Alan Robinson
East Londonderry · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“As the school year comes to a close, 2026 will see the loss of two high-profile educators in Roe Valley. Those two individuals have given many valuable years of service to the education system.”
“<BR /> <BR />Marshall and Nicola, I hope that you begin your well-earned rest with immense pride in all that you have accomplished. Your schools will undoubtedly miss you, but your legacy will continue through every pupil whose life was enriched because of your years of service.”
“<BR /> <BR />While the two individuals led very different schools, they shared a calling: to provide the best education for young people and to inspire those around them. They have been a steady, reassuring presence for generations of children and trusted colleagues to their staff.”
“He has been an incredibly popular head of school and has the respect of many across the education system in the Province. I wish him well and trust that he will enjoy having more time for the sports that he is so deeply fond of, including rugby.”
“I thank the Member for that response. I very much welcome the addition of a padded protective area, which is something that I had lobbied for. I am keen to know whether there are any plans to increase the number of Changing Places facilities in Parliament Buildings in order to improve accessibility for staff and visitors.”
“Like others, I support the motion. For many individuals and couples across Northern Ireland, the dream of becoming parents is accompanied by years of emotional heartbreak. Couples who have undergone that journey will tell you that it is the uncertainty that kills them.”
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“The missing of those targets throughout the year cannot be blamed solely on the current sustained pressure due to the large numbers of patients presenting with flu-type illness. Category 1 call targets, which relate to patients in the most critical situations, are missed with disturbing frequency. Category 2 calls, which include serious but not immediately life-threatening emergencies, and category 3 calls, which relate to patients with urgent health concerns, are also suffering with unacceptable delays. Due to the missed targets, we are failing to meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable citizens when they need help the most. <BR /> <BR />The issues facing our Ambulance Service are not new. The Department of Health is aware of these challenges, yet it does not have the ability to address them.”
“However, it would be pretty selfish of me to say that it put a dampener on my Christmas, as it pales into insignificance compared with the fear of the patients in those ambulances and the staff who had a huge, pressurised responsibility on their shoulders to deal with people in life-or-death situations. <BR /> <BR />Over the past year, we have seen that response time targets for category 1, 2 and 3 calls have been missed consistently month after month. As far back as 2022-23, over 100,000 on-the-road hours were lost due to Northern Ireland Ambulance Service ambulances missing handover time targets and having to wait outside emergency departments. As the service struggles under huge strain, it is a clear indicator that there is something fundamentally broken in the way that we are delivering emergency healthcare in Northern Ireland.”
“We should all be gravely concerned about the pressures facing the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and the profound impact that those pressures are having on patients with life-threatening and emergency health needs across the Province. <BR /> <BR />None of us knows when we, a family member or a constituent will need an ambulance. Indeed, when I saw the headlines over Christmas about multiple ambulances queueing outside hospitals and patients waiting 19 hours in the back of an ambulance, given that I had elderly relatives who were very unwell at that time, I would be lying if I said that it did not fill me with fear.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he recognise that those whom I represent and, indeed, those whom his party represents are keen to see a road map for infrastructure projects such as the dualling of the A26 to the north coast and the Ballykelly bypass?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement today. Minister, in your statement, you say that you have challenged the health trusts to carry out an additional 11,000 treatments a year by 2027. Will you provide more detail to the House? Is that for cancer treatment, or what area of healthcare are you referring to?”
“<BR /> <BR />I express my sincere thanks to the Cheshire Regiment Association, which facilitates that solemn annual event at Tamlaghtfinlagan in Ballykelly. Every year, we stand shoulder to shoulder with families and those brave former soldiers to comfort them, thank them and show them that we still care after the passing of all those years. <BR /> <BR />I say this to young people who romanticise terrorism: they were no defenders who carried out that atrocity; they were no heroes; and they were no soldiers of war. They were and are evil cowards who achieved nothing but to dish up hurt, pain and death. Terrorism cannot win. It has not won, and it must not win.”
