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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“Trade missions and overseas offices matter, but they must be matched by delivery at home, a planning system that works, infrastructure that enables growth and an Executive who understand that resilience comes from balance, not dependency. <BR /> <BR />A new global order is emerging. The question is this: will we recognise that shift early enough to benefit from it or will hesitation and short-term thinking leave us behind?”
“<BR /> <BR />That is why the SDLP believes that the British Government must move with urgency to rebuild closer alliances with Europe. Leaving the European Union was a major misstep, and one that has cost us economically and socially. It is a decision that can be reversed, however. As the global landscape shifts, the case for rejoining the European Union is clearer now than ever before, and social democracy must sit at the heart of how we respond, because diversification is not just an economic strategy but a political one. It means building growth that is shared and sustainable and that is rooted in strong public institutions. Global investors are seeking stability, certainty and long-term value. Northern Ireland can offer that, but only if the Assembly provides coherence, ambition and confidence.”
“For decades, global growth was shaped by an assumption that stability, investor confidence and political reliability would always be anchored in one dominant power, the United States. That assumption no longer holds. Investor confidence has been shaken by the unpredictability, institutional weakening and retreat from multilateralism under the Trump Administration. What we are now witnessing is a deliberate shift away from over-concentration towards balance. That matters to us on this island, because a rebalancing of the global economy presents a real opportunity for Ireland, North and South. A world where capital and innovation are more evenly distributed is one where smaller regions can thrive, but only if we are prepared to seize the moment.”
“At last week's meeting of the Executive Office Committee, members heard directly from our overseas representatives who are based in Brussels, China and Washington. What struck me most was not just the breadth of engagement but the consistency of the message that they brought back: the global economic landscape is shifting, and Governments across the world are responding in real time. We see that in the European Union's pursuing trade engagement with India; Canada recalibrating its relations with China; and the UK and Ireland mounting renewed trade missions, broadening partnerships, diversifying markets and spreading risk. <BR /> <BR />That is not accidental but a rational response to a world in transition.”
“In that light, will you now call on your party colleague the Finance Minister to reverse the rates revaluation before more hospitality businesses hit the wall? Rates are within the purview of the Executive and your party colleague. Revaluation has not been imposed upon him by the British Government. Rates are his job, his role and his decision. You, as the Economy Minister, should be really concerned, because I genuinely am concerned for those businesses in each and every town across Northern Ireland.”
“Minister, the introduction of paid carer's leave would be a really meaningful step towards more inclusive and supportive workplaces. When will you bring a fully formed draft 'good jobs' Bill to the Executive, and when can we expect it to be brought to the House?”
“It is shameful that those reports have sat since July 2025, because we are hurting the victims. The longer that those reports sit and are not published, the more that it hurts victims. I feel ashamed that that has happened.”
“— and we cannot build public confidence and trust. They must be published, and it must be addressed.”
“We cannot shape a response, test whether it is adequate or measure whether it is properly resourced —”
“As with other powerful institutions, it has often sought to cover up abuse and paedophiles within its ranks, denying survivors the truth to protect the Church's reputation, rather than the children's, and that must end. There can be no special status, no deference and no closed doors when it comes to child protection. Full cooperation with investigations and oversight must be the absolute minimum. Religious institutions must be held accountable. They must not be allowed to avoid scrutiny, and they must not be placed above the law, the truth or the rights of the victims and survivors. <BR /> <BR />It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge one fundamental point: we cannot engage constructively on the best way forward unless we know what those reports contain.”
