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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“<BR /> <BR />We need, absolutely, to find out why there were failings in providing learning disability workers of our own, whom we could develop as valuable staff and with whom the people in Muckamore could develop meaningful staff relationships. <BR /> <BR />A significant number of staff have been suspended. There are arrests ongoing and that is appropriate. When I spoke to the other agencies, they all said that it is possible to conduct a public inquiry and to allow any police or criminal investigations to continue. <BR /> <BR />The complexity of this has highlighted similar issues across the system. We have seen this in neurology, SAI processes and in joint protocols.”
“That places a duty on every one of us — on the healthcare system, on us and everybody else — to speak on their behalf. Families have been carrying the burden for too long to try to speak out and deal with it. <BR /> <BR />There have been issues with governance and accountability in the health and social care world. It is not acceptable to place blame at a ward or hospital management level only; we need to look at the structures right up through the piece. There have already been multiple reports on Muckamore. We had the serious adverse incident investigation by Margaret Flynn, who I met in Muckamore, the leadership review and a series of other reports, such as Bamford, that called for a change in services. The recognition of how it needs to be developed is there.”
“<BR /> <BR />My colleague Pat Sheehan has also met staff, and we recognise that the staff are working in a very challenging environment and have struggled to maintain high levels of care. There has been a huge reliance on agency staff and, while they also do a good job, that reliance stands in the way of developing the relationships that are so needed. <BR /> <BR />A public inquiry is needed and I think that all parties in the Chamber would agree with that. It is a stated Sinn Féin Ard Fheis policy, and I know that the Minister would also agree that a public inquiry is needed because of the extent and gravity of what has happened in Muckamore. What has compounded that difficulty is the fact that some of the worst abuse was piled on some of our most vulnerable people, some of whom cannot even speak for themselves.”
“They were all of one mind: that the issues had to be addressed and that the people who were being cared for in Muckamore deserved better and deserved answers and improvements. <BR /> <BR />I also visited Muckamore and was struck by it. It is a challenging environment; there is no doubt about that. I felt all over again for the families. Having to put your son or daughter into any of those facilities when they are so vulnerable is bad enough, and, despite the efforts of staff, Muckamore is a difficult environment. I was in the seclusion rooms and those really show the starkness of that setting. I also observed what seemed to me to be a lack of facilities to train and prepare people for more independent living. I was struck by that and it is important that we recognise that.”
“It was horrendous and I was totally taken aback. I was also deeply impressed by their stoicism, dignity and quiet determination to protect their loved ones and to get answers about what had happened. <BR /> <BR />Along with party colleagues, I then engaged in a series of meetings with different organisations and started to get a flavour of what the families were dealing with in trying to get information. Members should bear in mind that, throughout, there were times when families had to put in freedom of information requests to get basic information about what had happened. I met representatives of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust and the PSNI on numerous occasions. I also met representatives of the PPS, the Human Rights Commission, sectoral groups, the Safeguarding Board, Mencap and Positive Futures.”
“I want to start by thanking the Members who tabled the motion. It is extremely important and probably one of the more important things that we have discussed. I would like to thank the Members — Paula and John — who tabled it. I would also like to thank the press and legal teams who have supported the families throughout, but I call into question why that has been necessary when families are struggling to get answers about the care that has been provided by a healthcare system. In the first instance, healthcare should provide that support on an ongoing basis. <BR /> <BR />One of the first meetings that I attended after I became an MLA was in Belfast City Hall. I met some of the family members: Glynn Brown and Catherine Fox. I was absolutely rocked at the impact of what had happened on those families.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber to address this serious situation. It is particularly concerning that we have an outbreak in a haematology ward, a place where layers of protection should be of the utmost importance at any time, never mind during COVID. What precautions has the Minister taken to ensure that the virus is contained within the affected areas?”
“Go raibh maith agat, Minister, for your answer. I declare an interest in that I previously worked in this area in my social work job. <BR /> <BR />In our response to the child sexual exploitation consultation, Sinn Féin proposed to extend the abuse of trust laws to include any adult who holds a position of trust, power or authority over 16- or 17-year-olds. Does the Minister intend to legislate for that change?”
