Nicola Brogan
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“Rinne muid Lá Idirnáisiúnta an Aistriúcháin a cheiliúradh an mhí seo a chuaigh thart. Tugtar seans dúinn an lá sin leis an obair thábhachtach, fhiúntach a dhéanann fir agus mná teanga ar fud an domhain a cheiliúradh.”
“Tugann sé seans do na daoine a bhfuil na teangacha sin acu a gcuid a bheith acu den tsaol anseo agus a bhuíochas sin ar na haistritheoirí agus na hateangairí.”
“<BR /> <BR />Mar sin de, a Cheann Comhairle, ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis na haistritheoirí agus na hateangairí uile go léir, bíodh siad ag obair in institiúidí polaitíochta nó amuigh fríd na daoine sna hotharlanna agus sna cúirteanna.”
“<BR /> <BR />Despite an extremely tight budget that continues to be stripped to the bone by consecutive British Governments, investment in waste water infrastructure is continuing. NI Water is getting 90% of the capital money that it could spend this year, which is an increase from last year.”
“The appeal has been supported by the AERA Minister and is due to be heard this December. <BR /> <BR />I have said this before and will say it again: we need to continue to work together to ensure that the A5 is delivered.”
“Minister Kimmins and her predecessor, Minister O'Dowd, have fought tooth and nail for the progression of the A5 road upgrade. As a representative of West Tyrone and someone who uses the road daily, I appreciate the Minister's commitment to that vital project.”
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“Will the Minister outline what his Department is doing to improve active travel?”
“The blame for that was laid squarely at the feet of global Governments, who, 'The Lancet' states, are "fuelling the fire" with persistent investment in fossil fuels, all-time high energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and years of delays in adopting renewable and net zero technologies and practices. <BR /> <BR />The Climate Change Act was our line in the sand and a commitment to no longer fuel that fire. The carbon budgets and interim targets before us today are crucial parts of that Act. They are ambitious but achievable, and they will keep us on track to meet our net zero goals while ensuring that we have the time and space to build in just transition safeguards to protect people, incomes and industries. Nobody will be left behind. I support the motions and commend them to the House.”
“As Sinn Féin's spokesperson on the environment and climate, I am happy to speak in support of both motions. <BR /> <BR />Last month, 'The Lancet' countdown on health and climate change report revealed that people in every country face record-breaking threats to health and well-being from the rapidly changing climate. That is why the Climate Change Act is one of the most important Bills that we have passed here. Research found that, last year, people were exposed to 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures than would be expected without climate change. It also found that extreme drought affected 48% of the global land area and that 151 million more people were now experiencing food insecurity.”
“The Minister talked about the support available for businesses and ensuring that it meets its aims. Could the Minister outline the existing support that is available to businesses, le do thoil?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“Will the Minister advise when she shared her rating proposals with her Executive colleagues?”
“Together, we can make a meaningful change that protects people across our communities from unnecessary risk and harm.”
“Too often, people are lured by cheap deals that they see on social media or in glossy advertisements. They are unaware of the risks. Many do not know what qualifications they should look for in a practitioner or what questions they should ask. It is our duty to empower the public with the knowledge that they need to make informed, safe choices. <BR /> <BR />This is not about limiting anyone's ability to choose cosmetic procedures; it is about ensuring that, when people make that choice, their health and safety are protected. It is about protecting lives, preventing harm and creating an industry that operates on trust, professionalism and accountability. I urge colleagues to support the motion. I am glad that so many Members have spoken in support of the motion and the amendment.”
“The treatments involve sensitive, medical-grade products that need to be stored and administered with precision. Without proper training, practitioners risk clients' health, safety and trust. When things go wrong, the damage is often irreversible, not just physically but emotionally and financially. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls for stricter regulation and accountability measures to ensure that only qualified, trained and regulated professionals are allowed to perform the procedures. Voluntary registers like Save Face do excellent work to set standards, but voluntary measures are not enough. We need enforceable laws to make safety the standard, not the exception. We also need to increase public awareness and improve public understanding of the issues.”
“<BR /> <BR />Now, we see cases where non-medical practitioners perform what can only be described as life-threatening surgical procedures such as thread lifts and fat-dissolving injections. Those treatments are being carried out in unsafe environments by individuals with no medical training and without proper aftercare. The consequences can be catastrophic: blindness, severe infections, tissue necrosis, permanent scarring and even death are real risks. It is not just happening in distant places; it happens here because our current system allows anyone, regardless of qualifications, to set up shop and start offering treatments without oversight, training or accountability. <BR /> <BR />The problem is not just about bad techniques or unskilled practitioners.”
