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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“<BR /> <BR />Each body must deliver those minimum savings of 4% per annum, but each could go further if required or if agreed by the sponsor Departments. The resulting proportionality of funding, North and South, linked to the assessed benefit of the activities of the body to each jurisdiction, should also be kept under review.”
“It is important that officials, North and South, work together to ensure that working constructively and on a timely basis enables them to progress and complete that important review as quickly as possible. <BR /> <BR />The Member is right: there are difficulties in how we move forward with the bodies. It is important that each of the North/South bodies, like all other public bodies, delivers its objectives and programmes efficiently, particularly in the current fiscal climate. In that context, and given the pressures on public finances in both jurisdictions, the two Finance Departments agreed a further minimum cash release and efficiency savings programme of 4% in 2014, culminating in 12% over the period 2014-16.”
“InterTradeIreland has, as many people know, been a tremendous success in encouraging all sorts of collaborations and business enterprises on the island. <BR /> <BR />The whole issue of financing the North/South bodies is obviously critically important against the backdrop of the severe budgetary difficulties that we and Dublin face. The financial memorandum is there as a key document on the financial and accountability framework to which the bodies operate. Therefore, it is important that it remain current and reflect best practice. <BR /> <BR />The review has been ongoing for some time, but I understand that, with a little bit of effort, it is now at a stage at which it could be completed relatively quickly.”
“<BR /> <BR />We acknowledged the ongoing work on the reform of the North/South bodies' pension scheme, including recently approved amendments to ensure that the scheme complies with employment legislation and best practice in both jurisdictions and to increase employee contributions. We also noted the current position on a North/South consultative forum. <BR /> <BR />The Council approved a schedule of NSMC meetings proposed by the joint secretariat, including an NSMC institutional meeting in autumn 2014 and the next NSMC plenary meeting in December 2014.”
“The Ulster-Scots Agency recently awarded over £300,000 to organisations to promote and deliver Ulster-Scots music and dance. Plans to restore the Upper Lough Erne to Clones section of the Ulster canal are being pursued by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. <BR /> <BR />Official figures and sentiment showed a positive year of tourism growth in 2013. "The Gathering Ireland 2013" and Derry/Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013 were cited as successes by the vast majority of those in the industry. Trade and industry feedback on 2014 prospects and sentiment are generally positive.”
“The second phase of the multimedia consumer campaign by Safefood to target childhood obesity is focusing on the importance of exercise in tackling overweight and obesity in children. <BR /> <BR />The Loughs Agency in partnership with Co-operation Ireland has developed the Foyle river ambassadors citizenship scheme. It is a pilot youth leadership project that brings together young people from across Derry city in a personal development and citizenship programme, the theme of which is to promote the recreational and educational activities provided on the river. <BR /> <BR />Foras na Gaeilge has selected the six new lead organisations, operating on an all-island basis, to take forward the new funding arrangements for delivery of its strategic priorities.”
“At their meeting in January, Ministers welcomed the establishment of the Horizon 2020 steering group and the appointment of the NI joint chair to the US-Ireland R&D Partnership, both of which are positive developments in that area. <BR /> <BR />At the special EU programmes meeting on 30 May 2014, as I have already mentioned, the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) reported that all available funding under Peace III and INTERREG IV had been committed.”
“A joint workshop on educational underachievement was held in Armagh on 25 March 2014, and proposals to scope a cross-border pilot in support of leadership development involving existing groups of principals in both jurisdictions was agreed. <BR /> <BR />The contract for the all-island research study into the issue of airborne pollution from residential solid fuels, particularly smoky coal, has been awarded. Both Enterprise Departments and InterTradeIreland are working to encourage support for research and innovation activities, and they recognise that there is potential for North/South collaboration to increase the drawdown of funding.”
“<BR /> <BR />At the NSMC health meeting in April, Ministers were informed that the business planning process for the radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin was progressing, with work almost complete on finalising a memorandum of understanding and a service level agreement for the operation of the unit. Since that meeting, contracts have been finalised, and building work started on site in July. An app to allow smartphone and tablet access to the North/South child protection hub was launched by Childlink in February 2014. <BR /> <BR />Both Agriculture Departments continue to work closely on the policy options arising from the reform of the CAP.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council then 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. It welcomed the following key developments: cooperation is continuing on strategic transport planning throughout the island; opportunities for further cooperation have been identified in developing the strategic road network of the island; enhancing connections to the north-west of the island; the future enhancement of the Enterprise service; driving a shift to public and more sustainable modes of transport and the potential for shared cross-border public transport services in border areas; and the development of cross-border greenways.”
