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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“I thank the Minister for his statement. What conversation or learning was shared about rent regulation and improved security of tenure to strengthen renters' rights?”
“<BR /> <BR />I was very honoured to meet with schoolteacher leaders, and also young student leaders, Ciaran and Dearbhla and Lucy, who asked one of the questions directly of the Minister here last week. I thought it very poignant that, last week, when John O'Dowd visited the school, which is in my constituency, he referenced its campaign and that he had uppermost in his mind young Kamile and the impact that the situation was having on people along the length of that road. I commend the school for its civic awareness and the students for their role in that campaign.”
“I draw attention to and praise St Ciaran's College in Ballygawley for its role in campaigning for the A5 road upgrade. The school originally launched a campaign to try to improve safety measures on the road. Tragically, 48 hours later, one of its students, Kamile Vaicikonyte, who took part in that safety campaign, lost her young life on the A5, along with her boyfriend, who was travelling with her. <BR /> <BR />The school subsequently continued its campaign in the face of that adversity and, in recent weeks, attended here, in the Senate Chamber, with the Minister for Infrastructure and directly asked him to do all he could to bring forward plans for a road that would be fit for purpose, running right through counties Tyrone and Derry and into Monaghan and Donegal.”
“I thank the Member for giving way and the Member who brought this Adjournment debate to the House. It is such an important area. Members will know that there are companies producing odours in Cabragh and Granville in my constituency. Does the Member agree that we need a robust response from the NIEA to the companies to stop the unpleasant odours emanating from their operations?”
“The hotline operates from Wales at weekends. I have had mixed results with it. Are there any plans to bring that closer or make it more reactive to local need?”
“Minister, I am sure that you are aware that I will host some of the rural support network groups here on 11 November, and I would very much like to invite you to that. What steps will you take to engage local communities and stakeholders to ensure that future financial support for tackling rural poverty and social isolation is targeted effectively at those most in need?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and, particularly, for his commitment to delivering a coherent strategy to address regional imbalance. Minister, given that that is a commitment in the draft Programme for Government, do you expect other Departments to contribute to achieving greater regional balance?”
“Tá 12 mholadh sa tuarascáil mhonatóireachta ba chóir dúinn a thabhairt dár n-aire. <BR /> <BR />Is iad príomh-mholtaí na tuarascála: go dtabharfaí isteach straitéis don Ghaeilge agus go gcuirfí na hacmhainní cuí ar fáil chun gur féidir í a mhaoiniú; go gcuirfí i bhfeidhm ina iomláine an tAcht Féiniúlachta agus Teanga 2022 gan a thuilleadh moille; go bhforbrófaí agus go gcuirfí i bhfeidhm straitéis maidir le hearcú múinteoirí i gcomhairle leis an phobal, go háirithe maidir le soláthar múinteoirí do phaistí a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais orthu laistigh d’earnáil na Gaelscolaíochta, agus go ndéanfaí Coimisinéir Gaeilge a cheapadh. <BR /> <BR />Tá Sinn Féin tiomanta stádas na Gaeilge a dhaingniú go buan inár sochaí, agus tá muid tiomanta an tuarascáil a úsáid mar uirlis forbartha teanga agus ár ngealltanais teanga a chomhlíonadh.”
“D’fhoilsigh Coiste Saineolaithe Chomhairle na hEorpa a shéú tuarascáil mhonatóireachta ar chomhlíonadh na Cairte Eorpaí do Theangacha Réigiúnacha nó Mionlaigh an tseachtain seo caite. Dhaingnigh Rialtas na Breataine codanna a dó agus a trí den chairt maidir leis an Ghaeilge in 2001 mar thoradh ar ghealltanais a tugadh i gComhaontú Aoine an Chéasta chun gníomh dionghbháilte a dhéanamh leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. <BR /> <BR />Cuireann muid fáilte roimh an tuarascáil, agus gabhann muid ár mbuíochas leis an Choiste Saineolaithe. Is áis úsáideach í an tuarascáil dúinn chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar mhórcheisteanna na Gaeilge. Ar an drochuair, áfach, tá cáineadh déanta sa tuarascáil agus is léir ón cháineadh chéanna nach bhfuil go leor déanta ó thaobh fhorbairt na teanga de.”
