Martin McGuinness
Mid Ulster · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“It was noted that full sectoral audits had been carried out by Departments of the Executive and the Irish Government to identify impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies that may arise following the UK's intended withdrawal from the EU.”
“<BR /> <BR />We welcome the establishment by Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister Chris Hazzard of an Ulster canal advisory forum, which met for the first time on 23 September 2016.”
“That is something that has never been previously asked. It is interesting that the Member has chosen to call for that. From our perspective, we will have a discussion.”
“We also have 220 people now employed at that centre. They are people of the highest specialisms imaginable in medicine. The dedication that they have to that centre is absolutely amazing.”
“The big decision that was taken by both Administrations at the North/South Ministerial Council meeting — by the Executive Office, the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs — was to put a high-level working group of civil servants in place to deal with the challenges that clearly lie ahead.”
“<BR /> <BR />The oversight board led by Dick Spring and the interdepartmental group set up in both jurisdictions have worked hard to get us to this stage, and I can give assurances that our Executive will continue to give their support to ensure that we deliver the best bid possible.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,155 lines we hold for Martin McGuinness, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 14 of 24.
“The fact that, even against that backdrop, we have been able to record unprecedented levels of foreign direct investment is obviously good news. <BR /> <BR />The South were also amplifying their decreasing unemployment figures. During the meeting, they made the case that their economic situation was steadily improving, to which I asked, "When is the election?". All I got was a smile in return and fingers pointing towards the Taoiseach. <BR /> <BR />Overall, the economic discussions that take place at these meetings are of great importance to all of us.”
“I think that a bit of nitpicking is going on. Obviously, we had a very thorough discussion in relation to the ongoing economic situation North and South. We were able to record what is good news for us, the fact that we have had steadily decreasing unemployment figures over the last 28 months. <BR /> <BR />At the same time, we recognise that we are facing huge challenges in relation to the difficulties we are having to deal with as regards the austerity agenda that is coming at us from London. Effectively, something like £1·5 billion was taken out of our Budget over the lifetime of the last Conservative Government, and further cuts are predicted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. That leaves us with a very challenging situation.”
“Ministers then noted the current position on a North/South consultative forum. <BR /> <BR />The meeting ended with the Council approving a schedule of NSMC meetings proposed by the joint secretariat, including a NSMC institutional meeting in Autumn 2015 and the next NSMC plenary meeting in November 2015.”
“The council also noted the very successful greenways and blueways information-sharing and networking event hosted by the joint secretariat on 30 April 2015.”
“Progress continues on the Ulster-Scots community impact programme, which has been extended for a second year following a positive evaluation. <BR /> <BR />In February 2015, Minister Heather Humphreys announced the approval of the restoration by Waterways Ireland of a 2·5 kilometre stretch of the Ulster canal, connecting Castle Saunderson International Scout Centre to the Erne basin at an expected cost of approximately €2 million. <BR /> <BR />Finally, the Council noted that last year was another great year for tourism. Total overseas visitors to the North for the first nine months of 2014 grew by 3% year on year. Overseas visitors to the island of Ireland increased by 14% in the January to March 2015 period when compared to the same three-month period a year earlier.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the NSMC health and food safety meeting in April 2015, Professor Chris Elliott of Queen’s University Belfast gave a presentation on the topic of "Food safety and traceability: an all-island imperative", which provided Ministers with valuable insight into this important subject. <BR /> <BR />Ministers welcomed reports on the activities of the Loughs Agency in promoting and marketing Foyle and Carlingford loughs, in particular marine leisure infrastructural developments, outreach and community activity, and promotion of local seafood products. <BR /> <BR />Progress continues on the publication of the new English-Irish dictionary flagship project, and an app for the new English-Irish dictionary will be available in the near future.”
