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…”
The complete record
Every one of 2,272 lines we hold for Jonathan Buckley, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 31 of 46.
“The Bill will have consequences, be they intended or unintended.”
“I thank Mr Allister for his intervention. Those are the precise reasons, as well as the Bill's open-ended and vague nature and where it could go, that cause me and, indeed, my party concern. I will touch on those points further on in my contribution. <BR /> <BR />There are more appropriate avenues than the pursuit of a private Member's Bill of this nature to deal with such matters, including strengthening harassment laws or other legislation on harassment. There is a real risk that the clauses that constitute the main fabric of the Bill would unfairly restrict freedom of assembly, expression and religious belief as set out in articles 9, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). It also risks setting a precedent for banning protected speech in other public settings.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I absolutely understand and appreciate that, if somebody is confronted, whether on an issue that is personal to them or personal to somebody else, that can be a distressing circumstance. That is why I fundamentally believe that, if we are to address such harassment and such intimidating actions, we must use the proper legislative means and vehicle to ensure that we can weed out those instances, which the report highlights are very few, albeit, at the same time, concerning.”
“I will in a moment. <BR /> <BR />— or violent activities, and they should be pursued with the full rigour of the law. On that point, I will give way to the Chair.”
“I, again, make it clear that neither I nor my party, nor the vast majority of pro-life advocates, have any common cause with those who engage in either aggressive —”
“Further in the report, the Home Secretary went on to describe the overwhelming type of activity that took place at such protests:”
“The general offence would extend to any action deemed likely to directly or indirectly influence someone's decisions. Under the Bill, anything from a conversation to a leaflet would be deemed criminal. Notwithstanding whether such a definition would be enforceable in practice, that is an incredibly broad scope. Some Members will deem those who hold a pro-life stance as offensive, and others, like me, can consider a pro-abortion stance as equally offensive. <BR /> <BR />In 2018, the then United Kingdom Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, conducted an in-depth review into protest activities outside abortion clinics. The outcome was clear. He acknowledged that:”
“Whilst the House is deeply divided on the issue of abortion, we can all stand four-square behind the need to tackle abuse against those entering health and social care premises. I want to make that very clear from the outset. Neither I nor my party support abuse or harassment. Therefore, the question facing us today is not whether we choose to address this form of wrongdoing but how we choose to address it. <BR /> <BR />That said, I am concerned that the Bill may represent a missed opportunity to crack down on specific and prevalent forms of threatening and abusive behaviour at these sites. Either by design or neglect, the criminal offences outlined in clause 6, as Mr Allister alluded to in an intervention, are vague and open-ended.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Further to Mr Allister's intervention, will the Member explain why she is not taking the approach of strengthening the current harassment Order, which she has claimed is below the required standard, rather than tabling a private Member's Bill?”
“The deputy First Minister will know that the inability for the North/South Ministerial Council to meet is a direct result of the Northern Ireland protocol. So, does the deputy First Minister accept that her actions, alongside those of colleagues in this House who called for the rigorous implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol and who rubbished east-west relations and rubbished unionist concerns, have meant that the current North/South ministerial institutions can no longer be sustainable? Deputy First Minister, you, alongside colleagues, have called for the rigorous implementation of the protocol. Own this arrangement. You can help to provide a solution by calling for the replacement of the Northern Ireland protocol.”
“Let us ensure that the comments that have been raised in the debate, and the highlighting of problems by Members, can be used productively to improve the waste water infrastructure.”
“I thank Dr Aiken for his point. Indeed, it has been well put on the record and is one that may be explored by the Minister and others round the Executive table. <BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank Members who have contributed to the debate. It has been lively and good. It has brought forward and teased out potential avenues and solutions. Members have recognised the deepening crisis with Northern Ireland's waste water infrastructure. They have recognised the impact that that is having on housebuilding and capital investment in schools, factories and other builds. Members agree and recognise that it is a region-wide problem, the strategy and approach must recognise that reality, and sustainable funding must be put in place to ensure that that happens. Let us ensure that it happens and not let the debate be just another talking shop.”
