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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“What mechanisms are in place for reporting on the impact of work to reduce offending, sharing good practice and learning from experience?”
“I would like to ask the Minister about planning applications. Obviously, a lot of people are waiting with anticipation the Casement Park decision. In one of your previous answers, you mentioned that you will be considering some of these decisions soon. Have you any timeline by which the public could expect the decision on Casement?”
“To follow on from Mr McCrossan's question, I do not mean to sound critical of the Minister — that is not my intention — but he will know that, after the monitoring round that included that £1·5 million, and although there is a bid for £7 million for the multidisciplinary teams, I said publicly that that was not enough, given the challenges that we face with mental health. <BR /> <BR />At the Health Committee last week, the issue of trauma and the psychological impact of COVID-19 was discussed and the fact that we still have not seen what will come next. The Minister referred to the 'Mental Health Action Plan', and there is a section in it on the COVID-19 response. I know that the report stated that that is a fluid piece of work that will change. Is there anything concrete on actions under the COVID-19 mental health response?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. As the Minister said, obviously, the decision regarding Spain was made at the weekend, and it was the right decision. Recently, at the Health Committee, we heard that the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) was the person responsible for looking at and assessing the data. What is the data based on? Is it a local rate for the North, a combined rate for the island or a rate across Britain and the North? Finally, can the Minister confirm whether there are other areas that are currently being considered as a potential risk?”
“<BR /> <BR />We can all have our own very different perspectives on the life and contribution of Bobby Storey and also on the events of his funeral, but I urge Members who rise to speak on the motion tonight to please also accept and remember that his family are grieving and that their grief is as deep and as difficult as the pain of anyone else. Whatever issues we are discussing here tonight, we should all recognise that diminishing the dead diminishes us all.”
“How many Members here, in the midst of this week's incessant media coverage, the tweets, the Facebook statuses and the interviews, have genuinely given any thought to the grieving family of Bobby Storey? It seems that, for many in the Chamber, the family of a republican activist is worthy of less respect and less consideration. I have thought constantly about the family of Bobby Storey, the Pickering family, the Storey family and about his young grandchildren, who have lost their Granda Bobby, and Teresa, who has lost her partner and the love of her life. Every day since Bobby has passed, their pain has been real and heartfelt.”
“I would rather not, thank you. <BR /> <BR />In discussing the motion, I am mindful of the grief and the sorrow that his family is experiencing, and my heart is sore for my friend and my colleague, Bobby's heartbroken partner, Teresa. My heart is sore for their children, some of them my very good friends. My heart is sore for their young grandchildren, some of them still trying to make sense of what has happened and some who still do not understand what has happened at all. My heart is sore for Bobby's nearest and dearest lifelong friends. <BR /> <BR />In two days of discussion in the Chamber, there has been little consideration of the pain being experienced by the family of Bobby Storey. There has been very little or no expression of sympathy and no condolences.”
“He was a person of huge influence and inspiration not just to me but to many hundreds of thousands of republicans across this island and further afield. Bobby was a mentor, a champion, always in my corner, and he did his very best to support me and many other younger republicans in our party. He was loved by so many from the constituency of West Belfast. He earned the respect of the community of West Belfast, republican or otherwise, and it will always be with a smile that I will think of Bobby, including here tonight.”
“Tonight I will oppose the motion. With the entire Sinn Féin team, I recognise how difficult and challenging these past few months have been for everyone but particularly for those who lost loved ones to COVID-19 or those who had to endure the heartache of losing someone during the pandemic. I recognise those Members who lost close relatives during this time, and I recognise their heartbreak. I take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to every single family that has lost a loved one at this time and to every family out there that is going through the difficult and heart-wrenching process of grief. That includes the family and friends of Bobby Storey. <BR /> <BR />Bobby Storey, who tragically passed away on 21 June, was a very dear friend of mine.”
“I support the motion and, again, thank the Members for tabling it. I am happy to support it and hope that Members will lend their support to my amendment.”
