Pat Catney
Lagan Valley · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“I am delighted that he will get his own private Member's Bill through, which will bring equality, again, within teaching. He had to do a huge piece of work on the back of that. <BR /> <BR />It makes me proud to be part of this Assembly.”
“I am excited for the future. I will go back to the Minister. I have done so twice and will do it again. I do not know how the relationships required by the Bill's cross-cutting nature will go or which Department will hold the powers that the Bill provides to ensure that period products are available as widely as possible.”
“I have done that with every single Member whom I have met out there and talked to. I thank Members across the Chamber for their kind words to me personally today. This is not electioneering, folks, but I will tell you this. As we walk out and face the general public, no one knows what way they are going to go.”
“When I started out, I did not know the whole process of where or how it goes, but I know the process now, and I know that there is a lot of work, including from the civil servants. Mr Deputy Speaker, I will go back to tell you about when I had the little pub next door to Churchill House.”
“I will not be much longer, folks. I want to say that, as I was coming down this morning, I had the radio on, and I heard about an art project that is going on in Belfast. This may well be my last opportunity to speak about the ring of steel.”
“There was a bit of toing and froing, and I did not know which Department was going to lift the Bill and take up the chalice, which some people may have thought was a poisoned chalice. I thank the Minister, Deirdre, for taking that chalice. It was brave and correct to do that.”
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“I thank the Minister for giving way. We are talking about £13 billion. I have never been in the Executive, but I believe that it is made up of nine Ministers: three from Sinn Féin, three from the DUP and three from the other parties. That means that, collectively, the six votes that you carry with the DUP are the lead vote-maker in the Executive. That is a simple mathematical equation.”
“— and severely underfund the projects that could make the most difference. <BR /> <BR />If you want to improve the prosperity of Northern Ireland, that is what we need to tackle, but it will take proper scrutiny and consultation, not £13 billion of spending rushed through in a matter of weeks.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have a benefits system that spends billions to treat claimants with contempt, and excess them to within an inch of their lives, in order to try to weed out a relatively minute number who try to cheat the system. Instead, we could use that money to tackle the overbearing poverty. That is the only proven way of actively helping those on benefits. We spend and spend without a plan, or even a notion of a plan. We throw money away on ineffective programmes —”
“My somewhat long-winded point is this: we have the highest per capita public spending of anywhere in the United Kingdom. Is it, therefore, acceptable that Departments fail our citizens in so many areas? We have the highest per capita spending on health, and yet our waiting lists are out of control and many times longer than those in other parts of the United Kingdom that have less funding. In fact, the more money that we put into health services, the more inefficient they seem to become. We have historically lower levels of productivity in business, lower birthrates and lower wages. Those are not the indicators that you want if you wish to lead in many ways or rebuild an economy post-COVID.”
“The Department indicated that limited information has been provided on the planned Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). The Department suggested that the SPF will not provide for the replacement of EU structural funds in 2021-22, which will lead to an anticipated shortfall of around £69 million. Of that shortfall, £45 million is understood to sit with the Department for the Economy. Finally, there is £6 million from the Irish Government for the A5 road capital project.”
“The Department has already advised that a further £14·9 million resource, £33·6 million capital DEL and £19·3 million financial transactions capital is to be allocated in the June monitoring round. <BR /> <BR />All the Departments received income from the EU that was used to fund European programmes. There are some concerning shortfalls post-Brexit, however. The Department advised that the UK Government's spending review will provide funding for farm support direct payments of £315·6 million and fisheries funding of £3·1 million in 2021-22. Thus, there is a shortfall of around £15 million in farm payments. The Department also advised that it is expected that the PEACE PLUS programme will provide replacements for Peace IV and INTERREG funding.”
“The Treasury has signed off on a number of additional allocations: £411 million from the Chancellor's statement, plus another £224 million of Barnett consequentials, as well as additional carry-over of resources that were left unspent in 2021. The Secretary of State is yet to sign off on those, but it is expected that they will be included through in-year monitoring, and thus there is £687·4 million of additional allocations. It is expected that an additional £306 million associated with funding packages such as NDNA and confidence-and-supply will be paid by the Treasury, although that has not yet been confirmed. On 20 May 2021, the Minister issued a written ministerial statement indicating that a further £114 million had been made available by the Treasury.”
“There will always be pressures on the amount of public spending that can be provided. You just have to look at the funding bids that have been put forward by most Ministers, which show that the amount for which they bid was many times more than the amount that could be allocated to them. I do not underestimate the difficulty of making those decisions or the difficulty that the limited resources will create for the running of major departmental programmes. <BR /> <BR />Let us look, however, at what the Budget includes. We are about to vote on £13 billion of departmental resource spending and £1·8 billion of conventional capital, with around £74 million of financial transactions capital and £170 million of reinvestment and reform initiative (RRI) capital.”
