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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“Of course, in the aftermath of putting together and agreeing a Programme for Government amongst the five parties that are entitled to membership of the Executive, we had the hammer blow of welfare cuts, which have been directed at the most vulnerable and marginalised in our society. So, in the context of the present discussions that we are involved in, I think that it is fair to say that a very serious investigation is taking place on how we can resolve the challenges to this Administration as a result of policies that are being directed at us from London. Over the course of discussions that the First Minister and I have had, particularly with the First Minister of Scotland, I think that, if there is a route to resolve the issue of the welfare cuts that are impacting on us at this time, that is one area that is worthy of exploration.”
“The responsibility of everybody in the House is to work collectively to do the best that we possibly can to protect the most vulnerable, the most disadvantaged, the most disabled and the most marginalised. That represents a real challenge against the backdrop of the strategy employed by the coalition Government at Westminster since they were elected four years ago. Of course, since then, we have seen our block grant being critically undermined to the tune of over £1 billion. That, in itself, has had a very dramatic impact on the Departments in this Administration.”
“It is hoped that, through the current inter-party talks process, the five Executive parties can resolve all outstanding issues, including budgetary and financial matters, in a way that protects the most vulnerable.”
“With your permission, a LeasCheann Comhairle, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.”
“With your permission, a LeasCheann Comhairle, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.”
“With your permission, a LeasCheann Comhairle, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer the question.”
“LeasCheann Comhairle, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer this question.”
“I think that there is considerable agreement among the parties that are presently involved in discussions that very serious exploration needs to take place on whether we can enhance our fiscal capability against the backdrop of the swingeing cuts, particularly to our block grant, that this British Government have been engaged in over the last four years.”
“I think that the Member will remember that our 'Building a Prosperous and United Community' document, published in June 2013, included a commitment by the Government and the Executive to examine the potential for devolving specific, additional fiscal powers. Our officials are examining a range of issues to consider what can be devolved in the context of ensuring that there is a clear economic benefit for us from increased powers. The different issues that are being considered are things like VAT, income tax, National Insurance contributions, landfill tax, stamp duty, land tax, tobacco and alcohol duties, fuel duties, aggregates levy and short-haul air passenger duty. I suppose that, from our perspective, the key test will be whether there is an economic benefit for us.”
“I think that it is important to point out that, in the course of the engagements with Downing Street and David Cameron, he made it clear that his decision would come prior to Christmas. I doubt that there will be a decision on Scotland's situation prior to Christmas. We will have to deal with that situation as it develops. We are working on the basis that, as David Cameron has said, our situation is much more unique than that which presently confronts Westminster in relation to Scotland.”
“The Member raises an important issue. We are all very conscious that, over the next while, serious discussions will take place between the Scottish Government and Westminster about increased powers as a result of the referendum debate. Obviously, in the previous engagements that the First Minister and I have had with David Cameron, he has at all stages emphasised the uniqueness of our situation here regarding the land frontier with the South, which has a 12·5% rate of corporation tax. <BR /> <BR />Therefore, that is an unknown at the moment. It is a valid point that we will have to take into consideration as we further develop the process.”
“Work done in 2011 estimated that 58,000 jobs could be created, but, since then, we have seen the British rate fall from 28% to 20%, so a large reduction has already been achieved. However, we do not believe that the reduction to 20% goes far enough, and there are still significant improvements to our competitiveness to be achieved from reducing the rate of corporation tax further. That could give us an all-Ireland rate of 12·5%. The NI Centre for Economic Policy at the University of Ulster has been commissioned to provide an up-to-date assessment of the economic impact of cutting corporation tax to 12·5%, and that work is expected to be completed in November.”
