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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“It is only right that the House considers that. It is not only the restrictions, in particular amendments Nos. 24 and 25, that we must consider, we must take into account the knock-on effect. <BR /> <BR />I want to talk about the impact of the restrictions before us today, as well as the wider lockdown, in managing COVID-19. Inevitably, restrictions are put in place to help — as they have done — reduce positive cases and reduce pressure on hospitals, particularly when we have an influx of COVID patients and already existing winter pressures. By means of restrictions, we are trying to manage the situation until a sustainable solution and way forward is found. I understand and appreciate that our primary aim has to be to protect the health service.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that we have seen quick developments throughout the past couple of months. I welcome the call for aid for those medical professionals and, indeed, the deployment of military medical personnel, but I regret that we have reached the situation that it is necessary. I also regret the tone in which some Members in the House and individuals outside took to those professionals coming in to help support our front-line services. They have the logistical and medical expertise and professionalism to play their part in repelling the COVID-19 virus as it stands. <BR /> <BR />The restrictions before the House today, as mentioned, are quite wide-ranging. Some, around the Christmas period, are no longer relevant, but others are very wide-ranging and will have wide-ranging consequences.”
“I was particularly struck when I saw, at the weekend, a post from a local priest in the Craigavon area. He talked about receiving that call to go to the hospital to tend to one of his parishioners as they came to the end of their life, COVID-positive. He talked about entering the hospital, seeing four or five people around the bed in full PPE — gowns, visors, masks and everything — and hearing the tears. One was holding the hand of his parishioner and another was, aloud but softly, praying for the gentleman that he was caring for. Initially, thinking that this must be family, he was even more touched when he realised that it was not family at all, but nurses and doctors, tending to the patient. How common that must be in these difficult days.”
“I rise to speak on the restrictions before us today. Before I do so, I want to recognise where we are with the latest COVID statistics. As of today, our seven-day rate of positive cases was 261·5 per 100,000, with 422 new cases and, sadly, 17 deaths. While the rate is still alarmingly high, we hope that we will continue to see a downward trajectory. <BR /> <BR />As always in these debates, I want to pay tribute to the staff, particularly our healthcare staff in the respiratory teams across Northern Ireland, who have been under significant pressure over this period, due to winter pressures bringing already large numbers into our hospitals as well as the influx of COVID patients. They are deserving of plaudits from us all for their hard work.”
“What actions will the Department of Health take to utilise all available capacity at its own facilities and in the private sector in Northern Ireland and further afield, including paying for private treatment, as many cancer patients, through no fault of their own, have had to borrow money to get the urgent treatment that they require at this time?”
“The Minister knows full well and acutely the catastrophic news for cancer patients during COVID-19, particularly with the cancellation of services. Some individuals and others waiting on planned elective surgery have been able to commission their own surgery through private and independent providers. Is this not a worrying sign for the Department of Heath, especially on a day when we heard that the Department has had to give back £90 million of unspent money?”
“I note that, this morning, the Minister for Infrastructure was talking about the new fund to clean up and restore alleyways. That funding has been released from the Department. Whilst I would welcome that in normal times, I note that there is nothing in this to help support uncompleted developments that have been going on for 10 years. I think, in particular, of Birchwood Manor in my own constituency, and I know of many others across the country. The Minister said in the Chamber that, if the funds were given, she would act on this. We have no completed road services, faulty sewerage systems, no lights and not enough money in bonds to complete developments. This is second-class development and it should not be tolerated. If the Minister for Infrastructure came forward with such a scheme, would the Minister be minded to support that?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does the Principal Deputy Speaker agree that, if the Member found it hard to follow Mr Frew's contribution, perhaps he could explain what he is talking about? It is certainly not what we are reading in the Bill today.”
“Equally, VAT has been a crucial support line for many businesses in the sectors affected. Has the Minister had any conversations with Treasury as to a continuation of that reduced VAT rate?”
“This statement, like many of the Minister's statements in the past have been and as many of his statements in the future will be, is dominated by COVID-19 and the response to it. Although I welcome the £538 million in the next financial year, the reality is that it falls far short of the £3 billion that was pledged last year. I support the call for the Treasury to allow flexibility to carry over funds into next year. That is essential. <BR /> <BR />The Minister will know that the most vital support for small business has been rate relief. I support the call for the continuation of that.”
