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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“He indicated that help is required for sectors that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, mentioning the help and support needed by young people, women and people in the BAME community. Pat also raised the issue of areas being left behind and the need to level up right across Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Steve Aiken brought some Royal Navy comparisons to the table. He talked about the manufacturing industry, particularly our indigenous manufacturing industry, being the engine room of our economy. I agree with him. Although I do not have the flair for Royal Navy comparisons, I heard it very much from his comments. He also talked about improving our railway and connectivity infrastructure and about the energy strategy.”
“He also raised a number of constructive themes regarding telecoms and mentioned Project Stratum and the confidence and supply money that went towards developing and rolling out that project. He talked about transport infrastructure and referred to the importance of air connectivity to developing and growing our markets in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Next, Pat Catney my party colleague talked about productivity. He concentrated on how essential building productivity is to growing our economy. He talked about skills development and indicated that low productivity also reflects low incomes and lower skills, mentioning in particular the agri-food and retail sectors. He indicated that, in order to develop our productivity, we need to concentrate on skills development and that that should be done through our universities.”
“I have only 10 minutes and have a lot of Members' contributions to get through; I am sorry. <BR /> <BR />It will come as no surprise that I warmly welcome the recommendations and hope that all parties will do so and that our Executive will work together to implement them. <BR /> <BR />I will now reflect on Members' comments. Kicking off the debate was my Foyle constituency colleague Gary Middleton. Gary concentrated his observations on the impact that COVID-19 has had on our high streets and town centres. He addressed the issues of low-paid workers, particularity in the retail, tourism and hospitality sector. He highlighted that, significantly, a large number of those low-paid workers are female and part-time.”
“It involves building a world-class health sciences sector. It involves not just using the most advanced technologies but having our universities, colleges and businesses develop those most advanced technologies. In short, the recommendations from the micro-inquiry are, to a very large extent, the same as the policies that the SDLP has produced in the last few months.”
“The SDLP's recipe for economic recovery and progress involves investment in our energy sector, broadband, transport, childcare, renewing and saving our traditional urban centres amidst the crisis that they are suffering, and protecting our locally owned and independent businesses. <BR /> <BR />We believe in investing in the future by investing in the infrastructure and skills development that will build our productivity. It is only by improving our productivity that we will create the economic success and wealth that our society so desperately needs. Investing in the technologies of the future rather than the fossil fuel industries of the past will see our society prosper. That involves commitments to renewable energy sources, including hydrogen and geothermal as well as wind and solar.”
“The Committee has proactively engaged with the Minister and risen to the challenge of ensuring that the Committee and stakeholders play a key role in the policy development process, and it will continue to do so. I thank the Minister and all the Members who contributed for their participation today. I also thank the many stakeholders who contributed their views to the Committee's special report through an online discussion event, as well as the Committee team for its work. <BR /> <BR />I will now make a very brief comment on behalf of the SDLP. I wish to stress the extent to which the proposals from stakeholders are aligned to my party's policies.”
“I am pleased, on behalf of the Economy Committee, to make a winding-up speech on this important debate, which seeks to map out key issues for the Minister and Executive to consider and to incorporate into their planning for economic recovery and to build back better.”
“Project Stratum is indeed a very welcome initiative, and it could not come sooner. What review mechanisms has the Minister in place if, for example, the project is delayed or the roll-out is just not up to the standards or expectations that her Department has?”
“Minister, this company has a track record of stripping assets from businesses that go into administration, leaving people without pensions and proper redundancy packages. You need to move quickly with the Business Minister to protect the assets of the Arcadia Group so that employees are not left holding pension pots that are worth nothing.”
“Thank you, Minister, for coming to the House today to address this serious issue. Like others, I pass on my sympathy to any workers who have got this devastating news. Given what retail workers have gone through in recent months and given that Christmas is ahead of us, it is devastating. I will pick up where my colleague to the left of me left off in relation to Philip and Tina Green.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer so far. We are 10 months into this pandemic, Minister. Can you give a guarantee that, following the current lockdown, we will get a very clear recovery plan? The Republic of Ireland, England and Scotland have plans, and the people of Northern Ireland deserve one.”
“I say sorry to the Members whose comments I have not reflected. Thank you.”
“Right. <BR /> <BR />He said that more investment was required in the electricity grid. <BR /> <BR />John O'Dowd said that the importance of energy is growing each time that the issue is discussed. He discussed the cost of energy transition and the fact that tackling climate change should be an enormous economic driver.”
