Kieran McCarthy
Strangford · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“I am pleased to support the Final Stage and to pass on my thanks and congratulations to all those involved in getting us to where we are this evening. It is simple and straightforward legislation, but it offers those in social work additional recognition of their professional standards, and gives greater reassurance to the public.”
“Specialist training and raising public awareness will be essential. There is a much wider issue of ensuring that the Bill itself will be properly resourced. That is perhaps an issue for another day, and, at this stage, our priority must be to get the legislation onto the statute book.”
“It will also cover people who are vulnerable, as well as those, including people in the criminal justice system, who lack capacity. <BR /> <BR />The new legislation will require that, if a person has capacity, they can then make their own decision about their treatment and that all possible support in making that decision will be provided…”
“That includes our Committee staff, our Assembly Research and Information Service and everyone who contributed to making our Health Committee positive and getting us to where we are this evening.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also thank Alastair Ross for his work in steering the Ad Hoc Committee, which I must say was very heavy work for some of us, but we got through it. I thank Alastair for being there to direct and guide us. Of course, he has already paid tribute to the Clerks who serviced our Committee.”
“We thank Professor McClelland for his dedication and hard work in carrying on where Professor Bamford unfortunately left off. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to everyone — as has already been said in the Chamber, there were many — who worked hard and together to see this improvement for everyone with a mental health condition or a learning dis…”
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“Most businesses are already run very responsibly, with a high standard of hygiene, but moving from a voluntary scheme to a compulsory scheme should allow for greater transparency and an opportunity to create incentives for businesses to aspire to an even higher quality. <BR /> <BR />Looking ahead, we already know how important our food and hospitality sector is to the economy of Northern Ireland and to our international image. That sector is set to take on an even more important role as we seek to develop our tourism product. In that regard, the legislation can help to ensure that we have a reputation for the highest standards and that we continue to promote that reputation.”
“I offer special thanks to Michael Jackson — I see that he is sitting in the Chamber with us — and his staff from the Food Standards Agency, who gave us sterling advice as we went along. <BR /> <BR />The legislation should be good for businesses and consumers. It is mutually reinforcing. Previously, I referred to the reality that people generally tend to eat out more or purchase more takeaways. That, in itself, can throw up public health issues, but that is probably a debate for another day. It is important that people have confidence in the food that is being prepared for or sold to them and the ability to make informed choices between different establishments.”
“I will offer a very brief comment on this very important Final Stage. Time is going on and Christmas is coming, and we still have a bit of work to get through this evening. I am delighted that the Bill has reached Final Stage, and I thank the Minister for bringing it to the Assembly this evening. It has taken considerable time to complete all the stages of what is relatively simple and straightforward legislation. However, that is work that had to be done, and it is good that we are now set to conclude. I want to put on record my thanks to all those involved, from the Minister and his officials to the Committee staff and all those who made submissions or gave evidence to the Committee.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I am happy to support the Bill at its Second Stage.”
“I was given encouragement at that meeting. I therefore hope that the Minister will submit such an amendment. <BR /> <BR />It seems to me that the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is the perfect means by which to include the banning of smoking in vehicles in which children are being carried. As I understand it, the other regions of the UK are fully supportive of banning smoking in vehicles in which there are young children, and the same goes for the Republic. As has already been said, Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke commissioned a poll on the issue last year, and its findings showed that 82% of the Northern Irish people are in support of it. The health of our children is paramount, and I look forward to the amendment that will eventually be included in the Bill.”
“Smoking has also been prohibited in vehicles if they are work-related. The extension to the law to protect our young people seems logical, and it is consistent with what we have done before. I had hoped that the Committee would seek to amend the legislation in that regard. That will now be unnecessary, as the Minister has said that he will do that himself at Consideration Stage. I have to say that, at a recent Health Committee meeting at which Mr Hamilton, our Health Minister, was present, I asked him about the omission of that very important aspect from the Bill. Although it is not contained in the Bill at present, the Minister was sympathetic to the proposition and said that he would consider an amendment. I am delighted that he is as good as his word, as he has informed us today that he will do just that.”