“We noted the conclusion of the consultation process that had been carried out with regional stakeholders relevant to the north-west gateway initiative. The Council also noted the views of the north-west gateway initiative regional stakeholders on the directions and priorities for the north-west region, including the desire for a renewed and strengthened strategic focus endorsed by both Governments. We agreed that further consultation with relevant Departments should be undertaken on the issues identified during the consultation process. The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to a future meeting of Ministers and officials in the north-west to consider strategic approaches to the development of the region.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Council noted that discussions on sectoral priorities have now taken place following the decisions taken at the last NSMC plenary in November 2013 and NSMC institutional in January 2014. The discussions focused on efforts to support economic recovery, job creation, and ensuring the best use of public funds and the most effective delivery of services for citizens. We agreed that it had been useful to review progress and identify opportunities in the existing agreed work programmes, and we noted that a report on other priorities identified during the ministerial discussions will be brought to the next NSMC institutional meeting. <BR /> <BR />The next item on the agenda was the north-west gateway initiative.”
“We were updated on the current situation with respect to the INTERREG IVa and Peace III programmes. Both programmes are fully committed, and the challenge will be to ensure full expenditure by the end of 2015. Progress on the development of the new INTERREG V and Peace IV programmes for the period 2014–2020 was also discussed. The Council noted that the draft programmes had been submitted to the EU Commission by the deadline of 22 September 2014. We noted several other new European programmes that may present opportunities for cooperation to maximise the drawdown of EU funding to the island, and we agreed that they should be further examined. That is particularly worthwhile; European funding is an important resource, and we should be doing all we can to maximise it. We also reviewed other EU-related developments.”
“These included discussions on actions to build trade links with developing markets, attracting foreign direct investment and issues relating to banking, in particular lending to small and medium-sized enterprises. Progress locally on the disposal of the portfolio of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) was welcomed by Ministers. We also discussed economic and budgetary challenges facing both administrations and measures aimed at rebalancing our economy. We took the opportunity to recognise and welcome the success of the Giro d’Italia cycling event, which secured widespread global media coverage. We also noted the opportunities for tourism and trade through the hosting of all-island events, and we agreed to continue to cooperate on a joint bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. <BR /> <BR />Discussions then moved on to European matters.”
“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 Donohoe, Minister Humphreys, Minister Reilly, Minister of State English, Minister of State Nash and Minister of State Phelan. Following reshuffles in both Cabinets, a number of new Ministers were welcomed to the Council. <BR /> <BR />As has been the case in recent times, there was a strong focus on financial and economic matters at the meeting. We had a good discussion on the employment situation in both jurisdictions and measures to encourage job creation.”
“Thank you, a LeasCheann Comhairle. In compliance with section 52C(2) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, we wish to make the following statement on the eighteenth meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in plenary format, which was held in Dublin on Friday 3 October 2014. The Executive Ministers who attended the meeting have agreed that we can make this report on their behalf. Our delegation was led by the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA, and me. In addition, the following Executive Ministers were in attendance: Minister Farry, Minister Foster, Minister Hamilton, Minister Ní Chuilín, Minister O’Dowd, Minister O’Neill, Minister Wells, junior Minister Bell and junior Minister McCann <BR /> <BR />The Irish Government delegation was led by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, who chaired the meeting.”
“It is amazing the level we have reached in the agreement and in the implementation of those commitments. Of course the media do not talk about that; the media talk about the issues that overshadow all the good work that happens in the Executive and the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />There are issues out there that are challenging and that have not been resolved. We will undoubtedly face into trying to resolve some of them in the period ahead.”
