Deborah Erskine
Fermanagh and South Tyrone · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Minister, you did not mention the removal of the zero-detriment policy, which is a concern that I have. That is worrying for anybody who sits in the Chamber, and for the construction industry in particular.”
“I thank the Minister for his comments about the Western Trust's chair. I, too, pass on my sympathies to his family. <BR /> <BR />Minister, we had the pause to the emergency general surgery consultation process last July. You asked the trust to provide a vision plan.”
“Quality assurance is really important when looking at roads. A number of us in the Chamber could take you to potholes that we have raised with the Department that have been fixed but have then reopened within a matter of days, meaning that we have had to go back into the portal to raise it with DFI staff again.”
“I thank the Minister for her statement and hope that she enjoyed her visit to Enniskillen. The statement mentions moorings. I want to focus on the Fermanagh end of the Ulster canal. I have received communication about accessible jetties and ensuring that jetties and moorings are up to standard.”
“<BR /> <BR />That was laid bare last Wednesday when representatives from the ICRIR said that they had written to the Irish Government 11 or 12 times without receiving any form of reply from them. That is shameful.”
“<BR /> <BR />It is interesting that, for years, Sinn Féin has called on the UK Government to provide information, yet its silence on the Irish Government is deafening. There are people who sit in the Chamber who know exactly the truth about what happened, yet they are prepared to lie about their involvement in the IRA.”
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“<BR /> <BR />I have hundreds of emails and calls from concerned local hard-working people who are employees of BT and are not sure where to turn. A few weeks ago, there was a public meeting, and, last night, there was a second meeting, organised by the Communication Workers Union. Unfortunately, because of business in the Chamber and meetings at Stormont, I was unable to make it. However, I know the strength of feeling that there is in Fermanagh right now. These are not just 300 people and 300 jobs. This will have a knock-on impact on our coffee shops, our clothes shops and our restaurants in Enniskillen and across Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Our local economy will be decimated as one of our biggest employers has its eyes set on its own profits.”
“On the one hand, it advised BT/EE employees contracted to its site that it was considering closing the site, yet it was at pains to say that no decision had been made. Which is it? Quite rightly, employees are asking such questions today. This bombshell left 300 employees worried sick. Around many kitchen tables in my constituency, big decisions on their daily lives are being made, and they are considering whether to accept the package that BT is offering or to wait it out. <BR /> <BR />BT's reputation in my constituency has been damaged, and I am disappointed that, to date, BT has failed to meet local MLAs to discuss the issue. Instead, last week, it issued another extension to the package and said that it would meet MLAs on 19 April. That is some 70 days since the initial announcement was made.”
“I want to bring the Chamber's attention again to the significant job losses that are facing people in Enniskillen in my constituency. Nearly a month ago, BT Group announced that it was considering the closure of its Enniskillen site. To say that there was mixed messaging from BT is an understatement.”
“The deputy First Minister will be acutely aware that I am keen to see the economy in the west boosted. Can the Minister confirm whether the Programme for Government will contain any specific economic targets on which sectors are key to Northern Ireland's growth?”
“Therefore, whilst we await the outcome of the further testing in Germany, it is important that the Minister clearly outlines what he and his Department are doing to curb the looming crisis. Lessons should have been learnt from 2019, and it is important that we are honest with the public in relation to that. <BR /> <BR />Although I make my comments today as a DUP MLA, as Chair of the Infrastructure Committee, I will be asking the DVA to provide the most up-to-date information to the Committee to ensure that everything is being done to assure the public and employees on the issue.”
“That raises serious questions for the Infrastructure Minister, his Department and the DVA; officials from which will be coming to the Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday. The Department spent £1·8 million to replace 52 of the 55 lifts when cracks appeared in 2019. Overall, it cost the Department nearly £4 million in backlogs in the MOT testing system. <BR /> <BR />How have we managed to reach the situation again? The number of lifts affected is thought to be 14 in total. The condition of one lift is very severe, and it has been sent to Germany for further testing, but why is the manufacturer checking its own homework? Should there not be an independent investigation of it? Undoubtedly, it will cause further delays in the MOT testing system.”
