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.”
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“We should cease using the false narrative and straw man argument of harsh punishments as a means of stirring up passion on a false premise. It has not been seen in other jurisdictions. The Bill is about deterring unreasonable and disproportionate actions that, ultimately, impact on our children.”
“It will restore independent oversight so that weaknesses in teaching, leadership and safeguarding are identified and addressed. Who objects to that? It will protect vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils, who are most likely to be overlooked when inspections are disrupted. Who objects to that? It will bring Northern Ireland in line with neighbouring jurisdictions and ensure consistency and fairness across this island and the United Kingdom. Is anyone in the Chamber opposed to that? It will embed the inspection of religious education in response to the Supreme Court's findings and ensure transparency about what is taught in the classroom. Does anyone object to that? No. <BR /> <BR />We must be honest about the balance of consequences.”
“We would not dream of allowing hospitals or doctors to refuse to participate in RQIA inspections or revalidation respectively. Why would we allow a similar situation in our schools? As has been talked about in the Chamber, that same pragmatic approach is used across the United Kingdom and in the Republic of Ireland. Those jurisdictions do not allow inspection to be used as a bargaining chip. Northern Ireland should not be an outlier on that fundamental point of public accountability. Frankly, I say in the clearest possible terms that I cannot get my head around the position of those who think that it should. <BR /> <BR />Parents — the people who entrust us with their children — expect and deserve independent assurance that schools are safe and effective. The Bill is child-centred.”
“<BR /> <BR />I have listened to the various opinions and read the emails that I, too, have received, but I am not willing to indulge fighting to hold inspections as a tool for use in disputes. I am disappointed that Sinn Féin is playing populist politics on issues as obviously, in my opinion, right as this in an attempt to cover itself from criticisms from the left and, frankly, the lack of delivery that it has shown in its Departments. <BR /> <BR />Let us be clear on what the legislation does and does not do. The Minister has touched on that already. The Bill does not remove the right to strike. It does not criminalise teachers. It does, however, make cooperation with statutory inspection a defined professional obligation. It provides proportionate professional sanctions through the General Teaching Council where necessary.”
“I thank the Minister for his intervention. The Member is clearly not happy with what he says is the legacy of the GTC, so I hope that he will vote for the Bill when the Question is put to the House. The Member is making a challenge, but he supports inspections. Again, my problem is that I do not see a match between what those on the other side of the House are saying and their actions in seeking to vote the Bill down at this stage. If inspections are vital to the running of our education service, safeguarding and quality assurance, you cannot say that it is OK that they are involved in industrial disputes. It is either vital and should be left aside from that or it is not. That is my point. I will make some progress now, if Members do not mind.”
“No offence taken here, Deputy Speaker, but I appreciate it. I have lost my spot now.”
“That has been talked about in the Chamber today, and I will come to it further along in my speech. If you have issues around clarity and issues that you want to amend and fix, there are processes within the system to do that at Committee Stage. The question of whether we vote down a Bill today is really about whether you agree with the principle. I will give way in a moment, but do you agree with the principle that inspections in our schools are vital to the operation and quality assurance of our education system? If you do, we should not be allowing them to be blocked as part of industrial disputes.”
“but that maintenance issues had material impacts on pupils attending class on time. It pointed out that the lack of appropriate staffroom space was an impact on staff morale and well-being and that children were restricted in their ability to use the library because it was being used as a classroom. Inspections are not necessarily a stick with which to beat the teaching workforce, and we should not talk about them as such. They are a means to identify and shine a light on all manner of issues relating to the quality of our education system and the safety and well-being of our children.”
“Where there is a vacuum of such inspection, there is no ability to target and deliver the necessary improvements to the benefit of our kids. <BR /> <BR />I draw attention to what inspection also does: it raises issues that teachers face every day in the course of their work. Dundonald High School, in my own constituency, was rightly praised by the ETI for the work that it does in ageing and poorly maintained facilities: leaking roofs; broken heating systems, with one boiler in five working; and toilets that cannot be used and, it was told by the EA, are too expensive to fix. The ETI helped give further attention to those issues at the school, including through media attention at the time. It rightly said that Dundonald High School was:”
“Plainly not. I am not saying that that is what they are saying. That is not what they say in the emails, and I have received them too. However, I am happy to say, plainly, that I disagree with that argument. I absolutely believe that the majority of our teachers out there know the importance of inspection as it applies to the whole system. It not only protects our children but the reputation of the profession, and that is important too. It is in nobody's interest to do anything other than support and develop the potential of our children. The Bill simply ensures accountability. Inspection is the mechanism by which we know whether schools are performing in the way that we expect with regard to teaching and safeguarding.”
