John Stewart
East Antrim · Ulster Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Decisions taken over the next two months will determine whether Northern Ireland has a modern, responsive enterprise service or whether we simply roll forward a model that increasingly struggles to keep pace with the world around it.”
“<BR /> <BR />I understand that significant efforts have been made to bring the Department for the Economy, councils and Enterprise NI around a table to design collaboratively the modernised service for 2027, yet that meeting still has not happened. That is deeply disappointing.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Enterprise Northern Ireland and note the outstanding work of our local enterprise agencies, which go above and beyond, often in challenging financial circumstances, for our entrepreneurs and businesses.”
“I declare an interest as the chair of the all-party group on micro and small business, but I feel that I must highlight an issue that should concern every Member, regardless of party or constituency.”
“The infrastructure in Larne West is shambolic and fails residents and commuters daily. Minister, you will be aware of an ombudsman's investigation of the missing link road at Ballyloran that reported last February on the back of my office having brought the matter to it.”
“The Bill sends an important message that demonstrates confidence in the governance arrangements that are already in place and in the boards and management teams that have successfully led the organisations for many years.”
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“I associate myself with Mr Dickson's comments. That situation is shameful, and something needs to be done. <BR /> <BR />I highlight and pay tribute to everyone who organised and took part in the Armed Forces Day 2024 weekend in Loughshore Park in Jordanstown, which is in the heart of my constituency. It was, for anyone who was there, a fantastic event that was topped off by the air display from the amazing Red Arrows, which was enjoyed not only by the 100,000-plus people who attended the event but by everybody who lives up and down the coast of County Antrim and County Down. Anyone who witnessed it — you could not miss the photographs over the weekend — will say how amazing it was. <BR /> <BR />It was also so good to see so many serving armed forces members on display in both the parade and in the recruitment village.”
“It is a key asset in a conservation area, right beside Carrickfergus Castle, that has become derelict and is falling into the sea, and nothing can be done to ensure the upkeep of that building. Sadly, it is the first thing people see when they arrive in Carrickfergus. Again, if we could look at a dilapidation bill or vesting powers, that would be hugely beneficial. <BR /> <BR />Although it is a reserved issue, we need to look at VAT reform. We need to push towards a rate of 5% or 7% for hospitality businesses. The businesses need that support. It would be a massive lifeline for them, given the pressures they face. <BR /> <BR />I could talk about this for an hour — I am sure we all could — but I thank the Member for bringing the Adjournment debate, the Minister for coming along and the other Members for contributing to the debate.”
“I am not sure which Department will bring legislation forward — again, there could be a collaborative approach — but I would love to see a legislative agenda that covers vesting powers similar to those in the Isle of Man, where a landlord or someone else who has allowed their building to fall into disrepair can be told, "You have six months or a year to do it up. If you do not, the state will take it off you and do it up. If you want to buy it back at full value, let's discuss it". That has to be done, because buildings are lying vacant. <BR /> <BR />Ms Brownlee also referred to the number of hospitality businesses that have closed. One of those is the big Swift complex down at the harbour.”
“That is needed not only in East Antrim but across the country. The reality is that some landlords, for whatever reason, do not uphold the principles of social responsibility, allowing their buildings to fall into disgusting and despicable disrepair and then to fall to the ground, and nothing can be done. Those buildings are usually in key asset areas where we want retail to thrive and tourists to visit. When other businesses in those areas are running to stand still, those landlords let their buildings fall to the ground.”
“This is outside the Minister's remit and is a matter for the Finance Minister, but we need to look at total reform of how the rates system burden is applied in Northern Ireland, because the system is no longer fit for purpose. It cannot be the case that an Amazon warehouse in a business park pays less per square foot than our vital hospitality and tourism industries do. If we truly want our town centres to grow and survive and for our key assets and businesses to continue to grow, offer amazing employment and help promote our great tourism assets, we need to give them all the support we can. That discussion has been going on in this place for years, and we are no further down the line. That needs to be looked at. <BR /> <BR />Ms Brownlee referred to a dilapidation Bill, and I would firmly support that.”