“I think that I will try to answer that question. That is my job today. <BR /> <BR />I reiterate what I said — it is disappointing that it has come to this. A Minister has made a decision, there is a question of the Executive responsibilities of individual Ministers, but there is also an issue, as you correctly stated, of the whole approach of collective responsibility of the Executive. We all have to recognise that we are in a five-party coalition in which different parties with Ministers on the Executive have different approaches to subjects. On occasions, it is very hard to get agreement on very challenging issues. <BR /> <BR />A short while ago, the First Minister and I met our Programme for Government team to go through our Programme for Government commitments.”
“The Minister of the Environment made his decision in relation to the Belfast metropolitan area plan (BMAP). Over the weekend, that was challenged publicly by the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. Essentially, the case will find itself before the courts in the context of a judicial review. It is very disappointing that it has come to this. However, from our perspective and without breaking the confidentiality of what is discussed at Executive meetings, as the decision made by the previous Minister of the Environment was effectively supported by the new Minister of the Environment, we were all very conscious that we were heading towards some sort of challenge. Undoubtedly, that will now be played out in the courts.”
“However, we certainly must be seen to be standing together against racism and sectarianism.”
“There is a huge responsibility on all of us to be seen to be standing alongside those people. Similarly, after the recent attack on the Orange hall in Newtowncunningham, I was very pleased that Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, our TD for the constituency, was there in full support of the Orange Order in the area. <BR /> <BR />I come from a part of the North where there are good relationships amongst the community; among the Apprentice Boys and the local community in Derry. There is great respect and tolerance for cultural traditions in that city. When I see events taking place in the hinterland of that city that are an attempt to fracture the building of those good relationships, I am horrified. I get very angry. We all need to consistently challenge ourselves to see what more we can do.”
“When these attacks happen, we need to be clearly seen to stand with those who are attacked. I feel a particular sympathy for people who come from foreign shores and do not have any friends, or have very few friends in the community, for how isolated they must feel when their car is burned or their homes attacked.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is a responsibility on all of us to make it absolutely clear that there is nothing political about any of this, but there is everything criminal about those behind these attacks, whether those attacks are on churches, GAA premises, individuals, homes or defenceless people who come from other parts of the world to live amongst us. It has to be unreservedly condemned by all of us. We all need to be seen to be giving real leadership in confronting those who are responsible. The police have a big job to do, and I would appeal to everybody in society, including people in County Donegal, that if they have any scrap of information whatsoever about the bigots who were involved in these attacks, they should without hesitation bring that both to the Gardaí and the PSNI.”
“Without hesitation. Before I was even asked the question, I made it absolutely clear during the course of the North/South Ministerial Council meeting that I was absolutely appalled at the burning of the Orange hall in Convoy. It was not until later in the day that I learned that an attempt was made to burn a Presbyterian church and that the buck eejits responsible went into the church and attempted to burn a bible. That on top of the recent attempt to burn the Orange hall in Newtowncunningham, as well as the racist attacks that the Member mentioned and, of course, the attack on Padraig McShane's house in north Antrim, are all very serious matters that could conceivably have resulted in the loss of life.”
“All of that remains to be seen, given that we are hopefully going to enter into very serious discussions that will include the budgetary situation. The First Minister and I are absolutely agreed that the way in which the British Government have dealt with our block grant, ie, by steadily reducing it over the last four years, is a subject for a big debate between us and the British Government.”
“Nobody is under any illusions about what the agenda of the upcoming talks will be. <BR /> <BR />The First Minister and I met our finance officials and Minister of Finance where they recorded, to our dissatisfaction, the fact that, in the course of the last four years since the Tory-led Administration came into place, that the block grant has been ruthlessly cut each year. On top of that, we have the welfare reform cuts, so we are facing very serious issues in regards to budgetary matters.”
“This is another fallacy that has been promoted over the last number of months. Nothing could be further from the truth. Never at any stage of any dialogue between advisers in my side of OFMDFM and the DUP side of OFMDFM did the First Minister and I sign off on any agreement about how we would deal with these matters. <BR /> <BR />We have been involved in important discussions recently. We met the Irish Government on Friday and I met Theresa Villiers on Thursday. These matters were discussed. We also met Alex Salmond in Scotland and were criticised for doing so by the Alliance Party, even though we had very important discussions to agree a trilateral meeting between ourselves, Scotland and Wales, given what everybody agrees have been the very profound implications of the fallout from the Scottish independence referendum.”