“The Assembly will need to look at where improvements can be made.”
“<BR /> <BR />The issues that have been raised with me include the performance of the contracts and the work that is or is not being done; accountability and contact with the companies in order to raise issues or complaints; the fees and charges that are levelled against the work that do not seem to be in line with the work that is being done; and, it would appear at times, aggressive pursuit of late payments or non-payment charges where disputes arise. <BR /> <BR />In the case of one particular estate in my constituency, Beechville Heights, I have not been able to secure a meeting with the management company, so I have a keen understanding of the difficulties that residents must face in that regard. <BR /> <BR />I want to flag the issue today. The Committee and I will be taking forward additional work on it.”
“I raise the issue of property management companies and shared area maintenance contracts in residential estates across the North. It has been raised recently with me as a constituency MLA, with me outside my constituency in my Committee role and, as of last week, with the Committee for Communities. It appears that a huge number of issues have arisen from those contracts and that there is a dearth of regulation around them.”
“They are being hindered by the mast on that site. I urge NI Water to return to its commitment to work with the council. I hope that Members and everyone will support the removal of the mast from that historic site.”
“Historians and many others have highlighted the fact that the old remaining towers on that historic site are completely overshadowed and blemished by the presence of a massive steel telecommunications tower. I am aware that the local council has been engaging with NI Water, which operates the tower. It is a commercial venture in that sense. The site was previously occupied by the British Army for many years for the same reason, but it is now open to the people of Dungannon town. <BR /> <BR />NI Water operates the site. Mid Ulster District Council and NI Water had agreed to consult on removing the mast. Recently, NI Water has withdrawn from that commitment, citing budgetary reasons. I am aware that many people in the district, including the chamber of commerce, are working diligently to try to increase its tourism offer.”
“I bring to Members' attention the issue of the telecommunications mast that is right at the top of Dungannon town on the historic Hill of The O'Neill site. The site was originally the seat of the O'Neills, chosen for its panoramic views across seven of Ulster's nine counties. It is an intrinsically beautiful site. Over many years, both the legacy Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and the Mid Ulster District Council have developed the Hill of The O'Neill theatre site and a covered outside space where events can take place. It is the heart and soul of Dungannon town and the jewel in its crown. <BR /> <BR />In recent months, many people have been calling for the issue of the telecommunications mast to be addressed. Local councillors have raised the issue. The newly formed Dungannon chamber of commerce has raised the issue.”
“That is an important safeguard for members' financial security in such circumstances. <BR /> <BR />In essence, the amendments are technical but key to ensuring that collective money purchase schemes operate smoothly, are governed responsibly and continue to serve the best interests of their members. <BR /> <BR />As I outlined, after consideration and scrutiny, the Committee is content with the proposed changes and believes that they will enhance the stability and transparency of such schemes. I am therefore pleased to recommend that the Assembly approve the Occupational Pension Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2024.”
“The schemes provide retirement benefits based on collective contributions, and the changes in the regulations aim to strengthen their governance and protect their members' interests. <BR /> <BR />Allow me to summarise the key provisions. First, they will ensure that increases to benefits are made to offset any planned multi-annual reductions so that members' benefits are safeguarded during adjustment periods, as the Minister outlined. Secondly, they specify details that must be included in actuarial valuations, which is important for assessing the financial health of the schemes. Thirdly, they specify additional types of funds to which benefits can be transferred and offer alternative ways for schemes to discharge their liabilities to members if a scheme is being wound up.”
“I rise to express the Committee's support for the motion that the Occupational Pension Schemes (Collective Money Purchase Schemes) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 be approved. <BR /> <BR />The Committee first considered the regulations on Thursday 29 February and was content for the Department to proceed with making the rule. The Committee later approved the statutory rule at its final meeting before the summer recess, on Thursday 27 June 2024. <BR /> <BR />To refresh Members' memories and inform anybody who may not be familiar with the regulations, they make a number of technical amendments to occupational pension schemes. The purpose of the changes is to ensure that collective money purchase schemes function as intended.”
“I thank the Minister for his focus on economic disadvantage and not strictly economic inactivity. Given the importance of supporting people with significant barriers to employment and the cross-cutting nature of that work, will the Minister outline what his Department is doing collaboratively with other Departments and how that fits into his economic vision?”