“As has already been said, however, they contain nicotine, which is addictive and also has potential implications for brain development. <BR /> <BR />I am disappointed that agreement at Executive level could not be found at this time for further provisions banning smoking in cars containing children. There seems to be a strong consensus that that reform should take place, and I very much welcome the Minister's statement earlier that he will table an amendment at Consideration Stage to include provision for no smoking in cars where children are on board. Unlike adults, children do not really have any choice over whether they are in an enclosed space with someone who is smoking. We have already banned smoking in enclosed public places and workplaces, and that is very welcome.”
“The Bill started out as a very simple and routine technical Bill, but its expansion into the regulation of tobacco and nicotine-related products makes it potentially a very significant piece of legislation. I am delighted that the Assembly has already taken some important steps in this mandate, and, indeed, before, to regulate the sale and use of tobacco better, particularly given the public risks so clearly associated with it and the dangers of children and young adults becoming addicted to it. However, we need to keep developing policy, practice and law in this area. In that regard, I very much welcome the intention to regulate e-cigarettes for minors. E-cigarettes may well have come along as a perceived more benign alternative to smoking tobacco and a means therefore to wean people off cigarettes.”
“The Minister will know that up to 600 people or thereabouts are employed in the board at present. Following on from the earlier question, those are people who have been there for a number of years doing a good job. Will he assure the House that there will be no redundancies, and will he advise us on what sorts of savings are expected to come about as a result of the abolition of the board?”
“I am delighted to hear the Minister speak so often about the needs of the Health Department. In particular, she continues to use, as other Ministers do, the words, "the most vulnerable in our society". The Minister will be aware of the bombshell created last week when we heard that seven, I think, care homes are to be closed by Four Seasons. Will the Minister confirm that, if and when the Health Minister comes looking for finance to sustain the most vulnerable, her office will be sympathetic to those requests so that the most vulnerable will not be turfed out of their homes after so many years?”
“When will the deputy First Minister or the junior Minister be able to provide clarity on welfare reform mitigations that were promised but not outlined in the recent so-called Fresh Start Agreement — maybe it should have been called the "false dawn report" — which will undoubtedly affect people with disabilities?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement this afternoon. We very much welcome the fact that there have been no violent attacks on staff this year. However, is the Minister convinced that staff are safe, with no verbal attacks or threats being made against them at any time?”
“Through this type of regulation, they will be on a better and more level playing field compared with their peers in other professions. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I am a little disappointed, as our Committee Chair indicated, that it has taken so long since the public consultation to get the Bill to this point, especially as there is consensus among key stakeholders. However, I welcome the fact that we are on the brink of taking forward these reforms. On behalf of the Alliance Party, I support the Health and Personal Social Services (Amendment) Bill and look forward to its early passage through the House.”
“Speaking in a personal capacity, my family receives support from carers and we could not speak more highly of the service that they provide. <BR /> <BR />Looking to the future, and in keeping with the direction of travel of Transforming Your Care and other potential reforms, social workers and other staff who work in the community are set to take on ever more responsibilities, it seems to me, for the delivery of health and social services outcomes. In that regard, I believe that the additional regulation offered by the legislation is appropriate at this time. This should not be seen as an attack on the sterling efforts of social workers but as an acknowledgement of their critical and growing role and their existing professional standards.”
“I thank the Health Minister for bringing this very important Bill to the House. The Chairperson has already spoken on my behalf as a member of the Health Committee, so I will be brief. I speak in favour of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />It is simple and straightforward legislation but it offers those in social work additional recognition of their professional standards and gives greater reassurance to the public. The debate on the principles of the Bill provides the opportunity to acknowledge, praise and recognise the critical role that social workers play in supporting so many of our people, especially the most vulnerable, in a whole range of settings across our society. We owe those workers a great amount of thanks and gratitude.”
“I thank the Minister for his response and very much welcome the extra funding going into the sector. Importantly, is he aware that, when parents and guardians seek education for their youngsters, the provision is frequently not available, and it is certainly not available when it should be? Delays are, and have been, the big bugbear for parents of children with autism.”
“<BR /> <BR />The district councils' environmental health officers carry out a very important and essential role, and the amendment and the Bill are very welcome. On behalf of the Alliance Party, I support the Bill.”
