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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“Period products are essentials, not luxury items. For many people and families struggling with the rising cost of living, they can be a huge financial burden. Free access to period products must be the norm in schools, universities, colleges, workplaces, football grounds and concert venues. Sinn Féin will continue to campaign in the Assembly and in councils. <BR /> <BR />In 2018, my party colleague Sandra Duffy tabled a motion that helped to make Derry City and Strabane District Council the first district in Ireland to provide period products free in sporting grounds and in other public buildings.”
“I reaffirm Sinn Féin's commitment to the development of the Long Kesh site and to unlocking and developing the economic potential of that site and others across the North.”
“It has transformed and expanded our city centre, and it acts as a key point in our city for culture, arts and innovation. The Fort George site is at a slightly different phase of development, in that it is probably more in its infancy. There is therefore the potential to unlock another key site in our city for business and trade. What we have touched on today has largely been about the economy. That site is also about health, however. All of us recognise the health access issues that our constituents are facing at the minute. Fort George has the potential to unlock those issues. It is imperative that we look in the round at the economic side of things, but there is also the potential to unlock and challenge the other issues that our constituents are facing. <BR /> <BR />My speech is very short.”
“I thank Mr Givan for his comments. They lead neatly on to mine. We have talked about economic drivers and the potential of the site. It is imperative that we look at bringing trade, skills and jobs to the area in order to unlock its economic potential. The key word in all of this is "potential". It is about opportunity, positivity and what can be done with the site. <BR /> <BR />As has been mentioned by, I think, all Members so far, this is about Lagan Valley and Lisburn. It is also about the entire region and the entire east coast of Ireland, however. Two projects in my constituency have been, and continue to be, unlocked: at the Ebrington site and at the Fort George site. The Ebrington site has unlocked huge potential for foreign direct investment, for supporting local businesses and for its being an economic driver for the north-west.”
“I want them to know that we will continue to fight for their pay and stand up for fair contracts and conditions.”
“We have had agreement across the Assembly on many issues. One of those is provision for children with special educational needs. Why, then, are we still waiting for the Education Minister to deliver fair pay for classroom assistants, who provide support for children in our schools and enhance children's educational experience every day? I ask that for the many classroom assistants whom I have worked with as a teacher and the many whom I have met and listened to as an MLA. Staff are leaving in their droves because of inadequate pay and conditions. At a time when we are talking about workforce planning and encouraging people to become classroom assistants, where is that recognition? Where is the fair pay? <BR /> <BR />I want classroom assistants to know that we in Sinn Féin have your back.”
“Today, I rise again to speak on behalf of classroom assistants. Classroom assistants deserve fair pay and conditions. They have been waiting too long, and they cannot wait any longer. It is time for the Education Minister to deliver fair pay and conditions now.”
“Does the Minister agree that the Shared Prosperity Fund would be much more effective in addressing need if it were delivered directly by Departments here?”
“I look forward to working with the Alliance Party and others to develop the framework in the time ahead.”
“I have spoken to a number of people in my own area and areas across the Moor who are very much willing to move to the next step and look at where we can go. This is about building relationships, reducing duplication of services and working together in Stormont and in our communities. <BR /> <BR />One element that we need to expand out to, which the motion does not really touch on, is tackling division not just within our communities but across our island. Being in a border constituency, one of the key reasons for the duplication of services that I see is the fact that we are divided across the island. I would like to continue to have conversations about that, collectively, and to develop that element. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the motion. I will support it.”
“One of the biggest things that has happened as a result of Urban Villages, which we need to continue bringing into other communities, is that, by tackling sectarianism and intolerance, we have managed to tackle some of the economic disparity across the North. Looking at the whole socio-economic piece around that is fundamental. I recognise and welcome that that is very much part of the motion. <BR /> <BR />The reality, however, is that, while we look at the benefits of all that, there are still peace walls up in that area. That has already been mentioned. We cannot stand still. I welcome the fact that the motion was tabled and will support it. This is a great opportunity for us to evaluate where we are and how to get to the stage of moving that into communities. I agree that communities are well ahead of us.”
