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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“I think of little Dáithí — the little warrior — and his fight for not just himself but others. Such people are inspirational and strike at the very reason why the Assembly should put the legislation in place. <BR /> <BR />We all have our badges on, and I hope that we also lead the way by putting photo opportunities aside and signing up to be organ donors. I did that when I first started to drive. My family know exactly what my wishes are, and I hope that we all do that today. We can be proud of this place on days like today when legislation such as this is passed. As has been pointed out, sometimes there is much focus in the Chamber on what divides us, but it is so lovely that, today, we are able to stand and support legislation like this.”
“I am privileged to support the Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent) Bill. As has been stated, this is a momentous day for campaigners such as Dáithí, Jo-Anne Dobson and others. We pay tribute to them today. It is fitting that the Minister has given the Bill Dáithí's name in his honour. That is a lovely tribute to Dáithí. He is a little warrior; there is no doubt about that. He is a superhero in all of our eyes. <BR /> <BR />As has been said, the gift of life should not be taken lightly or for granted. The Bill gives hope to many who are waiting for a life-changing operation and the gift of an organ. Organ donation is transformational. Today, we pay tribute to those who have walked that road and donated their organs. We also remember those who have sadly lost their lives while waiting for that life-giving operation.”
“Does the Member agree that, while my colleagues and I are here, we are debating legislation, and that legislation will go through, we cannot forget that the protocol is costing £2·5 million per day in Northern Ireland? Yet I am here and debating important legislation today. I have not walked away, and certainly the DUP will continue to debate legislation here.”
“Yes, absolutely. We have heard that second-hand car trade has increased during the pandemic. That point is important, because, as was touched on earlier, the fact that people are buying second-hand cars will add to the backlog. In the case of the small rural garage dealer that I spoke of, the loss of trade equated to £30,000. That may seem insignificant to some people, but it was a lot for that business and stressful for the owners. The issue is affecting livelihoods. The delay is costly, and that is why the Minister must act. We have heard about temporary exemption certificates, and different solutions have been bandied about in the House today. For the sake of my Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituents, I ask the Minister to act on what is a real problem.”
“They fear that people will continue to drive their cars when there might be an unknown fault or, indeed, through necessity, in a rural area. MOTs ensure that there is car safety and flag up motoring issues that motorists might not otherwise be aware of to ensure that their cars are roadworthy. However, in my constituency, garage owners say that this is affecting their livelihoods. Last year, a garage owner was in contact in desperation, looking to get an MOT test for a person buying a second-hand car. They were afraid of losing some of their second-hand car trade as a result of the difficulties of getting MOT bookings.”
“It is a particular difficulty for my young constituents, who have difficulty in accessing work due to transport difficulties and are unable to access driving tests in a timely way. <BR /> <BR />I also want to raise an issue regarding the theory test. People have to travel, again, to access them, and I ask the Minister to provide an update on what her Department has done to alleviate the problems. How and why has she allowed this situation to develop, and what answers can she provide to my rural constituents? Many in my constituency rely on their cars and vehicles, and, without them, there is social isolation. This issue goes beyond simply getting an MOT or a driving test. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to the MOT backlog, garage owners have rightly raised real concerns.”
“From Derrygonnelly to Downpatrick takes two hours and 15 minutes of travel. From Maguiresbridge to Mallusk takes an hour and a half. Those times are one way so, if you live in those areas of my constituency, you essentially lose a day's work to get an MOT test, and it costs more in fuel. Is there any redress for people in my area who have had to make those journeys through no fault of their own? <BR /> <BR />Someone in Fermanagh and South Tyrone whose MOT expires on 17 February cannot get an MOT appointment until 6 May. Those reports have been covered in the local newspapers, and it is not good reading for the Department for Infrastructure. In an area where bus routes are limited and there are no trains, how are people to get their shopping or their pension or meet hospital appointments?”