“I have heard first-hand about the devastating impact that abuse has had on families, not only on individuals but across generations, because trauma does not end when childhood ends. It shapes lives, relationships and well-being for decades, and it can be carried through families long after the abuse itself. For many survivors, what they are asking for is not complicated: they want to know that they are being listened to; they want assurance that their experiences are being treated seriously; and they want to see that someone in the system is prepared to fight for accountability on their behalf. That is why I support the amendment from Mr Carroll. <BR /> <BR />We also have to be honest about where responsibility lies. I have engaged over many years with many victims, predominantly, but not exclusively, from the Catholic Church.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion is not only about justice for those who have experienced abuse; it is about ensuring that it is never repeated on such an industrial scale. That means action. It means having safeguards that are real, enforceable and effective. It means ensuring that warnings are not missed and investigations are not avoided or brushed aside and that the systems that are meant to protect children do exactly that. It means having robust procedures, proper record-keeping and a culture of accountability, where the protection of children is always at the heart of decision-making. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Committee for the Executive Office, I have sat through countless hours of evidence-gathering on institutional abuse, including at the Magdalene laundries. Listening to those testimonies is not something that you forget.”
“<BR /> <BR />Honestly, it is shameful — I find it difficult to understand — that the First Minister and the deputy First Minister appear to have had so little meaningful engagement with victims and survivors since the independent reports were submitted in July 2025. The reports were commissioned by and delivered to the Executive Office, yet we have seen far too little transparency, far too little urgency and far too little respect for the very people who have already waited far too long. I understand — I will say this carefully — that, given the sensitivity of the issue, it is right that careful consideration be given, but that cannot be an excuse for delay, it cannot mean silence, and it certainly cannot mean survivors being left in the dark once again, wondering whether the system will fail them yet another time.”
“I support the motion and pay tribute to every victim and survivor who has come forward to share their experiences of abuse in faith-based settings. Survivors are incredibly strong and courageous, not only for speaking to someone, often for the first time in their lives, about what they have suffered but for continuing to push for accountability for others as well. Let us be clear that justice matters not only for those who have gone public but for those who have never told a soul and who remain too traumatised to speak about what they endured. When survivors are listened to, respected and believed, that sends a really strong message to our society that it is prepared to confront uncomfortable truths rather than bury them.”
“If young men are being drawn towards voices that teach them to hate women, it is because someone is offering them belonging, certainty and status, however toxic their message may be. We must offer them something better: respect, equality and empathy. <BR /> <BR />Steve Aiken and Doug Beattie spoke on the need to act with urgency. If we do not act with urgency, we are contributing and continuing to hurtle towards the worst place possible. If we keep falling behind, we will be debating not the same issue in a few years but something much worse. Women and girls deserve more than reactive politics. They deserve safety and dignity. They deserve leadership that refuses to look away. Thank you, Members, and I ask you to support the motion.”
“I welcome the Minister's comments and her response to the motion. As Members said in the debate, law without enforcement is not protection; it is symbolism. Victims deserve far more than symbolism. However, as we all know, legislation alone will never be enough. If we are really serious about ending violence against women and girls, we must tackle the culture as well as the crime. Ciara Ferguson made a really good point. She drew attention to the importance of properly resourced education, digital literacy that keeps pace with technology and support for schools, parents and youth workers. Tackling the culture means asking deeper questions about masculinity, identity and belonging.”
“That should be the bare minimum. I welcome the Minister's resolve to table an amendment to the Justice Bill so that legislation can be passed on deepfakes. That is urgent, and it needs to be done. As Cara said in her opening remarks, we could lead the way. We have cross-party support on the issue, and it would be great if the Minister could force it through as quickly as possible. If the Committee intends to act quickly — I think that it does — let us get it to the Committee and through the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />I want to be clear that this is not about blaming men. Most men are appalled by what has been described. Many are actively challenging misogyny and abuse. I appreciate my male colleagues speaking passionately about the issue today. However, when misogyny is amplified and monetised at scale, it becomes a culture and a system, and politics has a responsibility to act. When online spaces are controlled by those with vast wealth and influence and accountability is weak, it is ordinary people, particularly women and girls, who pay the price. As Kate Nicholl said earlier, there is so much darkness in this space. <BR /> <BR />The motion is clear. It calls on the Minister to ensure:”
“However, it is not about one individual; it is about a wider ecosystem that profits from anger, insecurity and resentment and targets young men who feel lost or disconnected. They, too, are victims of these platforms. <BR /> <BR />We are now seeing the consequences spill into our schools, as has been mentioned by the Minister. In recent months, schools across these islands have had to respond to the online circulation of explicit images, misogynistic content and threats of sexual violence. Teachers and parents have spoken of their shock at the language that is being used and the casual way in which abuse is being shared. That should be a concern for all of us, because it forces us to ask about the type of world our children are being raised in and the kind of future that they are absorbing as normal.”