“Does the Minister agree that the strongest possible messaging is needed in order to encourage compliance with COVID-19 measures on public transport?”
“Will the Member also acknowledge in that list of jobs that he is setting out that we have a very committed and dedicated workforce in domiciliary care who are out there every day working in homes and who are also vulnerable to attack and dealing with complexity?”
“I thank the Minister again for taking a range of questions on all the issues. My question is linked to the question that Pat asked about care homes. Across the islands, there has been a sense that we could do better for care homes in a potential second wave or in future pandemics. Is a specific look being taken at discharge policy into hospitals and out of hospitals into care homes that may be of benefit during a potential second surge? I know that work is being done in England on that. Is specific work going on here on discharge policies during a second surge?”
“The Minister referred in his statement to the travel regulations. It is widely accepted that there is a great degree of confusion about travel regulations. I welcome the fact that the Minister has sought closer cooperation with his counterpart in the South in order to try to streamline some of those issues. It is important to say that the issue is South/North as well as North/South, and if we are going to truly maximise the benefits of having a single epidemiology unit, that work will be crucial. Can the Minister update the House on the memorandum of understanding or any other work that is being done to ensure that we can deliver, as far as possible, the aims of the independent SAGE 'A Better Way To Go' document; that we work together to reach a COVID rate that is as close to zero as possible in as short a time frame as possible?”
“That document, he will know, refers to "co-design" and "co-production". I am concerned that these changes have been announced with no engagement or co-production with service users and staff. What level of engagement did he feel was necessary? <BR /> <BR />I know that the Minister recognises that all types of carers have been hugely impacted by the initial withdrawal of services. Indeed, the difficulties in reopening some of the day centres and respite services are placing additional and ongoing pressures on carers. Will he consider a one-off cash payment for carers to help with changes to their circumstances and additional carer needs?”
“I will remove my mask, as I did yesterday, to assist those who may have hearing difficulties in making out what I am saying. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his statement. I note that there is a lot in the statement, and I have no doubt that the Health Committee will want to look at and scrutinise all of it in more detail. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate the Minister on bringing forward the app, which, I believe he said, is the first one that is interoperable across the entire country. That is a welcome step and is of huge importance as we work to maintain control over the spread of the virus in the future. <BR /> <BR />The Minister has announced some considerable changes here today, many of which look a lot like health transformation. He mentioned 'Delivering Together'.”
“Will the British-Irish Council meet to consider the east-west dimension?”
“I will remove my mask to ask the question as not doing so can cause people with hearing difficulties additional problems in picking up what is being said. <BR /> <BR />Considering the ongoing confusion around travel advice and restrictions, does the Minister agree that it is important to convene a British-Irish Council meeting to agree a consistent approach to travel into and across these islands?”
“<BR /> <BR />As restrictions are lifted, it is important that we remember that many key workers still need access to vital PPE to do their job. This week, dentists have been allowed to open up, but they are doing aerosol-generating procedures, and concerns remain about their access to vital PPE and who is expected to provide and source it. The issue should be resolved as a matter of urgency.”
“It is welcome that the system was able to respond to that cluster, but we need to ensure that vigilance remains to monitor and manage such situations as and when they arise. <BR /> <BR />I am concerned at reports that some testing kits produced by Randox do not meet safety standards. I urge the Minister to come forward with information and provide answers on how that affects the North. I sincerely hope that there is no risk to citizens and it does not put anyone off or deter them from being tested. Undoubtedly, testing remains an important part of the public health response, but so does the issue of personal protective equipment (PPE). I also worry that the Randox issue could negatively impact on the capacity for testing that is required, and I would like to hear further information about that.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Examiner of Statutory Rules had not had a chance to report on the regulations prior to the Committee’s consideration, since they had been laid only a few days earlier. The Committee, therefore, agreed to support both statutory regulations, subject to the Examiner’s report. The Examiner has since reported and has raised no issues with the regulations. <BR /> <BR />I want to make a few remarks in my role as Sinn Féin health spokesperson. It is important that we consider the reality that clusters may become all-too-frequent occurrences here. It is vital that testing, contact tracing, self-isolation and supports are in place to meet the needs of those who are tested and test positive. We saw a recent example of that in the Limavady area.”