“That night, cowards had walked into the Ballykelly bar and left a deadly device that brought the ceiling down on young people out having a dance and a drink at Christmastime. As a result, 17 were killed, and many more were injured, some with terrible, lifelong injuries. The bombing was a pointless act of evil republican terrorist violence that served no purpose other than to rob families of loved ones and to remove good and decent human beings from this world. It traumatised multiple families and left an indelible mark on the brave members of the emergency services who had to attend to the dead and the injured. Rather than divide the Ballykelly people, however, it brought them together, and today the community lives cheek by jowl, united in condemnation of terrorism.”
“Yesterday afternoon, I joined the families and friends of the deceased and injured to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Droppin' Well terrorist massacre. On the evening of 6 December 1982, a neighbour arrived at our house, three miles from Ballykelly. I was 10 years old. Our neighbour said that there were reports of a bomb explosion in Ballykelly at the Droppin' Well bar. In the background, we began to hear the wail of sirens. My father went into panic mode, as his brother worked in the bar as a DJ. He frantically made calls, only to learn that his brother, my uncle, had been taken unwell and was in bed, sick. <BR /> <BR />Luck was on our family's side that night, but, for many others, a horror was unfolding that would change their lives forever.”
“I very much welcome the Minister's statement. Limavady High School has no dedicated sports hall. Indeed, it is the only post-primary school in that area that has no sports hall. Young people of that school have to carry out their sports activity in a park some distance away, where two people were killed and murdered. Does the Minister agree that that needs to change?”
“My party, therefore, calls on the Minister of Health to review the lack of regulation whereby a practitioner can inject a client with a substance without being registered with the RQIA or their local authority. A registration process would help those considering a cosmetic procedure to make an informed choice. In the meantime, I call on the Health Minister to ensure that his Department increases awareness through campaigns that warn of the public health risks from using untrained individuals to administer such cosmetic products. I trust that the House will support our amendment.”
“It is, therefore, crucial that steps are taken to ensure that only those who are properly trained and qualified are allowed to administer the products. The Department must regulate the sector in a way that ensures that patients can trust that the procedures will be carried out by professionals who meet the highest standards of safety and care and that no one under 18 can access the treatments in those settings. The Department must ensure that the products are stored and handled in a way that safeguards their effectiveness and reduces the risk of contamination or misuse. <BR /> <BR />We can no longer have a situation in Northern Ireland where those carrying out treatments such as Botox and fillers are not required to be registered with the RQIA and local authorities have no powers to refuse their registration.”
“It is concerning that there is no legislation on non-surgical cosmetic treatments for those under 18, yet young people under 18 are banned from using, hiring or buying sunbeds and cannot get a tattoo. There is a gap in regulation. The Health Minister should, therefore, move to introduce a mandatory registration scheme in the Province so that local authorities can work in partnership with the Department of Health to protect public safety. New legislation would enable environmental health teams to regulate the industry throughout the Province. <BR /> <BR />The consequences of improperly injected Botox or poorly stored dermal fillers can range from adverse reactions and infections to serious complications that require immediate medical intervention. That is not a scenario that we want for anyone.”
“Doctors, dentists and nurses have high standards to follow, but unqualified and untrained individuals are free to carry out procedures that can be life-changing and, on occasion, not for the better. It feels a little bit like the Wild West. <BR /> <BR />Indeed, Save Face said that 100% of failed treatments were carried out by untrained and unskilled staff. Save Face also stated that it had received a startling 5,000 complaints over the past four years, 70% of which were related to fillers. In October 2021, the Botulinum Toxin and Cosmetic Fillers (Children) Act 2021 came into force in England, making it illegal to administer Botox or a filler by way of injection for a cosmetic purpose to a person under the age of 18, but no such law exists in the Province. Under-18s here can have Botox and dermal fillers with no checks on their age.”
“I remember, from when I was her age, 10-year-old girls whose only obsession was with dolls and toys. However, young people are growing up, and they see many others talking openly online about their use of Botox and fillers, which are portrayed as common beauty treatments. The social media era has a lot to answer for. <BR /> <BR />It must be said that many professionals in the industry would welcome regulation, because their high standard of work is being undermined by individuals who have basic knowledge and limited training and who provide cheap cosmetic products that can be bought online and even from the black market. Quite simply, there are some unqualified individuals who provide poor and unsafe cosmetic practices that have lifelong and devastating consequences that are not just physical but inflict a lifetime of psychological harm.”
