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.”
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“While austerity has undoubtedly wreaked havoc across our economy and society, we cannot continue to fall into the trap of blaming every problem on Westminster while taking absolutely no responsibility for our own failures. Yes, austerity is a political choice, but so is passivity and so is indecision. We have devolution, so we have the tools to lead, but we lack ambition, urgency and courage. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin currently holds three of the most important Ministries in the Executive: Finance, Economy and Infrastructure. If it truly believes that this region has been short-changed, why is it not demanding the devolution of tax and spending powers with the full force of government? Where is the campaign led by the Minister of Finance to secure fiscal powers so that we can properly invest in our public services?”
“Surely what matters most is the outcome: better services, better infrastructure and better jobs for our people.”
“He pointed out the enormous potential of the border counties to become hubs for very significant economic growth, but only if we act together. That is an opportunity that the Executive should be moving heaven and earth to secure, yet what has this place's purpose been? It has been division, delay, dysfunction and, in this motion, a wee bit of deflection. <BR /> <BR />The Irish Government have offered increased funding to the six North/South bodies at no cost to the Executive. Instead of grabbing that offer with both hands, however, the deputy First Minister has said that, unless the contributions are strictly balanced, the deal cannot proceed. What kind of short-sighted, bean-counting mindset is that?”
“The A5 road upgrade, a life-saving project that has languished for years, would not have made it this far without funding and encouragement from Dublin, albeit it is still to progress while lives are still being lost. <BR /> <BR />Those investments are not just symbolic but transformational. They will deliver economic and social benefits for all generations and, in the case of the A5, will save lives. That is the power of cross-border cooperation that is real, meaningful and grounded in need. The Taoiseach recently made it clear that North/South partnerships are essential for our shared economic future. Referencing the Economic and Social Research Institute's (ESRI) 'Sharing the Island' report, he highlighted the need for us to work together to attract foreign direct investment.”
“It is deeply frustrating and, frankly, shameful that Sinn Féin now follows the same pattern: tabling a motion that is full of noise but devoid of responsibility, as though it has no say in the decisions that are being made at the Executive table. <BR /> <BR />The truth is that you cannot abdicate your duty to government only to pop in here with a gesture motion, pretending that you are on the sidelines. I welcome the motion's focus on all-island funding, which my party and I have long advocated for. As a representative of the north-west, I have seen first-hand the real benefits of that kind of cooperation. The expansion of the Magee campus in Derry — long delayed, still unfinished but moving forward — would not have happened without financial support and political will from the Irish Government.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I support the motion's premise but not without serious reservations about those who tabled it. Let us be honest: if you read the motion in isolation, you might reasonably conclude that Sinn Féin is a party of opposition, not the largest party in the Executive and the one that holds the most powerful Ministries in the devolved institutions. The text of the motion is so detached, vague, hollow and bereft of real proposals that it reads like a grievance from a powerless Back-Bencher, not a motion from the leadership of a dysfunctional Government. <BR /> <BR />That kind of behaviour has become all too familiar in the Chamber. We have seen it before with the DUP walking out of Executive meetings only to reappear with a motion condemning the very crisis for which it was collectively responsible.”
“I stood for election to deliver better for the people whom I represent, and it is not happening for working families or young people. Communities have waited too long for action. The Budget does not deliver that. It falls short of the ambition that we need and the urgency that the moment demands. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP cannot support the Budget. We will vote against the motion, not for the sake of opposition but because this region deserves better.”
“We need to move beyond using austerity as an excuse. Yes, there are structural and financial constraints, but there are also choices to be made. There are choices to be made about where we invest, how we prioritise investment and whether we plan for the long term through having a shared agenda. <BR /> <BR />Childcare requires cooperation between the Department for the Economy and the Department for Education. A green economy needs DFI, DAERA, DFC and DFE all to work together. Tackling economic inactivity must involve a shared plan from the Department of Health, the Department for Communities and the Department for the Economy. None of that can be delivered out of single-year departmental budgets that are disconnected from strategic planning. Multi-year funding is therefore a must if we are to deliver meaningful change.”
