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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“In my area, the Niamh Louise Foundation and a lot of the GAA and other sporting bodies formed pop-up COVID groups overnight and provided food and support to their local area. That was all very welcome. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the contribution on the community and voluntary sector, but I must say that I am slightly disappointed that we do not see more of those community and voluntary voices on the management board. I am hopeful that a way will be found to include a wider range of voices in that conversation. In rebuilding or, indeed, building new services, it is vital that we get as broad a range of perspectives as possible. <BR /> <BR />The other matter that I think we heard about — this is a theme that we have dealt with on the Health Committee — was addictions.”
“From my experience of working as a social worker on a crisis response team, I can confirm that early intervention is just as important for mental health as it is for physical health. That is the case not only for the outcomes for the individual concerned but for the complexity of treatment that is required and in how chronic the condition can be. If we could start to move resources into earlier intervention, we will, over a period of time, see significant improvements. <BR /> <BR />There has, rightly, been a huge acknowledgement in the Chamber for the community groups that have helped in this emergency crisis and that have stepped up and filled some of the statutory service roles or roles that, in the new reality that we face, were absent for a period of time.”
“One of the issues for one of the all-party groups that I attend is loneliness. It was touched on today, and it is appropriate that it was. Loneliness is recognised more and more as potentially being as damaging for physical health as it is for mental health, and it therefore ends up putting a strain on not only mental health services but physical health services. It is important that we start to look at strategies across a range of sectors for dealing with loneliness in not only older people but younger people, who we have significant concerns about in regard to mental health and loneliness. We also need to look at how we can reach into rural communities to provide ways to support them on an ongoing basis. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the Minister's mention of early intervention.”
“We should give carers some consideration in the time ahead. <BR /> <BR />I also acknowledge the Minister's commitment to mental health in his statements and actions to date. He is committed to working with everyone. I acknowledge the importance given by the House to making mental health a cross-cutting measure and something that we need to get right if we want to improve our poor mental health statistics. As has been mentioned, our well-being, prosperity and economic growth all depend on us getting this part of the equation right. It is good that we have a collective will on mental health issues.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle Sealadach, agus comhghairdeas leat. Congratulations on your promotion to Temporary Speaker. I also welcome the motion today. It is a fantastic motion. I acknowledge the work of the proposer and the Members who put down amendments, and their work, individually and together, to bring the motion to the House. <BR /> <BR />A lot of ground has been covered, and I do not propose to go over it again at this time of the evening. There are a couple of issues that I will pick up on. First, the issue of carers and the additional burden that they have had placed on them throughout this very difficult time. It is an area that is often considered last, and support for that hard-pressed group is often not mobilised quickly enough, which can have a huge impact on their mental health.”
“Given the quite unprecedented nature of the en masse resignation of the board, does the Minister accept that the Department's actions have called into question the independence of RQIA?”
“I welcome the fact that agency workers get statutory sick pay and the initiative taken by the Minister for Communities to improve their situation. However, the Minister will be aware, as is everyone in this House, of the unprecedented commitment shown by key workers at this time. Yet, after 12 weeks, those agency workers still do not qualify for maternity pay, paternity pay, lay-off or redundancy. Does the Minister believe that those workers are entitled to the same rights as every other worker?”
“Can I just point out that, as I said in my remarks, the Committee did not oppose the LCM. We pointed to the fact, and acknowledged, that the Department is under pressure. Will you acknowledge that the Department could have laid this LCM with our Committee at an earlier stage and allowed us to give it better consideration?”
“I understand that the Minister and, perhaps, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs had requested that the Department of Health in Westminster amended the Bill, at source, thereby potentially obliterating the necessity for an LCM. Can the Minister shed any light on why the Department in Westminster was not minded to adopt that route?”
