Sinéad Ennis
South Down · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“The revelation over recent days that members of the DUP, including the Assembly Speaker, Edwin Poots, had knowledge of the exploitation of a young woman by the now convicted paedophile Jeffrey Donaldson raises serious questions for the DUP.”
“The bottom line here is that a dangerous paedophile went unchallenged and, worse still and despite clear, known red flags, was elected leader of the DUP.”
“We only have to look at Belfast Harbour's master plan, which sets out the possible significant economic impact that that can have. That includes enabling a quarter of all island-wide seaborne trade, which, in turn, creates £8·8 billion in gross value added and equates to 15·7% of the North's total annual output.”
“Instead, the focus must be on whether the agencies that have responsibility, including the environmental regulators and enforcement bodies such as the NIEA and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, are doing enough and whether they have sufficient powers to tackle such issues effectively.”
“The primary objective of the shaking up of driver licensing here in the North is to improve road safety by ensuring that young people are better equipped for driving on our roads. However, at present, many young people pass their tests and are completely priced out of driving because of the insurance rip-off that we are seeing.”
“That reality sees them borrowing from the Department, which is already in a very constrained capital budget position, as the Minister outlined. The provisions in the Bill will ensure that the accountability and oversight mechanisms provided by commissioners on the boards of ports or harbours will continue.”
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“The budget also provides for an increase in the maximum recoverable rental for constituency offices, as that allowance has not increased since 2016. Provision has also been made for increases in Members' and staff travel allowances, as those have not increased since 2016. Payments to Members in respect of travel costs are budgeted at £0·3 million. <BR /> <BR />Other costs for Members include winding-up, resettlement and any ill-health retirement expenses that may occur, and those have been budgeted at £0·1 million. The 2024 determination introduces additional funding that is specifically for security-related costs for the provision of security measures at constituency offices and/or at a Member's private dwelling. It also introduces additional support to Members who take a period of maternity, adoptive or shared parental leave.”
“Therefore, the Commission has not made any attempt to predict how Members' salaries or pensions may be impacted on by any such legislation. The budget is therefore based on the rates that are set out in the current determination, assuming the prescribed inflationary increase. <BR /> <BR />The amount that Members may recover in order to meet the costs of running a constituency office, including rents, rates and the cost of support staff, is expected to be £13·1 million. The budget provides for an increase in the maximum recoverable allowance for constituency office operating costs, as that allowance has not increased since 2020, and to enable Members to procure printers that were previously provided centrally by the Assembly Commission.”
“Member-associated expenditure is currently payable under the provisions of the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses Determination (Northern Ireland) 2026, as amended by the Assembly Members (Salaries and Expenses) (Amendment) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2020, which is referred to as "the determination". An updated determination was approved by the Assembly Commission on 1 October 2024. The Assembly Commission intends to decide the publication date in January 2025. The 2025-26 draft budget is based on the provisions of the 2024 determination. <BR /> <BR />The budget for salaries that are payable to Members and Assembly officeholders is £7·2 million. The Assembly Commission is considering the introduction of legislation to form a new remuneration board to independently determine Members' salaries and pensions.”
“The budget excludes costs that are associated with the operation of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee, as those are separately funded directly by HM Treasury and are therefore ring-fenced. <BR /> <BR />The first category that is included in the Assembly Commission's budget is income. Next year, the Commission expects to receive income of £0·6 million, all of which relates to the recovery of the costs of ministerial salaries from Departments. The second category is salaries and expenses that are paid to Members. That covers a range of areas, including Members' salaries, constituency office running costs, support staff costs, travel, and all other costs that are associated with Members. <BR /> <BR />The total budget for Member-related costs for 2025-26 is £20·9 million.”
“For many years, the Commission's investment in areas such as staffing, ICT and building maintenance has been limited due to the stop/start nature of Assembly business and the associated reputational risk of investing in that context. As a result, this budget reflects the need for investment in those key areas. <BR /> <BR />I will now give an overview of the main figures in the Assembly Commission's draft budget for 2025-26. The total budget for 2025-26 is £64·2 million for resource departmental expenditure limit (DEL), which is an increase of £5·7 million on the 2024-25 budget position, and £3·1 million for capital DEL, which is an increase of £0·1 million on the 2024-25 budget position.”
