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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“The Minister, her officials and the network companies will be aware of those attacks, which, again, have taken place over a sustained period. We are also acutely aware of those attacks and their impact on the situation.”
“I begin by thanking the Minister for being here this afternoon on an issue that is extremely important to the constituents whom we represent in West Belfast. <BR /> <BR />I will give a brief bit of background. We have been getting feedback from residents and workers from across our constituency that they have been facing severe mobile network problems. We have been receiving those concerns and complaints for some considerable time. Reports have been showing constant call failures, poor or no mobile data, very patchy 4G and 5G and reliance on unstable Wi-Fi in people's day-to-day functions. That has deeply affected healthcare access, work, education and personal safety. The problems have reportedly worsened after attacks of vandalism on local masts.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. The statement referenced work on mental health, drug and alcohol services and mentioned the alcohol policy advisory group. Are any joint initiatives being planned in those areas? Was any cross-border cooperation discussed on the mother-and-baby unit, if we get to the point — hopefully, in a short time — of having one here?”
“Minister, you mentioned really positive stuff about the gynaecology waiting lists and mesh removal. Will your implementation plan that will be published later this month include a breakdown of targets and timelines specifically for mesh removal or for gynae more generally? Will the detail of the plan be that specific?”
“Minister, I greatly welcome today's announcement. It is brilliant to hear the news about the cross-border initiative, the two phases and the cancer plan. It is all good stuff in the statement. Thank you for listening to Members who lobbied on that.”
“Maybe the Minister can give us feedback about what will happen when the strategy expires. I know that he is focused on action and action plans, but it would be useful to get an update on his next steps and how he sees the matter progressing.”
“Where it has been rolled out in other parts of these islands, it has shone a light on where services work well and, importantly, where they fall short. We will, hopefully, take any input or learning that we can get from that process. <BR /> <BR />Trying to move forward with technical advances and the NICE guidance on hybrid closed-loop technology was also mentioned. Philip mentioned his wife. We know patients who are living with the condition. We know of practical examples of life-changing treatments. Maybe there could be more of a focus on delivering the things that, patients with direct experience have told us, massively help them in their lives. <BR /> <BR />The diabetes strategy covers the period from 2016 to 2026, and it is coming to an end. The Minister, like most of us, is not a fan of strategies and long, drawn-out processes.”
“It is no surprise that we see some of the bigger spikes in those areas. I am conscious that the Minister has spoken about making health inequalities one of his top priorities since coming into post, so he might have feedback on how his health inequalities programmes can target diabetes and do some of the preventive stuff that is referred to in the motion and that Members have talked about. Prevention has come up time and again. As with many other illnesses and diagnoses, where you can intervene earlier and educate better, there is probably a better chance of making living with the illness more bearable. <BR /> <BR />The National Diabetes Audit was referred to — Cheryl referenced it a good wee bit in her opening remarks — and it is important for us to participate in that as much as we can.”
“I still think about that child — I hope that he is doing great — because, although I was there for different reasons, I could sense the strain and pressure that that diagnosis put on the child and his family. That was my first insight into the life-changing impact of that diagnosis. I am sure that living with it is difficult for adults, but it must be especially so for children who are trying to manage diabetes. It is important to say that. <BR /> <BR />Diabetes UK was, thankfully, able to make it into the Gallery for the debate. The business has moved quickly, then more slowly, then quickly again, so it is good that the charity is here to hear Members' comments. <BR /> <BR />Points have been made about the connection between rates of diabetes diagnosis and areas of higher deprivation.”
“The examples that have been given by Members who have family members and relatives with lived experience of diabetes are really interesting. I have no one closely connected to me who lives with diabetes, and, sometimes, if you do not have that lived experience, you are in the dark, so it is important to hear Members speak about people who have lived with it. <BR /> <BR />My baby, Torin, had a stay in hospital just before Christmas last year. A young child shared a room with Torin. That wee boy was only about eight or nine. He had just been diagnosed with diabetes, and he was in hospital with his parents. He shared a room with Torin for about a week.”
