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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“The traders of Dungannon believe that that creates a significant disadvantage for them. Realistically, the hour is not enough time to get your lunch in Dungannon town, where you could wait for 15 to 20 minutes in some of the busier places. People are constantly watching their watch. They are not able to enjoy the town, giving the traders all the social and economic benefits that that would bring. <BR /> <BR />The traders recognise that the parking scheme could be abused by people who work in Dungannon and would park for the whole day. They have suggested, therefore, that it be changed to a two-hour period. That, they believe, would provide an extra bit of comfort, without necessarily aggravating the parking situation. The parking situation is a separate issue and should be dealt with as such.”
“The petition is from traders in Dungannon. It contains 130 signatures, which is a large sample from what is quite a small cohort. The Dungannon traders are raising the issue of the one-hour parking restriction in Dungannon town centre. They make the case, correctly so, that that is very restrictive to people who want to come into Dungannon town centre and engage in activities. <BR /> <BR />Although one-hour parking probably allows you to do a single thing that you wanted to do in Dungannon, it probably does not allow you to do all the things that you wanted to do. If you go in for a meeting or to pick something up, within 30 to 40 minutes, you will not have time to do anything additional. You will not have time to get a coffee, to browse in some of the shops or, better still, spend money in the shops.”
“They reach into health and social cohesion and out into communities. I underline the plight of those artists.”
“All those people are fundamentally challenged in doing their job here. What was reflected to us the other day is the fact that many young artists, in particular, are now looking to move to other places. We should do everything that we can to prevent that. We should create an environment here where those artists are supported. While they are some of the best talents across the world, they do not get the best support on these islands. <BR /> <BR />I call on the Minister for Communities to look at that situation. I know that he has done some work on it. The Committee is also doing work on it. We need to look at putting in place a support system that allows artists to create their work and supports them to do so. All of us will reap the many benefits of that, which go way beyond the arts.”
“This afternoon, I raise the issue of the arts sector here. Last week, Equity, the actors' union, addressed a number of MLAs in room 115. What was clear from the testimony of those artists and actors and the people who work with them was the lack of support that they receive and how difficult it is to be a full-time member of the creative industries here. <BR /> <BR />We are all aware of the value and the worth of the creative industries across the island of Ireland. We, as a small island, punch well above our weight. We see the outworking of that at some of the big, global events, such as the Oscars, where Irish actors and Irish films are often featured at the top level of those industries. That all comes from the grassroots and from the people who take part in drama and writing, those who help to stage events, and musicians.”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. I certainly welcome additional resources going into such an important area. Debt and its impact can be devastating for individuals and families. The Minister will be aware that there are very tightly controlled quality regulations for debt advice, and he has referred to the complexity of the cases. I also acknowledge the people who already work in the area. What discussions have you had with councils to assess their capacity to deliver without negatively impacting on the existing providers? How will you assess and evaluate the outcome of the new way of working?”
“Given the high cost of insurance in the North, will the opportunity be taken at the round table to discuss what steps can be taken to address the issue?”
“<BR /> <BR />The final point that I want to make is this: while it is OK to have strategies — we absolutely should have strategies — a bit of this is about our own behaviours. We need to consider how best we can support our local businesses, how we can ensure that the decline does not continue and how we can make our towns places in which we feel that we can do business, relax, socialise or whatever. Each of us has a responsibility in that respect to promote and support our high streets in whatever way we can, particularly in the period coming up to Christmas.”
“<BR /> <BR />The high street task force report, 'Delivering a 21st Century High Street', provides a blueprint for how to revitalise our high streets, and we must ensure that it is implemented in full. In the report, there is a recommendation that calls for the establishment of a living high streets fund to support projects that would transform underutilised assets into vibrant community spaces. I commend some of the work that has been happening in some spaces in Dungannon. Local entrepreneurs have worked to create that welcoming environment, and they have done so at much cost to themselves, I have to say. The report also recommends the development of a high street investment programme and the transfer of regeneration powers to local councils, which, I think, can play a significant role.”