“However, there was a will to use our collective strength to work together where we have common aims and to support each other when we have different areas of interest and focus. <BR /> <BR />Since the Scottish referendum in September, we have made clear our expectations regarding further fiscal devolution for our Administration. Securing the powers to lower corporation tax is a key priority for the Executive. As part of our economic pact, which we signed last year, the UK Government indicated their intention to make a decision on the devolution of corporation tax powers no later than the coming autumn statement on 3 December. That has involved discussions with the Secretary of State, and we have also written to the Prime Minister to press him to come to a decision quickly and ensure the swift devolution of corporation tax powers.”
“We met the First Minister of Scotland on 20 October in Belfast and the First Minister of Wales on 22 October in Cardiff to discuss opportunities for seeking additional devolved powers. Discussions were wide-ranging and constructive and had a major focus on the devolution of fiscal powers, including corporation tax, air passenger duty, landfill tax, the aggregates levy, bonds and borrowing. We also touched on the benefits of devolving welfare policy and administration and on the continued use of the Barnett formula. <BR /> <BR />During the initial discussions, it was apparent that each Administration has different devolved arrangements and powers, so the focus for each will clearly be different when it comes to adopting further fiscal powers.”
“— Jennifer McCann will continue, as junior Minister, to assist me in the Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister.”
“Jennifer McCann did absolutely nothing wrong then or since. There is absolutely no basis or substance to any suggestion that she is in breach of the ministerial code. On the contrary, in her role as junior Minister, Jennifer has been the most effective and determined champion of victims, particularly in her work with the victims of historical institutional abuse. Jennifer will continue in that important role with my total support and confidence.”
“Let me be very clear: in her contact with Maíria Cahill, seven years after the abuse occurred, Jennifer McCann acted at all times with care and compassion in attempting to support and assist a work colleague who, she believed, was the victim of serious sexual abuse.”
“It will ensure that victims and survivors have access to the professional support services that they need, and, crucially, it will be a channel through which complaints can be made to the appropriate statutory agency or police service.”
“Let me be absolutely clear on this point: I have no tolerance whatsoever for abusers and nothing but empathy and sympathy for Maíria Cahill and those who have been abused, but there is a duty on all of us to confront the issue of sexual abuse in Irish society and to do so in a responsible way, and to do it in a way that enables all victims and survivors to access the support and justice that they need and are entitled to. <BR /> <BR />That is why I am proposing the establishment of an all-island initiative, resourced by and under the remit of the Irish Government and the Northern Executive, through the North/South Ministerial Council.”
“<BR /> <BR />What has to be remembered is that the allegations at the centre of the debate have been tested in court and that those accused were acquitted. Members are now arguing that due process should be set aside or ignored. They are doing so not out of concern for an individual victim but because they see her suffering as their political opportunity. That is a very sad reflection of the priorities of some in the Chamber.”
“Gregory Campbell's insulting comments on the Irish language yesterday and the derogatory comments of Jim Wells about the people of west Belfast are in the same vein. Therefore, we expect this type of insulting and personalised politicking from unrepentant bigots in the DUP. <BR /> <BR />Even more disgraceful, however, is the collusion between the SDLP and the DUP in their combined and cowardly attack on Jennifer McCann. The SDLP has sunk to new depths with this cynical exercise. It is attempting to exploit the difficult issue of sexual abuse for the most selfish and self-serving political reasons. The SDLP amendment is a disgrace, and the SDLP Members who tabled it should be ashamed of themselves.”
“The DUP motion before the Assembly and the accompanying amendment from the SDLP are not about helping or supporting victims of sexual abuse. Those behind the motion are solely and singularly interested in attacking Sinn Féin and are blatantly politicising this very sensitive issue in the most crass and self-serving way. The motion is a wholly unjustified and unfounded attack on the integrity and sincerity of one of the most dedicated and capable Members of this Assembly, my friend and colleague junior Minister Jennifer McCann. The motion is a disgrace. We have come to expect this type of gutter politics from some elements in the DUP. Gregory Campbell's insulting comments on the Irish language yesterday —”
“I hope that the expressed desire of all of us to recognise that the time has come for there to be someone from the republican tradition in the Chair will see the endorsement of this House in the next few short minutes.”