“<BR /> <BR />We are now caught in a perfect storm as we find ourselves heading into the worst recession in generations. After 10 years of Tory austerity, which has ravaged our public services, we are also faced with the catastrophic disruption of Brexit. Tá seo go dona dár ngeilleagar, dár gcóras sláinte, agus dár bpobal. That is bad for our economy, our health service and our people.”
“<BR /> <BR />We know that Brexit, and particularly a crash-out Brexit, and a failure rate means that the protocol will cause widespread disruption to our economy, as our manufacturing base, agriculture, agri-food sectors and all other sectors of our economy could potentially lose access to a market of tens of millions of customers. That will inevitably have an impact on our health service, and that is also a huge concern. <BR /> <BR />There is no certainty on anything at this point because there is no certainty that the Tory Government in England will even agree to the very agreement that they made with the European Union. That is the ludicrous situation that we find ourselves trapped in despite the fact that we voted no. In other words, we do not know at this stage if the protocol will even be implemented.”
“Some 56% of people across our constituencies voted to remain in the European Union. It is that majority that we are all tasked to represent. As we stumble through the so-called transition period, it becomes clearer that a potential catastrophic crash out from the European Union could lie ahead. What that will mean for our economy is anyone's guess, but we can be certain that there will be few positives for any of us, as the most optimistic forecast is that the already faltering economy of the North could shrink, or will shrink, by a further 3% to 8%.”
“<BR /> <BR />I would now like to make a few remarks in my capacity as Sinn Féin's spokesperson for health. The widespread uncertainty caused by Brexit is being felt across all aspects of our lives, creating worry about our livelihoods, our health, our education and our futures. The Brexit catastrophe has been foisted upon this society by the worst instincts of extreme British nationalism and inward-looking exclusionary doctrine that threatens our very way of life here in the North. Ní sinne atá ann. Níor chaith pobal an Tuaiscirt vóta ar son Brimeachta. That is not who we are. The people of the North did not vote for Brexit. <BR /> <BR />Chaith 56% den phobal inár dtoghcheantair vóta le fanacht mar chuid den Aontas Eorpach, agus is sinne a chaithfidh troid ar a son.”
“The Committee was advised by the Department, however, that the House of Commons could schedule report stage as early as 18 June, and that, therefore, debate on the LCM in the Assembly would be scheduled for today. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has sought to be as cooperative as possible, but it did not have the opportunity to consider taking evidence from stakeholders due to time constraints and the focus on COVID-19. <BR /> <BR />In view of the lack of detailed prior engagement on the content of the LCM, the short time frame available for scrutiny of the LCM once laid and the importance of the issues connected to the Bill, the Committee decided that it was not in a position to come to a decision on support for the motion. Nevertheless, I trust that the issues raised and the report produced will aid Members in their consideration today.”
“<BR /> <BR />Tá na hoifigigh le pilleadh ar an Choiste amach anseo le huasdáta faoin phrótacal a thabhairt. Officials have undertaken to return to the Committee in due course to provide an update on the implementation of the protocol. <BR /> <BR />Before closing as Committee Chair, I would like to address the issue of timing. The Health Committee fully acknowledges that the Department of Health has been under tremendous pressure to deal with COVID-19. However, limited early engagement and the late laying of the LCM have necessarily had an impact on the Committee’s opportunity for scrutiny. <BR /> <BR />The Committee’s deadline to report under Standing Order 42A was 17 June, and today’s debate should have been scheduled to take place at least five working days after that.”
“The Committee enquired whether a detailed list could be provided setting out the limits of devolved authority to legislate in respect of the protocol and British Government powers. Officials advised that that is a complicated field and that a comprehensive list could not yet be provided but that officials are working through the issues. Officials confirmed, however, that all areas of the Bill address matters that have been within the EU’s remit to date. <BR /> <BR />The chief pharmaceutical officer has confirmed that the implementation of the protocol would have implications for human medicines, but while that work is ongoing, it is separate from the Bill, insofar as the Bill provides replacement delegated powers to continue amending human medicines regulations in line with current practice.”