“I think that everybody recognises that, whatever way this pans out, there will be very proactive State Department involvement in the discussions.”
“Principally, the discussions will involve both Governments and all the parties, with appropriate representation from the Assembly, certainly all the major parties. The role of the United States Government will probably be along the lines of the one that they played in the Good Friday, St Andrews and Hillsborough agreements, all of which were very important. The contribution made by the United States to our peace process and to the agreements that we have made has been absolutely invaluable. I do not know whether I envisage them sitting at the table, which was not the case during the three previous negotiations. I would have no objection to it — none whatsoever — but everybody would have to be comfortable with that.”
“There is a huge responsibility on all of us to play a positive and constructive role in an attempt to find a way through the vexed issues of the past, parades, flags, symbols and emblems, and the budgetary challenges that we, as an Assembly and Executive, face. We will do that only if people approach these subjects in a responsible frame of mind. I think that the comment made by the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party was totally irresponsible.”
“The Member has been around these negotiations as long as I have and is well aware that the Irish Government were involved during the Good Friday negotiations. He is also well aware that the Irish Government were involved during the discussions leading to the St Andrews Agreement and during the discussions on the transfer of power of policing and justice at Hillsborough not so long ago. I think that this is much ado about nothing. I see that the leader of the Ulster Unionist Party is in the House. He was the one who raised this hare. I think that it is very disappointing and very unfortunate that people try to score a political point on a matter of such great importance. <BR /> <BR />These discussions will involve both Governments, and they will be watched very closely in Washington, both at the State Department and at the White House.”
“LeasCheann Comhairle, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer this question also.”
“A LeasCheann Comhairle, with your permission, I will ask junior Minister McCann to answer this question.”
“So, I think that that, coupled with the many and very exciting expressions of interest that there are in Ebrington, clearly shows that the potential of Fort George and Ebrington to deliver many, many more jobs is very real indeed.”
“It was completed recently. On opening, the facility will be 80% occupied, which exceeds its target. The focus there will be on research, development and innovation. I think the fact that the science park is of a regional nature will be a major attractor to that site. It was very encouraging to hear the people associated with the project saying that they envisage a substantial extension to the science park in the time ahead.”
“A development framework for the Ebrington site was completed in March 2014. It, ultimately, supported an additional 1,800 jobs in the city and an additional gross value added of £42 million. The framework will, shortly, be submitted for outline planning permission. Current developments on the site include a two-storey underground car park and enabling platform, which have just been completed. Many Members who pass that way on their way to Stormont will have seen that. Commercial opportunity is approved for a further two buildings, and a proposal is being developed for a maritime museum and renovation work to develop a digital and creative industries hub. <BR /> <BR />The North West Regional Science Park, which I had the privilege of officially opening just a couple of weeks ago, is the first development at Fort George.”
“I hear the nonsense propagated regularly that Sinn Féin's position on the welfare cuts, which are very ruthless and of which more are promised as a result of last week's Conservative party conference, is all to do with the development of Sinn Féin in the South. That is like saying that we do not care about our neighbours or increased levels of child poverty or low-paid workers whose tax credits are being threatened. Of course, we could get into the politics of "whataboutery". People talk about it costing £40,000 a night to police Twaddell Avenue. That is £280,000 a week. Over 12 months, it is a figure of some £12 million, which could, quite easily, employ 200 new nurses or 200 new teachers.”
“— there will be further job announcements in the time ahead.”
“Whilst Invest NI cannot direct companies on where to locate, I think that there is a recognition that, given the difficulties that exist in the north-west, not only in the Derry area but in Limavady and Coleraine, that area needs to be tackled. That is one of the reasons why the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development made a decision to relocate to the north-west. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, we are continually looking at opportunities to bring jobs to the city. Just last week, the First Minister and I met a potential investor. It looks very promising, and, if it comes to pass, as I expect it will —”
“One of the key issues for the One Plan is to create jobs in the city. That is also possibly the biggest challenge, given the current economic climate. Interdepartmental groups set interim one-year targets to align with the One Plan catalyst programmes, and each Department reports back through OFMDFM to the strategy board. <BR /> <BR />As I said, the jobs target for 2013-14 was 1,670. That target was set in 2010 and was based on a number of assumptions about future development. Among the major inward investments negotiated in 2013-14 was investment by Fujitsu. As the Member will know, the First Minister and I met Fujitsu in Japan, and 192 jobs were then created. Of course, we met Convergys when we were in the United States. It is creating 333 jobs. As well as that, I know that a lot of work is taking place under the auspices of Invest NI.”