“Indeed, that is absolutely correct, but if anybody can follow William, I believe that Mitchel McLaughlin is certainly well qualified to do so. He is a man of very high intellect. He is always civil and courteous. He is someone who I think has gained a huge level of acceptance right across the House. I think that he is well qualified to do this job. <BR /> <BR />I know that the eyes of the world — well, maybe not the eyes of the world, but the eyes of the world that we live in — are watching this House today to see whether we will be able to agree on who will be the Speaker of the Assembly going forward to the next Assembly election. I hope that people will honour their word.”
“Go raibh maith agat. Thank you for this opportunity to speak on the nomination of Mitchel McLaughlin as the new Speaker of the Assembly. I do so on the basis that this is consistent with the agreement that was made by my party and the then leader of the DUP and First Minister the late Dr Ian Paisley. <BR /> <BR />I also note that my nomination of William Hay at the beginning of this term of the Assembly was by agreement between my party and the Democratic Unionist Party that William would be the Speaker. In fact, that was an agreement that saw me nominate William as the Speaker, which was seconded by the First Minister. <BR /> <BR />Mitchel McLaughlin is well qualified to do this job. In the recording of a vote of thanks and appreciation to William Hay, a number of contributors said that he would be a hard act to follow.”
“With your permission, I would like to nominate Mitchel McLaughlin as the new Speaker of the Assembly.”
“He performed his duties in the House in an exemplary fashion. The way he represented the House outside the workings of the institutions in the Assembly was also exemplary. His contributions to foreign situations, whether in eastern Europe or travelling to represent us in the United States of America, were always done with great distinction. So, I am very proud, on behalf of my party, to say that we have no difficulty whatsoever in endorsing the message of thanks and appreciation to William and to wish him a very speedy recovery from the illness that he is presently battling.”
“<BR /> <BR />Like the Principal Deputy Speaker, I come from the same city as William, and although we had different political allegiances, we always understood that, coming from where we came from, whether we called it Londonderry or Derry, that was our home and the place where we lived. Great efforts were always made by all of us to try to work in the best interests of the city and, generally, when we came to a House like this, in the interests of everybody in the North of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Not many people know this, but William worked with my late father in Brown's foundry, an ironworks in Foyle Street in Derry, and the humble beginnings that both he and I came from have stood us in good stead in how we absolutely need to be civilised, courteous and very respectful of everybody in the House.”
“I, too, rise on behalf of my party to express our deepest thanks and appreciation for the tremendous leadership shown by William in the role of Ceann Comhairle, or Speaker, of the House. I had the privilege of nominating William as Speaker and have never regretted that decision for one minute. He never did anything that would make me regret such a decision, and I think that he has served the House with tremendous distinction, great fairness and incredible impartiality. I think that all of us recall those occasions when he was called on to effectively rebuke members of the party to which he had an allegiance. He was always very approachable, very friendly, very courteous and very civilised, and it was a real honour to do business with him.”
“We hope that we can continue with that work, which is a process of education vís-a-vìs the knowledge base that small and medium-sized enterprises need to have to access Europe. That can frighten a lot of people off, but, when explained, we have seen over the last while an increased desire among small and medium-sized enterprises to engage with Brussels.”
“The Member raises an important issue, which the First Minister and I addressed during our previous visit to Brussels when we met Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. She, on foot of that conversation, held a number of meetings in the North specifically for the purpose of advising small and medium-sized enterprises how they could more readily access funds from Europe and make what was a complicated system much more straightforward. <BR /> <BR />We now have a new Commission in place and will have to continue to do that work with the commissioner who replaced Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. It is certainly an issue, and we think that we can increase the drawdown of funds if we can ensure that our small and medium-sized enterprises have an ongoing relationship with the European Union.”
“There is a lot of confusion in the north-west on the reasons why the A5 people are making the case that there is no commitment from the Executive. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Executive and the North/South Ministerial Council are absolutely committed to the A5. It was stopped not by the Executive but by the courts. An additional complication was the fact that the Irish Government, during the process of trying to move the project forward, told us that they had to take a decision to withdraw substantial funds from the project. So, the difficulties with the A5 were not presented by this Executive.”
