Cara Hunter
East Londonderry · Social Democratic and Labour Party · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />At Committee, we heard such compelling evidence from young people about why girls should have the choice of wearing trousers in school. Outside of the young people themselves, the conversations that we had with Menstruation Matters, particularly on the dignity piece about young girls and periods, really resonated with me.”
“I am happy to be here. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I fear that I will repeat a number of points that have been made this evening. As a relatively young woman — I am 30 now — I am absolutely baffled that we have to debate this issue. It is truly astonishing. If I did not have notes in front of me, I would have no words to say.”
“That is why it is so important to echo today that, despite the simplicity of this change, it will be so meaningful in protecting young girls and their dignity in a number of ways. We also often hear directly from young women that they simply want to be comfortable.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Ultimately, the Department of Education and the Minister will tell our young people, "Aspire to be the best that you can be. Get out into the world. You can do and be anything — but you cannot wear trousers". That is lunacy. It is lunacy and hypocrisy of the highest order.”
“<BR /> <BR />I find it extraordinary and depressing that this did not pass previously and that we have had to regroup. As the Chair of the Education Committee rightly said, this could be done at the stroke of a pen. It is nonsensical that we have to do it this way.”
“I thank the Member for his point, but, respectfully, I am not here to talk about other jurisdictions; I am here to talk about the rights of my constituents in East Derry and people right across the North.”
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“On a point of order. Under Standing Order 65, I would like further clarity as to the absence of the Education Minister as this debate pertains to a core value of the Department of Education and the House — equality. The no-show is insulting to Members, and it is certainly insulting to young women across Northern Ireland who are looking for equality.”
“I see it as a failure of the House that, in 2026, we still have to debate the issue, but I am optimistic that, on this one occasion, what is happening today is a good thing. Alongside my fellow Committee members, I really welcome the opportunity to make progress with the Bill.”
“I thank the Member for his point, but, respectfully, I am not here to talk about other jurisdictions; I am here to talk about the rights of my constituents in East Derry and people right across the North. I am unaware of whether other regions have or do not have such legislation, but, if they do not, why not make the Assembly an example of the type of equality that can be achieved? I thank the Member for his intervention, and I respect the DUP for not voting against the Bill today, which is important. <BR /> <BR />I wholeheartedly back the Bill. It is brilliant that the Committee has moved forward with it. I really hope that young women across the North will see that something as simple as this can be achieved.”
“If we believe that girls should have the option of wearing trousers, as I do, we should have the courage to say so in legislation rather than leaving children and families to fight the battle school by school and accepting that the ethos and culture of a school will dictate the rights of young girls. It is almost humorous to me that we find ourselves here.”
“We listened to them; we heard how important this is to them; and I have to say, on behalf of the SDLP, that I am truly delighted that this is moving forward today. I thank the Bill Office and the staff and teams who put it together. It is not about undermining schools and their right to make decisions; it is about setting a minimum standard of dignity, comfort and equality that should apply to every child, regardless of how they identify. That is crucial. No child's education should depend on whether the board of governors happens to agree with them.”
“<BR /> <BR />I find it extraordinary and depressing that this did not pass previously and that we have had to regroup. As the Chair of the Education Committee rightly said, this could be done at the stroke of a pen. It is nonsensical that we have to do it this way. We all know what the right answer is; we need to legislate for it effectively. Children should not have to be campaigners for rights that the House has the power to guarantee for them. It is grossly unfair. We rightly expect our young people to come to school ready to learn, not to become advocates or negotiators for something basic that is, as the Member to my left rightly said, a fundamental human right to wear trousers. It is nonsensical. <BR /> <BR />We are talking about children. They are in our classrooms to learn.”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Ultimately, the Department of Education and the Minister will tell our young people, "Aspire to be the best that you can be. Get out into the world. You can do and be anything — but you cannot wear trousers". That is lunacy. It is lunacy and hypocrisy of the highest order. <BR /> <BR />I have to be frank: not only as a politician but as a woman, I am disappointed that the Minister is not here today. The best way to have this kind of conversation about equality is to be open and frank and to have accountability and transparency. I am deeply disappointed, and I would like further clarity about why the Minister is not here on the last sitting day for the next two months. I would like answers, and so would my constituents, including those who are parents and young people.”
“Often, her parents are put in the position where they are expected to come together with others to challenge a school policy, lobby governors and fight through complaints procedures simply for a child to wear a pair of trousers. That is in 2026. I find that ridiculous.”
