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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“Yes, and I thank the Member very much for his intervention. You would have thought that we had planned that, Gerry, because the next remark that I was going to make was about the example of women getting paid leave because they are living with that pain. The example of painful menstrual cycles was a point that I was coming to. A lot of women are dealing with endometriosis and living with that pain, but if it is fobbed off as just a bad period, it makes you reflect on the whole issue. A woman who does not have endometriosis might have to live with a monthly bad period, but when you are living with the additional impact, pain and pressure of having the condition on top of having a monthly menstrual cycle, it is just not fair. Yes, I would absolutely be in support of any measures that support women who are going through that.”
“That is what a lot of women are faced with when they live with that condition, and it does make you wonder. When Danny spoke about inherent misogyny in the health system, it sounded a bit harsh, but when you think about scarring, damaged organs, living in constant pain, and that that has been the accepted way of things for so long, you do think about inherent misogyny in the system and in how the system was designed. Gerry mentioned that in his remarks, too. It is important to reflect on that and to appreciate everything that the Minister is endeavouring to do and take forward to try to make some improvements in that area eventually.”
“We will follow up on progress and, hopefully, we will be able to support the Minister and all the staff in all the work that will take place in the time ahead. I was really glad to hear about that. <BR /> <BR />As for the context, the importance of it and the delays, it is already clear that the issue does not affect only a few. We heard some statistics from Members who spoke. In the North, in particular, we are talking about tens of thousands of women. Across the island, we are talking about hundreds of thousands, and when you multiply that across these islands, you see that it is such a big issue that has an impact on so many women. <BR /> <BR />It has almost become normalised that a woman should live with constant, severe pelvic pain, with internal scarring. We are talking about damage to multiple organs.”
“I will wind on the motion and, as the Minister did, thank everybody who spoke in today's debate. It has been genuine and authentic. From their remarks, you can tell that Members, across the Chamber, really care about this issue and, more broadly, about all those issues that impact on women's health. <BR /> <BR />I also appreciate the Minister's response and remarks. He has already provided some important updates and improvements. Following today's debate, it will be important for Members to follow some of that detail closely, and I am sure that they will. We wish him and all the health and social care staff who will be involved in delivering that work all the best. It will be good for the Health Committee to follow up anyway, and the Chairperson is here beside me.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Mitigations must be discussed and put in place to protect those people and ensure that they receive the fair pay that they deserve.”
“<BR /> <BR />No one thinks that it is an option for the staff not to receive the pay awards. Nobody wants to see further delay. With every day that passes, staff feel increased strain on their pay. Without resolution, confidence will be eroded and morale undermined. That is not what those workers need, when they work in an environment where they help people, for their physical and mental health. <BR /> <BR />Mark made the point that the later the pay award comes, the more pressure it puts on people who are in receipt of benefits and universal credit. We must bear that in mind too. I hope that we will get the payments over the line ASAP, but then we have to factor in how it will impact on people who may miss out because they are on universal credit.”
“<BR /> <BR />As has been said, responsibility for delivering the pay award ultimately lies with the Department of Health, as the lead Department. However, it is important that engagement takes place with the Department of Finance and other Departments. Everyone needs to come together, on whatever level, simply to find a resolution and get the issue solved. That is what needs to be done. Paula mentioned the responsibilities of the Health Minister, which are important and, no doubt, difficult, but he must prioritise where his money goes. Stretched as his budget is, it is important to have that priority set out. It is also important that, at the end of the day, we do not have people back out on picket lines. We must do whatever needs to be done to fulfil the pay awards.”
“Day in, day out, they work long hours with heavy workloads and often at significant personal risk. They deserve decent, fair pay, safe working conditions and the recognition of a system that values their contribution. We owe them nothing less. <BR /> <BR />The NHS Pay Review Body recommended a 3·6% rise for Agenda for Change staff in 2025-26. As we know, that includes nurses, midwives, ambulance staff, porters, cleaners and health visitors: the full spectrum of staff who ensure that our health service operates safely and effectively. The recommendation has already been implemented in England, Scotland and Wales. Yet, in the North, our workers still wait for what is rightfully theirs. No Member will say that the delay is fair or acceptable. It sends the wrong message about how we value our workforce in our health system.”
