Rachel Woods
North Down · Green Party · Northern Ireland
“We have to get it right, but we are not starting from scratch. We only have to look across the water or down the road to the public and private sectors that already offer that type of leave. <BR /> <BR />I now turn to the comments of other Members.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is time to end the coercive control that criminal gangs have over our communities. Victim and survivors' voices must be heard and reflected in our laws and policies. Minority groups should not be sidelined or silenced. We need to educate from a very young age.”
“There is no direct cost to employers from safe leave, and it is needed to deal with the issues related to abuse. We need to destigmatise abuse and tackle root causes, misogyny and toxic masculinity. <BR /> <BR />I agree with Mr Weir's comments. We should not need to have the protections in place.”
“I thank every Member who spoke during the debate for their comments and support for the Bill. I will address the Minister's comments first. I thank him for being here, and I am glad that he is feeling better. <BR /> <BR />The Assembly cares, and we need to work constructively together to help.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I said at Second Stage, period poverty must be viewed through the lens of children's rights and how the Bill meets our obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).”
“<BR /> <BR />I take this opportunity at Final Stage to thank officials and members of the councils who took the time to discuss with me their policies, the background to them and how they are working in practice: thank you for everything that you are doing for your staff, and I hope that, should the Bill pass, your regional Parliaments an…”
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“The absence of meaningful consultation under the 1964 Petroleum Act, the failure to uphold the rights enshrined in the Aarhus convention, the absence of strategic environmental impact assessments and the absence of management plans for special areas of conservation (SACs) and other protected areas mean that there are no ecological baselines for the assessment of environmental impacts with the scientific certainty that is a legal requirement under the habitats directive. The Minister for the Economy claimed yesterday that our laws are seriously out of date. <BR /> <BR />To finish, in the words of a former envoy for climate change at the UK Foreign Office:”
“There is nothing unique about Northern Ireland that will exempt us from the fate of other fracked communities or communities that are suffering from the dirty effects of coal seam gas production. Northern Ireland is too small to support a gas industry with hundreds of well pads. We simply do not have the space for this type of dangerous industry without threatening people's lives and livelihoods. <BR /> <BR />The entire petroleum-licensing regime is flawed.”
“The Welsh Government have confirmed that they will not undertake any new licensing, and, in Scotland, the Government's position is that they will not support the development of unconventional oil and gas. In 2019, fracking was halted by the Government in England. Andrea Leadsom, a former Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary, said that the Government had always been clear that shale gas exploration in the UK must be carried out safely. However, she concluded that future unacceptable impacts on the local community could not be ruled out, and a moratorium on fracking in England was introduced. It is time for Northern Ireland to follow suit with more than a presumption. The industry cannot be regulated safely.”
“There are concerns about the mental health and well-being of people who live close to gas operations. A large part of the reason that fracking was banned in New York State was that there were significant gaps in the knowledge about potential public health impacts, and all potential impacts had not been adequately studied. <BR /> <BR />I do not have time to go into the impacts on tourism that the thousands of wells could have, but it should be obvious. Fermanagh alone boasts many nature reserves and areas of special scientific interest, not to mention the Marble Arch Caves. All that could be put at risk. <BR /> <BR />As the motion states, hydraulic fracturing has been legislated against in the Republic of Ireland since 2017.”
“<BR /> <BR />All Members received a briefing from Dr O'Dolan, and I hope that they read it. Airborne chemicals can leak from pipes, well heads and other infrastructure. We have to look at radon and its presence in Fermanagh. There is no evidence that fracking can operate without threatening public health directly. <BR /> <BR />Friends of the Earth has shown that the industry brings with it wider changes that can detrimentally impact on health. Around well pads, workers and nearby residents are exposed to continual noise from drilling, flaring and compressor stations. Exposure to noise pollution is linked to cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment and sleep disturbance, not to mention the impact that it has on air quality and pollution.”
