Danny Donnelly
East Antrim · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“I thank the Minister for that answer. It will not satisfy the people of the area. The completion of the 3 km distributor road was planned to be a key part of the development, linking hundreds of houses to the wider road network, but, due to a planning issue by her Department in the 1990s, it never happened.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. Minister, as you mentioned in your statement, the inquiry was highly critical of what it describes as "an adversarial and oppositional approach" by the Belfast Trust to the inquiry.”
“The Minister mentioned the need to reform the health service. In light of the recent startling figures that show that half a billion pounds was spent on locums over the past three years, does he agree that investment in attracting permanent doctors may be a more prudent use of Department of Health resource?”
“<BR /> <BR />As a nurse, I condemn the attacks in the strongest possible terms and highlight the specific impact that they have had on people who care for us when we are at our most vulnerable.”
“Every day, they treat patients with skill, compassion and professionalism. Let us be absolutely clear: when a nurse is intimidated on her way to work and chased by masked men into the Ulster Hospital, that is an attack on our health service.”
“I will speak today about the attacks on our international healthcare staff. I begin by saying that my thoughts are with the victim of the brutal attack in north Belfast and his family. I hope that he recovers well. <BR /> <BR />Violence has no place in our society.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,031 lines we hold for Danny Donnelly, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 9 of 21.
“Let us be blunt: the same people who stormed a leisure centre and burned it while women and children fled, or who burned women and children out of their home, were not marching for better services to deal with domestic abuse, calling for tougher sentencing for sexual assaults or demanding investment in refuge spaces. They were targeting migrant families and attacking our community. <BR /> <BR />I stand here today, as, I know, do many others, to condemn what has happened and any inflammatory rhetoric that incites violence. This is a community, not a battleground. We are not going back.”
“I am disgusted that the pain of a young girl — a child — has been seized by some people not as a tragedy to grieve or a crisis to fix but as an opportunity to spew their vile, violent racism. It was never about protecting women. In the past five years, at least 19 women in Northern Ireland have been killed by a man whom they knew: their son; partner; brother; husband; ex-partner; grandson; or friend. That is not abstract; that is who killed them. However, instead of confronting that reality, we are still sold the lie that women should fear only the stranger in the alleyway, the foreign man or the outsider. In doing so, we erase the truth. Over 80% of domestic abuse here is committed by a man whom the victim knows. Where is the outrage for that?”
“I saw police officers being attacked for doing their job and trying to keep the place safe. Larne leisure centre is not just a building; it is a place where kids learn to swim, people go to feel better and older people meet for a chat and a cup of tea. It is a shared space — a place of health and community. Now it carries the stain of violence, racism and organised hate. That is not the Larne that I know.”
“I saw the fear on people's faces. I saw the violence up close. I saw a pillar of my community be attacked and destroyed.”
“I want to be clear that the violence that I saw last week in my home town of Larne, in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The people of Northern Ireland lived through a generation in which violence was used to police identity and belonging, and we all know where that can lead. It is not an exaggeration to say that lives could have been lost last week. We have learnt the hard way that peace is not built through exclusion and that fear is not a foundation for community. Let me therefore say this clearly: everyone is welcome in our towns, centres and shared spaces, regardless of where they were born. It is the rioting, the hatred and the belief that violence is a tool for asserting control that have no place here. <BR /> <BR />I was in Larne on Wednesday night and watched what happened.”
“He was one of a kind: a true public servant, a proud East Antrim man and someone who left a mark that will not be forgotten. He will be very much missed.”
“He will be sadly missed by many in politics, where he had many friends, especially by his good friend John Cushnahan. <BR /> <BR />It is a source of personal pride for me that Seán proposed me to be the Alliance Party candidate for East Antrim in the most recent Westminster election. He was always very supportive of local candidates and closely followed our election results. <BR /> <BR />Over the past few days, we have heard countless tributes from people in Carrickfergus and beyond remembering the remarkable man he was. They have spoken about his years teaching in St Comgall's High School in Larne, his passion for maritime heritage in the area, and, above all, his tireless work for the people of Carrickfergus and East Antrim.”
“He was a trusted, compassionate voice, who earned respect right across the community. His historic election as the first mayor of Carrickfergus to come from a Catholic background in 1993 was a powerful moment not just politically but symbolically. It said something profound about the type of representative that Seán was. Seán's legacy is unquestionable in the local area, the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Alliance Party and the East Antrim Alliance Association, where he remained and will remain a deeply valued and respected figure. Even in retirement, Seán stayed closely connected and was always eager to share stories about his political journey, celebrate local successes and offer support to new candidates. He took enormous pride in his long career, right to his final days.”
“Seán Neeson was far more than just an elected representative in East Antrim: he was incredibly popular in his community, and he served the people of the area with unwavering dedication, humility and integrity from his first election to council in 1977 to stepping down in 2013. <BR /> <BR />Although Seán had stepped back from the Assembly before I joined the party in 2012, his presence and impact remained a constant in the minds of constituents. To this day, Seán is regularly mentioned when we speak with residents. Time and time again, we hear personal stories about how he helped someone or supported a family through a difficult moment. His legacy lives on in those conversations and in the lives that he touched. <BR /> <BR />Seán was the go-to person for people across the constituency, no matter their background.”
“On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. During his responses to the supplementary questions following the question for urgent oral answer earlier today, the Health Minister stated that he had shared the support and intervention framework with Health Committee members. I have not received it, and I checked with the Committee Clerk, who told me that the Committee has not received it. Should the Minister come down to correct the record?”
