Kate Nicholl
South Belfast · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for her humanity and her leadership. Many of the asylum seekers with whom I work do not fit into the illegal immigrant narrative; indeed, one woman with whom I worked was sold as a Daesh bride and was prostituted every day for two years, with her child often present.”
“It is a local number, and it has a chat function that people can use if they do not feel comfortable speaking directly. There is also an amazing charity called the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC).”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I recognise the extraordinary and remarkable bravery and courage of the two victims. Yesterday's verdict will not undo the harm that was done to them, but, hopefully, it sends a clear recognition that what happened was wrong and that Jeffrey Donaldson will feel the full weight of the law.”
“I thank the Member for that answer. Recently, we held the national allergy strategy launch in the Long Gallery. I thank the catering team, led by Alan, for how well they dealt with that.”
“They have done so much for so many people in Northern Ireland, and we wish them well. They have gone through a difficult period. We hope that there is healing from this as they go forward.”
“The comments were violent and at a different level from anything that I have seen before. <BR /> <BR />We are in a difficult place right now. This destabilises our democracy. It is easy to believe lies when you are angry, and I am not sure what we do about it.”
The complete record
Every one of 677 lines we hold for Kate Nicholl, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 14.
“Yes, thank you, Mr Speaker. If anyone is feeling a bit low about politics and needs a dose of inspiration, I have the answer. At the end of November, I had the privilege of meeting with Girlguiding Ulster in Parliament Buildings. I was grilled by them to a level of which no journalist would be capable. It was wonderful to spend time with those young women and talk about the Girls’ Attitudes Survey. This year, the 17th year of the survey, they surveyed over 2,500 girls and young women aged between seven and 21 to hear about the challenges that girls and young women right across the UK face. The survey highlights a lot of the challenges, including key concerns around sexism, misogyny in schools and challenges to mental health. It found:”
“In my constituency of South Belfast and, indeed, all constituencies, Christmas is a particularly important time for businesses. What work will the Minister do, alongside her colleague in the Infrastructure Department, to monitor traffic issues, which could have a huge impact on businesses during that important time?”
“I thank the Minister for that answer. What further childcare support can the Executive give through the Education Department to support people with those astronomical costs?”
“The Minister mentioned that he raised the issue of the local growth fund with the UK Government. Has there been any discussion about a transitional arrangement as we move from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to the local growth fund?”
“I thank the First Minister. On the theme of the Budget and AI, Helen McCarthy is leading some really great work. There is a view that Northern Ireland could be world-leading in the ethical use of AI, but a strategy needs to be brought forward with speed. Have you given any further consideration to increasing the Budget allocation to your Department, given the importance of AI to our economy?”
“Asylum policy is reserved, but integration is devolved. What is the First Minister's assessment of the impact that negative rhetoric about migrants is having on the Assembly's ability to bring forward integration and the impact that it has on not just human beings but the economy? People in our society are feeling very fearful right now, and the rhetoric from politicians is not helping.”
“<BR /> <BR />There is no reason why medical professionals cannot report directly to the DVA because they already do it in some instances. Let us make it the rule instead of the exception. This woman, who is my constituent, is extraordinary and is so dedicated to changing the law so that no one else has to go through the pain that she did. I hope that as Members, we can work together to help save lives as a result.”
“About 11 months ago, I made a Member's statement in the House about this matter, about how there is a gap and how, by closing it, we can help to save lives. Since then, along with my constituent, we have made steady progress, having spoken to the Infrastructure Minister, who was deeply sympathetic and empathetic, as well as the BMA and the Courts and Tribunals Service. We have written to the Department of Health, and I understand that the Health and Infrastructure Ministers have discussed the matter. We need to keep it on the agenda, however, because the situation needs to stop. There must be other people in our society who have been affected in the same way, and I would love for them to reach out to me so that we can build more of a campaign around the issue.”