“The Minister knows that I have long championed the issue in my constituency in relation to Birchwood Manor. I echo Linda Dillon's comments that it is an issue that, I know, the Minister finds unacceptable, but, to date, limited progress has been made on some of the outstanding issues across many constituencies. I thank the Minister for her Department's willingness since then to engage with residents and, indeed, with NI Water on road development. Will she agree that there is a need to engage with the banks to ensure that we can get a timely and satisfactory outcome and allow the residents to live in peace in their developments?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. On the point about the reinfection rate etc over Christmas, first, I know that he will agree with me that personal responsibility will be paramount in that time. The Government enter a contract with the people, but it is the people who must exercise restraint when it comes to the restrictions that are in place. In light of where the R rate is at the moment, the developments in and our knowledge of test and trace now, is the Minister able to elaborate to the House where the main sources of infection and the increases in the R rate are?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He paints a picture of a utopia, whereby Government closes the entire country down, so keeping infection rates under control, while not mentioning the need for personal responsibility. Under his scenario, if the Government adopted an approach whereby a lockdown closed the entire country and people did not take personal responsibility — what then?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Has he had the opportunity to discuss with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland the Dying with Dignity Bill that is going through the Oireachtas and its potential worrying implications for people in Northern Ireland? If not, please can he provide a timetable for seeking such engagement with his counterpart in the Republic?”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. Will she provide clarity on whether the enforcement element will be included in the work of the task force?”
“I thank the Member for giving way on that point in relation to face masks. Earlier in the debate, Mr Allister referred to the fact that there has been no impact assessment of the intended or unintended consequences of many of the regulations, given the speed at which they were introduced. Will the Member accept that, equally, the evidence to suggest that the proper use of face masks is essential because improper use might increase the risk of transmission? That observation comes from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States regarding the many people across the country who are not wearing masks in the correct manner and, therefore, could be putting themselves and those around them at risk.”
“While we debate issues of importance such as a vaccination programme and continue to deliberate on the COVID response of the Minister and the CMO, the level of questioning that we can give that subject has been so constrained. In some cases, Members are given the opportunity for only one minute of questioning. When you compare that to the body of work that must be involved in the scrutiny of these regulations, you see that it is only right and fitting that other Committees are given the opportunity to play their part. <BR /> <BR />I welcome this day for what it is with the vaccination. I hope and pray that we can all have a safe Christmas with our loved ones, mindful of the effects that COVID still has on the wider community.”
“I for one will continue to argue that COVID compliance, a level of enforcement and vaccination are all part of the puzzle that will allow our society to safely interact, allow businesses to get on with their day-to-day work and keep our communities safe. However, that can be done only if we have attention to detail in scrutiny. I am open to any suggestions from Members about how we may do that. We have had plenty of debate about the dissatisfaction with the way in which the regulations come before the House, but we have had relatively little debate on the scrutiny role that other Committees can play. <BR /> <BR />The Health Committee has a huge agenda. Its workload is immense. I recognise that, having come on to the Committee. I pay tribute to the members of the Health Committee who have been there throughout this entire pandemic.”
“I want to talk about the Communities Committee. A regulation before us — I think that it is No. 14 — talks about the powers that district councils will have to rate particular premises to make them COVID compliant or COVID insured. This is a point that the Committee really tried to home in on but, unfortunately, the evidence that was forthcoming was lacklustre at best. I for one would like to see council leaders being given the opportunity to inform the Health Committee, and maybe even the Communities Committee, as to how effective this approach may be. <BR /> <BR />Despite the quick pace with which we are moving, I do not think that anybody is under the illusion that the COVID vaccine is going to cease the need for regulations in the short term. However, we need to prepare society for what life looks like after January.”
“As we have gone through this pandemic, we have looked upon key moments of public discourse that have brought about seismic change in how the public has reacted to regulations that have come from this place. I think particularly of the Bobby Storey funeral in west Belfast. If we examine that time, the news coverage that it received and the sheer sense of underhandedness, given that members of the general public were asked to bury loved ones, sometimes on their own, compared to the funeral of Bobby Storey, we can have no doubt that that played a pivotal role in turning many people in society against the regulations that were in place. <BR /> <BR />However, as we debate and discuss these regulations, I want to say that I, as a member of the Health Committee, welcome the interventions of other Committees.”
“That is not for one minute to take away from the fact that it is a very difficult situation to police, but at least do it with an even-handed approach that will allow for more collective buy-in from the public.”
“I think of house parties in the Holylands, where limited action has been taken, much to the detriment of those residents who have had to live in a state of constant panic, with house parties continually on their doorstep. <BR /> <BR />I compare that with the forceful, quick action taken at the Black Lives Matter protest, with public swimmers in Helen's Bay, with gyms and, as Mr Wells rightly outlined earlier, with Tandragee Baptists. The amendment (No. 4) regulations seek to increase fines, so the regulations on compliance must be applied equally when policing COVID. Public confidence is key to ensuring that there is uniformity of approach in how the public interact and, indeed, how the police go about their business. How the police have handled the COVID-19 regulations has been dire at best and affected public confidence.”