“The Executive claim to be doing what matters most, but how can that be true when Budget decisions are not clearly aligned with Programme for Government priorities? As Pivotal has noted, areas such as housing, childcare and water reflect Programme for Government commitments, but most allocations continue as before without strategic re-prioritisation. Even after the final Programme for Government was published, it remained unclear as to whether health waiting list reductions would be backed by new investment. <BR /> <BR />NICVA is right to say that Departments cannot continue working in silos. Government must act as a whole, not as a collection of isolated parts. We need pooled budgets, shared planning and stronger leadership from the Department of Finance in order to deliver outcomes that cross departmental boundaries.”
“I totally agree. The cost of living is having a real impact on the younger generation. They are worse off than their parents and everyone else who went before them. We could now be saddling them with more debt. The Minister should stick to her party's word and rule out any increase in fees. <BR /> <BR />Without proper governance here, we simply cannot meet the challenges that we face. We cannot raise productivity, which remains at 13% below the UK average, without taking a serious approach to skills. We cannot build a green economy without workers who are trained in clean energy and advanced technologies. We cannot tackle regional inequality if places such as the north-west continue to be overlooked for infrastructure, university expansion and skills development. <BR /> <BR />More broadly, the Budget lacks strategic coherence.”
“The doublespeak on both sides of the border is not just inconsistent but hypocritical. Let me be clear: our universities need proper funding, but the burden should not be placed on students, who should not be punished for getting an education. It does not work in England, and it will not work here.”
“In real terms, that means cuts to skills provision and FE provision at a time when demand for them is growing. <BR /> <BR />We have already heard warnings about reduced course offerings, staffing constraints and possible delays to assured skills academies and apprenticeships. That is not speculation but the likely impact of the Budget. Further education is vital to our economy, but, instead of being empowered, our colleges are being forced to do more with less. <BR /> <BR />The Department has made very little progress on its funding review of the higher education sector, with some now calling for an increased burden to be placed on students. In the face of those calls, the Minister, instead of defending students, has refused to rule out an increase in fees.”
“Those goals, however, will remain little more than warm words if they are not backed up by meaningful investment. Nowhere is that clearer than in higher and further education, which, although central to delivering the skills that our economy needs, have been left underfunded, under-prioritised and overstretched. We already know that DFE has overcommitted funding this year by £0·8 million for further education and by £6·6 million for Skills for Life and Work and apprenticeships. Those overspends must be addressed in this or the next financial year. In practice, that could mean cuts to courses, fewer student places or the deferral of essential capital spending. At the same time, the Department's 2025-26 budget has increased by just 4·2%.”
“As we debate the Budget, I recognise the fact that having a Budget and a Programme for Government in place is in itself progress. In most democracies, it is standard. In Northern Ireland, it cannot ever be taken for granted. While the Budget is a step forward in process, it is not a step forward in ambition. We face serious challenges. President Trump's economic isolationism and the ongoing war in Ukraine have proved to be deeply destabilising for the global economy. However, almost all Governments face those headwinds. The real test is how we respond to them. <BR /> <BR />The Department for the Economy's strategic aims are sound. They include creating more good jobs, boosting productivity, advancing regional balance and delivering a just transition to net zero.”
“Last year, there were 312 active GP practices. Giving £1 million of new money in funding for all of those practices represents £1,600 each for six months or £3,200 for 12 months. Can the Minister explain exactly what a practice could do with that type of money?”
“Today marks a chance to repair some of the damage, but the SDLP remains clear that the only true path to recovery is through a new Ireland that takes us back into the heart of the European Union.”
“Our economy and society are enriched by the talent, energy and diversity that mobility brings. Limiting it holds back growth and opportunity. Secondly, the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) must be scrapped. It is doing real, measurable harm to tourism in Northern Ireland. The island has a seamless tourism offer. We cannot allow an artificial barrier to damage livelihoods in that key sector. Thirdly, we need closer alignment on emissions trading. With joined-up schemes across these islands and the EU, we can avoid price instability, support our industries and keep household energy bills lower. <BR /> <BR />People here did not vote for Brexit, and we must never stay silent about the damage that it has done not just to our economy but to the fabric of our society.”