“In an earlier answer, I made it clear that there is a commitment to a meeting of relevant Ministers and officials in the north-west to tackle all the issues that clearly relate to the north-west gateway initiative. Minister Kennedy was not at the meeting, so the A5 project was not discussed in detail, but it was raised. In the context of that initiative, we advised the Irish Government on the current position with the project. We are all very familiar with the present difficulties that arose out of the judicial review, which dealt with 12 points of objection, 11 of which were overruled and one of which was upheld. <BR /> <BR />At present, the Minister for Regional Development is processing, through others, an approach to satisfy the courts on the habitat objection that found favour with the judge.”
“A number of years ago, in the company of the university authorities, I was part of an announcement for a major expansion of the university, which did not come to pass. That was disappointing, and I have to say that I have been very critical of the university authorities over that.”
“We understand that, at present, the University of Ulster is working on an economic appraisal for a new teaching block at Magee. Once that is completed and approved, it will be eligible to receive capital funding. <BR /> <BR />The future of Magee is of major importance and significance for the people of the north-west. Recently, I met a number of very important stakeholders, many of whom believe that Magee will only really flourish when it becomes, at some stage in the future, an independent university. We have not got to that point yet, but I certainly think that there is a strong argument that DEL and the university authorities recognise the responsibility that they have to contribute to the development of a university that will make a major contribution to the lifestyle of people in that area.”
“The One Plan sees the expansion of higher education in Derry as key to the city's regeneration. The number of undergraduate places in our two universities has increased by 1,210 during this Assembly period. An additional 377 higher education places have been created in our further education colleges. The University of Ulster received 652 places and has undertaken to deploy those at Magee. Due to budgetary pressures, financial support to the higher education institutions has been reduced by 3·95% in the current academic year. The strategy board in Derry has commissioned an economic appraisal for the expansion of Magee. Should the appraisal make the case that the campus should be expanded, the Employment and Learning Minister has undertaken to submit a bid for the expansion in the next comprehensive spending review.”
“That is a very important development on that site and will, along with Ebrington, in the time ahead be an area where new jobs, which are badly needed in that area, are created. The linkages to the Letterkenny Institute of Technology are also important in the development of the science park. That is an example of how we can successfully work very positively and constructively together.”
“We noted at the meeting the conclusion of consultations with regional stakeholders in the north-west on the current relevance of the north-west gateway initiative to the needs of the region. That was a useful exercise that provided a great deal of information and insight into the needs and aspirations of stakeholders in the north-west. Taking account of the views expressed by regional stakeholders, we have asked that further consultation now be undertaken with the relevant Departments on the issues identified in the course of the consultation. Thereafter, we remain committed to a meeting of relevant Ministers and officials in the north-west to consider the future strategic approach to the development of the region. Just recently, I was privileged to officially open the new regional North West Science Park at Fort George.”
“There is an ambitious and challenging target of £145 million for us under Horizon 2020, and that has been agreed by the Executive as part of the innovation strategy. <BR /> <BR />It is important to say that, at the meeting, it was recognised that Horizon 2020 offers huge potential for us to collaborate on a North/South basis to improve success rates in accessing this funding stream. InterTradeIreland is currently developing a strategic action plan for Horizon 2020. That is being prepared with the support and agreement of the all-island steering group for Horizon 2020. The strategic action plan sets out past performance under FP7, North/South, and maps that across onto Horizon 2020 for areas of greatest potential success.”
“An ambitious and challenging target of €145 million for the North under Horizon 2020 has been agreed by the Executive as part of the new innovation strategy. All the Northern contact points have now been put in place, meaning that there are now seven thematic experts housed in Queen's University and the University of Ulster with a regional remit for support under Horizon 2020. Invest NI continues the role as our contact point for SMEs given the continued focus of both the Commission and our Executive on encouraging SME participation in competitive EU funding programmes. A specific contact point for the agrifood area has also been put in place in the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). DETI is currently developing a new Horizon 2020 strategy that will identify our priorities in future areas for action.”