“The important thing to remember is that jobs promoted is, effectively, a guarantee of jobs, given the commitments made by different companies, but over a period. These are not jobs that are put in place immediately, but they are not promises; they are firm commitments that are having a very important impact on the employment situation in a city that badly needs jobs created.”
“<BR /> <BR />The jobs to be created have been achieved through small business start-ups and expansions, support from Invest NI and as a result of the City of Culture year. It includes two major inward investments by Fujitsu and Convergys, which together account for over 500 new jobs. I commend all businesses that have created jobs in the city during a very difficult economic period. At the same time, I recognise that much more work still needs to be done.”
“The Programme for Government 2011-15 includes a commitment to develop the One Plan for the regeneration of Derry, incorporating the key sites at Fort George and Ebrington. Job creation is one of the key priorities of the One Plan, and that is reflected in the milestones and outputs identified for each year of the Programme for Government period. For 2013-14, the programme set a target of 1,670 jobs promoted through the public, community and private sectors, and we are pleased to report that the total number of jobs promoted for 2013-14 that have been identified to date is 1,683. That figure is an estimate based on inputs from all Departments, from Derry City Council and from Ilex's analysis of the impact of the City of Culture.”
“The Member, as do all other Members, knows that in order to get answers we have to have the agreement of the First Minister and the deputy First Minister. I appreciate the Member's point, which is a good one. It challenges us all on the levels of representation that there are for diverse groups in society. I will undertake to have a conversation with the First Minister to see whether more can be done, although I already indicated in my answer that we are not just talking about increased representation for women. We are looking at how other people in society can feel distant from decision-making and at how we, as a Department, can ensure that we are putting in place processes that can create far greater representation across the spectrum.”
“The recently published public appointments annual report for 2012-13 shows that of a total of 1,050 applicants for public appointments in 2012-13, 317, which is 30%, were women. Of the total number of people appointed in 2012-13, 291, which is 40%, were women. That is a very welcome increase on the 29% in 2011-12. At 31 August 2014, women held 37% of the total number of appointments held. While some progress has been made towards greater diversity, it is clear that further work in raising awareness and encouraging more women to apply for public appointments is needed to ensure an improved gender balance on public bodies.”
“Appointment plans will include diversity guidance, which has been developed by the public appointments forum. Rather than making generic appointments, posts are filled to address specific skills in order to build effective teams, and Departments are developing alternatives to established criteria such as better use of presentations.”
“Some of the steps taken include the establishment of an interdepartmental public appointments forum to share best practice across Departments, including increasing diversity. Independent advice will be provided to the forum by a senior academic with considerable experience in equality and diversity issues, producing the twice-yearly 'All Aboard' publication, which gives details of public appointment opportunities arising over the next six months, and circulating upcoming appointment opportunities to an extensive mailing list of several hundred individuals and organisations, including private and voluntary sector women's groups interested in receiving information on public appointments. <BR /> <BR />Departments will interview larger numbers of applicants for appointments.”
“We are committed to achieving greater diversity in public appointments consistent with the overall principle of selection on merit as a means of ensuring effective public bodies. We recognise that some sections of our society are under-represented on the boards of public bodies, and we are working to encourage greater participation from those groups. Our officials have put in place several measures to raise awareness of public appointment opportunities amongst women and members of other under-represented groups. That is an important step in encouraging them to apply. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, officials have improved the processes for public appointments aimed at making them more accessible and encouraging greater participation.”
“That has been the subject of controversy for some time. There can be no doubt that the Victims and Survivors Service has taken on board the criticisms that have been made of the difficulties presented, and we await the outcome of its deliberations on how it intends to proceed with that.”
“We will continue to ensure that whatever action is taken in respect of the recommendations and, in particular, any others relating to direct victims services not only happens but that they are the right actions that have the desired impact.”