Pádraig Delargy
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“I echo what other Members have said. Compassion is at the heart of the regulations, which are about understanding and ensuring that parents and families who have suffered the most heartbreaking and unimaginable grief are supported through one of the most difficult times in their lives.”
“The regulations have been extended to ensure that they also apply to parents who have lost a child through miscarriage and that parental bereavement leave is now a day-1 employment right.”
“Why are the public appointments and equality processes important in employment? They are particularly important here in the North, for one simple reason. It is because for so many years, even decades, the unionist Government stopped Catholics, nationalists and republicans from having any access to public appointments and jobs.”
“I start by going to the very heart of the motion and many of the comments that have been made around the Chamber today. The process for public appointments to Invest NI was fair, open, accountable and transparent. It was based on merit and ability.”
“It is a generation that is deeply proud of all those who ensured that we can enjoy the freedom that the unionist Government denied them. My generation will not lie down, will not acquiesce and will not allow regressive change. It will not return to the inequality, the suppression and all the other elements of the unionist state.”
“This is the same SDLP that voted to disbar any republican prisoners from the position of special adviser — the same SDLP that, when another nationalist or, God forbid, a republican, takes the office of First Minister, suddenly wants that title taken away.”
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“I begin by offering my solidarity to the Minister and her husband after the incident outside their home, which was completely wrong and should never have happened. Our thoughts are with you today. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for her answer. We are hearing that when people report those crimes, there is often little or no outcome, which is quite worrying for them. What can be done to make that process more accessible and to ensure that sectarian behaviour, from wherever it emanates, is challenged?”
“We consistently ask questions about why Altnagelvin Hospital does not have an adequately sized or resourced emergency department and about the funding for mental health groups and charities. We champion organisations and leaders from the north-west and hold Ministers to account, but we are so much stronger when we do that together.”
“I agree that we should encourage regional balance across all our Departments, but that is what we are already doing.”
“They deserve a society where investment reaches every corner and where no young person feels that they need to leave Derry to succeed. The same goes for young people in Donegal. Regional balance can never be addressed while our country is partitioned and while Derry is cut off from its natural hinterland in Donegal. <BR /> <BR />Of course, there are challenges. No one here is denying that. However, when we hear all about the challenges and not about the opportunities, businesses and those hoping to invest in Derry will naturally switch off. When they do not see a collective political will, that is extremely problematic for investment. The collective leadership coming from Derry businesses, the chamber of commerce and, most important, the people of Derry is that we have a collective cause and must row in the same direction.”
“It was about selling Derry's story to people across Ireland and the world. <BR /> <BR />Derry's story is changing, and regional balance is changing under Sinn Féin's leadership. That leadership is focused on delivery, it is focused on opportunity, and it is focused on building a positive future for all. It is also an opportunity and a vision for everyone else in the Chamber to get behind that and to work together to build that. It is not a partisan issue; it is about fairness and ambition for our whole economy. When we work together and push in the same direction, we can achieve real change. However, it takes everyone to work together. It takes collective leadership from the north-west and, particularly, from our political representatives. The people of Derry and the entire North deserve that.”
“Let us talk about Ebrington, Meenan Square, the North West Cancer Centre, City of Derry Airport and a plethora of new schools. Let us talk Derry up. <BR /> <BR />Everyone here knows that Derry and other regions, particularly those west of the Bann, have experienced chronic underinvestment under decades of the unionist party. My grandparents and their generation, who came out on our streets as part of the civil rights movement, marched with a vision to talk not only about the problems but about the solutions. They created the framework where I can stand in the Chamber today as an equal to everyone else here. My generation no longer has to experience the neglect and lack of opportunity that their generation faced. The campaign that they talked about and that they marched for was about talking Derry up.”
“<BR /> <BR />In delivering regional balance, people want to hear what has been achieved. They want to hear tangible outcomes. Today, I will outline what Sinn Féin has already done. Let us talk about Derry. Let us talk about the A6, which was a transformative project for regional balance delivered by former Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard. Let us talk about the decentralisation of the Civil Service under current Finance Minister John O'Dowd and former Finance Minister Conor Murphy, which has brought jobs to the heart of many of our communities. Let us talk about the transformation of Magee. Other parties talked about a policy, but Sinn Féin Minister Caoimhe Archibald and former Minister Conor Murphy delivered on it.”
