Aisling Reilly
West Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“As well as thanking every one of the victims and survivors who have contributed, I take the opportunity to also thank the Members of the House past and present and, in particular, the Committee Chair and Committee members, who worked so diligently and carefully to study and examine the Bill, to listen to victims and survivors and to bring…”
“Dealing with that injustice was core to the approach of the Bill. <BR /> <BR />Before concluding deliberations on the Bill, I will bring our focus back to the women and children — now adults — their families and all survivors whose experiences have brought us to this point.”
“It is only by addressing the truths hidden in dark shadows that we can begin to properly shine a light on a society that continues to violate and oppress too many women and girls and to make sure that it never happens again and that, together, we commit to breaking the cycle of harm and violence against women and girls.”
“I hope that it now respects and fulfils the wishes of the women and girls who, for many decades, have suffered and been silenced. <BR /> <BR />It is a large, complex and sensitive piece of legislation. It is, no doubt, much more complex legislation than it first appeared, and there were many factors to balance.”
“<BR /> <BR />For some, the prospect of engaging with the inquiry may feel daunting. For that reason, we listened to victims and survivors when they told us that they wanted us to create a dual investigation, so that individuals had the option to engage with an expert independent panel and provide testimony in a different and more informal…”
“I say to the people who are still considering whether to come forward that your testimony matters. To those who have spent years searching for answers, I say that the inquiry will seek those answers.”
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“I also commend the West Belfast area learning community, working with the West Belfast Partnership Board, for its efforts in collaborative learning to improve outcomes for learners throughout West Belfast. It is this community approach that epitomises all that is good about education. It is vital to recognise that education is not just the responsibility of teachers and schools. Education happens in the home and in the community, as well as in the classroom. It is when all those things work in harmony that our young people have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. That is why we need to build on that in the time ahead.”
“Ba chóir dúinn bheith ag éascú comórtas a mbainfidh ár bpobal tairbhe as i bhfad i ndiaidh dóibh an féadóg dheireanach a chluinstin. Táthar ag súil le hathfhorbairt Phairc Mhic Easmaoint le fada an lá. Mar phríomhthionscadal feidhmiúcháin, tá sé i bhfad thar am. Tá sé thar am Páirc Mhic Ásmaint a thógáil.”
“Anois caithfimid a chinntiú go bhfuil áiseanna den chéad scoth againn i bPairc Mhic Easmaint. <BR /> <BR />Tá an t-am ag imeacht uainn agus tá na tairbhí eacnamaíochta féideartha rómhór chun ligean do thuilleadh moille iad a chur i mbaol. Is deis iontach é seo le scoth na n-oileán s’againn a léiriú ar stáitse an domhain. Féadann na tairbhí fadtréimhseacha athrú ó bhun a dhéanamh agus, mar dhuine a raibh an onóir mhór aici bheith ag imirt i bPairc Mhic Easmaint, tá a fhios agam go bhfágfaidh sé oidhreacht spóirt agus chultúir thar a bheith dearfach do na glúinte atá le teacht. <BR /> <BR />I gceann aon lá dhéag amháin, beidh súile an domhain ar an Ghearmáin. Ach ba cheart gurb í an bhliain 2028 an bhliain s’againn. Ba cheart go mbeamis ag tapú na deise.”
“Déanfar an ráiteas seo as Gaeilge. <BR /> <BR />I gceann níos lú ná coiscise cuirfear tús le Craobhchomórtas Peile na hEorpain Munich — ag caitheamh spotsolas domhanda ar gach rud atá le tairiscint ag an Ghearmáin do chuairteoiri agus ag cur borradh mór eacnamaíochta faoi ghnólachtaí agus pobail áitiúla. Ar ndóighe, beidh deis ag Béal Feirste tairbhe a bhaint as a leithéid de bhuntáistí i gceann ceithre eile bliain le Euro 2028. <BR /> <BR />Is é príomhthátál na tuairisce is déanaí a choimisiúnaigh Cumann Luthchleas Gaeil Uladh go bhféadfaí breis agus £100 mílliún a ghiniúint don gheilleagar áitiúil trí chluichí Euro 2028 a óstáil i bPáirc Mhic Easmaint. Is deis é sin nach cóir ligean dul tharainn. Is deis ar leith é. Ba cheart dúinn an deis sin a thapú. Tá an ceart tuillte againn na cluichí seo a óstáil.”
