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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“However, the lack of investment and funding mean that there are so many challenges. Thank God for the good staff who support so many young people. <BR /> <BR />In my time in politics, this issue has often come to my office. Parents and families feel unheard and that they are entirely ignored by the system. Children with special educational needs being unable to get school places has created much stress for families. Pupils are unable to attain the transport that they need to get to school or to socialising opportunities. They often experience long waiting lists for speech therapy or health appointments to improve their quality of life, well-being and overall development. Our children face significant challenges, including inequitable access to education, inappropriate placements and countless systemic failures.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. I am rarely an angry person, but this is an issue that I am deeply unhappy about. I see it every day and every week in my constituency office, and it is heartbreaking. <BR />The dire need for more special educational needs support is an urgent and pressing matter that demands our collective attention and immediate action. We must listen to and learn from parents and caregivers in our communities, teachers, classroom assistants and health professionals to ensure that we create an equitable, sustainable change for all children with special educational needs. I have been to Rossmar School in Limavady, in my constituency, and have spoken to staff, parents and families there. It is such a positive learning environment for our young people.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What is his assessment of how the funding reallocation will affect the completion dates and timelines for these schools? Will he commit to meeting some of the principals to discuss the issues further?”
“I am mindful that, nearly a decade ago, that funding was promised for shared and integrated education. However, the money has been removed with little thought for schools, teachers and pupils. Exactly when did you, as Minister, and other Ministers become aware that that money was being reallocated?”
“I call on all Departments and all Ministers to do all that they can to ensure that we stamp out violence against women and girls for good.”
“<BR /> <BR />I thank Ms Forsythe for her contribution when she talked about emerging technologies and, sadly, how those are weaponised and used to harm and harass women. Sadly, a few of us are no stranger to that. It is key that we educate our young people on the importance of treating women with respect. <BR /> <BR />I thank the team at Nexus and, of course, Women's Aid, who have been fantastic in dealing with these issues and supporting constituents because, sadly, we see these matters every week and month. We cannot talk about strategies without funding. Strategies are meaningless pieces of paper if we do not have the resource to back them. We all want to support the victims; we cannot do that without adequate funding.”
“She is a rape victim and survivor based in Scotland who waived her right to anonymity in order to talk about the humiliating journey of reporting a rape and talking about it, publicly and with family, and the painful and excruciatingly embarrassing moments that can happen in court. I was really impressed by her story and her bravery, waiting years at a time in the court process and enduring those humiliating cross-examinations in court. The retraumatisation of victims is absolutely awful, and it can take a large amount of money to get things like court transcripts. The Assembly and Executive need to look at prioritising victims in our court systems and ensuring that we do all that we can to make sure that the process does not retraumatise them. That is really important.”
“<BR /> <BR />A comprehensive student survey that was carried out in the past few years showed the extent of sexual harassment on Northern Irish campuses in third-level educational institutions, with one in three students revealing that they had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour during their time at university: one in three. That is an astonishing statistic, particularly when we think about the long-lasting, traumatic impact that such behaviour has on victims and survivors. <BR /> <BR />I also want to look at the obstacles to reporting sexual violence, and I am happy that those have been raised today. When researching for my speech, I came across a really inspiring young lady called Ellie Wilson.”
“Women are often seen through the lens of victim blaming or are even blamed for their assault. It is horrific, and we can and must do better. Tackling rape myths and challenging the narrative is extremely important. It is on each and every one of us, specifically when we have a platform such as this, to call out rape culture and rape myths. There is an evident call to consider our need to tackle the issue, specifically from an educational perspective. Younger years are key and are where healthy perceptions of women are shaped and created. Our education system must reflect that in its commitment to create a fair and equal society.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that the Education Committee will soon do a micro inquiry into the implementation of relationships and sexuality education in Northern Ireland. We need to educate our young people to recognise what sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexual abuse look like. Such education is fundamental to their well-being. We must make our young people feel empowered and educate them on the significance of fostering a culture that emphasises the importance of sexual consent. That includes promoting open communication, respect for boundaries and understanding the key role that bystanders can play in preventing non-consensual situations. <BR /> <BR />Sadly, though, we have a culture that has normalised violence against women and girls and taken pleasure in violence against women and girls.”
