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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“That process has gone quiet. No vision is coming forward from the Department or the trust, and I believe that the clock is ultimately being wound down on decision-making on emergency general surgery. I have heard from campaigners who tell me that the Western Trust is prepared to develop a business case to restore emergency general surgery at the South West Acute Hospital. Any decision, however, on the restoration or suspension of emergency surgery at the SWAH ultimately falls to you, Minister.”
“I thank my colleagues who tabled the motion and the Members who tabled the amendment.”
“As a local dentist said to me, they keep their NHS lists to a minimum to be able to pay for their overheads. They do still see NHS patients, but that is getting harder because it comes at a cost to them. Looking at the situations that could arise, it is scandalous that, if a 16-year-old with facial swelling comes in as an emergency, the dentist makes zero money on that but still has to provide a service. How can you turn away patients? You cannot do that. <BR /> <BR />The Health Minister needs to realise that words are no longer enough. We need to act on this. The figures are stark.”
“<BR /> <BR />Last year, I raised one of the fundamental points about dental provision in my constituency, and that is emergency dental care. I welcome the announcement that a clinic is forthcoming for the Western Trust area, but we need detail, and we need to know when that will come. We need to know the timescale, and we need to know what investment will be made in my area. I hope that that emergency dental out-of-hours service will be in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, because, currently, we are relying on the goodwill of dentists in my area to provide that cover. The current out-of-hours dental service is run by, I think, 13 practices, and it accounts for 65,000 patients. On a weekend, you are literally relying on their goodwill to provide treatment in my constituency. <BR /> <BR />We need to address growing health inequalities.”
“The socio-economic determinants are a key factor leading to poor oral health, as has been heard today, and, with increasing numbers of private dentists, many of my constituents are being priced out of accessing healthcare. It is not just about clean teeth. Visiting your dentist is crucial to detecting oral cancers as well, and visiting your dentist can actually save your life and can detect other illnesses. There is a need to look at all of it in the round when you are talking about healthcare and dental care. Dentists feel the pressure. They have been sounding the alarm, and they need action. The piecemeal announcements may sound great, but the cost-of-service review must be published. We need to see the root cause of the issues that are going on beneath the surface.”
“The issue has been escalating for some time and now threatens to deepen the existing health inequalities in my area and across the region. As many know, the transition of dental practices from NHS to private care has led to a growing number of people being unable to access basic dental services. We have seen that in Fermanagh and South Tyrone, leaving families and individuals with limited or no access to affordable dental care. <BR /> <BR />At the heart of what the Minister says and does — I believe him in this — is dealing with health inequalities. This is a socio-economic problem, and solving it is one of the single biggest impacts that you could make in dealing with health inequalities.”
“In February 2025, I secured an Adjournment debate on the lack of dentist provision in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Where are we in April 2026? What has changed? Quite frankly, nothing has changed on the ground; in fact, the picture has probably got worse since then. As a Fermanagh and South Tyrone representative and as somebody who needs dental care, as does my family, I hate to say that. I read my speech and the Minister's response from that time. I could honestly copy and paste it and read it out again today. <BR /> <BR />Health service dentistry in Northern Ireland is facing an existential crisis and threat. Northern Ireland has been experiencing the most rapid decline in health service dentistry anywhere in the UK.”
“Yeah, the costs are real; they are real to each Department. The Minister knows full well that, due to delay, there are increased costs to road projects as a result of inflation. The A5 has been paused, £6·6 million has been handed back from the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass project and the A1 safety measures scheme has been halted. The Audit Office has said that the costs for the A5 are £1·7 billion and counting because of the legal action. Given that Departments are cash-strapped, would it not be better to sort out climate change legislation so that we can stop the pauses to our road infrastructure projects, stop their costs spiralling and get Northern Ireland moving again?”
“Following on from that, many small and medium-sized businesses feel pushed out of public procurement opportunities because they are advertised as a multi-project spread. Local businesses watch as contractors travel to an area from 40 miles away. It is exactly the same in infrastructure when it comes to filling in potholes etc. Does the Minister agree that more should be done to award local projects to local contractors and communities in order to create efficiencies and cut down on bigger companies travelling in?”
