Barry McElduff
West Tyrone · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I empathise to some degree with those who are qualified longer needing to secure posts, and I encourage the Minister to look creatively at that in the future, if he can. Is there any possibility of introducing or exploring the possibility of a scheme to refresh the head teacher workforce in our schools?”
“Further to Mr Agnew's question, I point out that your predecessor, Minister O'Dowd, was able to increase provision in the most socially deprived areas from 20% to 25%. We want universal provision, but, in some wards that are otherwise regarded as affluent, there are big pockets of deprivation, so is there any scope for looking at that?”
“In light of the fact that there have been increases to teachers' pension contributions and employees' National Insurance contributions as well as, in recent years, changes to income tax thresholds, will teachers be better off or worse off? How does that compare with other public-sector workers?”
“Members will be aware of some problems with the process in the last mandate. For example, the primary schools consultation feedback took the Education Authority over one year to analyse. It was not without its problems.”
“Parents with children in special schools are part of the process for the first time, and they want assurance that the added-value nature of special schools will not be lost in an attempt to standardise provision. <BR /> <BR />As a Sinn Féin MLA, I will say in Irish that we will support the DUP amendment.”
“I will make the first part of my contribution in my role as Chair of the Education Committee, and then I will make some comments from a party political perspective.”
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“In 2014-15, when the last available figures are from, the figure was 81·1%. When you include GCSE English and maths, you find the figure is 66%. That represents a significant improvement on, for example, the 2009-2010 figure of 59% and gives a measure of the progress that is being made. <BR /> <BR />I take the opportunity to congratulate schools, teachers, pupils and parents, as well as — I will probably come into my Sinn Féin MLA mode now — the Sinn Féin Education Ministers, who successively were the deputy First Minister, the Principal Deputy Speaker and Mr O'Dowd. Ministers are often faulted for perceived failings, but I congratulate them on the year-on-year improvements in the areas I have mentioned.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is worth commenting on the things that were achieved in the last Executive Programme for Government. One of those was in the area of educational attainment and educational improvement. Very often in this society, that is measured by GCSE attainment, including in English and maths. There is a debate more generally about whether that is the best or most comprehensive way to assess the impact of an education system. I think everybody would agree that literacy and numeracy are key to educational progress and should always be used in some way to measure outcomes. <BR /> <BR />I emphasise that in the past decade we have seen a year-on-year improvement and percentage increase in the number of school leavers achieving five GCSEs at grades A* to C or their equivalent.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I am pleased to follow on from the Member, who represented a party that was very much in the last Executive. Lots of Executive failings were listed, but the Member needs to be reminded that her party was very much part of the last Executive. <BR /> <BR />I want to speak mostly as Chair of the Education Committee. Obviously, given that Wednesday's meeting will be the second for our Committee, I am not in a position to articulate an agreed Committee position on the draft PFG. I welcome references in the draft Programme for Government to educational improvement, addressing the attainment gap, improving educational quality and, of course, early intervention designed to enhance life chances.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. Tá ceist agam faoi chomhoibriú idir an dá rialtas ar an oileán seo. My question is about cooperation between the two Departments on the island, as the Minister's statement refers to. Can the Minister assure me that cooperation between her and Minister Harris, which is aimed at addressing a whole range of issues, including waiting times, will be a priority for her in the time ahead? Is there perhaps an early opportunity for the North/South Ministerial Council to meet in health sectoral format?”
“A Cheann Comhairle, tá mé sásta glacadh leis an ról. I do accept.”
“It is important for a city slicker like you to understand that rural affairs are in there as well.”
“I also wish another distinguished member of our Committee well in the future, namely young Alban Maginness from North Belfast. OK. That will do me.”
“It is my understanding that there is a minimum of 10,000 freshwater pearl mussels confined to a four-kilometre stretch of undisturbed river channel in the Owenkillew River. Local people, anglers and environmentalists have raised the issue with me. That is my question to the Minister. I cannot imagine that he would have the detail to hand, although perhaps he will. <BR /> <BR />As the mandate draws towards a close, I would like to record my appreciation to the Chair of the Environment Committee, the secretariat of the Committee and, indeed, our Deputy Chair, Pam, who took this initiative. I wish Anna Lo every success in the future. She could make a late intervention yet; nominations have not yet closed. She could do a Healy-Rae on us.”