“Although I am not a member of the Infrastructure Committee, I commend it for bringing the motion to the House. I also pay tribute to the DVA staff. <BR /> <BR />I will just paint a picture of the situation that faces my rural constituents. The Member rightly raised the issue of theory testing in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Many constituents have been in touch with me, exasperated, frustrated and angry that they cannot access testing appointments in a timely manner. Fermanagh and South Tyrone residents are disadvantaged, especially when it comes to MOTs. They have been told to meet appointments that involve travelling as far away as Ballymena, Downpatrick and Mallusk: lovely places but difficult for my residents of Fermanagh and South Tyrone. It takes a resident of Belleek, for example, two hours to travel to Ballymena.”
“They bond our communities and help to support our young people. Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club provides programmes and training for children and young people, male and female, from as young as three. We are fortunate to have a team like Clogher Valley in our rural community. I know that that is replicated across the country in other towns and villages. I repeat my call to ensure that we adequately fund and promote our grassroots clubs. <BR /> <BR />I send my congratulations to Clogher Valley Rugby Football Club. We are so proud of you for your win at the weekend.”
“<BR /> <BR />The buzz was evident in Clogher Valley in the run-up to the match. The team does so much for the community. Clubs like that are vital in tackling social isolation and promoting better health, well-being and community relations. Not least, the club has done so much to raise money for charities, while also producing Ulster and Ireland players, such as Chris Farrell, who is an Ireland international. <BR /> <BR />I am so proud of the club. However, it is crying out for investment and funding for better facilities. I support the club fully in that campaign. A number of months ago, former Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Arlene Foster and I had a meeting with the club and the Communities Minister to urge her to help it. We must do better in helping grassroots sports across the board.”
“They say that all politics are local. I stand today as a proud Clogher Valley woman, and I see other Members from Fermanagh and South Tyrone in the Chamber. I am glad that I still have my voice this morning, following the wonderful victory of my local rugby team, Clogher Valley, who played Ballyclare in the All-Ireland Junior Cup Final. I send my commiserations to the South Antrim representatives in the House but am absolutely delighted and chuffed that the Clogher Valley men were victorious at Ravenhill on Saturday evening. The atmosphere was electric, and it was wonderful to see clubs in Ulster, such as Clogher Valley and Ballyclare, doing so well in that prestigious competition. The community surrounding such clubs was evident on Saturday night. I was one of 3,000-odd supporters who travelled to Ravenhill to watch their team play.”
“<BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to our healthcare staff and thank them, but we need to grasp that issue and fix our health service. We do not need another review or task force: we need action. We must move beyond the point of discussion and have a settled service that works for patients and healthcare staff.”
“Again, the continuous circle of our health service means that those people are trying the out-of-hours service and then attend emergency departments. All of that has fed into the public narrative that GPs are not seeing people face to face. <BR /> <BR />Let us not forget that the workforce is ageing. Some 26% of the membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland (RCGPNI) are over 55, which means the risk of retirement is high. GPs constantly cite burnout and stress whilst trying to maintain routine patient care, not forgetting the COVID-19 pandemic and delivery of the vaccine programme. If you are tired and burnt out, is it even safe to take on an out-of-hours service? The safety of patients should be paramount. Patients' lives are important, and access to healthcare is vital.”
“Owing to insufficiencies, however, people are attending EDs. We cannot deny that the problems with accessing GP out-of-hours services are adding to the burden at emergency departments. <BR /> <BR />That brings me on to my next point. We need investment in telephone and computer systems. Telephone systems in many practices are not fit for purpose, and I am glad that the Minister has recognised that and provided £1·7 million. Can we be assured that the announced £1·7 million will adequately deal with the poor infrastructure that is in place at surgeries? GPs have told us that, as a result of poor infrastructure, patients cannot access their surgery. We have all heard the stories about people who are unable to get through to their GP and are phoning hundreds of times.”