“The draft budget is scrutinised by the Audit Committee, with input from the Department of Finance to help inform the Committee's scrutiny. The 2025-26 draft budget was presented to the Audit Committee on 13 November. Following its scrutiny of the budget, the Committee wrote to the Finance Minister on 15 November, and the draft budget 2025-26 document was subsequently presented to the Assembly on 20 November 2024. Those documents inform today's debate. This motion, and the subsequent vote, enable the Assembly to determine the resources that the Commission will be given to enable the Assembly to carry out its legislative functions. Once agreed, the budget will be notified to the Department of Finance for inclusion in any Budget presented by the Minister of Finance.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. The Assembly Commission has a duty under section 40 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to provide the Assembly, or ensure that the Assembly is provided, with the property, staff and services required for the Assembly's purposes. Before I go into the detail of the budget, I take this opportunity to formally record, on behalf of the Assembly Commission, my sincere thanks to Assembly Commission staff, who continue to professionally support the work of the Assembly with enduring energy, commitment, resilience and dedication. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly Commission develops a draft budget for each year to ensure that it can deliver all the services that are required by the Assembly.”
“The Committees' scrutiny role is not a matter for the Assembly Commission. However, anything that will help us to carry out our functions better is always to be welcomed. If any training needs to go along with that, the Assembly Commission will not be found wanting. Members and staff will need to get to grips with the new scrutiny arrangements, so officials will undertake the necessary training and awareness raising with all the relevant Committees, Members and staff. That will be done primarily through the parliamentary excellence programme, which provides a very effective delivery model for engagement with Members and their staff on parliamentary issues, individually and in Committees.”
“The increased staff capacity will also allow for significantly enhanced scrutiny of delegated legislation, particularly at proposal stage.”
“In light of that, the Assembly Commission has included in its budget requirements for 2025-26 funding for the establishment of new posts to perform increased support and scrutiny from both legal and parliamentary perspectives. That will include two additional legal advisers and, as recommended by the Chairperson's Liaison Group in the previous mandate, nine senior assistant clerks. <BR /> <BR />Among other things, that increased staff capacity will allow Assembly Committees to devote dedicated time to taking legal advice on the human rights implications of Bills and enable them to consider and, if necessary, challenge a Department's assessment of proportionality issues in clauses that raise Convention rights issues.”
“I thank the Member. The Assembly Commission is committed to ensuring that the Assembly has the resources that it needs to carry out its scrutiny and legislative functions. It has carefully considered the recommendations of the renewable heat incentive (RHI) inquiry and the weaknesses that were identified in the Mediahuis judgement. The Assembly Commission's corporate strategy 2023-28 includes an objective to:”
“Yes, I share the Member's concerns. The provision in the new determination was brought about because MLAs raised concerns about previous incidents. I was subjected to an incident at my constituency office. It was only through discussions at the Commission that we were able to provide that new assistance in the determination, and MLAs should definitely use it. However, if there are any specific security concerns, here or at constituency offices, the PSNI should be made aware of those.”
“Staff from Usher Services and the Clerking and Member Support Office subsequently met the PSNI in Parliament Buildings to discuss the personal security and safety of Members and constituency office staff. In addition, the Assembly Commission approved a new 2024 determination that will introduce new provisions covering the cost of security measures at constituency offices and MLAs' private residences.”
“I thank the Member for his question. The Assembly Commission takes the security of Members and staff extremely seriously, and it is recognised that the interactions that Members have mean that security in Assembly Commission offices also has to be considered. The Speaker and the Clerk/Chief Executive recently met the then Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton to discuss the security of Members. It was agreed that that will lead to further meetings with senior PSNI officers to take forward Members' security on a broader, strategic basis. That should be built on the security and crime prevention advice that has already been provided to Members and their staff during previous briefings and discussions at Parliament Buildings.”
“I thank the Member for his question. As he will know, issues relating to that are under investigation. The Assembly Commission has already said that it will not be providing a running commentary on that investigation.”
“Not that I am aware of. The Assembly Commission will keep that under constant review. We will assess how well security arrangements are working, and if there are any incidents, or if there is any need to make any changes to that, any Member can write to the Assembly Commission on that and we will consider it.”
“However, that change operates within the wider framework of our existing security arrangements, which include the requirement to go through the search facility on arrival and the presence of ushers in the Great Hall.”
