Sinéad McLaughlin
Foyle · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“After decades of silence, being believed matters; having your experience acknowledged matters; and knowing that society finally accepts the truth matters deeply. That is what, I hope, the legislation provides. <BR /> <BR />Throughout the process, I wanted to ensure that, where we could strengthen the Bill, we did.”
“Today is an important day because it is a day of accountability. I welcome to the Gallery all of the birth mothers, all of the adult adoptees and all of their family members. I thank everyone who has journeyed with you and loved you throughout the process.”
“As time passed, I believed that the original figure no longer reflected the recognition as strongly as it should have done, so I was pleased that Members from across the Chamber supported that amendment.”
“Behind every clause is a person; behind every amendment is someone's lived experience; and behind every decision that we make in the Chamber are people who have spent years carrying the consequences of decisions that they never made. That is why the legislation is so important.”
“It is often Members who receive the attention in debates such as this, but good legislation depends on the dedication and expertise of many people working quietly in the background. Today, we complete the legislative journey, but we should not pretend that justice begins and ends with the passing of a Bill.”
“We are here because survivors refused to accept that their stories would remain untold. We are here because they never stopped asking for what should never have been so difficult to receive in the first place: recognition, dignity and justice.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,912 lines we hold for Sinéad McLaughlin, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 10 of 39.
“In that context, the DUP leader's decision to post the Parachute Regiment insignia suggests that he finds those actions acceptable, or rejects the judge's conclusions. Either way, it is indefensible and deeply hurtful for the Bloody Sunday families. <BR /> <BR />Those families have carried themselves with extraordinary dignity and restraint. They have always sought justice through the rule of law — never revenge. They have upheld the very best of Derry: compassion, persistence and faith in democratic institutions, even when those institutions failed them. That is why the DUP leader's post was profoundly wrong. Political leadership carries responsibility; it requires empathy and understanding, especially when dealing with wounds that run so very deep.”
“He said that the soldiers who entered Glenfada Park North had:”
“Last week's social media posts by the DUP leader and others that included the insignia of the Parachute Regiment following the acquittal of Soldier F caused deep hurt, particularly in Derry and especially among the families of those who were murdered on Bloody Sunday. For those families who have spent over 50 years seeking truth and justice through lawful and peaceful means, it was not only another political controversy but a painful reminder of the disregard that has been too often shown to their grief. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear: the Parachute Regiment was responsible for shooting dead 13 unarmed civilians on the streets of my city, with a fourteenth dying later of his injuries. Lord Saville's inquiry report could not have been clearer: those killings were unjustified and unjustifiable. Judge Patrick Lynch reminded us of that truth.”
“We cannot continue to go to Westminster with a begging bowl, come away with nothing and have no solutions closer to home. We need leadership at home that explores such funding as social finance, which allows organisations to leverage private capital for social and environmental good. Departments must also provide stability for our organisations to deliver essential services. The community and voluntary sector has carried this region through some of its darkest days — through conflict, austerity and political collapse. It deserves certainty, sustainability and respect, and as NICVA rightly says —”
“<BR /> <BR />The NI Can't Wait campaign warns that almost 24,000 people could lose vital support unless urgent action is taken. Those are people with disabilities, lone parents, carers and people with health conditions. They rely on community organisations to move closer to employment. The British Government say that the local growth fund will replace the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2026, but serious concerns remain about its design and accessibility. It cannot become another overly centralised fund that is out of reach for community organisations. <BR /> <BR />NICVA's message is clear: groups across Northern Ireland need leadership, and they need it now. The SDLP believes that the Executive must take action and must take matters into their own hands.”
“When European funding disappeared, so did the match funding from our Departments, with real consequences for organisations and the people whom they serve. Virtually the same motion was debated here almost a year ago and was passed, yet the sector still lacks clarity about the future of funding. The Department of Finance is the lead Department for developing the fund for Northern Ireland. It committed to engaging with the sector, including through the hosting of an event, on 18 June, and agreed to produce a report outlining the Executive's position, yet that report still has not been made available. That adds to the uncertainty that is faced by the community organisations. I would like to hear about that from the Minister in his response.”