“We were advised that the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser monitor situations elsewhere and keep regulations under constant review. <BR /> <BR />The CEHO also confirmed that work was under way to restructure the regulations to improve clarity and coherence, given that there have been so many sets of amendments. It is clear that we have moved from a list of reasons to leave home, which has grown so lengthy that it would now make more sense to state what is not permissible. <BR /> <BR />Further to a question on guidance, the CEHO advised that the Department that sponsors a particular change is responsible for producing any guidance required on it.”
“<BR /> <BR />A number of members raised concerns about notice and preparation time for those affected. It was noted, for example, that the amendment that increased from 10 to 30 the maximum number of people who could gather outdoors came into effect on the same evening as the regulations were laid. Members enquired whether advance notice was given to, for example, the PSNI ahead of changes to regulations. The Chief Environmental Health Officer had no knowledge of advance notice being given to enforcement authorities at that time. <BR /> <BR />The Committee again enquired about the scientific evidence underpinning decision-making and noted that a written request for further detail remains pending. Again, assurances were sought in relation to the health and safety of workers in light of the recent outbreaks in Leicester and in Germany.”
“Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá ar leasú uimhir a naoi agus ar leasú uimhir a deich. I will speak about the amendment (No. 9) and amendment (No. 10) regulations, which the Health Committee was briefing about on 9 July. The Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) advised us of the main easements for each, as outlined by the junior Minister this morning, and reminded the Committee of the 21-day period and the process for bringing proposed easements to the Executive for consideration. Once again, the Committee enquired about the commencement dates applying to different easements and was reminded that changes are made as quickly as possible since, under the original regulations, restrictions must be withdrawn as soon as they are considered unnecessary.”
“While I recognise that people out there will be concerned that the motion is somehow tokenistic, it is important that we, at least, start to have that debate and move the practical situation forward. I commend the motion to the House.”
“We cannot overlook the essential need for the core services that have been stopped, including schooling, day care and respite services. Carers have been stressed out for weeks now, as was mentioned by a number of Members. In many cases, they are truly at the end of their tether. We need to reflect on that. I believe that the Minister understands that, and I welcome the moves that he has taken. However, as a matter of urgency, we need to see what practical steps we can take for the rebuilding of services. The Minister has mentioned difficulties with that. We need to engage with those difficulties robustly in order to try to prioritise that. It is one of the key issues that we are looking at now. <BR /> <BR />I commend Members for the debate. It is an important message to send out.”
“Everyone has also acknowledged the impact of loneliness on carers across the board and the further difficulties with that at this time. There are also significant issues around poverty and the impact that being a carer has on career progression. In the longer term, we need to reinforce the rights of carers in legislation. At this time, the only legal right that a carer has is the right to an assessment. They do not even have the right to have any needs identified in that assessment met. At least, it is a start that unmet need is being captured. We also need to look at that issue. <BR /> <BR />Many Members mentioned the need to provide flexibility around direct payments and individual budgets where that suits a particular situation.”
“I also want to address the issue of trusts' responsibility, which is central. In the first instance, they have a responsibility to identify carers. A number of months ago, I did a piece of work with the trusts on their register of carers. It is patchy and incomplete. They understand that they do not know fully who is providing care in the community. The Minister has acknowledged the additional carers who have come forward at this time. That is a significant and welcome piece of work, but there is much more to be done in that respect. We need to find out who out there is providing care and what we need to do to support them. <BR /> <BR />Almost every Member who has spoken in the debate has acknowledged the fact that caring, in itself and before COVID-19, has a huge impact on physical and mental health.”