“I thank the Member for her question. While it would be unwise to discuss the detail of security arrangements in a public forum, the Assembly Commission takes security seriously. Arrangements are kept under review by Assembly management and are revisited and amended, as required. Access by visitors to Parliament Buildings is outlined in the Assembly Commission policy, 'Conduct and Behaviour of Visitors in Parliament Buildings'. That includes general rules of entry and those conditions that are applicable to visitors. <BR /> <BR />Members may have noticed a change, with the visitor experience team taking responsibility for the reception desk to greet visitors when they enter the Building.”
“What is the Department doing to assess and address the risks that the British Government's electronic travel authorisation (ETA) scheme poses to the tourism industry?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. He talked about other measures. Perhaps one of those could be the utilisation of park-and-ride facilities. Does the Minister agree that increased use of park-and-ride services could make public transport more accessible and help ease congestion?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I am glad that she raised that point. I am sure that she is as sickened as I am by the dangerous and, frankly, false rhetoric that some have used in the House today. The NHS is under pressure because we have an ageing and sicker population, coupled with decades of consecutive British Governments gutting funding for the NHS. Despite what has been said, immigration is not the reason why people cannot get a doctor's appointment; immigration is precisely the reason why people still can get a doctor's appointment.”
“I thank the First Minister for her statement. The NSMC communiqué noted the commencement of works at Narrow Water bridge in May 2024. Those of us who are local to Warrenpoint know the pace at which those works seem to be progressing. Is the First Minister in a position to give a progress update on the delivery of Narrow Water bridge?”
“On behalf of Sinn Féin, I offer our sincerest condolences to you all.”
“<BR /> <BR />She may have been small in stature, but she always stood tall when it came to representing her constituents and defending the rights of those who needed her assistance. Of course, there were often political disagreements. Anna, although she was a straight talker, was always respectful and courteous in the cut and thrust of political discourse. Whether it was campaigning for equality or women's rights, or fighting discrimination and racism, there was much common ground on which Sinn Féin was proud to stand with her. She is a great loss to those ongoing campaigns. She is a great loss to the political process here. Most of all, she is an immeasurable loss to her partner, Robert, her sons, Conall and Owen, and her wider family and friends. Our thoughts are with you today.”
“I know, from speaking to colleagues who worked with her over many years in the Assembly, that she was certainly all those things and much more. <BR /> <BR />As the first politician from a minority ethnic background to be elected to the Chamber, and, indeed, the first Chinese person to be elected to a legislative Parliament anywhere in western Europe, she broke new ground, but she also stood her ground. It is always difficult to be the first. There is no doubt that Anna faced appalling racism, misogyny and bigotry throughout her political career. However, she was never deterred from doing what she believed in. She never shied away from speaking her mind or doing what she believed was right.”
“As Sinn Féin Chief Whip, it is my honour to say a few words on behalf of the party on the passing of Anna Lo. Anna Lo has been described as a trailblazer, a champion of equality and peace and a fearless campaigner who fought against discrimination her entire life.”
“Minister, thank you for the statement, which talks about examples of best practice. Why has the Minister not followed examples of best practice in neighbouring jurisdictions such as England and Scotland, where the Bellamy report and the Roberton review promptly published their findings, yet we have this announcement today without the benefit of knowing the findings from the Burgess review?”
“In villages such as Rostrevor and Hilltown and towns such as Warrenpoint and Kilkeel, the cost of housing has skyrocketed. That, along with the rise of Airbnbs and the shortage of rental property, locks young people and families out of their home towns. The very communities that shaped them are becoming financially inaccessible to them. <BR /> <BR />We need immediate decisive action, and the Minister must recognise the urgency of the crisis and prioritise the publication of the housing supply strategy. That is a critical step towards building new and affordable homes that can secure the future of our communities. The housing crisis affects us all. If we are to ensure a fair, equal and prosperous future, we must tackle it head-on, and we must tackle it now.”
“We need bold and immediate steps to ensure that new social and affordable homes are built, particularly in areas such as South Down. My colleagues will appreciate that 40% of the rural housing need in the North exists in South Down. We know that all too well, but it is a shocking statistic. <BR /> <BR />While co-ownership has been a successful route to home ownership for many, it is severely underutilised in South Down. In 2023-24, the area saw the delivery of only 19 new co-ownerships homes, making it one of the lowest-performing areas. The Minister must do more to allow families to find a realistic path to sustainable and secure housing. <BR /> <BR />For many of our constituents in South Down, the dream of living in the communities in which they grew up is slipping away.”