“Does the Minister agree that spending £1·5 million every year simply to keep the Maze prison site ticking over is a complete a waste of money? That site is in my constituency of Lagan Valley, and it could be an economic driver on the corridor between Dublin and Belfast.”
“I thank the Minister and welcome his report. When the Minister took up his ministerial post, he visited St John the Baptist Primary School in the Speaker's constituency and saw the dedication of its teachers. He has seen a lot more schools than I have, but, every time I go out, I marvel at the dedication and commitment of the teachers and at the fact they find themselves putting their hands in their own pockets to help stimulate those bright little minds. I welcome what the Minister said about the anti-poverty strategy that has been brought forward by the Communities Minister, Minister Hargey. Does the Minister agree that teachers go beyond the call of duty to see that facilities are given to the school when the moneys are not available for them?”
“— of which is estimated to increase 100-fold in the next 10 years. Those recommendations must be taken forward in a fully funded energy strategy to prevent Northern Ireland from falling further behind.”
“That work could allow up to £100 million a year of clean energy to be used to tackle fuel poverty. Similarly, work should be done to see how that energy could be used for electric vehicles, ownership —”
“Up to 18% of wind power here is thrown away because it cannot be used at the time that it is generated. That compares with 5% in the Republic. In the first half of 2020, 295 gigawatt hours of wind energy, worth £50 million, was thrown away. <BR /> <BR />The storage platform for the integration of renewable energy (SPIRE 2) project, which involves academic partners from Ulster University, Dundalk Institute of Technology, the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow and Queen's University, is looking at the potential use of energy storage technologies in people's homes. As part of that project, the rural-led energy transition initiative is aimed at reducing or eliminating the risk of low-income households being left behind by the transition to clean-energy systems.”
“A key example of the lack of detail in the Budget is that there is no specific mention of funding to help Northern Ireland to achieve its environmental targets. Although it is a long-term issue, tackling the climate crisis will require a response across all Departments, and funding coordination will be integral to achieving that. <BR /> <BR />Ulster University Economic Policy Centre (UUEPC) research has shown the percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources in Northern Ireland. Our natural assets create an opportunity to develop the renewable energy sector further. As well as delivering environmental benefits, there is the potential to deliver significant economic benefits and create jobs. <BR /> <BR />However, managing the viability of wind energy is a major challenge.”
“What is probably the best site in all of western Europe is sitting there gathering dust and idle. Shame. Shame.”
“<BR /> <BR />In comparison, another £1·3 million has been allocated to the preservation of the Maze site in my constituency, with no engagement on further development from the Executive Office in a year. I raise that point in every Budget debate, and will continue to do so until the economic opportunity of that massive piece of development is realised.”
“That increased productivity, which is the foundation for higher wages, is typically associated with higher-value-added, high-tech sectors like life and health sciences, advanced manufacturing and ICT. However, driving innovation can have huge benefits for the entire community. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, it is important for us to lead from the front, push for a dynamic digital government strategy and develop a culture of innovation in the public sector. It is, therefore, concerning that no additional funding is clearly directed towards rebuilding the economy post-COVID. In addition, the Budget lacks a defined budget line for the upcoming skills strategy and long-awaited childcare strategy; both of which will have massive direct and indirect impacts on rebuilding the economy.”
“<BR /> <BR />There has been a missed opportunity to set a key strategic focus throughout the Budget to increase Northern Ireland's rate of business start-ups, which will be crucial to rebuilding after the economic devastation of COVID-19 and relaying the foundations for economic prosperity. It is very disappointing that there was no move to a multi-annual Budget in the recent UK spending review. That hampers the delivery of long-term strategic objectives, such as creating a culture of entrepreneurship and embedding apprenticeships at the heart of the skills programme. Successful economies promote a culture of innovation and investment in research and development across the business community.”
“However, significant investment is needed to bring forward low-carbon transport in order to tackle the climate crisis. <BR /> <BR />Even before NDNA, we lacked confirmation of funding from the confidence-and-supply agreement, including £10 million for mental health, £20 million for severe deprivation and £42·3 million for broadband to help those in digital poverty. Last night, I heard of another one of my constituents in Lagan Valley who took their own life. We must not lose focus on the terrible impact of poor mental health in Northern Ireland. That funding must be secured.”
“We have proposals and total allocations for Departments but, with the exception of some headline announcements, very little is said about what new spending will be funded and how existing spending might change. <BR /> <BR />I am also concerned about the lack of confirmation of funding for specific proposals in the 'New Decade, New Approach' document. There was progress on some NDNA commitments during 2020. However, there is no clarity about the current status of many commitments, such as action on health waiting lists, developing a regionally balanced economy and driving the delivery of essential infrastructure. One key area of concern is the lack of confirmation on the £25 million for low-carbon transport. The Minister for Infrastructure has done excellent work with a limited budget.”
