David Brooks
East Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Does the Member accept that our position, as it has been laid out and although it is different from hers, is that schools should have autonomy to decide those things? It is not about appointing anyone, least of all men specifically, to make those decisions; it is about school leadership.”
“I recognise that the Member is being genuine, as all Members have been as they have laid out their reasoning, and I have some sympathy with that. However, Northern Ireland is being portrayed almost as an outlier.”
“We have seen some enthusiasm for private Members' Bills introduced by those on the Benches opposite progressing at speed, and I hope to see similar motivation for such a key issue as inspections. In the past — admittedly, when there was less time pressure — the Committee was generous with its time when hearing from stakeholders.”
“I will say a few words rather make a lengthy speech. The Justice Bill is coming up, and I am sure that my colleague Mr Frew will have that covered.”
“I echo the sentiments that racism is always wrong, but one of the pressures that are causing frustration is the lack of social and affordable housing, particularly in our most deprived communities. That has been exacerbated by Mears's operation.”
“I will not take lectures in scripture and Christianity from those who often spend their time opposing Christian values — I have no truck with such lectures. Equally, I say to those who have been involved in the violence that you will not rebuild a Christian nation by torching houses or cars or by attacking the police.”
The complete record
Every one of 817 lines we hold for David Brooks, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 14 of 17.
“The point remains that the Minister's point was made on data that has been collected and is therefore accurate. <BR /> <BR />I will see what I can get through. I want to acknowledge that, in general, in this place, there is goodwill towards childcare. We all want to see improvements for our constituents and families. Indeed, when the Minister made his announcement back in May, our party leader, Gavin Robinson, who has himself expended considerable efforts on those issues, acknowledged the collaboration with the Opposition party's now leader, Claire Hanna, alongside Melted Parents, to inform the plan that the Minister brought forward for the initial £25 million. Indeed, at the Education Committee, I often engage with Pat Sheehan to say that, if we want to see this, we need the Finance Minister to engage.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. First, I will address what Mr Carroll said. I am not opposed to people's paying their tax or, indeed, better services for working-class people and everyone in society: it is just that the Member tends to lean towards pipe dreams without costing them. We heard that in his own speech in his dismissal of accurate figures that were given by the Minister, without actually going into anything other than something that he has heard or seen. I will give way if the Member wants to give us the data that he has.”
“Certainly. I agree with the Member on the need for a holistic approach, and I am glad that she sees the worth in the current scheme. Did the Alliance Ministers support the £25 million allocation to the childcare and early learning scheme at the Executive?”
“Does the Member have any idea how much that would cost? Will Moy Park get the bill for that one as well?”
“Does the Member agree that, as well as having the right plan, we need to have evidence-based plans? We cannot pick arbitrary targets out of the air and label them as ambition.”
“Does the Member agree that the example given is probably the exception that proves the rule?”
“A strengthened independent review should be the basis on which Labour honours its stated commitment to protect the UK's internal market.”
“We continue to work towards that aim. December's vote, although flawed, will be an opportunity to practically demonstrate that commitment in cooperation with other unionists. We will vote against the continuation of the current arrangements, but we are realistic about the outcome where the process requires only a simple majority. <BR /> <BR />Labour's reset in relations cannot be at the expense of honouring and advancing the commitments that formed the basis of the restoration of these institutions. My party secured in law the commitment to an independent review of the framework where there is no cross-community consent and to completion of that review within six months rather than the two years previously allowed under the Government's original unilateral declaration.”
“When those on other Benches next intervene, with sanctimony, to make the much-rehearsed point about the impact of this place being down, perhaps they will reflect on how their corrosive contempt for unionist concerns and violation of established governmental norms led to that. That issue will see MLAs compelled for the first time in decades to vote on a simple majority basis on an issue that is significant and contentious. <BR /> <BR />The DUP continues to believe that the barriers to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland are unacceptable. The Windsor framework, even with the progress made in 'Safeguarding the Union', did not secure all our negotiating objectives nor remedy all the issues with the protocol. Northern Ireland should have left the EU on the same basis as the rest of the United Kingdom.”
“That agreement means much more to those on the Opposition Benches than it does to me, yet, when it comes to the democratic consent mechanism, it seems as though the SDLP and others were content for it to deliberately and by design dump the principle of cross-community consent that was so fundamental in 1998. Unionist communities across this country noted that those parties value safeguards only when they are for nationalists: majoritarianism is the order of the day when it suits their own ends. <BR /> <BR />The nature of the democratic consent mechanism, like much of the protocol and Windsor framework, was imposed without the consent — without the cross-community consent, certainly — that, since 1998, we have been told was imperative to maintain the confidence of both communities and the legitimacy of government here.”
