Harry Harvey
Strangford · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Thank you for your statement, Minister. I am pleased to see the non-domestic rates element of the review, which we have called for as a party, progressing.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. You highlighted the Change Maker funding programme and support for 65 grassroots organisations. I am sure that you will agree that it is vital that the benefit of schemes is seen at a grassroots community level.”
“Minister, the thrust of graduated driver licensing is to provide new and learner drivers and riders with better experiences and skills over time, doing so in low-risk environments. There was much consternation across the House and in Committee around the way in which the Minister first announced that plan.”
“<BR /> <BR />Further clarity will be required from the Minister and her officials on a number of proposals, particularly in relation to how the learner logbook will operate and how verification by a qualified driver will be policed in practice to ensure that there is limited opportunity for the abuse of that new element.”
“It is no secret that the cohort of 17- to 25-year-olds proportionately remains the age group with the highest involvement in serious injury collisions on our roads. It is against that backdrop that many of the changes that have been emphasised are to be welcomed as the Department seeks to increase safety on our roads.”
“<BR /> <BR />Minister, if you get a chance, I want you to tell us a wee bit more about the removal of the 45 mph speed limit. Maybe we could have a conversation about it at a later stage.”
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“I thank the Member for her comments. I appreciate her making them in an intervention. <BR /> <BR />There is considerable evidence underpinning the Audit Office concerns that current workforce management is not sufficiently underpinned by evidence. The Comptroller and Auditor General noted recently that, in the absence of a robust, data-driven workforce plan that aligned business priorities with required roles, skills and existing talent, the Civil Service could not reliably identify genuine skill surpluses or deficits across the organisation. If we do not know what we have or what we need, it is little wonder that the Civil Service requires transformation. <BR /> <BR />Take the issue of reliance on agency work. The number of agency workers operating across the Civil Service doubled between 2019 and 2025.”
“As expenditure on the front-line delivery of health and education continues to grow exponentially, now is the time to tackle duplication, bureaucracy for bureaucracy's sake and general inefficiency across the sector and in its administrative functions in particular. Numerous reports by the Audit Office and others have identified a myriad of issues and listed many recommendations on the subject of Civil Service reform. The actions required could be broadly characterised as being in two principal areas: the need for evidence-led workforce management in the first instance and the robust performance management of that workforce in the second.”
“Households the length and breadth of Northern Ireland are increasingly looking at their own finances in light of the global context and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Against such a backdrop, it is all the more important that this place not only recognises the need to drive efficiency and tackle wasteful spending but moves to do something about it. In speaking to the issue, I will home in on what is, for me, the fundamental in the motion: Civil Service and wider public-sector spend. That is where, I believe, the greatest impact can be made and where the Finance Minister has sufficient vires to make a positive impact. The present situation is unsustainable, and recent efforts towards reform have, thus far, been paltry in effecting meaningful change.”
“Minister, information surrounding the 300 potential jobs lost at Cantor Fitzgerald has had to be dragged from your Department bit by bit. The latest FOIs released to Mr Buckley are heavily redacted. Will you commit to publishing all information to ensure full transparency?”
“Minister, how quickly can the public expect that support to reach them?”
“Minister, as you move to increase digitisation of public services in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, what are you doing to ensure that public services and data belonging to members of the public in these systems are protected against cyberattack?”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also want to express sincere gratitude to the organisers — the labyrinth collective, to the midwives and healthcare professionals who support bereaved families, and to the security and events teams here at Stormont, whose kindness and care were exemplary. <BR /> <BR />The event was not a therapeutic intervention, nor did it claim to be.”
“The scarf labyrinth, formed from scarves donated by people across our community, held the space together with extraordinary care. Every scarf represented love, solidarity and the simple truth that no family should walk this path alone. <BR /> <BR />I want to acknowledge the women and families who walked the labyrinth on Saturday. Their courage, their gentleness and their love for their children and grandchildren was unmistakable. In a world that can feel divided and unsettled, what we witnessed was the opposite: compassion, patience and a deep humanity that speaks louder than any headline.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I want to take a moment to reflect on a deeply meaningful event, which was held in the Great Hall, here, at Stormont, the Forget-me-not Mother's Day labyrinth, created to honour families affected by baby and child loss. <BR /> <BR />The labyrinth is a gentle symbolic walking practice used across the world in civic and sacred spaces. On Saturday, this place became a place of reflection, remembrance and connection for mothers and grandmothers whose hearts carry an unimaginable weight. It offered dignity, visibility and compassion to those who often grieve in silence, and it reminded all of us of the importance of the sensitive support pathways and compassionate policy for those navigating such profound loss. What made that event especially moving was the tenderness that surrounded it.”