“I have been concerned from the beginning of this process that we have been paying mere lip service to enforcement, but that became less clear as time went on in the pandemic. I want to make reference to this, because it is only but right to do so, and I am not for one minute saying that this is for the Justice Minister directly to answer, but it is a wider policing question: there is no doubt that, for many, two-tier COVID policing has existed. That is firmly my view. It is the firm view of many in our society as they have watched the police reaction to certain events throughout the pandemic, and their eagerness to enforce in some instances and to dismiss in others. I think of the west Belfast Bobby Storey funeral. Five months on, still no fines and still no action.”
“I thank the Minister for her intervention, and I have no doubt that she will be able to articulate her position quite well when she responds to the debate. She mentioned that she worked collaboratively, which I did mention in reference to two of the regulations. If she did work collaboratively with the Executive, of which I have no doubt, the Minister will be well able to answer questions that Members in the Chamber may have in what is our only form of in-depth scrutiny, if we can call it that. <BR /> <BR />I want to look at the enforcement and policing regulations, which are SR 2020/253. The issue has caused a lot of concern among many members of the general public. I, for one, regard enforcement and COVID compliance as a key way in which we can allow business and society, in some sense, to live with COVID.”
“I recognise that the Minister has come before the Assembly to talk about the regulations that pertain to her Department. I put on record, however, that it is only right that, if the Justice Minister is appearing before the House to talk about regulations that pertain to her remit, the Chair of the Justice Committee has every right to ask questions on behalf of members of that Committee, just as I would expect my own Chair to represent the needs and musts of the Committee that I sit on, namely the Health Committee.”
“I thank the Minister for her intervention. I noted the Chair of the Justice Committee's suggestion that the Minister led on these regulations in the Executive and that she certainly had a key part to play. While I recognise —”
“When I finish my point, I will. <BR /> <BR />Members are entitled to do that. As a member of the Health Committee, I welcome any form of scrutiny of the regulations by any Committee — I think that Mr Sheehan said something similar — because I do not have all the answers; nor do Members in the Chamber. However, collectively, we have to scrutinise the regulations and give our constituents the best form of service possible. <BR /> <BR />On that point, I will give way to the Minister.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention, and her point, in principle, is on record. However, it does not detract from how I feel about the way in which the Assembly was unable to scrutinise the regulations before us. <BR /> <BR />We heard earlier from the Chair of the Justice Committee. Members can get precious about this, and some argue that challenging a Department or a Minister in the middle of a pandemic is political handbagging. I do not see it that way. Members have the right to ask detailed questions of whichever Minister it may be or whatever —.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention, and I will explain what I mean. I stand firm in saying that Members' endeavours have been true. Members have endeavoured to serve their constituents in the best manner that they can. I mean that, as Members, we have failed in the scrutiny of such important legislation. These restrictions are so draconian that they require thorough, detailed investigation. However, by virtue of the very means by which they have come before the Committee and the House, we have failed our constituents in our ability to scrutinise.”
“I am open to hearing how other Members feel on this point, but I think that the feeling is shared. I feel that, throughout the COVID pandemic, we have failed the people of Northern Ireland in the way in which we have been able to scrutinise this draconian legislation. I am sure that many Governments, Parliaments and democracies have similarly failed their people. It has affected and infected every element of our society, and yet, as legislators, the duty of scrutiny has been very much lost. In my short time as a member of the Health Committee, albeit coming up to two months, I have been disturbed by the lack of democratic scrutiny of these important issues. I do not, for one minute, blame the Department of Health. By and large, it is how the regulations come before the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />In discussing the regulations in general, true to form, I will point out, as I have done on previous occasions, the folly of the way in which regulations come before the House. It has become the case that the regulations that come before the House — some have come to the end of their time and others have maybe a week until the end of their time — are, in their content, completely out of keeping and out of pace with where general society is, so it very much becomes an exercise of the House talking to itself. The public switch off, because they cannot keep pace with how the regulations affect their daily life. We as Members always need to be acutely aware of that. <BR /> <BR />As I have said in the Health Committee, the primary function of Members of the House — I exclude Ministers from this — is scrutiny.”
