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.”
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“We have developed a draft annual indicator set for the disability strategy, covering the strategy's 18 strategic priorities. The draft indicators were developed with input from key stakeholders including, among others, Disability Action, Children in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health, the Equality Commission, other Departments and academics. We recently conducted a consultation on those draft indicators, and that ran between 24 November 2014 and 27 February 2015. Statisticians are now working on the analysis of the responses obtained during that consultation and hope to complete that work in the coming weeks. Once complete, the analysis will inform the production of a final annual indicator set.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister McCann will answer this question.”
“They do not get the fact that a society emerging from conflict, with all the problems that that entails, requires to be dealt with in a way that ensures that people who were subject to that conflict benefit from the fruits of peace. What we are seeing now, with the stripping away of funding from Departments, is a full-blooded onslaught by a Tory-led Administration on a people who deserve better. <BR /> <BR />These are difficult and very challenging times. The outcome of the British general election will be very important. Whoever emerges as leading the new Government will need to recognise the special circumstances that exist here and in no other place.”
“I am on the public record as saying that the £1·5 billion of cuts over the last number of years have been directly responsible for the huge difficulties that all our Ministers in the Executive have faced in recent times. It is sometimes very dismaying when it is reported in the media that the cuts are the responsibility of the Ministers in the Executive when, in fact, the cuts originate from London, directly from the austerity agenda that is being developed by this Tory-led Administration. <BR /> <BR />When we hear that further cuts are coming down the track within two years in the aftermath of the election, if the Tories are re-elected, it raises huge concerns for our Administration. In my opinion, the Tories do not get it.”
“My attitude is this: if the Tories are re-elected, given the threats that they have made about the continuation of austerity, we should all be afraid; we should all be very afraid.”
“However, it is my view that many of our Ministers have performed heroically in the face of that onslaught by protecting front-line services and the most vulnerable members of society. We will continue to do that, but the new British Government need to end this ruinous austerity policy. <BR /> <BR />It has been quite interesting to listen to a number of interviews that David Cameron, Theresa May and George Osborne have been involved in over the last couple of weeks. When they are challenged about where the £30 billion of cuts will come from, including £12 billion of cuts that will affect some of the most disadvantaged, vulnerable, disabled and marginalised people in society, they refuse to give an answer.”
“I think that every Member knows that the British Government are effectively crucifying the Executive as a result of the swingeing cuts to our block grant. Over £1·5 billion has been stripped away by a Westminster Government led by the Tories, who have no mandate here whatsoever. Despite their decision to parachute candidates into a number of constituencies, with the exception, of course, of Fermanagh and South Tyrone and North Belfast, I am confident that they will have little or no mandate come 8 May. The cuts that they have imposed on the block grant have obviously had an impact on the ability of Departments to deliver public services to the highest possible standard.”
“They are basically criminal in everything that they do.”
“<BR /> <BR />The attack on Francis McCabe Jnr is, effectively, an attack on all of us who support these institutions and the change that has happened in policing here as a result of the various agreements that have been made down the years. I encourage everybody in society to work very closely with the police services, North and South. Do not be afraid to give information on the activities of those groups, which are acting against the interests of the local community.”
“<BR /> <BR />We all understand and know that we have a particular difficulty in this part of the North of Ireland and, indeed, on the border, in relation to a very small number of people who are part of armed groups, looking to benefit financially from their criminal activities. The local community in south Armagh has been at the forefront in supporting the peace process and the police services, North and South. In fact, the McCabe family were one of those families in the area that were very proactively involved in seeking support for the Police Service in the local community. Maybe that is one of the reasons why Francis Jnr was attacked.”
“First of all, I want to pay tribute to both the Garda Síochána and the PSNI for the very effective way that they have worked together in the course of recent years in thwarting the activities of those who would attempt to use violence to undermine these institutions and destroy the peace process. <BR /> <BR />The PSNI and the Garda Síochána have a role and responsibility to deal with these criminal gangs. Both must demonstrate that they are supporting communities who oppose criminality. Actions and delivery from both police services are key, and I call for greater cooperation between the PSNI and an Garda Síochána to take these criminals, whether in south Armagh or north Louth, off the streets.”
“One way of dealing with their activities is for people in the local community, whenever criminality raises its head, to work very closely with both the police services north and south of the border. <BR /> <BR />I extend my support and best wishes to Francis Jnr and the McCabe family and hope that he can recover from his very serious injuries.”