“Councils have a lot of local knowledge and local contacts, and it is important that we work in partnership with them, with businesses and with communities to ensure that that rejuvenation happens. <BR /> <BR />It is also important to recognise the work that has been done, such as the public realm schemes that have been rolled out. Through those schemes, millions of pounds have been invested in some of our towns. In addition, Conor Murphy reduced the non-domestic regional rate by 18% and provided rates holidays to many businesses during COVID, which allowed them to survive that period. That places an onus on us to ensure that they continue to survive and thrive. More recently, Caoimhe Archibald reinstated the Back in Business scheme, which supports new businesses and tackles dereliction on our high streets.”
“That will involve things such as looking at parking issues to ensure that towns are being dealt with fairly when it comes to parking restrictions and ensuring that the space is clean and attractive and that we are doing all that we can in that respect. <BR /> <BR />The decline of the high street is not unique to here. It is happening all across the world, and we need to give some thought to that. Our Executive have previously stated that the rejuvenation of our high streets is a key priority going forward, and, in the previous mandate, the high street task force, as has been mentioned, was formed to look at the issue. It is also the case that local government has a very important role to play in the rejuvenation of our town centres.”
“<BR /> <BR />In my town of Dungannon, the decrease in footfall is noticeable and has been mentioned often. In fact, even today, a business in the town contacted me about decreasing footfall, and local businesses often tell me that they are struggling to deal with the new realities. In towns such as Dungannon, we have vibrant business communities that are seeking to do their best all the time. They are investing their time, money and future in making the town work, and that places an onus on us, as an Assembly, to play our part by protecting retail space in towns and by providing clean, welcoming, attractive and accessible spaces for people to come to, stay in and do their business in.”
“I start by thanking Members for tabling the motion and, indeed, the amendments, which deal with specific elements of town centres. <BR /> <BR />The important role that our high streets play in our society cannot be overstated. They are the very heart and soul of our communities, and they act as a focal point for much of the activity that occurs in our everyday lives. For hundreds of years, high streets have been a crucial driver of economic activity in our towns and villages, and they have also shaped the very culture and identity of the regions in which they are situated. It is, however, fair and accurate to say that our high streets are no longer the hive of activity that they once were. Changing consumer patterns and prolonged periods of economic downturn have, in some cases, left them a shadow of their former glory.”
“Minister, do you plan to meet Conradh na Gaeilge or other Irish language groups on the Irish language strategy?”
“I have engaged with the Minister on significant issues in my constituency in the Granville and Killeeshil areas. There was a recent serious issue, once again, in Granville after hours, during which time no residents nor I could get any contact or communication about what was happening. What additional resource did the Minister provide to NIEA to allow it the capacity to deal with ongoing issues that plague my community in Granville and Killeeshil?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement and acknowledge the significant work on the fiscal framework, albeit with the caveats that she outlined because of 14 years of austerity. I particularly welcome the un-pausing of the growth deals, given their impact in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Mid Ulster, Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon. Will the Minister outline what un-pausing the deals means for those regions?”
“In fact, even the English names that we have are fundamentally based on the Irish language. Indeed, Mr Speaker, I recall the event that you ran for Seachtain na Gaeilge in the Senate Chamber on the Irish origin of place names. <BR /> <BR />We are seeing a litany of intolerance, vandalism and intimidation with the treatment of the signs, and I appeal to those who have been engaged in that behaviour to stop it. I ask other political parties across the area to make similar appeals so that we can see an end to something that is born of intolerance and narrow-mindedness and needs to stop. Sin é.”
“I would like to raise the ongoing campaign of vandalism on dual language signage in south Tyrone. That vandalism has taken place over a number of years across the area. Dual language signs have been attacked in Fivemiletown, Benburb, Eglish, Caledon, the Brantry, Castlecaulfield and Killeeshil. In recent weeks, there have been worrying developments. There have been repeated acts of vandalism on some of the signs, with signs being vandalised several times within several days. Worryingly, in recent days, we have also seen the inclusion on some of the signs of the letters "UVF". That is being seen as an attempt to intimidate and to hark back to the past. <BR /> <BR />There are very clear criteria on the use of the signs, so they have buy-in from the community. It is fair to say that the Irish language is a threat to absolutely no one.”