“In beginning my remarks, I also want to mark this hugely significant day when the first vaccines have been provided to some very vulnerable individuals, alongside healthcare workers. That is remarkable. It is a day that many of us have looked forward to. General society can now start to look towards a day when regulations in this regard are no more, albeit we are far from that position. My party and I welcome the vaccine, and I am sure that there is a sigh of relief among many people across our society, be they from a care home setting, a vulnerable individuals setting or a health and professional setting. You name it: everyone has an interest here. We, of all people, know all too well that their hopes and aspirations depend on a successful vaccine getting life back to some form of normality.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he not acknowledge — I know that he has been critical of the approach of Her Majesty's Government to COVID thus far, and, on some points, for very good reason — that people have been able to access the vaccination because of world-leading scientists, who have made it possible for the vaccine to be used in the UK today?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. At the risk of misrepresenting the Chairperson of the Justice Committee, I think that he said that the Chief Constable had been before the Justice Committee on previous occasions about the regulations. His point of contention was that nobody from the Department of Justice was available to brief the Justice Committee on these regulations.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I share his sentiment about the good news story of the vaccine, but does he agree that it is important that we respect the well-enshrined principle in the United Kingdom that vaccines are not mandatory, because there are those who, for their own reasons, will not want to partake?”
“I know that the Minister fully appreciates the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on children with special educational needs. He will join with me in appreciating the tenacity of the children and the teachers and parents who look after those young people. Will the Minister provide an update on the transformation and improvement programme of special educational needs services?”
“I appreciate the Chair's giving way. His feelings on the inappropriate way in which these regulations come before the House, and the lack of scrutiny thereof, are firmly on the record, as are mine. The points that he has just outlined surely go to the heart of the lack of democratic scrutiny in the House. We are here today debating these regulations even though officials came before the Committee, could not provide the information and promised to come back. When they did, they still did not provide it. Does the Chair agree that the fact that the Chair of the Justice Committee has outlined today how that Committee had no role in the scrutiny of these regulations is of concern, given the lack of democratic scrutiny of regulations that have come before the House?”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am sure that you, and the House, will be aware of this being a hugely significant day, with the roll-out of the first COVID-19 vaccinations across Northern Ireland. I commend all those who are involved with that triumph. <BR /> <BR />Can you advise, Mr Speaker, on Standing Order 18A(5) on oral and written statements? I find it bizarre that the Minister of Health is not before the House today to make an oral statement. I am sure that, like me, Members have many questions on logistics, storage, communications and addressing vaccine hesitancy, to which they rightly deserve answers.”
“At a time when the health service's capacity is under pressure, the deployment of personnel, be they from the Ministry of Defence or elsewhere, to explore the logistics of rolling out a vaccine in NI is a welcome and constructive development. <BR /> <BR />There is absolutely no doubt that the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is a large logistical, operational challenge, but it is one that we must act on now and be adequately prepared for. Northern Ireland cannot lag behind any other region or country in its preparations. The first seemingly insurmountable challenge has been overcome. The sun is finally setting on what has been a horrendous 2020. The glimmers of a new dawn await our nation, and I hope that the Executive and, indeed, the world grasp the opportunity with both hands.”
“It is crucial that that be upheld, given the vulnerability of those whom they care for and the grave consequences of the infection being in such settings. <BR /> <BR />We must take into account the needs of conscientious objectors to vaccines and respect their right to choose. That is vital. While we sell the message of hope, we all must bear it in mind that there are conscientious objectors. <BR /> <BR />Ensuring that there are enough hands on deck to deliver and administer a vaccine — indeed, some may require two doses weeks apart, as outlined by Alex Easton — is critical to the success of the programme.”
“<BR /> <BR />With that in mind, we must emphasise that any vaccination programme that is put in place be dynamic and flexible owing to the fact that it will be administered in a range of different settings to patients whose circumstances will, inevitably, differ. That point was highlighted quite well by Sinéad Ennis about those in a home setting who have not been able to access community facilities because of PHA advice. <BR /> <BR />I welcome that the initial recommendation set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation prioritises healthcare and care staff to be among the first to receive access to vaccines.”
“Members right across the House made reference to the different types of community settings that have already played a vital role, but, in anticipation of a vaccine, we must be strong and ambitious in how we can mass vaccinate our population in order to ensure that we put an end to this disastrous saga of lockdown and COVID-19. <BR /> <BR />It is essential that external professional logistical expertise is appointed to lead on a vaccination programme. We simply cannot get this wrong. I welcome the appointment of Patricia Donnelly and the detail of the decisive plan that the Minister outlined. At the Committee on Thursday, I would like to hear how the logistical expertise of the personnel that are involved can be part of that solution with the task force.”