“As Kellie Armstrong said, if we do not support them and they get burnt out, we are in serious trouble. There is absolutely no question about that. We need to engage with them in a realistic way. I acknowledge the Minister's point that there have been additional difficulties with COVID-19. However, additional opportunities have opened up. Many of us have seen all-party group meetings. I attended one Zoom meeting, in particular, at which there were 80 people. Therefore, other ways of engagement are being opened up that should be explored proactively.”
“Women obviously are the first group that come to mind in relation to that, but I have concerns about carers of children who have had to deal with the issue of their schools being closed and all those additional supports or respite disappearing from them. <BR /> <BR />When I first came into the Assembly, I became Sinn Féin spokesperson for carers and well-being. I asked for that role to be created because I think that there is a wide recognition that, too often, we treat carers as an afterthought in many ways. We cannot see that continue because, as has been acknowledged by the Minister and by other Members who spoke today, there is a huge amount of people who are providing care in our society, and the entire health and social care system relies heavily on the input of those carers.”
“It has left them further isolated and left them with further difficulties in relation to holding down a job and trying to manage their caring role at the same time. That is something that we need to be very conscious of. <BR /> <BR />I would also have been delighted had this motion included an element of financial recognition for the additional costs that carers have had because of PPE and having to pick up extra care. That is something that we need to look at very realistically, and I acknowledge the Minister's remarks about looking at that issue very specifically. It is important that we address that as a priority in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />Members here today also indicated the unfair, if you like, impact of caring on particular groups.”
“I am very pleased to be associated with the motion today. I also acknowledge the work that Chris Lyttle has done in bringing us all together on such an important issue. <BR /> <BR />Members across the board have largely recognised many of the groups who have engaged in the debate outside this Chamber, and families involved, who I did a significant Zoom meeting with a number of weeks ago, have been instrumental, as have a range of other groups. In the run-up to the debate, there was an issue raised in relation to whether or not this would be tokenistic. I recognised that concern from that group of people. <BR /> <BR />We all know that, in the best of times, carers are faced with very difficult situations and that the COVID-19 crisis has indeed accelerated many of those issues.”
“Is it still the Minister's view that the general public wants to see the Assembly and its political leaders continue to work together to tackle COVID-19 and to steer the much-needed economic recovery?”
“The Committee has not had a chance to consider the Examiner’s report, but I hope that this information assists Members today in coming to a conclusion.”
“8) regulations prior to the Committee’s consideration, since they had been laid only a few days earlier. The Committee therefore agreed to support both statutory rules, subject to the Examiner’s report. The Examiner reported on Friday and highlighted an issue for clarification in amendment (No. 8) around reference to places of worship being able to open for purposes including "bible readings" and whether it was intended that the regulations should facilitate all faith communities in holding services involving readings from other sacred texts. Her report advises that the Department of Health has indicated that the regulations do not fully reflect its policy intent and that it will bring a corrective amendment shortly. I hope that the junior Minister will provide an assurance on that point in his winding remarks.”
“8), Members reflected their ongoing desire to have a better sense of the scientific evidence informing decisions. The Committee awaits a reply to correspondence sent to the Department on the matter, and the view was expressed that the Committee should be provided with relevant evidence assessing the safety of the easements before being asked to give support to relevant regulations. <BR /> <BR />The Committee returned to the issue of enforcement raised in relation to previous amendments and was advised that the regulations had now been amended in such a way as not to require an amendment to the enforcement provisions on each occasion. <BR /> <BR />Such is the pace with which changes are being made and considered in the Chamber that the Examiner of Statutory Rules had not had a chance to report on the amendment (No.”
“Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá le leasuithe a seacht agus a hocht. I wish to update the House on the Health Committee’s consideration of the latest amendments to the regulations. <BR /> <BR />Once again, I acknowledge the enormous work being done by all those working to protect public health and manage the ongoing risks and challenges presented by the pandemic. It is clear from a range of sources that continued vigilance is essential. The Committee was briefed on amendment (No. 7) and amendment (No. 8) last Tuesday, 30 June. The Chief Environmental Health Officer advised of the main easements for each, as outlined by the junior Minister. In relation to small groups being able to meet indoors under amendment (No. 7) and the broader suite of easements provided for by amendment (No.”