“If we did not have the community and voluntary sector, it would be on life support. We are not far from that, but it would be, because the sector is providing core functions in our communities. It is often the only support when statutory services cannot cope. In Derry, the loss of the European social fund saw such support organisations as Women's Centre Derry and Derry Youth and Community Workshop lose staff, skills and capacity, along with vital services. <BR /> <BR />It was not only Westminster that pulled the plug. European funding relied on partnership, with local Departments providing match funding. Since 2016-17, the Executive contributed tens of millions in statutory match funding.”
“The European social fund's impact was quieter, but vital. It helped people rebuild confidence, gain skills and move much closer to work. It underpinned much of our community and voluntary sector, and it transformed lives. <BR /> <BR />The community and voluntary sector is one of Northern Ireland's greatest strengths. It employs over 53,000 people across 7,400 registered charities, and 73% of those working in the sector are women — many in part-time roles. Those organisations hold communities together, often on insecure funding, yet with unshakeable dedication. At a time of enormous pressure in our health service, they are essential in supporting older people, families and those facing poor mental health, addiction and isolation. We all know the pressures that our health service is under.”
“We can see the legacy of the regional development fund in infrastructure in our towns and cities, the growth of our local businesses and social housing delivery. Those projects remind us of the tangible benefits of EU membership and what it brought to each of our communities.”
“I welcome the motion on the future of funding to replace the European programmes that sustained so much good work in our communities for decades, and I acknowledge and welcome the presence in the Public Gallery of Celine McStravick and others from the community and voluntary sector. <BR /> <BR />I have said before that I was proud to be at the heart of the Remain campaign in Northern Ireland, and, while people here voted to remain, we were dragged out of Europe against our will. I do not want to dance around all that again, but it has to be said. The value of that membership, particularly in the European regional development fund and the European social fund, continues to be seen across our region every day.”
“Thank you, Minister, for that. Workforce mobility across the island is critical to addressing persistent labour shortages. Do you support the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry's call for an all-island mobility task force, and what active steps are you taking to establish and contribute to that initiative?”
“The UK Chancellor recently announced plans for a new youth mobility agreement with the EU. Have the Executive made any formal representations to ensure that young people here are included in that scheme?”
“We will continue to undertake and push for proper scrutiny in order to secure an approach that is fair, credible and accountable and protects public funds. This place cannot afford a repeat of past mistakes. We must close the scheme properly, with fairness for participants, value for money for the public and confidence for all.”
“Without those powers, there is a risk of a legal and administrative vacuum — essentially, it will be in limbo — and there will be significant uncertainty for participants and the public purse. That is why the SDLP will support the principles of the Bill. We are not convinced that the Department's current approach or, indeed, its capacity are yet sufficient to deliver a smooth and credible transition. Given the Department's historical role in the scheme, there are legitimate questions about whether robust, independent oversight should form part of that process. <BR /> <BR />Our position is clear: we support the principle of closure, but we have real concerns about the process, the timing and the arrangements that will sit beneath the legislation.”
“<BR /> <BR />Fairness must also be extended to the taxpayer. We have a duty to ensure that every pound of public money is used properly, is monitored effectively and is capable of standing up to close scrutiny. That balance between fairness for participants and the protection of public funds is essential if we are to build public confidence. <BR /> <BR />We must be realistic about the implications of not supporting the Bill. If the Assembly were to reject or delay it, the Department for the Economy would not have the legal powers to transfer the scheme's administration once Ofgem steps back next spring, which is pretty close in the calendar, in order to put in place the arrangements that must follow.”
“Once again, the Assembly finds itself dealing with major legislation at the last possible moment. The Bill has been introduced under intense time pressure, with a live consultation still under way on the regulations that will give it effect and with a hard deadline approaching in April 2026, when Ofgem will withdraw from its role in administering the scheme. That timeline means that scrutiny of the Bill and the subordinate legislation will be compressed into a matter of weeks. That is not how good governance should work. It is not the careful, transparent and considered process that the public expect, especially given the history of RHI. We all remember what went wrong the last time, and we all remember how public trust was damaged. Anything bearing those three letters now must be handled with absolute care and transparency.”