“I rise with surprise and concern as I have become aware that 14 MOT lifts have cracks appearing on them again. That is concerning for employees' safety in our test centres and, indeed, could add to delays in MOT testing. Many people are already frustrated with the current backlog: I declare an interest as somebody who is waiting for an MOT test, and I know people who work in the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). Given the concerns around the MOT testing system, I was surprised that my question for urgent oral answer for today was not accepted, as a series of questions need to be answered on the matter urgently. <BR /> <BR />The cracks were found on MAHA lifts, which were at the centre of MOT testing delays in 2019. My understanding is that the DVA has known about the issue for a number of weeks, yet nothing has come from the Department.”
“I thank the Minister for giving way. He has just talked about the costs, and I welcome what he has said about officials engaging, particularly with regard to Fermanagh. That will also increase cost. Will he accept that engaging with the Department for Transport in Westminster is also needed in relation to that cost?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. It should be a given that we will promote every county in Northern Ireland. The Member should understand that it is a given that we would want to do that, as we have indicated. The UK connectivity report includes County Fermanagh.”
“We must have a robust plan in place for delivery. We have seen from the Northern Ireland Audit Office report and the failure to deliver key projects that there is an impetus to move away from the ideas phase and from aspiration to delivery. I commend our amendment to the Chamber.”
“We have the opportunity. When considering the transport needs of Northern Ireland, we have to give cognisance to the fact that Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and that, as a result, a greater part of our economic activity is with the UK rather than the Republic. It is natural that the UK Government want to see levelling up in that regard. Furthermore, the UK Government contain Fermanagh in their plans. They see Enniskillen as a place of need for rail. <BR /> <BR />The all-island strategic rail review and the Union connectivity review present a clear vision for better connectivity throughout the British Isles. Their full delivery stands to unlock opportunities for economic growth and job creation in our communities. We will work constructively with the Executive and the UK and Irish Governments to that end.”
“I therefore believe that the inclusion of the UK Government in the motion would strengthen our case, particularly given the recommendations from the Union connectivity review, and recommendation 12 in particular, which states that the UK Government should:”
“<BR /> <BR />True levelling up and true commitment to decarbonisation mean including every county in Northern Ireland. I and others from my area made the case for Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the public consultation. I pay tribute to organisations such as Into the West that have fought for many years to see rail brought to areas such as Fermanagh. <BR /> <BR />In 2021, the capital costs of the review recommendations were estimated to be approximately £26·5 billion. If inflation indicators are applied, the costs could be in the region of £29·2 billion to £30·7 billion. The 'Union Connectivity Review: Final Report' of November 2021 notes the opportunity of the all-island strategic rail review and very clearly states:”
“Thinking of Northern Ireland and the fact that one county is not included, that is totally disingenuous. I hope that every Member will reject that. To me, those comments say that my constituency is hard to reach and easy to forget about. We have talked about regional imbalance. Surely Fermanagh should be the starting point. There is not a single piece of rail track — I thank my constituency colleague Tom Elliott for pointing that out in his intervention — not to mention the fact that it will mean a gap of 30 years in infrastructure progression for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It will mean that the local economy in my constituency will get left behind. I am not prepared to see that happen, and neither should anybody sitting in the Chamber or at the Executive table.”
“Another section of the all-island strategic rail review report states:”
“I am simply pointing out that I want to see Fermanagh included. That is important. I do not want to take away from it, but I think that all of us in the Chamber should agree, today, that every county in Northern Ireland should have rail provision. The report states:”
“The recommendations that have been produced can be grouped into four categories: new lines, infrastructure enhancements to existing lines, new stations and frequency improvements on the lines. Those are all very noble and worthy recommendations, but where is Fermanagh? The county that I represent is set to miss out. At present, where Fermanagh is situated on the map, there is a blank space; there is not one dot of rail provision for Fermanagh in the all-island strategic rail review. My constituency includes one of the only counties in Northern Ireland and, indeed, the Republic of Ireland, that will lose out should the report still stand as it is after the consultation.”