“I thank the Member. Indeed, I recognise the point that he has raised. However, I believe that bringing today's motion to the House has been helpful, because, while Members may have had political jibes at each other, or there may have been disagreement about what has been done in the past, it has crystallised the problems that are faced by NI Water and given the issue prominence on the Floor of the Assembly for discussion of possible solutions. If one of those possible solutions is mutualisation, that is on the record. Let us continue that conversation and ensure that we can find a sustainable solution. <BR /> <BR />We have also talked about the need for increased funding and, indeed, prudency with the money that we have.”
“I am sure that the Minister will come back to Mr Storey on that particular point, but we need more than words. Action is required if we are to see that housing stock coming forward.”
“It is something that the Committee can take away, but I know that the Department will also look at whether there are ways to learn from best practice and ensure that we find a sustainable way forward.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members also mentioned the need to be prepared to take difficult decisions. That is a recognised point. I do not care what party anyone is from, we have to recognise that difficult decisions will have to be made about NI Water. We will have to prioritise and look at funding NI Water in a sustainable way to ensure that we can avoid the gridlock that will inevitably come if we do not invest sustainably. <BR /> <BR />Members came forward with solutions today, and that was very useful for the purposes of the debate. Mr Muir touched briefly on mutualisation, which found agreement and support from Mr Beggs, Dr Aiken and others. Reference was made to the Welsh Water model, and I think that deserves further scrutiny and may be of merit.”
“Absolutely. That goes back to a point that I raised in my opening comments. If anyone thinks that a 65-day turnaround is good for economic development, it simply is not. Members have to realise that there are issues with the planning process and the delay, particularly with NI Water. Come the sixty-fourth day, we see a response from that consultee, requesting further information and funding, but effectively all that is doing is kicking the can further down the road. That approach is not sustainable, and I hope that the Minister will take away those real concerns, which I am sure other Members have, about the length of time that NI Water is taking to get back to prospective developers to improve and enhance the quality of social housing stock and other developments.”
“Indeed. The Member makes a very valid point. I note that Members universally mentioned the chronic housing shortages in their respective areas and how the waste water infrastructure has limited the social housing growth that they need, as well as economic prosperity. Members know the trouble that they will face, whether they are dealing with a development or a scheme that they know is needed for the local area but cannot progress because of the infrastructure problems for NI Water.”
“As I have mentioned, the issue with NI Water affects not just the Department for Infrastructure but has an impact on our schools and in our communities, whether that is to do with social housing need or our economy, with the economic development that sustainable and long-term sewerage and waste water infrastructure can create. <BR /> <BR />Members also mentioned climate change. Dr Aiken pointed out the level of rain that can fall in an hour in his constituency and how the infrastructure that is in place cannot deal with the quantity of rain that we face.”
“It must also be pointed out — I will put it on record — that it is a no-brainer to say that this has not happened overnight. It has long-term consequences, and we, as a political body, must be mature enough to recognise that, if we are to address the significant issues faced by NI Water, we must give it a sustainable budget. We also talked about multi-year budgeting and how the existing funding model made it difficult for NI Water to function properly. <BR /> <BR />The importance of this being a cross-departmental matter was also raised. I am not sure who raised that point — I think that it may have been Kellie Armstrong during an intervention — but it is important.”
“Thank you. If you look at Hansard, you will see that I said that the Member has been about this place for as long as some of our sewers. It was not the Member in particular, but maybe you can reflect on that now that you have brought it to his attention. <BR /> <BR />What I am trying to say is that Members brought up issues time and again. Similar concepts were raised, and, although people came at it from different directions, we all recognised the problems that exist. <BR /> <BR />We heard, first, about capacity issues. We heard about those from Newry and Armagh to North Antrim. There were many contributions from Members from the Antrim area in particular, who spoke about the issues that they face there. <BR /> <BR />We also heard about funding concerns, and I think that that point was universally recognised.”