“I have no hesitation whatsoever in unreservedly condemning the criminals who were involved in such a serious attack on Francis McCabe Jnr, and I am saddened to hear that his injuries are such that he is likely to lose the sight in one eye. Francis is a lorry driver by trade, and this will have a huge impact on his life and family, so I totally and utterly condemn those behind the attack. As I have said, they are criminals and they have absolutely nothing to offer the community in south Armagh and north Louth. It is very clear to all of us how the local community has responded to this cowardly attack by taking to the streets in huge numbers in support of the McCabe family. These gangs have no support in the local community and they must be stopped.”
“There are powerful forces in the services, particularly within the police. In my opinion, they have, disgracefully, been opposed to this project of relocating from Belfast to County Tyrone. They have been at their work for the last number of years. It gives me no pleasure to say that, but I believe it to be a fact. So, let us deal with it on the basis that a paper will come forward and the fact that this is a Programme for Government commitment. It is one that I want to see brought to reality.”
“The financial commitment would have to be in the context of the scale of the project to go forward. The Member, as much as I know, knows well that the essential services that were going to relocate to Desertcreat were arguing that, in the intervening period, their needs and requirements had changed. The argument was put forward that the scale of the project would not be as large as first envisaged, so I cannot give the Member a financial figure for the simple reason that what I want to see next is a paper coming forward to the Executive proposing the establishment of a community safety college. I will argue that it should be at Desertcreat. Whatever scale that will be on, the financial commitment from the Executive will be made to meet it. However, we will face a battle on this.”
“The Minister of Justice and his Department have to bring forward a paper to the Executive. It will be discussed there. My commitment to Desertcreat is absolute.”
“The people who have been to the forefront of opposing this project and encouraging others to oppose the project's being located in County Tyrone need to recognise that what they are actually doing is trying to undermine a Programme for Government commitment. <BR /> <BR />The Member will also be aware that, just recently, the First Minister and I met a very representative delegation from the local council and the business community. Both of us put on record our commitment to the project. I think that a Member, in another circumstance during earlier questions, used a phrase like, "dead in the water." I refuse to accept that the Desertcreat project is dead in the water. The First Minister and I are on record as saying publicly that we want this to succeed. There is work to be done.”
“The Member will know that this is a project that is very close to my heart. The reality is that the project was also a Programme for Government commitment. The circumstances around its not coming to fruition have been very disappointing indeed for all of us in the Department and also in the Department of Justice. <BR /> <BR />I have to say — and it is not often that I get the opportunity to put something on the public record — that I have been aware from the very beginning of this project to locate the community safety college at Desertcreat that there was opposition within the Police Service, going back years, to it going to County Tyrone. I heard this years ago, and I have not changed my view.”
“It would have helped me greatly if the Member had given an example.”
“There are many strategies in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, across a whole range of issues, to do with how we ensure delivery for everybody in society. I am not really sure what sort of answer the Member is looking for. I am willing to meet him. If he wishes to have a meeting, we will gladly do that. The Member has not indicated which aspects of the several strategies he would like an explanation for. I would like further information on those aspects specifically.”
“Can the Member repeat his question? I did not pick up the first part of it.”
“All of us need to be seen to be working together in a collaborative way to send a very clear message to the racists in our society that this is deplorable behaviour which should end immediately.”
“It is all very well putting a strategy together — I am very much in favour of doing so — but, in combating racism in our society, it is vital that the community comes together. More important than anything else, politicians from every political party need to be pugnacious in working with the local community to defeat the activities of those who bring shame on all of us. That represents a real challenge. In the past, there appeared to be reluctance to combat the issue in a way that it needed to be combated. The way to do it is through strong community action that involves the community and voluntary sector, the churches, local residents' groups, political parties and the Police Service, whose chief responsibility is to apprehend these criminals.”
“The Department recognises the importance of the issue and the importance at all times of continuing to review the effectiveness of the strategy and how we take it forward. Look, for example, at the weekend's events, particularly in north Belfast, where there have been attacks on people from ethnic communities that I unreservedly and totally deplore and condemn: we obviously have a tiny minority of our citizens who are racist and sectarian and are determined to make life very difficult for new people who arrive on our shores. That represents a real challenge to us with the racial equality strategy. It is important to get it right; it is also important to take on board the views expressed by the Member just now. <BR /> <BR />Given the situation that we are dealing with, it is important that we all work closely together.”
“It is important that we take the opportunity to do that. We must also take the time to identify how best to align the policy and implementation mechanisms of Together: Building a United Community and the final racial equality strategy, in line with the views expressed through the consultation. <BR /> <BR />In further refining the final shape of the new strategy, we can give an assurance that it will be relevant, realistic and robust enough to deliver for minority ethnic people and society in general. The significant contribution of our minority ethnic residents must continue to be acknowledged and supported during this critical time as we finalise the strategy.”