“Ministers also noted that early results were positive, with 45 cross-border applications to the programme and an economic value of €8·8 million for successful cross-border Horizon 2020 collaboration at that time. <BR /> <BR />The draft Peace IV and INTERREG programmes 2014-2020 were submitted to the European Commission on 22 September 2014, in line with the regulatory deadline. The INTERREG programme was formally adopted on 13 February 2015, with calls expected to launch in early summer. A number of outstanding issues still remain in the Peace IV programme, and high-level discussions are ongoing between the member states and the EU Commission. It is hoped that the Peace IV programme will be approved shortly and be open for calls later in the year.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the NSMC environment meeting on 13 May 2015, Ministers received an update on the agreed repatriation of waste programme for 2015, under which two illegal waste landfill sites will be addressed. The issue of fuel laundering was discussed, and Ministers expressed concern at the impact of fuel laundering and stressed the importance of closer cooperation between agencies to tackle the issue. <BR /> <BR />At their meeting in January 2015, Ministers noted the various support structures put in place by InterTradeIreland to assist with the jointly agreed €175 million target for cross-border applications under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the NSMC agriculture meeting on 25 February 2015, Ministers noted the recent developments in plans for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy reforms agreed in 2013, including administrative measures for direct payment schemes. <BR /> <BR />The Middletown Centre for Autism successfully hosted a major international conference on the theme of enabling education, targeted at professionals and parents of children with autism. The event, attended by in excess of one thousand delegates, was opened by both Education Ministers and featured a range of eminent speakers from across the globe. Progress continues to be made by the two Departments and the centre in facilitating the expansion of the centre’s range of services.”
“Ministers also noted the position with regard to the INTERREG programmes, including the update on the INTERREG IV funding of the Belfast-Dublin Enterprise service upgrade and Drogheda viaduct works. <BR /> <BR />At the NSMC health and food safety meeting held at Altnagelvin Area Hospital on 15 April 2015, Ministers discussed ongoing cooperation in healthcare. They welcomed the presentation by the Western Health and Social Care Trust representatives on the radiotherapy unit and had the opportunity to view the construction under way on the unit, which they were advised is on target for completion within the agreed time frame.”
“The Council agreed that decisions on board appointments will be made before the expiry of the current board members' terms of office in December 2015. <BR /> <BR />Next, the Council noted the progress report prepared by the NSMC joint secretaries on the work of the North/South bodies and in the other NSMC areas for cooperation and welcomed the following key developments. Cooperation continues with regard to EU-related transport issues. At their recent meeting in April 2015, Ministers noted the opportunity to strengthen the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) application process through the development of cooperation statement templates that will support project applications.”
“Ministers noted that these arrangements aim to place cross-border cooperation in the north-west on a more formal basis in local government-led structures and will allow for the development of the future direction and priorities for the region in cooperation with central government and other stakeholders. Ministers also noted the ongoing work on the A5. <BR /> <BR />The Council then noted that, in line with the decision taken at the NSMC institutional meeting on 25 February 2015, the joint secretariat has consulted sponsor Departments and board members of the implementation bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited regarding the proposal to extend the existing terms of appointment of board members for 12 months. This consultation is ongoing.”
“The Council noted the continued engagement between officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister with stakeholders concerning the future development of the north-west gateway initiative and the ongoing discussions on arrangements to hold a meeting of relevant Ministers in the north-west. The Council further noted the current work by Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council to develop new and collaborative cross-border arrangements at local government level to promote the development of the north-west region consistent with the aims of the north-west gateway initiative.”
“The Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has been in correspondence with Environment Ministers, North and South, concerning latest developments and actions taken to address the issue. The Council recognised the importance of closer cooperation between agencies in tackling and combating cross-border smuggling and fuel laundering and agreed that the topic be revisited at a future meeting. <BR /> <BR />An update was then provided on the north-west gateway initiative.”
“The Council also noted the decision that was agreed at the NSMC institutional meeting that Ministers would review their current work programmes and that endorsement of any changes will be sought at a future NSMC plenary meeting. Ministers agreed that the matter of sectoral priorities and the current review of work programmes will be kept under active review. <BR /> <BR />Ministers then went on to have an extensive discussion on cross-border smuggling and fuel laundering. The issue had been raised at previous plenary meetings and at recent NSMC environment, agriculture and transport meetings. Ministers noted the ongoing efforts by both jurisdictions to tackle the serious issue and noted the introduction of the new fuel marker in both jurisdictions. The Council noted that the issue is also of concern at EU level.”
“Ministers welcomed the early indications of good progress towards reaching the joint target of €175 million in cross-border collaborative drawdown under the Horizon 2020 programme and the work of InterTradeIreland and the all-island steering group in raising awareness of the programme. The Council agreed that a further update on EU funding opportunities will be brought to the next plenary meeting. <BR /> <BR />The next item on the agenda was sectoral priorities. The Council noted that sectoral priorities were discussed at the NSMC institutional meeting on 25 February 2015 and that new sectoral priorities will be an agenda item at future institutional meetings.”