“The trauma of his death, however, was compounded by the fact that the person who was driving and who killed him was not meant to be on the road. He had been told that he could not drive any more. It is clear that there is a gap in the system. In some cases, medical professionals will report drivers to the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) if they suspect that that they will not give up their licence themselves. In most cases, however, it is left to the individual to contact the DVA. We know enough about human nature and how people behave to know that they will do the easiest thing. In this case, the man was told that he was not allowed to drive because of a medical condition, but he continued to drive. As a result, a family lost a cherished father, husband and friend.”
“People come to us MLAs with a number of matters, including potholes in their street and issues with housing, health and education. It is a privilege to represent them, but, every so often, you get a case that really stays with you. <BR /> <BR />About 11 months ago, I met an extraordinary woman whose husband was tragically killed while cycling. When you speak to her, you can feel the grief and the love that she had for her husband, and the gap that he left in their family is much felt.”
“Brexit put up barriers to building more positive relationships, and, as Northern Ireland's cross-community party, Alliance remains completely committed to making sure that the connections and collaboration across and beyond jurisdictions deliver the opportunities and benefits that communities deserve. In the spirit of what Lord Murphy said, let us work together, look at the practical solutions and try to move on.”
“We are not doing that. Let us sell it. Let us sell Northern Ireland. There are so many wonderful things about this place. Our business landscape is amazing. Look at what is happening in tech. We should be selling the opportunities in Northern Ireland, not focusing on the negatives. <BR /> <BR />We want to focus on solutions, not just on diagnosing problems. Our economy really needs stability, certainty and clarity. There are issues to be worked through. It is not that we are oblivious to those or that we have not been listening about them. However, the constant negativity undermines the very stability that businesses crave.”
“<BR /> <BR />Good relationships with the EU and our European neighbours are so important and should be welcomed. The UK Government's attempt to reset relations has been a welcome relief from the chaos and division that characterised the previous Government's engagement with Europe. That reset presents a window of opportunity to implement an ambitious sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, which the UK Government are taking forward with the EU. <BR /> <BR />My colleague David Honeyford, who is such a fierce champion for dual market access, talked about the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) report, which found that 71% of businesses want us to talk about it more. Our Executive need to speak with one voice on that matter and ensure that there are opportunities for people to invest in Northern Ireland and that it is properly marketed.”
“<BR /> <BR />We live in a complex place, and there are significant sensitivities that have to be managed. The reality is that none of us is ever going to get the perfect post-Brexit landscape. We are not going to get everything that we want, but we have to move on and work together. What people want is an Assembly and a Government that are focused on solutions, problem-solving and making things better. We need to talk about how we can do more upstream. We see that problem at the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee. We talk about there being a democratic deficit; of course there is. We left, and that is the reality of it. We are not able to influence things further upstream, which is a pity. We should do more to see how we could do that.”
“I listened to the people who came to the Economy Committee and articulated the problems that they were having, and I sympathised and empathised with them. Of course, we need to find solutions. The one thing that I took from Lord Murphy's contribution when he came to the Committee two weeks ago was that we need to work together in order to find practical solutions. <BR /> <BR />I may have laughed, but I was not being flippant. It is not that I do not appreciate the magnitude of the problems that exist. The issue is that, when the referendum happened, we said, "These are the bad things about Brexit". You said that you wanted to have Brexit, but now you are saying, "These are the bad things about Brexit". We are in a state of disbelief sometimes, because those were the things that we were worried about.”
“When I came back, I was determined that my contributions were going to be positive and that I would not be snarky. I am going to try so hard, but oh, my goodness. I suppose that there is comfort to be taken in the fact that we know exactly what the arguments are going to be, because we have rehearsed them so many times. One positive thing that I will say for the DUP motion is that it calls on the UK Government to find solutions and work through issues with the EU. The responsibility is with the UK Government, and we are grateful that the DUP now acknowledges that. It would have been nice to have had that before the Assembly collapsed. <BR /> <BR />The "suck it up, buttercup" mentality is a difficult one for me to listen to. We know that the Windsor framework is not perfect.”