“We have all been told in the last few months to listen to the science on public health, and we have taken heed. As policymakers, legislators and elected reps, we should always strive for safe, happy and healthy communities. Hydrocarbon extraction is not the way to achieve that. Exploration and extraction are bad for public health. The drilling and fracturing processes that are used to extract use a range of chemicals that are harmful to health while mobilising toxic and radioactive substances that naturally occur in shale, rock and coal. A 2016 Yale study found that, of the 1,117 water pollutants and 143 air pollutants found in fracking fluids and waste water that had been assessed, 55 could be classed as known, probable or possible human carcinogens.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I do, but the renewable sector will work when it is administered properly. <BR /> <BR />If we want both energy security and jobs for Northern Ireland, we will need the same investment in renewable energy. Projecting to 2030, we need double the renewables capacity to meet a 70% renewable energy target. These would be sustainable jobs, with upskilling through our technical colleges, schools and universities. I have mentioned before the opportunity for retrofitting focusing on green energy and the avenues that that opens up as part of our just transition to a low-carbon economy.”
“According to Amec, only 17% of the jobs at Cuadrilla's Lancashire site went to local people, and those were mainly non-specialist jobs and, therefore, in non-highly paid sectors. <BR /> <BR />If we want both energy security and sustainable jobs in NI, we need to focus on renewable energy. Jobs in the renewable sectors create over six times as many jobs as gas per unit of power generated or saved and around three times as many jobs for the same investment.”
“Members, beware of chasing the carrot being dangled in front of your nose. This is nothing more than a false promise. Drilling for fossil fuels is not the way to achieve energy security; renewables are. It is a practice that will mean that we will never come close to meeting our Paris commitments or the need for divestment, let alone dealing with the climate emergency or, indeed, the elusive New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) commitments. <BR /> <BR />Licences of any kind granted to companies will not create the kind of jobs for the future that the people of NI need. As we have seen in the US, job creation from drilling claims are overstated and short term. We all know and have debated recently the importance of well-paid, long-term jobs for people in Northern Ireland. Drilling operations will not supply those.”
“Tamboran suggested potential benefits that that can have for investment, jobs and, bizarrely, energy security. That argument is full of holes. It was an argument also made by the previous Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister, Arlene Foster when she said:”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2014, Tamboran, one of the companies that have a petroleum licence in for consideration in our Economy Department, stated that it was:”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank the Members who signed the motion as we attempted to achieve consensus across the Chamber and Sinn Féin for bringing it to be heard so soon after it was tabled. It is vital that it be debated now. It is disappointing that not every party could sign up to it, as that would have sent out a powerful message. It was not to be. <BR /> <BR />Hydrocarbon extraction in all its guises and names is a process by which fossil fuels are extracted from under the ground. Those are processes that we do not wish to have in Northern Ireland, nor do we wish to continue with any drilling of exploratory wells — we are talking not about one well but, potentially, thousands — under licence by the Executive to fundamentally destroy our landscape, our community and our environment.”
“From the outset, my sincere thanks must go to the groups and campaigners who have worked tirelessly on this and without whom we would not be standing here today. Non-exhaustively, they are Stop the Drill, Letterbreen and Mullaghdun Partnership (LAMP) Fermanagh, Fermanagh Fracking Awareness Network, Protect Our North Coast, Belcoo Frack Free, Friends of Woodburn Forest, Ballinlea Residents' Group, Love Leitrim, Safety Before LNG, Friends of the Earth and Farmers for Action. This is not the voice of one constituent; this is the voice of thousands, all saying that we must not start an onshore petroleum production industry here and that we need to legislate for the cessation of licensing for exploration and extraction.”
“Thanks for the invitation to interrupt. Does the Member agree that, whilst we face great economic uncertainty in the face of COVID, we face bigger economic, societal and, indeed, existential challenges in the form of the climate crisis and that any long-term economic recovery plan or road map should adequately reflect that?”
“I look forward to that, but we will have a very big challenge on our hands. Members, I have a five-minute speech here, but I am more than happy to have a conversation with the Minister about our ideas. I will see you outside, Minister”
“Why are we still building houses that look like those built 20, 30, 40 and 50 years ago? We can create long-term, well-paid employment to deliver that programme in every constituency in Northern Ireland. We can reform finances to make that possible, but that will require changes to banking. It will require cooperatives and community wealth building. I am glad to be the deputy chairperson of the all-party group that is chaired by Mr Catney.”