“I think that we are all pleased with the positive signs in both economies, but, of course, it is important that we work to support the recovery. <BR /> <BR />We then had a good discussion on the various EU funding opportunities that are available. Ministers noted the discussions that have taken place across all NSMC sectors in relation to EU funding opportunities and the identification of relevant programmes that are available for collaborative funding applications. There is a real opportunity for us to work together in this area, and Ministers agreed to continue to examine opportunities and progress in drawing down collaborative EU funding. <BR /> <BR />Approval of the INTERREG V programme by the European Commission was welcomed, and the Council looked forward to the early finalisation of the Peace IV programme.”
“The following Irish Government Ministers were also in attendance: Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton; Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charles Flanagan; Minister Noonan; Minister Howlin; Minister Fitzgerald; Minister Reilly; Minister Varadkar; Minister White; Minister Donohoe; Minister Humphreys; Minister of State Hayes; and Minister of State Sherlock. <BR /> <BR />The meeting started with a discussion on the challenges facing both Administrations and the policies being implemented to support economic growth and job creation and to improve living standards. That included discussions on foreign direct investment (FDI) and working together to build trade links with key developing markets.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle. In compliance with section 52C(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, we wish to make the following statement on the twentieth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format, which was held in Dublin on Friday 5 June 2015. The Ministers who attended the meeting have agreed that we can make this report on their behalf. <BR /> <BR />Our delegation was led by the Finance Minister, Arlene Foster MLA, and me. In addition, the following Ministers were in attendance: Minister Durkan; Minister Farry; Minister Ford; Minister Hamilton; Minister Kennedy; Minister Ní Chuilín; Minister O'Dowd; Minister Storey; junior Minister McIlveen; and junior Minister McCann <BR /> <BR />The Irish Government delegation was led by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister McCann will answer this question.”
“I see that the Minister has entered the Chamber just at the right time. There has to be some coordination between that question and the appearance of the Minister. <BR /> <BR />Whatever the Minister brings forward on a climate change Bill will be considered very seriously by the Executive.”
“It is very important that we recognise the need for a sustainable development strategy that works in the interests of all the people whom we represent, particularly given the very limited resources that we are all expected to work with and that will be further pressurised by the intention of the British Government to impose further draconian cuts not just on us but on other Administrations across these islands. Sustainable development is critical. We have sustainable development strategies in place. Our ability to fund those strategies is being threatened by the declaration of intent by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer that he will dramatically cut our budgets further in the time ahead.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister McCann will answer this question.”
“Paul's father has been in the media over the last nine years but specifically in the last 48 hours. He appeared on Radio 5 Live and did so again this morning, and it was heartbreaking to listen to him. It is also heartbreaking to hear his analysis that more could have been done in the unionist community to identify the perpetrators and bring them before the courts. He is using language such as, "It's well known who they are", and, of course, in the Derry area, it is well known who they are, but the difficulty is that the police — who have been on the record as apologising to the McCauley family, and rightly so — need to be assisted in the renewed murder investigation so that the people who were responsible for the horrendous injuries to Paul, and, ultimately, for his death, can be arrested and brought before the courts.”
“I want to stress that I think that the vast majority of unionists in the Derry area are as appalled at what happened to Paul McCauley as anybody else, but the reality is that there are a tiny minority who were involved in that act and involved in assisting those who were involved in that act. William Hay hit the nail on the head this morning when he made it clear that people should cooperate with the Police Service so that the criminals responsible for what happened to Paul McCauley can be brought before the courts.”
“This was an appalling criminal act carried out on a defenceless young man and his friends, which has resulted, nine years later, in the tragic and very sad loss of his life. I spoke to Jim McCauley yesterday. I am sure that everybody in the House will be very keen to put on record their sympathy, prayers and condolences to the family, who have conducted themselves with great dignity over the past nine years. <BR /> <BR />I very much welcome the comments made this morning on the BBC by William Hay, now Lord Hay. He exhorted people in the loyalist/unionist community to cooperate.”
“On that matter, which has found itself in the headlines in the past seven days, there is a duty on all of us to play a positive and restrained role in how it is resolved. The final decision on the future education of children in that area of south Belfast obviously rests with the Department of Education. I am sure that whatever decision the Minister takes will be the one that he thinks is in the best interests of the children from that particular community. At this time, all of us need to be very conscious of the words that we use and of the responsibilities that we as elected representatives have to ensure that we deal with such matters in a way that is consistent with bettering community relations, not exacerbating them.”