“I thank the Minister for her positive statement and announcement today. Her proposals are great news. I really welcome the neonatal care pay. That is important, as you outlined in your statement, for parents who have had that experience of caring for wee babies in a neonatal unit. Will the Minister confirm the rate at which that will be paid?”
“We call on the Minister for Communities please to work alongside all Ministers to stand up for the Gaels of Antrim, Ulster and Ireland and to champion the redevelopment of Casement Park. There must be no more hiding, no more delays and no more broken promises. Other sports have their stadiums, and rightly so, but now is our time. It is Casement's time. Let us move forward together and build a stadium that inspires. Let us build a home for the next generation of Gaels. Let us build Casement Park.”
“He is right. The delaying tactics must stop. Our people deserve better. Casement Park is not a luxury but a necessity. It will be an economic engine for the community, bringing in jobs, attracting investment and driving regeneration across West Belfast, Antrim, Ulster and beyond. It will put Belfast and Ulster Gaels back on the national sporting map, which is where we belong. <BR /> <BR />The British Government must clarify their position on funding for Casement Park. Hilary Benn has committed to the project time and time again, but words are not enough. Communities cannot wait. The British Government must deliver on the financial commitment that is needed in order to unlock that game-changing project.”
“We saw the passion and the energy of our communities and heard the powerful words of legends, including Oisín McConville, who said:”
“The House must come out with one voice and the clear message that it is time to move forward and build Casement Park. For far too long, Casement Park has stood silent: a sleeping giant in the heart of West Belfast. The site has lain dormant for more than a decade, while our young people, our clubs and our communities have been left without the home that they deserve. Today, we say that enough is enough. This is not just about bricks and mortar but about giving the next generation of Gaels a stadium that they can call their own: a place where dreams are made, heroes are born and lasting memories are created. <BR /> <BR />A couple of weeks ago, just after the Assembly had broken for recess, thousands of people, young and old, from across Belfast and beyond, turned out at a rally on the Andersonstown Road to demand progress.”
“Thanks very much, Mr Speaker. Will the First Minister commit to working with all Ministers and with the Executive to try to progress that legislation as quickly as possible?”
“The First Minister will know that tackling violence against women and girls requires a whole-government and whole-society approach. Can the First Minister outline how our young people are being engaged with in the process and the strategy?”
“Minister, thanks very much for that response. I am delighted to hear about the work that you are undertaking with the trusts and the other providers. You spoke about an options paper that may be ready in a number of days or weeks. Will the Minister share that with the Committee and other Members?”
“With phase 2 approaching, is the Minister confident that the Regional Trauma Network can be protected for the people for whom it was designed, namely victims and survivors? I raised the matter with the deputy First Minister the other day in relation to the wider victims and survivors strategy.”
“If we can make that clear to people and local groups and make them feel involved and if a three-year budget becomes a reality, hopefully, we can keep them involved so that they can apply again, at which point they may be in a better position to secure some of that funding. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the Minister takes from today's debate the fact that the Health Committee supports him in his work, so that he can help people better. Hopefully, in his feedback, he will not say that we have been too negative and that we are trying to get at him; we are just trying to express the frustrations. We also want to find ways to support him and give those groups a bit of hope.”
“<BR /> <BR />Diane, I think, mentioned one of the action points in the mental health strategy. I make this point as a West Belfast MLA. The Minister will know that one of the key objectives of Protect Life 2 was to ensure that the areas of greatest need — the most deprived areas with the highest numbers of suicides — have appropriate resources to deal with suicide prevention. Some suicide prevention groups missed out on the core funding. Some of the groups from West Belfast that I have spoken about applied and were not successful. That is why it is really important to unpick why some critical local groups missed out on the funding.”