“The people who commit such abuse do not care about their victims, and they do not care about trauma, reputational damage or lifelong harm. They care about themselves, gratification and power — nothing else. That is why this must be treated as a serious form of abuse. <BR /> <BR />None of this exists in a vacuum. Online misogyny has been amplified and monetised. We see it embodied in figures who have built enormous platforms by selling grievance and hate back to young men as empowerment. Andrew Tate is one example of that. He has described himself as a misogynist, said that women belong to men and suggested that women should bear responsibility for violence committed against them. That world view teaches young men that dominance is strength, that women are objects and that cruelty is something to be admired.”
“AI has accelerated that harm, making it faster, cheaper and harder to trace or prosecute. We must, however, be honest. The technology is not the root cause. As Emma Sheerin and Gerry Carroll said, it is a symptom and tool of a deeper problem: a wider culture of online misogyny that normalises humiliation, rewards cruelty and treats women's bodies as content, and it is happening at scale. It is happening in spaces where anonymity is not just a feature but a protection for perpetrators. It is giving anonymity behind the abuse, and the protection that falls in behind the perpetrators is on a scale that we have never seen before. Someone can cause profound harm and disappear behind a username or an encrypted group while the victim lives with the consequences. <BR /> <BR />We also need to be honest about the mindset behind these acts.”
“The attacks started during her election campaign and have not eased up. I am really grateful that we have people in the House such as Diane who speak up for other women. When women in political life are subjected to that kind of abuse, the message that is being sent is clear: stay silent and shut up. That is an attack on women's participation in public life and an attack on democracy itself. <BR /> <BR />The creation and dissemination of non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated images, is a serious and escalating form of abuse. It is not funny or a joke; it is a really serious crime.”
“It is also about fear and uncertainty. The future is scary, and it is frightening to consider the world in which our children are growing up and what unknowns lie ahead. We continue to fall behind the pace of technology and the scale of harm that is now being inflicted. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to my colleague Cara Hunter. Her campaigning has really forced the issue on to the political agenda, and she knows personally what it is like to be targeted and abused online. It never stops for her. It just keeps going on, not because of anything that she has done but because she is a woman who speaks out publicly and refuses to be silent. That really matters. <BR /> <BR />I also thank Diane Forsythe for her testimony today about the attacks and the hate that she has experienced.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I thank all the Members who made really powerful contributions to this evening's debate, and I thank the Minister for attending and responding to it. A number of important points were made, particularly on the need to have robust criminal offences, enforcement powers and proper victim protections. I do not intend to go into each of those areas, but I do want to return to some of the realities behind the motion. For all of us, the discussion about artificial intelligence platforms and criminal offences is ultimately about power, harm and dignity. It is about women and girls whose images are weaponised against them. It is about lives disrupted, reputations destroyed and voices silenced, often anonymously and without consequence, and, too often, without adequate protection from the law.”