“It is regrettable that we are here today talking about this matter, but it is greatly important. We know that our society has a deep-rooted problem with misogyny and violence against women and girls. <BR /> <BR />Just some of the heartbreaking and brutal murders over the past few years include those of Stacey Knell, Karen McClean, Natalie McNally and so many more. Their murder brought such sadness to our communities, a feeling of lives unfinished and justice not served. Their cases have brought to light, as have many others, the sheer and clear inadequacy of our society and its total inability to protect women and girls. Without the correct protections, women will suffer and continue to die. In order to tackle the issue, we must start at the root cause, with early intervention.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. She mentioned the earliest days of children's lives, so will she agree that it is in those years, specifically in secondary school, that we start to learn the importance of consent and boundaries and that, given that importance, there is a dire need for comprehensive and inclusive relationships and sexuality education (RSE) for our young people?”
“I ask the Justice Minister to tell us in her summary a little bit more about how her Department will assist prisoners who are struggling with speech and language difficulties; whether she can provide training for prison officers and what that might look like; what steps have been taken in her Department to tackle the issue; and how long training would take to implement. I welcome that the issue is being discussed.”
“Moving on, what brings me to the motion on prisoners is that a speech or language difficulty can often make people feel embarrassed, overlooked, unheard or misunderstood. I can imagine how frustrating that must be, so I welcome that the issue is being discussed. <BR /> <BR />There is an urgent need to invest in and commission more speech and language therapists in our prison services, and we must reform how we plan to meet the needs not only of children with speech difficulties but those who are in the criminal justice system. We must address and get support into our Sure Start facilities across our health service for our adults who are in the justice sector and our young people who are in the education sector.”
“Currently, in the Northern Trust, there are absolutely no ADHD support services. That is an ongoing issue. I have spoken to young people and parents. It is deeply frustrating, because, often, so many of those young people are labelled as problematic and difficult to work with and, sometimes, they can internalise that and feel shame when there is no need to. That is where speech and language therapists, support networks and counsellors come in handy in building up our young people.”
“That is extremely worrying, as it is an unmet need that impacts on children in classrooms each and every day. <BR /> <BR />I want to thank the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and all those therapists out there who are wonderful at what they do. A number of months ago, I attended one of their events and had the opportunity to really look at what they do every day in our schools. We must address the gaps in the provision and services that are required to support early language development. We must help to reduce educational inequalities and support accomplishment. I have no doubt that that will help to contribute to well-being in our young people well into adulthood. <BR /> <BR />I welcome Mr Butler's point about ADHD and supporting young people who have either received that diagnosis or await one.”
“I am mindful that the subject of the motion falls under the Department of Justice, but, as my party's education spokesperson, I welcome the opportunity to speak. <BR /> <BR />I am mindful of the huge challenges that our children with speech, language and communication difficulties face. I am also mindful of the strong association between children's early language development and their educational outcomes, as well as their behaviour and choices later in life. Good spoken language is central to children's literacy and numeracy skills, their academic achievement, self-confidence and positive life outcomes. Sadly, evidence indicates that children from the most deprived backgrounds are most likely to have speech, language and communication needs. We know that, sadly, one in 10 children in the North experiences poverty.”
“Minister, if you have any opportunity to utilise cross-border schemes, my party, as a constructive Opposition, will work alongside you in the House to ensure that we deliver for our constituents and essentially alleviate their pain in any way that we can. I thank those who will support the amendment.”
“Thankfully, I have a very good mummy who paid out so that I could go to see family in America and have surgery. Thankfully, my health has been relatively good ever since. That is just my personal story about the uncertainty that is present when you do not know when you will get the healthcare that you desperately need. <BR /> <BR />We cannot have the debate without a discussion about this place being up and down. Sometimes, I refer to the Assembly as being like a bouncy castle, it is up and down so often. We cannot deny that that has a direct impact on our constituents who, as we stand here today, are sitting in agony on waiting lists.”
“<BR /> <BR />We also want to ensure that there is communication and that patients on health waiting lists are told where they are on their list and how long they will potentially have to wait. That issue has been raised with me. That will help them to understand where they are on the list and when they will be seen, because that impacts on their mental health. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate my East Derry colleague Mr Robinson on his maiden speech. He really touched on the two-tiered approach: those who can pay do, and those who cannot suffer. In 2015, I went to America for surgery. I had had sepsis twice in a short period and was told by a specialist in Altnagelvin Area Hospital that, if I had sepsis a third time, it would not be good. I was also told in the same breath that I could be waiting three or four years for surgery.”
