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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“I thank the Member for the intervention. That is important; it is about setting out a strategic plan for what healthcare will look like in the future. The Member mentioned in her speech that we need modern, high-quality healthcare at Craigavon. At the moment, sadly, that is not being delivered, although that is no fault of the many dedicated staff. <BR /> <BR />The challenges that the current estate faces are well known. I think that, since I became an elected representative, there has not been a single day during which I have not dealt with a health-related case in relation to the Craigavon hospital estate. I imagine that Members across the House have similar issues relating to a hospital in their constituency.”
“<BR /> <BR />The bulk of the current capital spending is on maintaining old buildings. That was my point when I intervened during Mrs Dillon's speech. I accept that preserving and maintaining old buildings is necessary, but, sometimes, that is not the best use of capital spend. Those buildings can be patched up and maintained, but they will never meet some of the essential needs of modern healthcare. It is not all a negative picture. The Blossom children's centre at Craigavon is an excellent modern facility. It is certainly a model of what Craigavon could look like if its vision were to materialise. There was a vision and plan in 2016, but it has not been realised. Indeed, we have seen a piecemeal approach to that long-term problem. It is something that we need to get a grip of.”
“However, we are 50 years on, and there is always a need for updating and change. <BR /> <BR />I point out the importance of Craigavon Area Hospital as a regionally significant acute hospital. As my colleague mentioned, it serves over 240,000 people. Sometimes, I feel that the earliest mistake with Craigavon Area Hospital was to call it "Craigavon Area Hospital" because it has led to parish-pump party political points often being made when it is discussed. Craigavon Area Hospital is not just for Craigavon; it serves Upper Bann, Newry and Armagh, South Down, Mid Ulster, Fermanagh and South Tyrone and some of the new Lagan Valley constituency. It vastly outstrips the wider Craigavon area. Therefore, it is of regional significance to the Assembly. Its progress and success is all of our success.”
“It is great that, for the second time in just two weeks, we are discussing Craigavon Area Hospital. To that end, I thank my colleague Diane Dodds for bringing this important motion to the House. I sense that there is unanimous agreement about some of the issues facing Craigavon. I wondered whether I should declare an interest at the outset of the debate because, beginning on 19 July 1991, I spent a few days availing myself of free accommodation in Craigavon Area Hospital, albeit things have changed since. <BR /> <BR />Since 1972, Craigavon Area Hospital and its staff, including those who have since passed, have really been a beacon of service in the local area. We are thankful for the staff and the high quality of healthcare that has been provided during that time.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. She makes an important point, particularly as we see potential for further investment in the health service and what that means for the ratepayer. Does the Member agree that the continual vouchsafing of money on old, dilapidated buildings to, essentially, keep them alive in their current context, is throwing good money after bad in some circumstances?”
“I echo the comments and the congratulations to the Minister on his engagement with the US Administration on the huge historical and cultural links between Northern Ireland and the United States. Will the Minister agree that, quite often, the Scots-Irish/Ulster-Scots connection has been lost or distorted in that narrative and history? With that in mind, and already banking on the progress made with the celebrations for the Declaration of Independence, will the Minister outline what sustained and prolonged engagement will look like to ensure that the people of Northern Ireland will have their history marked in such a fitting way?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Minister, you outlined how difficult it will be for anything to happen in the immediate future, but, as I said in my contribution, there are perhaps some things that we can do to increase traffic flow in the short term. Will you task your officials with looking into the frequency of traffic light outages in and around the Seagoe, Kernan and Northway areas? There are huge impacts and knock-on effects when the lights are down, and it particularly affects the traffic that accesses the hospital.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. We know that the roads are in a terrible condition and that funding is much needed, regardless of where you are in Northern Ireland, but I give her this scenario: statistics show that the area between Lurgan and Craigavon Area Hospital is in the worst state that it has ever been in on record. Is the repair of trunk roads to a hospital ever given priority over the repair of other roads?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He has made an important point, but it is not just there. The wider Bocombra area has become a wonderful location for young families that have moved into it. Their concern stretches further in that the opening of an access point to the hospital through Lisnisky Lane would, essentially, draw further traffic on to those roads, perhaps making it the sort of rat run that other areas have experienced.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister and the Member who secured the Adjournment debate.”