“However, it may be worthwhile doing a bit more co-production with the groups, regardless of whether they received any funding, to help them to understand the process, the marking and the criteria more fully so that it is crystal clear to them why they missed out. When all is said and done, it comes down to the pounds and the pennies. Having a three-year Health budget was mentioned a couple of times as a way of trying to deal with that. If the groups that missed out could get a sense of whether the Minister will be in a position to plan for a three-year budget, hopefully in the next financial year, that would give them a bit more hope that he may be able to slightly increase the money in the core grant scheme. It is just about giving them a sense of whether a three-year budget will make a difference to the core grant funding.”
“We know that the Minister is working with a really constrained budget, but the first point to take from today's debate is that NICVA and all the groups that took part in the redesign process to look at the model were really pleased with that and the intent behind it, which was to put an end to groups getting the same amount of funding as they had got for 20-plus years. Trying to take a positive out of a negative, I will say that some of the groups that had not formally engaged with the Department before were really pleased to be involved in that process, even though they lost out. <BR /> <BR />As we know, many groups lost out, and the issue of the criteria was raised. When I wrote to the Minister about that, his response was that the breakdown of all the criteria was on the website. That is fair enough; I accept that.”
“To be honest, most of the points have already been made by Members. I know that the Minister will not be surprised by what the Committee has expressed here today, because, at Committee level, we have raised our concerns and written to him. As Alan said, we have debated the same issues in previous debates. I know that the Minister and his colleague who sits on the Health Committee — he was uncomfortable with our tabling the motion — are as frustrated and disappointed as all the other Members.”
“Thanks very much. Will the Minister explain why the 124% needs-based factor should be amended?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her response. Has any consideration been given to or have any discussions been had on the Regional Trauma Network (RTN)? I am conscious that that falls under the Department of Health's remit, but has consideration been given to incorporating it into the victims and survivors strategy? I ask that because it cuts across the intergenerational trauma stuff.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. I completely understand all the realities that mean that it is hard to put a timeline on these things, but can the Minister reassure the local residents in west Belfast that the project remains a priority for her and her Department?”
“Again, I totally get that the motion is clearly well intentioned in respect of how we make this better. We all want to make it better, so, hopefully, in the next couple of months, after today's motion and after the workshops, we can find a way to bring forward workable, practical solutions that will make a change.”
“I totally agree. Think about that in practical terms. I do not need to preach to you, because you have worked in the health sector. Even in that circumstance where there are wards' worth of people in the emergency department, on top of that, you get all the walk-ins and all the additional ambulances, so you get a continuous stream of emergencies coming in on top of what the staff are trying to deal with. <BR /> <BR />I will bring my remarks to a close. Hopefully, something positive can come out of the June workshop, and we look forward to that. Hospital at Home in Daisy Hill in the Southern Trust, Phone First, the integrated clinical hub and the 40% reduction that Danny mentioned are all really brilliant things that are happening. It really is good work that is happening, but we need to find ways to do more of that.”
“It is interesting that Linda mentioned — obviously, it is just one example — the consultant whom she spoke with in the emergency department in Craigavon, where there seemed to be a bit of fear. That consultant said, "Listen, whatever you do, please do not put more pressure on EDs. Please do not put more patients into EDs". It is about how you get around all that. I was really glad to hear the Minister outline some of the work that he has been carrying out around the winter pressures and the workshops that are taking place. We will all look forward to the conclusion of the June workshop, if that is the final workshop, to hear what practical solutions he will be able, hopefully, to deliver coming out of that.”
“Thanks very much for clarifying that. That is important. <BR /> <BR />On the basis that we get the additional staff and then have the new model, it goes back to the point that Linda made. When we had that session at the Health Committee last year with the five chief executives of the trusts, they were banging on about the point, "Social care, social care, social care". It is then a two-pronged approach. If we can deal with the blockage of social care in the hospitals and if we can get additional staff in the EDs, in theory, this model would work really well, but it is about how you get to that point. <BR /> <BR />The other wee issue that I want to raise is the staff themselves.”