“I would also like to welcome the appointment of Margaret Kelly to this important role. I have worked with Margaret on a number of issues in relation to her work on the all-party groups, and also in her role in Mencap. Her insights into the difficulties faced by carers and families, struggling with very difficult situations, will be of great value to her in the role. That perspective will be something that the ombudsman will benefit from. <BR /> <BR />I would also like to wish Marie Anderson, who I worked with on a number of issues, well in her future, and acknowledge that she made the ombudsman more accessible to families and people badly in need of representation. There is a major issue with the health and social care complaint systems, and I think that the Public Services Ombudsman could have a key role in the time ahead.”
“The concern is not regarding the health protection amendments. <BR /> <BR />There have also been concerns raised regarding the policing of the protest, and Sinn Féin will scrutinise and hold the PSNI to account, as always, via the Policing Board. I am also aware that the Police Ombudsman has launched a review into that. We support the regulations.”
“5) to regulation 6A was introduced through a technical amendment on 5 June, which was the night before the Black Lives Matter protests in Derry and Belfast. We need to clarify why that approach was taken, and the concern has been justifiably raised by the Committee on the Administration of Justice and Amnesty International. As Chair, I raised those concerns at the Committee for Health and we wrote to the Department of Justice regarding those. We also forwarded the letter that we received from CAJ to the Justice Minister. However, I want to be clear that the concerns raised relate to the mechanism used — the technical amendment — and the timing of that on the night before the protest, which introduced a breach of regulation 6A as an offence within a number of hours and gave people very little notice of when that would come into play.”
“The Committee has written to the Department to urge that consideration be given to that, and to the matter of facilitating safe visiting at care homes. We heard from the Minister today and he has indicated to us that that, hopefully, is an area that will be progressed, and we welcome that. <BR /> <BR />Finally, as a Committee, we explored the potential to reinstate the restrictions that are being relaxed, should that prove necessary. We were advised that although there would not be a technical issue in doing so, the Department was very much aware of the challenge in asking the public to once again accept restrictions. The Committee agreed to support the statutory rule. <BR /> <BR />I will make a couple of brief marks in my role as Sinn Féin spokesperson for health. We have concerns with how amendment (No.”
“It is fair to say that there remains a degree of concern around the potential impact of easing restrictions and the safeguards for those at greatest risk as lockdown eases. Reference was made to the Chief Scientific Adviser's comment that he is worried about the low numbers of people in shops etc who are wearing face coverings. <BR /> <BR />With regard to potential gaps to the amendments, the Committee is also aware of the significant issue of partners not being able to accompany women to antenatal appointments and into delivery and maternity wards. That has had a particular impact on women with health conditions, and there are important opportunities for bonding and attachment at those key moments of life. Members were advised that the matter was under consideration and that it would not require a legislative amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />The CEHO also confirmed that the guidance in question is non-binding, although open to legal challenge if felt to be incorrect. Members enquired about the speed with which revised guidance is made available to councils and were informed that it is available quickly on the Department's website and sent immediately to councils' heads of service for environmental health. The CEHO also referred to previous Committee requests and confirmed that the guidance is now available in several languages. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has written to the Department to seek further information on the scientific evidence on which the sets of amendments and other decisions are being based and on the type of data-sharing that is informing decisions in border areas.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members highlighted some apparent disparities emerging in the opening of certain types of businesses before others. The CEHO acknowledged that, given the current pace of change and the role of individual Departments in bringing forward proposals for easements, there is a need to address some inconsistencies, and he advised that work is ongoing to do so. <BR /> <BR />Members enquired about when addiction supports such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Gamblers Anonymous meetings could resume. They were advised that consideration was being given to whether such meetings fall within an existing category of easement. Further questions were asked about the safe operation of caravan parks and restaurants, and the Committee heard that the Department for the Economy is to produce further guidance for the hospitality sector.”
