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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“Looking through the clauses, I seek further detail and clarity in order to outline exactly how the legislation safeguards and promotes the rights of individuals and same-sex couples to adopt. For example, clauses 47 and 48 mention civil partnerships, but I am mindful that the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission:”
“Reforming the adoption process will, in turn, improve support for families in need and children in care. I particularly welcome the Bill's emphasis on providing further support for care leavers. <BR /> <BR />The introduction of this legislation in the North will bring our law into line with changes made across the rest of these islands in 2002 and 2007. The current legislation appears outdated, given that it often causes unnecessary delay and uncertainty throughout the adoption process.”
“<BR /> <BR />I welcome the expansion and commitment in the Bill to supporting the rights of children, including clause 120, which ensures that the wishes of children are ascertained; clause 121, which places a duty on authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need; and clause 122, which places a duty to promote educational achievement and prevent disruption to education and training. That is an issue of great importance, and I am absolutely delighted to see it included. Disruption to the lives of children who go through adoption must be minimised wherever it can be. The fact that that commitment will be enshrined is therefore most welcome. <BR /> <BR />I welcome that the Bill will play a significant and positive role in reforming the adoption process and place care planning and advocacy services on a statutory basis.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at the Second Stage of this very important Adoption and Children Bill, and I thank the Minister for moving it. My thoughts are with him, given the threats that he has received. That should be neither an accepted nor a normalised part of public life. I therefore offer my support and solidarity to him. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP welcomes the legislation, which will see adoption law become fully aligned with provisions in the Children Order 1995, and which sets out that the child's welfare is paramount. That is at the heart of the Bill. I also welcome the fact that that will ensure that our law fully adheres to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
“Minister, my colleagues and I met Informing Choices months ago. It is evident that this is a much-needed and valued service that offers women unbiased information on the choices available to them. I believe that women in crisis deserve support and impartial information on the options available to them. Therefore, will the Minister's Department reassess how information on abortion services is advertised on trust websites so that women know what options of compassionate modern healthcare are available to them and where they are available?”
“I welcome the Minister's commitment to enhancing our connectivity in the wider north-west. <BR /> <BR />On rural connectivity, will the Minister give an update on the Dungiven park-and-ride scheme?”
“We understand the significant pressures that nurses have faced in the past two years and welcome any steps to support their mental health. I ask the Minister for an update on what strategies his Department has in place to improve the retention of nurses in our health service.”
“It is our moral duty as public representatives to continue to call that out where we see it, and not only continue to encourage but demand that businesses have legally binding, ethical, environmentally friendly policies to protect our environment and ecosystems for future generations.”
“<BR /> <BR />In the SDLP, we are committed to doing all that we can to fight the climate crisis, protect our natural environment and prevent biodiversity loss. In Westminster, our leader, Colum Eastwood, has brought forward his climate emergency Bill, so we believe that we can make real change, both here and at Westminster. Any further delay will increase the problem and present more difficulty in how we deal with it. <BR /> <BR />Finally, and most importantly, I have significant concern about how reckless profiteers — companies that are driven by greed — continue to damage our environment, especially in the Sperrins and beyond.”
“I give my sincere thanks to Minister Mallon for her commitment to enhancing our public transport, which allows us to better connect our communities and also contributes to tackling the climate crisis. I also recognise the importance of the £20 million funding for blue-green infrastructure that will support transformation of our communities and play a key role in active travel. <BR /> <BR />In the North, disruption to businesses, services and people's daily lives will no doubt increase if adverse changes occur as a result of climate change. An increased risk of flooding and coastal wear will certainly put pressure on drainage, sewerage, roads, water and habitat. Increased temperature, increased pollution and poorer air quality will certainly bring discomfort to the vulnerable and, unfortunately, threaten our species and ecosystems.”
“<BR /> <BR />Although the Climate Change Act 2008 extends to Northern Ireland, specific greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the North are not included in it, so I recognise, and welcome the fact, that those issues are highlighted in the Bill. As we look to the future, I feel that it is all about transformation in order to limit the damage to our environment in all aspects of our life. It is about the small steps that each of us can take at home, such as the materials that we use, what we recycle and, say, ethical buying. I also welcome the efforts of young activists across Ireland and those from the Climate Coalition to highlight the issue of fast fashion across these islands and the impact that it has on our environment. <BR /> <BR />Over-reliance on road use is a contributing factor to emissions in the North.”