“That is why it is so important to echo today that, despite the simplicity of this change, it will be so meaningful in protecting young girls and their dignity in a number of ways. We also often hear directly from young women that they simply want to be comfortable. They might have some sensory needs, and they just want to be able to focus on their learning, as they should, as young people in our classrooms. <BR /> <BR />We are not here to question the Speaker's ruling, of course, but I must offer my opinion that I was deeply disappointed that we, as a Committee, had to regroup and bring this forward again today. We are now being told that schools have the power to decide. That sounds reasonable until we ask one simple question: who will carry the burden? It is not the Minister or the Department. It is a young girl.”
“<BR /> <BR />At Committee, we heard such compelling evidence from young people about why girls should have the choice of wearing trousers in school. Outside of the young people themselves, the conversations that we had with Menstruation Matters, particularly on the dignity piece about young girls and periods, really resonated with me. Periods are a fact of life, and trousers, as most of us will know, are infinitely easier to wear during that time of the month. Whether you are a young woman or whatever age you are, when you are having your period, you do better at your job or at school if you can focus and feel more confident. It really is that simple. <BR /> <BR />We often talk about the importance of safeguarding and protecting our young people. We have heard stories from across the North about upskirting and downblousing.”
“That really does not sit right with me, and it never has. In fact, I find it profoundly ironic that the Department of Education, which has an obligation to talk about ending violence against women and girls, still holds to a process like that, which echoes profound inequalities. It is totally unfair. So many Members have articulated so well the experiences of young girls going to school, including getting nettle stings on their legs or feeling ice-cold. That impacts on the quality of and access to education, and it is totally unfair. We talk in the House about ending violence against women and girls, but we must highlight equality as an important aspect in those discussions and in this debate as well.”
“I am happy to be here. Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I fear that I will repeat a number of points that have been made this evening. As a relatively young woman — I am 30 now — I am absolutely baffled that we have to debate this issue. It is truly astonishing. If I did not have notes in front of me, I would have no words to say. I am so shocked that we have had to have such a fight to bring the matter to the Chamber and get it sorted. Something as simple as girls being able to wear trousers in their place of education is such a small but meaningful thing. It is shameful that, in 2026, we are still having that debate. <BR /> <BR />Let us break it down and see how it looks. It is essentially about older men in positions of power dictating whether young girls have to stay in skirts or can have the capacity to wear trousers.”
“Speaking of the future and a vision for the Western Trust, I sat, over the weekend, with a loved one who was severely suicidal. Once they reached triage, they were informed that, because they do not currently live in the Western Trust area, they would not be able to access support or be admitted. Upon that happening, I realised that, sadly, that is a much bigger issue and that many people have faced the same challenges due to the trust area in which they live and the A&E at which they present. Will you, please, take that lived experience back to your Department so that there is an understanding of the fact that people who experience acute suicidality need help exactly where they are and at that exact moment?”
“Can the Assembly Commission outline whether users from disability organisations have been consulted on any proposed upgrades in order to ensure that the facilities here meet a practical need?”
“Minister, compared with other employment sectors, people aged 16 to 34 are under-represented in our Civil Service. Our young people can bring new energy and new ideas to the ongoing challenges in the North. What actions are you taking to promote a career in the Civil Service for our young people, and why do you think that they are currently under-represented?”
“Thank you, Minister. Minister, you said that you want the new curriculum to be rich and filled with powerful knowledge. I am really concerned about the fact that the mandatory period for learning languages is only three years in Northern Ireland. I have a profound fear that the failure to make modern languages a universal entitlement will mean that children who come from disadvantaged backgrounds will be less likely to have that knowledge and skill set. Is that something that you will seek to reform through the consultation period? Will you take that into account?”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite those concerns, the SDLP welcomes the amendments in those two policy areas. They represent progress on local accountability, the consistent delivery of restorative justice and improvements in the approach to rehabilitating offenders. The SDLP supports both aims.”
“The amendments will make changes to the rehabilitation periods for existing convictions, allow more convictions to be capable of becoming spent and create an order-making power to enable the Department to establish a review mechanism for additional convictions. The Committee heard concerns about the need to ensure that appropriate safeguarding is maintained, alongside the balancing of public protection and personal rights. There were also calls for the development of a review mechanism to allow a person on whom a sentence had been imposed for a conviction to apply for an order. It is disappointing that, even though the Department saw the merit in developing a future review mechanism, that will be subject to the availability of resources and other competing requirements.”