“Again, thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I have very little time to speak, but that might be good for some Members. <BR /> <BR />I will go straight in. Mr Middleton referenced parties coming forward with ideas. OK, here are mine. We are not in the Executive, but I will put some ideas down on paper for you. We do not need to look too far for opportunities presenting themselves for job creation and for dealing with recession. We know that we need to deal with issues such as fuel poverty. Retrofitting houses is a perfect example of where the Executive should be investing. That is not all. What about a green new deal at a local level? What about investing in new infrastructure that will be required to manage a sustainable economy? What about buildings that have a low-carbon or zero-carbon footprint?”
“Does the Member agree that, if the Executive keep putting additional restrictions, which are understandable, on businesses and curtailing their opening and trading hours, affecting staff hours and wages, even before the aforementioned lockdown that may be coming up, they must provide further additional funds and support to make up for that, especially for the hospitality and event sector, for example?”
“All victims and survivors must be treated with respect and dignity on their journey through the criminal justice system, including during the trial process. The system must support them. Perhaps the Minister can indicate the level of progress that the Department is making on the Gillen recommendations. <BR /> <BR />Victims and witnesses are entitled to know their rights, to be aware of the support that is available and to have information to guide them. In 2012, England and Wales appointed a Victims' Commissioner and have had a designate in place for victims of domestic abuse since 2019, recognising the significant role that the role can play in scrutinising, advising and being a powerful voice. It is time that we did the same.”
“I have previously called for, and I do so again, full implementation of the Gillen recommendations. Paragraph 2.87 on page 87 of the Gillen report states:”
“Indeed, Dame Vera Baird QC, the Victims' Commissioner for England and Wales, was fully supportive of moves to introduce the new office, and there is an urgent need in Northern Ireland to provide better support for survivors of abuse and help to address the high attrition rate of witnesses.”
“I believe that to be essential, given the significant proportion of all crime, recorded and unrecorded, that is linked to domestic abuse and violence. It is a mechanism for scrutinising legislation, policy, practice, commissioning, funding and provision, and, as other Members have said, from gathering evidence and working on the Domestic Abuse and Family Proceedings Bill, it has become clear that more needs to be done to support victims and witnesses, especially measures that speed up the criminal justice system. Time and time again, we have heard from key stakeholders that the high attrition rate of witnesses was largely due to delays in cases and a lack of support, awareness and understanding of the system.”
“Some will say that funding for victim-support organisations is a more effective use of resources, and, indeed, that is the position of the Scottish Government. However, have we listened to victim-support organisations, and what are they saying? Victim Support Northern Ireland has indicated that it supports the creation of a commissioner, and the Criminal Justice Inspection's report also highlights the need. Victim Support has said that such a role should have the appropriate power, resources and independence from government to hold all agencies to account and uphold the rights of victims under the Victim Charter. <BR /> <BR />Similarly, Women's Aid has actively campaigned for a specific commissioner to tackle domestic abuse.”
“That is just not good enough, and I hope that the Minister will set out in her response how the Department intends to address each recommendation. <BR /> <BR />The Department's 'Victim and Witness Action Plan 2017-2020' is fast approaching its expiration date, so what plans do the Minister and the Department have to replace it? What plans are there to conduct a fully independent and detailed evaluation of its implementation and delivery, and what is next for the Department to ensure that key issues are being addressed? <BR /> <BR />I fully understand the rationale for bringing this motion today and recognise that victims of non-Troubles-related incidents currently have no advocate or voice to support them and guide them through the criminal justice system.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion today as a member of the Justice Committee, and I thank the Members for tabling it. As other Members have mentioned, this year's Criminal Justice Inspection report makes it clear that we are still not doing enough to support victims and witnesses of crime. The report included a raft of recommendations and information to deal with key issues, and the most worrying fact of all is the chief inspector's statement, which many other Members mentioned, that victims and witnesses remain fundamentally unaware of their rights to information, support and protection and that services to assist them were not being consistently delivered to a quality standard across Northern Ireland.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. However, he will be aware of the increased plastic pollution that is arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. More face masks, gloves, plastic bottles and food packaging will end up in landfill or dumped in our rivers and seas, all of which will have a devastating impact on our environment, wildlife and marine life. Will the Minister outline what actions the Department will take to reduce the use of single-use plastics and promote the eco-friendly alternatives, given that there are so many?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. Can the Minister outline if she or her Department contributed to any response from the Executive to the UK Government's internal market White Paper consultation in June, especially in relation to future trading relationships and the NI protocol?”