“Not one unionist in this place supported the protocol, which was cheered on by those who sought to overturn a democratic referendum. Unionists have long known that some embrace the notion of democratic consent only when it suits them. It is clear to unionists that those in this place who speak loudest of the Belfast Agreement, as though it were a holy text, are hypocrites on this issue. During the Brexit process, they and their comrades spoke ad nauseam of the need to uphold the Belfast Agreement in all its parts, not only in the letter, they said, but in spirit.”
“I agree with all the Member says. Does he accept that the fact that there are those wider issues is the reason why it should be catered for in the anti-poverty strategy rather than through single measures from the Education Department?”
“Has the Member's narrative for some time not been that there has been great austerity across the UK and that that has had an impact here? Now, he feels that there is plenty of money available in Northern Ireland. Which is it? Are the UK Government being stingy with their Budget and not giving us enough, or is there plenty of money available?”
“Indeed, it may note that some have received considerably less than others. If we are to indulge a return to holiday hunger, perhaps Mr Butler could outline the contribution that the Health Department wishes to make to what is, ultimately a public health initiative. I suspect, however, that there are issues that will take precedence. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment recognises the struggles that families are facing and asks the Minister of Education:”
“Consultation, by the way, to comment on Mr Butler's remarks, is not merely procrastination but a duty on the Department. Committee members, from our limited engagement on the issues, will be aware that, while all parties want to see improvements, there are complexities and impacts that are worthy of consideration. I am confident that the Minister shares our determination to support families in this area, and I look forward to the update that he will provide this afternoon. <BR /> <BR />The Minister is on record as saying that he would be delighted to match or go beyond other parts of the UK on the uniform grant, but that is a resource issue, and given recent days, it should not come as a surprise to anyone, least of all the Ulster Unionist Party, that no Minister gets everything that they want.”
“What difficult decisions will they make? Let me be clear: nobody is arguing for the needs of those who are hungry or in poverty not to be met. Nobody is saying that families should not be supported but, while we struggle to meet current provisions, each request for the Department to do more must surely be in that context. <BR /> <BR />Time is moving on, and I accept that I have laboured on that point. I will move to school uniforms. I think that it is clear that the Minister is moving forward. He is regularly engaging with all stakeholders and has consulted, which is the duty of the Department. That consultation closed in September, I believe, with considerable feedback to be processed.”
“My understanding is that there is a method and a pipeline for those projects that the Member is talking about. It is about getting those things under way. I have said that I do not think anyone in this place has not been guilty, at times, of calling for things — enthusiastically and maybe quite genuinely — without thinking through the cost implications and what might have to be cut. <BR /> <BR />We all call for these things, and some also want the Minister to take on more responsibility for over-19s, who are currently beyond his remit. I could go on to list the other projects that cost hundreds of millions of pounds that others in the Chamber have championed in recent months, but the point has been made. This is the job of a Minister, and the Education Minister is not one to duck those responsibilities. What will Members propose cutting?”
“Other Members have called for the reinstatement of the excellent Healthy Happy Minds scheme. Few of us will not have requested new schools or facilities in our constituencies. We all want more done, and faster, around childcare.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have read amendment No 2 and, again, have empathy with the ultimate aims and aspirations, but it calls for a plan to widen free school meals. All I will say is that there is a need for all of us in the Chamber to be honest with people about what can be done and what choices are before us. Health speaks of the need for more money, but without significant movement on reform over many years. In fairness to Minister Nesbitt, he seems to be making more positive sounds on this, but the point still stands. We could make similar points on water infrastructure. We too oppose water charges, but other options have been ruled out without necessarily a clear plan to move forward. We are all sinners in this place in calling for things, at times, without outlining clearly where the money should come from.”
“Campaigners will rightly argue and fight for anything that they believe will help, and none of the campaigns they fight is exclusive of wider anti-poverty campaigning. I understand that, but this is an area that should be a whole-Executive effort and a whole-Executive priority, and it can only be properly addressed by whole-Executive initiatives. Indeed, with the price of food rising globally, some levers are beyond the devolved Government. We will all have acknowledged and felt that when packing our shopping baskets. The Consumer Council says that nine in 10 consumers are worried about the cost of their food shop. That said, I recognise, as we all will, that frustration for some is a crisis for others.”
“My office is just a few doors down from a local food bank. As a side note, we understand that we should not need their services but it is clear that we do, and I want to acknowledge and thank them for that work. Like other colleagues, I and my office regularly work with them to assist those in society who are struggling and, for a variety of reasons and in very contrasting circumstances, require help. We all want to and, I hope, do work to support families that are in a time of crisis and acute need. <BR /> <BR />I understand why anti-poverty campaigners argue for the holiday hunger scheme, but the scheme was always intended as a temporary and time-limited solution during the pandemic. That does not mean that the need that existed before does not still exist.”