“There are also concerns about the need to ensure that there is appropriate training for practitioners so that the delivery of restorative justice services is safe and of a high quality. The independence of the pre-accreditation process was questioned, and the Committee asked whether Criminal Justice Inspection would undertake regular reviews. When the powers are brought under local accountability, it is vital that there be appropriate checks and balances to ensure that there is consistent access to high-quality restorative justice services right across the North. <BR /> <BR />I will move on to the second policy area covered by the amendments in the group.”
“Policing and justice powers were devolved many years ago, and we believe that the amendments are another welcome step along that same road to having local accountability. The SDLP hopes that reform of the process for appointing the Minister of Justice will soon follow. That having been said, there are concerns about some of the practical aspects of the provisions and their planned roll-out. As an MLA for a rural constituency, I will highlight the potential impact on rural areas. Many areas across the North, particularly in rural constituencies, have little to no access to restorative justice. In addition, the Committee heard during its scrutiny of the Bill the Department's view that future levels of accreditation in those areas remain unknown, so further work will be needed.”
“First, on the amendment to transfer powers from the Secretary of State to the Minister of Justice to allow the Minister to take decisions on the accreditation of restorative justice practitioners and to widen the provision by allowing non-statutory organisations and independent practitioners to become accredited, the SDLP welcomes the transfer of those powers and feels strongly that it is long overdue.”
“It was a very distressing incident for her, and she founded Not JustUs to talk about restorative justice and to help victims to rebuild their sense of trust and restore hope after they have been the victim of a crime. <BR /> <BR />The real importance here around restorative justice is about communication between victims and offenders. It is about ensuring that victims feel empowered and that their voices are heard but also allowing and helping offenders to understand the harm that they have caused. <BR /> <BR />I will keep my remarks focused on the two areas that are affected by amendments in the group.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I will do my best this evening to be brief. First, I thank Members for the passion that they have demonstrated over the past number of days. It is quite remarkable to see the level of stamina that exists in the House and the depth and detail of some of the amendments. Even in the late hour, so much passion has been shown around the House. We might not always agree, but it is interesting to hear the level of debate, even in the late evening. <BR /> <BR />I will move now to group 7. I am mindful that I do not sit on the Justice Committee, but I recently met a remarkable young woman called Faith, who launched a support group called Not JustUs, which is based here in Northern Ireland. It was founded by Faith after, sadly, she was the victim of being injured by a car.”
“Thank you, Minister. The Audit Office recently reported that social housing tenancy fraud costs the public purse at least £8 million. As elected representatives, we know that the true cost is our families on waiting lists for houses. In its 2014 report, there was a recommendation from the Public Accounts Committee to bring forward an evidence-based baseline estimate for the true scale of tenancy fraud in social housing. Is that an additional element to what you just said you will bring forward at the end of the month?”
“We support inspection, accountability and the principle that every school in Northern Ireland should be able to demonstrate the quality of what it offers, but we will not support legislation that treats a workforce crisis — a burnt-out workforce — as a compliance problem. We feel strongly that that punishes professionals who are already at breaking point. The Bill has been introduced, yet we have had an explicit objection from the very people on whom it would impact most — our teachers. The Minister should listen to some of the different perspectives that have been expressed today. <BR /> <BR />It is important to finish on this note. It does not have to be a case of child safeguarding or teachers getting their workers' rights: both can be done. We can find a pathway there. It is important to find balance in the debate.”
“You cannot compel the openness, honesty and professional engagement that make inspection genuinely valuable, because that requires trust. Right now, our teachers feel that that trust has to be earned. They feel really uncomfortable that their workers' rights may be impeded by clause 3. <BR /> <BR />I represent teachers, parents and families in East Derry who want the same thing as the Minister wants, which is a world-class education for their students. The families to whom I speak know the pressure that teachers are under. There are unmet needs in our education system. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP's position is straightforward.”
“I agree with the Member. There are differing beliefs on this issue, but, ultimately, it comes back to the fact that our teachers' workload is unfathomable. I was at that UNISON event and spoke to classroom assistants who are picking up so much work. Teachers and classroom assistants are overwhelmed. It is important to pare that back. We are unapologetic about voting the Bill down today, given the needs of our teachers.”
“— and tease that out, but a lot of teachers find it insulting. I will give way to the Member.”