“Regional balance underpins Sinn Féin's economic strategy, which is a commitment to making the North work for all its people. The basis of our economic strategy is to make the economy work for ordinary people, not just for ordinary people to work to boost the economy. It is only when our economy is delivering real change at a grassroots level that that becomes a reality. That is why Minister Archibald's 'good jobs' Bill and myriad other progressive legislation advance that agenda. The key reason why Sinn Féin took up the Economy portfolio last year was to address and improve regional balance. That is why we made regional balance a key pillar of the Department's economic strategy. That is why it underpins the other three priorities, and that is why we insisted that regional balance be a shared Executive priority.”
“Does the deputy First Minister agree that regional balance across the North is key when it comes to economic growth and investment?”
“I have worked extensively on trying to get alignment with Central Applications Office (CAO) result dates and ensure easier access to the South for students from the North and vice versa. The reality is that we have an all-Ireland economy. We have similar skill gaps, and we need to address those on an all-Ireland basis. I will support the motion and the amendment, because it is important that we look at this in an all-Ireland context and at the skills gaps that we have across the bases here.”
“I regularly meet businesses and students who tell me how well they are getting on with those. I totally understand and appreciate what the motion and amendment bring forward, but we have to appreciate that a huge amount of work already goes on in our schools, colleges, communities and universities. <BR /> <BR />Recently, we have seen the launch of quite a few tech clusters in the north-west. Huge amounts of work have been ongoing between ATU, North West Regional College, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and Ulster University. We need to foster and encourage that, and that speaks to the motion. The digital hubs will increasingly become a part of that as we move forward. <BR /> <BR />Members will know — it is in the motion — about the all-Ireland work that Sinn Féin already does as a party.”
“<BR /> <BR />As many of you know, I completed a SKILL UP course on productivity, because, when I came into this role, that is something that I was not sure of. That proves that SKILL UP can be useful for people across all sectors and of all ages: young people, people who are in part-time employment, people who are in full-time employment and, as has been said, people who are yet to be employed and are on that journey. It is important to recognise that there are opportunities for people across our society but particularly for those who are struggling and are outside that system at the moment. That is one piece of work that has been brought forward to address that skills gap, but another piece that has been working really well is higher-level apprenticeships.”
“As a Committee, we need to do a lot of work on that, because we know that a lot of the new, emerging jobs come from outside the traditional routes. Engagement with employers and innovators is key to building on that. <BR /> <BR />Further education was omitted from the motion. That was probably unintentional. The motion focuses more on higher education than on further education. We need to be cognisant of that, going forward, because we all recognise the role that colleges play in our communities, particularly in addressing skill gaps. Skills academies build on and bring that as well. I speak from my experience with FinTrU, Alchemy Technology — which Sinéad mentioned — and other companies in Derry that have benefited from the responsiveness of the colleges in bringing forward those academies to address the skills gaps.”
“That is the crux of the issue, because, fundamentally, if students in schools do not have the same access to further education and other opportunities as they do to staying in school, skills gaps are created and the skills gaps that are already there are enhanced. That issue needs to be progressed. We need to continue to work on that, and I appreciate that the Committee has been working on that as well. Schools are compelled to keep students because of the current funding model. If we were to change that, it would enhance schools' ability to offer more focused courses and enhance our further education colleges' offering and ability to enhance the skill sets that are there. The Committee has also heard from colleges and employers who have difficulty accessing schools.”
“I thank the proposers of the motion and of the amendment. The conversation has been good so far. The keyword that has jumped out at me from it is "collaboration". That is collaboration in the North between the Department for the Economy and the Department of Education; collaboration with employers, schools and colleges; and collaboration across the country on making sure that there is a role for the Government in the South and for agencies. We know that there are regional disparities, particularly in border communities such as mine. <BR /> <BR />A few months ago, the Assembly passed a motion calling on the Department of Education to reform its funding model for sixth-form colleges.”