“Gary Middleton welcomed the wide engagement in bringing together the report. He said that it was an important discussion and talked about there being no time to stand still. He also emphasised the need for cross-departmental working — again, no silos. Fuel poverty was highlighted in his address, as well, as was the fact that the benefit to consumers was very important for business and domestic consumers.”
“He also pointed out that Northern Ireland does not have a climate Act, unlike the other three nations in the United Kingdom, and that we needed to act on that very quickly. He spoke in depth about a just transition — it was the key theme of his address — and outlined the health benefits of decarbonisation. He was also very much aware of the need to rural proof any kind of energy strategy that comes along and to make sure that there is an all-island approach to energy within this small island.”
“Close to Mr Frew's heart, as always, was the system operator, and he talked in depth about that and the transparency required in the relationship between SONI and EirGrid. He said that, no matter what we do, if we do not get that right, there will be poor outcomes. He said that we needed to be sure that the system operator functions properly and is fit for purpose. I hope he is happy that I have reflected exactly what he said. <BR /> <BR />Philip McGuigan discussed the energy strategy in a global context and spoke of the need for radical climate action.”
“She talked about the important part played by the housing stock and the need to look at whether there is adequate investment in heat and light for homes, particularly in the rental sector. Our social housing stock is very good, but our rental sector can have poor energy usage and high energy costs. Kellie also talked about high private car dependency in Northern Ireland, the need to transition to public transport and how we have fallen back on that a little because of COVID-19. <BR /> <BR />Paul Frew welcomed the report. He said that the big issue facing us is the high cost, particularly for industrial users. That is close to my heart. We are not competitive when it comes to energy costs for our manufacturing sector, so any energy strategy must address that. He spoke of his constituency, Wrightbus and hydrogen development.”
“He spoke in depth about biogas and our biogas surplus but said that we have planning challenges. I agree with him that about that and that we need to be more ambitious. He said that we should look to realising some of our ambitions by 2035. <BR /> <BR />Kellie Armstrong welcomed the report and called for an evidence-based approach. She said that we could and should become world leaders, and that was a common theme among Members. She endorsed the points made by Mr Aiken. She warned against departmental silos, and that was another theme that many Members raised. She said that the green new deal needs to be interconnected and that there is a need to develop a skills base, which, I know, the Minister is supporting and championing in order to deliver for our economy.”
“The growth of renewables in Northern Ireland is to be applauded, and that success augurs well for the future. He said that targets must be followed by good incentive schemes to support consumer engagement. Pat also mentioned that a lot will be reliant on behavioural changes in communities, and that shift will be important. <BR /> <BR />Steve Aiken talked about his previous role in the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, in which he outlined the barriers for Northern Ireland in relation to energy. He spoke about monopolies the role of the electricity regulator and whether the Department for the Economy is fit for purpose, on the basis of previous renewables schemes. He also spoke about lack of ambition. We need to stretch ourselves and be more ambitious. He emphasised that we should be recognised as leaders in the energy sector.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion is timely, and I am delighted at the level of debate and the contributions made by Members across the House. There were high levels of synergy around key areas, and I will now reflect the contributions. <BR /> <BR />Gordon Dunne rightly stressed the importance of energy affordability and security of supply. As well as those key themes, he highlighted the challenges related to weak infrastructure. He said that the gas networks need to be expanded and spoke of a need for a mix of energy sources. He highlighted the opportunities in hydrogen energy and the importance of ensuring that there is a fit-for-purpose energy strategy. <BR /> <BR />Pat Catney welcomed the cross-party support for bringing together an ambitious energy strategy.”
“Northern Ireland, particularly my city of Derry, has a serious problem with air pollution that is literally killing hundreds of people prematurely every year. Air pollution is recognised as a major factor in COVID-19 mortality. As well as moving ahead with electric cars and hydrogen-powered buses and trucks, we must act against the burning of coal and wood, promoting instead clean energy sources. Those can also combat fuel poverty, given that coal is an inefficient and expensive means of home heating. We must make progress on the green new deal to bring our housing stock up to the highest standards of energy efficiency and decentralised renewable energy generation. Those policies would create substantial numbers of new jobs, as well as cutting our carbon emissions.”
“Not only can we be self-sufficient in electricity production, but we can use the surplus energy to become global leaders in the essential new technologies of battery storage and green hydrogen. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland has academic researchers and businesses engaged in developing those technologies, promising jobs and wealth for our society. Although we are still blighted by the COVID-19 crisis, it is essential that we consider our economic and social recovery. Investing in green infrastructure provides the basis for future economic growth and jobs in the near term. That is why we want to fast-track investment in electricity and broadband. <BR /> <BR />We have to move and move quickly.”
