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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“To that end, as someone with a strong faith, I have to say that it is you and your mentality that are the problem, not members of the LGBT community. The SDLP strongly supports the motion and rejects wholeheartedly the DUP amendment.”
“What message does that send to the young people in our schools who are struggling or repressing their identity? They should not be met with shame, stigma and, least of all, therapy. They should be met with love, understanding and respect. After all, is that not the Christian way? Research on the issue of family acceptance of LGBTQ youth showed that young people were eight times more likely to be suicidal, six times more likely to report high levels of depression, and three times more likely to use drugs. <BR /> <BR />I say to the DUP, and its actions today and its actions spanning decades, that using religion as a mask and a weapon to do your dirty work for you and to allow you to be freely and openly homophobic is a disgrace.”
“We do not want more young people, especially those in isolated rural communities, watching us today to experience more anguish. I cannot imagine how that must feel. <BR /> <BR />Looking back at our history in NI on LGBT issues, I remember, when I was growing up, looking round the table at lunchtime and thinking that it was so strange that half my friends would be able to dream about their wedding day and getting married while the other half would not. It makes me feel ashamed that, just a few years ago, that was the reality in my home, in our home. <BR /> <BR />What a shame it is that the party across from me, led by the First Minister, wants to amend the motion to take out:”
“As someone with a strong faith myself, I am sick and tired of religious freedoms being used as a way to think that it is in any way acceptable to reject the LGBT+ community. Get real. The motion is not about criminalising prayer; it is about limiting harm to our LGBT brothers and sisters with these unethical therapies. Religious freedoms must be questioned the moment that harm is committed, and we know, from speaking first-hand to people who have endured conversion therapy, that many have experienced hurt and rejection from people who told them, "God condemns you because of who you are and who you love". That is shocking. <BR /> <BR />Has the LGBT community not been through enough, from the historic shame of the AIDS pandemic to delay after delay in the right to marriage equality?”
“That last quotation is from 2005. Today, in 2021, as a young person, I am in genuine disbelief that we are here today even having to debate conversion therapy. People of the LGBT+ community need not our prayers but our respect and support. <BR /> <BR />I thank the UUP for tabling this important motion. I really am at a loss as to where to begin. Today's debate is the symptom of a very sick part of our society that believes that our LGBT friends, family and colleagues need to be cured. To be frank, I find the amendment insulting. It is a cheap tactic from the DUP, utilising religion as a veil for its evident and ardent homophobia. The idea that a young, vulnerable person who is looking for guidance on their sexuality is met with therapy is the real abomination.”
“Thomas Buchanan, DUP, said that homosexuality is: "an abomination." <BR /> <BR />Edwin Poots, DUP:”
“I will start today with some direct quotations from Members and former Members from the party opposite. <BR /> <BR />Sammy Wilson, DUP:”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. The experience has been very distressing for a large number of patients and their families. Recognising that it is an extremely traumatic experience for them, what mental health support is available for those patients?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement this morning. I know that he shares my commitment to improved mental health services, and I welcome that, in the statement, he mentioned the cancer recovery plan being accompanied by mental health support for patients on waiting lists. My question today refers to mental health waiting lists specifically. More broadly, as we emerge from the pandemic, mental health support will be necessary, now more than ever. Can the Minister give an update on crisis intervention services to support those on mental health waiting lists, should they need it, and does he see improved support for these critical services as part of a longer-term rebuilding of services as a whole?”
“We do not teach young people enough about healthy relationships and how to identify and recognise abuse. More importantly, we do not equip them with the language to understand or talk about abuse. It is time that we instilled a core belief of equality and sent a strong message to our young people, with appropriate education, in order to prevent further violence against women across the North.”