“You would be surprised, although I am sure that Members have got caught up in it, at the significant disruption that signal failure causes, particularly on the Northway, with traffic backing up towards the centre of Craigavon and on to the schools that Mr Beattie mentioned or to the hospital. That needs to be looked at. <BR /> <BR />Traffic flow is an important issue that the Department could, perhaps, address. That may alleviate some of the congestion, rather than our opening up a debate about a particular road that would be used largely by those who work on the Craigavon Area Hospital site but cause huge inconvenience to residents. If we can improve traffic flow, we could address the issue that the chief executive has raised of timely access to emergency care.”
“The Member has raised a good point. What emergency planning has the Department carried out in conjunction with the Department of Health on access to a key hospital such as Craigavon Area Hospital? <BR /> <BR />I hope that I have expressed the concerns about the Lisnisky Lane/Lisnisky Road issue clearly to the Minister. I feel that we have. On the wider issue, Mr Beattie hit on an interesting point: one of the key concerns is to do with the Northway, which is a huge trunk road that leads to many local services on the Northway or towards the hospital. There is a major concern about a more regular occurrence, and that is the failure of the traffic lights, which happens time and time again.”
“The recent statistics from the Minister's Department show that, this winter, the potholes on the road network between Lurgan and Craigavon Area Hospital were worse than anywhere else. There are already issues with the road network: it is tired. Mr Beattie mentioned that the temporary resurfacing of Lisnisky Lane has already opened up with potholes that, once again, have caused concern for the local residents. <BR /> <BR />If we are going to fix the problem in the longer term, we must look at the traffic flow patterns, particularly at the edges of the larger roundabouts and how that impacts on the traffic flow and timely access to emergency care.”
“We have to live in a world where we respect those who live in the vicinity. To respect those who live in the vicinity, we must take regard of their views on what opening up that stretch of road would look like. I agree with my colleague Diane Dodds and, indeed, Doug Beattie that the residents must be front and centre of any consideration. By my reckoning and from what I have heard of the feedback, the residents have said a firm no to opening up the road. <BR /> <BR />I want to talk about the wider issue. Doug is absolutely right: there is a huge issue that stretches way beyond the particular issue at Lisnisky. The road infrastructure is not in good shape. I have mentioned the number of people who transit the country to Craigavon Area Hospital.”
“Mr Beattie attempted to take us through the myriad roundabouts in Craigavon and the country lanes. It will not be easy to have a sustainable solution in the short term. I am particularly concerned about the Lisnisky Lane/Lisnisky Road issue. I have grown up knowing that development in its current state, and, in my lifetime, there has been no through road. I stress to the Minister that opening the road to enhance access to the hospital would be viewed by the residents as creating a rat run, as has happened in other areas. That is not in the interests of those residents. <BR /> <BR />Residents who live on the fringes of Craigavon Area Hospital have told horrific stories about patients who have escaped from mental health facilities and of brutal murders that have happened.”
“First, I thank my constituency colleague Doug Beattie for securing the Adjournment debate. It is a very important debate about a strategic asset located at the heart of our constituency, particularly for those from Portadown who live daily with the traffic implications around the hospital. <BR /> <BR />This is significant. We are truly grateful to have a hub hospital such as Craigavon Area Hospital on our doorstep. It does tremendous work. It has a 450-bed capacity and serves an estimated 240,000 people across Northern Ireland. People from constituencies as far as Newry and Armagh, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, South Down, Lagan Valley and further afield access that hospital daily. <BR /> <BR />The issues with the road infrastructure will not be easily fixed.”