“If we do not have the people and skills to fill our vacancies, how will we grow the economy? We have in Northern Ireland some of the most amazing businesses. Our amazing screen industry is growing, and we have tech: we have so much opportunity. Where we fall down and let people down, however, is in our rhetoric. We demonise outsiders when we need to encourage foreigners and migrants to come here. We can deal with asylum by speeding up claims, dealing quickly with false claims and creating safe and legal routes, but we need to be really careful not to conflate the issues. Our economy needs foreigners to come here, and we need to be very careful in how we talk about that.”
“As politicians, we have to talk about the economic realities. If we cannot agree, on the human level, that these are human beings and that they need to be treated with dignity, humanity and kindness, let us talk about the economic side of things. The unemployment rate in Northern Ireland is at an all-time low, and we have a weak labour supply. Growth in the working-age population is weak and will be negative from 2029 onwards. That poses serious challenges for our economy when it comes to skills. Whether it is from the chamber, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and other organisations, we keep hearing that skills are an issue. <BR /> <BR />Between 2001 and 2023, 293,000 long-term international migrants arrived, but 231,000 people left, so net migration flow was 62,000 people.”
“People from different backgrounds already feel fearful. We have seen over the past couple of summers just how much fear there is in society.”
“<BR /> <BR />When I post about this subject on social media, people say, "Oh, this is what Kate always says. Liberal Kate. It is about illegal migrants." Tell me what the distinction is, because when vigilantes in east Belfast knock on the doors of people with a different skin colour, they are not checking on their migration status, and it is creating a chill factor in our society.”
“There is an article in the newspapers today about an all-female, far right group giving out pink knuckledusters at an anti-migrant protest. We need to change how we talk about migration, not just on the human level, but to give the economic perspective. If you set aside the cruelty of this, and the fact that you will be arrested if you are caught with a knuckleduster, anti-migrant protests make no economic sense. We need to talk about the economic aspect more in the Chamber. We are approaching a full labour market, and we have many skills gaps. If you speak to any business, they will say that they are desperate to recruit because it is hard to fill the skills gaps in Northern Ireland. So, we need foreigners. If we want people to look after us when we are old, we need foreigners to come into our economy.”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for her answer and her emphasis on the responsible and ethical use of AI. I agree with that. <BR /> <BR />Given that Northern Ireland has the potential to be a world leader in this space — all the businesses tell us that — and that we need to act with speed to deliver, is the deputy First Minister able to talk to a more specific timetable for rolling out the AI strategy?”
“The Minister has an opportunity to show leadership here and to introduce hope where there has been despair. There is an opportunity for us to move forward. Please, meet the Palestinian community and offer some hope in this very sorry situation. I urge you to take that opportunity.”
“I say this sincerely to the Minister: if you truly believe in education, fact-finding and understanding, please listen to the people in the Palestinian community in Northern Ireland. Listen to their plea and meet them. I have been working with the people in that community for 18 months now, and they have been telling me of their families, who are moving to safe places — places where they are told that they will be safe, but they are then bombed. They have been denied food, and babies have been denied breast milk and formula. All that was done by a state that paid for your visit. Please listen to their stories; listen to their pain. <BR /> <BR />The values of the Assembly were founded on peace, justice and our shared humanity. Those values seem to be more important right now than ever before in the whole world.”
“It is our job as elected representatives to listen, feel and unite. What do we want for our children? Do we want more entrenchment and indifference, or do we want compassion and understanding? Many people have suffered in the conflict.”
“Paul Givan is entitled to his views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but, in his role as Education Minister, he represents every child, school and parent, and that has weight. What message does promoting a state that is accused of war crimes and genocide send out to those whom he represents? We are obliged to ask the following questions: to what end? Whose story is he telling? Whose pain is he willing to see? Those are the voices that are missing from the Chamber today, and I will bring them in. <BR /> <BR />The Palestinian community has asked me to read the following:”
“We owe it to the parents who need childcare to work and to the educators in nurseries, preschools and living rooms across Northern Ireland —”
“I welcome the childcare academies. I have a free idea for the DUP. There is so much more that communities and councils could do. Work is already happening in the 11 council areas, but what about our parks and the space that is being used? How can we utilise that more? If you take that forward, I promise not to take credit for it. So much more could be done with councils, especially because of their grassroots reach and the work that already shows collaboration across Departments. It is the kind of joined-up approach that our amendment calls for. <BR /> <BR />Yes, families need affordable childcare, but affordability will mean nothing if there are no qualified staff to deliver it or if providers cannot keep their doors open.”