“Regulation should ensure that providers are properly trained, that the products that are administered are safe, that they are administered within safe levels and that those who administer the products can be held accountable when things go wrong. When those procedures go wrong, they are not easily reversed, and, in most cases, the NHS is left to pick up the pieces. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons estimated that intervening in a botched butt lift could cost the NHS £15,000. It might be easy to administer the products, but, when the procedures go wrong, they are not easy to undo. <BR /> <BR />The drive for perfection is driven by online trends. I have a 10-year-old who, along with all her friends, is obsessed with her skin and with beauty shops that provide very expensive products.”
“I very much welcome the fact that the proposer of the motion supports our amendment. When it comes to healthcare, no matter how minor the procedure may seem, safety must always come first. The lens through which any regulation should be looked at is one that focuses on making the industry safer for patients. My party supports greater regulation of the use of aesthetic medicines in non-surgical cosmetic procedures. <BR /> <BR />The use of injectables such as Botox, dermal fillers and other aesthetic treatments has surged in recent years, with people seeking to enhance their appearance in less invasive ways. However, the rapid growth of the sector has come, unfortunately, with significant risks.”
“Will the Minister confirm which schools announced under the major capital works programme in March 2022, to which he has referred, have seen progress made on planning?”
“<BR /> <BR />The Minister called the motion "offensive" and referred again to the "irony klaxon" that often rings over departmental headquarters. He talked about the funding gaps that date back to 2011, and I welcome that he told the House of the uncomfortable conversations that he has had on this and other important topics. He was combative today; I applaud him for that and hope that he will be as combative with his officials on this topic. <BR /> <BR />I join my party colleagues and some Members across the Floor in calling for the Minister to commission a full and independent inquiry into the handling of the maternity and children's hospital project. Diane Dodds and I commend the motion to the House.”
“He said that 140 nurses could have been employed over the past 10 years and highlighted the need for the Belfast Trust's officials to provide answers. Danny Donnelly shared his concern at how little detail there was in the framework document on hospitals. He urgently called on the Belfast Trust to resolve the issue and said that he wants the Health Committee to re-examine it. Alan Chambers said that the motion was not helpful and was designed to point-score. That is not the case. The health service is too important to engage in that game, and I have never played it. Gerry Carroll referred to the crumbling health service and talked of the importance of the workforce and the pressure that it is under. That is absolutely true.”
“Doug Beattie referred to the huge challenge in health and the eye-watering sums involved, but he spent a lot of time looking back at DUP former Ministers and called the motion "self-serving". Colin McGrath asked whether there are any other problems in the building. He called on the Minister to detail all the issues involved and how much it will cost to fix them. Órlaithí Flynn agreed that we need to bring the officials back to discuss the matter further at the Health Committee. She talked about emotional care and the mental health benefits that will come from having the hospital when the doors open. That is certainly true. Phillip Brett, eloquent as he is, rightly gave support to the Minister and clarified the fact that the motion is not an attack on him or his party.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank the Minister for his update to the House. We will certainly explore that further. <BR /> <BR />I will conclude with reference to some of the comments made today. Diane Dodds asked for an update on the risk assessment prior to handover. She quite rightly referred to oversight in the Department and asked for officials to return to the Committee. I am sure that all of us on the Health Committee support that call. Liz Kimmins said that the hospital is a lifeline for children. That certainly is true. It is an investment not just in facilities but in people. Nuala McAllister referred to the lack of progress on a number of capital projects, and she is right. The NI Audit Office report that was provided to us detailed the huge cost overruns and the money that has been lost therein.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am happy to give way to the Minister. He alluded earlier in the debate to a shocking announcement — he took us all by surprise — that he will make at some point. I give him the opportunity to do that now.”
