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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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 41 of 46.
“Many members of the Committee will have heard me saying that I have serious concerns about the financial future of many of our sporting clubs across all sectors in the wake of COVID-19 and as we deal with the immediate pressures. We heard from the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL), the Irish Football Association (IFA) and any organisations that wanted to put their concerns to the Committee about how concerned they are about their financial future. We have called for money to be allocated to those sectors. Grants of £1,000 or £2,000 will never cut it. We know that. Their long-term financial viability stands in the balance of the financial packages that the Executive, particularly the Communities Minister, working alongside the Finance Minister, provide to those sporting organisations.”
“Other Committee members will agree that we have heard weekly cries for financial help, whether from the arts sector, charities or those who need social security payments. We recognise that those will only increase as we look ahead to potential redundancies and other potential impacts of COVID in the future. We also look at local government. Many of us can bear testimony to the work of local government in dealing with the COVID-19 response. Its Budget allocations, and what the Budget will mean for it in the future, will concern local government. Its services have been impacted like never before. COVID-19 has been a disruptor in every aspect of our life. <BR /> <BR />I will talk briefly about sport.”
“Every time that we come to this place to discuss financial matters, we all agree that the idea of multi-year Budgets or otherwise is a good thing, but every time that we get round to preparing the road for an approach like that, we are hit with another crisis or circumstance that requires quick action. I have a lot of sympathy in that regard. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on a number of Committees on which the Budget has an immediate impact and some consequences that will cause us much concern on the road ahead. I speak, first, as a member of the Communities Committee, and I will focus on the level of need in our society for financial help. The Budget goes some way to addressing that in the short term, but we know that, in the long term, it is only scratching the surface.”
“<BR /> <BR />The very fact that, potentially, we have money in the system that is not being spent and returned to the centre will come as a shock to many Members and the wider public in Northern Ireland. Maybe that is testimony to some of our antiquated systems and financial arrangements. However, at a time when we are stripping money away from businesses as a result of the restrictions that are in place, the public will rightly ask why we cannot even spend the money that we have allocated in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />As was mentioned by, I think, Mr O'Toole — it has been mentioned by others in the Chamber — there is a real need for long-term financial planning. I have no doubt that there will be multi-year Budgets in the future, but I have sympathy with the Finance Minister and the Executive on that point.”
“The £600 million for Health gives us breathing space, but the societal, mental and economic impacts of COVID will last longer than the money that has been put aside for us. We all know that; we all know the challenges that we face. Unforeseen circumstances have changed the financial landscape and will continue to for many years to come. I said earlier to a colleague that we are facing the bleakest economic period of my lifetime. I think that many Members will concur. COVID allocations have meant that there is a greater need than ever to scrutinise where money is spent and where it will be needed. That goes to the very heart of what Ms Armstrong said.”
“I rise to speak in my capacity as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Upper Bann. Like other Members who commented on the Budget, including Ms Armstrong, who just spoke, I am afraid that the picture is bleak. There is no doubting that. Just like COVID-19 has infected every element and sector of our society, every page of the Budget Bill is riddled with COVID-19 and its consequences. I do not say that lightly. I do not say that with glee. I say that with some concern about what the outlook is. While I stand here to say that I support the Budget Bill, and I agree with the Member that it gives us some financial headroom to face the immediate challenges, I have to say that it is all in front of us. <BR /> <BR />Does the Budget give us certainty as we face into the second wave?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. It is important that the House gets that information as soon as possible to help to inform the general public. <BR /> <BR />Does the Minister share the concerns of many working people across the country who fear the loss of their jobs and businesses and the knock-on effects on their mental, personal and physical well-being during the crisis?”
“Data and evidence are important. The Minister may be aware that figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that non-COVID deaths in England soared between March and September, with diabetic deaths up by 86%, prostate cancer deaths up by 53% and breast cancer deaths up by 47%. Sadly and undoubtedly, COVID kills, but so does lockdown. Does the Minister have any data relating to the non-COVID impact on Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He mentioned private coach hire and its ability to help with the social-distancing problem in getting to school. Will he accept that the private coach industry has been badly let down by the failure of the Infrastructure Minister to provide adequate funding for those businesses that are about to go out of business? They are on a lifeline as it is, and they have been failed. There has been much bluster in this Chamber about what can be done, but the help has not been forthcoming.”