“I thank the Minister for the statement. We all know that there is burnout in the teaching profession, but the Minister is trying to change the system to make sure that it is attractive and that our teachers can continue in the workforce. I welcome the fact that he has been engaging with the trade unions. Are all the trade unions engaged in those conversations? Can he and the trade unions ensure the timely implementation of the proposed measures included in the statement today?”
“— that are holding up major road projects. It is hard to escape —”
“I have not forgotten that £6·6 million for the A4 Enniskillen bypass was handed back to the Minister's colleague, Finance Minister John O'Dowd. Some £8 million has been spent on that project to date, not to mention the more than £150 million that has been spent on the A5 without a single bit of tarmac laid. <BR /> <BR />It is a privilege for me to be elected to this place, and it is incumbent on me to stand up and shout for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I will not tire of doing so, but it is time for those who have the power to do so to overturn the stones —”
“As Liz Kimmins, Michelle O'Neill and Mary Lou McDonald took to the stage at Sinn Féin's party conference in Belfast, they all had the chance to outline real action on our crumbling roads and what they will do to solve the problem with our major roads project; instead, we got deflection, excuses and a great reel of blame. Blame the Brits: check. Repeat the line that the A5 must be built: check. Make a vague promise about regional balance for rural roads: check. Of course, there was no explanation of how major road projects will actually go ahead, especially when climate change targets are not being fixed to allow progress. Addressing regional balance is a lovely little line that might sound reassuring, but it is so disconnected from reality.”
“Well, there is a massive stone sitting unturned on the A5. We are not talking about stones that are poured onto landowners' land for preparation works; it is the rock of net zero climate change targets that Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party and the SDLP are so beholden to that they cannot take the speck out of their eye and realise that that stone is holding back infrastructure projects. I can only conclude that those fine words are nothing but sound bites. <BR /> <BR />Friday was another day, with another speech and another sound bite from the Infrastructure Minister. There is still no plan to deliver.”
“That was her line on Saturday. On 1 July 2025, the First Minister said in the Chamber:”
“The A5 is "an absolute priority" for Sinn Féin, and the First Minister has said:”
“While it is not without controversy, it is part of a comprehensive approach to eradication. Farmers in my constituency understand that it is not about quick fixes or single solutions. However, I point out that the eradication of bovine TB became a departmental policy in 1964. Over 60 years later, incidence of the disease remains high. What farmers in my constituency want most is certainty. They want to know that there is a clear plan that will be implemented and that will deliver results. Today, therefore, I urge that we not accept just another consultation or review but that we act on what we are hearing from farmers on the ground, who feel the impact of this most severely. Farmers in Fermanagh and South Tyrone cannot wait any longer.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is also a clear concern that pilot schemes, such as those discussed in the Chamber this evening, do not fully reflect the reality on the ground in constituencies such as mine, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, where prevalence of the disease is high and persistent. Any strategy must be representative, practical and capable of delivering real results across all areas. <BR /> <BR />Today, as often before, we call time on bovine TB. Delay is no longer acceptable. We call for immediate and decisive action. That includes addressing one of the most difficult but unavoidable aspects of the issue, which is wildlife intervention. We cannot continue to ignore the fact that wildlife plays a role in the spread of bovine TB. Other regions have taken action.”
“That is money that could be invested in growth, innovation and sustainability. Instead, it is being spent on managing a problem that has persisted for far too long. The ripple effect, as we heard today, goes beyond the farm gate to livestock marts, hauliers, processors and rural businesses, all of which feel the impact of this disease. In constituencies such as mine, where agriculture underpins the local economy, TB threatens jobs, supply chains and, ultimately, our food security. Whilst we welcome the work that has been done to date — the blueprint to eradicate bovine TV provides a framework, and additional funding through cross-border initiatives is a positive step — let us be honest: progress has been too slow, and farmers are losing patience.”
“It is an economic problem, a component in creating bad mental health in farm families, and an environmental concern all rolled into one. <BR /> <BR />In Fermanagh and South Tyrone, the most immediate impact is felt in the farmyard. Farmers are carrying the heaviest burden of this disease. They are the ones who face repeated testing, movement restrictions and the financial uncertainty that comes with breakdown after breakdown. The stress of not knowing whether your herd will be next is constant. It affects sleep, family life and mental well-being. We must not underestimate the human cost: behind every statistic is a family just trying to keep going. <BR /> <BR />The financial implications are equally stark, with costs exceeding £60 million a year. This disease drains the public purse and the agriculture sector.”
