Ciara Ferguson
Foyle · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“<BR /> <BR />The Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill instructs the commissioner's office to prepare a strategic plan as soon as reasonably practicable after their appointment to review the effectiveness of the Victim Charter and the Witness Charter at least every three years and to provide annual business plans and reports.”
“Sinn Féin very much welcomes the fact that the Bill is the continued evolution of that work to strengthen the rights of victims and witnesses of crime, including the right of complainants to an opportunity to make oral or written representations to the court about any application, to be present at any hearing of the application and to be…”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill will strengthen protections for complainants in serious sexual offence cases in which pretrial applications for a witness summons are made.”
“It is important because being a victim or a witness of crime is often a traumatic experience that requires dedicated support to recover from. It is important because all victims and witnesses of crime should be subject to a fair and supportive legal system that fully engages with them.”
“Victims and witnesses of crime are entitled to be treated fairly, professionally and with respect in all their interactions with the justice system; to be kept regularly updated, including being provided with relevant information in a timely fashion; and to have their needs considered.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak at Second Stage of the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill. I will begin by acknowledging the importance of the Bill in placing the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses of Crime and that office and its functions on a permanent statutory footing.”
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“<BR /> <BR />Whilst the recent decision was a setback to their final ask — to hold those responsible for the murders and attempted murders of their loved ones to account before a criminal court — it is due to their bravery and resilience that they have reached that stage to date. They have met the British state's attempts to subvert justice and the rule of law head on. Despite this most recent setback, their quest for accountability and justice remains. We in Sinn Féin continue to stand with the families now as we did then and will do ever more in the days, weeks and months to come. We will support whatever decision they make on the next steps forward.”
“We commend the determination, dedication and diligence of the Bloody Sunday families. The Bloody Sunday families can stand proud and undaunted in the full knowledge of the thought that reminds them that they have been and, on this day, remain on the right side of history. The Bloody Sunday justice campaign is a campaign led with dignity and carried out of love; the families' campaign for their deeply cherished loved ones: their sons and fathers, brothers and uncles. In 2010, they proudly achieved the first two limbs of the campaign's demands when the Bloody Sunday inquiry consigned the Widgery report to history and all the victims were declared innocent. The truth was set free.”
“For more than 53 years, the Bloody Sunday families have fought consistently, courageously and collectively in pursuit of truth and justice. On that day, the British army indiscriminately murdered 14 innocent civilians, many of whom were teenagers, and injured at least 15 more, on the streets of Derry. Not one British soldier or their military and political superiors has ever been held to account for their actions. The decision not to convict Soldier F is a travesty. As is reflected on the Free Derry wall, that remains an affront to justice. It goes against the very principles of what justice is meant to entail: principles of fairness, impartiality and due process. <BR /> <BR />We have been proud to walk with the families for over half a century. In the wake of that most recent, deplorable decision, we remain ever more determined.”
“It is critical, now, when looking into the long term, that all Departments, be that Health, Education or Communities, focus on core community development and our social enterprises and invest for the long tem to build, support and strengthen our communities and build resilience.”
“They employ thousands and generate substantial revenue. Investing in their capacity helps scale and diversify the sector, particularly in deprived areas. There is the community wealth-building approach: on Wednesday, we had a local conference in the city, led by Development Trusts NI. It was fantastic to see a packed hall with great ambition. That approach redirects wealth back into the local economy and keeps it circulating in local areas, which provides economic stability and growth. That is where we need to invest — our social enterprises and community development organisations — to help build strong, resilient communities. <BR /> <BR />As we are well aware, there have been serious and ongoing cuts since 2009 in our C&V sector.”
“As someone from the north-west who has worked in the community and voluntary sector for over 20 years, I know only too well the invaluable power of sustainable investment in community development and community infrastructure in strengthening community relations; helping to tackle inequality and disadvantage; empowering and building the capacity of local people who become active participants in shaping their future and the future of their communities; improving health and well-being; and building strong resilient communities where everyone can thrive. Community development increases participation in local community life, and it strengthens social networks and civic engagement, which are the cornerstones of a resilient community. <BR /> <BR />Likewise, our social enterprises are a significant part of the economy.”
