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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“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. I welcome the fact that it says that you are conscious of the "Department's wider environmental responsibilities". Minister, will you outline what you mean by the "emerging regulations aimed" at this? What does best practice look like when reflected in the design and delivery of the projects? Are you looking at Passivhaus for energy efficiency, for example? <BR /> <BR />Further to Ms Bunting's question on Youth Service and summer provision, can you confirm whether face-to-face activities can go ahead while adhering to current health guidelines?”
“I thank the Member for asking the urgent oral question. The Commissioner for Older People has rightly described the resignations of the board as a worrying development. This morning, he said that the circumstances surrounding the resignations were a mess and that this could not have come at a worse time. Does the Minister agree that independence is vital to provide proper scrutiny? Did the Department undermine RQIA's independence, and does he think that RQIA should be given greater statutory independence in order to better fulfil its functions?”
“The Minister will be aware that we have still to experience the brunt of the negative impact of COVID-19, with further business closures and redundancies to come. Those will affect not only employers but the livelihoods of many. In the light of the fact that people will be made redundant, what advice has the Minister or her Department given to date to employers on engagement with trade unions? Will she recommend that all employers across all sectors and regions of Northern Ireland have trade union representation, especially when decisions are being made that affect employees' futures?”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement. Given the lack of detail here, has there been any discussion or arrival at an agreed position regarding engagement with the Specialised Committee on the Northern Ireland protocol, either through quadrilateral meetings or otherwise?”
“As the First Minister will be aware, research has shown that an estimated 61% of the Northern Irish adult population have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their lifetime, so I ask for an update on the implementation of the regional trauma network.”
“Has there been any advice issued on that? <BR /> <BR />We need to remove the right-to-buy scheme and build more housing in order to provide housing security and stability. If the opportunity exists through this to amend the right-to-buy scheme in the Housing Executive and put an end to it over the next two years, we should use it.”
“I would like clarification of the exact number of properties that have been sold by the Housing Executive and the housing associations since the housing scheme started and how many homes were built in that time. <BR /> <BR />We have consulted on this. Two years ago, a consultation was launched by the Department for Communities, when we had no Assembly sitting. The 'Joint Consultation Response Report on Proposals to Seek Reversal of the Reclassification of Registered Housing Associations' was published a few days ago. There was agreement from respondents on repealing the amendments to the right to buy, with some 18 in favour of ending housing sales schemes for all social tenants. I ask the Minister whether that can be done through the Bill, given the two years' lead-in time for a change in the policy in the Housing Executive.”
“Will that contribute to some tenants consciously turning down a reasonable offer of accommodation where there is no possibility of future homeownership? I await more detail on that. <BR /> <BR />We welcome the amendments to include the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in the ending of the right-to-buy scheme. The Housing Executive housing sales scheme has accounted for more than 10,000 social properties being taken out of stock since 2002. In its 2018-19 annual report, it stated that it had sold 449 properties through the scheme, which was up from 436 in the previous year. We are losing much more social housing through that sale scheme than that of the housing associations.”
“Like other Members, I wish Deirdre Hargey and Mr Stalford speedy recoveries and welcome Carál to the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />Last time, I spoke in support of the principle of the Bill, appreciating the need for the reclassification of housing associations as private bodies and what that means for the future of social housing in Northern Ireland. Whilst recognising the importance of that, I, like many others, raised concerns, especially about the right-to-buy scheme, that are again being discussed at Consideration Stage through the amendments. <BR /> <BR />There is still an issue with the potential to create more inequality in access to social housing and homeownership. Many tenants in social homes aspire to homeownership, and the right-to-buy scheme is often their only hope of fulfilling that aspiration.”
“We have to take this opportunity to assess where we are, and how we deal with mental health in society, the home, community and workplace. We must recognise, although there are differences in jobs, where the structure of the policy has control.”
“Stopping the issuing of written warnings may prove to be inoperable in one section of the Civil Service if not for all, so I would like to hear from the Minister on that. However, I do not think that that is enough to stop the motion being passed. It is an important issue that needs to be looked at, and we need to look at what actions can be taken. I hope that, through the motion, there will be a greater awareness of mental health across the Northern Ireland Civil Service and that not one civil servant will be treated unfairly or feel that they have been on the basis of their mental health.”