“Will the Member not acknowledge the context of his remarks? The economic reality that we are in is an all-Ireland economy that is growing. Surely you recognise that an essential part of that economy is an all-Ireland aviation strategy.”
“It means investing in skills, apprenticeships and good jobs in the aviation sector, and meeting our climate obligations by building sustainability into every part of the strategy. <BR /> <BR />I commend the progress that has been made under Economy Ministers Conor Murphy and Caoimhe Archibald. Their leadership has brought us to the point where a serious, comprehensive aviation strategy is within reach. The task now is to ensure that it is delivered fully and correctly, in the interests of all the people of Ireland.”
“Therefore, an aviation strategy must be underpinned by a commitment to look at the issue on a country-wide basis to increase connectivity and avoid duplication. <BR /> <BR />Minister Archibald has built on that work and has been clear that our aviation strategy must be coordinated, forward-looking and in line with our climate and economic commitments. Her focus on connectivity for the north-west, supporting tourism and making sure that our strategy delivers for businesses and workers alike is vital. The strategy cannot be rushed, and it cannot be done by halves. It means recognising the opportunity brought by stronger connections, particularly to international hubs. It means supporting regional balance to ensure that places like Derry and the wider north-west are not left behind.”
“<BR /> <BR />I mention that because the glaring omission in the motion is an all-Ireland focus, a commitment agreed in 'New Decade, New Approach' (NDNA). The recent success at the City of Derry Airport has come on the back of the investment and a coordinated effort to create all-Ireland links, and that is where the focus of the motion should be. If we are to see an aviation strategy that truly promotes the economy, it must focus on our economic reality. The reality is a growing all-Ireland economy, and improved regional balance and connectivity are key to sustained economic growth. An all-Ireland strategy would ensure regional balance across all our airports, including Galway, Kerry and Cork, as well as Derry. The reality is that tourists coming to Ireland want seamless access to all of our country, and the same goes for businesses.”
“For example, because of the certainty created by the announcement, EasyJet has introduced new routes between Derry and Birmingham and Derry and Manchester. EasyJet is also increasing the number of flights to Liverpool by up to four flights a week and to Edinburgh by up to three flights a week. <BR /> <BR />My focus and my party's focus is on establishing a Derry to Dublin route through the City of Derry Airport to connect us to our capital city and connect international business with Derry. That has resulted in numerous meetings, questions for written answer and parliamentary questions submitted by my colleague Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, and, finally, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel: a movement by Irish Government Ministers towards initiating a public service obligation (PSO) from Derry to Dublin.”
“Aviation is vital for businesses that want to invest, for universities welcoming students from across the globe, for families who travel, for staying connected and for communities across the island. <BR /> <BR />Last year, Conor Murphy and John O'Dowd transferred responsibility for airport policy to the Department for the Economy, a notable and important shift from what had gone before. The significance of that has been felt in Derry, where a historic wrong has been righted, and finally, airports have been centralised under one Department. The Sinn Féin Ministers who funded the City of Derry Airport lifted a significant rates burden off the people of Derry, and it matched our commitment to regional balance. It has created certainty and stability, which has allowed new airlines to introduce new routes and extend existing ones.”
“Can you outline your rationale for why only two tier 3 clubs were selected to go forward in this part of the process?”
“Minister, what laws are in place to protect consumers from unsatisfactory home improvement services?”
“First Minister, I thank you and the deputy First Minister for your recent attendance at Seagate and at Foyle port. I also welcome the north-west leadership collective, members of which are in the Public Gallery today, and recognise its fantastic work in the area. <BR /> <BR />What impact has the fact that the Executive have agreed a regional balance strategy had on driving investment and making Derry and the broader north-west an even more attractive place in which to live, work and invest?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, what engagement have you had with stakeholders about the closure process?”
“I will finish this point. <BR /> <BR />I very much welcome Mr Durkan's comments today, but I ask this: why, over the two weeks of the bonfire being built in Derry, was there no public comment from our SDLP MP? There was nothing for two weeks. <BR /> <BR />I am more than happy to give way.”
“I absolutely agree with the Member. Political leadership has been touched on today, and I was going to ask about that if I had been allowed an intervention earlier. I very much welcome Mr Durkan's comments today.”