“<BR /> <BR />Another question that I will pose is very current and relevant in the here and now and relates to the Owenkillew river in mid-Tyrone. What impact would the proposed location and development of a cyanide processing plant in that part of the world have on the special area of conservation and the freshwater-pearl mussels in the Owenkillew?”
“I am happy to attribute it to the initiative of the Chair, Anna Lo, and Pam Cameron, who drove this agenda. They did us all a service by doing so. <BR /> <BR />We all have constituency interests. From a West Tyrone point of view, I am very interested in the story of the River Strule and the fish kills that have occurred in recent years. How many fish kills have there been in the last five to 10 years, for example, in the River Strule? What have been the main causes of pollution? A cursory look suggests that the main causes are agricultural, industrial and domestic, but Departments are in there too. I wonder how many of the fish kills on the River Strule might be attributable to sewage treatment works and the Department for Regional Development, NI Water etc.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Like the Members who have spoken, I acknowledge that the Committee's look at the causes of river pollution has been a short, focused exercise. In a way, it is inviting greater work and greater investigation on the part of the Statutory Committee that might take on the role in the new mandate. Obviously, we will have the reconfiguration of Departments and Statutory Committees, but, certainly, a Statutory Committee that will look at the environment, rural affairs and agriculture may wish to take a fuller look at the work of this Committee. That work came late in the day, but I must attribute it to the initiative of the Member for South Antrim Pam Cameron. It was at her suggestion and proposal that we undertook this look. As Mr Girvan said, it was a worthwhile exercise.”
“The Chair of the Committee has suggested to Mr Beggs that he could have an opportunity to revisit this in the next mandate, but of course, like everyone else who is standing, there is the small matter of first securing re-election. I wish him well in East Antrim.”
“I do not propose to follow this particular maxim in the debate so as to be repetitive or to speak for the sake of it. Suffice it to say that there has been too short a time frame to allow proper scrutiny on what are complex issues, and there has been inadequate consultation with the industry. That leaves significant gaps as regards required evidence. This does not mean that the sponsor of the Bill was not well intentioned or that the Department of Environment officials did not work hard — they did, and they worked very creatively as well. <BR /> <BR />I want to end by commending the Committee secretariat, who, as the Deputy Chair has just said, are enormously challenged by the workload as it stands.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. It falls to me to represent the Sinn Féin party position on the group 3 amendments. We will be voting against the amendments and opposing the clauses in the group. <BR /> <BR />I will quote Danny Kennedy, one of the colleagues of the Bill's sponsor, who once said:”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for his answer. What engagement has he had, or will he have, with the community? Indeed, what contact will his office have with the community in the Greencastle/Rousky/Gortin area regarding the issue? I note that there is very serious concern about the impact on public health and the environment generally.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. How would she characterise Minister Coveney's attitude to the debate? Might the North/South Ministerial Council provide further opportunities to pursue the matter in the future?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I am sure that the deputy First Minister will agree with me that community safety is at the core of cohesive rural communities. I invite him in his role as a joint leader with the First Minister comment on the situation developing in my community of West Tyrone, where in the past week five Masses have been targeted for car break-ins and thefts. I am really emphasising the importance of community safety in rural communities by making our communities cohesive and safe.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. I thank the Minister for his answer and for his personal interest, and that of his Department, in the Omagh Safer Streets project. <BR /> <BR />Will he detail the extent and type of support, financial and otherwise, that his Department will provide in 2016-17? I take this opportunity to commend those civic-minded volunteers who, week in, week out, show such commitment in Omagh. Their efforts have contributed to the saving of lives.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. I commend the work of the Minister to remove barriers to teacher mobility on a North/South basis. However, can he update us on removing obstacles to mobility that affect undergraduates or even school-leavers, which might be a description that could be used for them earlier, on a North/South basis? I understand that Minister Farry is jointly involved in this type of work.”
“What has been the total financial value of the projects to date? What type of projects will benefit in future?”
“I thank the Minister for her comprehensive answer. The Minister said that the draft orders will hopefully be signed off shortly, but could she be more definitive and more specific about the timeline for signing off the draft orders to enable the project to move to the next stage?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Does the Minister agree that, when left to their own devices, the British Government at this time poorly represent — fail to represent — farmers and fishermen here?”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. I just want to check that the Minister is indeed speaking as Minister, or perhaps she could make it clear if she is speaking in a party political capacity.”