“Again, that was one of the aspects of mental health and suicide prevention that had been impacted by COVID-19 and the pandemic and now must adapt, along with everything else, to meet people's needs post-COVID and the demand on services. However, I also raised concerns at the last Committee meeting that the Department put in a bid for only just over £2 million in additional moneys for mental health and suicide prevention in the June budgeting allocations. <BR /> <BR />Just to finish, in my view all of this needs to be considered in the context that our mental health services, as we all know, are already under pressure. The suicide prevention strategy, a big piece of work, still has to be fully implemented. On top of all that, we are now expecting a possible surge in demand for services as we exit the lockdown restrictions.”
“While that sounds positive, what it actually says is that the barrier to putting the person first is not actually because of the legislation but because they maybe do not fit neatly into a predefined box when they are looking for help and support. As services are rebuilt and commissioned in the future, it is vital that they be person-centred and take individual needs fully into account. We need to consider that the individual needs for many may require treatment for those who are battling with both a mental health problem and an addiction. <BR /> <BR />I will finish my comments by welcoming some more of the positive news coming from the Department of Health recently in and around the innovative programme towards zero suicide. That programme is going to be resuming in July.”
“It is often the case that they are interlinked, but services are unable to respond or, worse, are not there to respond at all. I recently asked the Minister a question regarding dual diagnosis, and I thank him for his response, which was:”
“A few weeks ago, the Health Committee received an oral briefing from organisations providing these services, and I really urge all Members to go back and listen to some of the stark evidence from those groups, as it is a testimony to the struggle of providing addiction services to those suffering most from those issues, and with mental health challenges on top. It is very clear to see that the sector is deeply concerned about how the lockdown has affected those service users who are already seeking help, and indeed those who will in the future need those services due to COVID-19 and the lockdown. <BR /> <BR />I want to take a bit of time to explore a bit further the issue of dual diagnosis. A dual diagnosis is when someone has to first choose between addressing their mental health condition or their addiction.”
“<BR /> <BR />Every Department and every arm's-length body must be asked the same pertinent question: how are you promoting the well-being, health and mental health of all your staff and service users? Although there is clearly a need for all Departments to respond and collaborate, I believe that this will be best placed within the Executive working group that was established for mental health. <BR /> <BR />The Department of Health must also have its own detailed plan to respond to the need for greater mental health and addiction services.”
“I agree that there needs to be more resources for mental health and well-being. It is also important that we see mental health and well-being in every programme from every Department and not just from the Department of Health. For example, the resilience and well-being framework being developed by the Education Authority for young people in our schools is a step in the right direction. However, it must now also take into account the legacy of COVID-19. How will the Department for the Economy measure the impact of job losses and financial worry, and how will the financial stress being felt across our communities be factored into tangible supports for all our businesses and workers?”
“I also acknowledge that the Health Minister has expressed to me, verbally and in writing, his commitment to progress and develop a new and improved substance misuse strategy, alongside and as part of the wider mental health action plan and the 10-year strategy. The question is now: how will the wider health and social care system respond to the mental health challenges that we face in the time ahead? Will there be a clear and dedicated mental health action plan that has adequate resources attached to it? <BR /> <BR />I note that the Minister previously announced the appointment of a mental health champion. Again, although that is very welcome, we still need the Minister of Health to be our ultimate champion for improving mental health services, including addiction services.”
“I also want to pay a special tribute to all those across our communities who are struggling with their own mental health problems. I want them to know that, even when they feel most alone and isolated, there are people and services who want to help. Our new reality is that COVID-19 will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future and it will have a lasting impact on communities across the island, even without a second wave. Anxiety is being felt across all communities and across all sectors of our economy and we, as a body, must be well prepared to deal with the challenges that that will pose. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge that in the early weeks of the pandemic the Department of Health took on board my recommendation to create a dedicated page for mental health and well-being advice.”