“The Pensions Regulator has discretion as to the level of detail required for that information, ensuring that explanations and supporting evidence are provided only where needed in order to avoid an unnecessary administrative burden. <BR /> <BR />The Committee recognises the importance of robust pension schemes where benefits for members are as secure as possible, especially in the context of an ageing population. The Committee acknowledges that the occupational pension scheme regulations represent a positive change to support scheme trustees and employers to manage risk effectively. Therefore, I am content to recommend that the Assembly approve the regulations.”
“The statement of strategy to be provided to the Pensions Regulator must also cover the opinion of the trustees or managers on the extent to which the funding and investment strategy is being successfully implemented, and, for cases when it is not being successfully implemented, the steps they propose to take to remedy the position must be outlined. That statement of strategy must also cover the main risks faced by the scheme in implementing the funding and investment strategy and how the trustees or managers intend to mitigate or manage those. The reflections of the trustees or managers on any significant decisions taken by them in the past must also be covered by the statement of strategy. <BR /> <BR />The final requirement of the statement is a summary of the actuarial valuation and, where appropriate, the recovery plan.”
“First, in respect of the funding and investment strategies that will be required by the regulations, trustees or managers of defined benefit schemes will have to regularly prepare a funding and investment strategy with the aim of ensuring that pensions and other scheme benefits can be provided over the long term. The strategy must specify the funding level and the investments that trustees or managers intend the scheme to have at a relevant date. The funding strategy must set out a journey plan to that funding level. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, in relation to the statement of strategy for defined benefit schemes required by the regulations, trustees or managers will be required to send a written statement of strategy to the Pensions Regulator, as well as setting out the funding and investment strategy that I have just described.”
“I rise as Chairperson of the Committee for Communities to support the introduction of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Funding and Investment Strategy and Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2024. The Committee considered the rule at its meeting on 11 April and recommended that it be approved by the Assembly. We understand that the objectives of the regulations are to support defined benefit scheme trustees and employers to manage risk effectively and to enable the Pensions Regulator to intervene more effectively to protect members' benefits, as needed. <BR /> <BR />Members understand that there are key aspects of the regulations relating to funding investment strategies and statement of strategies for defined benefit schemes.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle as sin.”
“As other Members have mentioned, it is clear that the waterways are an entirely interconnected system and that a complex range of issues affect the quality of the water. Dealing with that will require a complex and focused solution. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I want to point to the fact that we are dealing with water in an all-Ireland context. Jemma mentioned her meeting with Waterways Ireland, and we need to deal with the issue across the island, because there is no point in taking the approach of dealing with it here when the problems remain there. We need to bring to bear a holistic approach in terms of geography and in terms of issues and solutions.”
“I welcome the opportunity to take part in another debate on our shared constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I do not want to talk at length, but I agree with all that Members have said about how Lough Erne is a jewel in the crown and a very important part of the economy and the environment in our constituency. It provides much of the area's drinking water, and all of the unique local biodiversity relies on it. We have a clear duty to preserve, protect and develop the lough in a way that preserves and protects our waters. <BR /> <BR />Clearly, NI Water has a central role to play here. The underinvestment over many years is catching up on us, and we need to consider urgently how we deal with all of those challenges.”
“I also thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber. Minister, will you outline the steps that you are taking to address the vacancies in Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis.”
“I know that the Finance Minister is working to address the issues, and I wish her every success in those efforts.”
“<BR /> <BR />To give further context, the Mid South West region makes up half of the land area of the North and is home to 26% of our population and 35% of our businesses. That is the scale of what we are talking about. It is also the longest border region by far, with 499 kilometres of the border corridor included in the area. <BR /> <BR />Figures regarding gross disposable income show that we are 3% behind the average. That is an issue of huge concern. I want Members to consider the impact that the city and growth deal would have in a region that provides a huge economic engine for the entire area. We are proud of our engineering and manufacturing sector; it is world-leading. Our district is always looking for new opportunities, and people have been working diligently and assiduously to make that happen. It must happen.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Mid South West region has 12 project proposals that have the potential to deliver additional jobs; drive growth in output and wages; increase visitor numbers and spend; and provide a population magnet, as further people are attracted to come to the region. Those economic benefits will be quantified in the process. In order to drive our public services, we clearly need to improve our economies. This is a central part of that process and must be considered in that context. The areas being looked at were enabling infrastructure, regeneration and tourism; boosting innovation; and digital capacity. The projects included robotics, automated packaging, an agro-bio innovation centre, a green energy district, innovation programmes and a huge industrial capacity around Desertcreat and Cookstown.”