“I am trying to provide examples of that alternative and the positive political leadership that we can offer in our communities.”
“That is a positive, progressive vision for our community, and it is what the people of the Bogside want to see on that site. <BR /> <BR />This summer alone, Féile ran 150 events across the Bogside, Creggan, Bishop Street, Brandywell and Fountain areas, with audiences of more than 20,000 people and over 2,000 participants. We have incredibly brave community groups — good community groups — that work not just in the summer months but throughout the year, with Féile being the key delivery partner, to ensure that everyone has access to community events that celebrate our community and all that it has to offer through delivering festivals, youth programmes, family fun days and cultural events.”
“The planned transformation of Meenan Square is an example of regeneration that is making a real difference and creating space for positive activity in the heart of the Bogside. The Bogside has a proud history — one of resilience and one in which the campaign for civil rights was born. Civil rights and the movement that our community fought for was about building our community up and securing proper investment in housing, infrastructure and, most important, people. It was also about showing that our community had just as much right as any other community to first-class services. Meenan Square is the embodiment of a new vision for a new generation. The redevelopment of Meenan Square includes eight social homes, youth and community services, office space and a new shop for the area.”
“Each summer, we see bonfires across our communities. We know that, too often, they take place in unsafe and unsuitable locations: close to hospitals, schools and other people's homes and/or on contaminated land. That is not just a question of property damage but a real risk to families, children and residents. Alongside the safety concerns, there are environmental issues such as the burning of waste materials, which creates pollution and damages our health outcomes and the fabric of our communities. The clean-up costs fall back on already stretched public services, and that is money that could and should be spent on youth provision, housing and community development. <BR /> <BR />This debate should not just be about problems; it should be about solutions. In Derry, we have seen the power of community when it is supported and invested in.”
“Minister, there are 20 successful projects totalling £82 million, of which £36 million has been allocated. There is obviously a significant shortfall there. You addressed some of that in previous answers, but I would appreciate your elaborating on how that shortfall will be met and on how realistic it is that the projects will be delivered in this mandate.”
“We are aware of your longer-term plans to invest in and, hopefully, build a new emergency department at Altnagelvin, but people need to see immediate action today. You talked about the fact that we are coming into additional winter pressures, and I appreciate that that has been acknowledged, but what immediate action are you taking to ensure that the waiting times, which are already twice as long as those across the rest of the North, are not repeated and do not worsen this winter?”
“<BR /> <BR />Although a soldier stands trial in a Belfast court today, those culpable also include the British Army generals who ordered the murder of innocent civilians on the streets of my city and the successive British Governments who denied truth and justice and who took every opportunity to cover up what their soldiers did. Successive British Governments did that. I call on the current British Government to repeal the Legacy Act, which all parties in the Chamber oppose, and finally to put the voices of the families first. <BR /> <BR />As has been stated today by John McKinney, a brother of William McKinney:”
“This morning, we stood with the Bloody Sunday families, as the trial of Soldier F began in a court in Belfast. For over five decades, they have been denied truth and justice. I take the opportunity to acknowledge their dedication, determination and support and the inspiration that they provide to other families in a similar situation and, indeed, to families right across the world. <BR /> <BR />The civil rights that people marched for in 1972 were for a better future and for equality in housing, employment and voting. Those people created a better future and a more equal society for my generation. My generation has a responsibility to stand with the Bloody Sunday families and to ensure that there is truth and justice.”
“I also thank Ulster University for its perseverance and continued commitment to Magee. Sinn Féin and the Department for the Economy will continue working to drive those numbers up and to reach that target, because, while the numbers are positive, they are only the beginning. Derry is turning a page to a new chapter and is looking ahead to a future that is filled with hope and prosperity. With Sinn Féin in the driving seat, pushing this matter forward and delivering real change, the north-west will reach its full potential.”