“We obviously welcome the agreement at the North/South Ministerial Council meeting on 30 May 2014 to increase employee contributions with effect from 1 July 2014. Those increases apply only to members in the North pending the decision of the Labour Court in the South. The changes will help to ensure the sustainability of the pension scheme. We note that the wider reforms are on track for implementation in April 2015. We encourage the finance Departments and the bodies to work together to ensure that the changes are implemented on schedule.”
“<BR /> <BR />There will also be a process of developing the new Peace and INTERREG programmes for 2014 to 2020. They have been submitted, as I have said, in line with regulatory practice. Negotiation is ongoing.”
“The total programme expenditure to the end of August 2014 was €247 million against an EU target of €250 million by the end of December 2014. The 2015 target will represent the full programme budget. It is vital that EU income is maximised. The SEUPB must now manage the portfolio of projects to successful conclusion within the eligible programme time frame. <BR /> <BR />INTERREG IVa has a budget of €256 million. Eighty-eight projects have been issued with a letter of offer. That programme is now fully committed. INTERREG IVa has exceeded all of its annual expenditure targets to date. Meeting spending targets for 2014-15 will be challenging, but DFP is monitoring the situation closely and working with the SEUPB to manage the risk and ensure that no EU income is lost.”
“First of all, the issue of a letter from America — certainly not that letter from America — did not come up during the NSMC meeting. I always welcome the interest of people who have made contributions to our peace process over many years. Of course, we are all very conscious of the challenges that we face in relation to the issues that are out there, which will hopefully be addressed during what needs to be a very genuine process of negotiation to resolve them and give further momentum to a process that certainly up until now has caught the imagination of the world, including many in the United States of America. I will not dwell much on that. <BR /> <BR />The 2007-2013 Peace III programme has a total budget of €333 million and is fully committed. Peace III has achieved its entire EU spending targets to date.”
“A lot of work is being done between Departments and police services, North and South. If more work can be done — I note the comments of the Member — we will certainly take that into consideration at the next meeting of the NSMC.”
“I have no hesitation whatsoever in accepting that both jurisdictions face real challenges from organised criminals, North and South — people who are involved in all sorts of activities, much of which does enormous environmental damage locally. The Member cited what was a disgraceful practice outside the city of Derry. <BR /> <BR />In the cross-border movement of waste, the 2013-14 waste repatriation programme has been completed successfully. There is continued joint cooperation between jurisdictions on enforcement action. Of course, we welcome the ongoing work of the NIEA and other authorities, North and South, in their contribution to combating fuel laundering and dealing with the environmental impact of the waste generated as a consequence of that illegal activity in order to protect the environment and human health.”
“It is now clearly with the Commission and that will be an important negotiation, the outcome of which will have to be approved by the NSMC.”
“Obviously, a considerable amount of work has been done on that and agreements have been reached in recent times. The draft Peace IV and INTERREG Va programmes were submitted to the European Commission on 22 September 2014, which is in line with the regulatory deadline. Further negotiation will now take place between DFP, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Commission to agree final programmes. It is expected that negotiation with the Commission will last up to six months. <BR /> <BR />The NSMC will have the opportunity to consider both programmes before they are approved and open for calls. I know that there is an awful lot of interest in the community about how that is going to affect programmes in the time ahead.”
“It is a very revealing comment from a British Government Minister about how cuts in Britain, not alone here, are beginning to impact on the most marginalised, disadvantaged and poorest in society.”
“In the answer that I gave to the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, I covered the agreements that have been made by both Finance Departments in relation to the bodies. Given that, no doubt, during the course of this session, people will refer to my party's position on welfare cuts, I just want to quote from a speech made yesterday by a British Government Minister, Vince Cable, who said:”