“I support the amendment, and I welcome the opportunity to speak on an issue, namely bovine tuberculosis, that weighs heavily on farmers and families in the rural community that I represent in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. <BR /> <BR />This is not an abstract policy debate where I come from. In 2025, in Dungannon divisional veterinary office (DVO), nearly 10 out of every 100 herds became newly infected. In Enniskillen, that figure was 12 in every 100. That represents thousands of cattle. Therefore, this is real, relentless and devastating. Across my constituency, farm after farm has faced the consequences of bovine TB. Entire herds built up over generations have been lost in a matter of weeks. Livelihoods are shaken, and the emotional toll on farming families is profound. We must be clear: it is not just an animal health issue.”
“I thank the Minister for the work that he is doing on childcare, because it is a major issue for parents. Parents in my constituency have been in touch with me. While they welcome the expansion of the Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme, they have seen providers' childcare costs rise. As the Minister, do you recognise the impact of that? What discussions are taking place to ensure that families see the impact of the money being delivered by your Department?”
“Hitting out at the DUP here, when it is the DUP that is delivering in the Executive and speaking out on the issue at Westminster, is nothing more than opportunistic party political point-scoring. <BR /> <BR />The DUP will continue to stand up for a fair and balanced approach to safeguarding household finances, supporting our key industries and ensuring that our working people are not left to carry the burden alone. We will continue our call at Westminster for action to support each household in Northern Ireland. It is time to cut the fuel duty and —”
“Some people did not have their listening ears on in the Chamber yesterday during questions to the Minister for Communities, so, I repeat: the reason that it took a month was because the Minister wanted to get a plan together that supported not only those who are on benefits but working people and to test the options that were available to him and the Executive. While others talk a good talk, the DUP steps up and delivers. <BR /> <BR />Let us not pretend, however, that regional interventions alone will solve the problem of scale. At Westminster, our DUP MPs have been clear that, when global prices rise, we need to see government policy that makes the decisions to sort out the excessive taxation. People do not want warm words or political point-scoring.”
“We need a serious and transparent assessment of the net zero policies. It is interesting to see that those in the Chamber who have called for that support have short memories, because, just last week, the SDLP, Sinn Féin, Alliance and, regrettably, the UUP all lined up to press ahead with a blank cheque instead of rightly carrying out cost checks on net zero targets. <BR /> <BR />Many fiscal levers to ensure that homes — all homes — see support remain at Westminster. The SDLP, however, has got it wrong again. The support from the Executive is not "non-existent". Our Communities Minister has stepped up to support those homes that are most pressed. The Communities Minister took on that work to get support out the door. He has done that consistently, even when he was Economy Minister in 2022.”
“Imposing additional costs on families and businesses without transparency or justification is not the right approach. We have seen how those rigid climate targets are impacting on major projects, including the A5, the A4 southern bypass and the A1. Many of those proposals, which have not been quantified, are being advanced under the current climate action plan. Families and businesses are being asked therefore to shoulder additional burdens without having clarity on what those costs will mean or what the return will be. <BR /> <BR />It has been the DUP that has consistently called for practical and immediate measures. We need to see a reduction in fuel duty to ease the pressure at the pumps. We need VAT on home heating oil to be removed, at least temporarily, while the markets remain volatile.”
“Excessive taxation on fuel, the cumulative cost of net zero policies and a clear lack of a cost-benefit analysis are all adding to the burden on working people. We must ensure that we do things in a balanced, affordable and realistic way.”
“Families are struggling to make ends meet. Businesses are fighting to stay afloat. Farmers, hauliers and those in construction are being squeezed from every direction. Around two thirds of our homes rely on home heating oil. When prices spike, as they have done dramatically, our constituents feel that immediately and severely. Those who work in essential sectors such as agriculture, haulage and construction are also being crippled by soaring costs and rising prices. Those are not optional industries. Rather, they are the backbone of our economy. <BR /> <BR />Although the motion criticises the Government's response, it is important to acknowledge fully how domestic policy choices are making matters worse.”
“We have had the leader of the Opposition talking now for nearly seven minutes and gaslighting the public. The Communities Minister delivered last week a support package for the hardest-pressed homes — 70% of homes — in Northern Ireland.”
“Women should not have to live in fear in our communities: not today, not tomorrow, not ever. It is time to end violence against women and girls.”