“Often, those exceptions are merely about correction, training and sharing best practice, not about persecuting teachers who are doing all that they can. Where there are more serious issues, clearly those will be challenged and dealt with appropriately, but who among us would not want that? What teacher would not want that? While sanction would be a matter for the General Teaching Council (GTC) or other relevant agency, let us be clear: the value and reputation of teachers is rightly protected when suboptimal teaching is addressed, best practice is shared and, yes, in those rare cases where severe incompetence or misconduct is confronted.”
“Often, they work in facilities and circumstances that are difficult and far from optimal, not least given the underfunding of our education system and its inability to meet all the pressures faced. However, there are always exceptions. Even that need not be alarmist. It does not always have to mean that there are bad or dangerous teachers.”
“We know that action short of strike also meant that surveys of pupils and parents, which can help to unearth underlying issues like the one that Mr Burrows raised, were not facilitated during that period. Therefore, while it is, at least, something that safeguarding inspections themselves went ahead, we should not mislead the public into believing that that limited box check meant that safeguarding was overseen as effectively as would normally be the case. <BR /> <BR />The Bill is not about punishing teachers. As in most professions, the vast majority of our teachers are good, hardworking and a credit to the schools and communities that they serve.”
“<BR /> <BR />We have already heard the retort from Members around the Chamber that safeguarding inspections were permitted to continue. When I asked the questions at Committee, the ETI representative was clear in explaining that inspectors, having returned to schools, found examples of safeguarding requirements not being maintained. Those included schools where mandatory safeguarding training had not been carried out for more than four years even though it should be renewed every two years; where safeguarding policies existed on paper but safeguarding practices were weaker; and where there were concerns that staff confidence in handling disclosures from children was affected and there were training lapses.”
“The Member has put his comments on the record. I am sure that he is pleased to do so. I am moving on with the debate. <BR /> <BR />It does not change the fact that, in the decade that we talked about, inspections were repeatedly undermined by industrial tactics that placed institutional interests above the interests of children. Over eight academic years, more than three quarters of ETI inspections were impacted on by action short of strike. We heard that earlier and should hear it again and again in the Chamber, and take it in: three quarters of the inspections that ensure quality and safety in our schools have been disrupted. The result is a catalogue of missed opportunities to identify suboptimal practice, protect vulnerable pupils and intervene where children were at risk. We cannot pretend that that has had no consequence.”
“Not at the moment; I will make some progress.”
“That would be the consistent thing to do. However, as you have set out, the contradictions from the Benches opposite are legion. <BR /> <BR />Frankly, I do not believe that most parents, school leaders or indeed teachers believe that inspection should be optional or subject to cordial relations with the Department. The Minister, in the most difficult financial circumstances, has done everything that could possibly be done to resolve previous pay disputes for our teachers and school staff. That is self-evident. It does not change, however, the fact that, for almost a decade, inspection has been repeatedly undermined by industrial tactics that place institutional interests —.”
“The right to strike is open to teachers. We are saying that this is one limited element that should not be used as part of the process of industrial dispute. I do not know what it is that you do not understand about that. I hear you saying that inspections are important, but you are not following that through in your actions in your approach to the Bill. You cannot have your cake and eat it. Frankly, I do not believe that most —.”
“No, it is not hard for me to grasp at all, Pat. The fact is that either inspections are important to the quality of our schools and to safeguarding in schools, or they are not. Therefore, if they are important, how on earth can it be argued that it is reasonable for a teacher to block them as part of their industrial dispute?”
“I can certainly explain. Your actions do not match your words. You say that you think that inspections are important and vital, but, when it comes to it, you are willing to have them used as a pawn in the game.”
“Whatever issues and disputes they encounter with unions, there is no reasonable logic, to my mind, that can justify making oversight and inspection of our children's schools a pawn in that contest.”