“<BR /> <BR />We need to bank what is positive but also review what needs to change. That is critical. In addition the content of the motion, which Ms Bradshaw spoke very well to, there is space for us to do that. Importantly, in all of this, it is about us working collectively and continuing to have these conversations in a positive and constructive way to assess what is going well and what we need to change. <BR /> <BR />I come from an Urban Villages area: the Moor in Derry. There has been positive development there. In the Fountain, we have seen the New Gate Arts and Culture Centre, and we have seen the redevelopment of the city centre and the city walls. In the areas that I come from, we have seen the redevelopment of Meenan Square and of Central Drive in Creggan.”
“At a policy level, we can support such action and bring forward strategies to benefit it, but it has to come organically from communities and be supported from the political side. <BR /> <BR />As a former teacher, most of my experience prior to coming here was in the education sector. I was privileged to teach in an integrated school — Oakgrove Integrated Primary School in Derry — and see its huge benefits to the community and how it worked practically, on a day-to-day basis, at breaking down barriers and divisions. That is very positive. We have seen hugely positive developments at the Strule campus, where there are 4,000 pupils, and, as Mr O'Toole mentioned, in Limavady. I welcome those examples as a positive step forward, but I recognise that there are huge steps that we need to continue to take.”
“First, the motion is useful to assess where we are and where we are going. I thank the Alliance Party for tabling the motion. <BR /> <BR />I will touch specifically on a few elements and look at their practical impact in my constituency and at the space to develop and improve on them. Those are within the T:BUC strategy and around education and Urban Villages. The seven strands of T:BUC are funded by the Executive, and 30,000 young people, including a huge number from my constituency, have taken part in and benefited from them. From that, it is very clear, as all those young people have experienced, that, to move forward as a society, we need to tackle sectarianism, racism and other forms of intolerance that we see. Critically, as Carál mentioned, it is about doing that on the ground.”
“<BR /> <BR />I also congratulate the Derry hurlers, who recently won the Division 2B final and who continue to make great strides for the sport in Ulster. I also mention Derry camogs, who will play Westmeath in the league final this Sunday. We send our best wishes to the squad and look forward to its continued success. <BR /> <BR />There is excitement in Derry that something big is on the horizon. Fans have played a pivotal role in galvanising the atmosphere around that. I am privileged to play a small part in that by organising transport from Derry and across the county to Croke Park for those matches. I want and expect to stand up in the Chamber in the coming months as Derry sees more success.”
“I also congratulate Derry on its league win. In just five short years, Derry has gone from Division 4 to Division 1 champions. What an incredible performance the weekend before last by our county. It is a testament to the great work of the coaches, the management and, of course, the players, who have given their all throughout. <BR /> <BR />I want to mention three players in particular: Diarmuid Baker, Cahir McMonagle and Donncha Gilmore. Those three players from Steelstown Brian Ógs have come through and been so successful this year on the panel. It is really inspirational for young Gaels in Derry to see players at that high level not just from their county but from their city, from their own club and, indeed, from their own area.”
“<BR /> <BR />I will not dispute the relevance of any of the industries in the 10X vision — that has been covered in detail — but I will say that, when I speak to people and business owners in my community, they are quick to point out that the 10X strategy never focused on construction, tourism or social enterprise. All those sectors have huge job opportunities, labour shortages and skills progression. I think that we will see a lot more of that in the future, which would be a positive development. The Minister's vision goes beyond that to create an economy that will benefit workers, families and businesses of all sizes and in all sectors.”
“We have a lot to talk about and to talk up in our region. <BR /> <BR />The Minister's vision also talks about transforming and reorganising Invest NI into new regional structures. That is dedicated to home-grown small to medium-sized businesses and start-up companies. Once implemented, those forums will enable Invest NI to operate regional offices across the North that will work on an inclusive basis, in partnership with councils, the business community, trade unions and local enterprise agencies. That model will be a game changer. It will decentralise Invest NI and provide greater focus on investor visits, job assistance and job creation being delivered more equally across the North.”