“Minister Muir has been a leading cheerleader for the Northern Ireland protocol, which binds Northern Ireland to the EU single market and customs area, so I suspect that he fully understands its consequences. When the Minister mentions the exclusion of Northern Ireland, does he know whether the protocol that he endorsed will force Northern Ireland to be subject to US tariffs on the EU, or will we, with the rest of the UK, enjoy a relationship that is tariff-free?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way and, in particular, for talking about some of the local companies that are doing excellent work in the field. It is important, therefore, that we also look at some of the challenges that they have faced. I think particularly of the gas-blending example in Granville. Many businesses would love to be able to avail themselves of that blended gas on the new gas network, which goes right beside their businesses, but they are unable to do so. Will their utility bills and any subsequent legislation recognise that?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. It is great to hear the Member's excitement about the motion. He has given two clear, compelling reasons for why he believes that Ballymena should be the hub for hydrogen. Perhaps I can suggest a third: is it the fact that the Member represents North Antrim, of which Ballymena is at the heart?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. It is an interesting example that she raises about our domestic ratepayers and, indeed, homeowners. Does the Member agree that there is also a huge opportunity for local businesses to tap into some of that production and that there is a real opportunity, in the forthcoming Bill about the regulator, to look at enabling local businesses that are already on the modern gas network to avail themselves of green hydrogen?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. In case there is an attempt to misrepresent, I clarify that my argument was that, to enable us to benefit from green hydrogen, we must tap in to the funding streams that are available, therefore through UK Government funding. Beyond that, the world is our oyster. I am for being a global leader. I mentioned that in my statement, and I am glad that the Member is on board.”
“It is only through that concerted effort that we can secure a future in which Northern Ireland is recognised not only as a regional leader but as a global hub for green hydrogen technology. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I encourage all Members to engage in the proactive discussion that the Northern Ireland economy is engaging in on green hydrogen. I hope that the Minister and her Department can get behind the initiative to ensure that we realise its true potential.”
“It is essential, therefore, that we proceed with caution and ensure that we have reliable, long-term alternatives to fossil fuels before we phase them out completely. We cannot afford to abandon fossil fuels prematurely; we do not yet have reliable, long-term and scalable alternatives in place. It is only when we have ensured the success of hydrogen and other clean energy technologies that we can begin to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels in a sustainable and responsible manner. That is why we must continue to drive innovation, secure the right infrastructure and ensure that Northern Ireland has a seat at the table when funding options and policies are discussed at UK level.”
“Wrightbus's innovative approach and commitment to zero-emission public transport vehicles demonstrates what is possible when we embrace new technologies and work collaboratively across sectors. The company is already the fastest-growing bus manufacturer in Europe and expects to create up to 1,000 jobs in its supply chain as production increases. That success story is just one example of how the hydrogen economy can transform our local economy and create high-paying, high-quality jobs. <BR /> <BR />While I believe in the immense potential of hydrogen, I am cautious about the broader promises of the net zero agenda, which can often overlook the complex challenges that we face and the costly bill that it can place on working-class communities.”
“That includes introducing hydrogen-specific apprenticeships and training programmes to allow young people to gain the skills required for high-quality jobs in the sector. <BR /> <BR />As we move forward, we can take inspiration from the example set by local companies, such as Wrightbus in Ballymena. Last month, Wrightbus unveiled its upgraded hydrogen-powered second generation Streetdeck Hydroliner bus — that is quite a mouthful, but it is quite a feat of engineering — which represents a significant leap forward in green transport technology. The new model is more fuel-efficient, has a greater range and costs less than its predecessor, which was the world's first hydrogen double-decker bus.”
“That involves ensuring that all new gas-fuelled appliances, including boilers and hybrid systems, are designed and installed with the capacity to use hydrogen as a fuel source. <BR /> <BR />Of course, those pillars of the hydrogen innovation strategy are meaningful only if we have the appropriate partnerships and skilled workforce to support them. That has come up time and time again at the Committee, at which we focus on providing our young people with the appropriate skills for the careers of the future. Northern Ireland already has a vibrant skills base, and the demand for green energy jobs is growing rapidly. However, we need to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the right skills at the right time to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the hydrogen sector.”
