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 want to get through this, if that is OK. I will bring you in at the end. <BR /> <BR />The spending review is an opportunity to do the right thing and support workers, families and businesses. We will know the outworkings of that next week. <BR /> <BR />I will bring the Member in now, if he wants to come in.”
“Minister O'Dowd has taken a number of actions to address the issues that are highlighted in the report on the cost of doing business. He has called on Treasury to take action on the taxation matters that are identified in the report, and he is actively engaging with business bodies on the outcomes in the report. That work will complement the policy review work that is already under way as part of his Department's strategic rates review. Devolved government should not be left to pick up the pieces following decisions taken on taxation matters. What we need is action from Westminster.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Department of Finance was responsible for the rating elements in the report and has already undertaken actions in response to the recommendations, including extending the small business rate relief scheme for 2024-25 and the reinstatement of the Back in Business scheme to incentivise the use of long-term vacant retail space by helping new ventures across our council areas in their vital first years in business. In addition, the "Fair Work on Our High Streets" recommendation aligns with the Minister for the Economy's priority on good jobs. Minister Archibald is proactively taking forward measures to support that.”
“There are calls in the motion to recall the high street task force and for the Minister for the Economy to work with the Minister of Finance to publish proposals on how the recommendations contained in the high street task force report will be implemented. However, the high street task force recommendations cut across the remit of many Departments, such as the Department for Communities' work on urban regeneration and improving places. The Department of Justice will also play a role through its work on safer communities. One or two Departments alone cannot tackle the issues.”
“That measure is being phased out in England. It was reduced last year from 75% to 40%, with proposals to adjust the business rates system under the British Government's 'Transforming Business Rates' paper. That paper and the important context of the local tax base are the key aspects of the strategic review of small business rate relief that is now under way. <BR /> <BR />The cost will also be a key factor. Any new rate relief means either forgoing revenue or charging other ratepayers more, as every pound that is raised through the rating system stays here as a resource to pay for hospitals, schools and other essential public services.”
“<BR /> <BR />The motion calls on the Minister of Finance to establish a cost of doing business advisory forum. I understand that the purpose of Retail NI's five-point plan is to ensure that small businesses are fully consulted before any new legislation, rating policies or levies are introduced. The Minister of Finance and his officials already engage extensively with the business community on matters of mutual interest, most recently hosting a business round table just last month. Indeed, the rates review has already been determined by what the business community wanted to be prioritised. Without giving it a name, that is, essentially, already happening as part of Minister O'Dowd's day-to-day business for the areas within his remit. <BR /> <BR />Amendment No 1 calls for retail, hospitality and leisure rate relief to be introduced.”
“The Department of Finance, through Land and Property Services (LPS), already offers a wide range of rate support schemes to support business ratepayers, providing £250 million of rate support. The Department recently extended the small business rate relief scheme, which supports almost 30,000 businesses, and restored the Back in Business and rural ATM schemes to support businesses. In addition, policy reviews of the small business rate relief and non-domestic vacant rating as part of the Department of Finance's strategic rates review are under way. The business community wanted those areas to be prioritised. The terms of reference for those reviews have now been published, and the process will utilise the cost of doing business research in its suite of evidence.”
“It is becoming increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for the Executive to mitigate the decisions that are being made in Westminster. However, Minister O'Dowd has vowed to continue to make the case for better funding and to work with Executive colleagues to support our employers, workers and communities. <BR /> <BR />In terms of what local support the Executive or individual Departments can provide to ease cost pressures for businesses, it is important to understand that any new funding measures will require decisions to cut funding elsewhere or to increase revenue. It is easy for members of the Opposition to call for more support. Suggestions of where cuts could be made to pay for that increased support are less forthcoming from those Benches. Ministers do not have the luxury of ducking those hard questions and stark choices.”
“The Finance Minister has also shared a copy of the research with his Executive colleagues so that they can consider the implications of the work for their Departments and the areas that they are responsible for. While the Executive do not have the financial capability to mitigate decisions taken in Westminster, they are committed to supporting businesses and our economy. That is evident from the 2025-26 Budget, which provides investment in skills, childcare, agriculture and capital funding to stimulate economic growth. The constraints that many employers face are understood, and the independent research is an important evidence base that sets that out. However, the Executive also face budget constraints while the demand for public services is growing.”