“I rise to speak on the urgent need to invest in our community and voluntary (C&V) sector. If we do not invest in our community and voluntary sector, the truth is that we will lose not only the vital services that each of us know are critical to strengthening and supporting local people on the ground but the very fabric that I think holds our communities and people together.”
“The evidence is clear: investment in mental health is not a cost; it is a commitment to the well-being and safety of every citizen.”
“At any one time, individual and family relationships, community and structural inequalities can all interact to either protect or undermine a person's mental health and well-being. The more exposed that you are to adverse experiences and circumstances, the more challenging that it is to maintain resilience and bounce back from hardship. <BR /> <BR />I do not want to take away from the primary focus of the motion other than to acknowledge that improving mental health requires a whole-of-government approach to address the root causes, rather than relying only on the health service and crisis interventions. <BR /> <BR />I finish by stating that we all have seen how underfunded mental health systems fail our communities and how local community-based crisis intervention programmes save lives when they have the right support.”
“Having worked in the community and voluntary sector for over 20 years, working closely with a range of mental health charities, service providers and staff who are on the front line in providing life-saving support for individuals and their families, I cannot commend enough their commitment, especially in the context of the complex trauma-related mental health issues that exist. I also commend Foyle Search and Rescue, whose volunteers gave up 12,500 hours in 2024, helping 234 people in the city and bringing three deceased loved ones back to their families. <BR /> <BR />We all know the devastating statistics. We know that mental health exists on a complex continuum, so any adequate response should mean that those vital services are sustained and bolstered further by additional work across all our Departments.”
“"Person-centred", "cost-effectiveness" and "life-saving" are just some of the terms that local people and Extern staff have used to describe the community crisis intervention centre in Derry. I thank the signatories to the motion and emphasise my support, and that of my party, for urgent, equitable investment in mental health and well-being. <BR /> <BR />As Mark mentioned, the Foyle crisis intervention centre was born out of need in 2018. In 2021, research evidenced that crisis intervention was an important part of suicide prevention and that those services, when provided, were availed of and positively evaluated. In the same year, as you are, obviously, well aware, the service was able to secure funding through the mental health support fund, which was the COVID allocation. That gave some stability for the key service that was needed.”
“We all have a duty to, once and for all, tackle child poverty, deliver housing security, improve educational attainment, provide family support services, enhance mental health and well-being services, strengthen rehabilitation and justice diversion services, and fund a mentally secure and stable future for all our young people. Every child is filled with tremendous promise and potential. We have a shared obligation to foster and protect that.”
“That reflects the findings in the 2024 young life and times and kids' life and times surveys, which found that the well-being of 11-year-olds has declined in recent years and that, furthermore, almost half of all 16-year-olds have probable mental ill health. <BR /> <BR />It is now more pressing than ever to have joined-up thinking, particularly across the Communities, Justice, Health and Education Departments, in delivering policy and legislation that will deliver an expansive vision of doing right by our children here. That should include a key focus on tackling adverse childhood experiences, which can impact on a person's physical, mental and behavioural health, quality of life and access to opportunities.”
“The beginning of 2025 was marked by the launch of 'The Prevalence and Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences', groundbreaking research that found that almost one in five people in society here had experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences. Now, as we approach the end of the year, the Simon Community has followed that with another new study, which was launched here last week, considering the lived experience of people here who are homeless and living in temporary or hostel accommodation. Again, it showed, devastatingly, that a significant level of adversity and trauma had been experienced. We know from the May 2025 UNICEF report 'Child Well-Being in an Unpredictable World' that the overall trend is a reduction in children's life satisfaction.”
“Thank you, Minister, for the update. As you are well aware, local people, organisations and groups are very keen to continue to engage with you and the Department. Do you have any timescales for when there may be further public engagement with local organisations and residents?”
“<BR /> <BR />I look forward to ongoing work to improve opportunities for our children and citizens and to enhance public safety, and I look forward to hearing from the Minister about what support and assistance is coming forward from our Communities Minister, our Health Minister and our Education Minister to support our justice partners in securing transformational change in our justice system.”
“I want to emphasise that it is important for Departments such as Communities, Health and Education to work collectively with our Justice Department and the range of partners in the justice sector, because, given their remit, they have a significant role to play in breaking the cycle of crime and disadvantage. We all have important work ongoing with the Justice Bill, which includes proposals for legislative change to criminalise the creation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images and to improve services for victims and witnesses.”