“I do not want to be too facetious, but, when I mentioned the distinguished Trillick families, I forgot to mention the Kellys and the Brennans. You know those type of people from County Down.”
“That is fine. Nonetheless, I am happy to stand over my general sense here that Hospitality Ulster does not deserve that title. I call on it to abandon that title because it does not represent anybody I know; it is a stranger to my experience. Thank you.”
“Absolutely. There are countless examples of that. Gala dinners are taken to hotels, by and large. Take a small community like Beragh: it is my understanding that 800 people attended the Beragh Red Knights' gala dinner. The Member for Newry and Armagh will be glad to hear that some Tyrone people even go to Armagh for those dinners. On occasion, we go to the Armagh City Hotel and such places to have these big gala dinners. Sometimes — and I ask DUP Members to close their ears — we go South to the Hillgrove in Monaghan, to Ballybofey or to Bundoran. Sports clubs are massive contributors to the hospitality industry. For me, I seriously question the bona fides of this outfit that describes itself as Hospitality Ulster, because it is misrepresenting the communities that I come from. It is a stranger to my experience.”
“I have to ask this question: how representative is Hospitality Ulster, with its grand title? I do not think that it can presume to speak for the hospitality industry in the Province of Ulster. I think that it is out of touch and is way off beam here. It ignores the good working relations between publicans and sporting clubs. I would just —”
“That is a very strong point. During the debate on the Bill, I noticed some people from my community who I believe are here this evening for a local government event. Some of them are involved in the hospitality industry, and I signalled to one or two of them that I would like to have a chat with them outside. I conducted my own vox pop with those hospitality providers in our community about their views on this Bill. They were universally supportive of it.”
“On the day of the county final, you would have needed somebody left behind in the community to act as a caretaker because there would not have been a sinner in Trillick that day. The McCanns and the Donnellys and the Gormleys were all in Omagh; every single one of them. This is proper community-rooted stuff, and I have to say that I cannot understand the rationale for opposing it. That is why I was heartened by Neil Somerville's contribution, which reinforced my notion that the idea that this would be blocked defies any rationale. It was a very good process that Daithí McKay undertook. It was a very robust consultation exercise, with strong public interest. <BR /> <BR />I also agree with the argument that has been made that increasing or retaining the rates burden on amateur sports clubs prevents their capacity for capital development.”
“I believe that this society in the North and all over the island of Ireland could go forward as an exemplar for the rest of Europe and, indeed, the world, in community rootedness in sport. <BR /> <BR />I also welcome the fact that the sponsor of the Bill was very clear in his assertion that this does not refer to public bar aspects of club rooms, for example, and that that would be dealt with separately. Indeed, certainly in my community, very few clubs actually have bars. In fact, the ones that are most successful on the field of play tend not to have bars. I could be entering into stormy waters there if there is a tight scrutiny on that in Tyrone. For example, Trillick St Macartan's won the county title this year, and that club does not have a bar. The entire community got behind the Trillick club in its quest for glory this year.”
“<BR /> <BR />Other Members have talked about the important contribution to local communities made by sports clubs, and it is not too great an exaggeration to say that, in many communities, the sports club is the community — the very essence of the community. That sports club takes on many more functions than merely providing sport and recreation. In my community, GAA clubs in particular are increasingly becoming the health promotion agency in our communities. They are synonymous with the fight against obesity, the fight against diabetes and increasing people's participation in sport in a very targeted way. Football for mums and all of these types of initiatives are emanating from community-rooted sports clubs.”
“As Daithí explained, well over a thousand responses came in. I attended an event at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, which was very well attended and participated in by clubs in our community across numerous sporting codes. I distinctly remember the enthusiasm of Omagh Lawn Tennis Club for this Bill, and also that of Omagh Bowling Club and Drumragh Sarsfields GAC. Those are three of the clubs that I remember being particularly enthusiastic at the Omagh consultation event. I thought that it was appropriate that Daithí should read from the list because it is clear from the geography and the sporting codes that he referred to that this is absolutely cross-community in its character.”