“They also advised that work was ongoing between the Department of Health, the British Department of Health and Social Care and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to reduce that risk. <BR /> <BR />By way of example, the North will be required to comply with EU standards on falsified medications, whereas Britain would be free to diverge. In relation to clinical trials, officials stated that the MHRA would continue to manage that area and that there is an aspiration to maintain a close link with the EU, although discussions are still at an early stage. <BR /> <BR />Officials confirmed that issues around the supply of and access to medicines were being addressed as part of preparatory work ahead of implementing the protocol.”
“We also discussed North/South and east-west cooperation and regulatory alignment, and the divisions of powers to be exercised in Britain and in the North. Officials confirmed that the delegated powers were needed because human medicine regulations were updated regularly — usually twice yearly — and that such updates directly affect prescribing practices. <BR /> <BR />Members inquired about the impact of Brexit in relation to this legislation. Officials confirmed that the area of human medicines is included in the protocol as an area of EU legislation, in respect of which the North will continue to apply certain EU standards. When asked about the potential divergence on a North/South basis, officials stated that there was a greater risk of divergence between the North and Britain.”
“Members were assured that, on that basis, the regulations that were to be made under the provisions requiring consent will come back to the Committee for consideration in the usual way, and will be subject to the draft affirmative procedure, as outlined by the Minister. <BR /> <BR />The Committee's attention was drawn to clause 40, which requires consultation prior to the exercise of powers with regard to human and veterinary medicines, except in emergencies, as referenced under clause 6. <BR /> <BR />The Committee discussed with the officials the scope of the delegated powers, the impact of the EU exit and the protocol on Ireland — North and South — on the matters covered by the Bill; for example, our participation in the North in EU-wide clinical trials.”
“The memorandum was laid on 27 May and departmental officials briefed the Committee on 4 June 2020. On 2 June the Committee invited the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to submit its views about part 2 of the Bill on veterinary medicines. <BR /> <BR />Department of Health officials briefed the Committee for Health on the background to the Bill and on the nature of the powers that are to be provided to the Department under Part 1 on human medicines. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister outlined, and as his officials have advised the Committee, the relevant provisions were essentially of an enabling nature to provide replacement powers to make delegated legislation once section 2 (2) of the European Communities Act 1972 is repealed at the end of December.”
“Ba mhaith liom caint anois ar thuairisc an Choiste Slainte agus tuairimí an Choiste a roinnt libh. I will speak to the Committee's report and summarise the Committee for Health's considerations of this matter. Ar dtús báire, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Choiste Talmhaíochta, Timpeallachta agus Forbartha Tuaithe as a mhachnamh gasta agus as an mhéid a chuir siad leis an tuairisc. I thank the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for its prompt consideration of and contribution to the report. I will leave it to my colleague, the Chair of that Committee, to address the issues around veterinary medicines. <BR /> <BR />The Minister of Health wrote to the Committee for Health on 1 April and advised of the need for the legislative consent motion.”
“I have found the Member's contribution confusing. He started by seemingly criticising some elements of the regulations that have impacted on civil liberties and people's movement and then proceeded to talk about the need for caution. I find it extremely difficult. Does the Member agree that not only do the Executive need to communicate clearly but the House needs to set an example and to communicate clearly to people out there and to not create confusion by dissecting individual elements of the regulations?”
“As we cautiously emerge from lockdown, we must all understand that we are all responsible for the safety of our families, friends and neighbours.”
“Advice from institutions such as the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is that, as we relax COVID restrictions, we must ensure that the infrastructure is in place to detect and react quickly to any outbreak or surges that we might see in the future. Evidence from countries such as New Zealand, Germany and South Korea is that extensive case detection, testing, contact tracing and isolating have allowed those places to restart their economies safely and effectively. <BR /> <BR />Ní thig linn talamh slán a dhéanamh den dul chun cinn, ach is trínár ngníomhartha go dtí seo a thig linn cuid de na srianta a mhaolú. We are not out of the woods yet, but, thankfully, through our actions to date, we have reached a point where some easement of restrictions is possible.”