“Indeed, the party opposite seems to have performed another U-turn in a series of U-turns on the Bill, having supported it at the Executive table. Pat seemed to suggest that his party will vote against it today because it would take too much time in Committee. Sinn Féin, in recent times, seems to be spinning like a weathervane, ever unsure of which populist gust to follow next. <BR /> <BR />Why on earth would some in the Chamber be more keen to ensure that inspection, which is necessary to ensure the quality of education of our children and, furthermore, the safeguarding of those children, can continue to be used as leverage in industrial disputes? I will say this to the Members opposite: in a year's time, a different party may well be in charge of the Education Department, but I assure you that my view on this will be the same.”
“The Bill would plug an obvious gap in our legislation that leaves children, parents and the public without reliable, independent assurance of the education and safeguarding provided in our schools. School inspections give confidence and assurance to government but also to families that the education that their child is receiving in our schools is of the quality expected and required and, perhaps more important, helps to assure safeguarding practices in the school. <BR /> <BR />It seems to me that that is a principle that was and is largely agreed, even among the Bill's would-be detractors. It is my understanding from Committee engagement that unions accept that inspection is necessary for that very reason.”
“It is what most of your speech was about.”
“You have identified a litany of issues in our education system: I suggest that funding is a major factor. Will you go to your Finance Minister and ask him whether he intends to fix the issues with the draft Budget that he produced, which would leave our education system with £600 million of pressures next year?”
“I agree. The vast majority of teachers are obviously doing a very good job as educationalists but also in safeguarding children. The issue is that, in any sphere, there can be people who are not doing the job as well as they should be or, in some cases, there is a danger. That is what inspection is for; that is what it does. Are we honestly saying that because the vast majority of teachers are good and do everything as they should do, we should not have any inspections to see where there are failings, and certainly where there are safeguarding issues?”
“I thank the Member for giving way. I agree with an awful lot of what he has just said, because it seems similar to the arguments that I will make during my speech. The trouble that I have is that we cannot say that inspection is critical to the quality of our schools and to ensuring that our schools are safe and so on and then say that we feel that it is imperative that inspection can continue to be used as a pawn in industrial relations. It is open to trade unions and workers to strike. They have those rights and will use them when they need to. I hope that they do not need to. This Minister, in particular, has worked hard to engage with them on industrial disputes and, where possible, remedy those, but inspections should not be the tool. If anything is blunt, it is the use of action short of strike when it comes to inspections.”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Is it in order for a Member to question a decision of the Speaker?”
“That be as it may, it remains a significant site in the estate and in east Belfast. Do you have any timeline for action on it?”
“Minister, two weeks ago, you launched a consultation on an internal departmental Irish language policy: when will you launch a similar consultation for Ulster Scots?”
“<BR /> <BR />If you ever wonder why the traditional parties of government in the UK face such challenges, consider how hesitant some have been to talk about the issue that they know is foremost in the minds of their working-class communities. Illegal immigration is the issue that dare not speak its name. It is organised crime, and modern-day slavers are running a deadly ferry service for those who would abuse our asylum system. We are a final destination: a catastrophe for those who are trafficked, our communities and our public services, which are left to deal with the consequences. Others may hide from drawing attention to it and its corrosive impact on our communities, but this party will not. Credit, for once, to the media for exposing that brutal trade, even if some in the Chamber would prefer that it was not talked about.”
“They offered a range of places and ways to pay and an international list of outlets in Afghanistan, France and Belgium, as well as a car wash in Cambridgeshire, a Newcastle upon Tyne wholesaler and a mobile phone shop in Woolwich. <BR /> <BR />Yesterday, some in the Assembly sought to raise the spectre of parties who want to confront immigration head-on, as though UK voters are the danger. At Westminster, we have a Labour Government who are less focused on the country and more focused on their own psychodrama, another flailing Prime Minister who has failed to secure our borders or stop the boats, and a would-be Prime Minister in Andy Burnham, who, in a recent interview, said that Reform's rise is because things have got too expensive.”