“There was further acknowledgement of the fact that COVID-19 has negatively impacted on BAME communities. <BR /> <BR />The Committee agreed to support the regulations, but, given the concerns outlined, we also agreed to write to the Justice Committee and to forward to it the briefing paper received from the CAJ and Amnesty International. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was briefed on the amendment (No. 6) regulations on 25 June, and again, the CEHO outlined the main changes described earlier by the junior Minister. Having enquired about the impact of easements on the transmission rate — or R number — or other relevant metrics, the Committee was assured that there is an ongoing downward trend across the various figures measured. We welcome that.”
“He advised that the purpose of easements was to facilitate small groups of friends and family to gather outside and was not intended to cover large groups. <BR /> <BR />Members enquired about public understanding of the regulations, since they stipulate what is permissible. The CEHO acknowledged that, in amending the original restrictions on activity by allowing further reasonable excuses to leave home, the structure is now becoming unwieldy and may need to be reconsidered. <BR /> <BR />Members discussed at some length how best to address their concerns. They recognised the distinction between the legitimate cause of the protest and the potential public health and enforcement issues arising from the way in which it was organised and policed.”
“The briefing argued that an inconsistent approach was taken by the PSNI to issuing fines for participation in different protests in the days after the regulations came into effect. Particular concerns were expressed about penalties issued at Black Lives Matter protests. The CEHO said that the timing of the enforcement provisions coming into effect the day before the protests was coincidental but acknowledged that, with hindsight, it would have been better to bring the correction into effect the following week. He stated that he could not respond to concerns around operational elements of police activity. The Committee also asked the CEHO about the distinction between a socially distanced protest and queues such as those that we have all seen outside large retailers.”
“The Chief Environmental Health Officer advised that an omission in the enforcement provisions of a previous set of regulations — the amendment (No. 3) regulations — was noticed only when finalising the enforcement provisions for the amendment (No. 5) regulations. He said that the opportunity was taken to correct the omission as quickly as possible. Asked about the urgency, given the lapse of time since the original error, the CEHO explained that the PSNI already assumed that the missing enforcement provisions were in place, as no one was aware of the omission. <BR /> <BR />Concerns about the application of the enforcement provisions had been raised in a briefing to the Committee by the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) and Amnesty International.”
“<BR /> <BR />It was noted that all the related regulations have come via the urgent procedure under which they come into effect but that they must be confirmed by the Assembly within 28 days. Although doing that is to miss out the important SL1 stage, and the opportunity to influence policy that that provides, in urgent circumstances, it should allow the Committee to be briefed and for it to look at the regulations' initial effect before coming to a view. <BR /> <BR />The Committee asked a series of questions about the laying of the amendment (No. 5) regulations and their staggered commencement that resulted in enforcement provisions coming into effect on the day on which they were laid, whereas other provisions came into effect two days later.”
“I will update the House on the Health Committee’s consideration of the statutory rules. The Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) briefed the Health Committee on the amendment (No. 5) regulations on 18 June. He reminded the Committee of the rolling requirement to review the regulations every 21 days and the requirement that restrictions be lifted as soon as they are not considered necessary, given the impact on many aspects of citizens’ lives. He also reminded Committee members of the process by which relaxations are developed by Departments, brought to the Executive, risk-assessed, and considered by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) before a decision is taken.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle, agus tá fáilte romhat ar ais. You are very welcome back, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the Department of Health will receive a degree of support for which other Departments would, no doubt, be glad. However, just £14 million has been allocated of the £69 million that was estimated for New Decade, New Approach commitments on transformation. How do the Executive plan to address that shortfall and the shortfall for surge planning, given the financial pressures on the Budget?”
“I acknowledge the very personal experiences of addiction that were shared in the House today. Dual addictions and dual diagnoses are well recognised as some of the most difficult areas to get help and support into, and, again, that is where we need to put our resources. <BR /> <BR />I commend the motion and the amendments, and I once again thank everyone for tabling them today.”