“Climate change has an impact on each and every one of us. Decisions that we make today will impact not only on our lives but on those of future generations. The North is not immune to the severity of the impacts of a changing climate, and it is important that we play our role and our part in the global effort, and the effort across these islands, to tackle climate change. <BR /> <BR />Having a constituency surrounded by beautiful coastline, I am all too aware of the growing concern at climate change and the fears of coastal erosion in areas such as Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock. I believe fundamentally that we have to make our laws for tackling the climate crisis as robust as possible so that we contribute to the protection and preservation of our land for future generations. Until now, I feel that we have failed them.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak as someone who is slowly edging out of the under-25 bracket and recognises how passionate young people are about the topic.”
“In relation to current pressures on the health service, we want to see health prioritised. I am also mindful that we have seen the biggest cut in benefits by the British Government since World War II. I note the mental stress that this has caused for many people on benefits. Will the Minister commit to working with the Communities Minister to give it back?”
“I thank the Minister for her answers so far. Can she detail what advice she has given to schools on the matter of ventilation as we approach the winter months?”
“<BR /> <BR />At a school that I visited last week it was said that, "At least a quarter of our class could avail itself of a special educational needs teacher, but where is the money? We need more support from our politicians on the hill". For generations, people with autism have been failed by politicians in this Building. Let us not allow that to happen again. I regret that the Minister of Education is not here, because it would have been of great benefit to her to hear some of the stories today. The SDLP fully supports this Bill at its Second Stage.”
“Recently, in my constituency, I met with Destined, which is an incredible charity that is committed to helping those with autism and other special educational needs to prosper and grow and to teaching them life skills. That is something that is very hard to find, specifically in rural areas, due to a lack of funds or limited funds. <BR /> <BR />It is important to raise as many personal stories as possible in the Chamber as a firm reminder of the neglect that families in rural communities feel when it comes to support for special educational needs. One lady in a very rural part of my constituency has a young teenage daughter with autism who, well into the second week of September, had no school placement. That is absolutely disgraceful.”
“Some families are able to afford to pay for a private diagnosis for their children, while others simply cannot. <BR /> <BR />Let us look at the numbers that we are talking about when it comes to children with autism in our society. Almost one in every 20 school-age children in Northern Ireland has been diagnosed with autism. That is 13,000 children between the ages of four and 15 with a diagnosis of autism. That is a large part of our population that we all must do better for. At last week's Health Committee, Pam noted that autistic adults feel left behind. I welcome the inclusion of education and training for mental health professionals, which is badly needed, especially with the sad and unfortunate statistics around suicide for autistic individuals.”
“Those delays have a huge detrimental impact on not only academic achievement but the confidence and self-esteem of our little ones amongst their peers. That can cause damage into adulthood. <BR /> <BR />The Bill being discussed today will assist profoundly in making our society autism-inclusive and will undoubtedly contribute to a more fair, equal and just society. I especially welcome clause 5, which introduces the idea of an autism reviewer role to review functions in relation to autism and to hold the Department accountable for ensuring that the needs of those with autism are met. I note that the disparity in waiting times between different trust areas is a huge issue, as are the health inequalities that arise as a result of the waiting lists.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in my role as my party's health spokesperson in support of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I thank Pam Cameron, who is the Member responsible for bringing the Bill forward, and everyone who was involved, especially Autism NI and the all-party group on autism. They have worked tirelessly for years to support and advocate for so many people with autism and their families. I also thank the Minister of Health for being here today and for his ongoing support and activism on this issue. <BR /> <BR />At the end of last year, almost 4,500 children in the North were awaiting an autism diagnosis. That is not only alarming but heartbreaking. We are failing our children because of the lack of support that is available, and that is made even worse by the fact that some of them have been waiting for well over two years.”
“We welcome any assurance and detail from the Minister in his response on those issues.”
“In particular, it is crucial that we understand fully the impact that clause 24A will have on the OEP's independence and the lack of specific consultation here on the power for DAERA to issue guidance to the OEP in respect of its enforcement policy. <BR /> <BR />I am aware that the similar power that is provided to the Secretary of State in the British Government's Environment Bill has been controversial with stakeholders in terms of its potentially negative impact on the independence of the OEP. I understand that similar concerns have been expressed by some stakeholders here, via responses to the Department's 'Environmental Plans, Principles and Governance for Northern Ireland Public Discussion Document' on the equivalent power being provided to DAERA. Those are matters that the SDLP Minister has documented and raised previously.”
