of unemployment and domestic violence. With all that in mind, does the joint First Minister agree that addressing social inequalities and concerns should be at the core of the Executive's recovery strategy?”
“We know that financial concerns contribute massively to poor mental health, stress and anxiety, as do concerns about housing and where they are going to live, and loss of hope and purpose about their future or the quality of their education. Some of those students will be feeling all of that. <BR /> <BR />I finish by quoting a recent prevalence report into the mental health of our children and young people that was published in October 2020. It noted that 16- to 19-year-olds — the make-up of our student population, essentially — are five times more likely to have a mood or anxiety disorder than younger children.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many Members listed the challenges facing students with job losses, restrictions on seeing friends and family, remote learning and — the big one, for me — their mental health and well-being. That is important, and it is good that Members have been given the chance to recognise and articulate those challenges, because students will be listening, and, more importantly, because a person's mental health and well-being are closely related to their environment and to any additional pressures that are placed on them. Students and young people are no different, and those who have been excluded, in particular, may be feeling additional pressures at the moment.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Again, it is a good and positive thing that the Minister for the Economy wants to see people return to work as soon as possible, because that will help their mental health. However, that does not take away from the debate that we are having about the extension of the £500 payment. <BR /> <BR />The point that I was making is that students, no matter where they come from, face the same challenges and pressures. Some Members mentioned the bids that the Minister for the Economy has made for schemes. Minister Conor Murphy allocated £22 million for the current disruption payment. Did the Minister for the Economy request any further bids that might have included those students who have been left behind in the current scheme?”
“It would send a powerful message to our young people if we could all welcome the motion to extend the £500 payment to all students studying full time and those in higher education courses. <BR /> <BR />Since the early stages of the pandemic, my office, like those of other Members, has been contacted by many university students who faced paying rent on halls that they were anxious about going to in the first place and who had lost part-time jobs and crucial hours that they would usually have worked just to get by. I was also contacted by those in further education and by students who study in the South and in Britain. They face many of the same challenges and pressures —.”
“The Minister? Thank you. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Member for his intervention. I am not taking away from the fact that the £500 disruption payment that is already in place is absolutely welcome and represents a big move on the part of the Minister and the Executive. However, the Minister still has responsibility for all the students in further and higher education. <BR /> <BR />First, I would like to personalise the debate. I remind Members that we are talking about our young people — people in their late teens and early 20s. It is our young people, who are on their own special journey to becoming adults. They are at the most crucial part of their lives, when they are just starting to set out who they are and who they want to be. It is an important time in anyone's life. We cannot lose sight of that.”
“I apologise, but do not apologise, that some of my remarks will repeat what other Members have touched on, as it cannot be overstated. I support the motion wholeheartedly and encourage all Members to do so. I want to send a clear message to all our students that their hardships and struggles are real and recognised by the Assembly. I will focus my comments on the wider challenges facing students, particularly those who find themselves excluded from the £500 disruption payment. First —.”