“Regional inequality has doubled here since the Good Friday Agreement. That is shocking. In 1998, Belfast's GVA was 42%. That now sits at 80%. People in the north-west do not experience regional balance. They see that too many good jobs are still concentrated in and around Belfast, and too many young people have to leave if they are to build a future. We are almost 16 months on from the publication of the 'Sub-Regional Economic Plan', yet only a minute proportion of the £45 million that was allocated to local economic partnerships has been spent. That does not represent regional balance or urgency —”
“I would argue that workers across Northern Ireland have never worked harder and that they deserve delivery, not delay. Sinn Féin cannot demand ambition in a motion today while presiding over slippage and missed deadlines in the Economy Ministry at home here. <BR /> <BR />On energy, the story is much the same. In fact, it is probably worse. We were once a leader on the transition to a greener economy, but now we are missing out on investments because the frameworks are not in place. Where is the legislation to support renewable electricity, and why does uncertainty persist around the North/South interconnector, which would deliver real benefits for consumers, investors and our long-term energy security? <BR /> <BR />Regional balance is another area in which Sinn Féin's rhetoric does not match reality.”
“That causes concern. That uncertainty hurts workers and businesses alike and at precisely the time when we should be improving productivity and living standards for people. <BR /> <BR />It is worth noting that Sinn Féin in the Republic of Ireland has been vocal about calling out Governments when they have failed workers. The Sinn Féin spokesperson for enterprise, tourism and employment said:”
“The Lyons review criticised Invest NI for failing to properly measure or improve productivity, yet it is now years since that Lyons review, and there is little or no evidence of improvement. If productivity is truly central to the Minister's economic vision, where is the delivery? That leads me directly to talk about the Department for the Economy, because the uncomfortable truth is that Sinn Féin cannot propose motions about economic transformation while presiding over economic delay. Take the 'good jobs' Bill. We were told that that would lead to the biggest change in workers' rights in a generation, yet it still has not been brought to the Assembly. Deadlines have slipped, again and again, and, from what we heard at last week's Economy Committee meeting, it seems that there will probably be a further six-month delay.”
“That is why my central message is simple: we must go further, and we must go faster. However, Northern Ireland continues to underperform against the very indicators that matter most in people's lives. The figures are stark. In 2023, gross national income (GNI) per capita in Ireland stood at €63,500, compared with GDP per capita of €30,500 in Northern Ireland. That is an 84% gap. As has been said, there is a similar pattern with households' disposable income. In 2022, disposable income per household was €36,900 in Ireland, compared with €33,400 in Northern Ireland. That is a 10% gap. Those are not abstract statistics but translate into whether families can cope, whether young people can stay here and whether work truly pays. <BR /> <BR />Productivity is at the centre of the gap.”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />Absolutely. In many walks of life, increasingly, even in healthcare, there is no border, and there are better outcomes if we share our services. <BR /> <BR />I have to say, however, that there is a glaring contradiction at the heart of today's debate. The Sinn Féin motion is about urgency in economic delivery while Sinn Féin holds the Economy Ministry and is failing to deliver on the basics. So, before we get carried away with ambition, we need some honesty. It is easy to table a motion, but it is so much harder to govern and deliver. The ESRI report is clear that shared ambition alone is not enough. Without reform, urgency and delivery, particularly here in the North, those synergies will not translate into higher productivity, better living standards and stronger incomes.”
“I welcome the motion and the publication of the ESRI report. It is a serious and timely piece of work, and it is right that it will now become an annual report through the Shared Island initiative. <BR /> <BR />The report identifies clear synergies between the two Programmes for Government, particularly around improving productivity, accelerating decarbonisation and supporting small and medium-sized businesses. That alignment really matters, because, if you live, for example, in a border county, the border does not really exist when it comes to going to work and moving around the place. Alignment really matters a lot.”
“Will the Member outline the major job numbers and investments in Derry?”
“Does the Member agree that the words in the motion were used on purpose to divide the House? If you had left out a couple of lines, you would probably have had unanimous support for the motion, but you purposely made it a constitutional issue by using those words. That is why the SDLP will not follow you through the Aye Lobby.”