“The Fallis family provides some of the limited number of bed-nights in Carrickfergus, and they do it so well. They and others who provide hospitality outlets — hotels, bars, restaurants or bed and breakfasts — across East Antrim and Northern Ireland do so under massive pressure. The reality is that, if our bars and hotels were in England and Wales, they would benefit from 75% rate relief up to £110,000 and 100% rate relief if they were defined as being in a rural area. Our bars and hotels do not benefit in that way, but they pay the same overheads, if not greater overheads. In fact, the rateable value of those properties is invariably more expensive per square foot in Northern Ireland than in any other part of the United Kingdom. I find that lamentable. <BR /> <BR />We need to do all we can.”
“It is quite sad, almost lamentable, that it took Timmy Mallett to come here to put East Antrim back on the map — he did it for the whole of Northern Ireland, let us be fair, in such an amazing way — and that the assets that we have are not promoted as regularly as they should be. Too often, we look outside Northern Ireland and our constituencies and forget just how good those assets are. <BR /> <BR />As Ms Brownlee said, we live in really difficult times. It is about promoting not just our amazing tourist offerings but our amazing hospitality offerings. Some of those hospitality offerings are also our tourist offerings. The Fallis family in Carrickfergus, for example, have promoted Dobbins Inn in really tight circumstances. That listed building is 500 or 600 years old and is linked to the castle and the town's history.”
“I agree with her that a collaborative approach is needed. Such an approach is needed in cooperating with the council, which has also has a key role to play in this, whether in promoting the amazing tourist offering that we have in East Antrim or promoting East Antrim in general. <BR /> <BR />The Member who spoke before me talked about the amazing tourist offering that we have — I remember referring to that in my maiden speech — whether that be Carrickfergus Castle, which is a phenomenal asset not just for East Antrim but for Northern Ireland; the Andrew Jackson Cottage and US Rangers Museum; the Gobbins; Carnfunnock Country Park; or the drive up to the gateway of the Causeway, which is just phenomenal. I think that Michael Palin described it as one of the most amazing in the world.”
“I thank the Member for East Antrim for securing this important Adjournment debate. I declare an interest, as my family has owned and continues to own businesses in the shoe trade in Carrickfergus town centre for over 60 years and knows all too well the pressures that the Member referred to. I thank the Minister for coming along today. To be fair, it could have been one of four Ministers, given the litany of issues that affect tourism and hospitality. On the prohibitive rates system, his colleague could have come along. We have talked about dilapidation, and the Communities Minister could, no doubt, have played a role by looking at vesting powers and whatnot, which we have discussed before. The Infrastructure Minister could have spoken about the prohibitiveness of planning, as the Member mentioned in relation to the conservation area.”
“I thank the Minister for clarifying the issue. Sadly, the reality is that, in East Antrim — in Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey — large areas at junctions remain uncut, which has led to a number of near misses. In the areas that have been cut to date, the quality of the cutting is less than satisfactory and has led to a number of complaints. What scrutiny is the Department doing to analyse the work of contractors to ensure that the cutting is up to standard and is being done on time, as it should be?”
“I know that it has resisted such calls to date, particularly following the debate at Westminster, which was referred to. It has a duty and responsibility to investigate, as do all the regulators, and we need to see that investigation carried out as quickly as possible in order to ensure fairness and value for all our constituents.”
“That beggars belief, and they ended up having to take the £9,000 policy because there was no alternative and they needed the transport. We need to see action. <BR /> <BR />We all know how nice it is to finally pass your test, given all the hurdles that you have to jump over and the amount of money that you have to spend. Many of our young people are now being priced out of the market and are unable to afford the insurance. Affordable insurance is vital for our economy, because many roles require people to commute or to drive, and those people cannot do either of those because they cannot get the insurance that they need. <BR /> <BR />I do not want to labour the point for much longer. I agree with everything that has been said, but we should all urge the Financial Conduct Authority to carry out a full investigation of the market.”
“It seems ridiculous, and we are all in that boat, because everybody in the Chamber has insurance, as has their family, and everyone knows the impact that the cost has. <BR /> <BR />It impacts our businesses as well, and if we speak to small business owners, we find that the cost of public liability insurance has gone through the roof, as have contents insurance and stock and building insurance. That is virtually impossible for them, and they are running to stand still. That point should also be incorporated into the motion. <BR /> <BR />I will give an anecdotes. A local sports club contacted me to say that an overseas professional player was coming over, and they wanted to drive for the six-month duration of the season but were quoted between £9,000 and £27,000 for their insurance premium.”