“We also have a point to celebrate in Northern Ireland because we have the unique advantage over our counterparts on these islands of having a young, modern gas infrastructure of which they should certainly be envious. <BR /> <BR />Fifthly, we must make significant progress on developing large-scale hydrogen storage capacity to ensure that there is a consistent and reliable supply of hydrogen throughout the year. With hydrogen storage, we can address the intermittency of renewable energy generation — for example, wind energy — and ensure that we maximise the potential of and for our renewable energy assets. <BR /> <BR />Sixthly, we must work to ensure that Northern Ireland's energy systems are hydrogen-ready.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. She is absolutely right. I visited the site with her alongside other Members, and it was clear to see the enthusiasm for that revolutionary style of blending, which is happening on our doorstep at Granville. It is a first on the island and will ensure that we harness that potential. <BR /> <BR />There is much more work to be done not only by the Department for the Economy but by the Department for Infrastructure to ensure that they realise and capitalise on the huge potential of hydrogen for consumers and businesses alike, but they face real challenges in accessing the planning structure in live time.”
“Thirdly, we must continue our discussions with the UK Government to access funding streams and incentives that would support innovation in our hydrogen sector, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Northern Ireland. The British Hydrogen Innovation Initiative (HII), as well as UK-wide schemes, such as the Clean Power 2030 action plan and Great British Energy, must include clear provisions to support local businesses in their bid to drive forward hydrogen technologies. <BR /> <BR />Fourthly, we must assess the necessary gas infrastructure to support hydrogen blending, which is already happening in areas such as Dungannon. Injecting hydrogen into the existing gasworks would allow us to begin integrating hydrogen into our energy mix without the need for a complete overhaul of existing infrastructure.”
“Our strategy must consider several key pillars, and I am pleased to share those today. The first is the establishment of a hydrogen unit in the Department for the Economy. That would serve as the focal point for driving forward the hydrogen sector, working closely with industry leaders and academia to ensure that we provide and develop the right technology and infrastructure to support large-scale hydrogen production. Moreover, it would play an important role in monitoring progress and facilitating coordination across various sectors. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, we must create clear targets in our Programme for Government (PFG) to integrate hydrogen into public-sector energy use. By setting targets to embed hydrogen into public-sector projects, we can provide the necessary momentum to stimulate demand and investment in that space.”
“That strategy must capitalise on our unique advantages and build on the expertise already present in our region. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland is on the cusp of an energy revolution. Our geographical advantages, particularly our abundant renewable electricity from onshore wind, place us in a position to be a global leader in the production of green hydrogen. Onshore wind already provides more than 80% of our renewable energy capacity. However, we need to take the next steps to develop hydrogen production and storage facilities and distribution infrastructure to ensure that we are not left behind in the global race for green hydrogen. <BR /> <BR />We must do so by working in collaboration with the private sector, academia and government locally and at UK level.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />Today, I move a motion that, I trust, will set Northern Ireland on the path to becoming a global leader in green hydrogen technology, a path that harnesses the potential of hydrogen to transform our energy landscape and create high-quality, sustainable jobs in the industries of the future. Hydrogen has long been hailed as the key to decarbonising our transport sector and improving our energy security, yet, for us to realise that potential, we must take proactive steps to create the right conditions to foster innovation and growth in this critical sector. That is why the Democratic Unionist Party believes that it is essential that we adopt a dedicated hydrogen innovation strategy for Northern Ireland.”
“To appoint forensic accountants to such a significant arm's-length body as NI Water is a serious step, Minister. When did you communicate to NI Water your intention to do so? Without getting into detail on specifics, is the Minister or her Department aware of any potentially fraudulent activity that might have caused the overspend?”
“— of having a dignified Christian burial.”
“I encourage them go to the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains and give the families the respect —”
“It can pass us by in the blink of an eye as we think of the family that is nervously waiting for information about their loved one's passing. Cruelly, those families are still being denied the justice of a Christian burial. <BR /> <BR />In recent times, there have been many accounts of the experiences of the disappeared. In some instances, those cases have been dramatised through TV series and documentaries. Disney's 'Say Nothing' recounted Joe Lynskey's disappearance. At the end of each episode, it is audaciously declared that Gerry Adams denies that he was ever in the IRA. Does anybody in the Chamber believe that? He trots around the world stage, while families sit in corners in grief as they try to find their loved ones. There are people within the membership of Sinn Féin who know the whereabouts of the bodies.”