“We remain concerned by the continued uncertainty and lack of information around the structure, operation and cost of the Office for Environmental Protection in general and around how it will operate here. The part of the legislative consent motion that relates to the OEP, which is clause 24A, needs to be considered carefully within the wider context of the unresolved issues around the OEP's application here, the lack of alternative operations considered and the continuing lack of clarity on the operation of the OEP. <BR /> <BR />We are concerned that clause 24A makes provision for a broad power, and we are unclear as to what impact it will have on cross-cutting policy and Executive responsibilities here. It will be important to have assurances from the Minister today on that matter.”
“The SDLP supports the establishment of an independent environment agency for the North. We note that Scotland has laid its own course, and it is disappointing that that has not been the case in NI. Our Minister and the SDLP in Westminster have documented our concerns, as the Minister is aware. However, in recognising the need to work collectively to address our environment crisis, we believe as a matter of principle that any legislation that can be made in Northern Ireland in the Assembly should be made here. <BR /> <BR />We recognise that these provisions will go some way towards protecting our environment. However, we seek clarity from the Minister today that devolved matters will be dealt with here and that he will keep a watchful eye as legislation progresses.”
“<BR /> <BR />Most importantly, my party and I give huge thanks to our nurses, carers, doctors, counsellors and community mental health teams for their ongoing commitment to care throughout the pandemic.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have no doubt that there was a lot of support and joy from sports fans, especially Coleraine fans, due to the amendment (No. 8) regulations, which removed the limit on the number of people who may participate in an outdoor gathering, including a sporting event. <BR /> <BR />After being in this spot for the past 17 months, speaking about the tightening of restrictions, it is really positive to stand here today to contribute to discussion of the fact that they are slowly beginning to loosen. I continue to welcome any and all return to normality, and I hope that the regulations continue to loosen as soon as that is appropriate and safe. In the meantime, I urge everyone to adhere to the restrictions and the important rule of, "Hands, face, space".”
“<BR /> <BR />I also welcome the permitting of music at indoor venues in addition to theatres and concert halls and the reduction of the requirement for social distancing to 1 metre in hospitality venues, which I know is most welcome in the hospitality industry. <BR /> <BR />I note the removal of the restriction on outdoor house parties, raves and other gatherings. We have seen the positive aspects of that in well-organised, COVID-compliant events such as Belsonic this weekend, which I thought was very well organised and which I was happy to attend. <BR /> <BR />Many families will be grateful for the increase in the number of people permitted to gather indoors at a private dwelling from 10 to 15, not including children under the age of 12, from four households.”
“My sincere thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Coronavirus has undoubtedly impacted upon and touched everyone's life in some way since March 2020. Thankfully, over the summer and since we last met here to discuss the restrictions, we have seen some of them lifted and life, somewhat, returned to normality. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the steps taken throughout the regulations to ensure public safety through crowd management and simple steps such as obtaining a ticket prior to an outdoor event, as provided for by the amendment (No. 10) regulations. That helps to ensure that our concert halls and venues across the North can reopen safely and get back on their feet.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I recently spoke to representatives from Rigged Hill wind farm in Limavady, which is in my constituency. We touched on a number of positives and opportunities for green renewable energy here not only in my constituency but across the North. Will the Minister approve rapid progress of the development of onshore wind farms to give our energy sector more diversity and security?”
“However, if we look at how the introduction of the opt-out system has changed things in Wales, we find that consent rates from deceased donors increased by over 12% in 2020. <BR /> <BR />Lastly, I thank young Dáithí and his committed parents for their ongoing, focused campaign on organ donation. We in the SDLP wholeheartedly support the Bill and hope that it contributes to a societal shift in getting families, parents and teachers talking and to people realising the importance of donating organs. Let us get talking, and let us get donating.”
“<BR /> <BR />One of the 87 recipients , a young man named Michael from Ballykelly, happens to be a constituent of mine. Michael is not much older than me, but he has severe complications and damage to his kidney. He now lives with his kidney functioning at 8%. I find him truly inspiring. Every day is a battle for him, but he holds out hope that he will, some day soon, get the call. That is the heartbreaking thing about having issues with your organs: it is truly the luck of the draw. None of us know when we will need a donation or whether any of us will face the challenges that we are discussing. It is crucial that, wherever possible, we get talking with our constituents about it today to preserve life tomorrow. <BR /> <BR />There is a shortage of donors in the North, and around 115 people are waiting for a transplant.”