“What provision there is comes through holiday club schemes funded by central government. <BR /> <BR />It is just a fact that there were benefits that the Executive were able to roll out in unconventional ways during that period, where significant extra money was made available centrally, and it is not reasonable to expect, even where they were positive and things that we would all desire, that they would all continue in the way that we all may wish. Many of us will have read the Trussell Trust 'Hunger in Northern Ireland' report and engaged regularly with Trussell and its member food banks. The rise in demand for their services has been steeper in Northern Ireland than anywhere else. In the five years preceding 2022-23 — I understand the unique circumstances for some of that time — the Trussell network increased by 141% here.”
“As a former councillor and the husband of a current councillor, I declare an interest and acknowledge that, if councils are to provide support, they will require funding. Again, that requires Executive consideration. When we talk about disappearing into the Executive abyss, we should remember that the Executive are our Government. Governing, including joint working, is their role. It is a Government that the party of the Member who proposed the motion chooses to be part of, even if, as we saw yesterday, it does not necessarily honour the conventions and, I argue, the responsibilities that come with the office that it holds. The Welsh Government have explained that the extension of free school meal periods was a time-limited intervention in response to the pandemic, and they have not indicated the intention to reintroduce it.”
“We should, of course, be holding the Executive to account, but the reticence of some Departments to work jointly in the past should not deter a focus on cross-departmental working on such huge cross-cutting issues or excuse a lack of it. It is not just on this issue. Other Members have pushed worthy initiatives around children's health and well-being in the past, but it is legitimate to ask where those responsibilities sit. Just as it is not fair or reasonable that a teacher should continually have more non-educational tasks added to their duties, so we must also ensure that Departments or agencies are living up to their responsibilities as they pertain to young people. <BR /> <BR />In Scotland, support is provided through local authorities and Social Security Scotland.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. The issues before us today are issues that we would all like to see resolved. We all want the same outcomes: to reduce or remove the undue financial pressure placed on parents where uniform policies are unreasonable and to ensure that families are able to provide nutrition for their children. At a time when the Education budget is under intense pressure, in addressing poverty, which is, essentially, what holiday hunger measures are about, the Executive must introduce coherent and joined-up measures across Departments. It does not naturally sit, certainly not solely, with Education. The Member who proposed the motion spoke about this not disappearing into the Executive abyss.”
“When people talk about legitimate concerns, it is very clear that they are not trying to justify the kind of attacks that the Member talks about, which are repugnant and which everybody stands against. However, in other parts of the UK, we saw the rise of the far right when working-class communities felt that politicians in other parties had not listened to them. Therefore, there is a responsibility on those of us who represent communities, be they loyalist or republican, to hear what is being said.”
“Aileen Graham BEM was a former Belfast city councillor and a proud UDR veteran. Anyone who knew Aileen will have known that one of her passions was the veterans community and that she volunteered as a poppy seller faithfully each year with members of her RBL branch. As we remembered our fallen servicemen and servicewomen this year, Aileen, too, was in our thoughts. Aileen's dedication was not unique, however. It is seen in many veterans and volunteers across Northern Ireland and the UK. To every poppy seller, we offer our heartfelt thanks. Thank you for being there, carrying the torch for this most universally British of traditions and reminding us all of the importance of remembrance of, and compassion towards, those who have served us.”
“By doing so, we make sure that we do not just remember in passing but actively contribute to their well-being. <BR /> <BR />This year, we had a small glimpse of that work, as our East Belfast DUP constituency association undertook to man a stand at one of our local supermarkets last weekend. We did so for all of the reasons mentioned in remembrance of the fallen. It was also a way to remember one of our own number who sadly passed away earlier this year.”
“Recently, we have had a number of remembrance-related motions, but, as the traditional period of remembrance draws to a close, I recognise and express our sincere gratitude to the Royal British Legion (RBL) poppy sellers, who serve as the heart and hands of remembrance. Their dedication, whether on rainy streets or in supermarkets or petrol stations or at organised events, keeps the memory of our veterans alive. Every poppy is a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who served, as well as a commitment to maintaining the support for those affected by their wounds from conflict through the donations received. <BR /> <BR />It is no small task to volunteer your time and energy, but the impact can be immeasurable. Poppy sales help to fund vital services, providing comfort and care to support veterans, their families and their communities.”