“Are HR policies sensitive, or do we need a bit of a rethink, not just in the Prison Service but across the Civil Service? Can we use this as a means to independently review sickness absence across the Northern Ireland Prison Service, as has been called for by the Community union? As Mr Frew mentioned, could we look at the physical buildings of our prisons and how they contribute to the mental health of prisoners and staff and look at making prisons structures safer for staff? Can we look at offering more mental health assistance to those who are affected? <BR /> <BR />Like others, I have some issue with the wording of the motion with regard to the written warnings systems and their use. That could pose problems for employment law, but I hope that that could be addressed by moving forward with the Departments involved.”
“For the purposes of the motion, where we have people working on the front line in our prisons who are dealing with people who are in prison and have addiction issues, are self-harming or have attempted suicide, there must be a sensitive system in place that recognises that and does not unduly or unfairly mean that people are subject to disciplinary action for being off ill with mental health issues. <BR /> <BR />I am glad that the Minister is here today. I hope that he will outline the processes by which staff are treated when they return to work. Are debriefs used in the Civil Service, particularly in the Prison Service, to see if staff are feeling OK or to offer support? Is management fully equipped to recognise when there are issues?”
“Thank you. I completely agree. That brings up the wider point of how we deal with mental health in our society and workplaces. Support services should absolutely be there for anybody who needs them. <BR /> <BR />Having processes in workplaces is key, and staff must know that they have a support line, if they need to reach out. Support must be made available and must be expanded. <BR /> <BR />I know that the motion in no way says that people who work in different workplaces do not suffer mental health issues, and we know that anyone and everyone is affected by mental health. It is, of course, a fundamental part of human health and one that needs much more consideration, awareness and action to be taken in all workplaces.”
“I was told that the Inspire service is available for all staff in the Department, which, of course, is welcome, and I know that the Prisons WELL programme is also in place for prison officers. Having processes in a workplace is key, as is all staff knowing that they have a support line there if they need to reach out, but support must be made available —.”
“They found themselves caught up in the inefficiency policy despite their GP letters confirming their health status. It would seem that, as soon as trigger points are breached, letters are sent out. I would welcome some further information on how that process is set up. If someone who is off sick breaches trigger points in their contract or in the HR policy, are letters automatically sent out, and are they automatically under investigation? Could that process not be done a lot better? <BR /> <BR />Last week, at the Justice Committee, I questioned officials on the mental health support that people may need when returning to work in the new normal, as well as adapting to the changes that COVID has brought to work, home lives, family and friends for all ages and for years to come.”
“The problem that has been raised today seems to be with the way in which staff, particularly Prison Service front-line staff, are treated under the so-called inefficiency part of the policy and how much pressure is put on people who are off sick. I have heard of times when prison staff have been pressurised to return to work despite being off receiving cancer treatment. Others have spoken of being assessed as unfit for work and referred to counselling, assistance and other therapies, which are often subject to delay. I know of an instance where a staff member who was signed off and waiting for therapy to start was receiving letters asking them when they were returning to the very workplace that they had just been signed off from. They were threatened that, if they did not return, they would receive a warning.”
“A prison that is responsive to and promotes the mental health of prisoners is more likely to be a workplace that promotes the overall morale and mental health of prison staff and should, therefore, be one of the central objectives of good prison management. I know that the Northern Ireland Prison Service has taken steps to address mental health through programmes and having support systems in place for prisoners. Of course, more can and should be done on that, but, today, we are discussing the experiences of the staff. <BR /> <BR />The Civil Service HR policy is used by every person who is employed by the Civil Service.”
“Prisons are often difficult and demanding working environments for all levels of staff. Dealing with prisoners with unrecognised and untreated mental disorders can further affect the environment and place even greater demands on staff.”
“I thank the Members for bringing the matter forward. I, too, welcome Cara to the Chamber today for her maiden speech. It was only a couple of months ago that I was making mine. Welcome. <BR /> <BR />Mental health issues in prisons do not affect just those who are in the care of the Prison Service. As we know and as other Members have discussed today, mental health issues can affect everyone, including prison officers. There have been studies that have investigated the working lives of prison officers across the world as well as in the UK. Some have shown that psychological engagement with offenders and the mental demands of the job can lead to high levels of workplace stress; others have suggested that the prison environment and the rules governing daily life inside a prison can be seriously detrimental to mental health.”
“I thank the Minister for coming here today. I agree with other Members about consistency of approach but the question is about protests held last week and regulation 6. Notwithstanding that, would the Minister agree that we must respond to the cause of campaigners and do everything that we can to address systemic racism in our society?”