“It does not, however, acknowledge the central truth: we are in this position because of Brexit, which fundamentally reshaped our trading relationships and left Northern Ireland uniquely exposed. Those consequences were foreseeable. They were warned about repeatedly, and they cannot now be disowned. <BR /> <BR />That does not absolve the UK Government of responsibility. The Secretary of State must recognise the unique circumstances that we find ourselves in and act accordingly, particularly when it comes to protecting small businesses from disproportionate costs and disruption. Anything less would be a failure of leadership, but leadership also means honesty —”
“Thank you for your intervention, Jonny, but this is a classic case of the DUP of cutting off its nose to spite its face. If we are serious about addressing the ongoing damage caused by Brexit, we must also be serious about the solutions. One such solution is for the UK Government to seek negotiations on a UK-EU customs union, which would eliminate much of the duplication, paperwork and uncertainty that our small businesses face whilst boosting economic growth across these islands. That is not about relitigating the past; it is about dealing responsibly with the realities that our business sector faces. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls for the UK Government to restore:”
“If you just let me finish this, I will let you in. <BR /> <BR />— rebuild trust or give Northern Ireland a stronger voice, whether that is for an EU Commission office in Belfast or observer status in the European Parliament. The DUP cannot argue for influence whilst refusing engagement. You cannot claim to stand up for businesses while you oppose the very steps that would reduce that friction and rebuild confidence.”
“If the DUP is genuinely concerned about Northern Ireland being subject to decisions that are taken elsewhere, is it now calling for closer alignment with the European Union? Does it support the Prime Minister's call to reset the EU-UK relationship? Does it support the re-establishment of youth mobility? If not, why not? What we see time and time again is a party that stands in the Chamber lamenting a lack of influence whilst rejecting every serious proposal that could deepen engagement —”
“The dual market access has the potential to be a genuine economic advantage but only if it is supported by serious policy choices and meaningful engagement. <BR /> <BR />What concerns me about the motion is that it does not meaningfully engage with that complexity. Instead, it reduces a deeply complicated issue to a political dividing line. Motions such as it are rarely genuine attempts to work across parties to chart a better way forward. Too often, they rehearse the old arguments — I am as guilty of that as anybody else — while offering little in the way of practical solutions for the businesses that are struggling now. That brings me to multiple questions that the DUP needs to answer.”
“They want predictability, clarity and workable solutions that allow them to trade, grow and provide goods in their local communities. That is why I have consistently said that the issue is not black and white. Yes, the Windsor framework has created real difficulties for traders, particularly, as I said, for small firms moving goods from GB to Northern Ireland, and we need to be honest about that. However, it is also true that the framework plays a critical role in avoiding a hard border on this island and in protecting the peace and stability on which our economy depends. The challenge before us is to deal with both realities at the same time. We need to dismantle the barriers that are making it harder for businesses here to trade with GB while maximising the opportunities that come from our unique dual market access.”
“I want to begin by grounding the debate in the reality facing businesses right across Northern Ireland, particularly small and medium-sized firms that are already under pressure from rising costs, labour shortages and fragile supply chains. I meet such businesses regularly, as does every other Member from across the House, and I am acutely aware of the challenges that they face when trading with GB. For many, the Windsor framework has introduced added complexity, additional paperwork and uncertainty that they simply do not have the capacity to absorb, and new customs fees for small parcels will put additional pressure on those small businesses. Those concerns are real. They are legitimate, and they must be addressed. <BR /> <BR />Small businesses are not interested in constitutional point-scoring.”
“Some 70% of Arts Council funding goes to the greater Belfast area. What are we going to do to create regional balance in growing the real potential that we have in Northern Ireland?”
“Thank you for the statement, deputy First Minister. I am incredibly proud of the creative industries in Northern Ireland. We punch way above our weight in many aspects of the creative industries. You talked about the ambition that we have in Northern Ireland and about unlocking potential. A lot of that starts in our communities. It is our community facilities that help us grow the creative industries and drive our economy. I am really concerned that we are cutting support for that lifeblood of our creative industries. In recent months, a number of arts sector organisations have been closed down in Derry because of a lack of good relations funding and funding from the Department for Communities.”