“I totally agree. I have spoken to people in dozens of companies — FDI companies in particular, but also regional companies — who have spoken about that. Dozens of them can bear testimony to the fact that they have set up a business in Derry, grown that business and created a huge number of regional jobs. The thing that they say all the time is that they are here because of people; they are here because of what we have to offer and what is unique about us. I totally agree with that point. In my constituency, I hear, all the time, that people want to talk about the future and to hear about the positive opportunities that we have. That lines up exactly with what Conor, as Economy Minister, set out with regards to looking at how Invest NI does business and at regional balance, investing in City of Derry Airport and growing places at Magee.”
“If I were an investor and I was sitting here, I would want to hear the positives and the benefits coming from Derry, the north-west region and regions across the North. I am proud to be from Derry. I am proud to call that place home. It is a fantastic place in which to live, work and build a life. <BR /> <BR />I concur with the comments made by my colleague Mr Middleton. We need to start talking up areas such as Derry. We need to start making sure that areas across the North are spoken about positively in this place and that we talk up the place, its positivity and its people.”
“Notably, the productivity gap has closed slightly in recent months. However, productivity remains, on average, 11% below the rate in Britain and, according to a recent study, almost 40% below the rate in the South. I trust that the Economy Minister's vision and the policies that will stem from it will close the gap further. That means utilising dual-market access to grow domestic exports and attract highly productive FDI. It means developing all-Ireland clusters in high-productivity sectors that are key to driving economic progress and productivity. <BR /> <BR />As my colleague Mr McGuigan said, Sinn Féin will vote for the motion and the amendment, outlining the need to promote regional balance and to tackle the regional and rural inequalities that have, for so long, kept our economy from being inclusive.”
“The Minister has already indicated his intention to improve the opportunities for people to upskill and reskill through a range of programmes, including all-age apprenticeships, which will be a game changer for skills and will mean that workers, in later life in particular, can earn as they learn and can reskill and upskill without having to pay for their apprenticeship learning.”
“I want to focus on two areas: productivity and regional balance. I will begin by echoing a lot of what Mr Elliott said, as I have heard in my constituency about skills gaps and the fact that colleges have stepped in ably to plug those gaps and be responsive to the economic needs in the area. <BR /> <BR />One issue has been our relatively low productivity levels. Employers continue to want to hire more staff to grow and to invest but struggle to get people with the right skills. We have seen that the North has lower productivity levels than, for example, Britain and that successive DUP Economy Ministers have failed to get to grips with that, despite holding that portfolio for a number of years. <BR /> <BR />Improving access to skills will be key to narrowing the productivity gap further in the coming years.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. As a teacher, I saw at first hand the impact that children coming to school hungry has on their education and everything that they do in school. Does the Member agree that it is on all parties and all Departments to work together to collectively deliver on the policy?”
“Will the Minister consider increasing maintenance support for students?”
“Together, we have the power to deliver that real change and to create a future where young people have the best possible opportunities to prosper at home, and that will be a game changer for everyone in our society.”
“Imagine being an even bigger powerhouse with young, bright minds teaching in schools, providing quality care for patients in hospitals, contributing to our communities, innovating in our industries and being trailblazers for positive and progressive change. By working together in the Chamber to create new and exciting opportunities, good working conditions and fair pay, we are investing in our next generation and helping to build a brighter, better and stronger future for our island. <BR /> <BR />It is a win-win: our talented youth gets the chance to thrive, and our island gets the enormous benefit of everything that their skills and passion bring. We can make the island that we call "home" the place where dreams can come true, where careers can flourish and where the future of every young person has endless possibilities.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have to work together to do everything in our power to ensure that our young people see a future here at home, and we can begin to do that today by agreeing to strengthen workers' rights for young people and to commit to their enjoying, whatever path they decide to follow in life, fair pay and good working conditions at home. Imagine the potential that we would have as an economy, as a people and as an island, if, instead of the next generation of teachers going to Doha, of healthcare workers going to Australia or of tradespeople going to America, they could stay at home. We could have their innovation and creativity helping our island to achieve its full potential. Fair pay and good working conditions are not just desirable but absolutely essential for retaining our talented young people.”
