Jonathan Buckley
Upper Bann · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Sinn Féin's representatives in the European Parliament voted against proposals aimed at strengthening the management of illegal immigration and facilitating the return of failed asylum applicants — those who entered countries illegally — to designated return hubs outside the European Union.”
“Last year, Sinn Féin, alongside the open-border brigade of the Alliance Party and the SDLP, voted against my motion in the Assembly that called for action to address concerns about illegal and uncontrolled immigration.”
“People want an immigration system that is controlled, credible and properly enforced whilst ensuring that the genuine, heartfelt, lived experience and concerns of local citizens are at the heart of the debate. That is not an unreasonable position to take.”
“I highlight yet another example of a political party claiming to represent the views of people across the island of Ireland yet taking a position that is fundamentally out of step with the concerns being expressed by a vast number of people across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and, indeed, the rest of the United Kingdom, and t…”
“The Minister is aware and is, in fact, on record as having suggested that organised drug crime is happening in prisons. I have previously raised that matter in the Assembly.”
“Minister, I am sure that you agree that we cannot continue to leave residents in limbo. There has to be some progress on the matter. A number of unfinished developments have been lying stagnant for a long time, but the number is so small that it would not require that great an amount of money to ensure adequate facilities for residents, e…”
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“No, I do not have time at this stage. <BR /> <BR />— let us remember that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation, and it deserves to be treated as such. To ignore Hamas's responsibility is to ignore the root cause of the conflict. Once more, the motion ignores the suffering of Israeli civilians, including children living under the constant threat of attack by Hamas. I visited Israel. I went to a kibbutz. I saw how elaborate bomb shelters had to be no more than 10 to 20 metres from their playgrounds. Those people and that land have the right to defend themselves against such attacks. <BR /> <BR />Once more, the motion condemns Israel's targeting of civilian infrastructure and personnel, yet it conveniently omits the documented use, as has been mentioned, of hospitals, schools and ambulances as military assets.”
“I have heard much in this place about a blockade of aid to Gaza. The United Nations alone spent approximately £4·5 billion in Gaza between 2014 and 2020. What was much of that aid used for? Not to build roads, schools or hospitals but to build an elaborate network of tunnels that Hamas used to kidnap, torture and rape innocent civilians.”
“The Member is being deliberately misleading about the wording of the motion; that is the context.”
“— and hospitals and indiscriminately firing rockets into Israeli towns. <BR /> <BR />I give way to Mr Tennyson.”
“— and dishonest. I will in a moment. <BR /> <BR />Shockingly, the motion fails to condemn Hamas for using civilians as human shields, embedding military infrastructure in schools —”
“Let us remember that, on that fateful day, over 1,000 Israeli civilians were brutally murdered — they were massacred — hundreds were taken hostage and the rapes of innocent women and young girls were documented. To entirely omit that context is not just misleading but morally irresponsible —”
“I speak on my behalf. I oppose it not because I dismiss the suffering of the people in Gaza or because I reject the right of Palestinians to safety, dignity and statehood. I deplore every loss of innocent life throughout the conflict. I oppose the motion because it presents a dangerous, one-sided narrative that risks undermining any genuine path to peace. <BR /> <BR />The motion condemns Israel in sweeping, absolutist terms, labelling its actions as genocide and war crimes without acknowledging the context of a brutal and ongoing conflict initiated by Hamas on 7 October. I do not recall motions calling for the immediate release of the hostages or condemning the actions that took place.”
“I oppose the motion not because I dismiss the suffering of the people in Gaza —.”
“I thank the Member for giving way and also for the respectful tone with which he has set out the context in Gaza. Does he agree with or acknowledge concerns in the House about the one-sided and dangerous nature and narrative of the motion? If so, does he support the Ulster Unionists' amendment, which recognises both sides?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. The brutal recollection of facts that she states is uncomfortable for many in the House. Will she add that there are families who today still do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones or whether they are alive or dead and are going through emotional trauma, day in, day out?”
“That totally denies reality. On 16 and 17 June, 149 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip, and, on 16 June, more than 3·1 million meals were provided to those in the Gaza Strip. That sounds like a pretty debunked method of starvation.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that one of the starkest aspects of the motion is its sensationalist use of language, such as:”
“Let us get to the nub of the issue: the radical climate change targets that the Minister's party not only demanded but amended to go further have been an act of infrastructure vandalism. Despite the warnings, it has been a costly and entirely avoidable fiasco. Will the Minister now accept that, whether it be in Infrastructure, Economy or Agriculture, the current climate change targets are a dead weight around the neck of the Executive? Will she now agree to review such targets and repeal them?”