“Thank you for the extra minute. It more than likely is a factor, and I would like to see a lot more electric vehicle charging points across the country. <BR /> <BR />Those are prime examples of issues that are outside the remit of the individual who is taking out the insurance but that the insurance companies add to it. People are being ripped off. We have heard that the increased costs for insurance companies are around 18% per year, but the average increase in premiums is 34% a year and growing. We are being penalised because the insurance companies want to grow their margins, and that seems to be deeply unfair. I do not want anyone to play a small violin for me, but I have a 15-year no-claims bonus, and my insurance premium has risen by another £300 a year.”
“That is the point that I made to Mr Boylan in my intervention: the FCA says that it is ensuring that people receive fair value, but how is there such a gap in insurance quotes? None of them is fair. It just seems absolutely ridiculous. We obviously need to see action to extend the role of the Financial Conduct Authority and other regulators in dealing with that. <BR /> <BR />We are trying to encourage more people to use electric vehicles, but the cost of insurance premiums that people pay for electric vehicles has doubled. It costs up to £5,000 a year to drive an EV.”
“That is clearly the case across Europe, where the average increase in insurance premiums at the moment is between 10% and 12%, but, in the United Kingdom, it is 34%. <BR /> <BR />The previous Member to speak mentioned the costs that young drivers pay, which surged from an average of £1,423 a year to £2,877 in the past year. We all have constituents in that situation. One contacted me last week: an 18-year-old who had just passed his driving test. He drives a £2,000 VW Golf and was quoted £7,000 a year for insurance. That is half his salary. It is pricing him totally out of the market. He finally got a policy for about £4,500, and he thought that he had done well. It is farcical.”
“On behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion and thank Sinn Féin for tabling it. We will support it. I urge caution to anyone who has tuned in: clearly, we will not be able to resolve the matter today, but it is important that we send a unanimous collective message from the Chamber that we support further regulation of the insurance industry to see these ridiculous premiums come down. <BR /> <BR />Insurance premiums used to be expensive, but they are now just extortionate. We all see that in our daily life, in our car insurance, our home insurance, our life insurance and our pet insurance. Everything that we pay continues to go up and up every year, and the most vulnerable in our society pay the price.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He mentioned the FCA. One of its roles is to ensure that people get value for money. Members will have heard from their constituents about the vast range of quotes given. It just shows what is going on out there. The amount that insurance companies are charging is a scandal. One constituent of mine received quotes ranging from £5,000 to £13,000. How does that demonstrate value for money and value for the customer?”
“I thank the Minister for his update on this important infrastructural asset. Minister, I have been contacted by a number of people who have asked whether there is an opportunity to see electric vehicle charging points put in at our park-and-ride facilities. Will you look at that to see whether it can be done by Translink? If it is not willing to do so, can the space be opened up to private firms to put in charging points at park-and-ride facilities?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer and the update. I will point individuals to it. Minister, many thousands of people, including me, across the country have recreational flocks. They are very proud of them and very worried about the impact that avian flu will have. Are you able to give even some direction to those small amateur and part-time flock keepers on how they can protect their flock and the greater wildlife in the area?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He makes a valid point about the amount of home heating oil that we consume. In that regard, does he think that it is mighty strange that it is one of the only areas of energy consumption that is not regulated? Does he agree that the regulator's remit should be extended to include oil so that consumers can get the best value for the money that they spend?”
“<BR /> <BR />We must act swiftly and decisively to alleviate the burden of fuel poverty on our communities. It is only through cross-departmental commitment and collaborative efforts that we can deliver meaningful solutions and support those in need. I support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to take this opportunity to commend the ongoing efforts of my party colleague Andy Allen, who, for more than two years, has been calling for the establishment of a fuel poverty task force to support vulnerable families and individuals who are dealing with soaring prices. Andy took the lead on behalf of the Ulster Unionist Party, hosting, at the height of the energy crisis, two round-table workshops, which included representatives of the energy companies, the voluntary and community sector and the energy regulator and other political representatives to look at how urgent support could be delivered. The fact that the creation of a fuel poverty task force is contained in the Opposition motion shows just how much of an impact Andy made.”