“We need to know what the latest figures are, who will foot the bill, who is responsible for PsA getting into the water system, when we will see the results of the independent review and when the maternity building will open. Public money needs public transparency. <BR /> <BR />According to the NI Audit Office report in February 2024, the maternity building, including the top three floors of the critical care centre, was estimated to cost £57·2 million. The latest estimate given to the Health Committee was over £97 million. Given that this is public money, we need to know the latest estimate. The same can be said for the regional children's hospital, which was originally planned to open in July 2020 at a cost of £223 million. It is now expected to be completed in 2030 at a cost of £590 million.”
“However, after a four-week water-sampling exercise, pseudomonas aeruginosa (PsA) was found, yet again, on a large number of occasions. While we can focus on the PsA, we can also look to the cost overruns that were the result of contaminated waste, redesigns of floor space and tender collapses. <BR /> <BR />Belfast Trust representatives told us that they have begun an independent review of the water system, which is being undertaken by two leading industry experts. We were also told that the trust is risk assessing the options available to fix the water system, but that the works thereafter could significantly impact on the timescales for occupying the building. The Belfast Trust, when it returns to the Health Committee, needs to tells us whether the existing buildings continue to be safe.”
“The hospital was meant to improve childbirth, with single-room accommodation for babies and parents. However, it has faced scandalous delays, with the timeline of the children's hospital component now pushed back to 2030 — a full 10 years behind schedule. Regardless of what has gone on in the past, that is simply unacceptable. <BR /> <BR />I thank my colleague Diane Dodds for shining a bright light on the topic and asking uncomfortable questions, both in written form and on the Floor. We were told that the primary driver of the delay is the contamination of the water system at the Royal Victoria site, which campaigners say should have been identified and addressed long ago. We were told that contamination of the water supply was found during construction and required pipe replacement and chemical treatment.”
“They want to see the fine detail beyond the words of a vision for Causeway Hospital and so-called landmark publications; they want to see concrete plans for Causeway Hospital beyond a new MRI scanner; and they want to see services come back north of the A26, rather than the one-way traffic that has been southbound thus far. Causeway Hospital stands ready to lend its weight to the overall fight to improve our health service. <BR /> <BR />The flagship maternity and children's hospital project, which will replace some buildings that were built in the 1930s, was, when it was first envisaged, supposed to be a beacon of hope and a symbol of progress in providing a 21st-century maternity service, yet, today, it has become a symbol of staggering cost overrun.”
“We support waiting lists being organised on a Province-wide basis to allow equal access for people rather than the postcode lotteries that we have seen thus far in some trusts. <BR /> <BR />Our motion refers to the lack of detail and decisive action in the recent draft framework for hospital reconfiguration. Some have said that it is a list of abstract ideas rather than a plan for improvement. I will use the motion to say something to the Minister on behalf of the people whom I represent, who are deeply concerned about the future of Causeway Hospital.”
“Even in the context of the history of the institutions, it is troubling that, in a system of government in which the Department of Health commands over half of day-to-day public spending and receives the lion's share in spending rounds, we have seen so little change in waiting lists and accessibility of care. I do not say that to attack the Minister. That is not what I am about, and I do not believe that anybody in my party is about that, but my party is on record as saying that we want to see more elective care sites, mega-clinics and seven-days-a-week theatres working beyond the 5.00 pm shutdowns. We also want to see partnership arrangements with large healthcare providers to add to the firepower of our skilled staff.”
“We can boast about many things in our Province, but holding the record for the longest waiting lists in the UK and, possibly, Western Europe is not a bragging point, nor is the fact that over a quarter of our population is on a waiting list anything to trumpet.”
“I give you notice, Mr Speaker, that I intend to do so. <BR /> <BR />I thank everyone who contributed to today's debate. There was a good range of views across the Chamber, and I particularly thank the members of the Health Committee. We have many differences, but there is a lot that unites us, and the passion that was on display in the debate shows that this is an important matter for all of us. Before I wind up on Members' contributions, and before anyone jumps to their feet in rage, these are the facts: our health service remains stagnant, leaving hundreds of thousands of our constituents stranded on waiting lists, with some facing years of waiting to receive care that is essential to their life.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer, and I agree. Does she recognise and accept that the prison has been ageing and decaying for many years and that it is important that there is investment in the facility, which will provide long-term employment for hundreds of people while ensuring a reduction in reoffending among the prison population?”