“If we see a model that is working, that is proven to work and that we want to introduce, it comes back to this issue: how can we fully introduce it to do what it is designed to do, if the staff are the same as those whom we have always had? The staff are already working in really difficult circumstances, and, if we are potentially going to bring in this new model, we will have the same number of staff and the same number of blockages. Obviously, you mentioned —.”
“I thank my colleague Linda Dillon for opening the debate on the amendment. She set out clearly the scale of the challenges that we face and the type of response needed. The points raised reflect what many of us hear time and again in our constituencies about ambulance delays that put lives at risk in a system that is under unrelenting pressure and with staff — for me, this is the crucial point — who are already doing their best in really difficult circumstances. <BR /> <BR />I completely understand that the motion is extremely well intended. Given the financial position that the Health Minister and the Executive are in, it is always important to look and learn from other models of best practice. We can then look to introduce any new model within whatever financial options we have. Mark Durkan touched on the point.”
“Such a model is used in Dublin and Cork and over in Britain. Basically, when there are lethal drugs on the streets, they are tested right away, alerts are sent out within 24 hours and people are notified that the street drugs that they may be about to take could take their life. There might be a wee bit of work to be done on that with the Justice Minister. The PSNI is on board. I think that the proposal is that it would be funded through Health for the first year as a pilot, which would not cost much money. That would be done via Queen's University and the pharmacy. The PSNI will, hopefully, also have a role to play. As a result of today's debate, we will maybe get that over the line, as well as the reclassification review.”
“Thanks very much. <BR /> <BR />I totally agree. It is a whole-system approach. It is not just all about Justice. It is about the anti-poverty strategy, the substance use strategy, the mental health strategy, housing and unemployment — it is all of that. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I go back to what would be a positive step from a health perspective. Danny chairs the all-party group (APG) on addiction and dual diagnosis, and, at the minute, there is a proposal with the Health Department about trying to introduce a rapid drug-testing model in the North.”
“That is probably a wider discussion, and that will be a much more difficult and longer-term issue to deal with than the review that we are talking about today. <BR /> <BR />This is not specific to West Belfast, I am sure, but, in everyone's constituencies, really brilliant work is being done by local groups to support families who are living with and battling with family members with addiction. There are a lot of good examples of that in my constituency, and it is really appreciated. Still, however, we know that, despite all the efforts of our Health and Social Care (HSC) workers and our community and voluntary sector, not enough is being done.”
“Reports from local organisations have highlighted a concerning rise in the use of ketamine among our young people, and it is being made worse by the drug's affordability and accessibility. The West Belfast Community Drugs Panel was pulled together a number of years ago, and, at the time, it noted that access to drugs, including ketamine, was alarmingly easy, with substances readily available on the streets, in local parks and even through online platforms. Local families have raised with me the issue of spiking, which was mentioned. I know that it is easier said than done, but we need to get a grip of this. I have heard how kids can now easily go on apps, including TikTok, and click on links. Clearly, there are premises and drug houses that constantly churn out these dangerous substances.”
“It just shows the impact that these issues can have on families. I work locally with a mother from West Belfast, Lorraine Brennan, who lost her son: Jack took a lethal drug and, sadly, lost his life. That was in 2021, and Lorraine has been campaigning day and night since then to try to save lives. However, it is too late for her family and too late for Sandra's. I am conscious that the Justice Minister is here, but this issue is obviously cross-cutting, and my speech may be more directed at some of the things that Mike Nesbitt can do as Health Minister. <BR /> <BR />Of course, my community in West Belfast has not been immune from any of the challenges that ketamine use presents.”
“While the motion emphasises reclassification, it is so important that our discourse extend beyond the legal frameworks to take into account the health aspect and the education aspect, which was mentioned, and, generally, the wrap-around support that we need to provide to people who might be struggling when it comes to taking substances in the first place. <BR /> <BR />I also commend Sandra and her family, whom I have not met. I have not reached out to them or spoken with them personally, but I want to commend their bravery and their unwavering dedication following the absolutely tragic loss of their daughter, Jeni. The campaign run by Jeni's mother, Sandra, really underlines the impact of everything that she is going through, and she is obviously trying to use her experience to campaign for better and to save lives.”