“She came out of the surgery and was told that the surgeons would go back in and rectify the issue within a matter of weeks, but it was months. She was in agony. She could not sleep either. It is important that we touch on those personal stories here when we are given the opportunity. Ms Eastwood spoke eloquently about the challenges that face cancer patients. <BR /> <BR />How have we got here? More importantly, what can we do to get out of this situation? That brings me to our amendment. The Minister rightly talked about maximising every opportunity that is given to us. We have seen that cross-border initiatives are extremely positive. Reinstating those cross-border schemes is a real step in the right direction, a positive direction, especially for people in my constituency who are waiting for hip and knee surgery.”
“Órlaithí and Deborah touched on the importance of children's mental health, an issue about which, I know, both of them care deeply. I, too, have talked previously about delays in the Northern Trust for access to CAMHS and the impact that that has on children and families. Waiting lists impact on the whole family. <BR /> <BR />I am thinking of a mother in my constituency who has a child with special educational needs. The child had a mouth abscess and was left for months without being seen to receive oral healthcare. No one in the house was sleeping. The child was in agony. That is the real, family impact of those waiting lists. I also recall a lovely young woman with cancer whom I met in my constituency office. She had had cancer surgery, and there was an issue with her bowel.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last week, we debated the vital need for a women's health strategy, and I acknowledge Mrs Diane Dodds's contribution about gynaecology waiting lists. I have spoken with many women in my constituency office, many of whom have awful cramps and heavy bleeding and are bent over in pain, yet they cannot be seen by a specialist. They cannot work, and it has completely ruined their life. As we have talked about before, that can be indicative of endometriosis or, worse, potentially cervical cancer, and they are left with the mental agony of that: the unknown and the uncertainty. Thousands of our constituents are waiting on lists and oftentimes left untreated and unmedicated. <BR /> <BR />Sinéad McLaughlin touched on the importance of the postcode lottery aspect, as did Mr Robinson, and the issue of regional imbalance.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for his contribution today, and I hope that I can get through this in five minutes. I thank every Member who has spoken today, and I will touch on some of their contributions and reflections. <BR /> <BR />I thank Liz Kimmins, who touched on the importance of urgency in making tough decisions. Mr Donnelly mentioned the dramatic increase of 216% and highlighted how our lists worsen without intervention and the issues that that causes. Mr Chambers talked about the pain that our patients endure while waiting to be seen, and Gerry Carroll touched on the importance of paying our workers fairly, which is a view that I wholeheartedly share.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Will he agree that, every time this place collapses, our young people suffer as well? One of the many examples is that, currently in Northern Ireland, there is a cut to funding for children who have suffered significantly from sexual abuse. This is wrong, and there should be commitment and discussion from Ministers on that issue to ensure that this never happens again.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does the Member agree that the lack of investment in pupils with special educational needs has a detrimental impact on their health outcomes? Does he also agree that it is unacceptable that Northern Irish pupils receive less investment than their neighbours in Scotland and England and that we must see an urgent commitment from the Executive on those matters?”
“It is to do with asylum-seeking. <BR /> <BR />It would allow for the safe passage of Palestinian people who have family in Northern Ireland.”
“On asylum-seeking, I know that we are all appalled by the murder of thousands of innocent children, men and women in Palestine. Does the First Minister agree that we must step up to the mark and urgently create and commit to a Palestinian visa scheme —?”
“<BR /> <BR />One Member touched on respite services. They are truly in crisis. I am working with a family who have been waiting months for support. I have to put on record the crisis in that area. <BR /> <BR />Minister, I know that this is an issue that you care about. I ask you to do all that you can to engage with the trust on the issue to ensure that no one suffers the indignity and uncertainty of life without access to a care package.”
“This is a good news story, but, for so many others, as was mentioned around the Chamber, it does not always end up the way that we want it to. <BR /> <BR />I cover the Northern Trust and the Western Trust. This is an issue that surpasses the Northern Trust: it affects the Western Trust as well, specifically in rural areas like Limavady, Greysteel, Feeny and Claudy. I agree with my colleague Mr McGlone: there is a rural dynamic to the issue. Getting care workers into those communities is a real challenge. <BR /> <BR />I want to touch on the importance of supporting our carers, who are so selfless. I saw the role that carers played with my late grandparents and the challenges and family dynamics in the home when the care package is not there. I really need to highlight that this is about quality of life and dignity.”