“Does the Minister agree that Sinn Féin's boycotting Washington DC is a dereliction of its duty to stand up and speak up for Northern Ireland?”
“I welcome the Minister's statement. Minister, what comparisons were made with other jurisdictions? I know that you mentioned that areas will have to reapply, but I just mean in general. Is the scheme open to all areas, all towns and all cities?”
“An unregulated sector is facilitating an unjust financial impact on all our constituents. Alongside regulation, I call on the Minister to explore the potential for local oil reserves to be used in such circumstances to head off short-term price hikes due to global events. <BR /> <BR />I am proud that, when our elderly and vulnerable needed support last year, Gordon Lyons stepped in to plug the gap left by Keir Starmer's decision to scrap the winter fuel payment. Once again, the Assembly must act to protect our people and uphold a fair and competitive market.”
“However, when global energy uncertainty comes to the fore, as it has not only in recent days but in the past, we see what appear to be sickening levels of profiteering by wholesalers. When international markets show the price of crude oil rising by 11%, local rises of 50% and 60% are unjustifiable. It is incumbent upon the House not merely to call that apparent racket out but to take action to stop it and protect our customers. That is why I echo the call made by Gavin Robinson last week for the Economy Minister to take steps to ensure that this is the last time that we allow local consumers to be left at the mercy of oil giants. <BR /> <BR />With 70% of Northern Ireland households relying on home heating oil, which is significantly above the UK average, the issue requires the Minister's full and urgent attention.”
“I highlight the real pressure being faced by households up and down the country as a result of the spike in home heating oil prices. Many people have contacted me, understandably concerned about current global events and their impact on already tight household finances. Regrettably, many local distributors have borne the brunt of public frustration, when, in reality, our focus should be on the wholesalers who serve the Northern Ireland market who have made the decision to hike prices to such obscene levels. <BR /> <BR />We all benefit from a competitive oil market. Having a healthy number of local suppliers across the country works to local consumers' advantage by ensuring value for money.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. The matter appears to affect our rural areas and our farmers most, so will the Minister have a conversation about it with the AERA Minister?”
“Minister, how does this compare with what is being done in other leading countries?”
“As with HIA and truth recovery, it is vital that victims and survivors are at the core of our work on historical clerical child abuse. What has been the contribution of victims and survivors to the process to date?”
“Minister, during your ongoing work with the UK Treasury, have you called for a further assessment of and increase in the Northern Ireland level of need and our funding model?”
“There is an opportunity to reshape how we do road maintenance in its entirety, driving up productivity and overall quality and managing resources effectively for the long term. <BR /> <BR />Unfortunately, the problems in the Department for Infrastructure are growing by the day. The roads crisis is deepening and urgently requires decisive leadership and delivery. Minister, this is an emergency that requires action by you, so let us not dither and delay. Let us not talk about 10-year plans. Let us get it sorted, and try to do it now.”
“They want delivery, and delivery is in the gift of this Sinn Féin Minister. It is the Minister who decides where the money is spent, and it is long past time that she started spending some of it on our roads. <BR /> <BR />There are undoubtedly any number of areas ripe for change that would tangibly benefit from attempts to rectify the current situation. Patch maintenance that lasts no time before the surface crumbles again points to poor materials being used by contractors; skeleton staffing levels in some geographical areas at service delivery level in the Department need urgent attention; and new technologies in use internationally for road maintenance should be implemented. Those are all areas that should be considered.”
“Across 2024-25, £700,000 was the bill to the public purse in one district section area alone. <BR /> <BR />Our roads are crumbling around us, and we are swerving to avoid potholes the size of craters, but what is the Minister's priority? Cycle lanes to nowhere and political vanity projects that benefit no one's daily life. No doubt, the Minister will reiterate that her Department has not got enough money, but, with a budget of £850 million and yet another injection of £8 million in a winter recovery road fund, she cannot credibly plead poverty. The public are not stupid. If you cannot fix potholes from a budget of £850 million, you are not prioritising potholes; if you are not prioritising potholes, you are not listening to the public. The public do not want climate change target excuses.”
“— the biggest issue affecting the people of Northern Ireland as a collective. Health is important, but not everyone has required a doctor since 2026 began. Equally, not everyone has engaged with our education system in that time or had experience of other areas of government, but every one of us has had to use the roads. There are few issues that unite the Chamber or the public, but the maintenance crisis that is evident across our crumbling road network is one of them. The figures that have been reported in the debate by party colleagues and others lay bare the magnitude of the scandal. Some 49,000 defects have been recorded in the past three months. That figure is a scandal. Equally scandalous are the sums of money that are being handed out on vehicle and personal injury claims.”