“I agree. The process by which we can get the Bill to Committee, tweak it and talk about what does and does not work is welcome, but I think —. To reiterate: given the engagement that we have had with our teachers and after listening today, I feel really strongly. Right up until this morning, we were being asked, "How will the SDLP be voting?". I stand shoulder to shoulder with teachers and have listened to their voices. They have been striking over the past number of years, and they feel undervalued. I respect the Member's position and understand that we could take it to Committee Stage —”
“I take the Member's point, and he has articulated it very well. Your wife can definitely relate to the challenges that our teachers face, but for us in the SDLP, listening to teachers —. We have seen statistics, and the feedback from our teachers — over 76% — says so strongly that they are totally against clause 3, and understandably so. We will be voting this down. The real challenge of clause 3 is essentially that you are compelling participation in inspections through fear of disciplinary action. That was the bone of contention with our teachers.”
“I see what the Minister is trying to do, but, right now, it is important that we listen to our teachers, who are burnt out, overworked and under-resourced, and that is why we will vote the Bill down today. <BR /> <BR />To bring my remarks to a close, it is important that we listen to our teachers —.”
“I take the Member's point and thank him for his kind words. He too has done so much on child safeguarding, particularly on the issue of sex offenders in our communities. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP was built on the backs of teachers. We know the importance of industrial action and the voice of the people. I reiterate that I do not see this as an issue of child safeguarding versus workers' rights. The Chair's point on how safeguarding is on each and every one of us was extremely valid. Again, I take Members' points from across the House, and I agree with a lot of them, but we need to find a balance. <BR /> <BR />We have spoken directly to so many teachers who feel so strongly about the Bill, so the SDLP will vote it down.”
“I take the Member's point and hear his perspective. From engaging with teachers, I know that they feel that their workers' rights are being weaponised against them. I feel very strongly that the debate is not about child safeguarding versus workers' rights. We can find a happy medium and a balance.”
“I thank the Minister for his valid intervention. I can tell from the debate that he really does prioritise child safeguarding. Upon doing research ahead of today, I noted that, under Scottish legislation, if there is a reasonable reason for a teacher to refuse inspection, that is grounds for them to do so. Minister, we can understand different perspectives on the Bill. However, if we look at other areas, like Scotland, we can learn from them.”
“They have a right to strike, and I feel strongly that striking is not them refusing to cooperate; it is just them exercising their fundamental workers' rights.”
“Under the Bill, by failing to cooperate with an inspection due to being on strike, teachers — our teachers — would risk being painted as unacceptable and unprofessional in their conduct. Minister, we know that you see the Bill as bringing Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. However, I feel strongly that there is a context here that really matters: over the past eight years, more than 75% of inspections were disrupted by industrial action. There is a reason for that. Teachers did not and do not step out out of defiance or malice. They do so because, year-on-year, the system has asked them to do more with less, without adequate support, adequate pay or adequate recognition. Our teachers really are exhausted. They bring their own items into the classroom to support our kids.”
“Every child in Northern Ireland, regardless of where they grow up or what school they attend, deserves a system that can be honest with itself, be assessed adequately and improve along the way. The SDLP unreservedly supports and agrees with that principle. <BR /> <BR />While there is undoubtedly a pressing need for a legal framework that guarantees consistent, independent oversight of educational quality, child protection and safeguarding, we, sadly, cannot support the Bill in its current form. Nothing should impact our teachers' fundamental workers' rights and their sanctity in being able to partake in collective action. Our teachers have spoken: they feel overworked, under-resourced and burnt out.”
“Minister, thank you for your detailed contribution, which will help people's understanding of the different perspectives when approaching the issue. If the Bill were to pass Second Stage today, I would welcome your engaging with the Education Committee. <BR /> <BR />Similar to the Chair, over the past 72 hours, the issue has prompted a significant number of messages and phone calls to me from concerned teachers — teachers who are burnt out and teachers who are angry. They feel that this is just the cherry on the cake after years of feeling undervalued. Therefore, I rise on behalf of the SDLP to, sadly, oppose the Bill. From the outset, I want to be clear: that is not opposition to inspection. I agree with the Minister: inspection matters, and accountability and keeping children safe in our classrooms matter.”
“When I spoke to the classroom assistants, I was quite shocked to learn about the variety of jobs that they do. Some are a listening ear, while others feed or change children and do much more. Given that over 22,000 classroom assistants are holding up our SEN support system, can the Minister bring in a proper career structure for them through, for example, accredited training, recognised qualifications and pathways for progression?”