“It was a decision taken in Westminster as a taxation measure, and the Executive do not have the ability to mitigate it. The spending review is an opportunity to remedy the situation for the employers who are most affected across the sectors instead of continuing the pattern of austerity, where those most in need are left without the support that they deserve. <BR /> <BR />Minister O'Dowd, through his engagement with them, has asked that business representative bodies use the report to lobby Westminster to take account of the implications of its decisions and the impact that they have had on individual sectors. I ask Members here to do the same: take every opportunity available to you to highlight our case to Westminster.”
“I acknowledge the proactive and consistent efforts that my colleague Minister O'Dowd has made in making the case to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury. He has impressed on him in writing and when they met last month the need for support or mitigations to be put in place to ease the impacts of the National Insurance contribution changes. The changes place additional strain on already stretched budgets across the public, private and third sectors. It is unacceptable that that additional pressure has been put on employers. With little advance notice to allow for sufficient budget planning, businesses, public bodies and community and voluntary organisations have had little time to prepare, and the consequences are being felt across the board.”
“The research showed that the sectors that will be hit hardest by the National Insurance contribution changes will include hospitality, agriculture, retail, the arts and entertainment, as well as the community and voluntary sector. Those are important and vital sectors in our economy. In addition, the research highlighted the disparity in VAT across the all-island economy and the negative implications for businesses, especially hospitality businesses, that operate near the border. <BR /> <BR />I share the concerns of many in the Chamber about the impact of changes to employers' National Insurance contributions. Alongside other increasing cost pressures, they will put further pressure on employers here.”
“It included an extensive consultation exercise with over 25 sectoral groups and drew on comparisons with Britain from a wide range of available data. It considered a number of factors, including the impact of labour, energy, property and transport costs. <BR /> <BR />A key concern for the North, however, relates to the changes to National Insurance contributions. The report identifies those changes as likely having a more significant impact here than in Britain owing to our lower earnings. It was therefore right for the Minister of Finance to send the report to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury as an independent evidence base ahead of the forthcoming spending review.”
“I welcome the opportunity to respond on behalf of my colleague Minister O'Dowd. <BR /> <BR />I begin by saying that it is important for our local businesses to thrive and create good jobs. That is central to our Programme for Government priority to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy that works for everyone. It was therefore disappointing when the Chancellor announced changes to employers' National Insurance contributions last autumn. In response, just a few weeks later, the then Minister of Finance, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, proactively commissioned the Ulster University Economic Policy Centre to carry out a sectoral study of the cost of doing business here. I am sure that, by now, all Members have had the opportunity to read that independent research, which was published by the Department of Finance on 6 May.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“Again, we need to work together across Departments, with each other in the Chamber and with communities. We need to make sure that nobody is left behind when we progress any equality legislation.”
“I thank the Member for her question. As I said, we will bring race relations legislation to the Assembly in 2025-26. On a broader point, equality is not just ticking a box but a core principle of how we need to shape policy and build communities. We are absolutely committed to addressing any gaps, and I welcome the Executive Office Committee's work on that. No one should feel that their identity, background or culture is any less entitled to dignity or opportunity than anyone else's. We have to be proactive in addressing inequalities.”
“We also welcome the Executive Office Committee's work on its inquiry into the differences between our equality legislation and that in other jurisdictions, and we will consider the findings of the report when it is available.”
“While we have equality legislation that protects citizens from less favourable treatment, we recognise that there are differences from that of other jurisdictions, and we are committed to addressing any gaps. We will bring race relations legislation before the Assembly in 2025-26 to strengthen protections against racism. We are also considering bringing in protections against age-related discrimination in relation to goods, facilities and services, and junior Minister Cameron and I recently met Claire Sugden to discuss her private Member's Bill. I thank Claire for taking the time to meet us and for continually championing and advocating for our older people.”
“I am happy to get the details of the groups for you. The groups and organisations on the ground that work with women who are fleeing domestic violence, and work to end violence against women and girls, should be commended. They do stellar work. I am happy to come back to you with a list of those groups and the funding that they receive.”