“The vision of the review set out six high-level goals: contributing to decarbonisation, improving all-island connectivity between major cities, ensuring regional accessibility, stimulating economic activity, encouraging sustainable mobility and achieving economic and financial feasibility. <BR /> <BR />On 27 October 2022, the Infrastructure Minister welcomed progress on the rail review and noted that he had asked officials to explore funding opportunities for the feasibility studies into the following areas: a new rail line between Londonderry and Portadown; reopening the Knockmore line, with a connection to Belfast International Airport; electrification of the Belfast to Newry line; and better connections at the rail halt for Belfast City Airport.”
“With that in mind, it is important that the strategy that is developed between both regions matches up and is strategic. <BR /> <BR />This motion is timely. As Members are aware, a public consultation on the draft report of the review was completed in 2023, and it is anticipated that the report will be presented to the Executive and the Irish Government for approval and publication in late spring 2024. Hopefully the Minister can add to that and confirm that that timescale is correct. In July 2023, the draft report of the all-island rail review was published. There were some 30 recommendations in it.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I also thank those who tabled the motion. I will forgive Mark Durkan for the puns during his speech; I did enjoy them. I thank those Members for pointing to an ambitious plan that will have a transformative impact and provide a sustainable and modern rail infrastructure that will help us to meet our net zero targets and will aid connectivity. <BR /> <BR />I am making my comments in my capacity as DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. We believe that the motion could and should go further. We need to ensure that there is expertise to deliver this project and adequate funding in place to deliver it. That will require UK Government input, given that the report on the Union connectivity review points to the need to increase the provision of rail network in Northern Ireland.”
“I noticed in the Finance Minister's statement that procurement can now go ahead. I therefore ask the Infrastructure Minister to detail the timescales for delivery and to ensure that there are no further delays to the project. <BR /> <BR />I thank other Members who will speak on the topic, which relates to Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and I thank the Infrastructure Minister for coming to the Chamber. I am sure that we can all agree that we look forward to the day that we are cutting the ribbon and driving on the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass.”
“I will use my voice to keep championing our beautiful, lovely, resilient Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I want to quash the myth that there is an attitude of forgetting about the constituency. I must admit that I am greedy when it comes to Fermanagh and South Tyrone, and I will not just stop now that funding has been delivered for this project in my constituency. We need more investment. <BR /> <BR />Another matter to raise is the need to ensure that Fermanagh is on the map in the all-island rail review . Right now, Fermanagh is the only county in Northern Ireland not included, and that is simply not good enough. With such strategic road investment, we must match up other key infrastructure projects. <BR /> <BR />Although I welcome last night's news of investment funding, the hard work starts now, and we must progress at pace.”
“I spoke to one man recently who said that he was told by a DFI Roads official that, believe it or not, 47 years ago, there were supposed to have been plans drawn up for a bypass in Enniskillen. I hope, Minister, that we will not see another project take 47 years to be delivered. It has certainly been a long-running issue in the constituency, and it is important that we see infrastructure projects progress as quickly as they possibly can. <BR /> <BR />The west can often feel like a poor relation when it comes to investment and commitments to seeing the economy grow and to creating better communities. I hope that the commitment to the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass shows that there is a seriousness to deliver in the west and level up our communities.”
“What will also be great news for the local councils involved in the Mid South West growth deal is the commitment from the Executive that £12·5 million of the growth deal can be released early. <BR /> <BR />Since becoming an MLA in 2021, I have continued to raise the issue of the Enniskillen A4 southern bypass. The Infrastructure Minister will be aware that, in January 2022, site clearance and fencing works commenced. NIE diversionary works happened in summer 2022. I recognise that the Minister committed funding before he previously left office. As a local representative, I did not want to see public funds go to waste after work had already taken place, so it is important that the scheme progress without any further delay. <BR /> <BR />It is a project that everybody in my constituency wants to see delivered.”