“I thank the Member for her question regarding the cuts to the Women's Aid Federation's budget. We recognise the need to ensure that services for victims deliver a consistent, trauma-informed response across a diverse range of needs. That includes access to funding and resources. We absolutely acknowledge the good work being carried out by our delivery partners, which include Women's Aid, in very challenging circumstances. As I said, we will continue to engage with our Executive colleagues about funding for the Women's Aid Federation and other delivery partners.”
“The horrendous murder of Kathryn Parton in recent weeks was yet another stark reminder that, every day, there are many women who are not safe in their home and suffer violence and abuse, often in silence. Yet again, we have to take a stand here today and say that enough is enough. Together, we need to ensure that there is zero tolerance of any violence or abuse towards women and girls. <BR /> <BR />My heart goes out to all of Kathryn's family and friends, but especially to her father, who experienced something that no parent ever should and which is every parent's worst nightmare. Words, however, are not enough, and the Executive are committed to taking action.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste.”
“I thank the Member for his words of congratulations. <BR /> <BR />As the Member knows, we are operating in a very difficult budgetary situation. The impact of that is being felt across Departments and within communities, and we are hearing about that in today's debate on the Budget. <BR /> <BR />Work is ongoing to develop a costed action plan to support the delivery of the strategic framework, taking into account the wider financial implication across all Departments. I know that the Member — as do we — wants to make sure that the framework has the impact and delivers on the step change that is needed in society to end violence against women and girls. We will continue to engage with our Executive colleagues and partners in this crucial area and are committed to bringing the framework forward as soon as possible.”
“With your permission, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, I will answer questions 6 and 10 together. <BR /> <BR />We reiterate that ending violence against women and girls remains one of our key priorities. We are committed to bringing forward the strategic framework and action plan for consideration by the Executive Committee as soon as possible. The recent murder of Kathryn Parton only highlights the urgency required. We extend our sympathy to Kathryn's family and friends at this extremely difficult time. <BR /> <BR />We are giving active consideration to final options. It is anticipated that the updated framework and action plan will be brought to the Executive very shortly.”
“As you said, the Urban Villages programme idea has proved to be very successful, particularly the co-design process with communities. We all know that communities are better placed to reflect their needs than any of us here or any official. As I said, TEO officials have developed options on the future of the programme, and, once those have been considered, Members will be updated.”
“We look forward to updating Members once we have considered how best to continue with our aim of promoting thriving places and achieving the best outcomes for all our citizens.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As I mentioned, the Department recognises that needs vary across communities here and seeks to address as many of them as possible. Since Urban Villages launched in 2016, there has been a range of other developments that will impact on what Urban Villages does next. That will include reviews of programmes such as Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) and DFC's neighbourhood renewal programme, and a cross-departmental test and learning pilot to test departmental joint working, initially in the Diamond area of Derry and in Aughnacloy.”
“We continue to work with our colleagues in other Departments to ascertain how support can best be delivered to communities in a way that will be impactful and sustainable.”
“I thank the Member for his follow-up question. In its design, Urban Villages was never intended to be a core funder. The aim was always to provide additionality to supplement areas' existing provision. It was always envisaged that Urban Villages would be a time-bound programme and not a perpetual or long-term funder. The Urban Villages revenue funding programme was extended to 31 March 2024 to allow appropriate time to support all project promoters, including by encouraging collaborative approaches for the purpose of shared benefits, delivery and identifying alternative funding sources. <BR /> <BR />The Urban Villages team will operate in North Belfast until at least 2027 to allow capital projects to be completed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Since 2016, £13·5 million has been invested, through revenue projects, in improving good relations outcomes in all five Urban Village areas, with over £2 million having been invested in North Belfast. <BR /> <BR />Officials have developed a range of options for the future of the Urban Villages programme. We are committed to continuing to promote thriving places and achieving the best outcomes for all our citizens. We will update Members on future plans for the programme when options have been considered.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Urban Villages programme has had many positive outcomes, with 56 capital projects, comprising shared community facilities, parks and public realm, now completed, 13 of which are in North Belfast. A further 16 projects are progressing through the capital development life cycle, including four in North Belfast. <BR /> <BR />A few examples of those projects include the Marrowbone Millennium Park and the ABC Trust Health and Leisure Hub in north Belfast; Páirc Nua Chollann and Healthy Living Centre in the Colin area of west Belfast; New Gate Arts and Culture Centre and Meenan Square in Derry; the ProKick community gym and the Hosford Community Homes: Inclusion Hub in east Belfast; and the Lockhouse and the Donegall Pass Good Relations Hub in south Belfast.”
“I do not have that information in front of me, but I am happy to come back to the Member on that.”
