Colm Gildernew
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I have been working with Dungannon Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will welcome this work, particularly in light of its concerns about vacancy and protecting the retail heart of towns such as Dungannon.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Minister, you said that there has been an improvement. However, recently, there were reports of over 1,400 patients waiting more than 28 days. How will you ensure that trusts consistently meet the targets for suspected cancer appointments in particular?”
“However, the Committee will want to examine carefully how any new or amended powers would operate in practice. Powers relating to information sharing, official warnings, directions, removal from office and disqualification can have significant, long-standing consequences for charities, trustees, staff, volunteers and, indeed, public confi…”
“<BR /> <BR />The regulations are consequential to the uprating order and provide the supporting technical changes needed to ensure that the revised benefit rates operate correctly. The regulations increase the earning limit for carer's allowance from £196 a week to £204 a week.”
“In response to those findings, Minister Hargey introduced the Charities Bill, which was enacted in 2022. The legislation put in place many of the review's priority recommendations in the limited time remaining in that mandate. The Charities (Amendment) Bill represents the next stage of that reform programme.”
“The Committee will wish to explore the implications of those changes, including for organisations operating across jurisdictions or delivering charitable activity in or from the North. Our charity sector includes a diverse range of bodies.”
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“While the past year has been challenging for our public finances, it is important to recognise the significant progress that has been made in a range of areas. The interim fiscal framework that was negotiated by former Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald was a significant step forward and brought in additional funding of £430 million to the Executive. However, there should be no doubt that we remain in a difficult financial situation. Difficult decisions will have to be made if we are to live within budgets. <BR /> <BR />We need to see a step change from the British Government in the level of funding that they provide in the North. Years of underfunding have left our public services in a much weakened state, and only a significant investment from the British Government can bring our public services back to an acceptable level.”
“To ensure that communities receive the support that they need, we must prioritise a fairer, needs-based funding model, greater financial certainty for community organisations and service providers and a longer-term solution for welfare mitigation funding, thus reducing reliance on emergency mechanisms. The Committee for Communities will continue to scrutinise spending and advocate a funding system that is sustainable, strategic and fair. Those who rely on it — the most vulnerable — cannot afford another year of instability. <BR /> <BR />I will now make some remarks as Sinn Féin spokesperson. The spring Supplementary Estimates Vote on Account that we are debating, despite all the challenges already outlined, is a welcome step and will bring at least some certainty in the time ahead.”
“The PAC called for better forecasting models, stronger contingency planning and improved financial oversight to reduce the risk of funding gaps in welfare support. The Committee for Communities supports those recommendations. <BR /> <BR />The motion provides for essential funding, but we cannot ignore the profound challenges in financial planning and budgetary sustainability. The Department for Communities must continue to play a vital role in tackling poverty, supporting families and providing housing, yet it continues to operate under severe financial constraints.”
“The Committee is concerned that even fewer in-year resources will be available, further tightening the squeeze. <BR /> <BR />I will move on to Excess Votes. The motion seeks retroactive approval for £2·78 million in additional spending, with the majority of that overspend, £2·284 million, coming from the Department for Communities. We understand that the DFC overspend was largely due to higher-than-anticipated universal credit advances, supporting more claimants who were experiencing hardship due to the five-week waiting period. The Public Accounts Committee, on which I also sit, recommended that the Assembly approve the Excess Votes but also raised concern about the Department's financial forecasting.”
“For the Department for Communities, that includes £414·2 million in resource DEL, sustaining welfare, employment and community support, and £104·6 million in capital DEL, supporting housing and regeneration. The allocation is based on 45% of last year's Budget, which is standard practice. However, as with the current year, there is a real risk that that will not be sufficient to maintain all existing services. Financial pressures continue to mount, particularly in housing and welfare mitigation, and the lack of certainty in future funding makes it difficult for essential community and voluntary sector service providers to plan effectively. The organisations in those sectors provide essential support on the ground to the most vulnerable but struggle to retain and attract workers.”