“I thank the Member opposite for opening the debate and for tabling the motion. <BR /> <BR />The pressing issue of ketamine misuse is a concern that resonates deeply in all our communities. Sadly, drug use is all too common, probably in everyone's constituency, if we are to speak openly about it. It continues to spread the disease of addiction and, of course, the risk of premature death. Sadly, we have seen that in the number of people who are losing their life to, in most cases, an accidental overdose. They do not realise how potent the mixture of drugs that they are taking is, and, as the Member said, they are even mixed with alcohol, which just makes the substances even more dangerous.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. Does the Minister plan to meet businesses directly? Who have the researchers consulted?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is imperative that the Minister of Health works closely with all trusts to ensure universal and timely access to health reviews for all our children, with a specific focus on areas such as West Belfast and the Southern Health and Social Care Trust region, which face the greatest challenges.”
“In West Belfast, where the socioeconomic challenges are pronounced, the inequalities are even more severe. Higher rates of poverty, unemployment and limited access to healthcare only exacerbate the problem. That is why programmes such as Sure Start are so vital: they provide essential support for families, improving child development and well-being, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The evidence shows that Sure Start reduces hospital admissions and enhances school readiness, making a difference in children's lives. However, nearly two decades of British austerity has led, sadly, to the closure of many Sure Start centres, threatening the progress that has been made. That cannot continue.”
“I have to say that the recent inclusion of parts of the Falls Road and Shankill Road in the Minister's Live Better programme is absolutely a step in the right direction in trying to improve health outcomes for our communities. <BR /> <BR />That initiative seeks to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has an equal opportunity to grow up healthy and thrive. However, much more needs to be done. The fact that 15% of children across the North missed their one-year-old health review in 2023-24 is deeply concerning. Even more alarming is the figure that the Southern Health and Social Care Trust mentioned: nearly half of the children there missed that vital check. The stark postcode lottery means that children's access to essential health services is being determined by where they live, which is unacceptable.”
“The broader conversation on what training we can offer to health and social care workers, particularly health visitors, to try to pick up women who may be suffering violence in the home is one that we can maybe have at a later stage in the Health Committee to bring the issue to the Minister's attention. <BR /> <BR />I return, with apologies, to the specific issue of the motion on the well-being of our children and the importance of our health visitors going into homes. I want to concentrate on my constituency of West Belfast, which, as the Minister will know, is similar to other areas in that these issues are particularly pressing there. West Belfast faces significant health challenges that demand urgent attention.”
“I am digressing a wee bit, but we talk about the importance of health visitors in ensuring the well-being of our babies and children; they also play a critical role in supporting the well-being of the mothers whom they go out to visit in their homes. On Friday night, the contributors talked about our context: sadly, since 2020, 25 women have been violently murdered. When a health worker goes out to a mother's home, at that particular time when she has a young baby, it is a key opportunity to pick up on whether any violence is occurring in that home.”
“I support the motion and the amendment. I thank colleagues for proposing the motion, which emphasises the critical importance of the one-year-old health review and the indispensable role of health visitors in ensuring our children's well-being. <BR /> <BR />I had already prepared my speech, but on Friday night, as part of the celebrations to mark International Women's Day, I attended a lecture by Dr Avni Amin at Queen's University. She has worked for the past 30 years in the World Health Organization on issues specifically around ending violence against women and girls. Some of her remarks linked to how health systems and health workers can help deal with that issue.”
“I thank the First Minister for her response. Will the First Minister continue to work closely with the entire Executive to further reduce the costs?”
“I thank the Minister for bringing the statement to the House. Communication has come up a few times. I know, Minister, that you are trying your best in the statement with the information and detail that you have at present, but what will be the Department's next steps in the communication about future works and having conversations with all the locally elected reps and local traders, businesses and residents?”