“We all recognise that, if we were in that situation, we would want people with the required skills and equipment to assist in the search for our loved ones. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the work and effort that go into those groups. They fundraise, train voluntarily and maintain very high standards of practice. I encourage the Department and the PSNI to see how they can work better with those groups to utilise their skills when they are needed.”
“It has come to my attention that, at times, some of the organisations struggle to be included in heartbreaking search situations because they are not part of a list maintained by the PSNI that is used to draw in services from groups. I fully recognise the need for the PSNI to be assured that anyone whom it works with has the required experience, qualifications, skills and equipment, and I believe that that applies to many of the groups. However, the groups say that it is difficult to find out how to get on the list, how to meet the requirements and what the criteria to might be. I will speak to the Justice Minister in due course to see whether we can provide further information to the groups.”
“This morning, I will draw attention to some of the fantastic community and voluntary search and rescue organisations that we have across the North. I think particularly of the K9 Search and Rescue service, which is based in County Down. In April, many of us met members of the service in the Long Gallery. In my constituency, we have Dungannon Sub Aqua Club, Tyrone Underwater Search and Recovery and Matthew’s search and rescue drone, which was set up after young Matthew McCallan lost contact with his friends on a night out and, tragically, lost his life at some time that night. His family have organised and fundraised to set up a service whereby a drone can provide assistance in search situations and pick up on body heat. <BR /> <BR />The organisations all have a tremendous range of expertise and skills and commitment to what they do.”
“We are expecting too much of unpaid, informal, family carers, and we now need to absolutely do better by them. <BR /> <BR />The respite provision for adult and children's services has, for far too long, been subject to underinvestment, and we need the Minister of Health and the Executive to prioritise those services to ensure that families can avail themselves of more regular respite and to ensure that we have a service that can cope with the demand going forward.”
“There is a need for regional consistency — it is included in amendment No 2 — and a need to address the fact that some people perceive that it is a postcode lottery. On the substance of it, the Minister outlined that this will require years of sustained investment, the recruitment of proper staffing and the creation of facilities as well. <BR /> <BR />The Minister referred to work that he expects to take forward imminently, and I welcome that we are seeing that renewed focus. I also acknowledge the programme that brought some attention to the issue. The Minister outlined the three things that are needed here, and I fully agree with each of them. However, I will add a fourth: the will and the focus to finally bring some sort of improvement in this area.”
“Timothy Gaston referred to the fact — it is really important — that there are many, many children who are also carers. We need to provide specific support across a wider range of areas, and that takes us into Education and other areas, as well as Health. We absolutely need to try to protect those children and give them the best start that we can with the resources that we have. <BR /> <BR />The Minister made a number of key points. Crucially, he acknowledged that the system would — it is a fact — collapse without the input of unpaid carers. That is the starting point from which we must address the issue. He also referenced the need to improve the transition from child into adult provision. That has been a long-standing issue, and I welcome his recognition of that.”
“<BR /> <BR />Deborah mentioned the fact that parents are barely coping at times and the important issue of carer burnout. Kellie Armstrong gave us some real-life examples and illustrated the issues in a way that brought them right home to all of us. She made the important point that, at times, carers feel completely forgotten. We in the House should not allow that to continue to be the case. She also raised a vexatious issue around transport and the fact that transport is often an additional element with which carers struggle.”
“Those children then enter adult services, which are already under pressure, and that means that more and more respite centres will inevitably struggle to meet the increased level of demand. <BR /> <BR />I will touch on some Members' contributions, because it is useful to cover some of the very many aspects of the issue. Paul Frew mentioned the movers of the motion and the amendments, so I will start by mentioning some of the other contributors. Nuala McAllister referenced the fact that staff are doing a fantastic job despite all the pressures. That absolutely needs to be acknowledged. She also referenced the need for forward planning, particularly for transition, as the Minister mentioned, and the very important issue of safe staffing legislation, which we are yet to see. Those are important issues.”