“I hope that, as the Bill progresses through the Assembly as quickly as possible, the Departments of Health and Education will remain committed to opening the conversation around organ donation, informing and educating, removing the social awkwardness that often looms around the subject and, especially, educating our under-18s. <BR /> <BR />The donation of organs and tissues after death helps to save and improve many lives in the North every year. It is incredible that one donor can transform the lives of up to nine people. If we look at the current statistics, we will see that, last year in the North, there were just 51 deceased donors, but their donations resulted in 113 transplants throughout the UK. In total, 87 Northern Ireland residents received a transplant. It is incredible to think of the lives that can be changed.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at this important stage of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Last week, the Health Committee had a briefing with the Patient and Client Council, with both recipients and those who have donated organs, and their families. It was a real eye-opener. We learnt, at first hand, about how the issue has impacted on both their lives and the lives of their families. I listened to David, father of Lucia, who talked about his daughter's journey with organ donation and the legacy and campaign that she leaves behind. <BR /> <BR />Another eye-opening aspect was the discussion of the barriers to organ donation — cultural, religious and some that even include superstition.”
“Minister, you will understand that this is a very emotional issue for many of my constituents; I know several people who have had to sell their home and use their savings to afford access to care. Have you spoken with individuals who have been impacted by this issue and what is your assessment of how this approach, which leads to them using their savings and selling their homes to afford access to care, is impacting on them?”
“I thank the Minister for making himself available for what is an extremely urgent matter. Like many other MLAs, I have been contacted by many constituents who have yet to receive a letter but are afraid that they will. <BR /> <BR />We have become aware today that the radiologist in question continues to work in the UK. Have you had any conversations with the Northern Trust about that? It is very concerning that the trust believes that 7% may have suffered a delayed diagnosis. I am really curious to know what conversations you have had about that radiologist continuing to work in the UK.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement and for his ongoing commitment to mental health and suicide prevention, which is most welcome. <BR /> <BR />In action point 15 of the statement, Minister, you mention restructuring mental health services to bring them closer to the individual who needs them. My constituency is very rural, and there is limited access to crisis support services, specifically from midnight to morning. What will action point 15 mean for rural constituents?”
“Before the pandemic, we were faced with not only a crisis in mental health but a health system that was struggling to cope. As we all know, the pandemic served to exacerbate both. I know that the Minister is committed to improving mental health care in the North and to creating a health service that reflects that. I hope that that will continue to be a priority for him and the Department and that the Executive will act accordingly in the months ahead. <BR /> <BR />While the reopening of local businesses, including the hospitality and close-contact sectors, has been welcome in recent weeks, I continue to urge support for those businesses.”
“We continue to take great heart from the continued roll-out of the vaccination programme, and I pay tribute to all those involved. It is a great relief that the vaccination programme has contributed to fewer and fewer people getting seriously sick as a result of contracting the virus. As such, the immense pressure that was on our health service has now been relieved. <BR /> <BR />As I did previously, I continue to urge and press for departmental and Executive action on and support for mental health and further support for local businesses. Only now as we begin to emerge from the pandemic, and in the weeks and months ahead, will we see the true impact that the pandemic, successive lockdowns and increased isolation have had on our mental health and well-being. I really worry about that.”
“At times, we discussed the further tightening of restrictions, but I am pleased that the discussion today has been about changes to the regulations in recent weeks that have been for the better and have allowed a greater return to life as we used to know it. Of course, we remain mindful that the virus is still very much with us and that case numbers have been on the rise again, with the delta variant accounting for many of them. I continue to urge caution and, as we return to a much more normal way of life, I hope that people continue to follow the regulations and good practice to minimise risk and spread. <BR /> <BR />So many sacrifices have been made across society and so much progress has been made in combating and fighting the pandemic, it would, indeed, be very regrettable if things were to take a turn for the worse at this stage.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate in my role as my party's health spokesperson and a member of the Health Committee. I, too, would like to welcome Mr Lyons as the new Deputy Chair of the Health Committee. I look forward to working with him. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No. 6 is another welcome change to the regulations. It has been particularly welcome to cafe and restaurant owners. I am sure that it will have made the running of their business and their jobs that little bit easier, as will the provision to allow food to be ordered at buffets or carveries. <BR /> <BR />Over the last year, we met here to discuss and debate coronavirus regulations on countless occasions.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement today, which I welcome, especially the continued collaboration between the Public Health Agency and the National Office for Suicide Prevention. The statement mentions a health and well-being project with the GAA and Ulster Rugby. We know that those sports clubs play a huge, positive role in all of our lives, so that is most welcome. Are there any further details on what that important health and well-being project may look like?”