“Months ago, he was told that he would no longer have access to a care package or a care worker. DJ requires a care worker to help him shower and get dressed. Those are two key things that each of us does every day, so I genuinely cannot imagine how he must have felt when he was told that that help would potentially be taken away. DJ's fear was that that would force him to move into a care home, which, he said, showed that the social care system was failing. <BR /> <BR />Thankfully, DJ has been told that a care package has been sourced for him that will allow him to continue to live life independently in his own home. That is a huge part of the issue: getting people the right care that they need to live high-quality lives, which they so rightfully deserve, out of hospital and in the comfort of their own homes.”
“I congratulate you in your role, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I congratulate the Minister, who has been reappointed to his position. We wish him well. I also thank the Member for Mid Ulster for securing this important debate. <BR /> <BR />I acknowledge the many difficulties and challenges that the Minister will have in the coming months. It is important that we are here to discuss domiciliary care, as the issue is faced by so many constituents. In my time as an MLA, I have certainly come across hundreds of families, as Mr Patsy McGlone touched on, that are unbelievably affected by it. I want to tell one of their stories. <BR /> <BR />I have a constituent called DJ Calvert; Members may have heard his story. He is based in Portstewart. DJ is an absolute gentleman in every sense. He was born without hands or legs.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. Does she agree that the length of time that it takes to get diagnosed with either endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is absolutely shocking and that early intervention and diagnosis are key to treatment and quality of life? Does she also agree that it is key that we ensure that our GPs have the appropriate training to highlight and diagnose those issues?”
“<BR /> <BR />The SDLP tabled an amendment to the motion, which we hoped would result in us getting a report back from the Minister in the first 100 days, but, sadly, that amendment was not accepted. As we push forward, however, we want to see a childcare strategy that is shaped for and by parents here in the North. The time for solutions is now, and we cannot let the lack of affordable childcare hinder the potential of our families and our economy any longer.”
“<BR /> <BR />In previous years, we had the pandemic and the energy crisis, and we all know that those have only intensified challenges in this area. We know that unaffordable childcare impacts on parents, but, specifically, it has an impact on women, and that cannot be overstated. Thousands are forced to stay at home due to the rising childcare costs here, and that hinders their professional growth and limits their contributions to society. The economic setback for women goes far beyond finances, as it is a huge barrier to their potential. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the shared agreement today across the House. Although I am not a parent, I recognise wholeheartedly the impact that those costs have. As Mr Butler touched on, those rising costs and the pressure to put petrol in your car and pay your electricity bill really do all add up.”
“In the past two years, I have spoken with so many parents with children who have special educational needs, and those parents have touched on the impact of a lack of support services. In my constituency, there is the Harpurs Hill Children and Family Centre. I spoke to parents and staff there about their role in those early years and about how they make the first intervention or, sometimes, how they are the first people who recognise that someone may have a special educational need and can advise parents about where they can find support and how to go about getting an assessment. It is about those young kids and those crucial skills; that is why those childcare providers are just so important. The children of today and tomorrow should not pay the price of the chronic underfunding that we have seen in our childcare facilities.”
“In my constituency, I have witnessed at first hand the burden that it causes parents and childcare providers. I have seen how rising costs and overheads have compelled providers, particularly those in rural areas, to increase fees. That puts providers in a difficult and, frankly, an unfair position. It also impacts their ability to recruit and retain staff. So many staff members really genuinely love working in the sector, and I echo the sentiments and statements from previous contributors about how childcare is so much more than babysitting. It is about the development of our young people, and, therefore, it is necessary that the strategy be put in place. <BR /> <BR />Of course, I cannot talk about the issue without referring to special educational needs. I know that the Minister will share my concerns regarding challenges in that area.”
“I express gratitude to those parents from across my constituency and to Melted Parents NI, who have shared their experiences by highlighting the mental and financial stress that is truly caused by the lack of an effective childcare strategy here. Without a comprehensive strategy, the cost to Northern Ireland is staggering, and we know that the average cost of full-time childcare for two children reaches nearly £25,000 per year. That is just undoable, and it forces so many into the space in which they are having the conversation about affording childcare or having a career, and no one — no woman — should be forced into that because of a lack of a strategy. <BR /> <BR />That dilemma remains a day and daily reality for parents in 2024, placing immense pressure on finances and families.”