“I am grateful for charities like Nexus NI that support victims and survivors of sexual assault. We need to play our role now and intervene. We are calling today for the introduction of a robust strategy that is underpinned by legislation. <BR /> <BR />Early intervention in our schools would play a key role in eroding sexism and place a focus on building positive lifelong relationships with women. Abuse in teenage relationships can impact all genders, but it is very important to raise that. In young adulthood, females in particular who experienced teen dating violence reported increased depression symptoms, and they were 1·5 times more likely to binge-drink or smoke and twice as likely to have suicidal thoughts. <BR /> <BR />What could we do more of?”
“That is an astonishing statistic when you consider the psychological impact that sexual misconduct can have on each and every victim and survivor.”
“Relationship and sexuality education is a vital tool in empowering our young people to overcome societal and cultural pressures and learn effectively about the power of consent. I agree with Sinéad that parenting plays a huge role, as do our schools, in ensuring that our young people build a healthy understanding of what relationships are and what they look like. Instigating sexual advances without consent is a crime that is an everyday act of violence against women. <BR /> <BR />A comprehensive student survey carried out last year laid bare the extent of sexual harassment in Northern Ireland's third-level educational institutes, with one in three students revealing that they had experienced unwanted sexual behaviour during their time at university or college.”
“Our education system must reflect its commitment to teaching about true equality in society because, if we do not teach our children to respect women, the internet will get there first and teach them, as the Member who spoke previously hinted at, to objectify women and to view them through the lens of sexuality before humanity. How many times as a woman have you been in a bar or a club or at a festival or a gig and a man has groped you? It is time to put consent on the curriculum. <BR /> <BR />As a former pupil of a Catholic school where the word "sex" was practically considered a curse word, suitable relationship and sex education was not delivered to either boys or girls. You may ask why this is relevant to the debate.”
“Unfortunately, none of us is a stranger to misogynistic abuse online, on Twitter, on doorsteps and in our everyday lives and to the fear of walking home due to those who do not understand or who choose not to understand the important concept of consent. <BR /> <BR />A key part of this debate is that there is an evident call for a shift in how we tackle this issue from an educational perspective that can act as early intervention. Younger years are where healthy perceptions and respect for women are formed and created. Society is fast-changing.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important topic. Our society has a deep-rooted problem with misogyny and violence against women, and I echo the previous comments of Members from around the House. The brutal murder of Stacey Knell and Karen McClean on Friday has brought the clear inadequacy of the systems designed to protect women into sharp focus. This is one of the many reasons why today the SDLP is tabling this motion. <BR /> <BR />It is unacceptable that we remain the only place on these islands without a specific strategy to address violence against women and girls. What message does that send them? There is no space for complacency while women face misogynistic abuse every day, even women in this Chamber.”
“That really needs to be addressed <BR /> <BR />While I am sure that this is not the last time that we will meet to discuss such regulations, each time we meet, it seems that the picture is a bit more improved and positive than the previous occasion. I hope that that continues to be the case. To be clear: we have to learn how to return to normal and live safely with the virus. I support the regulations that are before us.”
“It is very important that we seek to give businesses as much support as possible, such as start-up grants, to ensure that they can get back on their feet. As the picture with the pandemic improves and we slowly get back to normal, I hope that the Executive will turn their attention to that task. Indeed, all of us here have a responsibility to contribute to that effort. <BR /> <BR />To conclude, I reiterate my support of the Executive and the Minister in the decisions that they have made so far. However, I find it deeply regrettable that I and other MLAs get a lot of information about what is coming next from Twitter, and often at the same time as the public.”
“As the restrictions have continued, more and more small businesses and business owners have struggled to stay afloat or, indeed, to remain positive about their future prospects and the idea of opening their businesses and operating them as they did before. My constituents in East Derry have found much relief and support from the Executive's financial packages. I hope that that support will continue for as long as the restrictions are in place and businesses are forced to remain closed. <BR /> <BR />Gym owners are especially feeling the impact of COVID, and I hope that our gyms will be able to open as soon as possible when it is safe to do so. I fear the job and business losses that we will have when we come out on the other side of the pandemic.”