“Following a full public consultation, we received 97 written responses and 49 online survey responses in addition to input from a number of public consultation events with key stakeholders. The analysis of those responses is ongoing, and officials continue to liaise with the sector to ensure that the evolving strategy is relevant to the needs and aspirations of the minority ethnic community. <BR /> <BR />Whilst we are happy that the emerging consensus is in line with our vision for a revised strategy, there are challenges and requirements emerging that will require thought, planning and careful exploration. Officials are working through those issues and plan to engage further with representatives of the sector soon to tease out some of the content that has been included in responses to the consultation.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.”
“That is part of an ongoing body of work, and we hope that it will be published as soon as possible.”
“<BR /> <BR />The remaining outstanding recommendations relating to the assessment process, monitoring and evaluation protocols for dealing with the psychologically injured and better management of communication with individual victims and survivors will be taken forward as part of a collaborative programme of work to examine the service delivery model that currently provides services to victims and survivors. Preliminary discussions have taken place with a number of key stakeholders to communicate the approach being taken and to seek early feedback on key issues. The collaborative design programme will continue throughout 2015-16 to progress the strands of work and seek input from the sector on the redesign of the service delivery model.”
“It is crucial that any services put in place to help and support victims and survivors of the conflict have the needs of victims at their centre. In order to ensure that that happens, it is important that discussions with victims, families and other stakeholders take place on a regular basis. Following the review of the Victims and Survivors Service, a number of recommendations were put forward, and a report on the progress of the implementation of those recommendations has been positive, acknowledging improvement in many areas.”
“Therefore, as the current process did not produce a sizeable pool of appointable candidates, we agreed that a further competition will be launched. As I said, the new competition launched on 9 March and the closing date for applications was 3 April. The commission continues to operate without a commissioner but remains fully committed and accessible to all victims and survivors and to organisations working with victims and survivors.”
“The process to appoint a new commissioner was taken forward by HR Connect, and advertisements were placed in local and national newspapers. The closing date for applications was 12 September 2014. Interviews took place in and around October 2014. The Victims and Survivors Forum was consulted on the skills and qualities needed for the role, and those were taken into consideration when finalising the necessary skill sets for the incoming commissioner. <BR /> <BR />The appointment process was regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and followed the code of practice for ministerial appointments. Considering the importance that we place on ensuring that all victims and survivors have an appropriate representative voice through the commissioner, we want to ensure that we have the right person for the job.”
“As the competition to appoint a new Victims' Commissioner is still live, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. However, we place great importance on ensuring that all victims and survivors have an appropriate representative voice through the commissioner, and we want to ensure that we have the right person for the job. The closing date for applications was Friday 3 April, and interviews for the post are scheduled for May.”
“I think I am a problem-solver; I am a solution-seeker. What we need to do is find a solution to the difficulties that we face at the moment that will see that site move forward, be developed and provide the unique economic and employment opportunities for all our people and, indeed, for our economy.”
“I add my words of welcome to the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives and his colleagues, particularly in the aftermath of their success in the Cricket World Cup. They are probably here to reconnoitre for the upcoming Rugby World Cup. We are delighted that they are here with us. <BR /> <BR />I absolutely accept the economic importance of the development of the Maze/Long Kesh site. I am a fervent supporter of the development of that site. The fact that I stuck to my word on the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society from the King's Hall to the site is very firm evidence of my commitment to the development of the site. We need to recognise that we have a difficulty and a problem.”
“This is a very important site. A board and a chair were appointed, and we did that in the belief that we could develop the site in the interests of all our people, particularly people from the local constituency and, indeed, wider afield. It is important that we keep a board in place and that we have a chair of that board who, I think, has done a good job in very difficult circumstances. I also believe that the work of the board can be beneficial in the context of ensuring the ongoing success, for example, of the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society alongside, hopefully, making an argument further afield to people who previously opposed the construction of the peace-building and conflict resolution centre to recognise that it should be constructed for the purposes of reconciliation and peacemaking between us.”
“Let us continue to work at it and let us hope that those who tried to argue that it would be a shrine to something other than reconciliation and peacemaking will see the error of their ways.”
“It is clear that the site has been a massive success with increased numbers of people each year from all over the island of Ireland turning out, which is heart-warming to see. <BR /> <BR />From our perspective, we need to recognise the importance of the prison buildings, the peace-building and conflict resolution centre, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society and all the other very exciting developments that were mooted several years ago in relation to the overall development of the site. We will continue to work at it in the hope that, at some stage in the not-too-distant future, people will recognise that this is an enormously valuable site that can bring huge employment opportunities to people not just in the Lagan Valley constituency but from all over the North and the island of Ireland.”