“I congratulate you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, on your recent appointment. I also congratulate colleagues across the House on making their maiden speech. It is a nerve-racking and exciting time, I imagine, so congratulations to you all. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to contribute today through the first speech that I have made in two years, and what better issue to begin with than affordable and accessible childcare and the need for a childcare strategy. It is a matter of immense importance to families and to the future prosperity of the place that we call home. <BR /> <BR />The current lack of affordable childcare has significant negative effects on families in my constituency.”
“I, too, congratulate the Minister on his new position and thank him for his statement, specifically the emphasis on special educational needs and the update on Loreto College Coleraine. <BR /> <BR />In your statement, Minister, you touched on the fact that our young people are our promise and we must meet their most basis needs: I agree with that. I am mindful that one in 10 children in Northern Ireland experiences food poverty. Has your Department considered the huge impact that hunger can have on learning, and what will it do to ensure that every child has an equal right to and support in achieving academic success?”
“In our role as the official Opposition, we wish to nominate Matthew O'Toole as leader of the Opposition.”
“Yes, the SDLP wishes to be recognised as the official Opposition, with Matthew O'Toole MLA as its leader.”
“As the cost of living continues to go through the roof, that policy is needed now more than ever. <BR /> <BR />In closing, as a young woman, I thank Pat for introducing the Bill. I have seen behind the scenes, and I am truly so grateful for what the legislation will mean for the women of today and the women of tomorrow. He will have saved hundreds of thousands of moments of embarrassment, discomfort and indignity, and that is the measure of the man. Thank you, Pat.”
“<BR /> <BR />As I mentioned at a previous stage, the beauty of politics is that none of us is permanent, but the Bills that we pass remain long after we are gone and create real change. What a legacy Pat will leave for the years to come, although I hope that he will be here for a good while yet. <BR /> <BR />I thank, as my colleague did, every party and MLA across the House for their support. It really is a day of great importance. Regardless of how we identify politically, we all have the shared goal of improving our communities and the lives of people across the North. The Bill will do just that. No longer will those who have periods suffer the indignity, distress and anxiety of makeshift alternatives. Today, this is what real change looks like: free products that are not means-tested and universal provision for all who need it.”
“My admiration for Pat is no secret, and I reflect often on his incredible work ethic. Today, Pat, everyone can see the heart and soul, the effort and the hours of work that you and your wonderful team have put into this unbelievably important Bill, including talking to activists from a variety of sectors, hearing the voices of women across the North and responding with kindness, consideration, the spirit of inclusivity and, most importantly, an open mind. I thank all those activists, many of whom are here today or listening at home. We thank the students and volunteers, community leaders and others for their grit and determination and for maintaining hope that a Bill like this could and should go through our Assembly.”
“As this is my last speech at the end of the mandate, it is a privilege to speak on a topic as important as this. Today is a very good day. For generations, women have had to make do, suffer and struggle but, thanks to the Bill, that is no more. The Bill is another strong step closer to true equality in the North of Ireland. It is about social justice and keeping girls in school, the workplace, the study hall, the library and, of course, in sport. I welcome the comments of my colleague from Armagh on the importance of females in sport, including the GAA.”
“Does the Minister agree that we need to do all that we can to improve opportunities for prisoners to experience more face-to-face learning, which is vital for their future prospects as they re-enter society?”
“I thank the Minister for such a detailed answer on a heartbreaking subject. She will be aware that the conflict in Ukraine has touched the hearts and minds of people right across the North. I find the British Government's lack of support for those vulnerable people at this time exceptionally cruel and callous, given the truly unimaginable devastation that they have experienced. Minister, on the back of that, will you please detail any further collaboration that you have had with your counterparts in the Republic of Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Like many across the House, I was very pleased to vote in favour of the Climate Change (No. 2) Bill a few weeks ago. Does the Minister agree that, without long-term funding in place to support us to reach our goals, the legislation could be potentially doomed to fail?”
“Will the Minister detail which active travel measures will benefit the people of East Derry as a direct result of the scheme?”