“I also support the motion and restate our unwavering commitment to pay parity for Health and Social Care staff. As outlined by the Member who spoke previously and many others, our health workers are the backbone of the system. We have all had our personal experiences of the health system, as have our family members, the people around us and the constituents in our constituency offices. What those people — nurses and doctors — do every day is the life and breath of our public health system. It is not right that we have got to the point again where people feel the strain and stress of possibly having to go back onto picket lines. None of us wants to see our healthcare workers put in that position. They are the ones who care for patients. As Mark said, they are often in difficult circumstances.”
“It is not ideal that families are put on to planes, when there is already a world-class CAR T-cell therapy service in Dublin. Let us be clear that, while we support the building of a local service, we must also support the Minister in getting an agreed all-island pathway, if possible, so that patients in the North can access treatments in Dublin. <BR /> <BR />I again offer a special welcome to the family members who are in the Public Gallery tonight. We are all thinking about you first and foremost.”
“While the progress is welcome, the reality is that people in the North are still sent across the water to England or Scotland. That means long journeys, financial strain, emotional hardship and separation from their children, partners and support networks at precisely the time when they need them most. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's commitment to developing haematology therapy services locally. As Members have pointed out, the work is complex. The worry is that those services may take years to establish, and patients who are living with those illnesses today do not have years to wait. For them, linking with Dublin would be the most practical and compassionate solution. People on these islands should have access to health services as close as possible to their home.”
“For many, CAR T-cell therapy may be their only chance. The devastating truth is that the treatment is available just 100 miles away in Dublin at St James's Hospital, yet patients here cannot access it. That is not because of lack of capacity or funding but because we cannot, as yet, get agreement. Hopefully we will get an update from the Minister on the conversations between our Department of Health and their counterparts in Dublin. <BR /> <BR />We are told that a CAR T-cell therapy facility may not open in Belfast until 2030 and even then only after accreditation. That would mean at least five more years of patients being forced on to planes to go to London or Manchester, when they could be driven to Dublin in an hour or two.”
“I also support the motion from the SDLP Opposition. Other Members have referenced Catherine's family. As MLAs, obviously, we rise with sadness, but, hopefully, there will be a bit of determination following tonight's motion. Sadly, as we have been told, we are reminded of the recent passing of Catherine Sherry, a young mother from Armagh who travelled to London for CAR T-cell therapy. We see in her story the deep human cost of a system that, unfortunately, forces people at their sickest and most vulnerable to leave their family, community and home to access life-saving treatment. <BR /> <BR />CAR T-cell therapy is not experimental; it is life-saving and proven. It offers hope to people with blood cancers when all other options have failed. Across this island, thousands live with conditions such as multiple myeloma or lymphoma.”
“Too many women here are being diagnosed too late, when their treatment options are limited and outcomes poor. This is about our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends — real people who are facing this deadly disease. Often, diagnosis comes too late, because of the misconceptions around what a smear test can pick up. <BR /> <BR />Please, spread the message to the women in your family, any woman in your life with whom you are in contact and, particularly, your constituents.”
“<BR /> <BR />In July, NHS England made it clear that cervical screening does not detect ovarian or other gynaecological cancers, and the Health Service Executive in the South is also running a public awareness campaign. Women in the North deserve the same clarity and support, but, up until now, the Department has failed to act. <BR /> <BR />Ovarian cancer is much more treatable when it is caught early, as is the case for many cancers. Right now, 31% of women in the North who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer will not survive for one year. That must change. We must ensure that women know the symptoms that they need to be looking out for: persistent bloating; abdominal pain; feeling full, quickly; and changes in bowel habits. Awareness saves lives, and early diagnosis will save lives.”
“<BR /> <BR />Many women have a false sense of reassurance that smear tests will pick up ovarian and cervical cancer. That is costing lives because many women still do not know that that is not the case. There is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer, as there is for cervical cancer. That makes the awareness of its symptoms absolutely critical. If women do not know what symptoms to look for and think that it will be picked up through the normal screening of the smear test, that is dangerous. Target Ovarian Cancer has repeatedly called on the Department of Health to update the public messaging around that. That needs to happen urgently.”