“I thank all the Members who participated in the debate. I thank the Minister for being here — for listening and responding — and Paul Frew for summarising Members' comments. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin tabled the motion because it is clear that the lack of regulation in the non-surgical cosmetic industry is putting lives at risk. These are not abstract numbers or distant problems; these are friends, family members and neighbours who are being harmed when they seek treatments. The facts speak for themselves. As a number of Members said, Save Face reported nearly 3,000 cases of harm caused by unregistered practitioners. Each of those cases represents a person who trusted someone to enhance their appearance but was left with injuries, disfigurement or worse.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Many of the measures that are to be extended to here will have no effect, because the issues that they target do not currently exist here. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, there are concerns about other aspects of the amendments. The Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Auctioning Regulations 2021 and the development of a flexible reserve, for example, risk allowing emissions to be moved around rather than reduced. For the emissions trading scheme to be effective, it should seek to align as closely as possible with the European emissions trading scheme. I understand that the amendments are largely technical, so, alongside the Committee, I am happy to support the motion.”
“An emissions trading scheme, if properly designed and operated, is an efficient and practical means of helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All too often, the burden of carbon reduction schemes falls on the consumer, not the producer. A well-designed ETS could help restore that balance. Indeed, until Brexit was inflicted upon us, we were part of the European ETS, which, while far from perfect, has been shown to render results, with a record 16·5% drop in emissions last year alone. <BR /> <BR />As stated by other Members, the amendments deal with largely technical changes, as well as some corrections and the extension of a number of measures that could not be applied here while the Assembly was not sitting.”
“Has the Minister given any consideration to specific biodiversity legislation or does he feel that existing strategies are enough to reverse the decline in biodiversity here?”
“She will, no doubt, agree that investing in infrastructure is key to growing our economy. Can the deputy First Minister, therefore, outline how she will ensure the successful delivery of the investment strategy?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an leas-Chéad Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo.”
“Déantar mná a ionsaí sa bhaile, san ionad oibre agus ar líne - is cuma cén aois a bhfuil na mná sin ann. Is annamh a thugann siad tuairisc ar na hionsaithe do na póilíní. Ní ligeann an náire dóibh tuairisc a thabhairt, agus creideann cuid mhaith acu gur beag an difear a dhéanfadh sé cibé. <BR /> <BR />Is geal liom go bhfuil straitéis anois againn le deireadh a chur leis an fhoréigean in aghaidh cailíní agus na mban. Déanaimid ár ndícheall daoine a chur ag caint ar fhadbanna sláinte agus intinne. Caithfimid an rud céanna a dhéanamh anois leis an fhoréigean in aghaidh na mban. Abraimis amach. Ní binn béal ina thost. Maraítear bean amháin gach 10 mbomaite. Níl sé inleithscéil.”
“Inniu an Lá Idirnáisiúnta um Dhíothú an Fhoréigin in aghaidh na mBan. Maraítear bean amháin gach 10 mbomaite. Nuair a léigh mé an fíoras sin, a Cheann Comhairle, baineadh stad asam: maraítear bean amháin gach 10 mbomaite. <BR /> <BR />Phléigh muid go min agus go minic sa Teach seo an foréigean in aghaidh na mban. Chuala muid uilig go léir na scéalta agus na staitisticí. Táimid uilig ar aon tuairim gur gá rud éigin a dhéanamh faoin fhadhb seo, agus ina dhiaidh sin féin, leanann an foréigean ar obair gan chosc gan cheangal. <BR /> <BR />Is é rud a shíleann daoine go fóill gur rud fánach é an foréigean in aghaidh na mban. Cá bhfuil mar a shílfeadh duine ar bith sin, a Cheann Comhairle, nuair atá na Náisiúin Aontaithe á rá linn go maraítear bean amháin gach 10 mbomaite?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Assembly must stand firmly behind our farmers and demand a ring-fenced budget, ensure the continuation of sustainable practices and protect the future of family farms. Those are not just economic issues; they are about preserving a way of life and safeguarding the resilience of our rural communities. Let us send a clear message that the Assembly values our farming families, our rural economy and our food security.”
“Adding to that pressure are changes to inheritance tax thresholds and agricultural property relief. Those measures will place financial barriers on family farms, making it harder for younger generations to inherit their land. Moreover, the lack of secure funding undermines critical agricultural initiatives. Climate change, animal welfare and food security demand sustained investment, yet, again, the British Government treat those issues as optional, not recognising that sustainable farming is essential to our shared future. When our farmers struggle, the impact ripples across the entire rural economy. Jobs are lost, businesses close and food prices rise for everybody.”
“Brexit stripped away the EU safety net, but the British Government have failed to provide a meaningful replacement.”