“The energy strategy will take us decades into the future and will be a key determinant of how we respond to the climate emergency, as well as creating thousands of new jobs in related sectors. <BR /> <BR />As my party's economy and energy spokesperson, I will now speak on behalf of the SDLP. Today, my party launched an energy policy that is radical, exciting and forward-looking. Northern Ireland can be a world leader in restructuring the energy market to eliminate carbon emissions. We have the right weather conditions and geography to take advantage of the necessity to reform the energy market through wind, geothermal and tidal power, as well as having a role for solar and hydro.”
“I am delighted to wind up on behalf of the Economy Committee today's extremely important debate. As the Chair and other Committee members have indicated, we are keen to engage with the Minister to ensure that Members' and stakeholders' views on the shape of the new energy strategy are acted on. I thank the Minister and all the Members who contributed for their participation today. I also thank the many stakeholders who contributed their views to the Committee's special report, as well as the Committee team for its work behind the scenes. <BR /> <BR />The forthcoming energy strategy is a key part of our interlocking network of policies. It will help us to bring our economy into recovery and to build it back better than before.”
“Minister, what are you doing to ensure that your Department speeds up this process and gets money into this constituent's bank account as soon as possible?”
“She has received emails to say that payments would be on their way, but she has received absolutely nothing. That has gone on for seven weeks, not just a few days. Those payments have not been honoured for weeks. She wrote:”
“Thank you, Minister, for your statement and for coming to the House today. I appreciate your acknowledgement of the delays in getting payments out, but those delays have very serious consequences. This morning, I got an email from a constituent. She wrote:”
“— and public health disaster to unfold before our very eyes, and we certainly do not need another one.”
“It is time for Minister Poots to show the same level of commitment and to prove that he is not just the Minister of Agriculture but equally the Minister of the Environment. At present, he is simply allowing an environmental —”
“It is also imperative that DAERA publish its ammonia action plan as a matter of urgency. <BR /> <BR />Our poor quality of air in Northern Ireland is not only a result of high ammonia emissions. Our air is seriously damaged by the relationship between ammonia emissions and other polluting emissions. Those include nitrogen oxides from road traffic emissions, especially from diesel vehicles, and particles from residential burning of solid fuels, particularly the burning of smoky coal, which, amazingly, is still permitted in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />My colleague Minister Mallon has set out her determination to support the switch from diesel and petrol engines to electric and hydrogen vehicles. Even the British Government are taking increasingly strong action in that regard, as we heard over the weekend.”
“That is certainly not to demonise the farming community: far from it. I have far too many family members involved in farming here in Northern Ireland, and they would not be too long in letting me know that I was not doing my job properly on their behalf. Farmers are the backbone of our local economy. Allowing such levels, however, raises the need to engage constructively with the sector to reduce emissions. DAERA recently opened tranche 3 of the farm business investment scheme, which will primarily fund ammonia reduction equipment. I am told that the farmers have been largely receptive to it. That is a welcome step, but it can be only one part of a long-term strategy that must also include a clean air strategy that sets legally binding limits on air pollution, with targeted interventions to address the sources.”
“It is also estimated that millions could be saved on healthcare costs if we were to reduce air pollution. Prevention is better than cure, both for human and economic cost. We need action that supports air quality and agriculture, but I have to tell the Assembly that I have received representations arguing that agriculture policy has gone in the wrong direction: specifically, that the Going for Growth strategy has promoted farming methods that have caused increases in ammonia emissions. We need to listen to the science, just as we need to be led by the science when it comes to the COVID health crisis. <BR /> <BR />Agriculture accounts for 94% of total ammonia emissions, yet Minister Poots recently dealt with a backlog of farming applications by increasing the ammonia levels at which applications could be passed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Since it is a major issue in my constituency of Foyle, I would like to focus on the key role that ammonia plays in the formation of PM 2·5. By speeding up atmospheric reactions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, ammonia leads to larger concentrations of those very damaging, minute particles. Prolonged exposure is associated with increased mortality from lung and heart disease and is also linked to conditions such as dementia. It is therefore hugely concerning that Derry has been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as exceeding safe levels of PM2.5. Across Northern Ireland as a whole, research by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) projects that poor air quality leads to 500 premature deaths each year.”