“I see some Infrastructure Committee members in the Chamber, and I am sure that they will join me in welcoming last night's announcement. <BR /> <BR />The A4 southern bypass is much needed for Fermanagh, as I said. It is a key infrastructure project that will stop congestion in the town and will, of course, create construction jobs, as a result of the announcement. As I said, I welcome the investment that has already been put into the project and the approval to provide £16·2 million of capital funding across 2024-25 and 2025-26. It has to be said, though, that, in the summer, I was dismayed that the £15 million that was previously committed to the project as part of the new deal funding was withdrawn and paused. However, I am glad that that now forms part of the financial package that accompanied the restoration of the Executive.”
“I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber for this debate on the A4 southern bypass, which is timely, given the announcement last night in a written ministerial statement from the Finance Minister on the provision of Executive funding to move forward that much-needed infrastructure project. That announcement is welcome, not least because of the soaring costs of the project. I thank the Finance Minister and, indeed, all Executive colleagues. My DUP Executive colleagues will be glad that I will not be torturing them any more about securing some funding for the project. <BR /> <BR />I will speak in the debate in my capacity as DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone rather than as Chair of the Infrastructure Committee.”
“I thank everybody for their comments in the debate today.”
“I would like to move on. The Member has had enough time to make his comments today. <BR /> <BR />Lastly, I thank the Health Minister for coming to the Chamber to respond to the debate. I welcome his commitment to tackling this issue: he pointed out his elective care framework. I am pleased to see that he reads DUP manifestos: he referred to the £1 billion that we would like to see invested in healthcare. I welcome the fact that he will review the waiting list framework, which was published three years ago. While he said that the review will conclude in, I think, June, my plea is that, from that point on, we see action in relation to that action plan. Certainly, from my point of view and that of my party, there was a collective view in the Chamber today that we want to see action on that.”
“Regrettably, in relation to health, Gerry Carroll again let party politics creep in. I agree with him about fair pay for workers, but let us strip politics out of health. If we take away anything from the Chamber today, let it be that we work collectively to deal with the issues. As I said, we will all have to walk out of the Chamber and try to put the message to our communities that we need to change and reshape our health service. I regret the fact that some are party politicking on issues where there are people behind the statistics, as has been stated in the Chamber today.”
“Justin McNulty talked about burnout among trust workers, and it is important to note that in this debate.”
“I want to move on. <BR /> <BR />Paula Bradshaw raised important points on investment and timing and on consultants' time. I agree with her that, if we are taking funds and putting them elsewhere to shape our waiting lists, surely that can be invested in Northern Ireland. That is a fundamental point. <BR /> <BR />I thank Sinéad McLaughlin for raising gynae issues, following our women's health debate, and Sorcha Eastwood for specifically mentioning cancer. We send our good wishes to her family and her husband. She raised a deeply personal thing in the Chamber, and I thank her for that.”
“We wish him well in his retirement. I thank Alan and Cara Hunter for sharing their personal stories of being on waiting lists, which are not easy places to be. <BR /> <BR />I thank Nuala McAllister for raising the issues of equity of service and discharge times, which are also important. She also raised succession planning and how we go forward with consultants and surgeons. It takes a while to train people in our health service, so we need to be realistic and start planning for some of that stuff now. <BR /> <BR />I thank my colleague Gary Middleton, who paid tribute, as did a number of people in the Chamber, to our dedicated health staff who are at the heart of all this.”