“<BR /> <BR />Now is the time for us and the Department of Health to take action for our carers, especially because, as life expectancy continues to increase, the demand for carers is projected to increase substantially in the coming decades. Let us make being a carer an exciting career pathway. Let us give our carers an outlet. Let us prioritise their care. Let us prioritise well-being in society. Let us do that today by starting with our carers. With a new and innovative kind of thinking, similar to the kind of spirit and energy we saw in the early days of adapting to the COVID-19 crisis, the Assembly and Executive can together improve the lives of all our carers here.”
“Carers come from all age groups. Many are children and young people caring for a parent, working parents caring for a sick or disabled child or an elderly parent or, as the Chair mentioned, an older person caring for a husband or wife. In all those circumstances and more, people must try to juggle their caring responsibilities with everyday demands, whether those are schoolwork, going to work, caring for other children or, in the case of an elderly person, simply meeting their own caring needs. <BR /> <BR />The motion mentions respite services. Whilst I acknowledge that difficult decisions had to be made about the closure of those services in the early days of the pandemic, I believe, alongside the Chair, that we must urgently reinstate and rebuild them.”
“Often, that has a disproportionate impact on women. <BR /> <BR />As the motion notes, sadly, many of our carers go "unseen and unsupported". They go about their work every day without complaint or any expectation of reward. Their work is often very demanding in a physical sense, but I am sure it is also emotionally extremely difficult. <BR /> <BR />An important point that the motion makes and that we can all too easily forget is that:”
“Perhaps the Minister can give us an update on the support for carers fund and whether his Department has considered increasing carer support. <BR /> <BR />A survey to mark Carers' Week last week found that nearly three quarters of carers in the North said that their mental health had suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities. Nearly 70% said that their physical health had been impacted. That is deeply alarming. Similarly concerning is a statistic in a report by the National Autistic Society entitled 'Left Stranded', which stated that, due to the pandemic:”
“I hope that last week has gone even a little way to help society to recognise the hard work and dedication of our carers, including young carers, who often feel overlooked and forgotten. Northern Ireland has over 220,000 carers, 4% of whom are under the age of 18. In that 4% are those who choose to make dinner for their family instead of going out with their friends and to support their loved ones while sacrificing many aspects of their youth. That is a selflessness that few of us will ever understand. Nearly 7,000 young people in the North provide up to 19 hours of unpaid care per week, while 960 provide up to 49 hours of unpaid care a week. Those are startling statistics. <BR /> <BR />We all must ask ourselves this question: who cares for our carers? That is our job.”
“I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this important issue: the critical role that carers play in society. I speak in my role as my party's health spokesperson and as a member of the Health Committee. <BR /> <BR />As the motion notes, last week, from 7 to 13 June, was Carers' Week. That was an opportunity for us to acknowledge the great and, indeed, inspiring, work of all our carers here, paid and unpaid. The theme of this year's awareness campaign was "Make Caring Visible and Valued". That was a particularly fitting theme for 2021, given the role that carers have played in the pandemic over the last 15 months. They truly are the best of us. <BR /> <BR />Whilst the pandemic has given us all a much better understanding of and appreciation for what carers do, there is much work to be done.”
“I thank the Member for asking this important question. I welcome the Commission's work on the matter. How long will that work take?”
“While the rise in infection rates associated with the delta variant over recent days is concerning, I remain hopeful that we remain on the path to a post-pandemic world and that all the hard work and sacrifices have not been in vain.”
“I believe, as many across the House do, that we have yet to see the full impact of the pandemic on people's mental health or to see the full ramifications for our health service. I continue to urge the Executive and the Minister of Health to work to ensure that correct and sufficient services are in place to deal with that. <BR /> <BR />I am sure that I am not alone in wanting to ensure that we learn lessons from the pandemic and shape a better world as a result, including what is offered by our public services and how they will work moving forward. The way in which the NHS and our health service adapted to deal with the pandemic was truly amazing. We need to turn that energy and spirit towards addressing the waiting times crisis. <BR /> <BR />The past 15 months have been tumultuous and difficult, to say the least.”