“I too recognise that that has had a toll in terms of mental health and in terms of people going about their normal life. <BR /> <BR />If we are to ease COVID restrictions, the importance of continuing with these measures must be communicated through public health messaging and become common practice in our everyday lives for the foreseeable future. We must be assured that the Department of Health and all relevant public bodies have put in place extensive and sustainable programmes of isolating, testing and contact tracing so that we can suppress the COVID-19 virus to the maximum degree possible.”
“Mar Chathaoirleach an Choiste Sláinte agus mar urlabhraí sláinte Shinn Féin, cuirim fáilte roimh na srianta COVID-19 a mhaolú mar. Caithfidh na srianta a bheith ag teacht le leas an phobail agus leis an chomhairle eolaíochta. As both Chair of the Health Committee and Sinn Féin spokesperson for health, I welcome the incremental easing of the restrictions. However, as previously mentioned, it must be done only in accordance with health and scientific guidance. A safe and gradual exit from the lockdown is possible, but we all have a responsibility for making that happen. Our citizens have played a significant role in containing the COVID-19 virus. Since March, we as a society have done well in observing the rules on hand hygiene, safe distancing and other public health measures taken to stop the spread of the virus.”
“However, the Committee was advised that anyone planning to stage a drive-in event was legally obliged to ensure compliance with the regulations and must detail how they planned to do so. <BR /> <BR />In closing as Health Committee Chairperson, I will say that, while the Committee supports this easement, the concern was expressed that some might view the relaxation of restrictions as the end of the pandemic. I acknowledge the remarks from the previous two Members in relation to that. The Committee recognises the ongoing danger of the current situation and the risk of complacency, and we urge people to keep to the rules and to continue to maintain social distancing. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal eile a rá anois mar urlabhraí sláinte Shinn Féin. I will say a few words now as Sinn Féin health spokesperson.”
“<BR /> <BR />I dtaobh seirbhísí tiomána isteach agus léirithe de, dúradh leis an Choiste má bhíonn na háiseanna agus an spás ann le hócáid a óstáil go ligfear di tarlú. In relation to drive-in services and performances, the Committee was informed that, if organisers had the facilities to accommodate such an event, it would be permitted. With regard to the staging of drive-in live music in particular, Members expressed the concern that those attending might be tempted to exit their vehicles to join in. In response, the chief environmental officer advised the Committee that it was up to the organiser to ensure that people stayed in their cars during the event and that they were from the same household, although he accepted that there were practical issues with how an organiser might do that.”
“Chuir an príomh-oifigeach timpeallachta an Coiste Sláinte ar an eolas faoin rialachán reachtúil ar 28 Bealtaine, agus d’aontaigh an Coiste na srianta. The Health Committee was briefed on the statutory rule by the chief environmental officer on 28 May and agreed that it was content with the regulations. The statutory rule allows for the staging of drive-in cinema screenings and live music or theatre performances. The Committee considered the statutory rule alongside other regulations providing for easements to restrictions. As I have previously informed Members, the Committee raised several issues with the Department during its consideration. They included the evidence and tracking in the decision-making process behind the various easements and the strategies for engagement with harder-to-reach communities.”
“— that the cold winds of change continue to blow along the corridors of male power and privilege. <BR /> <BR />So, my question is: do the Executive intend to review the remit of the future Attorney General given that it is a decade since the original Attorney General was appointed?”