“However, we have work to do: there is a lot of work that we can do and many things that we can continue with, and the implementation of the Act that came into effect in 2022 is one of those.”
“On the budget and projected costs — I will answer in English; you do not need to worry about headphones — a business case in respect of establishing the new bodies is well advanced and is in the process of being approved. It will not be possible to meet the cost of establishing and running the bodies, now that the legislation has passed and partially commenced, without additional funding being provided to TEO. <BR /> <BR />The Executive will make a case — as they have been doing — that the North is massively underfunded, and that case will continually be made by my Executive colleagues and the First Minister and the deputy First Minister to the British Government. As we all know, we have suffered 13 years of Tory austerity, and we should all lay the blame firmly at the doors of Westminster and the Tory party.”
“Mar sin, tá mise tiomanta dó seo, agus tá a fhios agam gurb amhlaidh leat féin, ag iarraidh na Coimisinéirí agus na hoifigí a fheiceáil. Chomh luath agus a bheidh tuilleadh eolais agam air sin, tiocfaidh mé ar ais chugat le scéala.”
“De réir na taithí i mo Roinnese, glacann an próiseas ceapacháin phoiblí thart ar bhliain iomlán ón uair a dhéanann na hAirí cinntí tosaigh maidir leis an phróiseas. Ós rud é go gcaithfidh trí chomórtas a reáchtáil ag an aon am amháin le suas le hocht gceapachán phoiblí, d’fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh níos mó ama de dhíth. Ag caint go pearsanta, mar Ghaeilgeoir, beidh mise ag déanamh mo sheacht ndícheall agus ag obair i gcomhar leis na hoifigí ina bhfuil na feidhmeannaigh seo bunaithe. Tá an tAcht, mar is eol duit, tá sé i bhfeidhm le breis agus bliain. Tá pobal na Gaeilge ag fanacht le blianta fada leis na Coimisinéirí, ionas gur féidir leis an obair tosú agus dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar chearta, ar chomhionannas agus ar fhéiniúlacht.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste.”
“Cinnte, agus arís gabhaím buíochas leis an Chomhalta. Tá obair ullmhúcháin déanta ag feidhmeannaigh na Roinne, agus ina measc sin na socruithe praiticiúla leis na comhlachtaí a bhunú. Mar chuid de sin, tá an obair ullmhúcháin is gá le riachtanais maidir le hearcaíocht, rialachas agus cóiríocht, mar aon le cás gnó achomair a thabhairt chun cinn. Is í an chéad chéim eile sa phróiseas seo na cinntí aireachta nach mór a dhéanamh leis na comhlachtaí nua a bhunú. Nuair a bheas na cinntí sin déanta, beidh muid in ann tús a chur ar an phróiseas ceapacháin.”
“Tá Oifig an Fheidhmeannais freagrach as na socruithe riachtanacha a thabhairt chun tosaigh leis na forálacha atá san Acht um Fhéiniúlacht agus Teanga (Tuaisceart Éireann) 2022 a chur i bhfeidhm, ina measc, bunú na nithe seo a leanas: an Oifig um Fhéiniúlacht agus Léiriú Cultúrtha; Coimisinéir Teanga na Gaeilge; agus an Coimisinéir um thraidisiún na nAlbanach Uladh agus na mBriotanach Uladh. Beidh sé seo ag teacht le cinntí na nAirí agus coinneoidh muid na Comhaltaí ar an eolas.”
“Go raibh maith agat, agus gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste.”
“<BR /> <BR />Finally, I hope that the Act is fully implemented long before the new deadline. Let us learn from other jurisdictions and do this well. Let us scrap this unfair tax once and for all, because, at the end of the day, it is not up to staff, patients or family members to foot the bill.”
“I listened to people who must attend hospital day after day. In some circumstances, that is to receive special treatment, or it may be to visit a family member who is extremely ill or receiving treatment. <BR /> <BR />The Minister said that he is fully committed to the Act, given that he and all the parties voted for it back in 2022. After a brief conversation with the Minister, I also acknowledge that while a small step is being taken, one that should already be best practice, the Department will launch an interim advertising campaign to alert people who may be entitled to free or concessionary charges while attending hospital. It is vital that the advertising campaign reaches people in all communities and informs them that, where applicable, they can avail themselves of those concessions.”