“After all, GPs are the first port of call and the first point of access to healthcare, yet we are lamenting in Fermanagh and South Tyrone the fact that we have yet to see a penny in MDT allocations reach our GP surgeries. <BR /> <BR />Moreover, why do we not look at the MDT model for the delivery of our out-of-hours services? Cases of chronic pain are presenting to EDs, yet that could be rectified and pressure reduced if an MDT model were in place at our out-of-hours facilities. <BR /> <BR />The challenges are great, but, for weeks, our local newspaper has carried stories of those on the front line in our EDs and heard from patients who have waited there. It is simply not good enough for those who rely on our healthcare system. <BR /> <BR />Members of the public also have a responsibility to realise when they need a GP.”
“I have been disappointed and frustrated that it does not seem to be a priority for the Department to look at incentives for the GP workforce in order to retain and recruit more GPs. Why are people leaving practices at the first opportunity? Why is there nobody to fill the gaps? Announcements about increasing training places are brilliant, but we are not retaining those students in general practice. I can name GP practices in my constituency that are simply existing on the goodwill of GP staff, but goodwill can stretch only so far. <BR /> <BR />Allocations of money to multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) must see past the Ballygawley roundabout, which we all drive past every day. Elsewhere, we see the practical, positive contribution that MDTs are making to our overall healthcare system. They are effective in reducing pressures.”
“There is more to it than a certain narrative. It is complex and needs proper attention. <BR /> <BR />There were reports pre-pandemic of difficulties with getting GP out-of-hours cover. It is not because of COVID. I have heard from many constituents who have contacted a GP out-of-hours service and been told that there was no GP on call, not for an hour or a day but, at times, for an entire weekend. Those patients were then either presenting to EDs or waiting on the telephone to speak to their local GP practice on a Monday morning. <BR /> <BR />A number of issues need to be addressed. The Health Committee has heard evidence from the GP profession that we are in a crisis.”
“I will give you a snapshot of my constituency: GP out-of-hours services were removed from South Tyrone Hospital in the summer; there have been weekends with no GP out-of-hours service cover; and rural practices are on a cliff edge trying to retain and recruit staff. <BR /> <BR />Behind that are the lives of my constituents, who are having difficulty accessing healthcare. Rural Fermanagh and South Tyrone is crying out for investment from the Health Minister in GP services. So far, the £5·5 million to fund additional GP services in Northern Ireland over the winter period does not appear to be cutting through. Throwing money at a broken system is no longer the answer. <BR /> <BR />Since coming to the Assembly and joining the Health Committee, I have tried to understand the complexities of the situation. We need to be real about the issues.”
“About now, GP practices will be starting to close up having finished for another day, but out-of-hours will be beginning. There is a fundamental problem with getting adequate staffing levels to fill shifts in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I do not want the debate to become a mud-slinging match — I know that the Members who are here will not do that — a GP-bashing session or, indeed, an exercise in swapping stories of the worst scenarios that we have heard about. What we need is action, and now. Our constituents are crying out for it, as are GPs and healthcare staff. <BR /> <BR />The issue is of great importance to the constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, where people already travel huge distances to reach services.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. First, I apologise for not being in my place on time and for being out of breath. That just shows how much I need to get out walking”
“Have businesses not suffered enough? It was clear that this amendment to the restrictions was going to fall at the first hurdle, and, for the reasons outlined, I unfortunately cannot support this particular amendment and will therefore vote against it.”
“It is shameful that we created that upset, and upset was caused to those constituents. <BR /> <BR />I find it frustrating that, as a representative, I had no luxury to properly scrutinise the legislation, and that, by the time we are debating it, it has already changed. It created not only a problem for constituents but an unworkable situation in having to access reasonable proof. Perhaps conversations with GPs before this legislation was announced would have been of benefit. Asking an already burdened workforce, at the coalface of a mass vaccination roll-out, to carry out an extra administrative workload in providing proof perhaps lacked an understanding of the situation on the ground. Furthermore, it placed businesses in the uncomfortable position of refusing entry to customers, and that had an effect on their livelihoods.”