“I sincerely thank my constituency colleague Andrew McMurray for securing this important Adjournment debate. <BR /> <BR />Homelessness is not just a personal misfortune; it is a societal failure. In Ireland, we face a crisis of social and affordable housing, which is made worse by the rising cost of living. With over 88,000 people waiting for social housing, 75% of whom are in severe housing stress, it is clear that the current system is unsustainable. Families across the country are being pushed to the brink, and extortionate rent prices, coupled with a severe lack of available homes, force many into a state of insecurity. <BR /> <BR />Our social housing stock is declining at an alarming and unsustainable rate. The Department for Communities must take urgent action to stop that.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Members may wish to note that the deadline is not provided for in Standing Orders but will be in the guidance. <BR /> <BR />We see the Standing Order as a progressive and inclusive step that will benefit the Assembly as a whole and bring us into line with other Parliaments. I am pleased that, overall, there has been a warm welcome for it from MLAs, and I commend it to the Assembly.”
“The Committee discussed issues relating to the notification process, including the deadline, and we are aware that some Members would like the deadline to be as late and as flexible as possible. To repeat what the Chairperson said, ensuring that the integrity of our voting system is never called into question was first and foremost in our minds. While having a 9.30 pm deadline on the day worked during the pandemic, it is not ideal. We heard from officials that a sitting day is one of the busiest times of the week in the Business Office. Processes and systems must be put in place to make the proxy voting system work seamlessly and to ensure the integrity of the vote. For that reason, we agreed that the approach suggested by the Speaker of a 4.00 pm deadline would be more suitable.”
“I am speaking as Deputy Chairperson of the Procedures Committee and can assure the Member that that was a considerable part of the Committee's consideration. However, once we sat down to look at it, we saw that the breadth of considerations on which we would have to deliberate was large. As the Chairperson said, we decided to do the work in small chunks. COVID was an exceptional time. I am sure that there is learning to be taken from COVID — the arrangements were convenient — but I do not think that we want to be in a place where it is, "Whatever you're having yourself". We need to start by introducing the provisions for parental leave. That is the most pressing concern, but the Committee has committed to looking at other circumstances that we all encounter in our daily life. <BR /> <BR />Gerry, you also raised the deadline of 4.00 pm.”
“Gerry Carroll asked why the provisions will not extend to other instances such as ill health and bereavement. The Committee did not include other categories in the provisions for proxy voting that I have just outlined. I am aware that other places provide for proxy voting in categories such as ill health, bereavement and absence on official business, but even a quick glance at those categories showed that a number of issues would need to be considered in more detail before such provisions could be introduced to the Assembly. I assure the Member that they are firmly on the Committee's radar, and we may deal with them at a future time.”
“The Standing Order is what is being voted on today, and the guidance will issue from the Speaker's Office. The Committee has made suggestions as to what should be in the guidance, but, ultimately, it is up to the Speaker. I assure the Member that the Committee has been in close contact with the Speaker throughout the development of the Standing Order. His thoughts and views have been extremely helpful to the Committee, and I am sure that he has taken note of the comments made by Members today on what may or may not be included in the guidance.”
“I appreciate Sian's outlining the difficulties that face new parents, particularly new mothers, when they are in a political role. I know what it is like. I have been in the situation where maternity leave was not an option, and I was answering constituency queries from a maternity ward, which was not ideal. <BR /> <BR />Overall, in the Chamber today, there has been a broad welcome for the new Standing Order. It will allow MLAs to take such leave and still have their vote count, thus ensuring that they continue to represent their constituencies. The new provision will ensure that a core part of the role that an MLA has been elected to do can still be delivered. <BR /> <BR />I will pick up on some of the points that Members have raised. Diane talked about the guidance in relation to the Standing Order.”
“Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />To remove any element of doubt for some Members, I will say that what we are debating here is a new Standing Order on proxy voting for parental leave. The clue is in the title for people who are a bit confused as to what we are discussing here today. <BR /> <BR />It is my pleasure to make a winding-up speech on the motion. I will begin by thanking everybody who took part, and I welcome the fact that the debate has been largely positive and welcomed the new Standing Order. <BR /> <BR />Most MLAs who contributed to the debate will recognise that we are not Assembly employees and that we cannot take leave for maternity, paternity, adoption etc in the same way that an employee can.”