“I agree with the Member. I have heard many parents talk about the accessibility of support in the community and say that support in our Prison Service is more readily available. As the Minister will be well aware, I have submitted questions to her on a Barnahus model for the North, which would bring together a multidisciplinary team of professionals from health, justice, education and child welfare all under the one roof to prevent re-traumatisation and enhance access to justice for children. <BR /> <BR />Additionally, we all know too well the significant links between adverse childhood experiences and offending, as evidenced in the landmark study that was published at the beginning of the year.”
“We have had upskirting and cyberflashing laws coming into effect and the launch earlier this year of an advice scheme for child sexual abuse victims. We need to work further to deliver a much stronger child-centred justice system, but, as the report acknowledges, some fantastic work has been done by the Youth Justice Agency.”
“Our reoffending rate stands at 17·4% and has remained largely static at 16% to 18% over the past decade. There have been some excellent projects for reducing reoffending rates and easing some of the pressure on the justice system, which I welcome, such as a pilot rehabilitation project with the Nexus crisis de-escalation service for survivors of domestic abuse. We have had innovative prison rehabilitation projects with community benefits, a cross-departmental commitment to addressing chronic homelessness and strengthening restorative justice efforts through projects such as Complex Lives. Those are welcome developments. <BR /> <BR />As members of the Justice Committee, we have witnessed the expansion of remote evidence centres and advances in technology using live links to courts.”
“A focus on internal improvements in our justice partners is not enough. We need our justice partners to no longer operate and make decisions independently. That is not good enough. Siloed working will only ever be capable of delivering the status quo. However, the transformational change of our justice system is not just within the remit of our Justice Department and justice partners; it is the responsibility of every Department and will require a collective, coherent and coordinated approach in conjunction with our justice agencies, organisations and legal representatives. <BR /> <BR />I therefore commend the Programme for Government commitment to:”
“We all know the pressures on our justice system, and the pressures on delivering timely access to justice are well known. As of the week ending 19 September, our total prison population was 2,102. That is over 200 higher than the comparative total for last year. Our overall average daily prison population, average daily custody population and remand population have all increased by over 10% on the previous year's data, and 40% of our prison population are in prison without having stood trial or received a conviction. Our case-processing times remain concerning, with the average time for a charge case to be dealt with at the Crown Court being 542 days in 2024-25 and 630 days where the case relates to a sexual offence. <BR /> <BR />To deliver transformational change in justice, goodwill is not enough.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion. First, I acknowledge the core point that the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice here made in November 2024:”
“I welcome the Minister's disability and work strategy and note that you will launch a disability strategy in the next few weeks. That is very welcome. <BR /> <BR />Obviously, it is essential that the strategy receives the appropriate funding to support its implementation. Will you confirm what additional investment there will be alongside the investment for existing programmes? Will they remain? Do you expect additional investment? What is needed, and have you had any conversations with the Finance Minister on multi-year budgeting?”
“That should include concrete proposals for the roll-out of harm reduction initiatives to prevent avoidable and agonising drug-related deaths.”
“We cannot allow young people to play Russian roulette with their lives when there are practical steps that could prevent accidental poisoning. Inaction is unethical and unacceptable. Back in 2018, my party colleague in Dublin Fintan Warfield outlined that such measures are sensible and proactive and that, by responding to the realities of life, they have the potential to save a life. <BR /> <BR />In the Minister's response, it would also be welcome to hear whether any consideration has been given to securing funding opportunities, for example, and whether those could be achieved through the North/South Ministerial Council. <BR /> <BR />Saving lives must be our top priority. We need a humane and compassionate approach to addressing the issue.”
“I will be interested to hear from the Minister whether he has had any conversations with the Communities Minister or councillors about that issue. <BR /> <BR />Rapid drug-testing services save lives, identify emerging trends and enable alerts to be issued. We are all too aware that, sadly, the number of drug-related deaths has more than doubled over the past decade. Harm reduction initiatives are needed urgently alongside, as many colleagues have mentioned, investment in addiction services and compassionate, trauma-informed rehabilitation services, and the tackling of drug dealers with tougher sentencing in our criminal justice system. <BR /> <BR />Harm reductionists, academics, policy reform activists and people who are on the front line have repeatedly urged that action be taken.”