“I congratulate it for that remarkable, headline-grabbing success. I send from the House our warmest best wishes, and I encourage the group to continue doing what it is doing. It has been an incredible journey from small beginnings in which it has done its community incredibly proud. I say this to the group: we appreciate your dedication and we are excited to see what further positive impacts you will bring to the area that you serve so well. I am personally so very proud of all that you do and that you have achieved. Here's to many, many more years of good work and continued success for Bovalley Community Association.”
“Bovalley is a group that can call on over 30 volunteers of all ages who do sterling work across all ages, especially with vulnerable groups that experience poor educational, health or social outcomes. <BR /> <BR />I thank Bovalley for all that it does.”
“I record my heartiest congratulations to Bovalley Community Association in Limavady, which, on Thursday, was announced as an awardee of the King's Award for voluntary service. The King's Award is the highest civil award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their areas. <BR /> <BR />Bovalley is a group that I have worked closely with since the days when it was based in Anderson Crescent in Limavady. When it outgrew those premises, there was a huge effort to ensure that the good work that the fantastic volunteers were involved in to make life better for those around them was not lost. After extensive lobbying, we secured a former Housing Executive property, and the rest is history. The seeds were planted, and a huge oak tree has grown ever since.”
“My party supports in principle the possibility of criminal sanctions in more extreme and serious cases, whilst recognising that any such sanctions must be framed in a way that is evidence-based and make a clear distinction between the wilful and deliberate withholding of information that relates to practices that take place in a healthcare setting and those practices themselves.”
“A statutory duty of candour will not only help identify and address individual cases of malpractice or negligence but should be designed to strengthen our institutions by providing greater transparency and accountability. It should ensure that healthcare providers learn from any mistakes at the earliest possible opportunity. I agree with my party colleagues that a duty of candour should be drafted and enacted fairly and without unintended consequences. It should not be viewed as a punishment.”
“That principle was made abundantly clear in the aftermath of the inquiry into hyponatraemia-related deaths, a tragedy that shook the foundations of our healthcare system 20 years ago. Despite the passing of two decades since that inquiry began, the families are deeply concerned, and rightly so, about the limited progress that has been made to introduce a statutory duty of candour. Although it will require finely balanced decisions to be taken, weaknesses in our healthcare system cannot be allowed to persist. The people of the Province deserve a healthcare system with accountability woven into its very fabric, not something that is introduced only in times of crisis. <BR /> <BR />Back in 2021, my party's response to the consultation on a statutory individual duty of candour included the important line:”
“Although our healthcare professionals are deeply committed to upholding the highest standards of care, we must recognise that, when things go wrong or when failings, abuses or negligence occur, it is essential that those issues be addressed promptly, openly and justly. A statutory duty of candour would ensure that healthcare organisations and individuals are held to the highest standard of transparency. It is not about blame or recrimination but about safeguarding lives, protecting public trust and fostering a culture in which learning from mistakes is not only encouraged but mandatory. <BR /> <BR />When harm occurs, patients and their families deserve nothing less than honesty and accountability.”
“At the Health Committee last month, we heard from Professor Peter McBride, who told us that there is a high degree of fear and anxiety among healthcare staff and a lack of trust in the systems that are in place to allow them to raise concerns. He also told us that it would harm their career if they were to speak up, specifically if there were an individual duty of candour. He informed Committee members that the organisational piece would bring us into line with other parts of the UK. <BR /> <BR />Time and time again, we have seen, through the conveyor belt of inquiries, the importance of transparency, honesty and responsibility in delivering healthcare.”
“It was haunting to watch the footage of the families of the children on whose behalf the hyponatraemia inquiry was set up in order to find the truth. Whatever contributions there are back and forth today, we owe an outcome to those families and others thereafter. <BR /> <BR />Equally, no one in the Chamber would wish to be in a battle with doctors, nurses or any other health professional. We recognise the valuable work that they do. I very much value and respect the concerns that they have about there being an individual duty of candour. Submissions from health unions over the weekend suggest that there are concerns about the individual piece. I see no similar concerns about an organisational duty of candour, however.”