“The SDLP is clear that a multi-year Budget is welcome, but it must be aligned to a meaningful Programme for Government and an investment strategy, if we had one. I am concerned that the Budget is not strategic because it is clearly not aligned to something that we have not seen yet. Minister, how will you demonstrate that the draft Budget is fair and regionally balanced on allocations, spending and capital funds?”
“<BR /> <BR />Today we mourn the loss of colleagues and peacemakers, but we also celebrate their lives of service. They had a reputation for decency and a belief that politics at its best is something that lifts people up. May Mary and Joe rest in peace. May their families get comfort in knowing that they were valued and respected and that they will be missed by the SDLP family.”
“I did not know Joe Byrne well, but I knew his reputation for integrity, kindness and commitment, which reached far beyond his constituency. Joe lived by the principle expressed by his friend Séamus Mallon: the first rule of politics is to be there for people. As far as I know and by all the accounts that people have shared with me, Joe lived that every day. Joe believed in peace, not as an abstract idea but as something that comes with responsibility and as something to be worked for, protected and passed on. Joe was calm, thoughtful and practical, and he was deeply respected across party lines. Above all, Joe was a family man: his wife Ursula and their children Aoife, Emer and Eoin were the centre of his world and the source of his greatest pride.”
“She taught us that real leadership is service, that politics must always be rooted in compassion and that, no matter how hard the road, you never stop standing up for your community. <BR /> <BR />I want to thank Mary's family, her husband, Liam, her daughter, Paula, her grandchildren, Fiona and Aaron, and her great-grandchild, for sharing her with us. Public service is never an individual journey but is carried by families who sacrifice and support every step of the way. Mary's family were incredible, loyal and a great source of support and strength to Mary. Mary, you showed us what it means to serve with integrity, lead with heart and put people first always. <BR /> <BR />I also want to remember Joe Byrne, a giant of public service and lifelong champion for the people of Tyrone.”
“Mary understood something simple but powerful: that politics is not about documents, debates or policy but about human lives. The mother worried about her child, the pensioner struggling to make ends meet, the young person searching for an opportunity and the volunteer holding a community together: Mary saw them all and fought for them all. <BR /> <BR />Beyond politics, her love of grassroots football, youth development and community life showed the depth of her commitment. She knew that strong communities were not built only in buildings like this but on the playing fields, in the youth clubs, in the advice centres, in the church halls and in everyday acts of kindness. Mary Bradley leaves behind a city that is stronger because of her, a party that is better because of her and a generation of public servants who learned from her.”
“<BR /> <BR />As someone who represents the same constituency, I see Mary's legacy everywhere. I see it in Carnhill, in the community groups that she supported, in the families whom she stood alongside in difficult moments and in the quiet confidence that she gave people who felt overlooked or unheard. Mary had that rare combination of strength and warmth. You always knew where you stood with Mary, and you always knew that she would stand with you when it mattered. She believed deeply in the values of the SDLP — equality, social justice, community and hope — but, more important, she lived those values in her casework, in council chambers, in the Assembly and in the countless private moments when she helped someone who had nowhere else to turn.”
“I am proud to rise to remember two former colleagues in the Assembly and remarkable servants of the people: Mary Bradley and Joe Byrne. <BR /> <BR />I begin with Mary because she was one of us — one of Derry's own — and someone whom I was privileged to know well. Mary did not enter politics for status or profile; she entered politics for one simple reason: people. That never changed. From her election to Derry City Council in 1985 through to her time as mayor of Derry and, later, in the Assembly Mary's politics were always rooted in the same values: fairness, dignity and decency. Mary was not flashy. She was not interested in grandstanding. She was, however, fearless in standing up for her community and relentless in doing the work that really mattered.”
“I support the motion and our amendment, which will strengthen it. More importantly, I support the people who lived through the consequences of the failures that are outlined in the report. They deserve a Government that have learned from the past and are willing to make the changes needed to prevent it from happening in the future.”