“Instead of working to limit the damage, successive Tory Governments, backed by the DUP, pushed for the hardest possible version of Brexit, with no regard for the impact on this island or the Irish Sea. <BR /> <BR />Last year's general election delivered more than a change of Government: it brought a renewed opportunity to rebuild relations with the EU. For the first time since Brexit, the Chancellor has met EU finance Ministers, and, today, the Prime Minister is meeting EU leaders to chart a path forward. From the early details that we hear, that seems to be a positive move — we are moving in the right direction — but a lot more needs to be done. <BR /> <BR />I urge those leaders to focus on three priorities. First, we must restore the freedom of movement of our young people.”
“I welcome the UK-EU summit that is taking place in London today. It feels like a lifetime since the breakfast — I am still calling it "breakfast" — the Brexit referendum in 2016 and the UK's withdrawal from the European Union in January 2020. Both moments will be remembered as being among the most damaging acts of economic and social self-harm that any Government have undertaken. As the former vice-chair of the Remain campaign in Northern Ireland, I was proud to campaign alongside people from every background to make the case for EU membership. We won the argument in the North, but we were still dragged out against our will. <BR /> <BR />What followed the referendum was not an honest reckoning with the consequences of Brexit but a campaign of mistruths and denial from those who championed it.”
“— and that the value of a student in the South is greater than that of one in the North?”
“Minister, with the greatest respect, that is neither a yes nor a no. As an all-island party, Sinn Féin's position on student fees should be consistent. In the South, your party wants to reduce and abolish tuition fees, yet, in the North, you are not ruling out raising them. That is totally inconsistent, and, for an all-island party, Sinn Féin is acting in a very partitionist manner. Are you really telling the House that Sinn Féin is happy with two different policy positions, North and South, on tuition fees —”
“Minister, do you agree that the current pay offer, while matching the schoolteachers' percentage increase, does not advance pay parity? The unions therefore regard it as a standstill.”
“Thanks for taking the intervention. Does the Member support the idea that people should be allowed to enter the toilets in this Building without being photographed, both the men's and women's toilets?”
“— and evidence-led healthcare. <BR /> <BR />I urge Members to reject the DUP's amendment and its attempts to start a culture war.”
“The words "sale or supply" are a bit ambiguous and, as he will appreciate, could cause concern. Healthcare for trans people is woefully underfunded, and waiting lists are over eight years long. It is important that members of our trans community are given appropriate —”
“The Assembly should be delivering serious, inclusive and evidence-based legislation that raises standards and ensures that no one is left behind because of who they are or who they love. That requires mature politics, not distraction or division, and certainly not stunts dressed up as amendments. Progress on rights has never come easy; it requires thoughtfulness and respect. When we exploit complex issues for political point-scoring, sow fear instead of understanding and fail the very people who depend on the Assembly to act in their interests, we undermine trust in politics, shrink the space for honest dialogue and show the public that, for some in the Chamber, division still trumps delivery. <BR /> <BR />I am a bit concerned about the wording of Gerry Carroll's amendment, as it seems to advocate the unregulated selling of drugs.”
“As a member of the Committee for the Executive Office, I can say that we have taken extensive evidence on the gaping holes in our equality framework. Let me be clear: Northern Ireland is falling behind. We are the only part of these islands without comprehensive protections against age discrimination and we lag behind when it comes to protections based on race, sex and disability. While other jurisdictions move forward, we are left standing still, debating whether equality should even be a priority.”
“No. <BR /> <BR />It is an attempt to shape the political narrative before the facts are even on the table and, rather than focus on the well-being of all our children, to insert a culture war into the classroom.”
“We, however, are debating an amendment that does nothing to address those urgent needs and everything to stir up division. <BR /> <BR />Yes, we acknowledge the Supreme Court's recent judgement, but let us not pretend that the DUP amendment is a reasoned response to it. The Equality Commission has not yet published its guidance, which will be essential to understanding how the ruling should be applied in a way that protects everyone's rights. Instead of waiting for that clarity, however, the Education Minister has chosen to press ahead with new policy on single-sex spaces in schools. That is not leadership but pre-emption.”
“Let us be honest: the DUP's amendment is not about thoughtful policymaking or safeguarding anybody's rights but is a deliberate attempt to weaponise identity and pit communities against one another for political gain. What is most regrettable is that, once again, trans people are being dragged into a toxic culture war. Trans people are not a debate. They are human beings with hopes, feelings and families. They deserve respect and should not be used as a political punchbag. That kind of distraction politics is not just cruel but downright dangerous. <BR /> <BR />While the DUP obsesses over wedge issues, the real crisis, which is growing deeper, concerns our commitment to our communities. Children are going hungry. Families struggle to heat their homes. Poverty is rampant.”