“If I may, I would like to say that I hope that Ms King does not experience a frosty reception as she must have done when she completed her work in the Arctic Circle. I also hope —”
“I welcome the fact that the recruitment process to replace the outgoing Attorney General will be through open competition, as is appropriate. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom fáilte mhór a chur roimh Brenda King. I sincerely welcome Brenda King as a interim Attorney General. She serves the Executive as chief legislative adviser, and has done for the past decade. She is an experienced and respected lawyer, including as a former president of the Commonwealth Association of Legislative Counsel. It is very welcome to increasingly see more women occupying positions at the highest levels of public life, alongside yourself, First Minister, and Michelle O'Neill, as joint heads of Government.”
“What plans are in place so that we rebuild in a way that addresses and tackles existing health inequalities?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber to make this important statement. I wish to acknowledge every one of those 537 individual tragedies, as well as the huge amount of work that has been done across the Department in the response. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the part of the Minister's statement indicating that the approach will be one of innovation, transformation and, most importantly, collaboration. Given that the Minister has established a new management board for rebuilding health and social care services that will give clear direction to the Health and Social Care Board, the PHA and the trusts, will he chair the management board to ensure that rebuilding is a priority? How often will the board meet formally?”
“However, Sinn Féin does not support CEDAW's recommendations to provide abortion in the case of severe foetal impairment such as Down's syndrome. Our amendment welcomes the important intervention by disability campaigner Heidi Crowter, who has been referred to today, and rejects the specific legislative provision in the abortion legislation that goes beyond fatal foetal abnormalities to include non-fatal disabilities such as Down's syndrome. I support the amendment.”
“We support the joint Oireachtas Committee finding that it is not possible to legislate for abortion in the case of rape in a compassionate way. That is reflected in 'A new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland', which says:”
“<BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin's preference was for the Assembly to introduce legislation on safe and compassionate abortion services for the North of Ireland, so that women on the entire island will have the services that they deserve. In the South, legislation was developed following detailed consideration and discussion via a citizens assembly, and was strongly ratified by those living in the 26 counties via a referendum. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin believes that abortion should be available where a woman's life, health or mental health is at risk, in cases of fatal foetal abnormality and in cases of rape or sexual abuse. Sinn Féin believes that abortion without specific indication should be available through a GP-led service in a clinical context as determined by law and licensing practice for a limited gestational period.”
“We cannot leave women to deal with these situations without support and appropriate healthcare; nor can we continue to turn a blind eye to the plight of those who are struggling with issues arising from rape and fatal foetal abnormality. <BR /> <BR />There are no perfect or easy solutions here. However, as legislators, we must do our utmost to address these issues as best we can. The Health Committee has written to the Minister of Health to urge him to provide appropriate abortion services for women, particularly in the light of the additional complications that have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, he has a duty to ensure that services are provided in a safe and accessible way.”
“Let me start by stating that I am opposed to this motion. It clearly aims to rollback elements of the progress on rights and access to appropriate medical care for women in our society, who should be treated with respect and compassion. I wish to speak in support of the amendment. <BR /> <BR />Abortion is a sensitive and emotive issue for many people, but change is clearly needed. Before being repealed on 22 October, women who found themselves in the difficult position of seeking an abortion were criminalised under section 58 and 59 of Westminster's Offences Against the Person Act. In order to access abortion services, women had to either travel overseas, which delayed the termination and added expense and stress, or purchase abortion pills without proper medical advice and supervision.”
“I plead with the public to be aware that these measures are being taken in a very gradual and phased way, in order to test the water to see what is happening. Please do not take them as a signal to go back to the old ways. The measures that are keeping this under control are social distancing and the lockdown. We need to maintain all those elements to ensure the safety of our people.”
“We need passenger health locator forms to be able to track and trace them on their journey here, and we need good information and good systems at the airports. We also need good data collection to identify where any hotspots are arising. <BR /> <BR />I encourage the Executive and the Department to continue their engagement and to continue to watch carefully what happens over this time.”