“Farmers now face rising costs for feed, fertiliser and equipment due to Brexit-induced trade barriers and supply chain disruptions, yet they are expected to shoulder those burdens without adequate financial stability or support. The lack of a ring-fenced budget has created deep uncertainty. Farmers need secure funding to plan, invest in sustainable practices and meet the challenges of climate change and food security.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion as we defend the future of farming families and the rural communities that sustain us all. The British Government's autumn Budget does not prioritise farmers and protect the rural economy in the North of Ireland. Those are not oversights; they are political choices that threaten the very foundation of rural life and the agricultural backbone of our society. <BR /> <BR />It must be said, though, that Brexit has compounded the challenges facing rural communities. By leaving the European Union, the North lost the security and support of the common agricultural policy, which had protected farmers for decades. In return, the British Government have refused to ring-fence farm support budgets or adjust them for inflation.”
“Vaccination, particularly for wildlife, is crucial to long-term TB control. Addressing disease reservoirs in wildlife is essential to the sustainable eradication of TB but requires ongoing investment. We must commit to supporting our farmers fully, listening to their concerns, understanding their needs and providing them with the necessary resources. By supporting the motion, we will send a strong message that we are determined to eradiate bovine TB, working alongside farmers with the right policies and science-based strategies.”
“The strategy should not be a single measure; it should be a coordinated approach that brings together multiple components backed by research and evidence. Addressing bovine TB requires a strong, evidence-based approach that considers every factor involved in disease transmission from wildlife control to farm biosecurity, testing and vaccination. Wildlife management is a critical component. Any response to the challenge must be compassionate and ethically managed. Furthermore, it is important to remember that the disease does not recognise borders and that the spread of bovine TB in wildlife affects the North and the South of Ireland equally. <BR /> <BR />Improving biosecurity on farms is key to controlling bovine TB, but it is not the complete solution. Farmers need support, resources and guidance to implement effective measures.”
“We come together today to address a challenge that is central to rural life in the North of Ireland. Bovine tuberculosis persistently threatens animal health, burdening farmers with economic, emotional and social costs. To support the motion is to recognise the heavy toll that bovine TB takes on our farmers. For many, farming is more than a job; it is their life's work and their legacy. When bovine TB strikes, it disrupts livelihoods and threatens futures and demands urgent action. <BR /> <BR />Our agriculture sector is vital to our economy and society, yet bovine TB undermines it. Millions are spent annually on compensation, testing and control measures, while farmers bear the personal and financial strain of losing animals that they have raised and cared for. We need a comprehensive, science-based strategy to eliminate bovine TB.”
“Assuming that the independent panel that has been announced today leads to the creation of the independent environmental protection agency, we will then have the IEPA, the Environment Agency, the future climate commissioner and the Office for Environmental Protection. How would the creation of an IEPA, if that is what the review leads to, affect the role of the OEP and those other organisations?”
“Will the Minister confirm whether it is still the intention to publish the Magee expansion action plan before Christmas?”
“I thank the First Minister for her statement. Given the developments since the previous NSMC meeting in September, with the announcement of the A5 road upgrade, does the First Minister agree not only that the upgrade will make the road safer and promote economic opportunities for the north-west but that it is a good example of what we can achieve by working together on an all-Ireland basis?”
“He will be aware that the Climate Change Act recognises the importance of treating the island of Ireland as a single biogeographical unit. It also requires that we harmonise climate action in the North with steps that are being taken in the rest of Ireland. Will the Minister please outline what level of cooperation he has had with his counterparts in the rest of Ireland to ensure that climate action across the entire country is as complementary as possible?”
“The statement is very welcome, particularly because the Finance Minister prioritised Health and Education. As a member of the Committee for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and a representative of a rural constituency, I also welcome the £2 million that is going towards TRPSI. Will the Minister please detail the remaining resource DEL shortfall?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a ráiteas.”
“The Minister and her Department should have the full support of the Assembly in those endeavours.”
“I understand that the Finance Minister can assure us that the majority of the outstanding recommendations are largely complete and are just awaiting final checks and authorisation. Still, it is important that the Executive forge ahead with ensuring that the entirety of the report is implemented and, crucially, that the public can see those changes being made and see that they are working. Those are crucial issues in restoring public confidence in politics and ensuring that governance here runs as effectively and efficiently as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />The recommendations that were made as a result of that inquiry were sensible and reasonable, and they represented much-needed institutional reform. Significant progress has been made in implementing those recommendations, but there is no doubt that there is still more to do. To that end, it is worth remembering that the report's recommendations were made on the cusp of a global pandemic. There was then the absence of the Assembly and Executive for almost two years and the endless efforts of the British Government to strip funding here to the bone, all of which made it much more difficult to implement the recommendations. <BR /> <BR />Against that backdrop, civil servants have still managed to implement a significant number of the recommendations.”