“I will focus on the face covering element. Constituents have contacted me and my colleagues to state how the amendment (No. 8) regulations have severely affected their daily lives, and we have heard the very brave testament of rape and sexual and domestic abuse victims and, indeed, innocent victims of the Troubles, who all mentioned the distressing element of face coverings. Those were not excuses but were real-life traumatic events, and it would have made going to the shop, a restaurant or the cinema — things that we take for granted — all the more difficult. Removing "severe distress" and placing the onus on the individual to prove their exemption created embarrassing conversations, never mind the fear of re-traumatisation, by them having to explain their reasons for not being able to wear a face covering.”
“I thank the Minister for his intervention, but this is a problem. We did not have all the evidence to be able to fully scrutinise, and the Health Committee was put in a difficult position and could not take a position in relation to this. <BR /> <BR />Before I go any further and expand on my difficulties with the face covering element, I want to echo the sentiments of my colleague Pam Cameron and others in the Chamber about the families that have lost loved ones. I recognise that COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for everybody, and my thoughts are, in particular, with those who have lost loved ones as a result of COVID-19.”
“I support amendment No. 20 and amendment No. 21 to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021. However, I am baffled as to why the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Wearing of Face Coverings) (Amendment) (No. 8) Regulations has been moved, given the difficult position that the Health Committee was put in. This regulation is retrospective, and therefore has been changed. It is now universally recognised how unworkable this amendment would have been. <BR /> <BR />Before I go any further, I do want to echo —”
“We know that legislation can take some time. In the meantime, what are you doing, deputy First Minister, to address online abuse, particularly against women and, indeed, against women in the Chamber?”
“Tell me, then, what you will say to your constituents when you are looking at a 54% decrease in farm employment, which equates to 13,000 jobs, not forgetting the decrease of 86% in the number of farms in the dairy sector, as the KPMG report explains. Perhaps the Members opposite can explain why they do not share the same view on the Green Party Bill. It seems that they are very happy to implement partition when it comes to climate change targets.”
“The private Member's Climate Change Bill is out of step with that and out of touch with practical reality. All that you have to do to understand that is to speak to the farmers in my rural constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, where this Bill puts jobs and livelihoods on the line. <BR /> <BR />Northern Ireland makes up 3% of the UK population but provides around 20% of the food consumed in the United Kingdom. Fifty per cent of what we produce locally goes to Great Britain. Therefore, the reduction in herd numbers and food production that would be the inevitable result of the Bill would, perversely, leave a gap in supply that could be filled only via cheaper imports produced to lower environmental and animal welfare standards. <BR /> <BR />Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy articulated the problem during a debate in the Dáil. He said:”
“The reckless pursuit by some in the House of a net zero emissions target by 2045 is irresponsible and threatens devastation to the Northern Ireland economy, including our £5·2 billion food and drink industry. Let us not forget that the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) recommended an 82% reduction target for greenhouse gases by 2050. It stated:”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. What engagement has he had with the Department for Communities on promoting biodiversity in some of its green spaces through initiatives such as Don't Mow, Let It Grow and through having wildflower meadows in housing estates, for example?”
“I know Hannah; she is a very talented young woman, and, if I may say so, she put me to shame on the dance floor at my wedding. Imagine if it was you, your son or your daughter, and consider the impact of that law. Disability is not a disease, but it presents challenges, and it is our job, as legislators, to ensure that those faced with such challenges have every opportunity to overcome them. A country's abortion laws would be totally condemned if they singled out babies on the grounds of gender or skin colour, but, because it is a disability, such as Down's syndrome, it is somehow viewed as acceptable: it is not. That is why I am honoured to take a stand against disability discrimination with Heidi, Hannah and many others. It is time that we started to see people's ability, not their disability.”