“Other Members have suggested that robust scrutiny lay ahead at different stages of consideration, not least the Committee Stage of the Bill. "Truly astonishing" is another phrase that has been used to describe the blocking of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I want to amplify that there is huge support for the Bill in the community. That is why the question that has already been presented for those bringing the petition of concern is this: who do you exist to serve, when such a blatant abuse of the petition of concern mechanism has taken place?”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. I want to commend Daithí McKay for moving the Second Stage of the Rates (Relief for Community Amateur Sports Clubs) Bill. At the outset of my contribution, I want to note that the objective of the Bill is to exempt community amateur sports clubs from the payment of rates. <BR /> <BR />I am very heartened by the comments of Neil Somerville and Dominic Bradley in the debate. There is a consensus, one would suggest, on the importance of this issue. The tabling of a petition of concern by the DUP, to effectively guillotine it from this point onwards, has been criticised in this discussion of the Bill. The sponsor of the Bill said that that amounted to an extraordinary abuse.”
“Of course it is about land, but really this is about people, and in Carrickmore there is a particular circumstance that requires a housing strategy and goodwill from different Departments, including DOE.”
“In one case, where there was a refusal, we are talking about the applicant trying to provide care for not one, not two but three family members, and that was not regarded by Planning Service as "compelling". Some sort of impossible test is being set for compelling circumstances. <BR /> <BR />Last weekend, Councillor McNally and I visited another family in the Carrickmore area whose planning application is being processed. Again, there are compelling social circumstances and health circumstances. However, I fear that the application will not meet the test of being described as compelling. It may be urgent, but there is some fine line between urgent and compelling that only the planners understand. I throw that in at the end of my contribution because this is really about people. It is about land —”
“I thank the Department of Environment planning policy division officials and the Minister for a good bit of engagement in recent months around that issue. <BR /> <BR />However, I am particularly concerned about one issue within what may typically be called planning policy statement (PPS) 21. I have two specific files with me today that are going nowhere other than back into my briefcase, but they are to remind me about this definition of "personal ... circumstances". I am told that if someone is applying for planning permission in the countryside — outside of infill opportunities, farming justification etc — one of the remote possibilities of it being granted is personal and social circumstances. <BR /> <BR />I have two files of local families who have particular circumstances.”
“Of course, no commitments were made but, at the same time, in a preliminary way, I wanted a key planning officer in this process to at least understand the context, the problems and the particular nature of the difficulty that we face in Carrickmore. I will continue to work with all relevant players to build that evidence base. <BR /> <BR />I will refer briefly to planning policy in respect of development in the countryside. Carrickmore is obviously a small local town with a rural hinterland. There are not enough opportunities in the rural hinterland for people to build at this time either. I know that that will, hopefully, be addressed as a result of the single planning policy statement, and perhaps through additional flexibilities that are being offered to local councils to interpret that.”
“To its credit, the Rural Housing Association has told me that it is open for business. I have tried to engage other housing associations, notably Fold, and have not had any response whatsoever. I have tried on a number of occasions, by telephone and email, to secure engagement from Fold, but have not even had the courtesy of a reply. I will continue to pursue that avenue. However, I also met a planning officer who works with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council for a preliminary conversation about this — a lady called Hilda Clements. I thank her for providing a listening ear and engaging with me as to the issues at this time.”
“A range of housing options needs to be developed for the community and to meet community demand.”
“One of those was to consult locally in late May on the housing shortage and to identify the level of need in the community. I met representatives of the Rural Housing Association, and we talked about making the call for a proper, thorough — I emphasise the word "thorough" — housing needs survey to be carried out by the Housing Executive. <BR /> <BR />The business of the Housing Executive is to identify need, not just for social housing but for all types of housing. The Housing Executive has advised the Department for Social Development that there is no requirement for the provision of new social housing in the Omagh district area. Based on local knowledge, that is not so and is not reliable. I am not talking about social housing solely but private housing and co-ownership-type housing.”
“Planners might rightly ask why no development is taking place on the land that they have zoned for housing, and there are a number of answers to that question. One is that some of the land is unreachable and under the control of banks. Another reason — local knowledge tells you this — is that it simply will not be developed for housing. <BR /> <BR />A number of new sites in convenient locations, perhaps on the periphery of the existing settlement, are needed. Those would support the provision of a range of house types for different housing needs in Carrickmore at this time. Obviously, crucial work needs to be done in the local development plan to bring that about, working in partnership with the local community. <BR /> <BR />I have taken a number of initiatives at a local level.”