“If I were to scroll down through my contact list today, I could read name after name of people who have left Ireland in pursuit of a better life and of better career opportunities. Young people from across all communities and all corners of our country, equipped with their own unique skills and talents, have found themselves feeling underpaid, undervalued and overworked. Sadly, they have seen no compelling case to stay and build their career here. It is heart-wrenching, and we all understand the devastating impact that it has on families and communities, as it is an experience that many of us have felt personally. That cannot continue.”
“There is now a clear pathway now for us to recruit nurses, but the barrier arises in retaining nurses. There is no point in us recruiting nurses if we are not going to pay them properly and make sure that they have fair conditions and a reason to stay. I want to continue working with all the Economy Committee members on that. We have identified where the gaps and barriers are, but the key will be working collegially to ensure that they are addressed. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the motion and support it and the amendment.”
“I would like to see that being reviewed and implemented, because there is consensus across the Chamber and our Committee that it needs to be addressed. There has been far too much focus on academic routes and on achieving university places. I would like to see a careers advice service that is professional, personalised and sustained throughout a young person's education. <BR /> <BR />The third point that I want to touch on is about nursing apprentices. My colleague Philip McGuigan touched on the fact that there were 1,700 vacancies in December past in nursing. Both Minister Murphy and Deirdre Hargey, when she was Minister, introduced 45 public-sector apprenticeships during the last mandate. That was welcome, and it is an approach that we need to adopt in this mandate.”
“Yes, absolutely. On this issue, in particular, we need to put politics to the side. In my constituency, I have not spoken to one business that does not see the benefit of this. That is across the board, and it is reflected in other constituencies as well. We hear from businesses and people who take on apprentices that they need that flexibility to grow and survive but also to continue to bring through new people and new skills in all those areas. <BR /> <BR />The second key theme, which has already been touched on by colleagues, is careers advice. That is essential. What the Chair suggested regarding a link-up between the Education and the Economy Committees will be vital for us to do that. We suggested that in our party response to the 10X strategy.”
“A key issue that has been brought up in my constituency — I know that colleagues in other border constituencies have had it raised with them as well — is around the fact that, if someone is studying, for example, at the North West Regional College and is taking on an apprenticeship, they have to do that in the same jurisdiction. That locks out a lot of people who live in border constituencies. It comes back to that piece on regional balance and ensuring that those apprenticeships are accessible to all. It works both ways; it locks people out on both sides of the border. I know that the Minister has been cognisant of that. We need to look at it as a Committee. Hopefully, we can work on that in the time ahead.”
“In my role as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on further and higher education, I have had consistent engagement with businesses and, particularly in recent weeks, constituents who work in industry, in companies like FAST Technologies, Terex and Nuprint, which are going through apprenticeships in Derry and the north-west. When I speak to those businesses and constituents, the key thing that shines through in all of it is removing barriers, whether they are age or gender barriers, which colleagues have mentioned, or barriers due to location or qualifications. <BR /> <BR />My party's number-one priority in the debate is to make apprenticeships accessible to all. On that, I want to touch on three key themes: North/South relations, careers guidance and nursing.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he provide an update on the speed of the Portadown to Derry railway line?”
“That would not be acceptable in any other workplace. We would not be sitting here in the Assembly accepting that. We need to give the matter the proper priority that it deserves and look at that immediately. Where their conditions are concerned, we want classroom assistants to be treated properly in their school and by the Education Authority and the Department of Education. I am looking forward to working with the Minister of Education and the Education Committee to do that.”