“I suspect — I know — that there are Members in the House who have had the painful experience of losing a loved one through sudden death or have had a member of their family taken from them due to an accident or a murder. Nobody in the Chamber, however, has experienced a loved one being disappeared — abducted, murdered and placed in a secret grave somewhere on these islands — with no information, no court case and no justice. That is the experience of many families in Northern Ireland: the families of the disappeared. Their loved ones were abducted, murdered and secretly buried by republicans during Northern Ireland's Troubles. Extensive searches have been carried out for their remains, but four remain missing. Remains have been found in bogs, on beaches and on mountains. Every so often, we hear of another dig.”
“I suspect that every Member has experienced the grief of losing a loved one. They may have experienced holding the hand of a parent, child or friend in their dying moments. They will have had the painful task of arranging a funeral.”
“When discussing legacy and its impact on police recruitment, will the Minister give her assessment of the disgraceful conduct of the Police Ombudsman, Mrs Anderson? Despite numerous requests from my colleague the Chair of the Justice Committee, Joanne Bunting, she continues to hold up a report on the Kingsmills massacre — an atrocity that resulted in 10 innocent workmen losing their lives on the side of the road and the sole survivor, Alan Black, being left with life-limiting injuries. Minister, do you believe that two-tiered justice has infected the ombudsman's office?”
“Large-scale infrastructure projects appear to go to your Department to drown in delay and multiply in cost, so, as a newly appointed Minister, what confidence do you have that your Department can bring projects from concept to reality and provide good, affordable bureaucracy and costings for the taxpayer?”
“Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. Was a formal apology issued to the Speaker's Office for the wasting of Assembly time and business due to a failure to supply motions that are factually and legally competent, which will, ultimately, result in the House rising early today?”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I welcome the fact that the factually inaccurate motion from the constructive Opposition is not being moved today. How was it that such a grossly inaccurate motion made it into the Order Paper in the first place?”
“— and the consequences must be taken into account. They were murderers.”
“— lying slumped in the blazing car. Those were the actions —”
“When the shooting stopped, he saw Constable Marshall —”
“It was to murder and take life. How many lives had they taken before, and how many would they have taken afterwards? <BR /> <BR />People often ask whether those soldiers felt that their lives were threatened. Let us look at a similar scenario: two and a half years previously, in October 1989, a 25-year-old constable, Michael Marshall, was assassinated in a very similar style of encounter near Bessbrook. His armoured police car was overtaken by a flatbed lorry with a machine gun styled the same as that at Clonoe, which killed him. His colleague, who was left seriously injured, said:”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us set out the context: 10 heavily armed IRA men, with an anti-aircraft gun strapped to the back of a lorry, alongside AK-47s, opened up on a police station, travelled down the road and open fire again in the air, and were then met by the SAS in the Clonoe church car park. That is the reality of what happened. A coroner's report has the ability to look into who, what, where and when, but it has no ability to take into context the "why". It is the "why" that I focus my remarks on. Why did the SAS open fire on those terrorists? It did so because it was protecting life and property. I listened to Francie Molloy, the Sinn Féin former Member for Mid Ulster, on the radio this morning talking about rules of engagement, war scenarios and the failure to save life. Could it get any more rich? What did those men set out to do?”
“We were informed at the weekend that the Ministry of Defence plans to apply for a judicial review of the coroner's finding into the deaths of four Provisional IRA terrorists in their attack at Clonoe. I welcome the decision. The coroner's report found that the use of lethal force by the SAS cannot have been reasonable. That decision bewildered citizens with any degree of common sense. It infuriated our veterans community and angered genuine victims of the Northern Ireland Troubles; they see it as another attempt — in this instance, by the courts — to rewrite the narrative of what happened in Northern Ireland's troubled past.”
“I welcome the strategy, which aims to protect women and girls from violence. Today's society poses many real threats to women and young girls, including from biological males who masquerade as females. Does the First Minister share my concerns, those of many women in our community and the common-sense view that biological men should not be able to compete in female sport and that female safe spaces, particularly female changing rooms, should never be accessible to biological males — no ifs and no buts?”
“I thank the Member for giving way on a crucial point. Does he agree that that is happening not only in Belfast but in other councils across Northern Ireland, where the advancement of such cultural supremacy is causing worry and angst among those who are legitimately concerned?”