“We saw more such networks in this week's documentary, 'The Smuggling Business: Undercover', as they trafficked people across multiple safe countries, offering their customers a menu of illicit and dangerous routes across Europe and, ultimately, on to their small boats or into shipping containers across the English Channel. We saw competing gangs at the lawless "Jungle" camp near Calais, where shootings and stabbings were reported apparently for non-payment and traffickers boasted of the thousands whom they had helped to illegally invade British shores. On one day of filming, 600 crossed the channel, representing another £700,000 for the £7 billion-a-year trafficking industry.”
“It is not unusual to hear politicians bash the BBC, and perhaps that is especially so on these Benches, but, credit where it is due, in the past couple of weeks, it has done a fair bit to shine a light on the realities of the conveyor belt of small boats coming to the UK and on the division and resentment that illegal immigration causes in our communities, as it does south of the border in the Republic of Ireland, which is not immune. <BR /> <BR />In the recent podcast 'Intrigue: To Catch a King', the podcasters, while seeking to find a person sought by their family in the Kurdish regions of northern Iraq, tracked "Kardo Ranya", an alias used by a kingpin at the top of multiple trafficking networks.”
“Do we support growth, investment and connectivity, or do we continue down a path of delay, uncertainty and bureaucracy? The master plan is about confidence in Northern Ireland's future. It is about ensuring that our economy can compete internationally, attract investment and create opportunities for the next generation. The DUP will continue to champion investment, support economic growth and back the flagship projects that deliver real benefits for the people of Northern Ireland. I support the Belfast City Airport master plan, and I encourage others across the Chamber to do likewise by supporting our motion.”
“What is needed is balance in supporting sustainable growth while ensuring that Northern Ireland remains economically competitive and connected. <BR /> <BR />It is vital that our Departments work together to ensure the smooth and timely delivery of the master plan. We want the Economy Minister to step up and deliver for the aviation sector and remedy the ongoing absence of an aviation strategy. The aviation report commissioned by the Department made clear that such a strategy is essential to the future success of aviation in Northern Ireland. The report was critical of the fact that Northern Ireland's tourism strategy fails to directly acknowledge that improved connectivity is necessary to grow tourism. That must change, and it must change quickly. Today, the Assembly faces a clear choice.”
“It will strengthen links with the rest of the United Kingdom, create jobs, attract private investment and improve competitiveness. Of course, environmental responsibility matters, and Belfast City Airport has shown that progress can be made. The airport has achieved a 44% reduction in carbon emissions since 2019, demonstrating that economic growth and environmental improvements can, as Members have talked about, go hand in hand. However, there is always the danger that overly rigid or poorly designed regulations could discourage that investment, limit route expansion or undermine the competitiveness of our local airports. We do not want to see a repeat of situations where major infrastructure projects are endlessly delayed because of unrealistic, impractical policy approaches.”
“A rail halt would be transformative for passengers, connectivity and sustainable transport, and there is considerable enthusiasm among local groups that it would be a boost to the local community and community tourism in Northern Ireland and in east Belfast. We know that there are ambitions to extend the greenway network in that direction with plans for the Sydenham greenway. Currently, around 27% of travellers to and from Northern Ireland use Dublin Airport. Improving connectivity and transport links through Belfast City Airport would help to ensure that more tourists and business travellers choose Northern Ireland's airports instead, bringing greater economic benefit directly to our regional economy. <BR /> <BR />The master plan demonstrates real confidence in Northern Ireland's future.”
“I take the Member's point about signage and so on, but I do not think that it is the most convenient of halts. The parking issues that I am talking about are caused largely by people who park at the halt and then walk to the airport. I think that some changes to parking there have led to that situation. Development in that respect would be welcome, but, in the meantime, it certainly would not hurt to look at making improvements. I am sure that those at the airport, and no doubt the Minister for Infrastructure, will be listening closely.”
“<BR /> <BR />Importantly, as has been said, growth is being proposed without a runway extension, which I know caused concerns in the past. Instead, it focuses on the smarter and more efficient use of existing infrastructure through terminal expansion, additional aircraft stands, improved taxiways and modernised airfield operations. One particularly exciting proposal that has been touched on is the groundbreaking development of a new rail halt serving the airport terminal, which, as has been said, would be the first on the island. It would greatly help local communities, particularly people in Sydenham in my constituency, who often have to deal with those who wish to avoid car parking charges at the airport by parking in the area.”