“Will the Minister elaborate on how he and his Department plan to cater for children in rural areas, particularly with greater concern surrounding technology and, indeed, broadband access?”
“The problem is that the EU has never accepted those aims. It has never fully understood the agreement. It has never recognised the sovereignty of internal UK trade, and it does not accept that east-west relations are just as key as North/South relations.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. This point is always driven home to me: anybody who calls for borders North/South is seen as acting in direct violation of the Belfast Agreement, yet any unionists who stand up and say that they want the opportunity to have no barriers east-west are seen to be acting in direct violation of the Belfast Agreement. This party calls for unfettered access to the internal market of the United Kingdom, which is our largest market. <BR /> <BR />Let us examine some of the EU's actions and its failure to honour its own international commitments, as set out in the withdrawal agreement. I see that my time is nearly up.”
“Today's is a classic example of stunt politics from the party opposite, while other crucial issues remain parked, such as, as has been stated, the restoration and state of readiness of our health service as it faces its most challenging winter to date. There are other issues, such as organ donation and the COVID response: I could go on. Regrettably, this is classic Brit-bashing from the parties opposite, which have absolutely no desire to see a prosperous Northern Ireland in a post-Brexit world. Instead, they want to fight on narrow party political points.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I am pretty sure that Mr Girvan sits in the House of Commons. I am right behind Mr Givan on the point that he made, however. I am wholeheartedly behind him. This party is a devolutionist party. We believe in Northern Ireland. Anybody who believes in Northern Ireland and its economic welfare and integrity would understand that the protocol is bad for Northern Ireland. We voted against it and tabled amendments to it in the House of Commons. Sinn Féin did not show up. <BR /> <BR />We must see today's motion and those from previous weeks for what they are.”
“Absolutely. I have no problem at all giving way on this point.”
“Did its MPs go to the House of Commons, exercise their vote and vote against it? No. Sinn Féin prefers the art of drama in this Chamber. There are many people across our society who can see through that. <BR /> <BR />Sometimes, I feel in this House that we are back in 2016 debating the referendum itself. I have no doubt that that is the motive and intention of many on the Benches opposite, who still have not come to terms with the fact that the UK voted to leave the European Union. Instead, they attempt to use this House as a platform to reiterate old lines, with Sinn Féin in particular seeking to use the Assembly as a talking shop on Brexit, despite, in the four years since the referendum, not uttering a single word, casting a single vote or tabling a single amendment where it mattered: the House of Commons. If Dr Archibald —.”
“Many Members who sit on the Benches opposite and their party not only acquiesced but gave cover to the very bombs that blew the economic heartbeat out of our towns and cities across Northern Ireland, including Portadown, Lurgan and Banbridge in my constituency of Upper Bann, destroying lives, livelihoods and economic viability for decades. It was left to Her Majesty's Government to rebuild and pick up the tab. One can therefore forgive unionist Members in the House for coming to the conclusion that this is nothing but artificial hysteria from Sinn Féin. <BR /> <BR />If I had been allowed to intervene earlier, I would have said that, if Brexit and the Internal Market Bill meant so much to Sinn Féin, as they have said that it does on numerous occasions in the House, where were they when it mattered?”
“Come on, Mr Speaker. Really? Is there any self-awareness in the party opposite? Sinn Féin is giving itself almost as much carte blanche as it did in last week's debate when it called for respect for the rule of law.”