“Thank you, Mr Principal Deputy Speaker, for the additional time to ask questions. I refer to my previous question and the Minister's answer. Can the Minister ensure that, as part of the reopening and rebuilding strategy, women will have access to contraceptive services when they require them, given that those services have not been available?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement on the rebuilding, reopening and transformation of the health and social care services. I welcome and echo his call that, if people suspect that they require medical intervention for whatever reason, they seek it. I am sure that most Members have had that matter raised by constituents. How will the Minister, alongside the trusts and as part of the rebuilding strategy, ensure that women have access to contraceptive services and early medical abortion services when required?”
“Indeed, if elections are being delayed in some parts of the UK, that is acknowledgement that our work needs to protect the public first and foremost rather than stick to political timetables that were drawn up before COVID-19. Brexit is absolutely no exception. If the firm timeline to "Get Brexit done" is being stuck to by the Tories and others, that is to the detriment of the people, environment, community, businesses, wider society and economy of Northern Ireland. What we need is time to actually prepare for it, rather than shoot ourselves in the foot once more. <BR /> <BR />For my party, the point is still this: why, when people are trying to recover from one crisis, would we deliberately hit them with another in the form of a no-deal Brexit or arrangements that destroy livelihoods and damage communities here?”
“Holidays have been cancelled or rescheduled, family get-togethers have been put off and birthdays have been celebrated alone, for example.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mike Nesbitt then rose and shared Dr Aiken's concern over the timing of the debate. He accepts that we are the most affected and least prepared, so how can the party not support a call for more time to get ready? <BR /> <BR />Kellie Armstrong reiterated that this is not a Leave versus Remain matter, which we agree with, but said that, given our situation, the timetabling for this year is difficult for everyone, including businesses. <BR /> <BR />Jim Allister claimed that the motion is about cancelling Brexit, which, again, is a complete misrepresentation. It says nothing in the motion or amendment about preventing Brexit, and, unfortunately, he chooses, like others, to simply ignore the extreme circumstances that we face. <BR /> <BR />Many aspects of our lives have been effectively put on hold by the global health crisis.”
“We completely agree with that. I would also like to point out that the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has failed to bring forward any plans for an independent environmental protection agency, which the Assembly called for earlier this year. The onus is on the Minister and his Department to ensure that there is no regression in protections. <BR /> <BR />Sinead McLaughlin outlined the reasons why we need more time and said that the unforeseen crisis and the workings around the protocol necessitate an extension. We agree. That is something that other Members have chosen to ignore. She also appealed for unity. <BR /> <BR />Mr McAleer raised his concerns about the effect of Brexit on the agri-food sector on top of the COVID pandemic, highlighting its vulnerabilities alongside the implementation of the protocol.”
“<BR /> <BR />John Blair noted the significance of decisions that need to be taken and said that they should not be rushed and that the extension is needed to stop the disruption from new arrangements on fishing rights and other infrastructural issues. He also spoke about the need to avoid future immigration systems that will be hugely damaging to Northern Ireland, and we totally support that sentiment. <BR /> <BR />Paul Frew outlined his support for Europe but questioned the motive of the motion. I say: look at the evidence and look at the forecasts. An extension is needed to limit the damage to Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Mr McGuigan noted how such an extension is just plain common sense. He also outlined his concerns over environmental protections for Northern Ireland, on which there should be no regression.”
“She described the protocol as an "ugly compromise" and supported the request for an extension, noting the impact on the community and voluntary sector and the funding shortfall that leaving the EU will bring. <BR /> <BR />Dr Aiken questioned why we are having this debate today. He highlighted the critical phase of negotiations as well as the need for a plan, including on the cost of goods coming into Northern Ireland. Our view is that action must be taken now and that the voice of this Assembly must be heard before the deadline for extending the transition process passes. He also raised the issue of a lack of debate and scrutiny of all the issues around the Northern Ireland protocol on Brexit. We would, of course, welcome that and welcome more detail from the Executive being given to every Member of the House.”