“As a member of the Health Committee, I rise to support the amendment before us today. I welcome the Food Hygiene Rating Bill as a means whereby our population can have confidence when visiting all our food providers, cafes, restaurants and eateries of every description. Northern Ireland is renowned for the provision of excellent food, and I have no doubt that that will continue with the introduction of this Bill. <BR /> <BR />Our Committee visited premises that supply food to the public, and I was very impressed with all the visits, none more so than the visit to our very own Blue Flax restaurant. I congratulate the manager and his staff for the excellent manner in which they carry out their work.”
“I am very grateful to the Member for his response. Can he outline the process by which the Assembly decides between the various applications and how it communicates those decisions to groups?”
“The Minister will be aware of the recent case where a local vegetable grower received 8p for a turnip, while, at the same time, the same turnips were being sold in the supermarket for 80p. Does the Minister agree that that is a shocking state of affairs? What is the Minister doing to ensure that suppliers get a fair and reasonable return for their produce?”
“Like others, I commend the Minister for her statement this morning. I very much welcome the extra £47·6 million for the health service. However, the Minister may be aware of the request for £98 million in this year's June monitoring round, so that leaves a balance of £51 million. I am disappointed because there is nothing for mental health, learning disabilities or Transforming Your Care, for instance. Can the Minister assure or give some consolation to parents of children with learning disabilities, autism etc that those services will not continue to be the Cinderella of the health service? Simple as that.”
“I am gratified that you were willing to give way. Does the Member recognise that, on probably two occasions in the lifetime of Stormont since its restablishment, we had unanimous support for the retention of townland names and, as a result, have made significant progress, as shown in the very fact that the address of this establishment now has "Ballymiscaw" contained in it? The direction given from those motions was that all Departments and councils would encourage and use townland names, where possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />My final point is that Alliance has long advocated shared future proofing to ensure that policies promote sharing and not separation. I have yet to hear a cogent argument from supporters of this Bill as to why this approach is possible for rural needs but not for shared future needs. I hope that we will soon be able to apply the approach taken by the Bill to shared future legislation. I welcome the Minister's contribution this morning and applaud the ideals contained in the Rural Needs Bill. I look forward to its successful progress through the House and onto the statute book.”
“My hope is that this Bill will go some of the way to ensuring that the difference in service delivery in rural areas is addressed. For example, as I said, a strategy to improve the availability of high-speed broadband could have to recognise that broadband is poor in rural areas to begin with, as indeed it is, and that this needs to be addressed. Or it could provide evidence that school reorganisation in rural areas would especially benefit from integrated education as some towns and villages would be able to sustain one school, but not two. My hope is that the model laid out in the Bill is one that ensures that public bodies are cognisant of needs. I will obviously work with my colleagues on the specific details of this part of the Committee's scrutiny.”
“<BR /> <BR />Something that concerns me greatly is the huge reduction in recent times in the provision of meals on wheels to rural residents. I recall being out on a delivery one morning to rural residents. I travelled down more than one long lane and I saw the difference that the arrival of meals on wheels made to the people there. Not only was it appreciated, but there was a face that those people could speak to — probably the first, and maybe the last, that they would see during the course of the day. That is an important aspect of rural need. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that all of us in this Chamber want the same quality of life for everyone in Northern Ireland, even if that means delivering services slightly differently in some places.”
“<BR /> <BR />As an MLA for Strangford living on the Ards peninsula, a mainly rural area, I know all too well, as do others, that services in rural areas face a different range of challenges than those in other parts of Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, rural people and residents are entitled to, and deserve, the same as everyone else. Examples of those challenges include weaker infrastructure roll-out of, for example, broadband and gas heating. Indeed, it is still difficult for rural residents to get planning permission to build a dwelling for a family member, so that they can remain in that community. Another example is fewer public transport options. We must acknowledge the loneliness and isolation that can and does occur.”
“As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I, on behalf of the Alliance Party, support the Second Stage of the Rural Needs Bill. I concur with the comments made earlier by our Committee Chair. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party supports the implementation of an enhanced rural process across all Departments — and that is important, all Departments — because they all have a role to play in ensuring that all major policies and strategies are assessed to determine whether they will have a differential impact on rural areas. Where appropriate, adjustments must be made to take account of particular rural circumstances.”