“Mr Speaker, forgive me for being repetitious in some of my comments. For weeks on end, the House has been subjected to the same artificial hysteria from Sinn Féin and other parties on the European Union/United Kingdom withdrawal agreement and the Internal Market Bill. We hear the same old lines, such as "breaking international law"; "breaching the terms and conditions of the Belfast Agreement"; "acting in bad faith"; and "ignoring the democratic will of the people of Northern Ireland". The list could go on. I even heard a Sinn Féin Member speak about the disastrous economic impact on Northern Ireland of the actions taken by the British Government.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that, for the EU, this was never about protecting peace and economic prosperity in Northern Ireland? In fact, it was never about the people of Northern Ireland. It has always been about using Northern Ireland as a means to punish the UK and to drive it to the negotiating table under its terms and conditions. It is the standardised approach to negotiating 101 by the European Union.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. The seriousness with which this archaeological vandalism has been allowed to happen on a site is probably hitting home for a lot of us. Mr Beattie mentioned a number of other sites that come to mind for Members, including the Giant's Grave, which is in my constituency. Again, that causes me concern. I realise that the Minister will not have the information to hand, but is it possible for her Department to look at where that site stands? We have been told by its champion, Richmount Rural Community Association, that its ancient artefacts and stones are now lingering in a museum, not even on display. Perhaps she can come back to me at a later point on that.”
“On a more serious point, I maybe did not pick this up, but can the Member elaborate on whether the decision on the wind turbine was taken under the old council structure or under the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) structure?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. You will forgive me for laughing, but, when you started to talk about prehistoric and medieval times, the honourable Member Mr Wells walked through the door”
“I think that everybody in the Chamber can testify to the work of those miracle nurses, who give of their time and are so emotionally involved in each case, whether following the patient through their illness or, as is evident, attending their funerals thereafter. They are so emotionally attached to their patients. <BR /> <BR />We must act with compassion. I commit to those suffering from terminal illness and those involved in their care: please be assured of my support, and my party's support, in the days ahead.”
“That is how clear it is. We also see the precedent for such change in the relevant Scottish legislation, where an amendment was lodged, and unanimously approved, to ensure that the definition was exactly that: based on clinical judgement. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Members who brought the motion and commend the work of the all-party group led by my colleague Ms Bunting in championing the needs of those suffering with terminal illness. I urge the House, and the Minister, to act with compassion, back the motion, and bring some help to those who, unfortunately and through no fault of their own, are dealing with circumstances that will have serious consequences for them and their families for generations. I also thank the teams at Marie Curie and other organisations that go above and beyond the call of duty.”
“I wholly agree with the Member's comments. It is, indeed, unjust and unjustifiable, and I do not think that anybody here would say otherwise. <BR /> <BR />All those diseases, to name a few, have a life expectancy of 20 months or more from prognosis, with no treatment or cure. There is no level playing field, and that is getting to the heart of what Mr Newton said. For those with terminal illness, we must address the injustice head-on without delay. I trust that the Minister will respond accordingly in the House today, and I have no doubt, given the comments from her colleagues, that she will. <BR /> <BR />The evidence is clearly there, as was outlined by the Rader 'Personal Independence Payment: An Independent Review of the Assessment Process' at recommendation 6:”
“We can see the unjust nature of that rule, that being a six-month prognosis by a medical professional. It begs the question: what about the terminally ill patient or claimant with seven months to live, eight months, a year, or longer, or the terminally ill patient living with motor neurone disease, chronic heart failure or COPD, to name but a few, with a life expectancy —”
“I think that we all agree with the merit of such access for those dealing with terminal illness. What we cannot agree to in this House are the key criteria to be able to access that benefit, that being, as was outlined, the legal definition of terminal illness used to determine eligibility for a special rules claim, which is:”
“It means fast-tracked access to payments such as the personal independence payment, universal credit, employment and support allowance, and attendance allowance. Claims are, on average, processed more than six times faster than normal claims, which is crucial to anybody who is suffering from a terminal illness. Access to those payments is critical for the welfare of terminally ill people, allowing them to spend more time at home with those they love rather than having to attend face-to-face appointments and jump endless hurdles that are neither justified nor necessary.”
“There are many days when I sit and listen to debates in this Chamber and think to myself, "What real relevance does this have to everyday people across the country?". I am sure that many Members can testify to that. Thankfully, today is not one of those days. I support the motion and thank the Member for Strangford and the Member for South Belfast for tabling it. <BR /> <BR />The current special rule for terminal illness in benefits law is cruel, lacks compassion and denies our most vulnerable and their families dignity in their final days. It is important that we highlight what access to social security payments looks like for patients under the special rules for a terminal illness.”