“I thank Members for their contributions to the debate today. I will now try to summarise the main points as best I can while making some remarks. <BR /> <BR />Mr Storey claimed that the motion and amendment are an attempt to stop Brexit. That is a complete misrepresentation. As I have said, the NI protocol is coming into effect in January next year, and the motion and our amendment are about addressing the fact that Northern Ireland is reeling from a global health crisis and is not adequately prepared. <BR /> <BR />Ms Anderson took an alternative view, speaking in favour of the motion and the amendment, and she noted that a majority in the Assembly and a majority of people in Northern Ireland do not support Brexit.”
“We must recognise the difficulties and uncertainties that exist across society in terms of domestic violence and abuse, mental health, social care and many others. We must not see any reductions in rights standards or protections. If required, the Executive must step up and bring forward legislation before the transition period ends. <BR /> <BR />I urge all Members to support the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />We are several weeks away from a deadline when the British Government have the opportunity to call for an extension to the transition period. We should follow the other devolved Administrations and send a clear signal to Westminster that Northern Ireland needs that time to recover from the pandemic and prepare for the protocol coming into effect. We are the region most affected and most inextricably intertwined with the negotiations, and, so far, the Executive have done the least of all the devolved regions in calling for such an extension. <BR /> <BR />It is not just businesses suffering as a result of COVID-19, and it is not just businesses that will need to prepare for new arrangements arising out of Brexit.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the end of April, we learned that the Brexit subcommittee was scrapped, presumably because of urgent decisions that needed to be progressed while the COVID crisis engulfed all government business, and that policies and approaches are now discussed in private at the Executive table. How, then, is the Assembly able to properly scrutinise and provide genuine suggestions and recommendations around the issues of the protocol and Brexit, and their implication for Northern Ireland? <BR /> <BR />The subcommittee was also part of the NDNA agreement but now it is gone. Where is it? Where is the impact assessment that we were promised? Is this an example of dodging difficult questions and scrutiny?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention but this is all part of the debate, and I will continue to get to my point of why we need the transition period extended. <BR /> <BR />So, that, surely, must be done before the end of the transition period in order to keep our hard-fought standards and protections in place and build on them. Of course, we learned yesterday that the DUP refused a proposal to the Executive to call for an extension to the transition period. That is not surprising, given the examples that I mentioned. It appears that they are more concerned about the fanciful dream of leaving the EU than the evidence staring us all in the face that Northern Ireland is on the brink, and that this crisis that we are all facing will be compounded by an even bigger one if we do not act now.”
“We have no indication if Minister Poots will follow the lead of other devolved Administrations that have made provision to develop agriculture legislation that addresses their own needs.”
“DUP MPs in Westminster voted for regressive immigration legislation that would severely limit the number of people who could come to live and work in Northern Ireland and contribute to our economy and society. This is the same legislation that the Minister for the Economy acknowledged would cause serious difficulties for the agri-food industry and hospitality sector here, in an answer to my question for written answer. <BR /> <BR />DUP MPs in Westminster also voted in favour of legislation that deliberately excluded minimum standards on food post-Brexit — an absolutely shocking move, with the Agriculture Bill described by former MEP Jim Nicholson as, potentially, the last nail in the coffin for agriculture in Northern Ireland.”
“The protocol also addresses issues such as the rights of individuals, the common travel area, the single electricity market and North/South cooperation. The refusal to grant the EU's request to open an office in Belfast is a refusal by the Tories to ensure that Northern Ireland is adequately protected throughout the processes of implementing the protocol and that both sides in the withdrawal agreement fulfil their promises. <BR /> <BR />Once again, as my colleague Clare Bailey pointed out in the Chamber in February, we are being held hostage to the fortunes of a Prime Minister who this House does not trust, and who is putting flawed, ideological rhetoric ahead of the well-being of our citizens. <BR /> <BR />Most remarkably, we have a party in the Executive — the DUP — that follows him blindly into the chaos while the rest of us despair.”
“If business models prove economically unviable under the new arrangements, it will have serious knock-on effects. We are not just talking about businesses here: we must also speak about livelihoods, families and the pressure on public services, health, education and our environment.”
“Still, we have no clarity on how new processes for goods moving between NI and GB will be managed and what the impact will be on the costs. Are we moving to a situation in which goods will cost more for people living in Northern Ireland, which will be coupled with our lower wages and higher poverty rates, never mind the impeding recession because of COVID? <BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium and the Northern Ireland business network have expressed frustration at the lack of engagement and have outlined how onerous, expensive and hugely damaging such checks could be to businesses here. As was rightly pointed out yesterday during the debate on economic recovery, what is harmful to the economy is damaging to society as a whole.”