“If it is only after two or three weeks that we can see how each measure translate, the Department will need to be very reactive in saying when something is creating a difficulty or is a potential problem. <BR /> <BR />Another issue that we need to be very cognisant of at present is travel to the island of Ireland. It is widely recognised and accepted, I think, as a fact that Ireland is a single epidemiological unit. We need to guard against transmission in communities across borders, where transmission is suppressed on one side but continues to rise on the other and we see cross-infection, in that sense. For people coming on to the island, we need robust measures in place to identify where they are isolating.”
“Given the fast-moving nature of how many of the restrictions are being eased, there is a risk that communities with additional language difficulties will struggle to follow the changes and will be guided by what they see on the streets. That could be harmful to them and damaging in its promotion of a further spread of the disease. Those communities also need additional support to isolate. Often, they live in multiple-occupancy housing and work in shift patterns in settings that are quite congregated. We need to be careful. There is a responsibility on the Department of Health to ensure that the testing and tracing system works and is sufficiently robust to spot any increase. <BR /> <BR />The cumulative nature of some of the changes will provide an additional challenge to the Department of Health.”
“I would like to say a few more words in my role as Sinn Féin health spokesperson. I agree with all the remarks that we have heard. We have all seen the uplift in activity and the decrease in social distancing across all age groups and in a range of settings. There are particular concerns. The key element is that the testing and tracing system that is put in place needs to be robust enough to pick up on any increase in community transmission. It also needs to be able to identify the location of that increase, whether geographically or by social group. Then, it must be able to respond in a way that avoids another total lockdown but provides targeted advice to isolate. <BR /> <BR />My concern about the harder-to-reach communities remains.”
“We were advised that, to promote a consistent approach, a subgroup of Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) and environmental health officers had produced internal guidance for enforcement officers and was sharing experience of recent queries. <BR /> <BR />In closing my remarks on behalf of the Health Committee, I will say that, while the Committee supports these small steps towards easing restrictions, members expressed concerns about more people on the streets and groups socialising without necessarily observing social distancing. The Committee recognises the ongoing danger of the current situation and the risk of complacency. We urge people to keep to the rules and to maintain social distancing. <BR /> <BR />Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal eile a rá.”
“<BR /> <BR />We also asked about the definition of "outdoor activity" currently permitted. The Chief Environmental Officer advised that any attempt to list activities could be counterproductive, as there would always be activities not on the list that were equally safe. We understand that the key element of this is avoiding shared contact with hard surfaces but that guidance might be developed and put on nidirect. <BR /> <BR />Members also enquired about enforcement and were advised that, largely, the PSNI is looking after public gatherings while councils are now an additional enforcement body and are likely to lead on engagement with business.”
“The Department then produces a paper advising the Executive of its view on whether the change can be made. We were also advised that, typically, there is a three-week period before the impact of changes to restrictions can be seen. <BR /> <BR />The second issue raised was the strategies to engage with harder-to-reach communities, such as those whose first language is not English or those with communication difficulties. We were informed that each Department is responsible for stakeholder engagement in its field of responsibility. The Committee has raised the point on a number of occasions, and there may be more to do in that regard to ensure, for example, that some of our large migrant communities are fully informed of the up-to-date rules and requirements to keep them and their families safe.”
“The Health Committee was briefed on the two statutory rules by the Chief Environmental Officer on 28 May. The Committee agreed that it was content for the small easements to restrictions to be made, but a number of issues were raised. <BR /> <BR />The first was about the evidence and tracking that go into decision making about when we ease restrictions. We are advised that a process has been agreed across the Executive and that Departments proposing a change are required to fill in a template setting out a rationale, provide any evidence available and complete a risk matrix. It was explained that, once that is received, the Department of Health scrutinises it from the point of view of public health, drawing on the expertise of the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Adviser.”
“We need to start to work together to see how we make and create a better normal. I support the motion and reiterate our support for the amendment.”
“That is about structural oppression and disadvantage in the system, and we need to tackle that to ensure that we have a better way of going forward. <BR /> <BR />We have heard a lot of talk recently about returning to normality or about the new normal.”