“I thank the proposers of the motion. The challenge before all of us is how to improve mental health and well-being as we gradually emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown. That will not be an easy task but it is an essential one. Mental health and well-being are not just the responsibility of the Health Minister; they are the responsibility of all Ministers and their Departments. I believe that our amendment adds to the motion and, importantly, draws attention to the needs of addiction services and the challenges of a dual diagnosis. <BR /> <BR />I want to begin by paying tribute to all of the organisations and staff that are working in the field of mental health and all those who regularly attend the all-party group on suicide prevention, including many Members in the Chamber whom I know care deeply about the issue.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. The Minister will be aware of the report of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) on childcare, which was published last year and which found that workers in this sector are underpaid, with almost half being paid below the real living wage. The introduction of sectoral bargaining would help to set minimum standards of pay and conditions to devise career paths for workers in the sector, which has been historically categorised as a low-wage industry. Will the Minister ask the Labour Relations Agency to convene a sectoral bargaining forum between childcare providers and trade unions?”
“I am not sure if the current health and safety regulations are included in the review that the Minister spoke about. If not, will the Minister commit to carrying out a separate review of those regulations in the private rented sector?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement, particularly his comments that transformation will be at the heart of the approach to rebuilding health and social care services. We know that health transformation, when properly funded and based on partnership working with service users and all those in health and social care, is essential to building the future of our health and social care system. How will the Minister work with the transformation advisory board to progress the transformation? I am not sure from his response to Pat whether the new management board will supersede or replace the transformation advisory board.”
“The supplementary has been covered already in relation to the bridges. Thanks very much, Minister.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and answers thus far on a very fluid and complex situation. Members have asked similar questions, and there can be a lot of overlap. You have already addressed the issue of staffing and skills. Will the Minister outline what additional capacity that has or will be commissioned to address the rise in demand of assessment pods, bed space and ward space, as areas in the South of Ireland have commissioned some intensive care beds?”
“I thank the Minister for her response, and I commend some of the sporting and community activists who have recently established a new well-being forum in my constituency of West Belfast. Building on the Department's 'Wellbeing in Sport Action Plan', does the Minister agree that we need more mental health awareness training and initiatives for sporting and community groups, such as the well-being forum in West Belfast?”
“Studies show that isolation is a key influencer in the onset of illness and that fear of crime can result in such isolation. The report highlights the fact that it is often the case that the support networks that older people once enjoyed are not as robust as they were due to friends and family members passing away. <BR /> <BR />Demographics are changing and our older population is increasing significantly, which should be a cause for celebration. However, it also means that we need to rethink how our public services are set up and delivered for their needs. The criminal justice system should be no different. It must be accessible to older people and, importantly, must deliver for them. <BR /> <BR />I call on the Assembly to support the motion.”
“They may not let neighbours into their house for fear of another burglary, or may stop driving to the shops or to visit friends because they fear that their car might be stolen. That can be the unforeseen impact of crime. <BR /> <BR />Being a victim of crime can be a traumatic experience for anyone but, as was said, there are particular factors that make older people more vulnerable. We heard about some examples of crime in a care home setting, and, as Members know, the Dunmurry Manor care home in my constituency is the focus of a police investigation into the alleged abuse of elderly residents. <BR /> <BR />All forms of crime can have a devastating and lasting impact, physically and mentally, on older people. Fear of crime can be damaging to an older person's state of mind and seriously hinder their level of social interaction.”
“From my work in mental health, I hear a lot of talk about the need to support younger people with access to the internet and social media, but is there the same emphasis on older people and internet use? It is important for older people to become more protective of their personal and financial details, as statistics show that fraudsters have targeted one in five pensioners in the North. <BR /> <BR />Crimes such as burglary, vehicle theft, criminal damage and violence without injury intrude on personal space. That invasion of safe spaces can cause severe and lasting harm. As was mentioned, almost half of older people feel more fearful of becoming a victim of crime compared with how they felt two years ago. We do not want older people locking themselves away in their homes through fear of being victims of crime.”