“I want to make a Member's statement on the deplorable and unacceptable announcement on the city deals that was made late last week — Friday night, actually. <BR /> <BR />For context and because not all Members will know, the Mid South West region is a collaboration between Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council. The package that was being worked on and has been worked on very diligently by many people in those areas comprises a funding commitment of £252 million from the Executive and the British Government. To give context, the terms of agreement for that deal were to be signed in October; the invites were being prepared. All of that work was in place.”
“Therefore, in order to ensure that the sale of tickets is open and transparent, allowing people to make an informed choice before entering the queue in the knowledge that, should they make it to the top, they will be in a position to make their purchase, I urge the CMA to provide recommendations on how ticket providers and music promoters could be prohibited from engaging in dynamic pricing. I ask all Members to support the motion.”
“The 2024 Arts Council research on the working and living conditions of artists here showed that 80% of respondents saw financial barriers as a challenge, 59% did not feel secure in their role, 54% did not feel valued, and over half indicated that they would consider permanently relocating for better career opportunities. That would, indeed, be a sad loss for us all. <BR /> <BR />We need to see a proactive response to supporting the music industry as a whole, and one that deals with the challenges of dynamic pricing.”
“We absolutely need to protect and better and fairly support the sector in order to allow that creativity to flourish and grow. We also need to protect the music fans in working-class communities who helped to launch the careers of artists such as Oasis but are now suffering as a result of these price hikes. <BR /> <BR />Another major issue is that such eye-watering ticket prices are not reflective of what participants in the wider music industry, particularly artists at a grassroots level, receive. Indeed, the live music industry has encountered significant challenges in recent years, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Ticketmaster has a monopoly in the live concert market. Thousands of fans have been left disappointed and frustrated by what can only be described as price gouging by Ticketmaster. The hike in costs as a result of using dynamic pricing is not unique to the Oasis concerts or Ticketmaster, but it highlights a growing problem that needs to be addressed to prevent people being exploited. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the massive contribution that musicians, artists, bands and all those involved in the music and arts sector bring to society. The benefits are social, economic and creative, keeping us right at the leading edge of the arts on an international basis and, indeed, allowing us to punch way above our weight in that respect, attracting visitors, goodwill and investment to our island in a way that few others manage.”
“Therefore, I welcome the decision by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to investigate Ticketmaster, and I take this opportunity to encourage people who bought or attempted to buy tickets for the Oasis concerts to participate in that inquiry and have their say. <BR /> <BR />Rather than entering into a fair transaction, people enter what is, effectively, a lottery process, with the actual price of a ticket not being known until hours after they first entered the waiting queue and are completing their ticket purchasing process. I recognise that dynamic pricing is used in multiple industries and across various sectors, but buying tickets is unlike buying holidays, for example, where an individual can use an alternative airline or resort where there will be a range of flight and accommodation options.”
“The motion is about highlighting the need for fairness and transparency for the consumer and the music artist when it comes to the practice of dynamic pricing, which, depending on demand, adjusts the market value of tickets and products. While prices can go down as well as up, I have been contacted recently by constituents who were seeking to buy tickets for the Oasis reunion tour and ended up paying up to 100% more than the advertised price. <BR /> <BR />Consumer law is clear: ticket sale sites must be transparent in their dealings with consumers and give clear and accurate information about the price that people will have to pay.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. I share the dismay of the Minister and every other Member at the manner and content of the announcement. The Mid South West deal impacts on my whole constituency. Over the weekend, people from Dungannon and south Tyrone who have been working diligently on plans and improvements for our area, in the expectation of and with the promise that there would be funding, have been left unaware of what is going to happen. What type of projects will be impacted on by that announcement?”