“The Bill represents an important step towards closing a scheme that has cast a long shadow over public confidence in government. We recognise that the legislation is also intended to bring a fair and lawful conclusion to the involvement of those who entered the renewable heat incentive scheme in good faith. Businesses and individuals who followed the rules made genuine investments in renewable energy and have lived for years with uncertainty. They deserve fairness and clarity as the scheme is brought to a close. For that reason, the SDLP supports the principle of the Bill that the non-domestic renewable heat incentive scheme should be formally and finally closed. <BR /> <BR />While we support those principles, we have serious concerns about how the process has been handled and the lack of clarity about what will follow.”
“I totally agree. Let me be clear: when I talk about regional imbalance, I am talking about places that have been left behind. Obviously, Derry is in my heart, and it is in the constituency that I represent. If we fail the people of my constituency, that is a tragedy, but failing the people in the Causeway Coast and Glens area or Fermanagh is also a tragedy. The area west of the Bann has not had the investment that it needs. It has been left behind. It has potential, opportunity and ambition, and it has been failed year after year, decade after decade. If regional balance is good policy, it is good law, and it should apply to all places here that have been left behind.”
“Walk around the streets of Derry and ask people whether they think that our city is thriving and whether they feel the difference of government in their wage packet or their daily life: "thriving" is not the word that you will hear. <BR /> <BR />One year ago, the subregional economic plan declared a new, strategic approach to economic policy that placed regional balance at its heart. One year later, people still wait to see and feel the difference and to even understand what the purpose of the plan is. That needs to change. With a different approach that is grounded in fairness, evidence and ambition, it can change. <BR /> <BR />I put the motion to the Floor.”
“It is why I have brought forward a proposal for a regional balance Bill, which has now been formally submitted to the Speaker's Office. I look forward to engaging with the Speaker and hope that the Bill will be granted approval to progress to the drafters. It is in the interests of every Minister in the Chamber that the legislation goes forward, because poverty does not care about borders or council areas. We should all want a society where our chances of a good education, access to healthcare and a prosperous future for our children are not decided by our postcode. <BR /> <BR />The First Minister recently told us that the north-west is thriving. I will never stop speaking up for the north-west. I am probably like a broken record at this stage. I will also never stop being honest.”
“<BR /> <BR />Given the decisions on the football fund that left clubs such as Derry City Football Club and Coleraine Football Club out in the cold, it is clear that regional balance still is not embedded across Departments. So what needs to change? We need an economic strategy that drives growth in every part of the region, recognising the comparative disadvantages of each area and ensuring that no community is left behind. We need a skills policy that links education with opportunity and seizes the jobs of the future, from green energy to AI. We need to see progress on the subregional economic plan and a whole-government approach to make it work. That is why our motion calls on the Minister to ensure that every Department plays its part.”
“The number of higher education students in Derry now stands at around 6,000. However, when you set that against the 46,000 students in Belfast, you see that it is not balanced. <BR /> <BR />The resignation of Kieran Kennedy from the board of Invest NI was a stark warning and a damning indictment of the Executive's failure to deliver for regional economies, especially in the north-west. Kieran is a respected voice who understands what is at stake. His decision speaks volumes about the lack of urgency and cultural change at the heart of Invest NI. It was interesting to read about an hour ago that Invest NI has just advertised a new role for the head of regional business in Derry. What a coincidence.”
“It is of little surprise then that Foyle is above the Northern Ireland average for respiratory conditions such as asthma and COPD. Those facts tell the real story of Northern Ireland today, and it sits totally at odds with what we hear from Ministers in the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />Regional balance is not about pitting one area against another. What is good for the west should be good for Northern Ireland as a whole. That is the challenge, and it is our responsibility as legislators. Despite the rhetoric, regional balance remains a claim on paper — just warm words. For too long, it has been used to pacify the long-standing demands of people who have been denied the university that they were promised, the investment that was pledged and the economic justice that they deserve. We welcome the recent progress on Magee.”