“The Minister for the Economy has been somewhat shy at times to champion previous investments in our economy, particularly those in the aerospace, defence, security and space sector, which is so key in my constituency in particular, but I hope that she will get behind the master plan. The contribution that was made on her behalf gives us some hope in that regard. <BR /> <BR />At a time when the Assembly repeatedly discusses productivity, investment and employment, the figures that were stated earlier cannot be ignored. Demand for air travel across the island is expected to more than double by 2040, to 90 million passengers. Northern Ireland alone will need to handle 21 million passengers by that stage. The City Airport master plan is therefore essential in order for the aviation sector to be able to keep pace with demand.”
“Indeed, I say from the point of view of an East Belfast MLA that the City Airport's location, right at the heart of our aerospace manufacturing industry, is not coincidental, as its history shows. <BR /> <BR />That is why we strongly welcome the regeneration plans contained in the master plan. The master plan represents a major opportunity for our economy and the wider tourism sector. As has been said, passenger numbers are projected to rise to seven million per annum over the lifetime of the plan. Such growth would generate an estimated £1·7 billion in added value to our economy and support more than 23,000 jobs across Northern Ireland, including 1,100 additional jobs directly on the airport site.”
“Both Members' contributions are on the record. <BR /> <BR />Whatever flag we look to, whether it be that of the UK or the Republic of Ireland, we are, to all intents and purposes, island nations. We often hear the term "these islands", while others talk about the "British Isles". Regardless of the term that is used, connectivity, be it with the rest of the United Kingdom, which continues to be our largest market, or with the rest of Europe and beyond, is vital to our economic development. Our airports are not just transport hubs. They provide gateways to foreign direct investment, tourism, exports and international business opportunities. They support world-class manufacturing and engineering sectors that connect Northern Ireland to key markets across the globe.”
“We heard your contribution, and we recognise that there are issues to be resolved. The Department for the Economy needs to step up, however, and we need to see greater delivery against its ambitions.”
“<BR /> <BR />Without improved air connectivity, we risk leaving our economy dormant, disconnected and unable to seize the growth opportunities that exist globally. Northern Ireland cannot afford to lose out because of a lack of vision for our aviation sector or because of continued delay in delivering the strategic direction that our airports need.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I welcome the debate that we have had today and thank all Members for their contributions. While we may yet divide on the amendment, there is a lot of commonality in what has been said around the Chamber. I share some of my colleagues' frustrations that the much-anticipated report on Northern Ireland's air connectivity, which was commissioned by the Department for the Economy, was published almost two years ago. Yet, despite the clear recommendations contained in the York Aviation report, we are still waiting for the Department and the Minister to produce a comprehensive aviation strategy that would allow Northern Ireland to compete more seriously on the global stage. It is time for the Department to match the ambition that we have talked about in the Chamber and heard about from those in the sector.”
“Will the Member recognise that a lot of that innovation and so on around more sustainable travel will take place in private industry and it is already looking to do that? We cannot see our airports or our industry restricted at a time when those things are being developed, because, in the long run, when we get to a more sustainable place around air travel in respect of the environment, we will already have fallen behind.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. I am glad that some progress has been made. Members who drive through my constituency will know that there is still some way to go, however. <BR /> <BR />Minister, when the issue was raised amid the chaos of February 2026, you stood in the Chamber and assured Members that they could engage with their local offices if there were any issues. Since then, your Lisburn office in particular has refused to engage directly with Members or to provide updates. Will you assure the House that you will speak to your officials and undertake to ensure that the Lisburn office in particular engages with Members and provides updates as necessary?”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. We have an Economy Minister who is AWOL at best and a First Minister who talks down investment in this place. I can only imagine that the aerospace and defence sector, which is an anchor of employment in my constituency, is dismayed. Does the deputy First Minister agree that we need to speak up for and promote Northern Ireland and our economy across Government, particularly in the Executive Office?”
“Mr Sheehan has been flogging the dead horse that this is all about ideology for quite some time. I thought that he would have drawn back, knowing that, at the Committee, when accused of going along with Michael Gove's agenda, Lucy Crehan and her colleague told him not only that they were both left-leaning but that one of them was a signed-up member of the Labour Party. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you will have heard the same concerns from teachers as I have about some of the new things that are coming forward. What reassurance can you give teachers that the revised curriculum will support them in their practice rather than increase their workload?”