“I attached my name to the motion in the Order Paper to highlight what could arguably be the biggest —”
“Thank you, Minister. Have you considered what additional resources are required by DFI Rivers to ensure that statutory response targets can be met?”
“Minister, why has there been a delay in certifying the 2024 SEUPB accounts, and when are they likely to be certified?”
“There should not be a lottery, whereby the quality of care depends on the time of the week that an individual suffers a stroke. Thrombectomy should be as readily available for patients who present at midnight as it is for patients who present at noon. The Department has a duty to the circa 100 people who miss out on access to a thrombectomy every year because of the service's restricted hours. That results in avoidable harm for patients and pressure on our health and social care service. I call on the Minister to move to implement 24/7 thrombectomy services without delay.”
“I thank the leader of Opposition for tabling the motion on this vital matter and bringing it to the Floor. Some months ago, I had the privilege of meeting Kim, one of my constituents, who is a thrombectomy service campaigner. I heard first-hand the benefit that she received as a result of accessing thrombectomy services in the days following her stroke five years ago. Kim is now back to work and leads a full and fulfilling life. Without thrombectomy access, Kim's story might have been very different, which highlights the importance of delivering a 24/7 service in order to ensure that everyone in Northern Ireland who is eligible can avail themselves of timely medical interventions following strokes, heart attacks and other medical emergencies. <BR /> <BR />The six-hour window following a stroke is critical to a patient's rehabilitation.”
“I welcome the work and the progress to date. It is absolutely right that, during challenging times for public finances, we ensure that every penny is protected and spent well and that those who choose to commit benefit fraud are not protected by a veil of anonymity. Will the Minister detail the impact of his new policy of naming and shaming those convicted of benefit fraud? Why does he feel that it has made a difference?”
“I am not an engineer, but surely we can consider options that limit the impact of tidal surges, such as better drainage. Better drainage is necessary along sections of the coastal wall, and other areas are in desperate need of reinforcement for the benefit of road safety and the protection of infrastructure. <BR /> <BR />In recent years, the prevalence of winter storms has undoubtedly increased. Their impacts are taking a toll on the Ards coastline, with erosion and the destabilisation of infrastructure, such as the A20 Portaferry Road. A road as vital to the community as the A20 should not fail at the first sign of a storm. I join other Members in calling on the Department to urgently consider what can be done to ensure that that key transport corridor in my constituency can become more resilient during adverse weather events.”
“However, we should not be in a position in which that transport corridor, which serves the entire Ards peninsula, is so poorly equipped to combat storm weather that it closes every time that we have bad weather. On the occasions when closure is necessary, an improved or upgraded diversion route should be available that can withstand the volume of vehicular traffic that is usually found on the A20. During adverse weather, diverting traffic along narrow, rural roads that motorists are unfamiliar with is another disaster waiting to happen. DFI should consider that issue as part of its contingency planning for any future A20 closures. <BR /> <BR />Road drainage is an area that I call on DFI to consider in respect of flooding along the Portaferry Road.”
“Most recently, storm Chandra closed the road when water pooling and debris made it impassable. All too often, that is the case. Just before Christmas, storm Bram also closed the road, with significant flooding, particularly in the vicinity of the sailing club. Dozens of cars had to be abandoned due to floodwaters, and a bus full of schoolchildren was left stranded. Motorists affected on that occasion reported the water being as deep as 2 to 3 feet in places, with the coastguard and other agencies having to attend the scene. <BR /> <BR />It is acutely evident that strategic investment is required to ensure that the Portaferry Road can withstand more readily coastal waves and spray. We all acknowledge that a low-lying coastal route such as that will never be totally storm-risk free.”
“First, I thank my constituency colleague for securing this evening's Adjournment debate. The Portaferry Road has been brought to the attention of the House on many occasions in relation to road safety concerns, but, unfortunately, to little avail. Like many of my constituents on the Ards peninsula, I feel that the Department is all too often tone deaf when it comes to the dangers that are presented by the Portaferry Road. In this instance, the danger is due to the impact of adverse weather on the road, as has been highlighted in the debate. <BR /> <BR />Setting aside ongoing concerns about speed and general poor road maintenance, the impact of recent storms, during and after those weather events, has shown the vulnerability of that key transport corridor to the natural elements.”