“Does the Member agree that perhaps the Minister should look at piercing the corporate veil legislation to ensure that developers are not able to set up shell companies and seek protection in that way, if we do not already have that legislation? Perhaps the Minister will comment on that.”
“Does the Member agree that some of the alleyways that he talks about contain infrastructure that could only have been placed there by DFI or its predecessors, and that, therefore, it cannot deny that it has something to do with them?”
“In his answers so far, the Minister has, in some ways, commented on what I was going to ask, namely whether he agrees that the Education Authority has been failing our controlled schools. Perhaps he would like to comment further on the evidence for that.”
“In contrast, Sinn Féin and the Irish republican movement —”
“Today is Armistice Day. Yesterday, I stood at the memorial at the former US military cemetery at Lisnabreeny, as I do each year, to remember not only our servicemen but our allies. Young Americans prepared there to launch the famed allied attacks on the beaches of Nazi-occupied France. They, by the way, knew what a real Nazi was: American forefathers fought them alongside ours, looked them in the eyes and liberated victims from their genocidal jackboot. That may be what the Member for South Antrim referred to as "colonial wars" while forebears of his were found on Nazi U-boats. Our nations have stood side by side not only in world wars but in many conflicts since to defend the freedoms that we enjoy today. From the shores of France to the poppy fields of Afghanistan, from the Baltic to the deserts of Iraq, we will remember them.”
“Vice President-elect Vance's Scotch-Irish heritage is a proud reminder of that legacy, a heritage shared by many past presidents and a testament to the lasting influence of those who came from Northern Ireland and travelled along the great wagon road on the spirit and character of the United States.”
“As we work to reawaken awareness of the Ulster-Scots diaspora and the Ulster-Scots role in founding and shaping the United States, it is exciting to have a prominent and eloquent Scotch-Irish Vice President-elect in JD Vance, who is aware of and takes pride in his Scotch-Irish lineage. Over centuries, waves of Scotch-Irish immigrants have left these shores to build new lives in America, bringing with them the values of hard work and resilience and a fierce dedication to freedom and democracy. Those people and communities today face challenges, as we do at home, but many of the pioneers helped to shape America's frontier, laying the groundwork for the vibrant nation that it is today.”
“As ever, I look forward to continuing to build strong relationships for unionism and Northern Ireland on both sides of the aisle, as ever, but particularly with the incoming Trump team, knowing that, in his first term, his ears and his door were open and he was more balanced in his approach and more open to hearing unionist concerns and priorities than many Administrations in my lifetime. <BR /> <BR />The roots that bind our people run long, deep and strong. I hope that, in the coming presidential term, we are able to cultivate still stronger ties and transatlantic cooperation economically and culturally. As we approach the 250th anniversary of US independence, we recall the trans-generational, transatlantic journeys of the Ulster-Scots people.”
“I congratulate President-elect Donald Trump and his Vice President-elect JD Vance on their remarkable election victory in the United States. There is a spectrum of political views in this place. It is no surprise that there are differences of opinion on international affairs. Just as I congratulated the incumbent president in Belfast City Hall after his election, despite some questionable remarks and political differences with unionism, I, today, heartily welcome the return of President Trump.”
“Has the Member noted that the Alliance proposition at Belfast City Council, which it has tried and failed to pass many times, is likely to pass through City Hall only with the support of Sinn Féin? Will he encourage Sinn Féin to stand up for workers as it has in the past and not turn on them?”
“Our schools have tools provided to them by the Department to assist them to meet their statutory requirements on substance abuse. It is a societal issue, however. It enters our schools from beyond their walls, and, whilst schools have always had a role in education about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, addressing that cannot fall to them alone. We need a collegial approach and a strategy that includes stronger regulation, active education, parental involvement and health support for students who are already addicted. For that reason, I commend our amendment to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />In other parts of the UK, schools are working with parents, local health services and police to encourage a joint approach against underage vaping. Involving families in the conversation encourages the reinforcement of anti-vaping messages at home. Importantly, that approach often also encourages those who have developed an addition to engage with counselling, health and other support to end their use. Sanctions may be appropriate, clearly, particularly where there are repeated instances, but we all want that to be proportionate, encouraging learning from mistakes and supporting behavioural change where there is addiction. <BR /> <BR />The international examples show in particular what our amendment reinforces: reducing vaping in schools requires a multifaceted approach.”
“<BR /> <BR />Canada has restricted advertisement and flavours of vape products through measures similar to those being considered in the UK. The Not An Experiment campaign, which is aimed at educating students about the dangers of vaping, has been implemented in schools nationwide. I looked at the Physical and Health Education Canada website earlier today. It seems to be a useful resource to support public health messaging to young people. I must acknowledge that our Public Health Agency (PHA) has developed something similar to support teachers, parents and others who work with children and, indeed, that the Department of Education has its Safer Schools NI app, which supports teachers, pupils, parents and carers on a range of safeguarding issues, including vaping.”