“Indeed, the last 12 months have been extremely difficult. With the continued roll-out of the vaccine and restrictions beginning to loosen, it really feels as though the end is much closer. Of course, we all continue to be mindful of the impact that the COVID pandemic and the past year of lockdowns and restrictions have had on every aspect of our lives, whether on our collective mental health and well-being, our children being out of school for long periods, the loss and closure of many small and local businesses or, of course, on our health service and front-line workers. <BR /> <BR />I urge the Executive to continue with support grants for businesses.”
“Increasing the limit on outdoor gatherings from six to 10 people from no more than two households will, hopefully, allow more family members to meet up. I am sure that that was a welcome change to the regulations for many and will, perhaps, allow family members who have not seen each other for a significant time to meet up. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome that the regulations have addressed the anomaly that meant that carers were not able to accompany Motability customers when they were picking up their vehicles. That seems to be a very sensible decision. <BR /> <BR />As I have done previously, I continue to urge the public to abide by the regulations and guidance that are before us. It goes without saying that the past few months of lockdown since Christmas have been extremely difficult.”
“<BR /> <BR />Enabling Departments to use Nightingale courts seems to be a sensible measure, especially given the success that they have had in recent months in dealing with the backlog of cases in the criminal justice system.”
“On the back of Pam's comments, I thank our front-line staff for their continued efforts and for their continued commitment to tackling the virus. My sincere and deep sympathies go to the families out there who have lost a loved one. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the opportunity to speak today as my party's health spokesperson on the health protection regulations. The amendment (No. 5) regulations permit click-and-collect services for some non-essential retail businesses. As I said in the previous debate on the regulations, I am sure that that is welcome news to some business owners. I recognise, however, that many will not be in the business of selling the limited types of goods allowed under the regulations. Hopefully, in line with the Executive's plans, all remaining non-essential retail will be permitted to offer click-and-collect services.”
“I thank the Ministers for their statement. In my East Derry constituency, businesses in Portrush, Portstewart and Portballintrae thrive and, oftentimes, depend heavily on tourism. Will the Executive give them appropriate prior notice to reopening so that they can get in the stock and supplies that are necessary for reopening? Does the First Minister recognise the huge impact that the lockdowns have had on towns that depend on tourism?”
“People who are at home with their parents feel that they cannot open up and be vulnerable due to thin walls and the lack of discretion in the home. We need to explore student well-being and what more the Executive can do to support our students. <BR /> <BR />I hope that the payment has gone some way towards supporting our students financially at this extremely difficult time. As the motion acknowledges, there is more work to be done. I urge the Minister and her Department to continue working on it and to expand it to our students in the South and further afield. A much bigger debate is needed on aspects of student support beyond the pandemic and the lessons that, hopefully, we have learnt from it. I am keen to play my part in that. We wholeheartedly support the motion.”
“Not at this time, because I am going to try to fit this in. Sorry. <BR /> <BR />I imagine that it has been particularly difficult during the pandemic. <BR /> <BR />The impact on mental health has been a universal experience over the past 12 months. The restrictions on travel, the "Stay at home" message, not being able to visit family and friends and social distancing have left us feeling isolated and cut off from our loved ones. Our students and young people have had that feeling exactly or, perhaps in some cases, have felt it more. In recent conversations, student union representatives in Coleraine gave voice to one of the main issues, which is that counselling during the pandemic takes place online via Zoom and Skype.”
“We often forget that students are not all teenagers. Some are parents, and they are of all ages. It is important for us to remain mindful of that today as we discuss students. Financial support for students post pandemic is also a wider issue that we need to be mindful of. <BR /> <BR />Childcare is a massive issue that has been noted. The pandemic has highlighted that huge issue. I am particularly concerned that more needs to be done across the Executive to ensure that parents are supported in their studies during the next few months and post pandemic. Trying to juggle childcare and further their studies is difficult at any time, but I imagine —”
“They should be supported in the same way. Likewise, part-time students, many of whom have additional financial pressures and worries, should be supported. Students feel that they cannot win. Many have spoken online about their experiences and have been told to stop whining and complaining and that they are young, but we have to note the detrimental impact that the pandemic has had and not brush them off.”