“The voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland delivers huge social value through excellent front-line services in the hearts of our communities. Has the Finance Minister an assessment of how much value that sector delivers in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for making the statement to the House. Minister, will you explain the rationale for legislating for inspection?”
“I very much welcome the motion that Alan proposed this evening. I really appreciate it. It is great that motor sport has been mentioned. Motor sport really needs to be included in any sports museum. We have produced an array of car drivers, be they rally car drivers or racing car drivers. We have also produced an array of bike riders, be they riders of off-road bikes, scrambling bikes or road racing bikes. The people concerned are a great asset to the place. I would therefore appreciate motor sports' inclusion.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. How will she ensure that the various strategies and action plans being implemented by her Department and the bodies involved, such as the labour market partnerships (LMPs) and the colleges, will act as one to reduce duplication and ensure that young people do not fall through the cracks?”
“Has the Minister met any business organisations as yet, or is it his intention to do so? How does he feel about their feelings at present?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement today. Did you have the opportunity to meet any other Education Ministers last week? If so, will you tell us what was discussed?”
“Minister, in your statement last week, you noted that 74% of legal aid expenditure went to just 22% of criminal defence counsel. What more can be done by all involved to ensure that funds and work are being better distributed?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement to the House. My question is on a similar theme. Minister, you referred to work by Waterways Ireland to transition its operations fleet to hydrotreated vegetable oil. Has there been an assessment of the long-term sustainability and cost of that practice, given the pace of change in new sustainable fuels technology?”
“Minister, there are significant disparities in the operation of council planning functions, a fact that is raised repeatedly by the Northern Ireland Audit Office and the interim commission. What can be done to ensure greater efficiency and sharing of best practice across the 11 councils?”
“I know that the family will take great comfort from the fact that Callum's Saviour, the Lord Jesus, is able to bind their broken hearts, and they can rest in the knowledge that, as a young lad of 21 years of age, at a gospel tent mission in Comber, Callum put his faith and trust in Christ and is now with him, which is far better.”
“The tributes paid by those clubs and rival clubs over the past few weeks are a testament to how well respected Callum was by all who knew him. <BR /> <BR />Callum was a member of the loyal orders and Inch Flute Band, and he was formerly a member of Holymount Pipe Band. He was heavily involved in those organisations throughout his teenage years and into his twenties, and he was liked and admired by all who knew him. The tragedy has touched many individuals across the area, in part due to how involved Callum was in community life. <BR /> <BR />The McVeigh family, well known in the Crossgar area, faced unimaginable grief as they laid their eldest son to rest on 29 December. Few of us could even begin to contemplate what pain and heartache they have experienced since Christmas Eve. There is one, however, who knows it all.”
“Christmas is a time of warmth, hope and togetherness, as families are reunited and the busyness of life subsides for a brief moment. Sadly, however, the Christmas period is often a time of great tragedy in our communities. Unfortunately, last Christmas was no different. The sudden death of Mr Callum McVeigh from my constituency following a work-based accident on Christmas Eve has left his family and the community reeling with shock. <BR /> <BR />Callum was a talented young man in many respects, but he was best known for his abilities on the football pitch, having played for Killyleagh Youth Club Football Club, Knockbreda Football Club, Ards Football Club and Linfield Swifts.”
“Minister, have you engaged with the small business community on the newly planned reliefs and what they will mean for it?”
“Will the Minister clarify who will be responsible for developing the revised religious education syllabus?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I see a bid from DFI relating to the Ballynahinch bypass, but I have not, as yet, seen it on the list of awards. Will you update the House on that priority project, which, hopefully, is due to start soon?”
“Imposed, as it was, over the heads of democratically elected representatives in this House, it stands as the gravest of warnings to those who would advocate the virtues of London rule in preference to devolution. The injustice of that legislation, which is the most liberal to be found across these islands, continues to be an issue that those of us on these Benches will highlight and fight to overthrow. It is often stated in the discourse around the subject that both lives matter. Every life carries inherent dignity and worth. Human rights belong to everyone equally and without exception or, at least, they should.”
“For me, my party and countless thousands across Northern Ireland, that figure represents a mark of collective shame on our society. There are, of course, instances where compassion and medical necessity require such a course of action, but the overwhelming majority of the 2,899 abortions conducted over the past reported year were actions of convenience in which the life of the unborn was unvalued by the individuals involved and, sadly, is now unprotected by the law of the land. <BR /> <BR />The current legislative framework is far more expansive than the people of Northern Ireland were ever consulted on or wanted. The 2020 regulations were an example of how not to do government.”