“For the Department for Communities, £3·3 million in resource DEL and £1·5 million in capital DEL has been allocated to support the councils, housing associations and community services that were affected by storm Éowyn. The Committee welcomes that support. The Committee remains concerned that a short-term, reactive approach that is forced upon us by British Treasury policy undermines the ability to develop long-term strategies in key areas such as social housing, employment support programmes, tenant participation strategies, community regeneration and preserving the historical environment. <BR /> <BR />The Vote on Account authorises interim funding for the first months of the 2025-26 financial year, ensuring that services continue while the full Budget is developed.”
“For the Department, that means an additional £414·9 million in resource funding and £97·9 million in capital funding; £24·8 million to sustain universal credit and employment support; £9·6 million to ease pressures on social housing and homelessness services; and £6·5 million for the arts, culture and sport, which breathe life into communities. Despite those increases, financial strain remains severe. The funding shortfall in resource spending is £115·8 million, and the capital shortfall is £167·3 million. <BR /> <BR />We must acknowledge the reliance on headroom funding. A total of £183·3 million has been allocated as a contingency measure. Whilst that has provided flexibility, it also signals an element of instability in the existing financial planning model. Our communities deserve more than a last-minute approach to critical services.”
“In recent months and weeks, the Committee for Communities has engaged extensively with senior departmental officials, including the permanent secretary and deputy secretaries, to examine the financial and operational challenges that face the Department. The briefings consistently reinforced the fact that there is immense pressure on services and areas of work that the Department has been unable to take forward. It has been made very clear that, as demand continues to rise, available resources remain constrained. <BR /> <BR />The spring Supplementary Estimates adjust the Budget for the remainder of the 2024-25 financial year, ensuring that resources are directed at priority areas as new pressures emerge. For the Department for Communities, the spring Supplementary Estimates enable the redirection of funding to areas of constraint.”
“I will speak on the three motions, none of which is just a number in a ledger but a decision that will shape the daily life of people across the North. The funding that we discuss today and tomorrow will determine whether families have safe homes, support exists for the unemployed and communities can access the services that they depend on. It is about more than budgets; it is about dignity, opportunity and fairness. <BR /> <BR />The Department for Communities is the largest Department and is responsible for vital services, including housing, social security, employment support, local government and arts and culture.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for the fact that we had some time to consider it, which was very helpful. The statement contains plenty of tough language on the issue, and I look forward to seeing more of the substance and detail of it coming through to the Committee. Will the Minister explain how exactly naming and shaming benefit cheats will act as an effective deterrent? How will you ensure, Minister, that the vast majority of honest claimants are not provided with additional barriers to claiming?”
“<BR /> <BR />It is clear that a longer-term solution is also needed. I echo the call in the motion for the Minister to establish a working group with key stakeholders to examine alternative solutions. Ultimately, the five-week wait is a vestige of Tory austerity and it belongs on the scrapheap. The British Government need to take immediate action to scrap that cruel and damaging policy once and for all.”
“I am keen to hear more detail on the Alliance amendment, but I support in principle anything that can be done that can help with the issue albeit recognising the challenging financial situation that faces us. <BR /> <BR />The independent review into welfare mitigations, which my colleague Deirdre Hargey commissioned when she was the Communities Minister, made a number of recommendations, including interim measures that would mitigate the impact of the five-week wait. However, those recommendations have never been implemented. The review recommended increasing the budget for the UC contingency fund to £5 million and renaming it "new claims payment" to make it clear to new applicants that help was available should it be needed. Sinn Féin would welcome the implementation of those interim measures.”
“As mentioned, people who are in a desperate situation are the most vulnerable to exploitation from criminals and gangsters in our communities. Paramilitaries and loan sharks can exert huge control and power over people who are indebted to them. When those issues are raised with DWP, it often points to the advance loan that is available and the UC contingency fund, but, as solutions, they leave a lot to be desired. The advance loan might be useful in the short term, but it too puts claimants into long-term debt, which reduces the already meagre monthly payments that claimants are entitled to. The UC contingency fund is woefully underutilised as a support mechanism, largely due to its restrictive nature and a lack of awareness among claimants.”