“I pay tribute to the students and student bodies who campaigned for the payment. They lobbied MLAs and the Executive, very effectively, and shared their experiences and stories — often personal and difficult — of the financial problems and circumstances in which they had found themselves in the past year. I also take the opportunity to mention my party colleague Sinead McLaughlin who has led an effective campaign on the matter. She has campaigned, unapologetically, to ensure that students are financially supported and that their voices are heard. <BR /> <BR />I concur with the motion that the exclusion of full-time students studying elsewhere from the payment is wholeheartedly unfair. Their financial burdens and pressures are no less. We must support students who are studying away from here, in the South and further afield.”
“I feel for them because the student years are crucial to socialising and character-building. <BR /> <BR />As well as the restrictions, the financial pressures on students have been immense. I reiterate Órlaithí's point about some of the issues being mentioned in the Chamber already, but they need to be reiterated. Students have been continuing to pay landlords for accommodation that they are no longer living in; paying significant fees for courses that have largely, if not all, moved online; and face the loss of part-time jobs or are on furlough as a result of business closures. Students cannot win. They also feel undervalued and overlooked. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the £500 COVID disruption payment is to be welcomed, and I am sure that it is a relief and support to many, but it must be expanded.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion, which the SDLP will be supporting. The past year has been an awful one. No age group or section of society has been unaffected by the pandemic and its restrictions and lockdowns. However, our students and young people have been particularly affected. At a time when many of them should be starting out on a new adventure, away from home and enjoying what should be a relatively carefree few years, they are being badly impacted. The first few weeks of entering university are, undoubtedly, some of the finest and funniest days of your life. You make new friends and form your own identity and independence. You are out of home for the first time and away from your family. Unfortunately, students have been robbed of that.”
“I think that social prescribing has been a real positive in these kinds of rural pockets. <BR /> <BR />As, hopefully, we move into a post-pandemic world, reflecting on the amazing work of our health service, we should also look at how we want our health service to be seen in the future. This is, of course, a huge task that is part of a bigger conversation, which is much more than the Bill that is before us today. However, we can speak to that in the next stage. Local communities and services should be at the heart of our health service. What assurances can the Minister give us today that this legislation will not, in any way, negatively impact on rural communities?”
“<BR /> <BR />Another concern that I have, in a similar vein, is the issue around the centralisation of power in the Department. While I note the merits and intended consequences of this Bill in giving the Department greater oversight of those functions that will be placed directly in the health and social care trusts, the centralisation of power when it comes to the commissioning of services can have unintended consequences, and I worry about the impact of a regional and rural imbalance. There is often the temptation to place services in Belfast and other cities, and that is an issue. As an MLA for a largely rural constituency, I am all too aware of that, and I often see the impact of services not being evenly distributed across the North, not least on accessibility and the difficulty for many in travelling.”
“<BR /> <BR />Another concern that I have — I am sure that others across the House will share it, too — is around the closure of the Regional Health and Social Care Board and local commissioning groups. The groups have been an important part of the Health and Social Care Board, and local health professionals are best placed to know what the specific and emerging healthcare needs are within their respective areas. I hope that we will continue to have an aspect of that in our new system. Partnership and co-production in working with communities is how we will deliver better services that meet the needs of local people in each of our constituencies. Can the Minister assure us that local voices and expertise will still be heard and that they will be able to feed into the commissioning process in trust areas as we move forward?”