“<BR /> <BR />Regional imbalance does not stop at the Bann, however. Some of the 10 most deprived wards in Northern Ireland are in the North Belfast constituency of my Economy Committee colleague, Phillip Brett, and in West Belfast. Members across the Chamber can attest to the impact that that has in their constituencies every day. This is not a question of west versus east; it is about fairness and building a Northern Ireland that works for everyone. <BR /> <BR />A report by the International Longevity Centre UK recently measured local authorities by inequalities in health, wealth and opportunity. Derry was ranked the third worst in the UK. It was 357th out of 359. When we talk about deprivation, we must also talk about air quality. Poor air quality is a serious yet often overlooked indicator of poverty and health inequality.”
“<BR /> <BR />In 2012, we had a regional development strategy that emphasised the importance of modern infrastructure, but, 13 years later, look where we are. The European Commission's regional competitiveness index ranked the north and west of Ireland at 218th out of 234 EU regions for infrastructure. We have failed to move the needle, and people west of the Bann still pay the price, not least through the failure to deliver the A5, a project that is vital not just for the north-west but for Fermanagh and Tyrone. Its completion would open up access to jobs, trade and investment across the region. The failure to deliver the A5 is not just incompetent but a betrayal of the families who have lost loved ones on that road. It is regional imbalance writ large. Modern roads are not just tarmac; they are the arteries of economic growth.”
“<BR /> <BR />Let us begin with the facts: people in Derry face a gap of around 10% in employment and economic activity compared with other areas across the North; average wages are almost 30% lower than in Belfast; the rate of poverty in our north-west communities is double that of some other parts of Northern Ireland; the rate of drug deaths in the most deprived parts of the Western Trust area is almost two and a half times the trust average; and from 2019 to 2021, people in the most deprived areas of Derry and Strabane were likely to die seven years earlier than the Northern Ireland average — a gap that has widened since 2015. It is a problem that is felt passionately by many people west of the Bann who are locked out of opportunity, including by embarrassingly poor transport links.”
“I speak in the interests of fairness and opportunity for people across Northern Ireland, because fairness — the basic promise that everyone should have a fair crack of the whip and a fair shot in life — is at the core of the motion and at the heart of regional balance. However, the reality of our economy is that wealth is dictated more by postcode than by merit or talent.”
“Let us commit not just to more investment and more apprenticeships and to funding our universities properly but to doing those things in a way that works across the island, supports every region and ensures that no young person is left behind. Now is not the time to fail the 19,000 young people who are waiting for us to act. It is time to unlock the full potential of Magee campus, to protect our universities and colleges and to ensure that investment is fair and regionally balanced. It is time to deliver a careers portal and to seize the opportunities presented by an all-island approach to skills, education and the economy. That is the vision that the SDLP offers through the amendment.”
“The truth is that the island of Ireland has extraordinary potential, but, too often, we choose to neglect the opportunities that lie right here at our back door and across the border. That has been a fatal mistake and one that we can no longer afford to make. <BR /> <BR />By creating an all-island talent development agency — you can call it "Skillnet Ireland" if you want — we can ensure that skills development is aligned with what businesses need and give our young people the best chance of building a career here at home. We can send a clear message that regional balance and cross-border partnerships are not optional extras but essential elements of our future success. <BR /> <BR />I urge colleagues to support our amendment and to see it as an enhancement of the substantive motion.”
“That could be Skillnet, because it is there, it is an exemplar, and it delivers best practice. There are other talent agencies throughout Europe that do really good work and work across jurisdictions in order to meet the needs of businesses in those countries. <BR /> <BR />That kind of cooperation is not really a luxury or even an aspiration; it is a necessity. Our businesses are crying out for workers. Our hospitality sector is struggling. Brexit has made recruitment even harder, particularly for the skilled labour workforce. If we fail to invest in our people through, for example, apprenticeships, further education, higher education and cross-border collaboration, we will continue to hold ourselves back.”
“That could be Skillnet Ireland; we are not prescriptive about it. It is important that that happen, because the challenges that we face as an economy do not stop at the border. Skills gaps and business needs do not stop at the border. We already have economic corridors that need to be unlocked. It is time that we created educational corridors too. In the north-west, there is no reason why Ulster University at Magee and Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Donegal cannot work hand in hand to develop the skills of the future workforce; in fact, they do, and they do it effectively.”