“This issue has to be approached with compassion, understanding and dignity. We await the guidance of the Equality Commission in light of its consideration, which will come out later this month. Regardless of how they define themselves, every person deserves the same love, equality, respect and compassion that we claim to strive for on behalf of everyone. I want an inclusive society that is based on equal rights and opportunity for all our citizens. I want people in the Chamber and beyond to remember that we are talking about people. We are talking about human beings. They are our brothers, sisters, family members and friends. Please remember that. Language is so important.”
“I do not think that any of us is under any illusions: the Executive are working within incredibly tight financial constraints. Our communities and public services feel that pressure every day, but that does not mean that we should sit back and do nothing; if anything, it makes the need for joined-up, collective action even more urgent. The Programme for Government gives us a clear plan to deliver real change. We all have a part to play in that: all Departments, all Ministers and, most importantly, the people on the ground who know where the gaps are and how we can best close them.”
“Next February, the Programme for Government will have been in place for a year. As I said, we will publish an annual report on it. The Programme for Government needs to be reviewed yearly. That will give us the opportunity to make updates in line with, for example, budget decisions. It will be monitored more regularly than that in order to measure progress against our priorities. The well-being framework will be updated throughout the year, as and when the data becomes available.”
“For my part, I will continue to deliver the positive change that people want to see on the issues that matter most to them and their families.”
“I agree with that. The Programme for Government reflects the shared ambitions of the Executive. It has been designed to make things better for people in areas such as health and tackling waiting lists; our environment; growing a globally competitive economy; providing more social, affordable and sustainable housing; building safer communities; ending violence against women and girls; and much more. That will require a sustained whole-of-government commitment if we are to deliver a real and positive difference in the lives of people, families and communities. There will, of course, be tough financial challenges as, simply put, we do not have the level of public finances that is required. Our shared focus is to make a real difference in improving people's lives. That is why our commitment is to maximise on delivery.”
“Gabhaim buíochas leis an Chomhalta as a ceist.”
“I have not seen the question that the Member submitted. I am happy to take that back and look at it.”
“It will drive forward delivery through a single point that will have a strategic focus, as well as scrutinise, support, monitor and ensure good governance. We also have a well-being dashboard that tracks long-term well-being at a population level. That will be updated continually, as and when new data becomes available. <BR /> <BR />We will also keep track of delivery, and we will publish an annual delivery report. That will allow us to consider whether projects and programmes are being delivered on time and within budget and what more we need to do, or what we can do differently, for projects to be effective and efficient.”
“We have set realistic targets and timelines for delivery against all nine priorities in the Programme for Government. We have already seen real progress. From March 2025, over 15,000 children were registered for the childcare subsidy scheme. When that is combined with tax-free childcare, it is estimated that those working families will have saved nearly £17 million over this period. The scheme will be extended to include school-age children, which will benefit families further. Those targets will be monitored frequently by officials in the Department's newly established delivery unit, the scientific unit and the AI unit. We will also collaborate across all the other Departments to make sure that progress is being made against the priorities. <BR /> <BR />A Programme for Government subcommittee of the Civil Service board has been formed.”
“We know that telecommunications policy and legislation is a reserved matter, but I ask her to raise the issue at every opportunity with her officials, the telecommunications regulator, mobile network operators and any other stakeholders that she engages with in Britain, because people deserve better services, particularly when they are paying for them.”
“NHS workers are missing emergency call-outs, parents are unable to reach their children, elderly people are unable to ring for help, and self-employed painters, electricians and builders are missing out on vital work. One person who responded to the survey said, "I suffered a cardiac arrest last year, and now I am missing vital follow-up calls because my phone does not ring." We just cannot sit back and accept it when people are paying £50 or more a month for a signal that simply does not exist. It is not just about the inconvenience; it is about health and safety and about livelihoods. <BR /> <BR />I thank the Minister for the Economy for being in the Chamber today to hear these concerns.”
“<BR /> <BR />As was previously referenced, yes, there has been vandalism on telecommunications infrastructure in the past year, which has worsened the issue. However, the issue goes back long before that, so the vandalism cannot be given as the sole reason. Over 55% of those who took part in the survey came from the Glen Road, Turf Lodge and Andersonstown areas, and 90% of people told us that their phone signal is either poor or non-existent, with 83% saying that they regularly experience dropped calls. People told us that they are missing calls from the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Mater Hospital, from their GPs and from hospitals that they have waited months to hear from.”