“I will speak about an extremely important matter regarding women's health and some of the massive misconceptions that still exist among many, many women around smear tests and the detection of ovarian cancer. <BR /> <BR />The most recent stats show that almost half of the women — a staggering 46% — in the North of Ireland believe, wrongly, that a cervical smear test will detect ovarian cancer. It will not. As a woman who likes to think that she is across looking after her health, I can throw my hands up and admit that, until my first encounter with the Target Ovarian Cancer charity, I did not know that that was the case. I commend that charity for leading the way in creating awareness of the fact that smear tests will only screen for cervical cancer.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. He touched on some engagement that his Department had carried out. Will he elaborate on the engagement that has taken place specifically with parents to ensure that the scheme meets their needs?”
“A very big thank you to the wonderful Committee staff and all the individuals and teams who gave evidence to the Committee and provided us with advice and guidance on bringing forward the proposal. Again, I am pleased that everyone seems to be happy enough to pass the new Standing Order. I commend it to the Assembly.”
“It is important that, as the Chair of the Committee outlined, the Assembly fulfils the requirement of section 15(3) of the Assembly and Executive Reform Act 2016 and implements the recommendation of the previous Committee on Procedures, which was endorsed by the Assembly, by providing for an annual debate on the Executive's legislative programme. The proposed Standing Order makes that provision. It recognises the process that the First Minister and the deputy First Minister have adopted on the Executive's legislative programme in this mandate, and it includes a time frame that should assist the planning and scheduling of Committee and plenary work. <BR /> <BR />I thank Kellie, our Chairperson, and all the members of the Committee who took the time to get involved in the discussions as we compiled the draft Standing Order.”
“I hope that, through the annual debate on the legislative programme, Cara and other Members will feel that we have those things. I am pleased that Members are content with the Standing Order.”
“Like the Chairperson, I, as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Procedures, welcome the opportunity to speak in and conclude on the debate on the motion to provide, in Standing Orders, for an annual debate on the Executive's legislative programme. <BR /> <BR />I begin by thanking Cara Hunter, who said a few words in the debate, and giving a special thank you to our Committee Chairperson, Kellie, for all her work on the Committee to date and for opening the debate. There was full support in the Committee for the new Standing Order. I am glad that, this evening, Members seem to be content to pass the motion to introduce the Standing Order. The points that Cara highlighted, on accountability, transparency and openness, are really important.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. I also note that the Minister recently launched Belfast Tradfest. Does she agree that traditional music is a very big draw for international tourists?”
“Above all, support those who are still fighting to this day: those who are still alive and in crisis, silently fighting for their lives. <BR /> <BR />I urge all Members, if they have the time, please to come to the Great Hall any time from 12.30 pm to show their solidarity and to sign the pledge. Sinéad would greatly appreciate your attendance and appreciate having a wee chat with individual Members so that she can speak a bit more about Seán.”
“Today, in Seán's name, and the names of all those whom we have lost too soon, we ask you to support the regional mental health crisis service plan and to support Seán's law.”
“Those words will stick with her for the rest of her life because he is now, sadly, gone. <BR /> <BR />Today, I encourage all Members of the Assembly to listen to Sinéad's specific call for each and every one of us to listen to her request to get the regional mental health crisis service over the line and fully implemented. Sinéad Boyle and her family firmly believe that Seán's death could have been prevented if he had been given the immediate and appropriate crisis intervention services. If those services had been available to him, he might still be alive. The need for the service is urgent. The solutions are well known, but the human cost of inaction is far too great.”
“We have heard that about a lot of cases that have been mentioned in the Chamber, but he had asked for help multiple times. Unfortunately, the help that he required was not there when he needed it most. Sinéad told us that Seán often said:”
“Members, today at 12.30 in the Great Hall, I will stand alongside Sinéad Boyle. Sinéad is a mother whose son Seán tragically died by suicide in June 2020. Sinéad is calling for urgent action to see crisis intervention services made available to all who need them, regardless of where they live. She has contacted all Members and all Ministers to ask them to support her calls for the regional mental health crisis service to be implemented. As you will know, that plan was first published in 2021, but we are still waiting on the funding to fully deliver the plan, and that is an urgent need. <BR /> <BR />Sinéad's son Seán was just 24 when, sadly, he lost his young life to suicide. He always struggled with his mental health, and he also, sadly, struggled with substance use. Seán wanted to live, and he asked for help.”