“Some staff have voiced that they have felt great job uncertainty over the last five years, and I think that that was a very regrettable outcome of the delay and the way in which the original announcement was made. It is, of course, welcome that a hosting arrangement has now been agreed. <BR /> <BR />An issue that was raised, just moments ago by Pam Cameron and in Committee, is the reliance on agency nurses. An issue that we must urgently address is the lack of nurses in our health service. This is a very important and transformative step in ensuring that our health sector will be able to provide a true equality of services right across the North.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak in the Second Stage of the Health and Social Care Bill. I welcome that the Bill has finally come before the Assembly for debate after the decision to close the Regional Health and Social Care Board was first announced in 2015. My party colleagues and I are largely supportive of the Bill. However, there are a number of points that I will raise today, and I hope that the Minister may be able to address some of our concerns and give us assurances. <BR /> <BR />The Bill has been a long time in coming, and I hope that it has now provided at least some clarity for the staff of the Health and Social Care Board.”
“Women collectively coming together and having discussions like we have had today — politicians, activists on the ground, those working in the community and voluntary sector — need to speak up on the barriers and the sexism. We should continue to challenge the current barriers and to strive for change.”
“More women in politics is a very positive thing. In Scotland, for example, we saw the free provision of period products in 2019. I am inspired by the work of my colleague Pat Catney in seeking to eradicate period poverty. It is a subject that we all know is traditionally taboo, but I love that it is being brought forward by a man with two daughters who speaks without shame on the matter. <BR /> <BR />There are many challenges left to be addressed. It is important that we all keep the doors open and do not pull the ladder up behind us but that we encourage more women of all ages and backgrounds to become involved in politics. Female leaders should not be limited or defined by what they wear, what they look like or whether they choose to have children or not.”
“Nichola Mallon, the SDLP Minister, and Claire Hanna have raised this and are seeking change. <BR /> <BR />Looking at our past political landscape, we see that women have had to fight just to be at the table. They have done incredible work, especially the Women's Coalition in the 1990s. It was really inspiring to see women coming together and rising above the religious and sectarian tensions of that time to do the best for their families and communities. Being a member of the ceasefire generation, I feel a sense of obligation to maintain the peace and stability that women fought so hard for them and for which, as we have seen in the Chamber, they continue to fight.”
“There is often an assumption that young people in politics lack the life experience to lead. I do not think that that is true. I have often found that, if you are not tenacious and dogmatic in your approach, you are seen to be doing it wrong, and that you have to be inherently more masculine to fulfil the role. <BR /> <BR />My vision for the future is that, within our political structures in Northern Ireland, we start to see greater diversity in our representatives to reflect our changing population and demographic. On the topic of making the Assembly more inclusive, we must urgently address the shaming of women in political roles and public life who take maternity leave. Representatives in the South have voiced concern about that. Maternity leave should not be negotiated; it is a fundamental right.”
“Often, sadly, such barriers, when not challenged, can be found in council chambers: the dismissive attitudes; the overlooking of intellect; not attributing ideas to the women who came up with them; and the, "You're new here. Watch how we've always done it". However, I am an optimist when it comes to change. I believe that we are in a transitional and transformative part of our history. Women are single-handedly challenging the more traditional ideas of what a decision-maker, a policymaker or a peacebuilder looks like. At my age, it has been a very interesting experience. Other female MLAs and councillors of a similar age would probably agree that, at the best of times, it is not always easy or straightforward and that the path has not yet been carved out.”
“Looking at other parties, it is evident to me that, despite our political differences, many across the House are undeniably passionate and wholeheartedly devoted to the betterment of their communities, and I respect you all for that. <BR /> <BR />Whether as a councillor, MLA or MP, it is most welcome to see so many women becoming politically involved, especially in grassroots activism. I wholeheartedly welcome the fact that Queen's student union now has an all-female line-up: a very capable bunch indeed. <BR /> <BR />There are many evident barriers for female politicians. However, many are not so visible and happen behind closed doors.”