“That is now to be superseded by the local development plan for Carrickmore, which, following RPA, will be taken forward by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. I emphasise that that local development plan simply needs to respond to the specific circumstances of various settlements. Today, I am placing the focus on Carrickmore. <BR /> <BR />I stand to be corrected by the Minister, but it is my understanding that zoned land for housing development in the Carrickmore area, as defined in the Omagh area plan, amounts to 10·3 hectares. That was identified in 1987, all of 28 years ago. A small amount of that land saw small-scale development around 20 years ago, but the majority is underdeveloped.”
“I refer to the Omagh area plan 1987-2002. That area plan, of course, is out of date, but my understanding is that the settlement limits for Carrickmore are still extant. That dates back 28 years, and that is where its outdatedness comes into the equation. It is almost impossible to access a copy of the Omagh area plan, either online or in hard copy. It is like something that has been stored away in a museum, because it is very difficult to access. I have a copy of the relevant section of the Omagh area plan for Carrickmore. It is a bit of an achievement in itself to have that physical document in my left hand. <BR /> <BR />A concept called the west Tyrone area plan 2019 superseded the Omagh area plan. Initial findings were that that lacked detail for Carrickmore, as you might expect.”
“There are also short-term accommodation needs. Similarly, the health centre requires a new build. <BR /> <BR />There are multiple reasons for the associated matter of the lack of availability of housing at this time. A combination of circumstances has resulted in local demand outstripping supply.”
“The voluntary sector in Carrickmore is very strong across the spectrum, from the Friendly Care Group to all manifestations of the GAA and other sports, including boxing and Special Olympians. There are very many strong community groups in Carrickmore, including the Friendly Care Group that I mentioned and the Rainbow Gateway Club. A vision is being developed in the community for a multisports centre. <BR /> <BR />I provide this community message because it is relevant to the vitality of the community and the lack of movement in housing. When mentioning Dean Maguirc College and St Columbkille's Primary School, I should put on record that new builds are required for both, as the Department of Education has acknowledged. They are subject, of course, to available funding, but there is an absolute need there.”
“Bear in mind that local pupils also attend schools in parts of Tyrone, depending on the sector, Irish-medium provision etc. Both local schools received recognition of their excellence in recent Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) inspections. <BR /> <BR />Carrickmore has a significant health and primary care centre, with patient numbers of 9,000. There are a number of other main employers — the two schools and the health centre are employers — in the areas of construction, agri-supplies and a whole range of businesses, some of which are accommodated at the Techno Tyrone business park in the Milestone Centre. <BR /> <BR />The Patrician is an excellent community centre. More than that, it is a recognised theatre and a venue for concerts and all kinds of entertainment and community events.”
“I am aware of a good number of young people who have emigrated from the area and whose desire it is to come home. They are regularly checking the availability of housing stock in Carrickmore to buy or rent. <BR /> <BR />Carrickmore is a strong, vital community. It is designated as a local town in the Omagh district, is described as an important market and service centre for its rural hinterland and has two schools. St Columbkille's Primary School on Creggan Road has a strong nursery and Irish-medium unit, and it has in excess of 300 pupils — I think that the figure is around 320. Dean Maguirc College, which is located on Termon Road, is a co-educational school that caters for pupils of all levels of ability, and its current enrolment is 509.”
“The debate is about the lack of available land in Carrickmore to meet the housing needs of the community and anyone else who might wish to live in the area at this time. In truth, it is more about people than land, but the two are interconnected in the debate because an impasse, a kind of stalemate, has developed: a significant number of people would like to buy a house or a site — ie land — to develop housing but are being hampered by the lack of available land and suitable properties. A phrase used locally about housing in the area is that "Nothing is moving". The fact of the matter is that young people are forced to take up residence elsewhere. People who retain a strong Carrickmore identity find themselves in the situation of having to go elsewhere to live.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. Tá áthas orm go bhfuil seans agam an díospóireacht seo a chur chun tosaigh inniu. I thank the Deputy Speaker for calling this debate. I tabled the topic because it is a very important local issue in my home community of Carrickmore in County Tyrone in the constituency of West Tyrone. <BR /> <BR />At the outset, I welcome the attendance of the Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan, whose Department has overall responsibility for planning. I also want to acknowledge that my party colleague Councillor Barry McNally, who has a strong local interest in the matter, is in attendance for the debate.”