“I would be delighted if you could join me to visit Colin Glen Forest Park in west Belfast and see how we can help it to extend its opening hours. It is restricted to opening between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm due to various issues, including antisocial behaviour. I want to see how we can open access to the park to the wider west Belfast community. I extend a warm invite, if you would like to take me up on it.”
“Thanks very much, Minister. You walked yourself into my supplementary.”
“Minister, recent media reports have revealed the presence of asbestos at a bonfire site in Meridi Street in Belfast. What engagement have you had with the NI Environment Agency (NIEA) on the removal of that asbestos? Do you agree that no bonfire should take place where asbestos is present at or in close proximity to the site?”
“I thank the Minister for that response. It is disappointing to hear that the pilot tests might not be successful. Does the Minister have a timeline for when the review of that information system will be complete? Could another funding option come through the North/South Ministerial Council? Last week, he gave an update on all-island working on alcohol and drugs.”
“Minister, as you said, all partners have a responsibility to get around the table to find a solution for getting the rest of the required funding. What can you do specifically, as Finance Minister, to ensure that the redevelopment of Casement Park will be delivered now that we have the funding from the British Government?”
“In March, we held a session at the all-party group (APG) on women's health at which we heard from a mother named Laura, who said that, while she was in the mental health unit, when her wee newborn baby was being brought to visit her, she was beside a smoking area. She did not have access to a proper bath to get bathed after giving birth. It is ridiculous that mothers are still experiencing that scenario. Two years ago, a petition was handed to Robin Swann, including signatures from, sadly, some bereaved families. One mother from Belfast had lost her life, so her wee newborn baby was left without a mother. We therefore really need to get the facility over the line for all the mothers and families in our communities.”
“We need to look at how we can maximise cross-border cooperation so that no mother, regardless of where she lives, faces the awful scenario of being separated from her newborn baby if she is in mental health psychosis or dealing with a bad mental health illness. <BR /> <BR />I will mention the maternal advocacy and support (MAS) project; all the clinicians who have been part of the campaign; all the groups, including the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA); and the journalists who have spoken up and spoken out, including Marie-Louise Connolly, who has done a 'Spotlight' piece on the need for a specialist unit.”
“Some new mothers experience serious mental health challenges after birth, and they deserve access to specialist inpatient care that allows them to stay with their baby while they are receiving the healthcare support that they need. Mothers cannot wait for that kind of facility any longer. They deserve compassion, dignity and proper care as they begin the life-changing journey of parenthood. <BR /> <BR />We know that a location for the unit has been identified at Belfast City Hospital. As recently as last week, the Minister of Health said that the business case is at a pretty advanced stage. He hopes that the unit will be green-lighted during this calendar year, which would represent important progress. If we were to get the unit over the line very soon, it would be the first facility of its kind on the island.”
“Giving birth should be one of the most fulfilling and joyous times in a woman's life. It marks the beginning of a new journey and a new life, and no mother should be separated from her baby at such a vulnerable and critical stage of development. Recent media reports of mothers being separated from their newborns have once again highlighted the urgent need for a specialist mother-and-baby unit on this island. I commend the courageous women and families who have spoken about their experiences, and their voices must genuinely be heard. I urge the Department of Health to act swiftly and progress the business case for a dedicated unit without further delay. Shamefully, we remain the only part of these islands that does not have such a facility for mothers and babies.”
“I thank the Minister for her response and her efforts to deliver the suicide prevention measures. It may be hard for the Minister to answer this question, but given that £1·8 million funding is required, does she have any timeline for when the barriers will be erected?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. She said that a lot of it is still under consideration. Will she inform me whether Bunscoil Phobal Feirste, which is on the Shaw's Road and is located in a residential area, is likely to be included in the third tranche of 20 mph speed limits, please?”