“Happy International Women's Day, everyone. This is my first in the Assembly, so I am delighted to speak today. Historically, women in Northern Ireland have played a huge role in paving the path to peace. We draw inspiration from the likes of Brid Rodgers, Mo Mowlam, Monica McWilliams and so many more. Shining a light on today, the SDLP wholeheartedly supports the motion on creating a gender-sensitive Assembly. I thank Clare and the other Members involved in tabling it. <BR /> <BR />It is fantastic to see more women involved in politics, but the reality of how far we have left to go is eye-opening. I continue to be inspired when I see women across all political affiliations leading from the front.”
“We should never let that happen again. I therefore call on the Executive to match their rhetoric on supporting the health service with action and funding. Reform of and investment in our precious health service are direly needed and long overdue, and now is the time to act.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is a real momentum to address the shortcomings and failures that we have seen in the system, and we should open up the discussion about bringing a world-class system of healthcare to Northern Ireland. Our health service is clearly suffering after more than a decade of underinvestment. Last year, we all stood at our doors and clapped for our amazing healthcare workers, just a short six months after nurses had to strike for pay.”
“I ask the Executive, again, to recognise how vital the service offered by those organisations is — it is very often life-saving — and to provide them with funding that is longer-term, sustainable and ring-fenced, to allow them to continue that life-saving work. As we heard recently, investment is also badly needed to secure detox services in the north-west. <BR /> <BR />As we, hopefully, now begin to slowly emerge from the pandemic, we all have a much greater appreciation and understanding of the great and often difficult work that is done by those in our health service and working on the front line. Our health workers deserve a wage that reflects the depths of their devotion. That is a lesson that has been learned and is something positive to take from the awful year that this has been.”
“<BR /> <BR />One area of healthcare that I am sure that all Members will share my concern about is funding for the mental health and well-being of our constituents in Northern Ireland. Since becoming an MLA last May, I have raised that with the Health Minister in the Chamber on a number of occasions. Local organisations are doing fantastic and often unrecognised work on suicide and suicide prevention in our communities, and one that comes to mind is the Community Crisis Intervention Service that is based in the north-west. While, of course, any and all funding is to be welcomed, the constant uncertainty and need to continually fight for funding places huge pressure on stretched services. It also leads to uncertainty for staff employment and for the service users who rely on them.”
“The Budget does not give trusts the resources or capacity to tackle our waiting lists, which were among some of the worst on these islands before COVID-19. That continues to be deeply concerning. I urge the Finance Minister to look again to see what additional resources can be allocated. <BR /> <BR />I also want to mention briefly transformation and service redesign. While all Members will share the aim of having world-class health services and centres of excellence across the North, transformation needs to be done in partnership with local communities. I recognise that a number of service reviews are waiting to be commenced. It is crucial that those are not done until there can be proper community consultation.”
“In an ideal world, we would be looking more at holistic levels of care, but, with the current pressures and restraints, I recognise that, for the most part, that is some way off. <BR /> <BR />In addition to the restrictions that the settlement imposes on staff recruitment, how can other hugely pressing issues such as waiting lists and transformation ever be addressed within the constraints of in-year, non-recurrent funding? We all know someone, be it a friend, family member or constituent, who is waiting for an operation or a diagnosis. We recognise that the pandemic has forced trusts to prioritise and save lives. That is entirely justified, but, as we move towards easing the restrictions, we must be in a position to deliver care to all those who need it.”
“Of course, workforce pressures are not new to the NHS, but we would be lying if we said that they have not been exacerbated due to COVID-19 pressures. <BR /> <BR />There is also safe staffing. I understand that the draft allocation does not provide funding to cover the Executive's commitment to that and that it will have to be covered in monitoring round bids. When it comes to the monitoring rounds, I hope that that will not be an issue and that those bids will be successful. Safe staffing levels should be the minimum standard of patient care that we try to achieve. I welcome the fact that some progress has been made on the development of legislation in that regard and hope that it can be progressed.”