“Minister, there are those in society who seek out offence, even where none exists. One of your former Alliance Party colleagues on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council called for the removal of a completely inoffensive biblical verse from a wall in Portstewart. Will the Minister guarantee that neither recommendation 15 nor any other hate crime legislation will lead to the persecution of those of faith in public spaces or the development of a thought police at the expense of free speech?”
“A variance of over £80 million in the most recent three years is quite considerable, but we cannot avoid the fact that an arm's-length body is accountable to its sponsoring Department for performance and use of resource. Minister, there is a worrying acceptance that the Department for Infrastructure does not have a grip on managing public money. What confidence can the House and the taxpayer of Northern Ireland have that the Minister has a grip on a Department that appears to be growing into turbulence?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Will the issues that she has spoken about broadly, all of which were raised during the debate, also take into account bail conditions? In a number of cases, even quite recent ones, bail conditions have often meant that perpetrators can go out and do the very same thing that they were doing before. Ultimately, there seems to be very little accountability under the system.”
“The public genuinely understand that different cases require different sentencing. I understand that, but I have a problem with the broad categories. Whether it is sexual violence or other crimes, we must be coordinated and consistent in categorising crimes and ensuring that there is a justice system that is fair for all but is victim-centred.”
“I note that the motion talks about the impact that lenient sentencing has on the victim. My colleague Mr Dunne raised it when he said that we have become victim-maker-led, rather than having a victim-centred approach, when it comes to sentencing. I have dealt with families who have had their lives turned upside down and ruined because of the sexual actions of predators who live in our community. It does not get any better when, in a number of years' time, the families see the same individuals on the streets again. Often those individuals are carrying out the same acts of violence, particularly among young women and girls. <BR /> <BR />We can do better. There is a will in the House to see this right. I encourage Members to see that there is a balance to be struck.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention, and I hope that the Minister will address that point in her remarks. I go back to my point: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is endemic in how our justice system serves the general public. <BR /> <BR />Of the 547 convictions for sex offences between 2019 and 2023, more than 90% received a sentence of less than five years. Is that not ridiculous, Members? Should we all not be collectively ashamed of that?”
“The deterrent is not strong enough. The rise in sexual abuse allegations and cases and, indeed, the need for community justice, as was pointed out by my colleague Ms Bunting, is a dangerous step in the road because people no longer have faith that our judiciary will deal with those people appropriately.”
“In the Chamber a few months ago, I quoted the latest figures from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) that painted a horrifying picture. Crimes involving images of child sexual abuse have almost doubled in the past five years in Northern Ireland, with a staggering 98% increase in the past year. Offences have risen by 24%, with 859 cases being recorded by the PSNI in 2023-24. That means that, in the past five years, there have been 3,382 recorded crimes. It comes to the point that Mr McNulty made about the differential between online and physical contact. From dealing with constituents, my experience is that what starts off online quite often ends up with physical contact. The way in which our judiciary treats those predators is completely out of step with the lived reality of those in our communities.”
“Quite often, that is the approach that is adopted in the House when it comes to sentencing. <BR /> <BR />I support some of the measures that are outlined in the motion, particularly ongoing professional training for judges. The perception — indeed, the reality — is that many judges are out of touch with the lived experiences of the constituents whom we represent. That is apparent in many of the court cases throughout the land that I read about. <BR /> <BR />We talk about dangerous times. I argue that we are in an incredibly dangerous period of our history, with the digital age and criminal offences, particularly serious criminal offences. I will focus my remarks on serious sexual abuse.”
“The statistic that nearly 80% of prisoners in Northern Ireland are repeat offenders should send shivers down the spine of any lawmaker in this place, because it shows that we have failed in both regards. I am often reminded of Einstein's quote:”
“First, I thank the Members who tabled the motion. The issue of lenient sentencing practices has concerned me for quite some time, and I have raised it in the House. From listening to the debate, I note that many Members from many political parties have expressed the same concern. In truth, our sentencing practices are in a failed state. They are crumbling, damaging public confidence and eroding trust that justice will ever be served. <BR /> <BR />From listening to today's debate, I am conscious that there is a balancing act between, on the one hand, deterrent, and, on the other hand, rehabilitation. In truth, if we are being honest, we have failed at both.”
“I want to believe the Minister that road speed and road infrastructure are priorities for the Department. The Minister will know that, within the past hour, a judge has ruled that the decision by the Department to proceed with the A5 cannot stand. Will she now accept that, whether they relate to our infrastructure, economy or agriculture, the current Northern Ireland climate change targets are a dangerous weight around our neck?”
“Will the Minister give way on that point?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that there is serious concern about the LCM before us today? It refers only to symptoms and has a singular focus on enforcement; it does not mention root causes, which is what he is referring to. Although there may be enforcement powers, they are so limited in scope that they miss the very obvious question of an open border. We simply do not know the level of illegal immigration that is crossing that border.”