“Hearing that causes massive distress and frustration and adds to the feeling of burnout, which Deborah referenced, and the sense of despair. It underlines the inadequate provision that exists for adults and children with complex needs and challenging behaviour and shows the need for more investment. We absolutely need to plan better to address those needs, provide planned support for all our families and ensure that a crisis of that nature does not have that impact on so many families who are so close to the end of their tether. <BR /> <BR />More and more children with learning disabilities and complex needs are leaving services at 18 years old. The Minister referenced that fact and the need to do better at transition.”
“<BR /> <BR />The example of Woodlawn House in my constituency was mentioned a couple of times by Members and, indeed, the Minister. It is an eight-bed facility that provides short breaks of around a week for those with learning disabilities, complex needs and challenging behaviour. In December last year, respite services were severely impacted on by the need to redirect staff to intensive individual support, which was clearly needed at that time. It was the second time that that had happened in Woodlawn House within a short number of years. In that instance, service users and their families who were due to avail themselves of the service were told at short notice that all their respite slots had been cancelled.”
“It is worth briefly mentioning that the single allowance that is paid to carers, the carer's allowance, is woefully inadequate to meet their needs. That is worth mentioning in the debate as well. <BR /> <BR />Respite services are a vital element for individuals who receive care and the person who provides that care for them. We should remember that many of our carers experience significant health difficulties themselves. They have to try to navigate that at the same time as looking after someone who may have particular vulnerabilities. Respite services provide those carers with some space — it is only some space — to complete day-to-day tasks that we all take for granted, be it shopping for groceries, attending their own appointments or, potentially, as was mentioned, looking after another person.”
“I thank all Members who contributed to this afternoon's debate on a hugely important issue. The debate covered very many of the issues that I have heard as an MLA and, previously, as a carers' spokesperson over the years. We support both amendments, and I thank the parties and Members who tabled them. <BR /> <BR />Caring for a family member is one of the most difficult jobs that anyone can do. The lack of support or recognition often adds significantly to the challenges that carers face. Carers often talk about planning for respite as being almost like a military operation. They will talk about being in the trenches and fighting for every bit of support that they get. That language indicates the level of stress that they are under repeatedly.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Does the Minister agree that the British Government should stop their hokey-cokey around the Mid South West and Causeway Coast and Glens growth deals and allow other vital infrastructure projects to proceed?”
“In their native Tetum, I say this to that community: Ita-nia lakon mak ita-nia lakon no ita-nia laran-susar mak ita hamriik hamutuk ho ita iha momentu triste ne'e. That translates as, "Your loss is our loss, and your pain is our pain. We stand with you in this time of grief".”
“Unfortunately, I rise to address an issue that touches on the one raised by Emma Sheerin: the absolutely unacceptable nature of violence against women and girls in our society. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, I attended the funeral of baby Tavia Michella Ximenes Da Costa. I want Members to know that the East Timor community is a huge asset to the community in Dungannon and the South Tyrone area: it is a wonderful, close-knit community of hard-working people who bring a deep and rich culture to our shores. <BR /> <BR />I was struck by the dignity and poignancy of the funeral service, which was hugely impactful on our community. I also acknowledge Lisnahull Residents Group's holding of a vigil on Saturday evening. That also sent a poignant and powerful message to those in that community about the support that they have in our area.”
“Thank you. Having previously been a social worker, I understand that. The Minister mentioned the shift left: social workers are out there every day of the week on the left and at the coalface. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister provide an update on what meetings he plans to have with trade unions and representative groups to address the issues that he has highlighted?”