“A review of the existing court set-up should ensure that the needs of all older people are provided for. An enhanced approach, with the relevant agencies working in collaboration, is needed. An example is the roll-out of support hubs, which would bring together key professionals to support victims of crime.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the genuine relationships and cross-party working that I have experienced since becoming an MLA and chair of the all-party group on suicide prevention. I want to express my appreciation to the Members who sit on that all-party group and have worked collectively to try to tackle the issue of suicide. <BR /> <BR />Turning to the motion at hand, I welcome the fact that, in May 2019, the Commissioner for Older People published a report calling for a change in how older victims of crime experience the criminal justice system. It is my understanding that several recommendations have yet to be fully implemented. Older people should be able to participate fully in the criminal justice process and have their voices heard.”
“I am proud to follow and replace her as an MLA and as a proud Irish republican woman. I look forward to representing the people of the Colin area just as well as Jennifer did. <BR /> <BR />Those who know me know that I have a keen interest in mental health, suicide prevention and women's healthcare issues, particularly the ongoing mesh implant scandal, which has seen so many women injured by those devices. I have had the pleasure and privilege to work with so many great individuals, campaigners, groups and families. I will not name them as I know that, even if the Speaker were to indulge me, it would be nearly impossible to cover them all. During the past three years, as Sinn Féin's mental health spokesperson for the North, I have worked closely with my colleagues in the south, Máire Devine and Pat Buckley.”
“I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate and address the House. Ironically, on this day in 2017, I was making an acceptance speech on behalf of Alex Maskey, Pat Sheehan, Fra McCann and myself as we were re-elected to the West Belfast constituency by almost 25,000 voters in the last Assembly election. I have been an MLA for over three years, and this is the first opportunity that I have had to address the House. I will not rehearse the reasons why, but I am happy to say that progress has been made and that I, like many other Members, wish to make a real difference to the lives of the people of West Belfast and wider afield. <BR /> <BR />As this is my first speech, I would like to take a few moments to acknowledge the great work and example of my predecessor, Jennifer McCann.”
“I know that the Minister has updated Members on a few occasions on developments on the coronavirus, which I thank him for doing . Will he identify what steps he has taken to ensure that Departments and the public are fully informed on the guidance and the steps to take? I know that the Minister mentioned the cross-departmental meetings and another meeting that has been planned. Have any specific steps been taken to help inform the public and the other Departments about what they can do practically to deal with this?”
“In my West Belfast constituency, the Colin area has benefited greatly from the Urban Villages initiative in the T:BUC strategy. Does the Minister believe that the delivery of the T:BUC strategy is improving community relations?”
“I thank Minister Swann for his response. Given the positive cross-agency working thus far between the PSNI and health and social care staff, not just in the example of the street triage but the pilot schemes in the custody suites, will the Minister elaborate on any discussions that his Department has had with the PSNI to ensure the continued roll-out of those important projects?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will the working group give a commitment that it will help to fully implement the 'Protect Life 2' suicide prevention strategy and to secure the cross-departmental working that is required to reduce the problem and prevent people from suffering with mental health problems and suicidal ideation?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Will she ensure that the advice sector is adequately resourced so that those who are dependent on welfare benefits will receive their full entitlement?”
“Congratulations to Mr Swann on his appointment as Minister of Health. I welcome the measures that he has outlined to resolve the pay parity issue and, hopefully, bring the industrial action to an end. However, I would also like to highlight some of the serious and genuine ongoing concerns around how we as a society — not necessarily specifically the Department of Health — deal with the complex issue of mental ill health and, indeed, suicide prevention. Can he give assurances that he will fund fully the recently published Protect Life 2 suicide prevention strategy? I should also say that I look forward to engaging with the Minister on these critical issues in the time ahead.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle, and I also send my congratulations to Mr Weir on his appointment as Minister of Education. I welcome the statement from the Minister today, particularly in relation to the investment that is coming into St Kieran's and St John the Baptist schools in West Belfast. I also thank the Speaker, as I know he was involved in some of that work with St John the Baptist School locally. Can the Minister please outline when the work on these two schools will commence?”