“It is completely unreasonable to expect anyone in financial difficulty to go for five weeks without any money to live on. Imagine being forced to wait five long weeks before you can access the financial support to which you are entitled. That is five weeks of uncertainty, stress and, in many cases, total deprivation. Those affected are forced to rely on food banks. They face rising debt and experience the fear of eviction all because they are unable to access their benefits in a timely manner. <BR /> <BR />We often talk here about tackling poverty in our society, and Sinn Féin has been forthright on the urgent need for an anti-poverty strategy. However, it is clear that the five-week wait for universal credit is pushing ever more people into poverty and hardship.”
“I thank the Members who tabled this important motion. I am sure that most Members know all too well the issues that many of our constituents face when it comes to claiming universal credit, not least the five-week wait for the first payment. <BR /> <BR />An application for universal credit is almost always made at a time when the applicant is facing a difficult situation, whether it is because they have just become unemployed or because they are being forcibly migrated from another benefit. The process is complex and confusing for claimants, and it creates undue stress and worry for them and their families. All the stress and worry is compounded by the bizarre situation of having to wait five weeks for the first payment to arrive.”
“Fanaigí slán, bígí ar an airdeall, agus, ná bíodh leisce oraibh na cnaipí tuairiscithe a bhrú nuair is gá.”
“Is athair beirt bhuachaillí atá sna déaga mé, agus cuireann na forbairtí sin imní orm. <BR /> <BR />Tá go leor scéimeanna, clár agus tionscnamh ar fáil le gur féidir le gach duine feabhas a chur ar a shlándáil ar líne. Thig linn ciall do na comharthaí contúirte a fhoghlaim agus ciall don dóigh le caidreamh ar líne a dhéanamh le daoine ar bhealach cuí a fhoghlaim lenár gcoinneáil féin sábháilte ar líne. Obair nach bhfuil deireadh léi an obair chéanna, agus tá moladh tuilte acu siúd atá ag foghlaim dúinn an dóigh le fanacht sábháilte ar líne. Cé go bhfuil treoirlínte diana i bhfeidhm leis na rioscaí ar líne a laghdú, is orainne mar úsáideoirí deiridh atá an dualgas muid féin a choinneáil sábháilte agus gan bheith ag gabháil i dteagmháil le hábhar bréige ar cúis ghortaithe agus fuatha é.”
“Inniu Lá an Idirlín Shábháilte, lá a thugann deis dúinn ár machnamh a dhéanamh ar an tionchar atá ag an idirlíon orainn agus ar na rioscaí atá ann dár sochaí. Tá an t-idirlíon fite fuaite inár saol. Is air a bhíonn muid ag brath go mór i gcúrsaí gach aon lae: is air a dhéanann muid ár gcomhfhreagras; is uaidh a fhaigheann muid ár nuacht; agus is minic gur ar líne a dhéanann muid caidreamh le daoine eile. Ceanglaíonn an t-idirlíon le chéile sinn, ach má cheanglaíonn féin, tá contúirt ann fosta. Tá fás fíochmhar faoin intleacht shaorga, agus, má tá buntáistí móra ag baint léi, is maith is eol dúinne sa tSeomra seo an dochar a thig léi a dhéanamh fosta. Tá na domhainbhrionnuithe, an bhréagnuacht, na camscéimeanna ar líne agus an chibearmhaistíneacht uile ag dul i méid.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister of Health needs to prioritise these services going forward and ensure that there is adequate provision of respite services across the North. It is a basic step towards recognising the value of their work and acknowledging that caring for others is a role for all of us. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our communities. It is high time that we recognised and supported their efforts appropriately.”
“Those services are absolutely vital for many carers in ensuring that they are able to take a very occasional break, allowing them to recharge while ensuring that their loved ones are still receiving the care that they need. Those services are vital for preventing carer burnout, offering much-needed relief and allowing carers to maintain their own mental and physical health to some degree. Yet, in my constituency and others, respite services often fail to meet the needs of so many. On several occasions in the past few years, at short notice, people in my constituency have been subject to the withdrawal of provision altogether as a result of other pressures. Without respite care, carers risk becoming overwhelmed, which ultimately impacts on the quality of care that they are able to provide.”