“In a moment. He was an Opposition Member for only six months of his 23 years here. <BR /> <BR />Getting back to the topic, Members, collectively across the House —”
“To say that Members had a lot to get off their chests in the debate is probably an understatement. In typical Northern Ireland fashion, Members from different political parties across the Chamber said that they supported the motion and then tore it to shreds. That is becoming a theme. <BR /> <BR />Mr Beggs's contribution really gave me cause to smile. First, he welcomed and supported the motion, then he said that it was worded like an Opposition motion, and then he supported what looked like an Opposition motion as a member of a Government party. I remind Mr Beggs that he is the longest-serving Member in the House right now. He has been in the Chamber for nearly as long as some of the main sewers and waterworks in —.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. In that vein, I am sure that she will agree with me on this. The Minister for Communities said that she was working to develop a fundamental housing supply strategy to remove barriers to increasing housing supply, which would obviously include water and sewerage. What interaction has there been with the Minister for Communities to support adequate funding measures for NI Water?”
“There has always been a strong lobby for NI Water to be able to borrow like other bodies elsewhere in the United Kingdom. If we are to maintain the position on domestic water charges, it is right that we examine all available options in order to ensure that we are not storing up problems for the future. Solutions are out there, whether via city deals — I am keen to hear what the Minister has to say about that — or other bespoke funding avenues that have development and prosperity at their heart. Equally, we cannot get away from the fact that we must spend resources wisely. In closing, I hope that Members can support the motion. I call for better waste water infrastructure for all.”
“<BR /> <BR />Since 1 April, hundreds of applications for connections to the water and sewerage network have either been rejected or have stalled because of capacity issues. Some of those applications relate to hundreds of sites. That does not even tell the full story, Members. We do not know how many proposed developments have been cut off at source through NI Water's pre-development inquiry process. There is a real concern among developers that, at the moment, NI Water is using a delayed response to deal with the planning system in order to stymie development and put pressure on more investment. As Members, we have to ensure that we can have confidence in the planning system in order that we can have an adequate, fit-for-purpose waste water infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />I see my time is nearly up.”
“I know the Member will have an opportunity to speak when she contributes to the debate. As Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, I have identified a real problem, and I am sure the Member has done the same in her constituency. <BR /> <BR />There is a need now for investment and planning ahead. The main reason for the motion, as the Member will read, is because the current state of our waste water infrastructure means that we are stymieing economic development, stymieing house growth and stymieing young people from getting on the housing ladder and contributing to society in their own right. I noted that, as I am sure did other Members, when dealing with NI Water in the days previous to the debate, and I will, no doubt, continue to note it in the days ahead.”
“Capital investment will include £529 million as part of the Living with Water programme and £816 million to maintain existing capacity, yet we cannot look over the fact that half of the affected towns and villages will see no direct benefit. It appears to be a damage limitation exercise, which threatens to generate further regional inequalities for people who live and work in areas right across Northern Ireland. The Minister for Infrastructure did not provide the Utility Regulator with any indication of the budget that is available over the next six financial years ahead of the latest price control determination. Was that a missed opportunity to adopt a more ambitious approach? The Minister has talked in the House of levelling up. Talk must now be backed up with action. The Department —.”
“It is hard to disagree. That places an ever bigger onus on the Minister and, indeed, the Department to get it right with a Province-wide plan of action. The Living with Water programme focuses only on greater Belfast, with a feasibility study for Londonderry, and ignores the legitimate challenges that face businesses and households in other parts of Northern Ireland as a result of that crisis. Developers have indicated that, because the planning system in Belfast is more proactive than in other areas, it is likely that a disproportionate level of other investment in the next price control will be spent there. <BR /> <BR />We recognise that price control 21 (PC21) envisages that £2 billion will be directed to capital projects over the next six years, which is a 100% increase on the previous allocation.”
“On 16 October 2020, a headline in the 'Belfast Telegraph' read:”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to bring Members' attention to the fact that 25 of the 27 economic hub towns have compromised water infrastructure, but only 12 will see investment by 2027. Ninety-one additional towns currently face similar problems, and another 30 will join that category over the next six years. Despite that, only 37 towns will receive improvements in their waste water infrastructure during that time. Just yesterday, Minister Mallon said in the House that Northern Ireland's waste water problems will take at least 12 years to fix and have the potential to undermine the economic recovery from COVID-19 and to limit the number of new homes. Further to that is the risk of breaching statutory environmental obligations. <BR /> <BR />The Minister is not alone in her assessment.”