“That will include policy reforms to address the root causes of escalating energy costs and promote the addition of renewable energy sources and infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />The proposer of the motion touched on regulation. We have an insatiable appetite for home heating oil in Northern Ireland, but it is unregulated. The fact is that consumers are potentially paying more because it is not being regulated. I would like home heating oil, bottled gas, which is also massively more expensive, and bottled home heating oil to be brought into the Utility Regulator's remit: that could have a massive impact.”
“Additionally, we need to invest in energy-efficiency grants and subsidies to improve energy efficiency in homes, thereby reducing energy consumption and lowering costs. <BR /> <BR />Looking beyond immediate relief, we need to focus on sustainable solutions in the medium term. Community-driven initiatives and domestic retrofitting programmes, as we have just heard, can reduce energy expenses and improve insulation in homes, thereby helping to mitigate fuel poverty in the long run. I am aware of an ongoing pilot being run by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which can be a game changer, but it is, obviously, massively cost-prohibitive, so funding for that is key. Structural change is also necessary to address fuel poverty effectively in the long term.”
“<BR /> <BR />The cost of energy remains prohibitively high, leaving a significant proportion of our population struggling to make ends meet. It is incumbent on all of us to address immediately the pressing issue with urgency and to create solutions to alleviate the hardship. We all acknowledge that we cannot have a silo mentality and leave it just to the Minister for Communities, who, I know, is dedicated to resolving this matter. It will be a cross-cutting issue, and one that will require a constructive and collegiate approach from all Members and all Executive Departments. <BR /> <BR />In the short term, we must implement immediate measures to provide relief to those who are grappling with fuel poverty. That includes targeted financial assistance to help households meet their energy bill costs during periods of acute need.”
“I thank the SDLP for tabling the motion. At the outset, I confirm that the Ulster Unionist Party will support it. <BR /> <BR />It is imperative that we confront the stark reality that is facing many households across Northern Ireland: the exorbitant cost of energy, coupled with rising prices for necessities, has pushed more and more families and individuals into the depths of fuel poverty. This is a crisis that demands our immediate attention and concerted action. The statistics paint a grim picture, indicating a worrying trend of increased hardship among households. We have already heard today from the likes of Carers NI and from those who are lobbying on behalf of elderly people and those who are vulnerable just how stark the statistics are and how much the impact is beginning to bite.”
“In the transport strategy, we, obviously, want to see more decarbonisation of private cars. What plans do you have to introduce more electric vehicle charging points as part of the strategy, given that the lack of charging points is one of the biggest impediments to people buying electric vehicles.”
“Last month, I spoke to a constituent whose car was three or four days beyond its MOT certificate, and, subsequently, their tax expired. They needed their car for work and drove to Belfast, where they were clamped, through no fault of their own, by the tax enforcement office. That is simply unacceptable, but it happens more and more. I appreciate that, if you contact the Department, you will get an appointment urgently. However, it can still take a few days, and it may mean driving to the far side of the country. It is not ideal. Another issue arising from the delays is that people are not able to avail themselves of roadside assistance. <BR /> <BR />Like I say, I support the motion and the amendment. I look forward to hearing from the Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />A couple of other points were raised. There is a massive impact on the digital highway of our system. Mechanics have told me that the number of people for whom they make bookings and from whom they take cash is going up, because some people do not have debit cards or access to the internet. We need flexibility in that. <BR /> <BR />We have heard much about the 50,000-plus people who do not turn up for their appointment. Again, that is frustrating. We appeal to anybody listening to do more to avoid that. However, we need to see a more flexible approach to cancellations. You cannot amend your booking less than, I think, 48 hours beforehand. The ability to transfer that to somebody who needs an appointment should be an option. <BR /> <BR />Much has been made of the tax issue.”
“I am happy to come back on that. I have spoken to a number of the big dealerships. I do not want to name them here, but I am sure that I can put the Member in contact with them, or we could bring them before the Committee. The Member asked whether they have the technology in place. If they did not have it, they would be more than happy to bring it in. Obviously, we would need to change regulations, because current legislation strictly guides how we do MOTs here. All that I ask for is a scoping exercise to see what is possible. Everything needs to be on the table. The Member made that point earlier. We need to look at every option, because just doing what we have always done will give us the same results. If we continue to see more cars on the roads and keep the current system, I do not see how anything will change.”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. We have heard that point. Northern Ireland is a small place, and we all know the mechanics who work on our cars. I can tell you now that, if anybody was at their work, within a day, it would be all over social media that they were taking the hand out of people. I truly believe that. That is why people should scrutinise what goes on. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, we still need our cars to go to a mechanic for MOT prep anyway. The proposal that I am making is not to go to privatisation; it is about keeping the existing system with the workers who are running to stand still while, at the very least, letting the dealerships that have the technology and tools in place operate a system under licensing. We should even just consult on the matter.”