“Magee has achieved more growth in the past year than it did in the previous decade. That proves that, when we have Sinn Féin Ministers in place, Ministers who truly value the north-west and its people, the potential of our region is unmatched. Let me be unequivocal: Sinn Féin's choosing the Economy portfolio has been a game changer for regional balance and for the Magee expansion in particular. Since my party took up that office, the Magee task force has been established to develop and oversee a comprehensive plan for the campus to reach 10,000 students by 2032. Student numbers have already increased significantly and are set to reach their highest-ever level at Magee this month. <BR /> <BR />Conor Murphy and Caoimhe Archibald have driven that progress forward, and I commend them for that.”
“The Minister has already detailed some of the engagement that she has had with trade unions. Will she also outline the engagement that she has had with employee representatives and any more detail on the engagement with trade unions and how that will be used in the ongoing negotiations?”
“It is also deeply unfair that our postal staff, who work tirelessly in all conditions all year round, are bearing the brunt of decisions taken by Royal Mail management. Royal Mail needs to meet its public service obligations. It needs to get mail out to people in Derry in a timely manner, and it needs to take responsibility at management level to make that happen.”
“<BR /> <BR />There are countless other issues that we can rehearse, but this is about changing the system. It is about Royal Mail recognising the problem and putting in place strategic and robust measures to change. People in Derry will not accept a second-class system from Royal Mail. People are often left waiting on vital healthcare letters, in some cases missing appointments because they have received the appointment letter days after the appointment was due to take place. Our office has been contacted by people who are waiting on a cancer diagnosis and are, obviously and naturally, worried about the impact that the postal delays will have on their treatment options.”
“<BR /> <BR />I therefore recently wrote to the Consumer Council and Ofcom, requesting that they look into the following six critical issues that are impacting on people in Derry: the extent to which Royal Mail is meeting its public service obligations to its customers; the potential health impact of missing vital hospital appointment letters, particularly those related to cancer, and the resultant delay in diagnosis and treatment; the potential financial impacts, including loss of earnings, of receiving letters on financial and insurance matters significantly later than expected; the potential judicial impact of missing jury service and pressing legal letters; the potential financial impact of late bill or fine payments as a result of not receiving letters in a timely and efficient manner; and the impact on small businesses of not being able to effectively and efficiently send or receive letters in a timely manner.”
“OK. Staff noted that they have been told to prioritise parcels, overtime has been curtailed and holiday periods are often left uncovered. That creates an untouched backlog of mail for staff to deal with when they return from leave. As a result of parcels being prioritised, constituents are missing letters that contain details about vital hospital appointments, financial information and other time-bound and sensitive information.”
“I rise to raise the issue of postal delays in Derry. On a recent visit to a Royal Mail sorting office in Derry, I was informed by staff that letters can sometimes wait for nine or 10 days before they are delivered.”
“Minister, it is disappointing that nothing has been delivered on the strategy, despite the co-design group's having concluded its work months ago. Do you not think that it would be better for you in your ministerial role to focus on developing and implementing an Irish language strategy rather than involving yourself in cases that oppose Irish language implementation?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her statement. Will she outline the BIC's specific work streams and how they enhance the delivery of the Executive's agreed priorities?”
“I thank the Member for her comprehensive answer. She has answered a lot of my supplementary question as well. There is a lot in there for individuals, but can she provide clarity on whether there is an option for adapted tours for groups?”
“An issue that we get all the time in my constituency is older people who want to downsize but say that there is no availability of specific accommodation for the over-55s. Will the Minister outline the plans he and his Department have either to build or to repurpose specific over-55s accommodation?”
“— to ensure that it will not happen again. What is your Department doing with NI Water to ensure that it is in place?”
“Minister, as you know, I have asked you a number of questions about tougher sentencing to prevent such instances from happening again. The major concern for people in Derry today is about potential water pollution and how that can be avoided. I appreciate that you have gone through a lot of the steps, but the House needs the detail of what the emergency measures look like. We need to ensure there are proper and robust procedures in place to ensure there is emergency backup, and we need —”
“Aligning the CAO and UCAS results dates is an important enabler for moving in that direction. <BR /> <BR />We can recognise and applaud the South's achievement, but let it also serve as a call to action to us in the North. We must strive to ensure that our people, regardless of their background or geography, can access the education that they aspire to right across Ireland. Let us match ambition with action.”