“The British Government need to do more to support carers financially and ensure that they are fairly compensated for the work. One of the things that could be a game changer in supporting unpaid carers is paid carer's leave. That would allow carers at least some of the time that they need to focus on their loved ones without the added financial stress that so often accompanies the role. It would be a step towards recognising the value of their work and acknowledging that caring for others is not just a personal responsibility but is, indeed, a societal responsibility. <BR /> <BR />Another essential support to carers is respite care services.”
“As we heard previously, there are roughly 222,000 unpaid carers here in the North providing essential care to those in need and supporting our economy and health service through their unstinting commitment and dedication. The service that carers provide alleviates massively the pressures on our health service and on, for example, domiciliary care workers trying, in difficult circumstances, to provide the same service in the community. Unpaid, informal family carers are often forced to take time off work or to reduce their hours to look after family members, which can often lead to financial hardship. <BR /> <BR />The current rate of carer's allowance is £81·90 a week, and there is an earnings limit of £151 a week, so it is not difficult to see why so many carers are struggling financially.”
“I thank the Member for tabling this important motion. Carers play a vital role in our society, yet it is fair to say that they do not get the recognition or support that they deserve. I have worked as a social worker with carers who have had to fight for every minute and penny of support that they receive. Providing care for family members who are elderly, disabled or suffering from chronic illness can be a time- and labour-intensive responsibility, which could be thrust on any of us at any given moment. <BR /> <BR />Caring for loved ones comes at a personal cost, physically, emotionally and financially. Many of our carers sacrifice their well-being to provide round-the-clock care, which can and does lead to burnout and isolation.”
“I welcome the introduction of the Sign Language Bill today. What engagement has the Minister had on a range of disabilities to ensure everyone's safety?”
“Minister, the £100 scheme is very welcome. Will those who receive money from the scheme, who live in residential settings, maybe where multiple people live, be expected to pay an additional charge to the residential setting that they live in?”
“Its Members have important perspectives that they bring to the Youth Assembly on behalf of the people whom they represent, and every time that I engage with them, it reinforces my determination that we will see, as soon as possible, the voting age reduced to 16. Those young people have a voice, and their perspective is important, so I would like to see the voting age lowered to 16 across the island.”
“Indeed, last week, Youth Assembly Members were involved on two separate occasions. One was the pensions regulations, which we discussed last week, and several Youth Assembly Members gave evidence to the PAC on skills and their perceptions of that subject. I want to thank individually the Members of the Youth Assembly who attended and gave evidence at that session: we had Bláthnaid, Rory, Harrison and Paige. I am always hugely impressed by the diligence that they bring to that work. They are always well prepared, give the subject extensive consideration and bring their unique experience, knowledge and perspective. I therefore encourage Members, in any of their work in Committee, to consider the Youth Assembly.”
“I wish to acknowledge the work of the Youth Assembly. It is one of the really interesting developments over the past number of years. The Youth Assembly was initiated under your predecessor, Alex Maskey, in 2021, and I know that you have continued that work. The Youth Assembly, to its credit, shadows the structures here, in that it has 90 Members, and those young people have identified a range of interests that they want to pursue through that format. They have three Committees, and, to the Members' credit, they have identified health, education and rights and equality as their key issues. <BR /> <BR />I have had the experience of working with the Youth Assembly on several occasions, in my work as a member of the Committee for Communities and at the Public Accounts Committee.”
“<BR /> <BR />That having been said, there is no doubt that more needs to be done to support first-time buyers. We need to see the delivery of the housing supply strategy, which will deliver over 100,000 homes in 15 years. Only by delivering the required housing supply to meet people's needs can we drive down house prices to an affordable level. We also need to ensure that wages are increased broadly in line with house prices as far as is possible, and creating and sustaining good jobs, particularly west of the Bann, will be an important aspect of improving living standards and wages. <BR /> <BR />Some interesting and valid points have been made in this afternoon's debate. I thank Members for that.”