“Given that the Justice Minister met the Republic of Ireland's Migration Minister, what robust discussions were had on to the number of people arriving in Northern Ireland illegally via the Republic of Ireland? Was she made aware of the number who are arriving via plane, with officials disregarding their identification, and being bussed to Northern Ireland courtesy of the Republic of Ireland Government?”
“I welcome the call for justice and hope that the UK Government Armed Forces Minister takes it on board.”
“That review, however, revealed anonymous concerns from personnel who worked on the Chinooks, including fear and technical faults.”
“Just two weeks ago, I listened to the testimonies of the family of Detective Chief Superintendent Maurice Neilly, who tragically lost his life on that fateful day. He was a man of impeccable service and character. I pay tribute to his wife, Donna, and son, Mark, and family, who have found a dignified way to search for answers surrounding Maurice's death, a journey that is filled with sorrow and pain. <BR /> <BR />An initial RAF board of inquiry found the crash to be the result of gross negligence by the pilots. That conclusion has been widely discredited, including by the Mull of Kintyre review conducted by Lord Philip. That review called for the Ministry of Defence to apologise to the families of the pilots. Such an apology is long overdue.”
“I speak in support of the Chinook Justice Campaign and the families who have fought for truth and accountability for more than 30 years. On 2 June 1994, a Chinook helicopter crashed into the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, killing all 29 people on board. Among the passengers were 25 highly trained and dedicated British intelligence service personnel from MI5, the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the British Army. The two pilots were members of the United Kingdom special forces and were professionals with exemplary service records. It was the worst single loss of life in the history of the RAF during peacetime. <BR /> <BR />Beyond the tragedy itself, what followed has left the bereaved families with deep and legitimate concerns about transparency, justice and the treatment of their loved ones' memories.”
“Minister, quite often, those buildings could be put to really good use for local communities. I have engaged with your Department, albeit through the EA, on a number of examples. It is a sad reflection on the EA that, sometimes, the length of time taken means that those buildings fall into significant disrepair. Does he agree that there is a need to speed up the process?”
“Westminster is where those conversations should be had, firmly and robustly. <BR /> <BR />We have a serious issue with border control throughout the UK. Right now, we are living through some very difficult and turbulent times. It is political cowardice to walk away from those issues. We must have courage and, yes, compassion in dealing with them to ensure that we have a country in which all can live safely, now and in the future.”
“<BR /> <BR />I say gently to those in the Chamber who, with a condescending sneer, wish to brand the hundreds of thousands of people in Northern Ireland and the millions across the United Kingdom with serious and legitimate concerns about uncontrolled and, in some cases, illegal immigration and the impact that it has had on their communities that this is a serious issue. For those with zero lived experience to put them down and sneer at them is wrong. It is wrong in the extreme. I will continue to be a voice for them in the Chamber. We cannot get away from the fact that to sideline the topic — an issue of national debate — will only further give rise to sinister elements to manipulate and exploit. This is the place where those discussions should be had, firmly and robustly.”
“Like all those who spoke before me in the Chamber, I condemn, utterly, the violence that took place on our streets last week. The violent scenes on our streets are not who we are as a people. There is and has always been an alternative to violence. I must say that the violent scenes have served to overshadow the serious sexual assault of a young girl in Ballymena. That is where our anger should be focused. That is where the full weight of the law should be applied, and that is where justice should be served.”
“— through this situation and ensure that we have a sustainable future. Thank you.”
“Today's motion puts you on notice. Heed the warning. Listen to the people, and stand up for the farmer. Stop being the myopic Minister; a man with tunnel vision, careering down the dead-end path of NAP, leading to the inevitable consequence, which will ultimately result in the devastation of the only original industry that we have left in this country. It means a lot to the people of Northern Ireland to have a Minister whom they know has the back of the farmer. Work with them. Let us get —”
“The industry is very clear that the policy is unworkable and that we need to step back, remove the consultation and have a genuine moment of engagement, cross-sector and cross-party, to ensure that we can protect those in the agri-food sector. It is a crucial economic pillar, a lifeline for rural communities and a crucial component of national food security. At a time when global supply chains are constrained, food costs are rising and we are being told to buy local, we must provide help. <BR /> <BR />The motion will be passed by the Assembly. Many farmers, Minister, want your P45.”