“First Minister, the well-being dashboard shows that life satisfaction among our young people is continuing to worsen. Mental health is a huge issue, as is a lack of opportunities and overall happiness. If that dashboard is meant to drive the Programme for Government, what action is it triggering, and how is it used?”
“<BR /> <BR />Today, the SDLP asks for, first, a clear statutory entitlement to support that follows the young person, not the postcode; secondly, consistent, high-quality provision across trust areas so that, whether a child is in Coleraine or Bangor, they have exactly the same support, adequate to meet their need; and, lastly, a duty on the Ministers of Health, Education and the Economy to work together so that we provide for every child as an equal.”
“Families should not have to fight endlessly for the rightful support that their children need to live meaningful lives, yet, sadly, in the current system, that is exactly what we ask them to do. <BR /> <BR />The cost of inaction is evident. The human cost of the cliff edge is staggering. Young people often regress, with skills that took years to build being lost in a matter of months. Mental health deteriorates, parents leave the workforce, siblings become carers before they have finished their own education and, too often, the only respite that a family gets is from a crisis admission.”
“We are falling behind. Let us compare ourselves with England, where an education, health and care (EHC) plan provides legal entitlement to support for children and young people up to the age of 25; Scotland, where the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 guarantees coordinated provision into young adulthood; or even with the South, which is legislating to put adult disability services on a statutory footing. <BR /> <BR />If we do not act, this falls on families' shoulders. Families face uncertainty; fragmented services; wildly inconsistent provision, depending on the trust area that they live in; and the enormous emotional and practical pressure of becoming, all at once and, often, well into one's seventies and eighties, a case manager, an advocate, a transport provider, a therapist and a carer.”
“One mother said to me, "I am not afraid of dying, but I am afraid of dying first". That speaks to the experience of many mothers and fathers of children with special educational needs. They are terrified because they know that, when their child grows up, an adequate support system will not be there. That is really concerning, given that there are now over 70,000 children in the North with special educational needs, which is almost one in four pupils. Year-on-year, we have seen a profound increase in the numbers, yet we still do not have the system organised to support them once they hit the age of 19. That is not just a policy gap. I feel strongly that it is a failure of dignity, care and long-term planning. It is a failure that the Assembly and Executive must put right.”
“I pay particular tribute to Alma and the extraordinary work of Caleb's cause, a campaign born out of love, frustration and a fierce, unbreakable belief that every young person with special educational needs deserves dignity, a future and, of course, to be seen. Alma, what you have done in Caleb's name has changed hearts and minds in the Chamber and far beyond it. Caleb's cause highlights the point that every family who has a child with special educational needs endures this when their child reaches the age of 19. The motion is yours: you are the reason that it is before the House today. <BR /> <BR />There is a truly human cost to delay. I have sat in many rooms across my constituency with mothers in their 40s, 50s and 60s who are exhausted, frightened and grieving the loss of the system that has always been there to support their child.”
“After years of children with special educational needs having structure and specialist support in education, when those young people turn 19, they and their families are suddenly left to navigate a fragmented and inadequate system all on their own. Families call it a "cliff edge", and the truth is that they are absolutely spot on. <BR /> <BR />Before going any further, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the people who have made the motion possible: not us, the politicians, but the parents, carers and campaigners who have refused to let the issue be ignored. They have refused to be silent.”
“Thank you. Mr Deputy Speaker. I propose the motion on behalf of families across the North who are watching the clock tick down to their child's nineteenth birthday with a profound fear that no parent should ever have to carry. Right now, too many families In Northern Ireland are enduring that. For their children, turning 19 means falling off a cliff edge: no groups, no games, no fun, no help getting into employment and no socialising. The school gates close; the therapists stop calling; and, often, transport stops arriving. Routines change for ever as the structure that has held their child together since the age of three simply disappears.”
“The issue comes to my office almost weekly. Recently, I spoke with a mother: she has five young children and lives in a cul-de-sac, and three sex offenders live in her area. What steps will your Department or others connected to it take to ensure that a community has given consent before a registered sex offender is housed in it?”
“Thank you, Minister. I have spoken to local traders who have told me that, after experiencing half a year of disruption, footfall has not returned to normal and journey times are still taking a little bit longer. What engagement have you had with local businesses in the Kilrea area, and what has your Department learned about communicating with local businesses ahead of and during roadworks that might have a direct impact on them?”
“As we as a society are becoming more trauma-informed, it is time to listen to victims in all their experiences and to do all that we can as elected representatives to improve the court system.”