“That is not acceptable for people who are the backbone of our schools and who play such a vital role in our children's education. <BR /> <BR />It is imperative that conditions and contracts are looked at, and I implore the Education Minister to do that immediately. We are seeing each and every year that classroom assistants are leaving the profession because the wages do not keep up with what they are doing and their conditions mean that they are not treated fairly. It is not acceptable for anyone to find out in August whether they have a job in September. That touches on the broader piece around special educational needs and the provisions that we need to put in place for our children. <BR /> <BR />Classroom assistants are having their contracts changed and moved from 27 hours down to maybe 10 or 15 hours.”
“I am speaking on behalf of classroom assistants. I have met many classroom assistants across my constituency. I have now met over 1,000 classroom assistants in Derry and across the board. We are hearing repeatedly about the need for fair pay and conditions and fair contracts. I want classroom assistants to know that Sinn Féin have their back on the issue and that we will continue to fight for their pay and to stand up for fair contracts and conditions in their job. <BR /> <BR />We have heard from classroom assistants that many are leaving the job because their wages do not reflect the demands of the job and the responsibilities that they have. Of the classroom assistants whom we spoke to, over 20% had a part-time job just to try to make ends meet.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. What will she do to help review the number of events that are in Ebrington and maximise that to drive tourism and the economy in the north-west?”
“Will the Minister provide an update on the medical school and personalised medicine?”
“No, I will not, sorry. <BR /> <BR />It is important that we see that continuing, and a Minister is now in place who is committed to increasing connectivity, committed to improving public transport and committed to investment and increasing opportunity for Derry and the north-west. We all have to welcome that as a positive step.”
“It is good for us to have a Minister in place, but it is better for us to have a Sinn Féin Minister in place, because, particularly for Derry and the north-west, a Sinn Féin Infrastructure Minister means delivery. When we look to 2016, we see Chris Hazzard, whose day-1 priority was to get the A6 built. That has now happened. John O'Dowd has made it clear that his day-1 priority is to get the A5 built, and I really welcome the fact that we have seen great progress on that this week, with continued funding — it has been increased — and continued commitment from the Irish Government.”
“I have to say that, contrary to what other Members have said today, I was disappointed by that. I was disappointed to see that the west was neglected in it, and that really reinforced the two-tier system that we have at the minute, which is rail east of the Bann being strengthened and rail west of the Bann continuing to be ignored. I expected to see phase 3 of the Derry to Belfast line on that, and I expected to see greater detail. <BR /> <BR />That really emphasises the third point for me, which is about having local Ministers in place, people who understand rail here, get the geography of this place and really want to change that for the better.”
“I will address the motion by making three separate points. The first issue that I want to deal with is the all-Ireland rail review. My party and I welcome that as a key strategic part of putting things in the right direction here and looking at rail across the island on a strategic platform. It is also an opportunity to work together. We have all seen the comparison map between 1920 and 2020 and the decrease in rail over that time, and we have to look at partition as having been essential in making that happen. Partition decreased not only the quality of rail on our island but the quantity of rail on our island. We have the opportunity now to work together to advance that and to move in the right direction on this. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, I want to touch on the Union connectivity review.”
“I thank the Minister for his answers so far. Does he recognise the opportunities that public-sector apprenticeships present?”
“Will the Minister be placing a business case on record for that?”
“Will the First Minister outline any other progress in the north-west?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. One of the really important points in the statement is about good careers advice, particularly in schools. What can the Minister do jointly with the Education Minister to further enhance that?”
“We have to work collectively to ensure that every child has not just a fair start but the best start in life. I want that for children in Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir, Gaelscoil na Daróige and Bunscoil Cholmcille. I want that for children in every school across the North, because we can see what they deserve. Our children, families and communities deserve that best start.”
“All of the parties in here came together last week and agreed that, financially, we have been hamstrung by the Tory Government in London and need to come together to oppose that. Financially, we also need to make a decision to properly fund education to make sure that our Gaelscoileanna and many other schools across the North are not crippled by soaring maintenance costs. <BR /> <BR />It is within our gift to ensure that all our schools reach their full potential. It is within our gift to make that happen. One of the things that was very clear yesterday is that the Education Minister has a desire to do that, and I welcome that very much.”