“To do that is not based on any reality, and, looking at it from a point of practical common sense, farmers are being forced into herd reduction as a result of the policy. It is herd reduction by stealth. We cannot make more land: that is a simple, known fact. However, to pursue a policy such as this will devastate agriculture in many ways. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland is responsible for 20% of the UK's food production. That should be a badge of honour. It is at the heart of food security. Policies in this place, in the past, ensured that farmers had fair representation and helped to grow our economy. They are still an absolutely integral part of the agri-food sector. This proposal, taken to its natural conclusion, could result in tens of thousands of jobs being lost. I did not say those words: look at the joint letter from the industry.”
“He had quite a senior role in the Department. In fact, when he was at the meeting and addressed those who were gathered at Greenmount, there was a shirking away by those departmental officials who knew about his impeccable record and, indeed, conduct whilst he was in the Department. It is those voices — indeed, the voices of those in this very Building; those who came up to Stormont today to place on record their concern — that the Minister and his party fail to take into consideration. <BR /> <BR />We talk about the devastation of agriculture and livestock reduction. I noticed that the Minister was very hot and heavy when he said that this is not a reduction of agriculture. Let us read the room. Calculations suggest that farmers will potentially need more than twice their current acreage to deal with some of these conditions.”
“I remember the words of Sinclair Mayne, who talked about the very shaky ground on which the science is presented. In fact, in many cases, it was absent when farmers wanted to quiz officials on exactly what was behind the policy intent. I will take no lectures from the Member.”
“In one moment. I want to address that intervention directly. That is typical of the condescending, sneering attitude of Alliance members towards anybody with any form of concern about their environmental extremism. They come to the House to tell us that we are the bad people who are causing pollution in Lough Neagh and, indeed, across Northern Ireland, but there is absolutely zero recognition of the very men and women who built this country. The Member talked about the 1920s and the horse and plough. I argue that he has a fundamental misunderstanding of just how generational farming is in communities across the country. He talked about scientific evidence. He will understand that there are debates about the very evidence that the Minister has put forward.”
“OK. It is a speech on the matter. Sorry, Mr Blair. It has been 20 minutes. Sorry, Mr Blair.”
“I will give way at this stage, because the Member wants to have his say.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have seen a quick move on NAP. Where was the move to address a TB crisis that, in the past five years, has resulted in over 90,000 beef and dairy cattle being culled? Where was prioritising dealing with that by this place or the Minister? What about an ammonia policy that is stifling the sustainable growth of the agriculture industry? What about bringing on new blood and farm succession planning? There has been no focus on those issues from the Minister, just obstacles. <BR /> <BR />Over 3,500 farms now face proposals that will impose stricter phosphorus limits and enforce mandatory use of, in some instances, costly low-emissions slurry-spreading equipment, which, as has been noted, is impractical in some parts of our countryside. Those measures, as we all know, will only add costly regulation and costly —.”
“I will in a moment. Make no mistake: the farmer wants and supports clean water. I have lived at the foot of Lough Neagh all my life. I have never once met a farmer who does not support having a clean water supply. In fact, when we look at history, as Mr Gaston noted, be it 1923, 1937 or 1967, we see that blue algae was in existence when the farmer was still using a horse and plough. However, I do not hear one single member of the Alliance Party today referring to the fact that some type of industrialised, intensive slurry operation or, indeed, agriculture caused blue algae in those circumstances. No, it did not. Your demonisation of agriculture is not lost on a cross-community cross section of the House, and it is not lost on the wider community. You have failed them, and you continue to single them out.”
“Every new rule, every inspection and every page of paperwork piles more stress and pressure on men and women who are already at breaking point. <BR /> <BR />Minister, a top-down, heavy-handed approach serves only to tighten the screws. Where is the collaboration? Where is the respect for the people who know the land best? A four-week extension to a consultation was a crumb, not a solution.”
“When asked from the floor to raise their hand if they supported Minister Muir's NAP proposals, not one did so. We are having the conversations, and the farming community is having the conversations, but the question is this: will the Minister actually listen? <BR /> <BR />I cannot believe the response that I heard from the Minister. It is quite apparent that he has no intention of listening, and, to quote him, we can say it until we are "blue in the face", Minister, you are tone-deaf on the issues that affect farming. You are disconnected, and yours is a reckless approach to agriculture, which is a stable block of this society. Farmers are not just fighting for their livelihoods but fighting for our culture, our food security and our very identity.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. At the outset, I declare an interest, as I have family members who work right across the agriculture sector. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to my colleague Michelle McIlveen, who, despite some of the accusations in the Chamber about the intentions behind the motion, has always been a champion and friend of the rural environment, the rural community and the farmer. The motion reflects the sense of anger and despair that exists across Northern Ireland, which has been displayed over recent weeks, because of a Minister who is simply not listening. <BR /> <BR />Today, Members have had their say, and farmers are having their say. I recently attended a consultation meeting at the Greenmount campus, at which there were hundreds of farmers in attendance.”