“I think that we all recognise that the issue of community relations and the battle against racism require all of us to play a positive and constructive role. Patrick Yu, in my view, has for a very long time been very much to the forefront of assisting the process of ensuring good community relations. <BR /> <BR />In the context of the future education of children in that area, the particular matter that the Member raises is really an issue for the Department of Education. I know that an ongoing process is taking place on all that. I am sure that Patrick Yu, who has played a very powerful and positive role in the past will continue to play that role in the future.”
“When you look at the fact that there are many thousands of parades right throughout the North, you see that the parades that are contentious are few and far between. I encourage everybody, including all those in my party who, I know, play a very positive role in contributing to keeping the peace on the streets, to continue with that work.”
“Obviously, it is a huge issue, and, as someone who has experience in the north-west of how parading can be resolved — I am not the only one with that experience, as some from the Member's party have also played a very positive role, along with the Apprentice Boys, the business community and the Bogside residents, to bring peace on the streets of the north-west — I would like to see that extended to every part of the North. We are all very conscious that we face into a difficult situation again this year in north Belfast, and I appeal to everybody to use their influence to encourage people to get round the table, as was the case in the north-west, to seek resolutions. I think that, if people do that, resolutions can be found.”
“No, I am sorry: I do not agree with the Member that the Parades Commission is discredited. The Parades Commission has been in place for a considerable time and undertakes a very onerous responsibility in assisting civic society and the police to ensure that the peace that we all believe is precious is preserved. <BR /> <BR />It is hugely important, as we approach the marching season, that we all — all the key stakeholders and key players — use as much influence as we can in what could be a volatile situation to ensure that peace remains on our streets and law and order is observed by everybody.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer this question.”
“I think that one of the primary considerations of this British Government in relation to ending the Human Rights Act and bringing in a British Bill of rights is all tied up in the ongoing so-called negotiation that is taking place between David Cameron and others in the European Union. It is quite obvious that as part of a menu of issues that the present British Government wish to renegotiate is the whole issue of the ability of the European Court of Human Rights to make important decisions in relation to member states. I think that that is the prime motivation. In relation to the matters that the Member mentioned, I think that, in the context of the law as it stands, there is the ability to bring those who are involved in criminality before the courts.”
“Any lessening of human rights law, and specifically the repeal of the Human Rights Act, would be a grievous breach of the Good Friday Agreement and would mean that the institutional architecture of that agreement was seriously undermined, particularly in respect of policing and justice matters.”
“As the Member, and everyone else in the House, knows, the Good Friday Agreement was an agreement between the British and Irish Governments and many of the parties that participated in those negotiations. <BR /> <BR />Article 2 of an annex to the Good Friday Agreement binds the British Government internationally to the multi-party deal, which was endorsed through joint referenda on the island of Ireland in May 1998. After it was ratified, both Governments lodged the agreement as a treaty with the United Nations. The British Government committed to the complete incorporation into law here of the European Convention on Human Rights. <BR /> <BR />Any attempts to displace the European Convention on Human Rights and to repeal the Human Rights Act will have enormous implications, particularly for compliance with the Good Friday Agreement.”
“The proposals have attracted criticism from various groups and individuals, such as the Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, Jonathan Edwards and Simon Thomas of Plaid Cymru, a former British Attorney General, Dominic Grieve, and, locally, Les Allamby, chief commissioner of the Human Rights Commission, and Brian Gormally, director of the Committee on the Administration of Justice. <BR /> <BR />I am pleased that, just last week, the Assembly resolved to reject any attempts by the British Government to repeal the Human Rights Act 1998. We will continue to keep a watching brief, and as more details emerge on the proposals we will wish to discuss them with the British Government.”
“We are aware of the British Government's intention to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of rights. Responsibility for such legislation lies with the British Ministry of Justice and the NIO. As a devolved Administration, we have a responsibility to implement and monitor human rights obligations and to provide advice on equality and human rights issues. OFMDFM carries out that role by liaising with the British Government in relation to matters on United Nations conventions, including providing input for reports and briefings for delegations attending UN oral examinations. <BR /> <BR />Any repeal of the Human Rights Act will have enormous implications, particularly for compliance with the Good Friday Agreement.”
“I absolutely reject any suggestion that I have backed out of any commitment. When I give commitments, I keep them. I made a very firm commitment to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society when it moved from the King's Hall to Maze/Long Kesh: I kept my side of the bargain; others did not keep theirs. <BR /> <BR />In relation to the Stormont House Agreement, it is quite interesting that the Member has focused on the issue of an opposition. He forms his own one-man opposition in the Assembly, and he is very proud of that. There are ongoing discussions taking place at the party leaders' meetings for the purpose of ensuring that, as we go forward, we put in place arrangements for an opposition if there are parties in the Assembly — which I doubt — prepared to take it up.”