“I thank my colleagues for tabling the motion on harm reduction initiatives and the need for rapid drug-testing schemes at festivals and concerts. No drugs are safe in our communities, yet, sadly, too many lives are lost due to drug and alcohol misuse. Harm reduction initiatives such as rapid drug testing can help prevent families losing loved ones as a result of avoidable deaths. <BR /> <BR />We are the only part of these islands without such provisions. Citizens here deserve equal protection. As my colleague Órlaithí mentioned, the Health Service Executive Safer Nightlife harm reduction programme has been on-site at Electric Picnic for the past four years, offering free and confidential back-of-house drug checking. In many other European countries, drug checking can be made a condition of licensing for major events and festivals.”
“Will the Minister outline where we are currently at with the public-sector transformation initiatives?”
“What impact is the 2025-26 Budget allocation having on our public services?”
“<BR /> <BR />Our cancer strategy 2022-2032 has committed to reducing the sensitivity levels of faecal immunochemical tests (FITs), which check for hidden blood in stool samples. The strategy has also committed to lowering the age eligibility for our bowel cancer screening programme to 50. Screening is currently offered to those aged 60 to 74. I recently asked the Minister of Health about those commitments. He said that work is ongoing and will be reviewed in the context of financial and capacity challenges in supporting services. I remind the Minister that the fact that the fourth most common cancer is the second-biggest cancer killer here is evidence enough of the need to expand urgently what is a life-saving screening programme.”
“In Ireland, around 2,500 people develop bowel cancer, also known as "colorectal cancer", each year. The Public Health Agency (PHA) in the North has indicated that one in 20 people here will develop bowel cancer. While bowel cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer here, it is the second-biggest cause of cancer-related deaths. Symptoms of bowel cancer include blood in the faeces; rectal bleeding; changes in pooing habits; loss of weight for no obvious reason; feeling more tired than usual for some time; pain in the stomach or bottom; and a feeling of not having emptied the bowels after going to the toilet. If people have even one of those symptoms or are worried about any changes that they have noticed, they should ask their GP about accessing an at-home test kit, which is something that I received recently.”
“Survival rates drop significantly as the disease develops, however. Early diagnosis saves lives. While bowel cancer is most common in people over the age of 50, it is important to emphasise that it can affect anyone, whatever their age, gender or ethnicity or wherever they live.”
“I rise to speak on bowel cancer, something that is quite personal to me, as I lost my father in 2002 to bowel cancer two weeks after his diagnosis. <BR /> <BR />Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.”
“What contact has the Minister had with other Departments — I think specifically about work by the Department of Education, our youth workers, his Department through community development and the Department of Justice — about increasing and improving diversionary activity in the hotspot troubled areas in our estates?”
“<BR /> <BR />On that point, while I welcome the fact that an additional £5 million was agreed by the Executive to cover mutual aid following the recent riots in Ballymena, that money could have been invested in positive, ambitious and proactive projects; instead, it was engulfed in reactive measures to deal with the intolerable behaviour. <BR /> <BR />Tackling hate is not an issue on which to point fingers but one on which all of us across the Chamber should reflect and recommit to walking the walk in our homes and in our communities.”
“Credit to those who challenge themselves to look beyond that and critically evaluate the current state of play. <BR /> <BR />As a member of the Justice Committee, I will work closely with the Minister of Justice and my colleagues on the development of the hate crime provisions recommended in Judge Marrinan's review of hate crime legislation through the upcoming sentencing Bill and the victims and witnesses of crime Bill. Let me state clearly, however, that legislative change in itself is insufficient. Challenging falsehoods and discriminatory or hateful narratives, including on immigration, gender identity and other identity issues, is fundamental. There is no room for equivocation, because misinformation and disinformation can and do manifest themselves in displays of hate.”
“Thank you. <BR /> <BR />No one should have to face hate crime in any sphere of their life. Recent research from the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) that mapped far-right activity online here found that it also occurs in a wider context, with some loyalist paramilitaries directly orchestrating such terror. Meanwhile, across the water, British political parties compete to outdo one another with their dangerous rhetoric, which weaponises immigration and plays fast and loose with international human rights. Should we be surprised at the deflection tactics of those who govern when they are from a colonial state? In Irish society, however, those with significant experience of discrimination, inequality, poverty and injustice are not so quick to scapegoat.”