“While it might seem small to some, this is a huge issue. Poor or next to no phone signal is affecting far too many people in West Belfast. Time and time again, I have experienced daily blackout spots, calls dropping out, or no signal at all in areas of the Glen Road, Dermot Hill and the Whiterock Road — the list goes on. It is not just a poor service, but a complete lack of service. It is a failure by mobile networks, and a failure of accountability. We are told that we live in a digital age, yet many in my community feel that they are being left behind. That is why Sinn Féin's Paul Maskey, the MP for West Belfast, recently launched a survey. The response was overwhelming, not just in numbers but in frustration and genuine fear.”
“Gabhaim buíochas le hÓrlaithí as an díospóireacht seo a chur osár gcomhair inniu.”
“Caithfidh sé sin bheith le fáil ar fud na Sé Chontae, beag beann ar an chód poist.”
“Ach tá an soláthar don mheabhairshláinte ina fhadhb mhór go fóill. Níor chóir do dhaoine agus dá gcairde gaoil a bheith ag brath go hiomlán ar thacaíocht ón earnáil pobail agus dheonach. Tá sé ríthábhachtach go ndéana an Roinn Sláinte an obair phráinneach atá sa phlean gníomhaíochta nua Protect Life 2 le féinmharú a chosc. Tá an idirghabháil agus an cosc luath ríthábhachtach, agus caithfidh teacht furasta bheith ag gach duine ar sheirbhísí. Cuirimid fáilte roimh an athbhreithniú a rinneadh le déanaí ar sheirbhísí andúile agus athshlánúcháin. Ach ní mór dúinn seirbhísí athshlánúcháin cuimsitheacha a chur ar fáil anois ag an phointe riachtanais. Cuirimid fáilte fosta roimh leathnú na samhla MDT le déanaí i gclinicí dochtúra, ina bhfuil gairmithe meabhairshláinte le fáil le cuidiú agus le tacú le daoine ag leibhéal an chúraim phríomhúil.”
“An tSeachtain um Fheasacht Meabhairshláinte atá ann an tseachtain seo, rud a thugann deis dúinn aird a dhíriú ar an ghníomh phráinneach atá de dhíth lena chinntiú go gcuirtear a ndotháin acmhainní ar fáil dár seirbhísí meabhairshláinte, agus do na seirbhísí tacaíochta a chuidíonn leo, le freastal ar an éileamh. Tá obair iontach á déanamh ag grúpaí agus ag carthanais ar leith: Tús Úr i mo thoghcheantar, bothán na bhfear agus bothán na mban, agus neart grúpaí eile atá i mbun obair fhíorthábhachtach sa réimse seo, a thugann tearmann agus spás sábháilte do gach duine. Tacaíonn sin lena meabhairshláinte, téann sé chun a leasa, agus neartaíonn sé an áit s’acu inár bpobail agus inár sochaí. <BR /> <BR />Tá obair na ngrúpaí sin, agus níl luaite agam ach dornán beag acu, tá sin le moladh.”
“<BR /> <BR />In closing, I thank colleagues for joining me today to discuss this important issue. The Economy Ministers, North and South, will continue to work together to make sure that barriers to all-Ireland student mobility are addressed and that all students, North and South, have equal opportunity to access higher education institutions across the island.”
“In January, when Conor Murphy was Economy Minister, he met the CEO of UCAS. The increased cooperation between UCAS and the CAO to date is very encouraging. Officials will continue to facilitate that cooperation with a view to ensuring that that momentum is maintained and opening further discussions about admission dates and clearing processes. <BR /> <BR />It is important that students of all ages be provided with clear guidance and support at the earliest possible opportunity to enable them to make informed choices and navigate the admissions processes. The Department of Education will have an important role in making sure that pupils have an awareness of a clear pathway of options and that their needs when applying for higher education courses across the island are met.”
“Those measures will help to alleviate some of the financial barriers to cross-border study. <BR /> <BR />Regarding access to doctoral study in the North, following recent changes to the terms and conditions of the Department's postgraduate award scheme, PhD students from the South of Ireland will be eligible to receive the full stipend, as well as payment of tuition fees under the scheme. Previously, students from the South were eligible for fee support only. Minister Archibald recently had a very positive meeting with her counterpart in the South, James Lawless TD, to discuss how they can work together to address the various barriers to all-Ireland student mobility. While various improvements have been made to date, there is more to be done, which Members have highlighted and of which Minister Archibald is aware.”