“I thank the First Minister and the junior Minister for coming to the House today. First, will the First Minister confirm an important detail in relation to an earlier question, that last orders will have to be before 10.30 pm, given that she stated that customers must be off the premises by 11.00 pm, to facilitate drinking-up time? <BR /> <BR />Secondly, has there been any assessment by the Executive or by her ministerial colleague in Economy of what potential reduced staff hours might mean in terms of redundancies?”
“<BR /> <BR />We must, as an Assembly, do all that we can to improve confidence in the criminal justice system, and legislating for that change will provide a more consistent approach for victims and families. For Lisa and Charlotte, their families and many others, that is the very least that we can do.”
“Parole Board guidance states that offenders who withhold information can be denied parole if they are deemed to still pose a risk to the public, but guidance is guidance; Helen's law makes it a legal requirement for the Parole Board to consider the withholding of information when making a decision on early release. <BR /> <BR />Human rights legislation protects against indefinite detention and the sentence handed down in a court continues to apply, so the proposed new law in England and Wales strikes a balance between further protecting the public and guarding against disrupting the independence of the judiciary. I put it to my Justice Committee colleagues: why can we not take on this work? Perhaps the Chair of the Justice Committee can address that in his remarks, which will be coming later on.”
“I pay tribute to Charlotte's family for their campaign for the introduction in Northern Ireland of legislation equivalent to Helen's law. I hope that the Minister will be able to bring forward changes that reassure and support the family of Lisa Dorrian in their continuing battle for justice. <BR /> <BR />The Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill, otherwise known as Helen's law, in England and Wales places a legal duty on the Parole Board to consider non-disclosure of the location of a victim's body when considering release. It will also apply to offenders who have been convicted of taking indecent images of children and refuse to reveal the identity of the victims.”
“In his sentencing remarks, Judge Stephen Fowler QC recognised the devastating impact that not being able to lay Charlotte to rest had on her family and noted that the non-disclosure of the location of her remains has caused, and will continue to cause, the family considerable pain, distress and hurt. Judge Fowler also stated that he regarded non-disclosure as the most serious aggravating feature of the case. <BR /> <BR />Therefore, there is a clear need to reflect that in law, and I welcome the Minister's comments, not just on the introduction of a Bill that is equivalent to Helen's law in England and Wales but her thoughts on how the sentencing review will address the small number of cases in which non-disclosure is an issue.”
“According to media reports, the police have pursued more than 3,500 lines of inquiry and conducted roughly 400 land, air and sea searches. Throughout all of that, her family have continued to suffer and bear the burden of the severe emotional strain of not knowing what happened to her. On the 15th anniversary of Lisa's disappearance, the PSNI stated clearly that it has always believed that a small number of people hold the key to finding out what happened, and I urge any of them to come forward to the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />Charlotte Murray's family has also suffered terribly since her disappearance in 2012. Last year, after a jury convicted the man who murdered her, police drained a local quarry to search for her body but nothing was found.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to this very important issue. Many Members have spoken about the horrendous pain and anguish suffered by the families of Lisa Dorrian, Charlotte Murray and others who have been denied the right and dignity of being able to lay their loved ones' remains to rest. I send my heartfelt thoughts and sympathies to those families and express support for the continuing campaigns for justice and reform of the law to put specific parole guidance relating to non-disclosure on a statutory footing. <BR /> <BR />As has been said, Lisa Dorrian, a young woman from Bangor, in my constituency, went missing in 2005 and her body has never been recovered. The PSNI has arrested 10 people but no one has been charged in relation to her disappearance because her remains have not been recovered and evidence is limited.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. These allocations will, for some, plug a gap, but not for all. So many are still excluded. What is missing — Mr O'Toole touched on it — is funding for a long-term, coherent green plan for economic recovery. What discussions have there been across the Executive, and your Department, on funding this? When will we see such a plan come forward?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber. My thoughts are with the victims of those crimes who are affected by the error. I hope that the Minister agrees that it will come as a further blow to trust and confidence in the system by victims and wider society. We must accelerate the Gillen review's recommendations as part of that. Have victims been assured about the safeguards that are in place with regard to those who may have been on a register, as the Minister discussed earlier? What conversations has she had with the Chief Constable on the matter?”