“I urge the Department to do all that it can to implement the legislation before the end of the two-year period that the Minister seeks. Two years should be the absolute maximum time frame. The original legislation was important to my party colleagues and me because the charges are an unfair stealth tax that is imposed on ordinary workers and families. <BR /> <BR />As the Member who brought the original Bill through, I listened to the unions, which told me that the charges put staff in a situation where they sometimes pay over £150 a month to go to work. For many families, that is simply unsustainable. Our job is to make people's lives better, and, where possible, we should seek to remove barriers to healthcare access and put the money back in their pockets. I also listened to users who travel from urban and rural areas.”
“Like many other Members today, I express my disappointment that the Department is seeking a further extension. As the sponsor of the original Bill, which has been pointed out, I did a lot of work in the lead-up to the introduction of the Bill on the Floor of the Assembly. I am therefore acutely aware of the additional strain that patients, healthcare workers and families have to deal with due to car parking charges at hospital sites. <BR /> <BR />The Minister outlined all the reasons why an extension is required. However, I have to point out that there already has been an 18-month extension to the original Bill, making this the second extension required by the Department, which is, as I said, extremely disappointing.”
“We are all aware that, with the Executive restored just over eight weeks ago, we are in a difficult budgetary situation. We know that we are underfunded. As I said, the Executive encountered a challenging Budget position for 2023-24, and difficult decisions had to be made. To inform the decision-making process and how the budget was allocated, an equality impact assessment (EQIA) was carried out. Initial feedback received from that EQIA's public consultation was considered, and an allocation of £1·4 million was made to the central good relations fund. In addition to the EQIA, a children's rights impact assessment and a rural needs impact assessment were undertaken. We understand the impact that those reductions had on local communities and want to be clear that we remain fully supportive of good relations delivery.”
“I commend the efforts of all the community and statutory partners involved in working to build a better future for all. I also acknowledge all the participants from the community and voluntary sector — the volunteers and staff involved in those programmes — who go out and do tremendous work, making a difference to the people who not only need the programmes but benefit from them massively. I commend all of them for that.”
“Work continues across other interface sites to secure the conditions needed for reduction or removal. In recent weeks, junior Minister Cameron and I have attended good relations events in Derry, Newry, Ballymena, Newtownabbey and Belfast. All those Connecting Communities engagements are further evidence that the T:BUC strategy has facilitated meaningful progress and change at a local level.”
“There has been significant progress in delivery of the Together: Building a United Community strategy since its implementation. Over 30,000 young people have taken part in 870 T:BUC camps, five Urban Villages areas have been established, and the target of building 10 shared neighbourhoods has been met. Over 27,000 participants took part in the Uniting Communities programme of sporting events and young leader training, and over 6,000 young people participated in the United Youth programme. The first shared education campus at Limavady is now operational, and work is expected to commence on the Ballycastle shared education campus soon. The Executive have also expressed their commitment to the Strule campus in Omagh. <BR /> <BR />Approximately one third of interface barriers have been removed, with a further one third reduced in stature.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as ucht a cheiste.”
“Good relations impacts are measured at a project level by looking at the challenges for those from a different background in participating in good relations projects; such challenges may come in the knowledge of and attitudes and behaviour towards those people. It is also done through funded stakeholder project reports, which often detail case studies that highlight the personal impacts of good relations participation. More broadly, independent evaluations are conducted to assess impact and inform future delivery. Officials continue to work with key stakeholders to improve and review the evaluation process and fully capture the positive impacts of good relations work.”
“We commend the ongoing efforts of groups in the community and voluntary sector that work tirelessly to improve the lives of people here, especially when times are challenging. <BR /> <BR />Central good relations fund applications for 2024-25 are under assessment, and that process will be completed before the end of April 2024. Letters of offer will be issued to successful projects after a budget for the 2024-25 programme has been confirmed.”
“The central good relations fund (CGRF) is an annual merit-based programme designed to deliver and support projects in areas where there is good relations need. Funding is awarded, subject to budget, to those groups that score highest in the assessment process. Welcome statements are used to identify particular thematic or geographic areas from which applications would be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />In 2023-24, we funded projects across all council areas to the great benefit of communities and the people who live here. Unfortunately, though, due to the challenging financial position of 2023-24, difficult decisions had to be made, which included cuts to the central good relations fund. That resulted in many worthy projects being unable to secure funding through CGRF.”
“I thank the Member for her question. First, we agree with the principles of the recommendations in the report that were brought forward at the time. We firmly believe that high streets must be supported. However, a more detailed consideration of the task force recommendations and how we bring them forward, as well as any impacts that have been felt since the report was published, such as the cost-of-living crisis and the budgetary position developments in place-based working, will be a matter for the Executive to consider.”