“They send tens of thousands of cars each year to MOT prior to selling them, maintain them for five years through servicing them and, when they are due for the MOT, get it done through the existing sites and then they go into the private market for sale. If those dealerships could use their on-site facilities to take a chunk of the MOT out of the system, that could be a game changer. I have spoken to many dealerships, as, I am sure, has the Minister, and I know that they have the technology and are ready and waiting to do that work. Others would say that the dealerships would cooperate out of self-interest: I do not agree. They are trusted to service the cars for five years, and, when the cars are sold, they come with a warranty. It would be in their interests to prepare and maintain the cars.”
“I have said on record, as has every Member here, that the workers on our 15 sites work tirelessly around the clock, 15 hours a day, seven days a week, to do 1·1 million MOTs. However, that is not enough, because the backlog continues. There are more cars on the roads year on year. Unless someone in here can invent a nine-day week, the current system will not resolve the backlog, even with the proposed changes and the new sites at Hydebank and Mallusk. That is why we need alternatives. We should not rule them out but engage and look at what could be done. <BR /> <BR />At last week's Infrastructure Committee meeting, I suggested that we correspond with a number of people in dealerships to see whether they could do the MOTs but not privately.”
“Anyone who tries to get on to the system today will see that not even one appointment is available. Last week, people were told that the first appointment would be in August but that they could not book it because it was too far ahead. That frustration has grown to fury, and people just want to know that a solution will be found and that we are working tirelessly to find it. I look forward to hearing the Minister tell us what that solution will be. <BR /> <BR />Some people are trying pitch this as a battle between those who are suggesting alternatives and those who want to retain the status quo. It is being pitched as a battle between public-sector workers and privatisation. That is not the case.”
“I thank those who tabled the motion and the amendment, and let me say at the outset that the Ulster Unionist Party will support both. <BR /> <BR />As all those who have spoken so far have mentioned, this issue is massive in terms of the amount of frustrated correspondence that we get from our constituents, including by telephone. It has gone from frustration to fury for many of them as they continue to seek an MOT in a timely fashion. The big question that they ask is, "How can it be so difficult?". I have said before, including at the Committee last week, that the waiting time in the rest of the United Kingdom for an appointment is measured in hours or in a day or two, but here it is measured in months. We heard last week that the wait is 72 days on average.”
“In 2008, the Larne waste treatment works were opened, and it was envisaged that they would be effective until at least 2030. Six years later, they were at capacity. As a result, developments, economic and residential, have been significantly limited. Will you agree to meet representatives of NI Water and me on that site and look at what we can do to expand the capacity of those treatment works?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I agree with him that the overwhelming majority of dog owners are responsible. Minister, do you foresee a significant increase in the number of XL bully dogs coming to Northern Ireland from GB before legislation is put in place? What engagement have you had with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA), which are opposed to the ban, to alleviate their concerns and to further understand the message that they are putting out?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer. Also, I congratulate her and wish her all the best. <BR /> <BR />As she said, there is a great deal of goodwill towards Northern Ireland right now, particularly around the world, in light of the Executive coming back. We have a very skilled and highly able workforce. Is there any more that we can do to promote Northern Ireland on the world stage given our economy ability and unique circumstances? What plans does she have to extend the offering of the Northern Ireland bureau around the world?”
“<BR /> <BR />I will finish by congratulating the skipper, Andrew Balbirnie, and his team, all the staff and those cricketers from Northern Ireland, including man of the match, Mark Adair, and Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling from my constituency. The team is remarkable, and I am sure that we all wish the players well.”
“I am sure that everyone in the Chamber will join me in sending our best wishes to Ireland's male cricketers, who had their first-ever test match victory against Afghanistan on Friday, which they won by six wickets. That was no mean feat at all, as Ireland is the smallest of the 12 nations that have test match status. It was their first-ever test match win in eight attempts over 20-odd years. They sit alongside countries that have prioritised cricket, such as India, New Zealand and Australia, and it really is a remarkable event. <BR /> <BR />Cricket is a sport that is growing here, but it is still remarkably small. Hopefully, the maiden victory for the male test-match team will encourage not only participation across the sport but much-needed investment.”