“It is really important that we have a strategy, that it be joined-up and that there be delivery. As my colleague so perfectly said, we can keep talking about childcare, but we need to deliver on it. <BR /> <BR />I will briefly mention the registered childminding sector. Patricia Lewsley-Mooney is an expert on that and a fountain of knowledge. She told me that one childminder told her that she employs an assistant to support three children with additional needs but that the rise in costs have made doing that almost impossible to sustain. Those are exactly the people whom business support funding should help: those providing inclusive care that keeps parents in work and children in stable, nurturing environments.”
“<BR /> <BR />Those complaints are not isolated but, rather, speak to a system that has evolved piecemeal across Departments without a coherent plan. That is why having a strategy is so important and why it is so important that Departments work well together. It is great that there is a task force, but, my goodness, the lack of goodwill in this place at the moment is shocking. We have heard that the business side sits with the Department for the Economy and that the Department of Health is also responsible for a big part of it. There therefore needs to be goodwill between the Ministers so that they can work together and deliver. That really struck me today. <BR /> <BR />When I became an MLA, my very first question was on the review of minimum standards. I was told that it was coming in a couple of months, but it is still not here.”
“The vetting system is described as being cumbersome, paper-based and inconsistent. Health declaration forms can take weeks for GPs to complete, often at the applicant's cost, and that delay means that settings are left short-staffed. <BR /> <BR />The provider also points to financial challenges. Providers here cannot register for VAT, so they cannot claim for essential costs. They manage multiple funding streams, from tax-free childcare to employer voucher schemes, with payments that often arrive without remittance advice, thus making reconciliation a full-time job, and one can add to that the strain of multiple staff being on maternity leave. We talked about how many women work in the sector. In one setting, five senior team members were off at once, and the result was very difficult for the provider.”
“Their story reflects what I hear across the sector and what, I know, other MLAs hear. The provider, who runs a few day-care settings, describes growing and unsustainable pressures. Recruitment is in crisis. They report a chronic shortage of applicants. People do not turn up to interviews, and, if they do, many leave their post within weeks. The provider pays above the minimum wage, but the rising national minimum wage has narrowed the pay gap between qualified and unqualified staff. That makes it impossible to reward skills or experience properly. That director told me:”
“If that is how much we are paying, I honestly do not know how so many families are managing to pay for childcare at the moment. <BR /> <BR />The other part, however, is sustainability: sustainability for the people and places that deliver childcare every day. Childcare is not a luxury or a personal choice. Rather, it is essential economic and social infrastructure. It enables parents to work, supports children's development and underpins our productivity as a region, yet the people who deliver it — early years educators, childminders and assistants — are among the lowest paid, despite often doing the most precious work in our economy, which is nurturing and shaping the next generation. That has to change. <BR /> <BR />I will share some information from a local provider who contacted me recently.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I really welcome the opportunity to speak about childcare, which I do at any opportunity. No one in the Chamber will dispute the fact that affordable, accessible, high-quality early learning and childcare is vital for families, for gender equality and for our economy. My comments will largely be about the economic side, because, if we are truly serious about achieving that type of early learning and childcare, our focus cannot begin and end with reducing parental fees. So often, the conversation centres on that. <BR /> <BR />Affordability is absolutely one side of the equation. I should declare an interest, because I avail myself of the Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme. I am very well paid. I have three children, and my childcare bill, with the subsidy, is £2,600 a month.”