“Thank you for that, Minister. Given the number of rural properties that have been identified with that crossover, will you outline the steps that you can take or are considering taking to mitigate the effect on rural homes that may not have access to gas or other forms of heating?”
“It is called primary care for a reason: it is the first point of contact. It is where well-being can be attended to and where illness, deterioration, hospitalisation and a worsening of conditions can be prevented if we get proper GP care out into the community and support general practice to deliver the service that it does so well.”
“A lot of that value is in health-related areas. We could look at something there. During COVID, a review was done of what was described as the "alternative workforce". Many of those people were in the community and voluntary sector. There may be areas there that we can look at. <BR /> <BR />The other area that we could look at is the fact that we now see many more young women coming into general practice. Often, they will require more flexibility or will not want to work five days a week as a general practitioner. Young GPs coming out of medical school often want to specialise. If we can find a way to develop contracts that encourage that, we may see more young students coming into general practice.”
“There is also merit, I think, in prioritising the multidisciplinary teams, as was mentioned. Those other allied health professionals can bring so much to the equation. They often deal with issues better and more directly than GPs, as well as taking pressure off them. In places where there is particular pressure on GPs, I ask the Minister, as the multidisciplinary teams are rolled out, to consider prioritising areas that have reduced cover or are under threat of losing their cover, so that we do not see any further reduction. <BR /> <BR />Social prescribing also has huge merit. When it comes to transformation more generally, transforming the social element of primary care is important. We had a debate just yesterday on the European social fund and the value that our community and voluntary sector brings.”
“I thank Áine for securing the debate. As Deborah stated, the issue affects all of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, with several surgeries lost in the Dungannon area alone. It is a contracts issue, and I know from my time on the Health Committee that it has many factors. At rock bottom, however, the key problem is the lack of availability of general practitioners. Deborah mentioned their ageing profile and the fact that we are seeing so many retirements. Minister, I urge you to do everything that you can to address that issue. I worked previously with your colleague Robin Swann on the indemnity issue, and that has been resolved. <BR /> <BR />There are probably other outstanding issues, such as professional qualification recognition across the island, that may help us to attract GPs from elsewhere.”
“We very much encourage people to engage with us as we go through the Committee Stage into the autumn term. <BR /> <BR />I ask the House to agree the extension to provide the Committee with additional time to scrutinise the Bill so that we can do our best to ensure that it is as thorough and considered as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />At Second Stage, I highlighted the fact that the Bill will align child support enforcement mechanisms here with those already established in England, Scotland and Wales under the Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 and that the Committee had been informed by officials that the alignment would ensure parity and improve the efficiency of the Child Maintenance Service in securing maintenance for qualifying children. <BR /> <BR />The Committee welcomes the intent behind the proposed changes, and our call for evidence is now live on Citizen Space until 4 October. We have identified a number of stakeholders from whom we wish to take evidence, and we have written directly to organisations that might be affected by the legislation.”
“The Bill aims to make the process of managing and collecting child support more efficient and user-friendly. That will involve streamlining procedures and potentially introducing new mechanisms for dealing with non-compliance. The third area is support for families. The Bill includes provision to better support families in managing child support arrangements, ensuring that the system is fair and responsive to the needs of parents and children. Overall, the Bill seeks to ensure that child support is more reliably collected and that families receive the financial support that they are entitled to.”
“I request Members' support to extend the Committee Stage of the Child Support Enforcement Bill to 13 December 2024. I recognise that it is a short Bill. Nevertheless, it demands the same level of scrutiny as any other Bill, due to the changes that it will bring about in the operation of the child maintenance scheme. <BR /> <BR />By way of a reminder, Members, given the summer recess, the Bill is aimed at improving the effectiveness of child support services in the North and focuses on three key areas. The first is strengthening enforcement powers. The Bill enhances the enforcement measures available to ensure that non-residential parents meet their child support obligations. That includes powers for the Child Maintenance Service to take stronger actions to collect overdue payments. The second area is improving services.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I also agree that this is a wrong decision. <BR /> <BR />The recent announcement by the British Government on the winter fuel payment cut will impact on people who do not qualify for pension credit but may, nonetheless, struggle to pay their fuel bills. You mentioned amelioration: have you explored ways to ameliorate that impact should the necessary funding be available?”