“I start by thanking the Members who tabled the motion. At the outset, it is important to state that it has never been more difficult for young people to access the housing market as first-time buyers. Over recent decades, house prices have soared far beyond what most young people can reasonably afford to pay. That has left many of them locked out of homeownership with little or no prospect of ever owning their own home. <BR /> <BR />As my party colleague Ciara Ferguson stated, we have serious reservations about help-to-buy schemes as a means of supporting first-time buyers. Help-to-buy schemes have been shown to contribute to increases in house prices and have made little or no impact on the number of young people in homeownership.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“I asked the Minister a specific question on the decision on Lisneal. It was on how much of the £710,000 was allocated to address safety issues on the pitch and, by extension, how much was for improvements, given that pupils in my constituency cannot even sit down together to have a meal. The Minister is responsible for the Education Authority. I asked a specific question, and he did not address it at all.”
“On a point of order, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, you referred to Lisneal College. You know that I have raised St Macartan's Primary School in Clogher, in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, with you on many occasions. That project also originated in 2019 and was also approved for money on essential works to be spent in 2022, yet you told me twice in November that there was no capital to move forward with it. How much of the £710,000 that was awarded to Lisneal College was needed to address safety concerns?”
“<BR /> <BR />As other Members mentioned, those harms and their prevention need to be tackled across government, including by Health in supporting treatment of addictions, by Education in prevention and by Communities in regulation. It is incumbent on us in the House to do better to join together in support of those in our communities who are affected by gambling-related harms. Once again, I thank the members of the APG for tabling the motion.”
“The online gambling industry has been aptly described as the Wild West, in that there appears to be little, if any, effective regulation. The North remains the only region on these islands without an independent regulator to hold gambling companies to account. There remains a degree of confusion about what, if any, jurisdiction the Gambling Commission in Britain has over the North, given that online telecommunications are a reserved matter. It is a concern that, in the absence of an independent regulator here, up-to-date data and information on the actual levels of harm are not being gathered and reported on more frequently.”
“It seems only fair that companies that perpetuate gambling-related harm against vulnerable people take some responsibility for enabling the care and treatment of those who are adversely affected and for reducing that harm.”
“Recently, the British Government announced that they plan to introduce a levy on gambling companies in England, with the revenue generated being directed towards research, education and treatment of gambling-related harms.”
“I have to say, speaking with insight from my role as Chair of the Communities Committee, that I was slightly concerned during a recent evidence session with Department for Communities officials to hear them say that two or three people in the Department are working in the area of gambling reform. Clearly, a Bill of such magnitude would require a fully staffed and dedicated team. It is important that the correct resources are in place to carry out that vital piece of work now in readiness to move quickly at the start of the next mandate. <BR /> <BR />In addition to proper staffing, there are other things that the Minister could, and should, progress in this mandate, such as a levy on the gambling industry.”
“The current legislation dates back to the 1980s and takes no account of online gambling, which is the most common form of gambling today. We need to ensure that the North has an appropriate and effective regulatory framework around our gambling laws. <BR /> <BR />Often, it is said that overhauling our gambling laws would involve passing the largest piece of legislation ever seen in the Assembly and would require a full mandate to get passed. That is all the more reason to ensure that the necessary preparatory work is being carried out now, so that an incoming Minister, whoever that is, will be in a position to hit the ground running with legislation early in the next mandate.”
“A public health approach is vital if we are to make any serious impact on reducing the harm that is related to gambling. Many of us in the Chamber will know someone who has suffered harm as a result of problem gambling. Addiction to gambling can push victims into serious financial difficulty, debt or bankruptcy. It can cause relationships to break down and employment to be terminated. It is also directly linked to a host of physical and health conditions, including depression and anxiety. <BR /> <BR />As well as treating gambling-related harm as a public health issue, the regulatory framework around the gambling industry needs a complete overhaul. Our current gambling laws are outdated and no longer fit for purpose.”
“I thank the APG on reducing harm related to gambling for tabling the cross-party motion. I will speak in my capacity as a Sinn Féin MLA. Some of my remarks will be informed by my role as Chair of the Committee for Communities. <BR /> <BR />As the proposer of the motion set out in his remarks, the North has a higher prevalence of problem gambling than any other jurisdiction on these islands. As the chair of the APG said, the most recent gambling prevalence survey showed that 2·3% of the population — 40,000 people — were impacted on. Given that that survey was nine years ago, we can assume that the figure now is worse. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls for gambling to be treated as a health issue, similar to alcohol and tobacco, as it is in New Zealand and various other countries.”