“— and represent the interests of those who elected them.”
“There is a perfect storm coming in Northern Ireland when it comes to food poverty, with increased grocery costs, especially for those in rural communities who rely on small retailers; the impact of COVID; the reduction in employment; and the growing numbers on universal credit. It is time for the Executive to step up —”
“Two months later, I am yet to receive a response. Judging by moves in the other devolved regions, the power grab that is the UK Internal Market Bill will be fiercely resisted. One just has to look at Scotland and the efforts of my Green Party colleagues there. Yet, there is no strong, collective voice standing up for the legislative competence of this Assembly and the principles of devolution. <BR /> <BR />As the political pantomime over the Internal Market Bill continues, livelihoods are being lost and the hope for Northern Ireland's post-transition future is fading. Post-Brexit trade deals will see the rich getting richer and the most disadvantaged suffering more.”
“<BR /> <BR />Analysts consistently pointed out that the UK internal market White Paper would not be workable in full for Northern Ireland unless the rest of the UK remains aligned with the EU's regulations for goods. Given what the UK Government says that they want to achieve, it is simply impossible to satisfy both the internal market and the protocol. <BR /> <BR />What is the Executive doing? They are the Ministers who are elected to represent businesses, livelihoods, families and the best interests of people here. In July, I tabled a priority question for written answer to the First Minister and deputy First Minister to ask for their assessment of the UK Government's approach to the UK internal market in relation to the protocol and whether they had even responded to the consultation on the White Paper.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not have anything prepared for two minutes, but I will try to get through as much as possible. <BR /> <BR />As many in the Chamber have explained, and will no doubt continue to, there is no such thing as a good Brexit for Northern Ireland, and the latest shambles surrounding the UK Internal Market Bill only underlines that. The misleading claims and mistruths of ardent Brexiteers are beginning to unravel, while the future of Northern Ireland makes the front pages again and again and we all scramble for the latest scrap of detail on the post-transition plans from Boris and the Executive. Nothing new then.”
“Mr Speaker, my question has been answered.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The fact that 86% of our special areas of conservation exceed critical nitrogen levels by over 200%, and in some cases by over 300%, raises serious questions over how that was allowed to happen. Will the Minister outline what failures in monitoring and enforcement have been identified by his Department and how they will be addressed?”
“Is the Minister confident that the policy in question and his instruction to Shared Environmental Services (SES) on how to assess ammonia from any potential development are lawful under the EU habitats directive?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The Minister stated in AQW 256/17-22:”
“The Minister will be aware of the devastation and difficulties that are caused by Japanese knotweed. Will the Minister outline whose responsibility it is to deal with and remove Japanese knotweed at Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) sites, such as Redburn Country Park in my constituency?”
“Can the Minister outline what budget has been allocated in the Department of Justice to address Brexit issues and whether any funding issues have arisen in the last couple of months?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Will she tell me when the Kinnegar area of Holywood will be resurfaced? Will she also commit to visiting the area with me, along with residents, to address a number of surfacing, roads and flooding issues in the area?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. With regard to the language and understanding of the Department and the Minister, does the Member agree that generic written responses outlining all the government financial support that a business is not eligible for and pointing to nidirect, when individual circumstances are raised with the Minister, could be described as nothing more than a kick in the teeth?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I will be very happy to meet the Minister. The Department claims that, although adverse effects on human health can be associated with shale gas production, there is evidence in scientific literature to demonstrate how effective measures can mitigate the risks to reduce them to an acceptable level. Can the Minister outline how fracking can be regulated for with limited impact on public health?”