“The public have a right to know what was discussed, and, in the interests of transparency and openness, Minister Lyons has a duty to provide that information. He needs to publish the minutes of the meeting with the LCC, along with a list of attendees, as soon as possible. In addition, the Minister needs to come to the House and make a statement detailing exactly what was discussed and, in particular, whether any demands were made by the LCC, and, crucially, his response to any such demands. I thank the Member who tabled the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Loyalist paramilitary groups have no place in our society, and they should have disbanded long ago. It beggars belief that any Minister would think it appropriate to consult such groups on matters of public policy. Instead of shutting down and deplatforming them, the DUP seems intent on rewarding them with unprecedented access to its Ministers. We already know that the LCC lobbied the Education Minister, Paul Givan, to block the establishment of an Irish-medium school in east Belfast. That is completely unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />So far, no information about what was discussed at last week's meeting with the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has been published, despite repeated calls for it to be released.”
“Whatever was said about it at its founding a decade ago, we can now say with certainty that the LCC has become a mouthpiece for organised criminal gangs that terrorise communities through fear and coercive control. <BR /> <BR />The increased level of activity by loyalist paramilitaries is deeply concerning and needs to stop. The UVF and the UDA regularly engage in intimidating and threatening behaviour against anyone who opposes them. On top of that, their criminal empires are expanding at an alarming rate, with more and more drug dealing and extortion in loyalist areas. The UVF and the UDA are also strongly suspected of orchestrating the race riots during the summer in Belfast, where our migrant communities were attacked and businesses targeted.”
“I very much welcome today's motion. It is particularly well timed, given the level of public anger about the two separate Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) meetings with DUP Ministers in past weeks. <BR /> <BR />When the LCC was founded almost a decade ago, many hoped that it would be instrumental in facilitating loyalist paramilitaries who wanted to transition away from violence and criminality eventually to leave the stage. It is fair to say, however, that the LCC not only has failed in that regard but has failed to prevent the backsliding of loyalist paramilitaries away from transitioning and into increased activity and criminality in recent years.”
“Tugadh isteach na bearta sin chun daoine a chosaint ar leasuithe leasa a rinne Rialtas na Breataine, mar shampla cáin seomra leapa agus na teorainneacha sochair. Chuidigh íocaíochtaí maolaithe le go leor teaghlach ar ioncam íseal a choinneáil ón anás, rud a chuir ar a gcumas a dtithe a choinneáil agus tuilleadh fiachais a sheachaint. <BR /> <BR />Tá daoine go fóill buartha, agus tá an brú orthu ag méadú gach lá dá bhfuil ag teacht. Tá an Coiste Feidhmiúcháin tiomanta ar straitéis frithbhochtaineachta mar thosaíocht lárnach, agus an ceart acu. Caithfidh an tAire Pobal an straitéis a fhoilsiú gan a thuilleadh moille.”
“Beidh an Lá Idirnáisiúnta um Dhíothú na Bochtaineachta ann an tseachtain seo. Is ábhar í an bhochtaineacht a bhfuil Comhaltaí ag dul i ngleic léi le fada an lá, agus tá an straitéis frithbhochtaineachta ar cheann de phríomhthorthaí na hoibre sin. Caithfidh an straitéis frithbhochtaineachta bheith ag forbairt léi i rith an ama, straitéis ina ndírítear ar neamhionannais a laghdú agus rochtain ar sheirbhísí riachtanacha a chinntiú. Trí aghaidh a thabhairt ar bhunchúiseanna na bochtaineachta agus trí dhíriú ar réitigh fhadtéarmacha, caithfidh an straitéis sochaí atá níos cothroime, cuimsithí a chruthú ina mbeidh deis ag gach aon duine barr a chumais a bhaint amach. <BR /> <BR />Ceann de na hiarrachtaí lárnacha a rinneadh leis an straitéis frithbhochtaineachta ná bearta maolaithe a chur i bhfeidhm i ndiaidh athchóiriú an chórais leasa.”