“<BR /> <BR />Living as we do in the modern digital age, which is defined by widespread use of phones, computers, tablets and other digital technologies, we face additional challenges due to the growing presence of the internet in our professional, social and private lives.”
“Hate crime differs from other criminality in that it strikes at the very heart of a person's core identity. Understandably, therefore, hate crime has the potential to have particularly profound and enduring impacts on the victims and on the wider network of people affected by it. Research from the Sussex Hate Crime project shows that such crimes not only threaten the personal safety and security of those directly victimised but are likely to impact indirectly on those who are in the victim's identity group, by, for example, increasing their feelings of fear, anger and isolation.”
“I begin my remarks by stating clearly that there is absolutely no place for racism, sectarianism, intolerance, intimidation or violence in our society. Every representative in every political institution, local and national, across the island of Ireland has a duty to stand up and speak out against discrimination, inequality and hate. Unfortunately, there remain people who treat that more as an option than a duty. They do so in the knowledge that the impacts of hate crime are far-reaching, affecting individuals, families, workplaces, community settings and even society as a whole. To put the importance of that in context: as we all know, shamefully, the past year has seen the highest number of racially motivated attacks since records began on the issue 21 years ago.”
“Can the Minister expand on how she and the Department intend to support young people who are furthest removed from the labour market, particularly those who have disengaged and have low or no qualifications?”
“To those who dismiss our voices, gamble with our rights and ignore our mandate, hear this loud and clear: the Good Friday Agreement will not be undermined; the principle of consent is not up for negotiation; and the constitutional future of the North will be decided only by the people who live on this island. The people here will have their say. Their voice will be heard. That time is imminent.”
“Now, Reform's Richard Tice has gone even further by openly declaring his willingness to support such a change, in the full knowledge of it being against the wishes of Irish nationalists. <BR /> <BR />Let me be crystal clear: any attempt by any British party to use the Good Friday Agreement as a bargaining chip will not fly, nor will threats that indulge a minority section of political unionism whilst holding the majority of our citizens to ransom. The truth is that Irish interests have never been served in Westminster and never will be. That is why more and more people are looking to the real alternative: Irish reunification. That alternative can grow the economy, protect our health service, guarantee rights and restore us automatically to the European Union. <BR /> <BR />Let me send a message straight back across the water.”
“Recently, the deputy leader of Britain's Reform party threatened not just the Good Friday Agreement but the democratic mandate of the people of the North of Ireland — how dare he — but it comes as no surprise. Time and again, British political parties have shown complete and utter disregard for the democratic will of the people. We live every day with the consequences of the last time that they ignored us, during the Brexit negotiations. The North did not have a fleeting chance. When the Tories talk about dragging Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights, they think that that means that they have the automatic right to drag the North with them.”
“Does the Member agree that we have a collective duty to realise the Good Friday Agreement commitment for citizens to live free from sectarian harassment? That must mean enshrining effective legal sanctions on bonfires that promote offensive, racist and sectarian material and threaten the health and well-being of residents in all our communities.”
“Like many others in the north-west, I am bitterly disappointed about Derry City Football Club, Coleraine Football Club and Institute Football Club. Minister, you mentioned that officials presented a range of options for you to consider. I am sure that, if your club had been third on the list in tier 3 or sixteenth on the list in tier 2, you would want to understand the options that were discussed and forwarded, so that you could clearly see how you were dropped off the list when it came to the allocation. Will you give us a bit more detail on that? What can you do to ensure that the north-west is not left behind in the next round of funding?”
“Thank you, Minister, for the update. I welcome the seven improvement projects. However, as of last Wednesday, 133 people were waiting for treatment in Altnagelvin Hospital's A&E department, and 49 were awaiting admission. What can you say to reassure the people who are seeking emergency care and to our staff who are working in A&E in Altnagelvin that things will change for the better?”
“It is critical to achieve regional balance, particularly for the Foyle constituency in the north-west. Will the Minister outline the steps that the Department is taking to achieve regional balance?”
“The recently published 'Independent Review of the Windsor Framework' notes that one of the most obvious benefits that can be attributed to the Windsor framework is dual market access. Does the deputy First Minister agree that we need to see the implementation that both the British Government and the Executive continue to emphasise, as well as the publicising of the commercial benefits of dual market access?”