“I really welcome the Minister's clarity on the issues with Daisy Hill maternity services. My colleague Liz Kimmins, other members of the Daisy Hill future group and I will work with him to ensure the stabilisation of the services there. <BR /> <BR />Minister, your statement talks about improved data and information systems. How does the Minister think that that will contribute to better oversight, safety and learning in maternity care?”
“I thank the Minister for his response. I welcome the pilot scheme in the Gaeltacht Quarter. Does the Minister agree that the Irish language should be more visible across all areas of our public sector?”
“I thank the Minister for her response and for her efforts in that regard. More specifically, is she able to give an update on industrial derating?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I just want to go back to his point about Re-Gen's obligation to act responsibly. We have met Re-Gen on numerous occasions, and, as other Members who have engaged with it will understand, that is simply not happening and is not going to happen. We are looking for a more solid approach and something set in legislation that will compel Re-Gen to act more responsibly, because, if we leave it to Re-Gen, it will just continue to store irresponsibly, as it has been doing for the past two years. We are looking for the responsibility to be taken out of Re-Gen's hands and for something more concrete to be put in place that will compel it to act more responsibly.”
“We want to make Warrenpoint a great place to live, work and holiday in, and that cannot happen while thousands of tons of household waste continue to ferment at Warrenpoint port, mere metres from people's homes and the town centre. Sinn Féin will continue to work tirelessly for the people of Warrenpoint to bring about a solution that prioritises their health, well-being and quality of life. We will not stop until the issue is finally resolved.”
“I thank the Minister for that. <BR /> <BR />We understand the importance of economic activity at the port, and the local community understands the importance of economic activity at the port, but it cannot come at the cost of the community's well-being, health and right to clean air. If Re-Gen cannot manage its current operation in a way that does not negatively impact on the local community, something will have to change. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin is ambitious for Warrenpoint and the Carlingford lough region. We live in an area of unrivalled natural beauty, with the potential to further grow our tourism offering now that the construction of the Narrow Water bridge is progressing at pace.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. It is an appropriate intervention, because we all have a duty to ensure there is no misinformation, as that would only add to the stress and concern of the local community. It is my understanding from contacting Warrenpoint Harbour Authority that the building being erected is a post-Brexit checking facility for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) products. The British Government are constructing the building — more specifically the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) — but perhaps the Minister can confirm that in his response to the debate.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I know that other areas across the North suffer the same issue. It goes back to a point raised by Mr McGrath about the appropriateness of placing those businesses and operations close to people's homes and the centre of towns. <BR /> <BR />Over the last few weeks, we met Re-Gen once again and made it clear that it must get serious about tackling the problem if it wishes to continue operating in Warrenpoint, because the status quo will no longer be accepted by the community. We need to see Re-Gen assess its current practice and seriously ask itself whether it operates in the best interests of the surrounding community. I suggest that perhaps the Minister and the Department will also seriously consider that question as well. All options must be on the table to bring about a final solution.”
“Temporary fixes or assurances will not cut it, because we have heard all that before. The people of Warrenpoint deserve a long-term sustainable solution.”
“Over a year ago, when the foul odour first emerged, Sinn Féin called for an urgent meeting with Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. Bringing the voice of the local community to the table, we made it clear that the situation was unacceptable and that a solution must be found. We have met the Minister responsible for the environment, the NIEA, Warrenpoint Harbour Authority and Re-Gen, and we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with residents at public demonstrations. <BR /> <BR />While we pressed for investigation, transparency and, most importantly, action, regrettably the smell returned this year, despite assurances that the issue would be resolved. There has been another summer when our town was held to ransom and suffered as the foul smell engulfed the air. Sinn Féin is clear: enough is enough.”
“I welcome today's Adjournment debate. The Member who secured it has raised some interesting questions, many of which I have raised in the House. As I said, I have raised the issue numerous times in the Chamber, and Sinn Féin locally has been working alongside the community to resolve it. <BR /> <BR />MLAs across the House will have received communication from the residents of Warrenpoint in the lead-up to the debate, so they will have some sense of the issue, but no email can truly convey what the people of Warrenpoint have had to put up with owing to the presence of that oppressive odour for over a year. It is not an issue that can simply be ignored but one that has had a huge impact on the lives of residents, including on the life of a young child with autism.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. As a follow-on from my last question, does she agree that access to education, training and rehabilitation should be the primary focus of our prisons? What plans does she have to increase the uptake of and access to rehabilitation and education courses so that we can drive down reoffending rates?”