“At last week's Communities Committee meeting, I called on the Minister to publish the minutes of the meeting with the LCC along with a list of attendees. I repeat that call today. In addition, I call on the Minister to come to the House as soon as possible to make a statement on the meeting and provide Members with an opportunity to ask questions.”
“They have no place in our society, and they should have left the stage long ago. It is wholly inappropriate and unacceptable for any Minister to consult those groups on matters of public policy. <BR /> <BR />In the wake of a meeting with Education Minister, Paul Givan, a couple of weeks ago, it was revealed that the LCC had lobbied the Minister to block the development of an Irish-medium school in east Belfast. One cannot help but wonder what, if any, similar demands were made of the Communities Minister and, crucially, what his response was. <BR /> <BR />The public have a right to know what was discussed at last Tuesday's meeting with Gordon Lyons. In the interests of transparency and openness, he has a duty to provide that information.”
“Last Tuesday, the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, held a meeting with the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) at its request. That was the second such meeting between the LCC and a DUP Minister in a matter of weeks. Those meetings have generated large media interest, and the public are, rightly, expressing concerns about the matter. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear about who the LCC are. The LCC is an umbrella group made up of members of the UVF, the UDA and the Red Hand Commando. Those loyalist paramilitaries regularly engage in criminal behaviour and terrorise their own communities through fear and coercive control. Those paramilitary gangs are involved in drug dealing, racketeering and sectarian acts of violence. They are also strongly suspected of orchestrating the racist attacks in Belfast during the summer.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. The Minister has announced 1,000 jobs — I very much welcome that — but not one of those jobs is based in Tyrone, Fermanagh or Armagh. In my view, the Minister has missed a golden opportunity to create a more regionally balanced economy, which is an Executive commitment, and to open up Civil Service work to many rural areas west of the Bann. Will the Minister outline what factors he considered when deciding where to locate the jobs? At any stage, did he consider any locations in the three counties that I mentioned?”
“One of my neighbours took that very sad journey last year. When she travelled across, she dreaded the thought of whether she would even be allowed to bring her child's body home with her: she did not even know that. At a time when families are at their lowest ebb, we are, essentially, forcing them on to planes if they want to find out what happened. <BR /> <BR />I will raise the issue with the Health Minister — I raised it repeatedly with the previous Minister of Health — and I will urge him and everyone here to consider how we can move the issue forward and prevent 1,200 — perhaps, approaching 1,500 — of our families having to make that unacceptable journey.”
“It is estimated that up to 240 families a year could be making that horrendous journey across the water with their child's body. <BR /> <BR />Last year, I met the children's paediatric cardiology service in Dublin, which the Speaker was involved in instating. It was explained to me that, in order to run a full paediatric pathology service, you need four consultants. That is to allow people time for training, to fill rotas, to allow for leave and to cover emergency care. To run a rota of that extent requires a population of six million people. That will tell us clearly what the problem is and where the solution lies. I raised the issue at the North/South Inter-Parliamentary Association meeting, which some of my colleagues attended. To me, we must look at this as a matter of urgency now on an all-island basis.”
“I draw to Members' attention a very important issue, on this week, which is Baby Loss Awareness Week, and, obviously, a heart-rending situation for many of our families. One particular angle that I want to address this morning is paediatric pathology; that is, post-mortems on children lost to miscarriage or stillbirth or in the immediate days after birth. <BR /> <BR />In February 2019, the last of our paediatric pathology consultants retired, leaving no service here. It was stated at the time that, as an interim measure, families would be able to take their children to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. While that has been something that families have had to avail themselves of, there has been no move to address the situation on a broader basis here in the North.”
“I thank the Minister. The supply strategy sets out a vision for housing and a route map to ensuring that everyone has safe, quality and affordable homes. How will you ensure that you have the capital allocations required for social and affordable housing and that they do not continue to fall short of the strategy's targets?”
“I thank the Minister for this very welcome statement. I acknowledge his commitment to continue working on the Ballygawley to Aughnacloy section. Does the Minister agree that the scheme will improve road safety and save lives?”