“The reality is that we are months away from the Northern Ireland protocol coming into effect and we still have no detail on how it will work. The fact remains that all necessary resources and work involved in preparing for it has been lost or sidelined due to the pandemic. The report notes the contradiction that lies at the heart of the protocol, that:”
“I thank the Member for his intervention and his comments. <BR /> <BR />In a report that was published yesterday by the House of Lords EU Select Committee, the grim reality, endless uncertainties and serious challenges that the Brexit cliff edge poses for Northern Ireland are laid out in black and white. It states:”
“There will be significant changes in consumer behaviour and investment, and employment will continue on its negative trend. <BR /> <BR />The additional shock of Brexit and the looming friction in trade and the burden that it will place on business here is not welcome. In fact, it is completely reckless. The impact of COVID-19 is not only felt in economic terms, nor is the damage that will be caused by Brexit. Our amendment to the motion seeks to recognise that calls to extend the transition period must take account of the shock waves that the COVID-19 crisis has sent through our entire society and the fact that Northern Ireland, as a whole, is not ready or adequately prepared for the protocol coming into effect in January.”
“<BR /> <BR />Ulster University's Economic Policy Centre predicts that economic output could fall by as much as 9·6% in 2020 and estimates that roughly 235,000 workers have been either temporary laid off or furloughed. Analysis from Ernst and Young notes an approximate 6·7% contraction in the NI economy and 78,000 job losses. The most recent survey from the NI Chamber of Commerce suggests that around three in five businesses have experienced a significant fall in income, with most down to their last six months of cash reserves. The Bank of England estimates that we will be in the worst recession in 300 years. I am sure that Members will agree that all that paints a very bleak picture for us and, as many continue to point out, even in the most optimistic scenarios, there will be no return to business as usual.”
“First, I want to thank the SDLP Members for tabling the motion. The simple fact that should not be forgotten throughout the debate is that the global health emergency arising from the pandemic has understandably forced Governments around the world to focus their attention, priorities and resources towards tackling COVID. The workload for Ministers and Governments is significant, and we have acknowledged that throughout. We also know that the Executive's response to the pandemic has been in the form of society-wide restrictions and an economic shutdown that has caused and will cause further damage and hardship for all our citizens.”
“Nevertheless, perhaps the Minister can update the House on how the Executive's approach to economic recovery will be adequately resourced by the Bill in the context of yesterday's motion and what we are discussing today about cash allocation.”
“Have there been any bids for resources from the Minister for the Economy that are tied to a fair and just transitional plan or strategy or to a green stimulus package to make sure that we move towards a more sustainable economy? Is the Budget (No. 2) Bill is simply a case of returning to business as usual after the crisis and makes no funding available for what the motion agreed to yesterday seeks to do? What approach is the Minister taking when it comes to properly resourcing an economic recovery plan? <BR /> <BR />Of course, we recognise that a fair and just transition to a green, sustainable future is the responsibility not of just one Minister or Department but of the Executive as a whole.”
“Last Friday, the Minister for the Economy published her Department's document on first steps towards economic recovery, which, again, is very light on detail and lacks a clear, coherent vision for our economy for when we come out the other side of the crisis. It certainly is not the basis for a green new deal or for a just transition. <BR /> <BR />What discussions has the Minister had with his counterpart in the Department for the Economy to make sure that any future strategies and stages of economic recovery are adequately resourced? Does he think that this Budget Bill will have any implications for what was agreed to yesterday?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. We are adhering to the social distancing arrangements, so that is why we have taken up camp here. <BR /> <BR />What we have in the Budget (No. 2) Bill and the further Vote on Account is a package of financial measures designed to keep Departments afloat until the autumn, yet, remarkably, they do not include any specific allocations related to an economic recovery plan or to a fairer and just transition to a more sustainable economy post coronavirus. Does the Minister agree that there appears to be a bit of a disjuncture in that regard? We are allocating resources to Departments that need them and rightly so, but, as far as I can see from the minimal detail on spending areas, it is unclear how the Executive even intend to resource their recovery plan.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. I completely agree. Given that we have seven Members of the Assembly not in the Executive, it is really important that all our voices in the so-called naughty corner be heard. <BR /> <BR />What we have in the Budget (No. 2) Bill and the further —.”
“It was disappointing that we were not afforded the opportunity to speak to the motion, but I will do so today.”