“I recognise that we are in a unique time owing to the pandemic, and the struggles that the Minister has had to get the Budget agreed by the Executive after the late announcement of the funding envelope by the Treasury in November. However, I have serious concerns that we rely too heavily on excuses instead of driving forward the significant changes that this place needs. <BR /> <BR />As a general point, although it is largely outside the control of the Department, the time that was allowed for consultation and scrutiny of the Budget was, obviously, far too short. There also seems to have been limited consideration of issues that were brought by those who were consulted. I notice that action is in the summary, but, surely, that requires more than two thirds of a page. There is a clear lack of detail in the document.”
“Minister, on the basis of your answer to my Lagan Valley colleague Trevor Lunn, I am not sure whether you are still committed, as stated in the climate Bill that you intend to introduce, to having zero emissions by 2050. I heard you mention a figure of 82·5%, but I hope that you are still committed to making that target in your climate Bill.”
“Minister, should we not put all guidance into law to provide clarity to the public, particularly as lockdown eases?”
“How many businesses have had their applications to part A and part B of the COVID restrictions business support scheme rejected?”
“We had to boost our historically low productivity and move away from low-skilled, low-paying jobs to give our citizens a brighter future and brighter prospects at home. Rates and taxation are only one part of the equation, but they are an important one. If we do not get it right this time, it can hinder what we do in other areas.”
“Clearer advice, support and direction were needed to help councils to achieve the zero rate rise. <BR /> <BR />Coming out of the pandemic and out of this unprecedented time of economic turmoil gives us an opportunity to look at how we tax our businesses. Business taxation must be done in a way that supports business owners to be employers, particularly as the full scale of job losses has been masked by the furlough scheme. It must not inhibit entrepreneurial ventures and must support those who take a chance and put their resources into their dream of owning their own business and play such an important and active role in our economy. <BR /> <BR />We had issues with our economy long before the pandemic or even Brexit.”
“I welcome the fact that there is a zero increase in the regional rate for another year. The economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic may have some light at the end of the tunnel. We have seen footage across the news of long queues for businesses that have been able to reopen. That has to be welcomed, as long as people remain as safe as they can. As a former business owner, I empathise with the feelings of uncertainty, pain and fear that have been felt by most of our business community throughout the pandemic, and it is right that we should do all that we can to support them in this time of need. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister and all the officials who have worked in the Department to achieve a zero rate increase. The Minister and the Department suggested that councils should make the same decision, and I know that some have.”
“Minister, will you publish the final report on the test and vaccinate or remove (TVR) wildlife intervention study on badgers and bovine TB? Have you secured the additional funding to replace the £5·1 million lost from the TB eradication programme as a result of Brexit?”
“I, too, take the chance to offer our First Minister time to reflect as she spends time in Fermanagh, that most beautiful of counties. No doubt she will have that. I wish her all the best. <BR /> <BR />The deputy First Minister outlined the actions taken by the COVID-19 task force to facilitate the reopening of businesses and hospitality. How will those actions help? What is the task force doing to keep those businesses afloat and open?”
“Believe me: one was an official visit; the other two — all right. I make no apologies: I had waited a long time to have those drinks, and I enjoyed them.”
“May I come back on that one, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker?”
“It is an outdoor space that is cleaned every time that it is used. It was one person in, one person out, and it can be rented out for only two hours at a time.”
“I thank the junior Minister for giving way. I was fortunate that I was able to go for a pint on Friday. I went to a bar called Bob Stewart's, which borders just south of my constituency of Lagan Valley. The bar did things very well, and they were very well-handled. There were queues and one-way systems in place. I then took a turn up to a local golf club and found how it had organised it. A one-way system was in place. I then had to go out to visit a bar in Lisburn called The Highway Inn. Its owners spent £70,000 on setting up a little pod. That was done within the regulations, but they fell foul of the law. There are discrepancies. <BR /> <BR />Does the Minister agree that those bar owners tried their best to work within the law and that there is a little ambiguity, regardless of where you are, when you look at that seating in a pod?”
“It was given to us by our Presbyterian forefathers, who wrote down the music and lyrics of the blind harper that we can still play and recite today. <BR /> <BR />I believe that Northern Ireland was born out of an undemocratic situation. The majority of Irish people — 78% — voted in favour of home rule, the agreed principle of that vote. The next line, for me as a democrat, was the Good Friday Agreement; it contains all our truths and all the things that we share. We should be the generation that bends over backwards to accept and work with that document to make it work for us, our children and our children's children, and that should be our pledge.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said, I worked during the Troubles, as they were called, and I made a good living for myself and my family in Northern Ireland. This is my home, just as everyone else has said it is their home. I was born into this home, but there were problems. We cannot deny the problems that we had. We have inflicted hurt and pain on each other, and that is a pity — what a pity. I heard Mr Stalford talk about keeping the Atlantic open, and, as I have said before, my father's younger brother was blown up off the coast of Tenerife. We have a shared history. I love traditional Irish music, I love the song, and I love my Irish language: that should be shared. No one should own it; it belongs to every one of us.”