“The support will be linked to the actual costs that were incurred by businesses for the replacement of damaged or destroyed equipment, refitting flooded property and repairing damage to buildings. Subject to meeting relevant criteria, businesses will also receive 100% relief from non-domestic rates on flooded properties for the period between 29 October 2023 and 31 March 2024. The Department for the Economy, led by my colleague Conor Murphy, is in discussions with the local authorities over the delivery of additional support — that is up to £100,000 per business — so I urge any trader who believes that they may be eligible to check the criteria and submit an application.”
“It was, of course, heartbreaking, to see so many family businesses and people who have built up their trade over generations lose so much after the recent floods. Those small and medium-sized businesses are the lifeblood of our local town centres. A number of steps have been taken to help them overcome the impacts of the devastating floods. Under the flood damage business grant scheme, 143 eligible businesses across three affected council areas were paid £7,500 each before 15 December at a total cost of £1,072,500. On 21 December, the Civil Service further announced details of financial support for businesses that were severely affected by the flooding. That will be targeted at small and medium-sized businesses.”
“I thank the Member for his question. Yes, the high streets rely massively on local businesses and local footfall; we rely on people going on to the high streets. The Member mentioned the bigger companies. Unfortunately, that is where society is going, but, of course, we want to support town centres and to see more people going into them. We want to see people shopping local. We absolutely encourage more people to go into town centres.”
“High streets are at the heart of our society in more ways than one. Not only do they drive the economy but they create shared spaces where society thrives. The task force report was published in March 2022, and, at that time, former junior Ministers paid tribute to the work that the task force did and welcomed the strategic narrative. The recommendations will be of interest to a number of Departments, and we will shortly write to Executive colleagues inviting them to consider how they will take forward the findings of the report.”
“. It is a reminder that, no matter where we go throughout the world, there is a bit of our home everywhere. <BR /> <BR />In the middle of all that, the Ireland men's rugby team became Six Nations champions at the weekend. That, again, put our island front and centre of the sporting world. The past few weeks should not be lost on any of us, because we have so much to celebrate and to be proud of. I congratulate the team on a fantastic tournament and win. <BR /> <BR />The past few weeks teach us that we should cherish and enjoy the testament to the indomitable spirit of our island. Let us continue to celebrate our language, culture and heritage with unwavering pride. Let us never forget that the power of sport unites and inspires us and reminds us of the greatness that lies in each and every one of us.”
“to all the groups, organisations and activists who continue to ensure that our language, culture and sport are accessible to everyone and, of course, celebrated. <BR /> <BR />On Sunday, we celebrated St Patrick's Day together. That is a day when the world turns its eyes to our shores in celebration. From Donegal to Kerry and from New York to Sydney, people across the globe come together for a bit of craic agus ceol”
“draws to a close, we reflect on the vibrant tapestry of events that has unfolded throughout the island, where families and communities have come together to revel in the beauty of our language, traditions and heritage. As I said a couple of weeks ago, at the beginning of Seachtain na Gaeilge, míle buíochas”
“Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed a magnificent celebration of all things sport, culture, arts and language that we should all be extremely proud of. As Seachtain na Gaeilge”
“in Hollywood. Here's to Cillian Murphy: an inspiration to us all and a shining beacon of talent, humility and Irish pride. Maith an fear.”
“It was also lovely to hear cúpla focal as Gaeilge”
“Beyond mere entertainment, the arts industry contributes significantly to economic growth, job creation and cultural enrichment. It serves as a powerful medium for expressing our collective experiences, fostering empathy and sparking important conversations about the world that we live in. It also allows us all to tell our stories. Cillian's success reminds us of the immense value of investing in the arts not only for economic impact but for the ability to inspire, challenge and unite us as a society. <BR /> <BR />What truly sets Cillian apart is his humility and down-to-earth nature. Despite reaching the highest echelons of fame and acclaim, he remains grounded in his roots, embodying the spirit of the Irish people. We could not be prouder of him not just for his extraordinary talent but for the genuine and humble man that he is.”
“I want to say a few words on the fantastic news that Cillian Murphy claimed one of the most iconic awards on the world stage last night, when he was awarded the prestigious Oscar for best actor. That achievement not only honours his remarkable talent but signifies a triumph for the arts here in Ireland. He is the first person born in Ireland to win the award. Cillian's journey to that pinnacle of success serves as an inspiration to countless young people across the country. His dedication, perseverance and unwavering commitment to his craft reminds us all that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible and nothing is out of reach, even an Oscar. <BR /> <BR />Cillian Murphy's Oscar win also highlights the vital role that the arts play in our economy and society.”