“The answer that I get is, "Wait until July." <BR /> <BR />When it comes to future planning and our ability to deliver front-line services, the important thing is that this is not just about welfare. Anybody who thinks that this debate is just about welfare is living in cloud cuckoo land. This is a bigger debate about the intentions of this British Government to impose further cuts on vital Departments in this Administration, which will detrimentally affect people who are in employment. It will threaten their jobs and the jobs of others in society who are working to deliver within the health service and within the education system, not to mention all the other Departments.”
“In recent times and at different meetings that we participated in, the Member and I have been on record highlighting the fact that there was speculation some time ago that there would be further in-year cuts to our Budget for 2015-16. That has now been made very clear by the Treasury. It is absolutely certain that, taking account of our proportion of all that, it intends to impose to further cuts on this Administration. That is without even talking about what is going to be announced in July, which is like a juggernaut coming down the track in relation to the budgets available to our Departments over the coming years when you consider a figure of £25 billion and what our proportion of that would be. I have asked the questions continuously, and the Member has been there when I have asked them.”
“My party is absolutely determined to see the Stormont House Agreement implemented, but it has to be done in a fashion that allows us to challenge the attempts by the British Government to continually undermine our budgets. <BR /> <BR />The point that I was going to make earlier is that Theresa Villiers keeps saying to us that there is no more money; there is no more money; there is no more money. Yet, the plans that the British Government have for us are to take more money off us. They declared that in relation to the July budget and the further articulation of that coming this autumn. I say to everybody in the House and every party in the House that we need to stand with Scotland, we need to stand with Wales, and we need to tell the British Government that this is unacceptable.”
“I would prefer to focus on how we can avoid such a scenario, and one way of doing that is to ensure that we in this House do what the First Minister of Scotland has appealed to all the other parties in the Scottish Parliament to do, which is to join together to fight the cuts that are coming from London. The Member will be aware that there was a proposition from Scotland and Wales that Welsh representatives, Scottish representatives and representatives from here should meet. We were absolutely up for that meeting. That did not happen with our presence, but it did happen in Scotland with only Welsh and Scottish representatives present. <BR /> <BR />I think that we need to focus our attention on how we get the Stormont House Agreement implemented.”
“I will come back to that in a supplementary.”
“I fail to see how we can plan for the future against the backdrop of some of the speculation that is coming from London in relation to all that. For example, speculation is rife about the prospect of the uplift that we would give to people on social welfare to ensure and protect their income. We are now being told — there is a lot of speculation about it — that, if there is an uplift, it is quite likely that it will be taxed by the British Government. People are talking about the taxation of carer's allowance. <BR /> <BR />The other important point in all this is that, when we talk to the British Secretary of State —”
“For such an eventuality to occur — that is, the withdrawal of powers from this institution by the British Government — I have been on the public record as saying that that would be totally and absolutely unacceptable. What we need to recognise here is that the declarations of intent coming from the Treasury over the last while in relation to our future budgets and the £25 billion that it intends to cut from budgets all over these islands, with the exception of the South, some £12 billion of that is for welfare and £13 billion is for Departments. <BR /> <BR />Clearly, for the purposes of moving forward in a planned way, the questions that I have been asking of the Secretary of State over the last couple of weeks to identify for us the scale of those cuts in relation to this Executive have not been answered.”
“What is required now is political will from all parties and both Governments to reach a suitable resolution that protects the most vulnerable in our society and the economic viability of these institutions.”
“Executive party leaders continue to meet weekly to take forward the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement. An implementation plan was drawn up in early January, and work is continuing on a wide range of commitments, including matters such as dealing with the past, flags, parades and emblems. The current impasse over the welfare protections agreed at Stormont House and since and the budgetary pressures stemming from the British Government have created very serious difficulties, which have implications for the agreement and the future of these institutions. Those difficulties need to be resolved. I still believe that it is possible to do that, and I am very much in problem-solving mode.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer this question.”
“<BR /> <BR />What the people require is an Assembly that delivers and has the Budget and powers to make a difference in people's lives. There is still time for the parties and the British Government to change tack and deliver a new Budget that delivers for our public services, economy and people. If a choice has to be made between standing side by side with the Tories or standing up for people here, our economy and public services, I know what side Sinn Féin will be on.”