“I am not going to call Jim anything close to a nationalist. <BR /> <BR />I want to follow on from Matthew. As a young man of maybe 22, I made my first sortie into Belfast to buy a little bar called the Liverpool Bar. The bar used to close when the two ships — either the Ulster Prince or the Ulster Queen — left for Liverpool. However, on those first days, I remember coming from the country. It was only 18 miles away, but Belfast was a different place from what it is now. People came to take the cheap ferry boat to Australia, and hundreds left every night. I saw them crying on Donegal Quay because they thought that they would never see their loved ones or family again as they were leaving this place.”
“Jonathan Buckley said that he was the youngest unionist, but, looking around, I think that I am the oldest nationalist here”
“It is very strong in my faith. I did not know what a happy death was then, but I know now. <BR /> <BR />To Joanne and the other Members who signed the motion, thanks very much. I hope that, with help, we can make end-of-life outcomes part of the Programme for Government, if that is at all possible.”
“He lost one of his sons, who was killed in an accident, and he lost his eldest grandchild, who drowned. All of that is the experience of life, and death is part of life, but we need to give that care. That care can be given so gently with a caring hand or a kind word from our nurses, who make it so dignified when it comes near the end, when we are there to say goodbye to our loved ones — to our mothers, to our fathers or to our brothers — as life would have it. When death comes, there is so much knowledge that leaves us and so many questions that we have not asked, but we are given that little bit of time. When I was young, I probably did not realise what it meant, but there was a prayer that was always said:”
“For some of us who reach my age, however, that can be difficult. I think of a young boy, Charlie Craig, who passed away about a year and a half ago in Lisburn. I think of how he suffered and the care that he got. My friend Carmelita, who will not mind me using her name, is an educationalist in the hospital. Little Charlie went to St Joseph's Primary School. They built his little toys in the playground for the kids. The school always tried to remember him and to bring him into the class setting. <BR /> <BR />The nurses, the doctors and all others who are there make the end of life so special. I know that everyone has spoken of their experiences of death. I remember my father saying that he had lost his brother, who was blown up off the coast.”
“Thank you, Joanne, for tabling the motion. I was not going to speak today until I listened to the unity of purpose that we all have. Later today, we will have a debate on antisemitism. That brings me to the Jewish faith, which has a prayer:”
“We will have to make hard choices. Bearing it in mind that £306 million is being held back by the Secretary of State, are you guaranteed that that money will come forward and that there will not be any major holes, even looking into what we have already stated, because of it being a flat Budget and the pressures of inflation?”
“Thank you, Minister. Minister, I welcome the extra money for health and business. However, we know that this is a flat Budget. For most Departments, the Budget outcome represents a flat cash settlement.”
“Given your Department's role in relation to financial services, Minister, what action will it take to mitigate the damage being done to the all-Ireland economy by Brexit and the disinvestment by banks such as Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank on both sides of the border?”
“I am slightly embarrassed in front of those who are from the LGBT community, especially anyone who is in the Chamber, that we are debating the issue. I am 66-year-old happily married grandad: that is who I am. No one is trying to change me. Why is it right that some people out there should try to change anyone else? I have three little words: love is love.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. We have had a number of reports to the Finance Committee about how the end-of-year surge spending is not value for money and how some of that spending may go to the wrong projects. What are you and your Department doing to prevent that end-of-year spending and promote a better balance of expenditure throughout the year?”
“One hundred lines? I will have to go far back into the annals of history to see when that happened. <BR /> <BR />Minister, thank you very much for that very comprehensive answer. I will come back to you on the concerns of some in that sector. Can you reassure the House that the Department is committed to implementing the recommendations and will assist with the growth of the integrated sector?”
“Given the recent violence on our streets, does the Minister feel that other important resources, such as the anti-poverty strategy, must be considered as part of the implementation of any outcomes from the Commission on Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition?”
“This is another area where unfair costs are being imposed on our businesses, and there is a need to oppose them with the same dedication and perseverance.”
“I have spoken with many small retailers in Britain who have managed to work out the different regulatory systems that exist now. If they can do that with teams of one or two people, then large companies such as Visa and MasterCard can deal with those changes with the minimum of disruption. <BR /> <BR />I have heard of a number of large companies that have looked to set up EU entitlements to try to avoid the fees, but that may not be possible for smaller businesses. We must push the UK Government to introduce a cap on the fees and to work with the EU on interchangeable caps. We live in a global economy, and our businesses operate within it. There has been a lot of talk about unfair tax regimes and other impacts that we need to oppose.”