“The Minister is entitled to his views. I know that we disagree on nearly everything, but I will support his right to hold his views. The issue, Minister, is that the school that you visited is in the illegal settlement of Ramot Alon. Please answer my question without deflecting it with things that other parties have done. Do you think that it was acceptable for a Minister to visit a school built on stolen land against international and UN rulings? Is the Minister aware that Priti Patel resigned as International Development Secretary in 2017 for having unauthorised meetings with the Israeli Government while she was on holiday?”
“<BR /> <BR />I honestly do not know why I have come away from my children to be here if we are not actually going to make a difference to people's lives. We can disagree on things, but we can do so in a respectful way, not by constantly attacking one another's party in such a personal way. It is so personal. There is no humanity in politics across the world right now, but we have a duty to live up to this: people come to the Assembly every day because the Good Friday Agreement offers hope for how things can be better and how we can have huge differences but still sit in a room and think about how to make life better for people. They come here to learn from us, but what hope are they taking away right now? I just think that we can be better. <BR /> <BR />Sorry, Ballynafeigh: I will write you a letter instead.”
“We can disagree on things, and we will disagree on so many different levels, especially on huge moral questions. However, it has become so personal and nasty. Anytime that anyone stands up, there is a niggling behind them. Are we going to do that for the next 18 months? Are we honestly going to have to come here for the next 18 months and put up with that? Who is inspired by such discussions? Who is watching that and thinking, "Wow, those people really represent me. They will really make a difference". Who watches how we discuss things and feels hopeful right now? We disagree on so many things, but when we are in the corridors, it is human and personal. We are able to talk to each other, human to human. Please, can we do better?”
“I was going to talk about Ballynafeigh School of Irish Dancing's success, but I will make my Member's statement on the House, because the past hour has been so deeply depressing. My six-month-old baby is in crèche at the moment. Just before I came back to work, I thought, "I am outsourcing the care of my kids because we are here to try to make this place better". That is how I justify it to myself: my six-month-old baby is being looked after by someone else — not me — because we have the privilege of trying to make this place better for everyone who lives here now and for future generations. <BR /> <BR />There has been so much politicking in the Chamber. I have noticed such a difference in this place in the six months from when I left to when I came back. We can make political points, and we can argue about things.”
“People are calling out for improved infrastructure that not just improves connectivity but supports community development and, ultimately, builds a stronger sense of neighbourhood. Alliance will continue to champion those issues. I am grateful to the Minister for being here. She is patient in answering my multiple questions and letters about the area, and I look forward to hearing her response to the debate.”
“Could that land include a community centre? There is a real need for place-building for community development, and the Department for Infrastructure can play a role in that. We need to see commitment to, and the delivery of, the Carryduff public realm project. So many developments are coming up in the area. When issues arise with developers, it is difficult for MLAs to advocate for their constituents. What support can the Department give to residents who are having issues with developers and do not know what support they can get? <BR /> <BR />Castlereagh South is a brilliant, diverse, shared community that is growing and developing every day, but it cannot just be about housing.”
“<BR /> <BR />The final of the four points that I want to raise is around planning and development. Planning applications should include green spaces and play parks, and there should be greater focus on enhancing community infrastructure in housing developments. So many families are moving into areas where there is nothing for children. A lack of green spaces is really felt. Walkability and connectivity between developments should be prioritised, rather than there being a patchwork of developments. We need to create a sense of community and connection. I would be interested in knowing how the Department could facilitate that. There is a need for better linkages and walkways between housing developments. <BR /> <BR />Knockbracken Healthcare Park is on otherwise unused land. There have been discussions with the Health Minister.”
“<BR /> <BR />Regarding public transport, there is a really poor bus service to Four Winds and Carryduff, with frequent delays, overcrowding and no-shows. We have spoken to Translink about that, and we have written about it, but it is a recurring problem and there does not seem to be a solution. Buses frequently terminate at Forestside rather than go all the way up to Cairnshill. That has been raised with me on many occasions by constituents, especially during busy periods. In the run-up to Christmas, we really need to see improvements on what happened last year. When buses terminate early, it puts people off using them, which has an impact on moving people into active travel. There really is a need for improved connectivity between Belfast and Lisburn.”