“and with higher education institutions "across the island of Ireland" to create:”
“It is an exemplar organisation that steers and supports skills training programmes in partnership with the education sector and industry. Skillnet has a really good record of improving competitiveness, productivity and innovation in Irish businesses. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment:”
“Every day in my constituency and throughout Northern Ireland I see businesses and higher education working together. In my city, Alchemy Technology Services is creating meaningful careers that power economic and social recovery. Allstate's future innovators competition has given 3,500 young people in Derry and Strabane a chance to build vital digital skills. That is exactly the collaboration that we need. We must also be clear, however, that individual businesses cannot do it alone. That is where government must step up. The SDLP agrees with the Member who moved the motion that the best way forward is to establish a talent development agency. Mr Honeyford highlighted the work of Skillnet Ireland, and I agree with him.”
“It is about saying that young people's future does not have to be elsewhere but can be built at home.”
“It is not just a statistic; it is a moral and social failure of this place. <BR /> <BR />We need urgent action to expand apprenticeships, strengthen pathways into further education and break down the barriers that stop so many of our young people reaching their potential. Alongside that, we urgently need progress on the careers portal, which is being designed to link education, skills and employment. It must be delivered as soon as possible so that young people can see clear pathways from study to work and so that employers can have the confidence that their skill needs will be met. That is why the expansion of Magee university to 10,000 students remains a priority for us. It is not simply about numbers; it is about transforming the economy and society of the north-west.”
“However, they are under enormous strain, and they are being asked to do more with less. The Department for the Economy too often skirts round its responsibilities, and the crisis of funding is real. <BR /> <BR />That cannot and must not be solved by raising tuition fees and shifting the burden to our students. The SDLP led the charge against those proposals, and we continue to oppose them. Instead, the Minister must bring forward a sustainable funding model that supports our universities, protects access and allows our young people to thrive. The ongoing review of higher education is critical and must be used to set out a bold vision, not to manage decline. Yet, as we debate this, 19,000 of our young people in Northern Ireland are not in education, employment or training. That is 19,000 lives and futures.”
“Opportunity cannot be confined to the few, and investment cannot be concentrated in one corner of our region. <BR /> <BR />Invest NI has an important role to play in securing investment for the North, but it must also be accountable for delivering it to all our regions. That is why the resignation of Kieran Kennedy from its board should concern all of us. He has made it clear that he felt that the north-west was being discriminated against and that the organisation was not committed to achieving regional balance. <BR /> <BR />Our higher education institutions are central to that mission. Across the island, in Derry, Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown, Donegal and Galway, our university colleges are not just centres of learning but economic engines, hubs of research and innovation and drivers of social progress.”
“I thank the Member for proposing the motion, and I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important issue, which goes to the heart of Northern Ireland's economic future: how do we equip our young people with the skills that they need to succeed in a changing economy? <BR /> <BR />We should begin by recognising that, in recent years, investment has delivered important job creation in Northern Ireland. That is welcome, but, if we are also honest, it is not enough. Too many opportunities are still being missed; too many people are left behind; and too often investment is not regionally balanced. If we are serious about delivering not only prosperity but social justice and reconciliation, every community in Northern Ireland must share in the benefits of growth.”
“That legislation aims to establish a world-leading sustainable aviation fuel industry across the UK, reducing reliance on imported fuels, boosting energy security —”
“I am coming to the best bit, Steve. I am talking about City of Derry Airport, so let me get on with it. I also note, regrettably, that you did not mention City of Derry Airport in your amendment. Yet again, however, City of Derry Airport is central to the discussion. It is a vital asset to the north-west, but it needs more support to reach its potential. The Department for the Economy has committed to four years of funding, and the Birmingham and Manchester services are welcome progress, but we must go further. A Derry-Dublin connection is not a luxury but an economic necessity, and it must be delivered in partnership with the Irish Government. <BR /> <BR />At the same time, we cannot ignore developments elsewhere. In recent weeks, the British Government advanced their Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill in the House of Commons.”