“That is simply not sustainable. Another homebuilder talked about the "planning nightmare" that was driving them out of Northern Ireland. They talked about pulling business out of Northern Ireland to work in the north of England and the Republic of Ireland. They talked about the delay that there was, in particular, surrounding the process with consultees. A complicated planning process, as well as consultee bureaucracy, has led to an absolute nightmare. In relation to NI Water, they talked about some consultees having a minimum 65-day turnaround to see whether a new site was available for sewerage, for example, compared with Scotland, where, they said, the same service would come back in five days. That is the difference. We are losing business because of the lack of sewerage infrastructure and waste water capacity.”
“<BR /> <BR />We believe that the current investment strategy, albeit welcome, lacks the ambition or direction needed to get this situation under control. We are not alone in that opinion. As I have mentioned, frustrated prospective homeowners and developers, up and down the country, want to see a tangible, Province-wide plan, and it is no surprise that they are of that opinion. <BR /> <BR />I have recent reports from developers — I am sure that Members have looked at them in their packs — and they are no longer willing to invest in Northern Ireland due to the waiting times. On 7 July 2021, the 'Belfast Telegraph' reported that:”
“<BR /> <BR />There are missed opportunities to boost employment in the construction and aggregates sector. How many Members have been inundated with correspondence from developers or private homeowners who cannot get connected to the grid and are, therefore, being swallowed up by a planning system that, with regard to NI Water and consultees' responses, is not fit for purpose? <BR /> <BR />There are missed opportunities to provide new housing provision for those in need or those who want to get on to the property ladder. That is something that I can relate to, as a young Member of this House, and, during the pandemic and since, young people have been coming to me because they have been unable to get through that statutory planning process, particularly because of delays relating, primarily, to NI Water.”
“<BR /> <BR />The running failure to address the underinvestment in our waste water infrastructure is severely hampering economic development and house building in every part of Northern Ireland. I am sure that Members can attest to that. To put it simply, without drains, there can be no cranes. <BR /> <BR />Every month that passes without a sustainable approach to meeting current demand for connection to the network leads to further missed opportunities. Let us look at those missed opportunities. There are missed opportunities to support business expansion. How many Members have dealt with businesses in their constituency that are unable to expand and bring job creation to their locality because of lack of infrastructure in the waste water system?”
“Whilst there are many things that we can disagree on in this House, the current state of and stresses on our waste water and sewerage capacity is not one of them. It is something that can and should concern us all because it affects all of us collectively. <BR /> <BR />The network and maze of water mains and sewers in Northern Ireland extends to 27,000 kilometres and 16,000 kilometres respectively. It incorporates our water treatment works, pumping plants and waste water treatment works. If those are not enough reasons to make sure that we get it right, Northern Ireland Water also provides drinking water to approximately 840,000 households and businesses. The stakes could not be higher.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I apologise for interrupting the Minister, but it is increasingly hard to hear him. I do not know whether that can be controlled from the Chair.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I did raise that comment at the Health Committee meeting just past. As somebody who is double-vaccinated and believes in the vaccination programme and its merits, I urge the Health Minister and the House to recognise that, as the debate becomes more exercised and hostile towards vaccination certificates and passports, which sit uncomfortably with me and others across the House, it is important that we be moderate in our language in that debate to ensure that we do not have a negative impact on the vaccination programme whenever it has been doing so well in rolling itself out across Northern Ireland. Does the Member for East Belfast agree?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer and welcome her back to the Chamber. Why has the decision been taken not to place the commissioner on a statutory footing?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. I will make a different point on the same theme. Although it is not entirely in the Minister's gift, will the same disclosure and support be available for adopted persons from, perhaps, an international context to gain information regarding birth parents or, indeed, disclosed records?”
“Despite what the Minister has said, she will understand that some councils have interpreted the new planning advice note as a change of policy, and it has therefore created complications in different council areas. What consultation did the Minister have with Executive colleagues before issuing the note?”
“It was a cruel and callous punishment beating for the people of Northern Ireland, fawned on and backed up by the parties opposite. Northern Ireland was collateral damage in a European game. <BR /> <BR />To Lord Frost and the Government, I say: stop the dithering and dilly-dallying. Stop grandstanding. Get on with the job, but not next year or next month; trigger article 16 this week. Let us bring the issue to a head and restore the delicate equilibrium that is Northern Ireland, and let our economy and society prosper for the next century.”