“The Minister will be aware of the old saying "Prevention is better than cure". The figures that the Minister has given us for youngsters being diagnosed with autism, which we know to be fact, are absolutely staggering. Will the Minister advise the House whether proper investment is going to scientists and universities etc to try to establish the cause? The numbers are staggering, and it is going from bad to worse as the years go on.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. She will remember that a former Finance Minister criticised a former Health Minister for not providing value for money. Can the present Finance Minister assure the Assembly that the present Health Minister will deliver a better service for all our people, particularly on the waiting lists that we have just been talking about?”
“I thank the Minister for her response. Given the very tight timings between now and the start of the next financial year, how can she ensure that a strategic approach will be adopted that reflects emerging priorities such as investing in skills and, indeed, growing our economy?”
“The deputy First Minister will be aware that, under the Programme for Government, some £80 million was set aside in the social investment fund for the regeneration and rejuvenation of areas. Can he tell the Assembly how much of that money has been spent for those purposes in those areas?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Is it fair to say that the review report effectively endorses his strategy of introducing standard fee arrangements, which ensure that legal representatives receive payments that are appropriate for the amount of work done? Does the Minister intend to stick to that strategy in civil cases?”
“— the crucial role played by the voluntary organisations. I commend FASA for its recent opening of the Nightingale project on the Newtownards Road.”
“Addressing discrimination and stigma, as already mentioned, is therefore particularly important.”
“Notwithstanding the Executive's financial difficulties, I think that the Minister should also give an assurance that the legislation will proceed and, at the very least, that the Bill or aspects of it will be commenced as circumstances allow. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome some of the initiatives that have been taken in recent years, including the Executive's economic inactivity strategy and the consultation on a disability employment strategy that was recently published by my colleague the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry. If we can help people to stay in work or to access and sustain employment, it would improve their self-esteem and help our economy. We must be clear in our message that many people can continue to lead meaningful lives despite mental health conditions.”
“Unfortunately, the process has been held up due, I maintain, to the absence of a Minister, which prevented the Department from responding to requests from the Committee. Any further delays would result in a real missed opportunity, not least as this legislation has been under development for almost a decade. I would be grateful if the Minister would give the Assembly an assurance that all efforts will be made to ensure that the legislation can pass through all its stages before the Assembly winds up next year. <BR /> <BR />Concern has been expressed at the potential cost of implementing the mental capacity legislation. It is important that we also understand the implications of not proceeding.”
“However, I remember that, when the Bamford report was launched, no extra funding was provided. Perhaps that is why we are suffering today. <BR /> <BR />One key component of Bamford is the Mental Capacity Bill, as has been mentioned. That legislation is now moving through its Committee Stage. It offers the prospect of Northern Ireland becoming a world leader through having a single statutory framework for decision-making and care for physical and mental health conditions. Our Department of Justice is jointly working with the Health Department, and we all wish to see a speedy end and a good result. Time is tight in which to get that legislation through before this Assembly term ends.”
“This systemic under-resourcing of mental health services is perhaps the clearest example of the reality that we do not have the balance of funding in our health service correct at this time. We urgently need to reassess our priorities and reach out to people like Margaret Gibson, who recently wrote to a morning newspaper to plead with MLAs — that is us; all of us — to listen and to provide her and her family with a proper mental health service. <BR /> <BR />Addressing mental health issues is more than just an issue for the Department of Health but for the Executive as a whole. The Bamford review of mental health and learning disabilities, as has been mentioned, provides the overarching framework for addressing mental health issues in our society. I welcome the Executive-wide Bamford action plan 2012-15 and support its full implementation.”
“I acknowledge that some positive changes have occurred in the quality of and access to services, and that there has been some rebalancing of mental health expenditure from acute inpatient services towards the delivery of services in the community. Nevertheless, we are still investing a lower share of health spending on mental health in general compared with other regions. Pressure remains on some areas in particular, such as psychological therapies and child and adolescent mental health services. <BR /> <BR />Mental health services remain the Cinderella of the health service, which is a shame. They remain underfunded in comparison with services for physical illness, and there is considerable underfunding here in comparison with the rest of the UK.”