“As some Members pointed out, the current law sends the message that people with disabilities are less worthy of protection than those without disabilities. What a disappointing message to send out from the Assembly and a troubling legacy to leave. I remind anyone who suggests that that is not the message that the law sends out of my friend Hannah Wilson, a young woman with Down's syndrome from County Fermanagh. I have the privilege of calling that young woman my friend. Hannah said:”
“Screening for Down's syndrome has been increasingly used as a means of identifying unborn babies that can be aborted. There is evidence of a prevailing culture among clinicians that assumes that women will favour abortion. Screening results are often expressed with sadness and a lack of information on support or alternatives to abortion. That was best summed by Sara McNeill from County Antrim, a mother whose son, Tommy, was born with Down's syndrome. She stated:”
“The answer to poor standards of antenatal care for women is not to liberalise the law on abortion; it is to invest in specialised pathways and to support those who have received a diagnosis of fetal impairment. Screening results and advice should be given in highly supportive environments. There is also the need for the provision of psychological support for families of children with significant congenital anomalies. The view expressed by the royal college that the care system may not be able to cope with the challenges of supporting mothers and babies with complex disabilities seems to imply that it would be more convenient to not allow those with disabilities to be born at all. <BR /> <BR />Research by the Down's Syndrome Association found that women were not provided with enough information about Down's syndrome during their pregnancy.”
“It is clear to me that regulation 7(1)(b) of the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 adds to the stigmas that exist in our society and, if unchallenged, has the potential to continue to perpetuate those outdated falsehoods about a life with disability.”
“The committee also recommended that GB should amend its abortion law accordingly. Regulation 7(1)(b) mirrors the same legislation that the UNCRPD rejected. How can we allow that regulation to remain?”
“for persons with a disability. The Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 further amended the 1995 Act to include a requirement on public authorities to promote positive attitudes towards disabled persons. The UK ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009. Those laws are intended to create an equal society, ensuring that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights as everyone else. Are we really going to allow decades of legislative progress to be undermined by regulation 7 of the Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020? <BR /> <BR />I remind the Assembly that, in 2017, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), in its report on Great Britain and Northern Ireland, stated:”
“In Northern Ireland, for the past 30 years, many have campaigned and advocated for legal protections for those with disabilities. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 protects the rights of persons with disabilities. The Northern Ireland Act 1998 placed a statutory duty on public authorities to:”
“I am pleased to add my voice to those in support of this Bill. I add my thanks to our First Minister, Paul Givan, for his work on the Bill and to Christopher Stalford for continuing that work. I also echo the thanks and gratitude that were expressed by Members to Heidi Crowter and their acknowledgement of her work. What an example she has set for us. Her resilience and commitment to advocating for the rights of those with disabilities are remarkable. As a society, we should be empowering other young people like her. <BR /> <BR />This Bill is a targeted piece of draft legislation that focuses on stereotypes against disabilities. As Mr Stalford said at the Heath Committee, disability discrimination is an issue that we are dealing with today.”
“He will have to employ extra staff to man entry points to his facility. It is that worry and uncertainty that is driving closures in our communities. How can we think that a rural coffee shop in my village should receive the same fine as a concert gathering of 10,000 people? The COVID-status certification has been ill-thought-out, yet it is being thrust on society with no evidence that it has the desired effect elsewhere. In fact, to the contrary, in places where it has been implemented, it has far from curbed the spread of COVID-19. For those reasons, regretfully, I cannot in all conscience support the deeply divisive and non-evidential regulation. Today, I will be voting against the regulations.”
“The NHS started booster jabs in September. Why the delay here? We have clear evidence that vaccination is reducing hospitalisations and the effects of COVID-19. The impacts on society are huge. We are debating the issue that status certification must be shown in licensed establishments. When and where do we draw the line? <BR /> <BR />I will finish by talking about a cafe owner in my constituency. I spoke to him, and he was fearful of the further roll-out of COVID-status certification. He has followed every rule and regulation to the last letter. He has reduced table space, enforced mask-wearing and done track and trace in his establishment, all met with opposition from some hostile customers. He did it to keep his community safe. That man was in tears, not sure whether his business will be able to cope with this regulation.”
“I was told that there was no timescale for it to end. Why are we therefore implementing this? Uncertainty has surrounded the scheme. At the eleventh hour, it was thrust on businesses, which had been told that licensed premises were the only ones included. We were to have an opportunity to debate that, only for it to be scheduled on the day on which it is being enforced. I have consistently called for evidence to be presented. We have absolutely no data about the impact in, and no modelling from, Scotland, Germany or wherever else this has been implemented. Why is that information not available? <BR /> <BR />I really welcome the announcement made yesterday that boosters will now be available to the over-30s, and I encourage everyone to get their vaccinations and booster. Only now, however, is the booster roll-out being ramped up.”