“We know that the vapour in many e-cigarettes contains harmful chemicals. I will not try to pronounce their names, but they are known to cause lung injuries and heart damage. <BR /> <BR />There have been efforts in other countries to combat the growing prevalence of vaping in schools. In Australia, the Government have enforced strict regulations on vaping products, making it harder for minors to access them, and schools have adopted strong anti-vaping education programmes that highlight the physical dangers of vaping and also address the psychological impact of addiction. Students are engaged in discussion to promote healthy living and decision-making, and schools have installed vape detectors in bathrooms to monitor and curb that activity in real time.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the habit may be less toxic than using cigarettes, it is not difficult to see why vapes, with their wide range of flavours, may appear more attractive to students — we have heard that already — and lack some of the stigma that underage smoking carried in the past. That is at the heart of efforts to restrict flavours and better regulate the industry. Research has shown that, unsurprisingly, the range of flavours and colours acts as a hook for young people in particular. <BR /> <BR />We know that nicotine can impair cognitive function and memory, which is the opposite of what we want for our teenagers as their brains are still developing, least of all in our schools, which are tasked with teaching children and encouraging them to reach their full potential.”
“The motion is, of course, specifically about our schools, and we do not wish to promote or facilitate addiction to any substance among our children and young people, who, clearly, do not begin as smokers. Our schools, which should be places of learning and growth, have seen a rise in students using e-cigarettes. In 2022, one in five 11- to 16-year-olds who responded to the young persons' behaviour and attitudes survey reported having used a vape, which represents a rise of 2% since 2016. Some 6% said that they had vaped more than once a week, a doubling of the equivalent number in the same period. That trend is, of course, of concern.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Vaping is clearly, as we have heard, a growing issue across our society. I am not a smoker or a vaper, but, in engaging in the discussion, I think that it is important to do so honestly and rationally and to recognise that, while, in general, all substance addiction is harmful and should be actively discouraged, evidence suggests that, relatively speaking, vapes are significantly less harmful than cigarettes, which were, I suspect, more prevalent in the school years of most Members in the Chamber. We all know of smokers who have used vapes to stop smoking. Where they are used in that way, they can be a positive. <BR /> <BR />That having been said, addiction is not where anyone should want to be.”
“I certainly look forward to taking the opportunity to engage with those who work in this space and, most importantly, with the families and individuals with lived experience to further understand their challenges and the opportunities to improve services and to work with them to reduce and remove any barriers that they face. I know that the same will be true of colleagues across the House, including the Education Minister, who is doing all that he can to support and improve services for those with special educational needs (SEN) across the education system with the limited resources that the Executive have allocated to him to meet ever-growing needs.”
“When that support kicks in, it can be subject to a family's feeling ready to receive it. I understand that it often begins in the home during preschool years, but it clearly continues in the classroom to assist children's development with support from qualified teachers of deaf children and young people and from educational audiologists. From the NDCS briefing provided to Members in advance of the debate, I note that it is working on its own report on the sensory service. I am sure that the Education Committee in particular will take the opportunity to look at that when it is published. <BR /> <BR />As I said at the outset, I do not stand here as an expert.”
“On that basis, I look forward to hearing from the Minister, who, I hope, will give us an up-to-date overview of the sector's current landscape. <BR /> <BR />We know that deaf children in Northern Ireland are more likely to have additional needs: for example, anxiety is more prevalent. We are looking at ways to address the rise of anxiety in other children with no or differing additional needs and to support them, and the same should apply to deaf children and their particular needs as we look at how we can make their educational experience as smooth and appropriately supported as possible. <BR /> <BR />Of course, we already have a range of interventions. We know that EA's sensory service provides support to deaf children and their families from the point at which a child is recognised as being deaf, whatever their level of deafness.”
“There appeared to be promising progress too, however. On the age profile of TODs, the report noted that 23% were over the age of 50, which is a significant drop from 2021, when answers to the same question suggested that the number was much more unsustainable at 40%. <BR /> <BR />The report draws attention to the fact that some of the data considered should be viewed with caution. Inconsistencies in the response rates to survey questions over the years make it difficult to draw conclusions from valid comparisons, particularly from surveys taken prior to 2019. That does not detract from the many useful issues raised by the report, which can use only the data that is available, a point for reflection in and of itself. The report rightly says that it should form the basis of discussion and further analysis rather than of firm conclusions.”