“There were sceptics in 1994 for the Euro bridge. I have no doubt that they are here today in the Chamber, but there are people who want to see a feasibility study for such a bridge and the recognition of the potential of that for the economy. I ask the Minister to engage proactively with the community and the transport sector on how this project could go forward.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. We know the devastating impact that lockdown had on local businesses and employees across Northern Ireland. Given the speculation about a circuit-breaker-type approach, will the Minister confirm to the House the different types of financial packages, alongside Her Majesty's Government's support, that he is looking at to see businesses through this already difficult time?”
“I know that the Minister understands the issues, and I look forward to working with him and, indeed, colleagues from Upper Bann in trying to address those issues and provide an educational school estate that is fit for purpose and delivers Northern Ireland output that is right at the top.”
“I go back to Mr O'Dowd's comment about the time taken to make decisions, particularly in relation to resource capital builds in the school system. Those decisions take far too long. We know that the need is there. The need is there from the moment that an initial call is made, so for it to be in the system for six years, seven years or longer is simply not good enough. While the buildings are bad when they are first talked about, they are even worse by the time the pupils who were taught in them leave. <BR /> <BR />Maybe the Minister will outline when the next major capital call will come. There is no doubt about the serious need for investment in the system, be it major capital investment, school enhancement programmes, minor works or, indeed, the school maintenance budget, as has been mentioned.”
“Mr Beattie talked about the educational failures of the system, but as somebody who attended that school, I can say that it was a fantastic school, as were its teachers. I can only say that it suited me at that time and I felt that the teachers were best able to cater for my needs so that I could go on and excel after that. I pay tribute to the teaching staff at Craigavon Senior High School who, throughout hard and uncertain times, whether on the Portadown campus or the Lurgan campus, stuck by their pupils and were always at the forefront in championing their needs. <BR /> <BR />I also want to think about King's Park Primary and Nursery School. Again, perhaps the Minister might want to make some comments about that school.”
“We have seen how unfit those buildings are for their educational purpose and it is to be hoped that, in the days ahead, we can start to address those problems. <BR /> <BR />It is only right to give some examples, but I know that the Minister will, probably, elaborate on some of them in his remarks. I am thinking in particular of Portadown College and Lurgan Junior High School, which has been talked about in relation to works and new builds since I was at that school 10 years ago. Those plans were knocked out at the gateway stage, but the need for work to be done in those schools is only increasing, whether that is through school enhancement programmes or major capital works; those problems need to be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Craigavon Senior High School has been mentioned today.”
“Whether they have held the Education portfolio or not, every Member here understands that there is a difficult balance to be struck in managing the school estate within the realms of a limited capital resource budget. We get that, and we understand it, but that does not stop us from calling out what we see as massive failings in the school estate, which date back over a long period. <BR /> <BR />There is no doubt that the school estate in Upper Bann is in need of significant investment. It is important for us to point out that there are buildings that are beyond their sell-by date. COVID-19 did a lot to show that to the wider public. Quite rightly, Mrs Kelly outlined some of the challenges, whether in relation to mobile facilities, classroom sizes or toilets.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am a proud product of the Upper Bann Dickson plan. I attended Richmount Primary School, Clounagh Junior High School, Craigavon Senior High School and Lurgan College. Many people who look at the system do not understand it when you talk about the plethora of schools that you went to, but I can say, heart in hand, that the Dickson plan was a system of education that I was proud to be part of. There are many thousands of people across the Upper Bann constituency who are playing their part in many walks of life because of the educational provision through the Dickson plan. <BR /> <BR />The school estate in Upper Bann is vast. There are 66 schools in the constituency with over 24,000 pupils. We know that the problem is not going to be solved overnight.”