“The RHI scandal represented an outrageous failure of those behind the scheme not only to operate in a responsible and transparent manner but to make themselves accountable and take responsibility for those failures. The ongoing legacy of RHI not only damaged public confidence in the institutions of the Assembly and the Executive but confidence in politics here as a whole. As my party's environment spokesperson, I find it particularly egregious that the scandal damaged the public perception of renewable energy support schemes in general. It was only right and proper that a full public inquiry, which was called by a previous Sinn Féin Finance Minister, was held into the flawed scheme. I commend the civil servants and others who worked tirelessly on that inquiry for three years.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your answer. Does the Minister believe that the rating system can support the rejuvenation of town centres?”
“Will the Minister outline how confident she is that the new approach to funding will be successful, le do thoil?”
“I also thank the Minister for the work that she has done in securing additional funds through the fiscal framework. <BR /> <BR />Will the Minister outline when October monitoring will take place to allocate funds for the rest of this financial year and when we can expect to see a draft Budget for 2025-26?”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a ráitis.”
“Working together across all relevant Departments and with all relevant partners, we can restore and protect Ireland's waters for our future generations. That starts with a new river basin management plan. <BR /> <BR />I support the motion.”
“An updated river basin management plan is essential to ensuring that we can address the issue of water quality in as effective, efficient and holistic a manner as possible. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that the motion acknowledges the need to address the issue on an all-Ireland basis. As an island, our waters are obviously deeply interconnected, and it makes no sense to take a piecemeal approach to their protection. As with all environmental and biodiversity issues, we should tackle this with a single all-island strategy. The Government in the South recently announced a major river basin management plan. I urge the Department to work closely with its counterparts to ensure that the one in the North is as complementary and cooperative as possible. It is an issue for which we must all take responsibility.”
“As a member of the AERA Committee and Sinn Féin spokesperson on the environment and climate, I am happy to speak in support of the motion. <BR /> <BR />Ensuring that we have safe, clean water is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any Government. The quality of our water, as a primary natural resource, is first and foremost a public health issue, but it also affects everything from biodiversity protection and food-chain security to major industries such as tourism and agriculture, and even personal pastimes like angling and swimming. <BR /> <BR />The worrying explosion in blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and waterways across Ireland has provided a startling visual reminder of the necessity to protect our waters.”
“Ceart go leor, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Go raibh maith agat.”
“Will the Minister outline what other support is available to existing businesses?”
“We also learned that there was a different way to handle the often traumatic issue of registering deaths and stillbirths. The changes to how deaths and stillbirths were registered made the process more efficient and eased the burden on health workers and infrastructure while maintaining the appropriate checks and balances to ensure that deaths were still properly investigated. Crucially, those changes also eased the burden on grieving loved ones. <BR /> <BR />The public have widely availed themselves of the option to register deaths via telephone since its introduction. It has reduced the administrative burden on those who deliver the service. To revert to the old system at this stage would only cause stress and confusion, so I am happy to support the motion to ensure that those provisions do not lapse.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing the motion to the Assembly, and I am happy to speak in support of it. As has been outlined, the legislation was introduced during the pandemic to allow the registration of deaths and stillbirths to take place via telephone and for documents such as death certificates to be sent electronically. That was necessary to allow registrations to continue during the pandemic while minimising face-to-face contact. The height of the COVID pandemic was a difficult time for all of us, but especially for those who lost loved ones. We, as a society, pulled together, adapted and made changes to help to save lives and ease the burden on our incredible healthcare workers. During that time, we learned new and more efficient ways of doing things. For example, we discovered the value in practices such as remote working.”
“The British Government's austerity agenda has done little to alleviate those pressures, and the Government's failure to prioritise agriculture will only deepen the crisis. A strong, secure agriculture budget is essential not just for our farmers but for the future of food security. Thriving rural communities depend on it, and so does the economy. <BR /> <BR />We need a Government committed to supporting our farmers beyond 2024, with policies that genuinely reflect the importance of local food production and the sustainability of rural life.”
“In my constituency of West Tyrone, the total amount of single farm payment is almost £47 million annually. Sinn Féin has called for impact assessments of the loss of those payments because, without them, 25,000 farm businesses are at risk. Food security should be treated as a political priority. Our farmers produce safe, nutritious and affordable food, while maintaining high animal welfare and environmental standards. Agriculture is a key pillar of the economy, especially in the North, and a shrinking budget threatens the sustainability of rural communities. <BR /> <BR />We must also address the broader challenges impacting farming: climate change, access to labour and global instability, such as the war in Ukraine.”