“I want to make progress. <BR /> <BR />I thank Liz Kimmins for her contribution as Health Committee Chair. She said that we cannot keep doing the same thing and expecting different outcomes. I welcome that, as Chair of the Health Committee, she will use her voice to drive forward some of that change. I mentioned Danny Donnelly's contribution, and I thank him for pointing out the differences in pay, which are causing issues. Alan Chambers mentioned the stress and pain of those who continue to be on waiting lists. Addressing that will take further intervention from our health service, as was pointed out. I thank Órlaithí Flynn for her mention of mental health services. <BR /> <BR />I congratulate Alan Robinson on his maiden speech and ask him to please pass on the good wishes of all in the Chamber to George Robinson.”
“I hope it will act with all of us in the Chamber to implement transformation.”
“I want to make progress. <BR /> <BR />Our public transport and roads must reflect the transformation that is needed once we talk about this, so there is a cross-departmental element. <BR /> <BR />Moving to some of the comments that were made by Members, I thank Diane Dodds, who mentioned the stark waiting-time figures and the postcode lottery. She also mentioned ways in which we could find solutions. <BR /> <BR />Moving to Colin McGrath's contribution, I hope that I have seen a Damascus road conversion for the SDLP today — I really do — because he talked about plans and strategies that sit in rooms. When they come out of those rooms and get dusted down, I hope that the SDLP will step up and stand by those plans and will not go on picket lines to be parish-pump on health issues.”
“We must realise that travelling to another site outside our trust area may be needed. It is on all of us to step out of the Chamber and make that point to the communities that we represent. I say that as somebody who comes from a rural area.”
“That can affect health trusts, such as the Western Trust, in areas like mine that are closer to the border. We have to tackle that issue. <BR /> <BR />An holistic approach to care must also be in place, as I pointed out in my interventions, not just to drive down waiting lists but to stabilise the system. We need a root-and-branch plan going forward. We need to maximise our existing capacity by, as the Health Minister pointed out, designating more sites as dedicated elective centres; having seven-day theatre schedules and multidisciplinary mega-clinics; and establishing regional diagnostic centres and rapid diagnostic centres. <BR /> <BR />There will also be the need to make sure that we organise our services in the most appropriate way through our transformation. That will also take a change of mindset among the public.”
“I welcome the debate on the motion, which calls for action on waiting lists. As has been said in the Chamber, we are contacted daily by constituents who are sitting on waiting lists in Northern Ireland. Many simply do not know how long they will be on those waiting lists. That is an unsustainable situation. We have to be realistic about the challenges. <BR /> <BR />It has been pointed out — my friend, the Member for Upper Bann Diane Dodds pointed it out — that, whilst money is important and extra investment is needed, we must also work to increase the training of students and the recruitment and retention of surgeons, doctors and nurses to ensure that there is a sustainable workforce going forward. We are competing with higher pay in the likes of the Republic of Ireland, which Danny Donnelly pointed out in his contribution.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I am glad that he mentioned drug and alcohol services. While people are on a waiting list, their mental health deteriorates, and some turn to drug and alcohol abuse, which will mean more of a cost to our health service. We are therefore seeing problems in other services as a result.”
“I thank the Member for letting me intervene. I know that mental health is a real passion of hers. Does she agree that we also need to ensure that the community and voluntary sector are included in mental health provision in our communities?”
“It was welcome that one of the very first actions in the Assembly Chamber was that we all committed to ensuring that the Treasury provides Northern Ireland with a more sustainable level of funding. I thank my friend Gavin Robinson, deputy leader of the DUP, who championed that over many years, making sure that the issue of the funding received by Northern Ireland was brought to Westminster. To meet the challenges and work on the cross-departmental issues, we need funding not only to stabilise but to transform our services. That being said, I support the Bill.”