“The Minister has seen us through a very difficult time with COVID-19 and we pay tribute to the work that he has done in his engagement with school principals, parents and children as they try to adjust to these very different and surreal times. <BR /> <BR />I would also like to thank school principals and parents for their resilience throughout COVID-19; that cannot be said enough. Teachers went out of their way to provide education for our young people when, 10 months ago, that would not have seemed possible. They improvised and were innovative in their solutions and we thank them for doing so. It is only right that we come to the Chamber to champion teachers' needs and address some of their concerns. Dolores Kelly has, quite rightly, outlined many of the issues that face the school estate.”
“It feels as if I am winding up the debate as the last Member for Upper Bann to speak; I have never spoken in an Adjournment debate before. I thank Dolores Kelly for bringing this important topic to the House. <BR /> <BR />We can never talk about education enough in this place. It is the cornerstone of constituency life and it is the heartbeat of our constituencies. Whether it is my party colleagues or the representatives of other parties, everybody has the right to champion the needs and aspirations of our young people and, indeed, the requirements of our school estate. <BR /> <BR />I also thank the Minister for coming along today. As has already been mentioned, there have been some great announcements for Upper Bann in relation to nurture units and the school enhancement programme.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Earlier today, in questions to the First Minister and deputy First Minister, I asked a question to junior Minister Kearney in response to question 3 from Mr Kelly. I did not receive a response or even an acknowledgement from the junior Minister. I think that I heard Mr Speaker saying to the Clerk that I did not ask a question. There were, in fact, two questions within my question, and I received no response. So, I ask for the Speaker's ruling or judgement as to why that did not happen.”
“I know that the Minister knows full well that the threat to those who serve as police officers today is very real. It was brought into sharp focus, as she mentioned, by the tragic murder of Sergeant Matt Ratana of the Metropolitan Police. Would the First Minister agree that, as a matter of urgency, we must legislate for tougher sentencing for those who attack our emergency services and that we should support mandatory life sentences for those who callously murder them?”
“Thank you Mr Speaker. You will forgive me for nearly choking on the words "anti-sectarian pledge" from the Member. Does the junior Minister recognise the crass hypocrisy involved in Mr Kelly's question and indeed his response, given that over the course of the weekend Mr Kelly not only glorified in, but gloated at, a terrorist escape at the Maze that resulted in the murder of a prison officer and the injury of another? Does he accept that that stands in stark contrast to building a united community? Those are shameful actions from a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.”
“I, too, would like to place on record my condolences to the families affected by this COVID-19 outbreak. Inevitably, as with other Members here, my attention turns also to the staff and the staffing pressures and, I hope, their ability to cope with what will come, even with general winter pressures. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister provide an assessment of current health and social care workforce capacity within the Southern Trust, in light of the COVID-19 outbreaks? Will he outline what mitigations he will put in place to ensure that associated staff absences will not adversely impact patient safety or provision of vital front-line services?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He mentions the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement as many have. The motion talks about protecting the Good Friday Agreement "in all its dimensions". Does he not recognise that fundamental to the basis of the Belfast Agreement is the principle of consent, which means that it is for the people of Northern Ireland to decide their constitutional future and, as such, remain a full and integral member of the United Kingdom. How does the protocol protect that?”
“Does he acknowledge that, on three occasions, the DUP not only voted against the Northern Ireland protocol but were vocal in their opposition to it?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I note that he said:”
“The Member is right to raise the issue of resurfacing. Some three months ago, I raised in the House with the Minister the plight of Birchwood Manor in my constituency. A meeting and the hope of progress were promised: to date, no meeting and no progress. Does the Minister think that it is acceptable that, some 10 years after the street's completion, ratepayers have no finished surface and that there are raised ironworks, lighting issues and serious sewage issues?”
“Given what we have heard today about COVID-19 being no respecter of borders, which I fully agree with, and the fact that some of our sporting organisations operate on a cross-border theme, particularly the GAA, does the deputy First Minister have any comments in relation to what has appeared to be a breach of COVID regulations with the mass pitch invasion at Dungannon's GAA game?”
“Is the deputy First Minister still committed to an extraordinary British-Irish Council meeting, and who does she believe or consider has been most reluctant to see one take place thus far?”