“It reaches into every community, every street and every home, and we have a responsibility to recognise the signs, speak up and act. The recent murder of Amy Doherty in Londonderry is just another stark reminder of the urgency to do so. I also note the work being done on Jade's law, which seeks to better protect families affected by such devastating crimes. I support that call. It is time that we saw meaningful progress made on Jade's law in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I commend Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Enniskillen business improvement district and the Executive Office for their funding to deliver such a powerful and visible message through that mural.”
“Those words should stay with us. Domestic abuse thrives in silence but is stopped by action, and we must call out domestic abuse at every opportunity. We have a duty not only to educate but to act. We have a strategy, and I am pleased that the second action plan on ending violence against women and girls is being launched as we speak. Plans alone will not save lives, but implementation will. <BR /> <BR />Since 2020, more than 30 women have been killed in Northern Ireland, and behind every name is a family and a future taken far too soon. In my constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone, we have seen too many lose their life as a result of domestic abuse. It is not an issue for one Department, one agency or one group of people. Rather, it is a societal issue.”
“We must ensure that women are not forced to rise from the ashes in the first place. That means raising awareness, breaking silence and bringing abuse out of the shadows into the light so that every woman knows that she can speak out and get the help that she needs. <BR /> <BR />Kerrie Flood, the CEO of Fermanagh and Omagh Women's Aid, has done tremendous work in the local area. She is a force of nature, and her leadership continues to make a real difference to the lives of women and their families. Speaking about the mural, she said:”
“Yesterday, an important event took place in Enniskillen to raise awareness of ending violence against women and girls. A mural was officially unveiled in the town centre as part of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council's Murals with Meaning project. The mural, created by Hannah Constance, depicts a phoenix, which symbolises resilience, survival and strength. The artist herself said:”
“I thank the Minister for delivering on this. While others take part in talking shops and come up with sound bites for the media, the Communities Minister is delivering for homes across Northern Ireland, and I thank him for that. As he knows, given the nature of living in rural areas, rural areas feel this issue most acutely. Will he commit to ensuring that those homes receive support as well?”
“Does the Member agree that, given that Scotland has looked at this and revised some of its targets, it is disappointing that the Minister, in answering a question from me, has said that he would not look at whether the targets would be achievable in Northern Ireland? We need to review them, because we can see the impact that they have on all our Departments.”
“— burdens on those who are least able to bear them.”
“We are asking for something that should be the foundation of good governance: a robust, transparent cost-benefit analysis of every net zero-related policy in every Department and arm's-length body. If policy cannot demonstrate economic, environmental and social value, it should not proceed unchecked. We cannot allow legislation to undermine our public services, stall infrastructure or place disproportionate —”
“I have seen some of the motions that have come from the UUP in the Chamber, so I will not take lectures in that regard. <BR /> <BR />We cannot ask our agriculture sector, which is already the backbone of our rural economy, to carry additional weight without clarity or fairness. We cannot continue to impose policies on households without fully understanding their financial consequences. That is why the call in my party's motion today is reasonable and necessary. We are asking the Minister to withdraw the current draft plan and understand the concerns. The DUP voted against the climate change legislation, with its net zero targets. We warned of the consequences in the Chamber.”
“yet we know that there is an issue outside the Chamber about that. <BR /> <BR />It is equally troubling that the current legal requirement for minimum spend on active travel is having an impact on getting the investment in our basic road maintenance and repairs. When carbon budgets focus on wasteful spending, I ask those who champion net zero targets to tell that to the driver who is navigating pothole-ridden roads and to my rural constituent who has no viable alternative to the car. I am clear about my position on this, but some in the Chamber are not, including the UUP, which says that one word in the motion would change the party's position, yet it did not table an amendment. I will give way on that, if a UUP Member is willing to provide an answer to what word would have allowed them to support the motion.”