“I support the amendment, as I believe that we need to have a cross-departmental solution to reducing ammonia levels. I do not believe that a moratorium on planning will solve the current problem and, indeed, it could do more harm than good. <BR /> <BR />We currently find ourselves on a very dangerous path with ammonia pollution. Northern Ireland is going in the wrong direction. Where the three nations of Britain are cutting their ammonia emissions, here emissions have increased over recent years. DAERA has admitted that ammonia emissions increased by 20% from 2010 to 2018. As has been noted by other Members this evening, ammonia pollution is known to have a damaging impact on both biodiversity and human health.”
“The terminology that the Minister used to suggest that this is a "game" in any shape, form or fashion is regrettable. <BR /> <BR />Many businesses in my constituency are small and family-owned, with perhaps two or three members of the same family working in them. To date, they are in their seventh week of having absolutely no support through the part A scheme. Based on the experience with the part A scheme — I welcome the fact that we now have a timeline for part B — can the Minister guarantee that part B grants will be put out very quickly? Can she guarantee that they will be paid before Christmas?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answers so far. The deputy First Minister has spoken about giving people some hope. At the weekend, I had an email from a constituent, who is looking for some hope. This is what she said:”
“I also urge her to ensure that Invest NI works with local industry in order to enable businesses to exploit the opportunities from the Northern Ireland protocol. I have been told by some business leaders that there is an apparent reluctance by Invest NI to work with companies in order to seize any opportunities that may be created by our unique relationship with the EU and GB. This is not a time to be reluctant to work with any business. <BR /> <BR />There are new opportunities as well as new challenges. However, unless we work and look to the future and build, we are at risk of losing large numbers of well-paid jobs, particularly in our manufacturing sector, which has a very proud history of excellence and a proven track record in our region. Let us support and protect them.”
“Thank you. I take your point absolutely. We are small, and we want all areas of Northern Ireland to rise together and to be successful as one. <BR /> <BR />We can be partners in progress, not in competition over the breadcrumbs. I hope that the city deals will provide an innovative basis for a new generation of manufacturing. However, we also need to invest massively and quickly in our infrastructure. Some of that will come from the public purse, but much of it will come from the private sector. Our road network is poor, which means that it takes longer to get goods to market. We need to improve our transport connectivity and our water network in order to enable new factory builds. <BR /> <BR />I urge Minister Dodds to accelerate progress on the energy strategy and the roll-out of the digital network.”
“I hope, for example, that the Derry city deal will provide a manufacturing base for medical products and treatments. I hope that the Belfast city deal will provide an impetus for the capital city as a base for advanced manufacturing. <BR /> <BR />DUP members on the Economy Committee complained last week that, in standing up for my city, I was, in some way, doing down Belfast. I want both cities to be world class and successful.”
“The system fails to give confidence and aspiration to pupils who often have the potential to develop the practical skills needed by our manufacturers. If we are to build the skills needed for the future, we have to connect better with pupils who may feel alienated and discarded by the schools system. By doing better for those pupils, we will do better for our manufacturers, economy and society. <BR /> <BR />Strong skills feed into productivity, but productivity is about more than skills. It is also about innovation, and that is where the city deals come in. The SDLP has been pushing for and demanding those for many years, usually without the support of other parties. The city deals in Derry and Belfast can provide the innovation needed for a new generation of manufacturing.”
“Thanks to the politicians who misleadingly promoted Brexit, our food industry is facing a crisis of its own. Less than two months from the impact of a head-on crash, we do not even know the details of that crisis. It is essential that we focus increasingly on high-value manufacturing. We cannot compete on cost with all countries, but we must compete on quality. For businesses such as Caterpillar, and many other large and small manufacturers, success is based on skills, productivity and innovation. Those areas are where we have serious challenges. <BR /> <BR />My party realises that we have a real problem in our education system. While it provides a strong pipeline of grammar-school pupils who go on to university, many of them to Great Britain, never to return, it fails to inspire many pupils who do not go to a grammar school.”
“I welcome the opportunity to support the motion. If anyone had forgotten that we have a crisis in manufacturing in Northern Ireland, the loss of 700 jobs at Caterpillar should remind them, in the worst possible way. <BR /> <BR />Any economy will struggle when it loses large numbers of manufacturing jobs; Northern Ireland's more than most. While our neighbours in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland have a largely service-based economy, we have not. We, to a much larger extent, are a manufacturing economy. More than70% of Northern Ireland's external sales are manufactured goods. That compares with less than half of exports for the UK as a whole. <BR /> <BR />We are facing new pressures in manufacturing. Much of our manufacturing is in food.”