“I am going to continue. Thank you. <BR /> <BR />I have concerns for our elderly, disabled and, may I say, some from my age group who are having difficulty in getting COVID status certification. <BR /> <BR />At the Health Committee, I said that I hoped that the helpline would be adequately staffed over Christmas to deal with the many queries from people who will be out socialising and will need proof of vaccination. There has been mixed messaging from the Department on the roll-out of the scheme itself, which is telling. Interestingly, I was told that people who are vaccinated could still show their vaccination card as proof, and the Minister has outlined that today. There is no timescale for when everyone must switch to digital or paper copies. I asked twice for information on when the interim period, as it was called, would end.”
“No. I am going to continue. <BR /> <BR />The Department of Health has provided no modelling on the likely impact of COVID certification. Is that because that has not been done or because the benefits are minimal? As I have said, the evidence that I have heard is that the benefits are minimal. I asked the Health Minister to publish the full evidence ahead of today's debate. Unfortunately, I have not had sight of everything that I need to make my decision to support COVID certification. The rush to push the policy through without due process was reckless and irresponsible. Proper scrutiny could have been allowed last week. As recently as last week, the untold problems of the scheme were already on display.”
“I will continue. Thank you. There is a lot to get through. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for his intervention. However, this is a fundamental key question about publishing the data. I have heard that adding COVID certification to the range of measures that we have will have a minimal impact. Therefore, I have fundamental questions about that. How successful has certification been elsewhere? It would have been useful to have had that information before us today, but it has not been forthcoming. By what margin does the Minister envisage that hospital admissions will be reduced or case numbers will fall?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Yes, it is unfair to push the problem onto another Minister. <BR /> <BR />I have key and fundamental questions about the regulations. We have no indication from the Health Minister about how the impact of COVID-status certification will be monitored and what success looks like.”
“This morning, Hospitality Ulster tweeted that businesses were informed only at the weekend that checks must be at the points of entry. How is it fair that that was pushed onto businesses at such a late stage? The regulations have been implemented without the most rudimentary understanding of how success will be measured.”
“For every minute that the police spend at a bar or restaurant trying to enforce, we lose vital time for fighting crime. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has already very publicly dropped other cases where enforcement was needed. The absence of a cost-benefit analysis of the enforcement activity is wholly unacceptable. It is also clear that Ministers decided to press ahead with this pet project without even the most basic consultation with the main public body that would be responsible for enforcing it. That in itself is disturbing. <BR /> <BR />Businesses are already concerned about what the winter may bring. Now, they have to enforce COVID certification at their doors. That means a cost to them. Business owners will be left counting the cost of COVID certification.”
“Whilst it is enforceable in Northern Ireland from today, it seems that nobody is holding their hand up to do the checks or to bring about the intended effect of the regulations. It is pie in the sky to believe that COVID certification can be widely enforced. The Chief Constable has already rubbished the Department of Health's timescale for the enforcement of COVID passports, calling it "unrealistic". Demands on policing have returned to pre-COVID levels, and Simon Byrne has made it clear that officers will spend less, not more, time supporting the health protection regulations. It is clear that enforcement is unworkable. <BR /> <BR />Even if we had the manpower, we have to ask honestly whether it would be an effective use of public resources.”
“I rise with so many unanswered questions on the reasons behind how we have got here. Why we are debating the regulations on the day that they are now enforceable in Northern Ireland? How was the decision reached, and what is the evidence to back it up? I want the debate to be respectful, and I want Members to understand the genuine concerns of my constituents who have contacted me. I am sure that other Members have received the same correspondence with the same valid concerns. <BR /> <BR />I have been double-jabbed. I have followed and supported the COVID regulations that have been brought into force to date. Why? Because I understand the public messaging. I want to protect myself, my family and those around me. However, there are fundamental questions about the COVID certification. Importantly, who will enforce it?”