“I believe that a great opportunity is being missed at the Maze/Long Kesh site and that we are all the poorer for that. You just have to look at the success of the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society from the King's Hall to the site. It demonstrated absolutely that people were literally voting with their feet for the development of the site. I am not going to repeat what I said earlier, but I made a commitment in the Assembly in September 2013 to the RUAS and I have abided by that commitment and wish them every success. The First Minister and I, alongside our Agriculture Minister, have been to the last two shows at the site, and we have spoken at the DARD breakfast.”
“That has not happened, but I have kept my word to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, and, even in the last couple of weeks, I had no difficulty in giving clearance to its request to the First Minister and me for the relocation of a pavilion from the King's Hall to the site, greatly enhancing its sustainability on the site. <BR /> <BR />We have to continue our discussions to see whether we can find a way forward. I am determined to find a way forward, and I hope that those who opposed the project in the first instance, including the Member's party, recognise the opportunities that the construction of a peace-building and conflict resolution centre can provide for the purposes of reconciliation and peace-making among all of us.”
“First, the Member needs to recognise that the development of the Maze/Long Kesh site was a Programme for Government commitment. The first stage of that process was the relocation of the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society from the King's Hall, alongside the construction of the peace-building and conflict resolution centre, to which many millions had been allocated by the European Union. The Member's description of the project as dead in the water is not something that I recognise. I have a very clear view that, when we make commitments, we keep them. There is a very strong commitment in the development of the Maze/Long Kesh site for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society for that to move in parallel with the construction of the peace-building and conflict resolution centre.”
“There is no current agreement on the regeneration of the Maze/Long Kesh (M/LK) site. We continue to discuss a way forward.”
“With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer this question.”
“One of the key structures is the all-island Horizon 2020 steering group, which is chaired by InterTradeIreland and includes representation from key agencies in each jurisdiction. The group has produced a strategic action plan to facilitate the delivery of the joint target and is overseeing work in both jurisdictions to promote collaborative projects. <BR /> <BR />I appreciate and accept the general sense of the Member's question. As we move ahead, the challenge for us all is to continue to explore how we can gain best advantage through working with the Irish Government on financial drawdown to benefit businesses and education institutions in the North.”
“I am always willing to support such interaction. I have been at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin, and it is a fantastic organisation. <BR /> <BR />Science matters were not specifically discussed during the meeting. However, as many people know, Horizon 2020 is the European programme aimed at promoting research and innovation. That covers a very wide sphere. The total fund is worth something like £79 billion. As an Executive, we have set ourselves a target of drawing down some £145 million from the fund. In addition, we have agreed a joint target with the Irish Government of €175 million for projects that involve partners from both jurisdictions. <BR /> <BR />To ensure that we deliver on those targets, we have put in place a range of structures.”
“As I said, our Minister of Health will be making a statement later in the Assembly. In fact, he has just arrived. This is an opportunity to wish him and his family well as they battle illness. It is not easy to deal with a job against the backdrop of what the Minister is dealing with with his wife, and we all hope and pray for her speedy recovery. <BR /> <BR />However, I am sure that he is as focused on the issues that the Member has raised about how we can continue to work together in a positive way to deliver for citizens through the health service. I reiterate the point that all of that can be done without injury to anybody's political allegiance.”
“I spoke to him yesterday and he has another engagement, which I understand. Absolutely no offence is taken.”
“I understand that the Member is totally opposed to North/South development and would like to see its destruction, even though it will benefit people who are suffering from cancer, children who are suffering from heart conditions and businesspeople who are trying to develop their businesses, North and South. This mentality of "Let us close off the North" is over. We have to work together, and we can do so without injury to anybody's political allegiance. <BR /> <BR />The last thing that I want to say is that the process of the North/South meetings held in institutional format has been continuing with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the junior Minister, the First Minister and me for quite some time. There is absolutely nothing unusual about it. No inference should be drawn from the absence of the First Minister today.”
“I have already answered the latter question in a previous answer. It is a matter of getting agreement on North/South announcements, and that requires the agreement of the Irish Government and ourselves. As I have said, there is no secret whatsoever in any of this. <BR /> <BR />As for the Member's remark on the "creep" in the development of sectoral priorities, I do not think that anybody on the island of Ireland, with the possible exception of himself, is in any way interested in politicians or Ministers North and South not working together. People want to see us working together, and the fact that that can happen without injury to anybody's political allegiance is a good thing.”