“It makes it impossible for me to plan my business". The current delays are spreading fear and panic, making a difficult time even more challenging for thousands of workers. <BR /> <BR />We need a plan that balances support for our employers and employees with the health of our communities. I cannot see it yet.”
“We need more than a vague sound bite to get through this crisis. <BR /> <BR />I emphasise the importance of promptly putting in place the necessary support measures. While support schemes have been announced, we find ourselves in the farcical situation where the restrictions are due to end this week but some schemes have not even started paying out money. They have not even opened up. <BR /> <BR />We still do not know the specifics of part B of the COVID restrictions business support scheme, and help for the previously excluded self-employed workers was announced many weeks ago, yet we have not heard a single bit of detail. That is unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />Minister Lyons, one constituent put it to me like this: "It is the silence that is the real killer. The lack of communication, with no indication when payments will be issued.”
“The transmission rate has fallen, as colleagues said, by 70% as a result of the recent restrictions, but we are not out of the woods yet. In Derry, Altnagelvin hospital had 16 COVID-positive admissions this weekend. That is a significantly high number. So, whilst the restrictions are improving things in my city and region, we are certainly not out of the woods yet. <BR /> <BR />Some proposals, such as authorising restaurants to provide meals but without alcohol, are just silly. We have to give employers, employees and the wider public hope for the future, including for Christmas. Put yourselves in the shoes of our healthcare workers, who are sacrificing their mental and physical health to cope with rising hospitalisations. The phrase "living with the virus" offers no solutions and very little comfort.”
“<BR /> <BR />Members, I agree with my legislative colleagues Jonathan Buckley and Pat Sheehan, both of whom made points, albeit from slightly different angles, that we need to get our test and trace to work effectively. We also need to speed up reforms in our National Health Service so that Northern Ireland has sufficient resources and capacity to support our patients and enable them to recover. It is unacceptable that 400 COVID patients can bring our National Health Service to near breaking point — 400 patients nearly floored our health service. That is a real difficulty and one that we will have to face. We have to fix it. <BR /> <BR />We have seen that the restrictions on activities in Derry and Strabane have worked.”
“We need clarity in policymaking so that the public know what is expected of them and why. It is therefore concerning to hear the phrase "living with the virus" being bandied about. This is a highly infectious virus that has devastating consequences for many. It is completely disingenuous to suggest that we simply start living with it rather than implementing a proper strategy that seeks to suppress it. <BR /> <BR />There is no contradiction between the health of our people and the health of our economy. The solution, for employers and employees, is for Northern Ireland to deal effectively with this pandemic. In particular, that lies with the Health, Economy, and Finance Departments.”
“If the public do not trust us and our decisions, they are much less likely to heed the restrictions, which would render them totally ineffective and useless. These restrictions have had a huge impact on individuals, and they deserve proper scrutiny. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that some people watching today are asking what the point of this debate is, and I absolutely understand why. Unfortunately, conspiracy theorists will seize on this lack of accountability and use it to justify their false claims that the pandemic is a hoax. We must not be complicit in adding fuel to that fire. <BR /> <BR />We must also ensure that our message is clear. Mixed messages have muddied the water and left many of my constituents feeling very frustrated. Most people want to stick by the rules but it can be hard to navigate the different restrictions.”
“I support the regulations but, unsurprisingly, not the process. First, I recognise that COVID-19 has, sadly, claimed over 1,000 lives locally, left many others with debilitating conditions and put our healthcare workers under immense stress. Therefore, and given the high rate of community transmission, it was undoubtedly necessary to act quickly to implement the new measures. However, while I appreciate the unique situation that we find ourselves in, it is unacceptable that we are debating these restrictions in the Chamber just days before they are due to expire. We are denied the opportunity to give them due scrutiny, which reduces the chances of accountability and risks eroding the public's trust. We depend on that trust to get us through this pandemic.”
“The Caterpillar job losses are absolutely devastating for the workers, their families and the communities in both Larne and Belfast. Unfortunately, we are probably at the very beginning of major job losses throughout Northern Ireland in the coming months, which is very sobering to think about. Does the Minister agree that we must urgently reshape the economy for the future, particularly around investing in skills and new green technologies, and accelerate our programmes of change? What is she doing to lead and deliver in this revolution for driving technology within the Northern Ireland economy?”