“and reaffirms the Assembly's duty to uphold equality, dignity and human rights for all. I am, however, deeply frustrated at how little progress has been made and at how often the failure stems from political choices made in the Chamber. The LGBTQI+ strategy expert advisory panel laid bare the scale of the challenge. The community in Northern Ireland still faces systemic inequalities in healthcare, education, housing and safety. More than a decade after the Executive first committed to a sexual orientation strategy, we are still waiting for it. The LGBTQI+ strategy has been delayed, deferred and deprioritised. <BR /> <BR />Instead of working to resolve that failure, Members opposite have tabled an amendment that seeks not to move us forward but to stoke division.”
“That is vague, it is subjective and it risks silencing creative voices. We must safeguard artistic freedom, not stifle it. <BR /> <BR />The decision comes at a time when communities face deep social and economic challenges. In moments such as this, the arts are not a luxury; they are a necessity. They offer connection, resilience and opportunity. Following last year's cut to the Waterside Theatre, the recent decision to withdraw funding from Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company is not just a budget line: it is a cultural loss, a blow to community well-being and a threat to the creative economy of our city. I am deeply concerned about the growing pattern of disinvestment in the arts in Derry and the north-west. Enough is enough.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am also concerned about the Communities Minister's letter of expectations to the Arts Council, which included language suggesting that funding could be withdrawn from any group whose work is deemed to be disrespectful of any tradition.”
“<BR /> <BR />We must value our artists and protect our cultural institutions. We must not allow Derry's creative future to be dismantled piece by piece. I urge Minister Lyons to review that decision, restore funding to Echo Echo and work with the Arts Council to develop a fair, transparent and sustainable approach to arts investment, one that supports every part of our region, not just a few. The arts sector in Northern Ireland is underfunded when compared with that in the rest of these islands. Now, we see decisions being made that compound regional imbalance. Derry and the north-west deserve better.”
“The recent funding cuts to Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company, one of our city's most vital, inclusive and creative institutions, is more than just a funding decision: it is a profound blow to the cultural soul of Derry. Echo Echo is not just a stage company but a community; a space where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come together to create, move, heal and imagine something better. It supports artists, reaches into communities and contributes to our local economy. Removing its funding does real damage to the legacy that we built as the first UK City of Culture. Equity is actually holding its annual conference in Derry today. It is dreadful that the first item of business was a rally this morning against the harsh cuts to that wonderful dance theatre company.”
“— increasing the instability at the coalface of our communities.”
“Those are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they represent investments that could improve the lives of families, increasing the amount of affordable housing and creating the structure needed to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. <BR /> <BR />The Budget highlights the broader issue of Northern Ireland's continued reliance on decisions made at Westminster, without us having the fiscal tools to shape our future —”
“I completely concur with my Economy Committee colleague David Honeyford: it is a bizarre and unfair policy that is actually anti-business. We need to reform it, and we need to do so soon. It should also include measures to provide certainty for the voluntary sector. Multi-year Budgets have the potential to offer the stability that those organisations need. Without that certainty, they will continue to struggle to deliver essential services. Any Barnett consequentials arising from the Budget must be ring-fenced for Northern Ireland. By doing that, £61·2 million could be put to childcare, £68 million to housing and £170 million to infrastructure projects.”
“We cannot simply acknowledge the challenges but must concentrate on solutions. The SDLP has called for a coordinated response from the Executive led by the Minister of Finance and the Minister for the Economy. That response should include targeted business rates relief for small businesses and social enterprises to help offset the rise in costs. It should include reform of the non-domestic rates system to make it fairer and more responsive to the needs of businesses.”
“At the same time, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has downgraded predicted growth for this year from 2% to 1%. That is a worrying sign that the UK economy is slowing down, yet the Budget fails to offer the necessary support to offset the risks. <BR /> <BR />Let us not forget the Trump tariffs. The recent announcement that tariffs could return could completely wipe out any fiscal headroom that the Chancellor sought in her Budget. For businesses in Northern Ireland, especially those that are in the export industries, that brings another looming threat of economic instability.”