“However, I reiterate that Committee members remain vigilant about addressing gambling-related harm and are committed to exploring further measures to enhance the regulatory framework in this area. The Committee recognises that this is a step towards a more balanced and responsible approach but is keen to ensure that that is not the end of the conversation. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee for Communities, I recommend that the Assembly approve the Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (Northern Ireland) 2025.”
“As recently as our last Committee meeting, the Committee agreed to look further at the regulatory landscape. Should any concerns arise in the future, further delegated legislation would allow for prompt review and adjustment of the voluntary limits. As mentioned, the changes proposed in the order will bring us into alignment with Britain, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />The Committee understands that this order is a necessary update to gambling legislation here, balancing the need for economic modernisation with the safeguarding of public welfare. It ensures that our gaming sector remains competitive and aligned with broader standards, while maintaining oversight mechanisms to monitor and address potential impacts.”
“Officials said that, from the evidence available, they do not anticipate that the changes, which align with levels in Britain, will lead to higher levels of gambling-related harm. Officials also highlighted that, as the maximum amounts can be changed by delegated legislation, the amounts could be reviewed in the future. Officials advised the Committee that the gambling prevalence survey, as well as information that was provided by the Department of Health and the Department of Education, would be used to monitor whether there is any adverse impact. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is cognisant of the fact that, in some ways, the order is about catching up with other places. While the Committee was agreed on the approval of the order, members remain concerned about the overall impact of gambling-related harm in our communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister has kindly and comprehensively set out the major changes, so I will not repeat those. I will turn to consultation and oversight. The order has not been introduced without due diligence. The Committee was told about the Department's public consultation that took place between December 2019 and February 2020. A clear majority of respondents supported increasing monetary limits for stakes and prizes in line with more up-to-date practices. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, during Committee discussions on 21 November 2024, members sought assurances in relation to the potential for any adverse impacts. Members asked officials about any possible adverse impacts that may arise from the proposed increase in the maximum amounts for stakes and prizes.”
“Specifically, the updates will apply to bingo clubs, gaming machines in registered clubs and machines that are installed in licensed premises or premises that operate under amusement permits. It is worth noting that some of the limits that are currently in place date back to the 1990s. The order seeks to address those outdated thresholds to better reflect today's economic realities and to ensure parity with regulations across the water. However, it is clear that many Committee members and other Members of the Assembly remain deeply concerned about the broader issue of gambling-related harm across the North. The Committee is committed to examining the wider regulatory landscape to ensure that the appropriate protections are in place.”
“On behalf of the Committee for Communities, I support the introduction of the Gaming (Variation of Monetary Limits) Order (NI) 2025. The statutory rule represents a step in modernising our gaming and betting regulations. It ensures that they remain fit for purpose while aligning the framework here with comparable provisions in Britain. The purpose and context of the order, as the Minister set out, is that it will amend articles 77(1), 106(3), 108(6) and 108(8) of the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements (NI) Order 1985. <BR /> <BR />By increasing the limits on charges and prizes for various forms of gaming, the order seeks to reflect inflationary changes and evolving industry standards.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Youth Assembly's engagement with the Committee also underlined how interested young people are in understanding and contributing to decisions made here that will affect them for many years. The impact of the change is important for younger workers, and it is important that we in this place review whether it has the impact that was sought. <BR /> <BR />The Committee agreed that this was not a major ask of the Department given that, as it said, it already uses certain measures, such as ASHE and other available statistics, so we hope that pulling together a report should not be an unduly onerous task. <BR /> <BR />I commend the amendment to the House, and I welcome and look forward to the Minister's comments on it.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Committee was somewhat disappointed and felt that the commitment to produce the report was not strong enough, as a future Minister may not follow up on that commitment and, indeed, a future Committee may not necessarily recollect that such a commitment had been made and therefore may not give it the appropriate prioritisation in terms of post-legislative scrutiny that, the Committee felt, would be required. The Committee therefore decided to table its own amendment, which is before us today. We understand the argument that this is a parity Bill and that such a measure does not exist in the corresponding British legislation. However, just because it is a parity Bill does not mean that we cannot amend and tailor it to ensure that we have a report on how the legislation works in practice here.”