“I am happy to support the motion and the amendment on behalf of the Alliance Party. The motion is not dissimilar to one that I brought to the House on 28 April 2014, which we got full support for. I welcome our Health Minister to the Chamber and hope that he can give us a positive response at the end of this debate. <BR /> <BR />It is recognised that around one in four people have mental health conditions or problems. Unfortunately, that is more prevalent in Northern Ireland, and the legacy of the Troubles is a particular factor. At the same time, Northern Ireland spends less per head of the population on mental health than other jurisdictions.”
“I welcome the Minister's response. River pollution, or any pollution of our environment, must never be tolerated. Will the Minister join with the Alliance Party, which has been calling for years for an independent environmental agency, so that that can be introduced and we can overcome these problems once and for all?”
“Does the Minister agree that the lack of Executive agreement on a domestic and sexual violence strategy is a direct consequence of the DUP's crazy in-out shenanigans over its ministerial responsibilities?”
“I am very grateful to the Member for giving way. We all recognise the problems that she is indicating. You will know that the junior doctors are facing an immense plight: their contracts are up for renewal, and there are proposals, as Fearghal McKinney said, to reduce their pay. What would you, as Chairperson of the Committee, say in view of the fact that we have just conducted this very important inquiry about workforce planning? Where are we going if that junior doctor contract is allowed to go ahead in the way that they are talking about across the water?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does he agree that it is disappointing to hear the present Minister — I do not know whether he is present or not — dismissing the fact that, because he was not there, progress in the health service would not be affected in any way?”
“Staff are the backbone of our health service and are central to delivering the best. They must continue to play a pivotal role. I have every confidence that staff —”
“It would appear that money has not been transferred to places where it ought to go, thus the slowdown and perhaps stoppage in the workings of Transforming Your Care, giving us the shambles that we are presently experiencing. <BR /> <BR />Workforce planning must surely be an essential component in making best use of all the staff within our Health Department. I believe that our Health Committee has done an excellent job in producing this report. I sincerely hope that, despite having no Minister at the helm — at this time, indeed, we simply do not know who is actually in charge of the Department — progress will be made on behalf of all our constituents who are presently ill or on a waiting list.”
“Our Committee expressed concern that the RWPG had not been as inclusive as it should have been, thereby missing out on the views of experienced people, such as the Royal College of Nursing, trade unions, the allied health professionals and others. <BR /> <BR />We recommend that our Health Department asks the board to produce an annual workforce plan as part of its annual commissioning plan and also to consider taking a longer-term approach to workforce planning, rather than the proposed five years. <BR /> <BR />The Transforming Your Care pathway, now regarded not so much as a plan but as an ethos, has been running for a number of years, from 2011.”
“We had nine evidence sessions, and we are grateful to all the witnesses who appeared and for the written submissions received, which resulted in the Committee coming up with the recommendations that I mentioned. I take this opportunity to thank the Committee staff for the work that they did in helping us to produce this report. <BR /> <BR />One disappointing outcome was the delay in the publishing of the work of the regional workforce planning group. That group started work in August 2012, and its report was only published in April this year. One could be forgiven for questioning why there was such a delay and wondering what opportunities may have been missed. <BR /> <BR />One of the key outputs of the group is the regional workforce planning framework, which is described as:”
“The problem is this: how do we get our constituents to receive this fantastic treatment within a reasonable time frame? <BR /> <BR />Our report has been a very useful exercise. It arrived at 18 recommendations in total, which, if implemented, would allow our patients to receive the necessary health provision as and when required. One of our terms of reference was:”
“Look at this headline from last week: my constituent has been waiting for two years for hospital treatment — she is one of 373,000. What a shame. Not only that, we have people waiting on vital drugs, and, indeed, there are many other inequalities in our present-day health service, which leave so many people to continue suffering in agony. <BR /> <BR />This is not what this Assembly is about, and the sooner a Minister gets back to work to overcome the shambles, the better. Let me say loud and clear at this juncture that I, the Alliance Party and everyone in the Chamber have the highest regard for every person engaged in providing our community with an excellent health service, from cleaners right up to the consultants and the highest in the profession.”