“Forestside traffic is a major concern, especially with the Lidl development coming into play. Entry and exit points are in need of improvement, especially at the roundabout as you come off the main road. Traffic there has such an impact on the arterial and commuter routes. <BR /> <BR />The Hillsborough Road pedestrian crossing at Lough Moss Leisure Centre is something that we have raised with officials and we know that they will be reassessing it. Residents are really keen to see results there. Parking at Hydebank playing fields and a controlled crossing on the Purdysburn Road for St Ita's Primary School have also been raised, as was parking in and around Cairnshill Integrated Primary School.”
“My office is on the Saintfield Road, and we are told that there is an urgent need for safe pedestrian crossings on the Saintfield Road, especially at the Church Road roundabout in Carryduff. The Church Road pedestrianisation is a recurring topic, and traffic volumes are extremely high and growing in the area. <BR /> <BR />I have spoken in the Chamber about the roadworks along the Saintfield, Knockbracken and Ballymaconaghy Roads. That is before we get into the anticipated impact of future roadworks related to the Glider expansion, if it happens, on the Saintfield Road traffic. The Four Winds roundabout experiences very heavy traffic volumes. There is positive work in relation to that upgrade, but I would appreciate an update from the Minister on that today if she can give it to us.”
“<BR /> <BR />The greenway is a separate project that needs to be progressed by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, but it feeds into a much wider need for active travel routes and cycle lanes in the area. Simple things like footway clearing make such a real difference but are often neglected. There is also a need for upgrades to Lough Moss leisure centre. The people of Carryduff deserve so much better. The development of the walkway from St Ita's Primary School has been agreed. That is a real win, but I would be grateful if the Minister could look into it further and provide an update on the progress there. <BR /> <BR />Pedestrian safety and traffic comes up in my office time and time again.”
“I want to address four key areas of concern and opportunity: green spaces and active travel; pedestrian safety and traffic; public transport; and planning and development. <BR /> <BR />The issue of green spaces is a major priority in Castlereagh South and is raised with me on every doorstep when we do outreach work in the area. It is clear that more land ought to be secured for future green space use and that that needs to be considered as part of future development plans. We want to see parks being developed and expanded. There are brilliant examples of really positive work, including at Carryduff Park. I have been able to work with our councillors, Paula, local schools and councils to support improved biodiversity.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. This is my first Adjournment debate, and I am delighted to bring the topic to the Chamber, which covers a wide range of issues that are consistently raised with me and other Alliance representatives across the Castlereagh South, from Knockbreda right up to Carryduff. <BR /> <BR />It is a privilege to represent such a vibrant and growing area. The demand for housing is a particularly clear indication of its popularity, but it also brings a series of challenges and issues that must be resolved. That is what we are here to discuss. Housing alone does not make a community or a neighbourhood. When I talk about infrastructure, I do not just mean roads, public transport and planning, although they are all very important: I am also talking about community infrastructure.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. I declare an interest as I avail myself of the Northern Ireland childcare subsidy scheme and acknowledge that significant work has been undertaken in that space. Will the Minister give assurance that, when the childcare strategy comes to the House, it will come with a fully costed action plan alongside it, so that people can see the actions to be delivered?”
“The Minister will be aware of the increasing anti-immigrant narrative in Northern Ireland. What assessment has he made about how his statement feeds into that, and how does he reconcile it with Christian values, particularly when Jesus commanded us to welcome strangers and treat those with the least with compassion?”
“I thank the Minister for coming to answer questions today when she is clearly so unwell. She is such a trooper. <BR /> <BR />Childcare businesses tell me that there is a chronic shortage of applicants and that the recruitment process is lengthy and complex. Much of that is because of the minimum standards of review, which is to do with the Department of Health. What engagement is your Department therefore having in order to speed up the process, because it is crucial that childcare businesses overcome those barriers?”