“In my constituency, there is a pressing need to progress major road projects. One example that would unlock Fermanagh — Enniskillen in particular — is the immediate progression of the A4 southern bypass. I am keen to see that happen in my constituency. It will help to reduce congestion in Enniskillen — a fantastic town, Minister, if you have not already been — and boost our local economy greatly. <BR /> <BR />We need adequate funding for Northern Ireland for the many projects that Members in the Chamber will have and that our Executive will want to see driven forward. The Northern Ireland Fiscal Council rightly pointed out in its report last week that this part of the UK faces a:”
“Adequate public transport is needed to encourage people to move to greener ways of travel. Government policy must work through all the Departments. While Northern Ireland Water continues with price control 21 (PC21) commitments to stop constraint areas, more needs to be done. This week, the Committee for Infrastructure will hear directly from Northern Ireland Water about the challenges that it faces. Ultimately, however, investment in networks is key: without it, construction cannot go ahead, and the public will see significant deterioration in their public services. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the commitment of £16 million for road structural maintenance, bus and rail capital projects and water and waste water infrastructure. However, given the capital pressures facing the Department, that will not stretch far.”
“There are many key areas of infrastructure that need investment to improve and grow our economy, meet the challenges of climate change and create better communities. <BR /> <BR />I was pleased to hear the Finance Minister make mention of some of the needs of our Infrastructure Department. Infrastructure accounted for 3·3% of the departmental allocations in the resource budget for 2022-23. To grow the economy, create the better communities that we need and deliver health transformation, we need investment in infrastructure; it is one of the key things underpinning all of this. <BR /> <BR />Translink and Northern Ireland Water are two areas within the remit of the Minister for Infrastructure that need huge investment. The COVID pandemic had a severe financial impact on Translink, with loss of revenue from reduced passenger numbers.”
“<BR /> <BR />Whilst recognising that the amount of preparatory work required to bring forward the Budget Bill is significant, the need to maximise our finances must be at the heart of everything we do. To achieve that, Committees need to be actively involved and engaged to contribute to the process. We need to be consulted, and we need our views to be sought. I understand and accept the need for the Bill to progress without delay to ensure that Departments have legislative authority for what remains of this financial year and for the few months of the next financial year <BR /> <BR />I will now make some remarks as the DUP MLA for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It will come as no surprise that I want to champion my area as regards infrastructure and all the other pressures that need to be met.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am confident that the Department's financial needs will be an area of particular interest for the Committee in coming weeks, as we shape and develop our forward work programme and seek to understand the Department's immediate financial position and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the longer-term position. I am sure that, like me, other members of the Committee will actively participate, as we undertake our work, by fulfilling our advisory and scrutiny functions, which are underpinned by the aim of ensuring that the public services provided by the Department for Infrastructure are delivered to the standards that we all rightly expect.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I congratulate you on taking up your post. I do not think I have had the opportunity to do so. I also congratulate the Finance Minister and look forward to working with her. <BR /> <BR />As other Chairs have said today, due to the urgency and limited timescale for the Bill, the Committee for Infrastructure has not yet had any opportunity to consider the Bill's provisions or assess the Department's capital and resource requirements for what remains of this financial year and into 2024-25. I understand the reasons for that, but it means that my comments in my capacity as Chairperson will be limited.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. He talked about compensation. Will you commit to not reducing the compensation that farmers receive for TB reactor animals until partnership recommendations have been implemented in full?”
“I thank the Economy Minister for his statement. I notice that he referenced our further education colleges. In my constituency, we can boast excellent facilities in Enniskillen at the South West College campus, which feeds into our Northern Ireland workforce. Will he commit to ensuring that his vision will have regional balance across all sectors of employment in order to tackle the brain drain from our rural areas to elsewhere around the world? What exact plans does he have to strategically promote the north-west and south-west regions around the world as areas of employment in order to ensure the levelling up of our economy?”
“I thank the Member for her intervention. It is cross-departmental. Certainly, the earlier that we can get education for young girls, the easier that it will be to go forward with this. <BR /> <BR />Most women just want to be listened to and heard. Many of us who have gone to the doctor feared that our concerns and symptoms would not be recognised and that action would not be taken. I hope that today is the start of ensuring that women and girls across Northern Ireland have the right access at the right time with the right education in place, so that we can build healthy communities. I therefore support the motion and the amendment, and I look forward to seeing progress.”