“Those organisations provide vital services, whether that be through food banks, mental health support or crisis intervention, often stepping in where the Government have failed. However, despite their essential role, they are expected to absorb wage costs without additional funding. Financial uncertainty and one-year Budgets leave many of those organisations struggling to plan. <BR /> <BR />The challenges do not end there. The recent spring statement introduced more cuts to welfare, including the decision to allow those who are under 22 to claim the health-related elements of universal credit. Additionally, for new claimants, the health-related elements of universal credit will not rise with inflation until 2030. That will have a devastating impact on those who are already struggling the most.”
“Across Northern Ireland, small businesses are telling us daily that they are under immense pressure. Many are still recovering from the combined impacts of Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing crisis in the cost of doing business. The Budget adds additional burdens without offering the necessary support to help those businesses adapt. The increase from 13·6% to 15% in the National Insurance contributions for employers is a concern and will, unfortunately, hit SMEs and social enterprises the hardest. <BR /> <BR />At a time when we should be encouraging investment, growth and job creation, that increase could hinder businesses' ability to create jobs and invest in their staff. The impact on the community and voluntary sector is also severe.”
“— must be based on fairness, sustainability and, above all, support for those who create jobs and deliver essential services. Those sectors form the backbone of our economy, yet, the measures in the Budget fall short of addressing their critical needs. <BR /> <BR />I will begin with some positives. The increase in the national minimum wage is a welcome step for many low-paid workers who are struggling to make ends meet, given rising rents, food prices and energy costs. However, while the wage increase is important, it is not a comprehensive solution to the cost-of-living crisis. When businesses are simultaneously burdened with higher National Insurance contributions and escalating overheads, we risk making it harder, not easier, for employers to maintain those pay increases in the long term.”
“I support this important motion, which highlights the significant challenges that are facing our businesses, social enterprises and the community and voluntary sector, particularly after the Chancellor's autumn Budget statement. The SDLP has long argued that economic policy —”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. As you know, lives have been devastated by the complications of vaginal mesh. One of my constituents faces having to spend almost £30,000 to access mesh removal, a burden that is financially and emotionally crippling. In light of such cases, will you commit to commissioning a review of the care and support available to women harmed by vaginal mesh to ensure that they have safe, accessible and fully funded pathways to have the mesh removed?”
“No, you cannot have that one day and have nothing the next day. Climate change is either happening or it is not; it either is a crisis or it is not. You cannot just pick and choose your fights.”
“Mr Gaston, in the House last week, you said that you wanted a green transition. You wanted Ballymena to be a hydrogen hub —”
“<BR /> <BR />The levers that we need to deliver a just, green and ambitious transition are all within our grasp, but we must be bold enough to use them, create certainty for businesses, empower communities and take part in local climate action to ensure that no worker is left behind in this economic transformation. <BR /> <BR />As others have said, this is a legal obligation of the Climate Change Act. I was somewhat surprised by the DUP's position at the Committee. It was a little bit johnny-come-lately. Once again, I fear that the DUP, instead of leading, is following, and it is following the TUV. That is not leading and it is not leadership.”
“That is a significant achievement and we should be proud of it: while others talk about independent oversight, we are putting it in place. That is not just symbolic; it is structural, and it sets us apart. It sends a signal to investors, communities and the next generation that Northern Ireland is serious about green transition and wants it to happen. Importantly, placing the commissioner in the Executive Office will allow them to operate with the independence that the role requires. Given how cross-cutting the climate challenge is — it spans Agriculture, Infrastructure, Communities, Economy and much more — separation from departmental silos is essential. Now is our chance to act more decisively.”
“Today marks progress, but it is also a reminder of how far we have yet to go. As I have said before and, no doubt, will have to say again and again, Northern Ireland will not, on its current trajectory, reach net zero until the year 2118. That is not just disappointing; it is unacceptable for our people, the planet and, above all, the future generations who will pay the price of our inaction. What makes it worse is that we were once ahead of our neighbours and counterparts, east and south, in our ambition to tackle climate breakdown. However, we have fallen behind. That is a truth that we must face. <BR /> <BR />It is not all bad news, though. Northern Ireland will now be the first region in the UK to establish its Climate Commissioner.”