“We need a serious aviation strategy that connects us and supports our people and economy, but I am sorry, Steve, the UUP amendment is just delusional.”
“The Irish Government are planning to invest in a metro rail connection to Dublin Airport, per the all-island strategic rail review. We should be working to support that in order to ensure the best possible links to Grand Central station in Belfast and the onward journey to Derry. That would mean that people here could access Dublin Airport and that visitors to our shores could access the North as easily and quickly as possible. We need to exploit existing rail proximity to Northern Ireland's airports, all three of which are close to rail links that have either no connection or, in the case of Belfast City Airport, a very poorly signposted walk down a dual carriageway.”
“If there were, why would the UK Government prioritise delivering such a huge concession for a small region on a small island that already has pre-clearance, and for an airport that does not even have a regular transatlantic air route? It would be better to focus on ensuring that we have the most comprehensive links to London and the British regional airports, on looking for new connections to Europe, as Phillip Brett outlined, and on building our unique relationship with the European Union, rather than on the fantasy of displacing Dublin Airport for transatlantic travel. That is an obsession that has already cost millions of pounds of public money in APD subsidies. <BR /> <BR />We should be looking at much better rail links to Northern Ireland's airports and, indeed, to Dublin Airport.”
“I am sorry: I want to get through this; OK? <BR /> <BR />More than 70% of visitors to Northern Ireland arrive via Dublin. That does not represent a nefarious plot to undermine Northern Ireland; it is a fact of geography and basic economics. Dublin is a major European air hub, with pre-immigration clearance and US customs. There is no realistic likelihood, on whatever planet the amendment was written, that the UK Government will negotiate pre-clearance for Belfast. To pretend otherwise is just codding the people.”
“The SDLP supports the introduction of an aviation strategy that supports our economy and our people and helps us to meet climate targets. We need airports that facilitate connections to GB and beyond, as well as better connections from those airports to Belfast and Derry, such as through the rail links that are mentioned in the all-island strategic rail review. Given our geography, a healthy aviation strategy is vital. The DUP motion contains many sensible points, but the UUP amendment is ill-judged at best. Its focus on competing with Dublin rather than working in complement with it is risible. David Honeyford used the word "bonkers", and it really is.”
“— and women being able to participate fully in education, work and family life. We must do better, and I look forward to hearing the Minister's response.”
“Yes, an action plan is great and is welcome, but it is no substitute for long-term commitment, accountability and structural change. <BR /> <BR />The cost of doing nothing in lost productivity, repeated interventions and human suffering is far greater than the cost of investing in care now. Surveys from Nothing About Us Without Us and Derry Well Women show that women are not listened to, their pain is minimised and services are often inaccessible. Almost 80% of women reported feeling unheard by health professionals, and more than 30% said that the services that they needed were "inaccessible" or "very inaccessible". Better women's health means earlier diagnosis, fewer emergencies, fewer repeat interventions —”
“Women in Northern Ireland deserve nothing less than structured care pathways. Specialist-led excision surgery that is delivered in a multidisciplinary model provides the best outcomes. That is the standard that women here should have access to. It means that we need specialised services, clear targets for diagnosis and treatment and a recognition that endometriosis is a serious, chronic disease. <BR /> <BR />The issue highlights something that is even bigger: the systemic failure in women's healthcare. Women's healthcare is the poor relation of the health system. There is no doubt about that. Women's health is not prioritised and does not get investment. We are the only region across these islands without a women's healthcare strategy.”
“Studies across the UK and Ireland have shown that delayed diagnosis and inadequate treatment lead to repeated GP visits, hospital admissions, lost productivity and workforce absenteeism. It sometimes keeps families in poverty, because there is a real barrier for women in going to work and contributing. Every year of untreated endometriosis represents a real financial and social cost to society. International comparisons show that, when specialist-led, multidisciplinary care is available, outcomes improve dramatically. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Australia have structured care pathways that reduce the time to diagnosis and improve treatment success. <BR /> <BR />They are chronic diseases that, when left undiagnosed and untreated, have absolutely life-changing impacts.”