“The Member clearly has not read the court judgement. <BR /> <BR />We must ask ourselves a simple question: what is the point of setting targets if they prevent us from delivering the infrastructure on which our citizens depend? On 3 April, the AERA Minister responded to my question for written answer about whether his Department was undertaking a review of climate change legislation and our ability to meet the 2030 targets. The answer showed that the Minister is unwilling to move at all on that, citing that his focus:”
“When targets become detached from delivery, ordinary people pay the price. We are now seeing the consequences of poorly aligned legislation in real time, yet there is no impetus from Ministers to deal directly with that legislation, which is crucifying our Departments. The provisions of the Climate Change Act have been found in the courts to obstruct progress, such as the long-awaited A5 road upgrade — a project that is about not just infrastructure but saving lives, improving connectivity and supporting economic growth in the west of the Province. The implications do not stop there. Critical schemes, including the A4 Enniskillen bypass and the A1 upgrade, are all paused. Until when? Nobody can answer that. All the while, the cost increases.”
“I support the motion and will give voice to the real concerns being felt by families, farmers and ratepayers across Northern Ireland. When we lose sight of those groups, something is wrong about what we are doing here. When dogmatic ideology wins the day over the real questions that people are asking about the outlandish climate change targets, it is time to question where we are at. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear from the outset: this debate is not about whether we should care for the environment. Of course we should care for the environment. We all share a responsibility to protect the natural beauty of our countryside and leave it in a better condition for future generations. However, the motion rightly challenges the growing gap between aspirational climate change targets and the practical reality facing our communities.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. There is an irony about the Enniskillen southern bypass. Enniskillen is in my constituency, and if you go there on any given day, you will see that the traffic chaos is crazy. On Friday evenings, it is completely blocked up. That contributes to the amount of carbon in our atmosphere. Therefore, it is important that the targets are looked at so that we can deliver infrastructure projects. Does the Member agree?”
“I am working on the issue through my private Member's Bill. Recently, the Minister announced developer-led contributions, but surely that already happens by way of the article 161 mechanism whereby developers can construct their own waste water treatment in developments. I have seen countless situations where NI Water and her Department failed to adopt developments after construction. Therefore, will the developer-led contributions not lead to more unadopted developments and add to the crisis that is affecting homeowners across Northern Ireland?”
“The Executive have agreed projects such as the York Street interchange, the A4 Enniskillen southern bypass and the A5. Despite the political agreements on those flagship projects, infrastructure cannot be delivered, owing to constraints that include the climate change legislation. Surely the parties that championed that legislation, such as our oh-so-effective Opposition and those who now hold the portfolio in the likes of the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for the Economy, should see its effects. Does the deputy First Minister agree that we must work to resolve those issues in order to ensure effective delivery of large infrastructure projects and deal with issues at source rather than spend more money on ineffective talking shops?”
“It has long been a source of strength in that community, and I have no doubt that it will continue to be so. Attacks on places of worship have no place in the Northern Ireland of today, and the House should stand united in saying so.”
“People across Northern Ireland deserve better than selective condemnation. We have seen attempts in our society to excuse, minimise and glorify acts linked to violence and terrorism. That is why efforts to change that, such as Arlene Foster's House of Lords amendment on criminalising the glorification of terrorism, are important. Arlene has faced abuse for doing that. In fact, she received a message that said that the IRA should have finished her dad off. Think about that for one second. If we are serious about building a peaceful and respectful society, we must also be serious about rejecting narratives that romanticise violence and terrorism, particularly for our younger generations. <BR /> <BR />I place on record my support for the minister, the congregation and the families connected to the church.”
“What members of the congregation found was a vandalised hall, paint strewn across the windows and offensive slogans such as "Up the 'RA" — on a board depicting the Ten Commandments, ironically. Unsurprisingly, it has caused deep anger and hurt in the community of Newtownbutler. Those responsible must be identified and held accountable for their actions. I encourage anyone with any information to bring that to the PSNI. <BR /> <BR />However, equally concerning is the silence from some political representatives. When places of worship are attacked, there should be no hesitation in condemning such incidents. They should be condemned clearly and without ambiguity. Perhaps Sinn Féin was too busy commemorating IRA terrorists over Easter to notice, but the community has taken note. When communities are hurting, such silence speaks volumes.”
“I ask for just a moment's latitude, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, because this is my first time speaking in the Chamber since the birth, in September, of my daughter, Olivia. I place on record my sincere thanks to Members from across the House for their good wishes and prayers during what was a difficult time for my family. Your support was deeply appreciated. <BR /> <BR />I rise today to condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on the Sunday school building at Galloon Parish Church over Easter weekend. This was a completely reprehensible incident. The place serves families and the wider community and should never have been targeted in such a way. It was especially distressing given that the incident took place over Easter, which is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar.”