“Absolutely, and I thank the Member for his intervention. It is vital that the news of and potential roll-out of a vaccine brings hope about some form of normality in the short term for those many businesses and people right across your constituency and mine who have faced the realities of lockdown and its effects on their business and livelihood. <BR /> <BR />The action plan must be strong and ambitious, detailing how workforce requirements can be met and how to maximise the number of premises where vaccinations can be administered.”
“Northern Ireland alone is projected to account for a share of nearly four million vaccines from phase 3 of trials from BioNTech, Pfizer and AstraZeneca. <BR /> <BR />With that supply network in place, it is now essential that Northern Ireland develops a decisive action plan, as outlined by the Minister, on a roll-out of a vaccine so that the wider public and those who are most vulnerable can get the protection that they urgently need. Some Members made reference to that in their contribution. I echo the points about a clear communications plan — I think that that was mentioned by Órlaithí Flynn and others — in order to ensure the safe roll-out of a vaccine and to address some of the concerns that people will, rightly, have about the speed of its development. <BR /> <BR />The action plan must be —.”
“<BR /> <BR />Central to the fight against COVID-19 is our capacity to research, trial and develop a vaccine. From day one, as mentioned, the United Kingdom has been a leading influence in the global effort to develop a vaccine, and, to that end, we can be proud and thankful for local companies such as Almac, which is in my constituency, for their key role in the clinical trials that led to the first effective vaccines. That is an incredible contribution from the scientific field here in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />The United Kingdom boasts one of the world's largest vaccine order books per head of population, securing early access to over 355 million vaccine doses through agreements with seven different developers at various stages of trials.”
“The effects of COVID-19 and, indeed, the consequential lockdown have presented challenges that will take a considerable time to overcome and may present some that perhaps we have not even encountered yet, sadly. <BR /> <BR />Almost all families have been affected either directly or indirectly by the virus. Indeed, the development of a vaccine is quite simply a matter of life and death for some, including those who are vulnerable and high-risk and those who are desperately waiting on a return to normality. <BR /> <BR />Amidst the challenges that we have faced, I welcome the recent breakthrough in establishing a safe and effective vaccine. We all must hope that this is the turning point, as the Minister said, on the road to recovery. That was echoed right across Members' contributions today.”
“He referenced 28 worldwide diseases that have been eradicated through vaccines. That is a very important point, and one that we should all bear in mind. <BR /> <BR />We are all too aware of the challenges at hand. We live in unprecedented times and face a monumental task on many different fronts on the road to a coronavirus recovery.”
“<BR /> <BR />Paula Bradshaw referenced the appointment of professional expertise in the motion and questioned some Members' sincerity on that point. Although there will always be widespread differences on the effects of lockdown from a range of experts in their field, it is right that politicians challenge those viewpoints as well. By "expert", this motion made specific reference to the logistical administration to ensure speed and accuracy of a vaccine programme. <BR /> <BR />Colm Gildernew, the Chair of the Health Committee, talked about the vital Committee scrutiny that is ongoing and hopefully will continue on Thursday. It is a vital aspect of the engagement required. He also mentioned, along with Órlaithí Flynn and Pat Sheehan, the worldwide vaccines and how they have transformed our world.”
“Órlaithí Flynn talked about the hopes of many from different groups in her constituency. That is something that is shared, regardless of constituency or country, right around the world. <BR /> <BR />Pat Sheehan talked about the bright future ahead. Daniel McCrossan talked of a painful and difficult year of shattered dreams but acknowledged, in a strong contribution, the support and help of the NHS staff who have been on the front line of this battle. Alan Chambers, Paula Bradshaw and Kellie Armstrong talked of their appreciation of the scientific efforts behind vaccine development. It goes on record, from all Members, that we owe a great deal to those scientists who have worked diligently to try to produce a vaccine, safely and efficiently, to deal with this pandemic.”
“I begin by thanking Members for their positive contributions to the debate and their support. There have been many dark days in the House throughout 2020, but, even as we debate the motion today, there are glimmers of light. For the first time, and on record, health officials have confirmed that if the Pfizer vaccine is given the go-ahead in Northern Ireland, it will be good to go, with roll-out on 14 December. That is something from which Members can take great heart and solace. <BR /> <BR />If I had to sum up Members contributions, I would begin with one word and one word only: hope. The proposer of the motion, Mrs Pam Cameron, whom I thank for being a co-signatory to the motion, talked about the light at the end of the tunnel. Those points were echoed right across the Chamber. Colin McGrath talked about an injection of hope.”