“Lord Frost, in his speech to the Conservative Party conference today, said that he was putting the EU on notice that the UK would trigger article 16. Lord Frost has drafted a full legal text to override the protocol. He will forgive me for saying, and I hope that he understands, that Ulster people will not purely take his word for it, because it is a case of once bitten, twice shy in relation to Brexit and the Northern Ireland protocol. Action, not words, is required now. <BR /> <BR />In his keynote speech, Lord Frost mentioned that there was continual dragging of heels from the European Union. That will not surprise any Member in this place. We have to look at the real intention of the Northern Ireland protocol. It was not in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.”
“The House is well versed in the problems of the Northern Ireland protocol. They are societal, with the violence that was brought to our streets and the disruption of the delicate cross-community support for these institutions across Northern Ireland, the institutions having been damaged as a result. We have also seen cancer drugs blocked from entering Northern Ireland because of the protocol, and a leading retailer recently talked of stock on shelves going down from product lines of 9,000 to 4,500. <BR /> <BR />Despite Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Alliance Party calling for rigorous implementation of the protocol, the problems exist, and they will only get worse unless the problem is dealt with effectively.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Quite rightly, he highlighted Sinn Féin's inability even to condemn the tragic and brutal murder of Ian Sproule. Does he agree that its inability to condemn such murders is much more widespread? To this day, the continual glorification of murder is what is sad about the reality that Sinn Féin cannot come to terms with its past by recognising that murder was wrong in all instances.”
“The declaration is signed by Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP, the DUP leader; Doug Beattie MC MLA, the UUP leader; Jim Allister QC MLA, the TUV leader; and Councillor Billy Hutchinson, the PUP leader. I welcome the statement. While Members across the House will bemoan the approach taken by unionist leaders in a united front and people in the media will throw obstacles in our way, it is incumbent on us, as unionist representatives in the Assembly, 109 years on, to stand unified to oppose the Northern Ireland protocol and protect Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom.”
“One hundred and nine years ago, our forefathers put aside their differences, egos and personal desire for power to work together within the unionist community to ensure that we still have this place called "the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". I want to read into the record of the House the declaration that was signed today as we face the threat posed by the Northern Ireland protocol and the damage that it, too, could do to our integral place in the United Kingdom:”
“I rise to proudly mark and, indeed, wish Members across the House and people across Northern Ireland a very happy Ulster Day. One hundred and nine years ago, our forefathers signed Ulster's Solemn League and Covenant and, indeed, the declaration, which have been widely recognised as the foundation stone for the Northern Ireland that we call "home" today. The declaration and covenant can be seen as the cement that has held together the Union that we have cherished over the past 100 years. <BR /> <BR />Our forefathers stood united in their opposition to the threat of home rule. Today, on the 109th anniversary, I am so glad to see a united declaration on the Northern Ireland protocol by the unionist leaders.”
“The protracted delays experienced by customers after the deferred launch of the new online DVA booking system has further undermined confidence in our testing system. We need active engagement from the Minister. How many car dealers face the real prospect of going under because they cannot get tests so that they can sell their cars? How many of our young people cannot get into the workplace because they cannot get a driving test? Some sit their test, unfortunately fail, are thrown out of the system and have to wait months before they can get another test. The system is flawed. It is broken. I call on Minister Mallon to bring forward realistic proposals to ensure that we get on top of the backlogs and deliver the service that our constituents deserve.”
“<BR /> <BR />As Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, I wrote to the Minister on MOT testing when the new system became active, asking for a meeting to explain the rationale behind the delay. I was greeted with the same response as many of the service users in my constituency: "Sorry, we will get back to you in due course". In the 12 months preceding the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) conducted 850,000 vehicle tests in Northern Ireland; in contrast, only 456,814 tests have been carried out in the most recent 12 months. That underlines the scale of the testing backlog. <BR /> <BR />If the situation is to be addressed sustainably and not compounded, there is a need for streamlined procedures for booking appointments.”