“People not being able to access a dentist when they need to definitely has a widespread negative impact. <BR /> <BR />We know the pressures that are on the budget — it is often the same conversation in the Chamber. If I am correct, the Department of Health is allocating just over £9 million to general dentist services in the North — the Minister will correct me in his remarks if I am wrong — which works out at 0·12% of the overall health budget. I know that that budget is going towards many important things, but we need to move this on and find a solution to make sure that, first and foremost, a child can get access to an NHS dentist if they need it.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister's pledge to try to address health inequalities was mentioned by, I think, Alan, when he introduced the amendment. That pledge was welcomed across the House; we were all pleased to see it. It is an important piece of work. The Minister will know that one of the biggest health inequalities is in kids' oral health, and he will know that constituencies such as mine — West Belfast — probably see the highest level of teeth-related admissions to EDs of young children because they do not have access to the dental care that they need. There is a mental health impact when people go through prolonged periods of pain. You know yourself that, if you have a toothache and discomfort in your mouth, it can impact on your attendance at work. Such pain can also impact on kids' attendance at school.”
“One of my constituents reached out to say that having been registered with the same dental practice for the past 30 years, and having their treatment with that local dentist — this is similar to what Philip said in his remarks — she and her husband were told, just last week, that they were going to have to pay £500 a year because their dentist is having to put in private dental pans for all his patients. If he does not do that, the practice will have to close, which would mean that there would be no dental care for any of those patients. It is leaving people with no choice: if you can pay for private dental care, all well and good, but if you cannot, you face a hospital admission and having to undergo general anaesthetic and surgery, which is particularly worrying for kids. That is not good.”
“<BR /> <BR />Sometimes, we use the word "crisis" about plenty of different issues that come up, but I do think that this is genuinely verging on crisis, because of the fact that we have got to where we are: National Health Service dentistry has reached a point where parents cannot register babies and young children, and adults are getting phone calls saying that their local dentist is having to go fully private. Alan, in introducing the amendment, mentioned that only two practices are fully NHS — and it has been covered in the media as well. The whole situation is worrying. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that we are all being lobbied by our constituents, regardless of what part of the North we represent.”
“I agree with the points that were made by all Members who have spoken. We are not debating the motion as just a policy concern or a policy issue. We know that the BDA has raised it time and again at the Health Committee — certainly, for the past number of years — and has warned of the sense of collapse across dentistry, because dentists cannot afford to supply the care to their patients. It is basically not worth the money that they receive.”
“Those stats clearly illustrate the issues that communities face with signal across West Belfast and, hopefully, the need for some action and improvements. We are engaging with the relevant agencies on repairs to the damaged equipment, as well as bringing a case for an improved signal to phone companies in London. Too many people have told us horror stories about not being able to contact emergency services, missing appointments and being isolated from family. The priority for Sinn Féin is to hopefully deliver better infrastructure and signal to workers and families in West Belfast. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response today and to getting her assessment and feedback on the issue.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some of the other survey findings were that residents are being charged full price for their connections despite getting little or no service, and there is growing anger and distrust towards mobile providers. The survey revealed that 87% of people rated their signal as poor or very poor and, shockingly, only 3% of respondents stated that their signal was good or excellent. A staggering 83% experienced frequent dropped calls, indicating a severe service quality issue in the area, and 28% of people had issues with their service at home, with over 50% struggling with signal everywhere.”
“It found that the signal issues are widespread across West Belfast; the problems have persisted for over a year with no permanent repair; and health, work and personal safety are being seriously affected. I am conscious of a story that was in the news as recently as yesterday about a young woman who was, disgracefully, sexually assaulted on the Glen Road. It is even the thought of that, do you know what I mean? If you are out for a walk or a jog in West Belfast at 5.00 am, 6.00 am or 7.00 am, you should be safe undertaking such a simple activity. Even the reassurance of having a secure signal on your phone would definitely mean a lot. I know that signal issue is particularly bad in the Glen Road area.”
“We welcome the recent results of a survey that my colleague the Sinn Féin MP for West Belfast, Paul Maskey, launched. The reason for that survey was to explore the extent of the mobile phone signal black spots that were being reported in the constituency. The survey had a fantastic response rate, with 2,602 responses. That figure clearly shows the level of frustration that is out there because of those poor signal and connectivity issues. My colleague Aisling Reilly will touch on that in more detail. She will provide an in-depth breakdown of the areas that have been worst affected and give some personal accounts of how that is directly impacting on our constituents and the quality of people's daily life. <BR /> <BR />I will provide a very brief summary of the key issues that the survey found.”