“The Economy Department's Careers Service publication titled 'A Guide to Career Entry Routes' has also been updated. That publication is available online and is distributed to all schools in the North. The Careers Service is also considering the publication of a bulletin specifically about applying to HE and how to work with the Department of Education and schools to ensure that that information is disseminated to teachers. <BR /> <BR />In terms of financial support for students, from academic year 2024-25, postgraduate students from the North studying in the South have been able to access a tuition fee loan. Economy officials are actively working with the Student Loans Company to make a similar loan available to students from the North studying part-time undergraduate courses in the South.”
“The changes mean that A-level students from the North will no longer be required to achieve four top A-level grades to obtain maximum points; instead, those applicants will be considered for university places in the South with three A levels and one or two AS levels. That places students from across the island on a more equal footing with regard to the admissions points calculation system that operates in the South. <BR /> <BR />The Economy Minister has engaged with the National Union of Students-Union of Students in Ireland on cross-border student mobility, and her officials have worked with the Secondary Students' Union, which represents sixth-form students across the North, to improve information and guidance on applying for higher education courses across Britain and Ireland on nidirect.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion on behalf of Minister Archibald and thank Members for bringing the issue to the Floor. As the proposer of the motion stated, people should be free to study anywhere on the island. To support that, we need to remove barriers to people from the South who want to study in the North and vice versa. <BR /> <BR />The review of A-level grade equivalences undertaken by the Irish Government is welcome. I understand that universities in the South have embraced it and are implementing the changes for applications for the coming academic year.”
“Go raibh míle maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.”
“They had over 417,000 users, delivered 1,800 programmes, activities and training courses, and created 923 construction and administrative jobs. We are planning for a future Urban Villages programme that will include joined-up delivery between Departments and enhance the linkages that the Urban Villages programme has made in supporting ministerial priorities. We have also established a working group to take forward the development of phase 2 of Urban Villages. That will include establishing the criteria for the future programme. As I have said, once the criteria have been agreed, we will of course come to the Chamber to update Members.”
“I thank the Member for his question. I echo his welcome to the school. As we come to the end of phase 1 of the Urban Villages initiative, it is worth reflecting on the fact that the project has supported a range of community-led, cross-cutting and capital projects that have made a real difference to improving good relations. Along with junior Minister Cameron, I have visited many of those projects. I know that the Member has been supportive of that work in his North Belfast constituency. <BR /> <BR />It is also worth noting that, to date, the Urban Villages programme has delivered approximately £50 million of capital investment and £15 million of revenue investment. Over 58 capital projects have now been completed.”
“We have set out the strategic direction for Urban Villages. It includes completing the current Urban Villages plan and securing the sustainability of capital projects by supporting those community organisations that are taking forward large capital projects.”
“We know the significant and positive impact that the current Urban Villages programme has had on communities, working through successful delivery of the remaining capital projects, which will increase access to shared-space facilities and continue to promote integration across the five Urban Villages areas and beyond.”
“Déanaimis ceiliúradh ar an lá seo agus ar an dul chun cinn a rinneadh, ach coinnimís linn ag brú le tuilleadh athruithe a fháil.”
“Dár ndóigh, tá straitéis ar leith i bhfeidhm ag Oifig an Choiste Feidhmiúcháin, agus cuireadh maoiniú ar fáil do na comhairlí áitiúla le dul amach chuig grúpaí. Cuirfear cláir oideachais, céardlanna, áiseanna praiticiúla ar fáil agus níos mó arís leis an airgead sin. Caithfidh gach Roinn, gach earnáil agus gach cuid dár bpobal úinéireacht a ghlacadh ar an obair sin a chur i bhfeidhm le go mbeidh domhan ann ina bhfuil gach aon cháilín agus gach aon bhean sábháilte agus meas orthu. <BR /> <BR />Tá na mná ag tabhairt aghaidh ar na saincheisteanna a luaigh mé. Mar ionadaithe poiblí, caithfimidne bheith ag obair go dian leis na bacainní sin a bhriseadh síos agus sochaí níos cothroime a chruthú. Lá Idirnáisiúnta sona na mBan daoibh go léir.”