“I give my party's support to the motion and the amendment. <BR /> <BR />The report into hyponatraemia-related deaths was published in January 2018, 14 years after the inquiry was set up. The report set out 96 recommendations, all of which were deemed to be major pieces of work, with implications for the entire health and social care system. It was expected that the vast majority of the recommendations would be implemented by the end of 2020, with the statutory duty of candour piece requiring Assembly legislation. <BR /> <BR />At the heart of the report, and, indeed, of the debate, are five grieving families of children who should still be with us. That could have happened to any family. It could have happened to me. I have a healthy, fun-loving 10-year-old girl whom I love with every bone in my body.”
“I very much appreciate the response from the deputy First Minister. Can she further update the House on what steps the Executive are taking to fully assess and address the negative impacts on family farms? Does she expect, through discussions with Executive colleagues, that support or guidance will be issued to help farm businesses to navigate those changes?”
“I stand here today to appeal to all concerned to get around the table and do all in their power to expedite either the demolition of the building or the securing of it in order to allow a tidy-up to commence, and to allow pedestrian flow and vehicle parking on that section of Catherine Street. It is unfair on the business community, which is the lifeblood of Limavady town centre, which employs members of the local population and generates wealth in the town that it serves. <BR /> <BR />As I said in the Chamber back in May, please come and shop in Limavady and you will not receive a better welcome than in the Roe valley and the home of the 'Londonderry Air'.”
“A number of parking bays remain closed to vehicle use, and the area is littered with debris from that fire. This is at a time when Limavady is gearing up for the festive season and when family-run, indigenous shops need their best trading season ahead of the quieter January period. <BR /> <BR />Limavady is a unique shopping town, which is free of the identical high street shops that fill almost every major town centre. Limavady has family-run businesses that sell unique gifts and products that you tend not to get anywhere else. In a key corridor into this unique shopping town, however, there now stands what can only be described as an utter eyesore. The public and the business community are appealing, through me, for action to be taken.”
“Almost six months ago, I stood in the Chamber to praise the emergency services — in particular, the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service — following a huge blaze in Limavady town centre. On the evening of 30 May, the Fire and Rescue Service prevented the inferno at a former nightclub from destroying an entire street and, indeed, taking with it a number of well-established businesses. <BR /> <BR />When I stood in the Chamber that time, I did not believe that I would be back in the months after, calling on all the relevant agencies and individuals to resolve the eyesore that currently stands at the entry point to Limavady town centre. The large building is a burnt-out shell, and the footway along Catherine Street remains closed to pedestrian access.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. Will he clarify whether he or his Department have had any discussion with Northern Ireland Water to ask whether the reed bed installation at Walworth in Ballykelly, in 2021-22, may, in any way, be contributing to the presence of mosquitoes in the Ballykelly area?”
“Will the Minister provide an assessment of the role of the Office for Environmental Protection?”
“<BR /> <BR />That said, as an MLA for the region, I am pleased that the Government have now listened, and I very much welcome and look forward to seeing the benefits that the growth deal will bring.”
“<BR /> <BR />While I welcome the news, I must ask why the current Government needed to create such drama. Why was there a need to create so much anxiety, particularly for the council, which had put in so much hard work to get projects this far, and among the key partners? The DUP secured city and growth deals in 2017 as part of the confidence-and-supply agreement with the Conservative Government. The investment will deliver economic and regeneration benefits to targeted areas and will help to transform and grow the economy across the region. The growth deal was always crucial to delivering the UK Government's clear priority for economic growth.”
“I welcome the reinstatement of the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal, following last week's announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves that the pause in funding for growth deals has now been lifted. I very much welcome it that our UK Government will stand by their funding commitments to the Causeway Coast and Glens growth deal. This is a positive outcome, and I applaud the collective efforts of everyone, in particular those who took the fight to Westminster. The reinstatement means that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council can move forward on a range of key projects that will boost the region's economy, including the centre for food and drug discovery at Ulster University in Coleraine and the food innovation hub at the North West Regional College in Limavady, a project that I have supported from the outset.”