“That is called Flood Re and is an initiative between the UK Government and insurers for flood cover in areas that are particularly affected. We need to look at that, because insurance companies make, effectively, billions of pounds of profit every year but will never insure an area where they think that there is the slightest risk. To me, that sounds quite stark. If you are hit and have insurance, it take months to get the payment, even after you have gone through the rigmarole of trying to get paid. We need to find a way to streamline that process so that affected businesses have easier access to insurance and to affordable insurance. <BR /> <BR />That is my twopence worth. I again thank the Member for securing the Adjournment debate, everyone for contributing and the Minister for coming today.”
“When I spoke to affected businesses, they felt that, while the Civil Service and NIO identified a pot of money, some were not eligible for it, even though they had no insurance in place and could not tap into that type of funding. Quite frankly, they went under, because they did not have the resources and the financial backbone to get by. Like so many businesses in our economy, they are one-person or two-people bands. That is the type of business that they run. They run to stand still, and they often run on a deficit, but they are the backbone of our economy. They want to know that we have their back. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on the block to insurance. Minister, can we look at tapping into the scheme that the UK Government are running?”
“Businesses need to know that, the next time that this happens, wherever they are in the country, somebody will be there for them. They need to know that the Executive will have their back; the council will have a statutory responsibility to kick in; rates will be automatically alleviated for the period that they are affected; and money will be in their account in the days following the incident. It cannot be the case that they have to hold their breath and pray, because it will happen again. Undoubtedly, it will happen again, and we know that, Minister. We have seen it time and time again over many years. Sadly, on this occasion, it was the business owners of South Down, but it will inevitably be business owners elsewhere. <BR /> <BR />We also need to look at the criteria.”
“They do not have the reserves. They are not multinationals. They are the backbone of our economy in Northern Ireland. They had two or three days leading up to Christmas, and they do not have the money to absorb that time. Insurance has not paid out, because they cannot get insurance as they are in a flood area. They are totally abandoned.”
“Yes, we can talk about cross-departmental resources and councils having their roles and responsibilities, but, when a crisis of this nature hits, whether it is in my constituency of East Antrim or the constituencies of South Down or East Belfast or in the north-west — wherever it may be — there needs to be an assurance for businesses, the next morning, when they go in and wipe away the tears from the impact that it has had on their livelihoods. These are businesses that have no reserves and cannot wait a week, never mind a month or three months, to get the money.”
“We stand here today addressing the Adjournment debate on South Down, but it could easily have been about constituents in East Antrim, the north-west or Belfast, who have all been affected before. Many business owners said, "There but for the grace of God go I", on this occasion. <BR /> <BR />Mr McGrath talked about the reaction of businesses and how they would have felt totally abandoned in the absence of the individuals who turned out to support them. That is one thing that, hopefully, will come out of today. I welcome the fact that the Minister is here and the announcement of the funding, but there needs to be an automatic response that kicks in when such occasions happen.”
“As you will be aware, I do not represent South Down, but I want to thank the Member for securing today's debate and all the Members for their passionate contributions on behalf of their constituents. <BR /> <BR />I chair the all-party group on micro and small business. We had the privilege of being hosted at Down Business Centre in December, and I heard first-hand from the businesses there, the regeneration group and all those in the local enterprise agency about the amount of work that had been done by the community, councils, volunteers and elected representatives from across the parties who came together to react to the horrendous scenes that they had witnessed in the days and weeks leading up to that meeting. It was truly impactful.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I am conscious that it is the same for the Carrickfergus line as it is for the Bangor line. One key aspect that we need to see is an increase in the night-time economy. There is limited access to trains and buses. Does the Member agree that we should see an increase to those services in the evening time to try to boost the city economy?”
“I hope that all Members in the House and the Minister will agree that that will happen within the lifetime of this proposed strategic review, and it is vital that we look at how we will assess that impact on our infrastructure network so that we can tackle that. The last thing that we want to see is those key services — as in, we need to hold what we have — going under water without a strategic plan to address that.”