“Minister, when the behaviour became public knowledge, you said in the Chamber that six patients had had their operations cancelled. Given that cardiac patients are very ill and at risk of life-threatening events until they get surgery, are you aware of how long it took for those six patients to get their operations and whether any of them suffered any harm in the interim?”
“That does not sound much to me like evidence. How do illegal immigrants get places in schools and on health waiting lists or obtain a social home?”
“What precise steps have been taken to update the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1997?”
“Will the Minister give an update on his plans to establish a just transition fund for agriculture?”
“It is not enough to encourage behavioural change if the infrastructure does not support it. <BR /> <BR />Active travel month should not be just a one-off initiative; it should be a launch pad. Let us use this momentum to push for safer streets, more connected transport networks and an environment where active travel is not the exception but the default. I commend Minister Kimmins and all the partners that are involved, and I encourage Members and the wider public to sign up, take part and start reimagining how we might move through our communities, one journey at a time.”
“Active travel is also one of the most immediate tools that we have to reduce emissions from transport, which is the second largest source of greenhouse gases in Northern Ireland, responsible for 18·1% of emissions. If we are serious about climate action, rethinking our travel is a place to start. <BR /> <BR />This year's campaign is being delivered in partnership with the Department for Infrastructure, Translink, the Public Health Agency, local councils and health trusts. It is a great example of joined-up thinking and civic leadership, but we must match that with long-term delivery. Many people want to walk, cycle or take public transport but are held back by real barriers: unsafe roads; disconnected cycle lanes; missing pavements; or lack of transport services, especially in our rural areas.”
“June marks the launch of the 2025 active travel challenge, which is a brilliant initiative that encourages people across Northern Ireland to leave the car at home and to instead walk, cycle, wheel or use public transport for their everyday journeys. I am delighted to be taking part myself. This morning, I came here from Larne by train and bus, so I have earned at least two challenge points and a strong coffee. <BR /> <BR />Joking aside, it was a great reminder that, with the right infrastructure, public transport can be a viable, reliable and even enjoyable option for many of us. Last year, the challenge saw 1,400 people log 21,000 active journeys, saving an estimated 13 tons of carbon dioxide. That is not just a public health win; it is a climate win, a congestion win and a step towards a cleaner, greener and healthier Northern Ireland.”
“If we are serious about identifying, preventing and reducing harm, we need sustained investment, a coordinated response and a recognition that those young people, families and workers deserve better.”
“We must expand local trauma-informed services; fund childcare and family support for children in crisis; intervene early where young people are being exploited; build on the work of the multi-agency support hubs and community partnerships; ensure that mental health services can respond to people in crisis with compassion and flexibility; and encourage people with knowledge of drug dealing in our communities that they can share that information safely with the police via Crimestoppers and in other ways. <BR /> <BR />We must also be honest. What was once a problem confined to urban areas is now present on our doorsteps. Addiction, exploitation, poverty and trauma are interlinked, and they are hurting communities across East Antrim.”
“Mental health services have long waiting lists, high thresholds and dual diagnosis cases. The very people most in need are often turned away or discharged after missing a single appointment. <BR /> <BR />One mitigating measure would be equipping communities with naloxone, which puts the power to save lives directly into the hands of those most likely to witness an overdose. That emergency medication, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is an essential part of harm reduction efforts and a vital tool. It must be matched by continued training, awareness and access across East Antrim and beyond. <BR /> <BR />The reality is that the people in greatest need are the least able to navigate our systems. We must do better.”
“<BR /> <BR />In response to all of that, there are services: counselling; addiction support; needle exchange and harm reduction; youth services such as the Drug and Alcohol Intervention Service for Youth (DAISY) and Voices; peer support; trauma clinics; community mental health services; and multi-agency hubs. One local service has delivered over 40 childcare sessions a week for children placed in foster or kinship care, working closely with carers, social workers and schools to provide stability. Others offer acupuncture, peer groups, crisis response, campaigns and online support. <BR /> <BR />The truth is that those services are not enough. We see the harm daily. They are overstretched, under-resourced and too often rely on short-term or voluntary support.”
“Young people have severe symptoms such as seizures and cardiac issues, which are now so normalised in some circles that emergency services are not even called. <BR /> <BR />Families are breaking down under the pressure, with some frightened of their own children. Parents with addiction are losing access to their children. Men struggling with undiagnosed PTSD are too ashamed to seek help. People are living in cars or sofa-surfing. Young people are recruited by gangs to graffiti walls, sell drugs and repay family debts. In some cases, residents have even turned to paramilitaries for protection, reinforcing the cycles of violence in the hope of some form of safety. However, let us be clear: those paramilitary groups should not exist, and they should not be allowed to continue terrorising our communities.”
“<BR /> <BR />Elsewhere in East Antrim, front-line teams worked with 78 individuals last year in Larne and Carrickfergus. Of the 78, 55% were women. Every person was affected by mental health issues and substance use. The connection between trauma, drugs and community harm is clear. Some of the challenges reported include drugs being dealt to minors, including children as young as 11; girls aged 15 being exploited to carry drugs; increased use of drugs such as methedrine, ketamine, heroin and prescription medication; chaotic drug use in public places, including overdoses; and young people taking drugs alone, daily and in dangerous environments. One young woman was found partially dressed and unconscious on Main Street. Another woke up to find that her personal belongings had been stolen. Children are using alone.”
“<BR /> <BR />Staff have also supported young females who have been given drugs by individuals linked to drug houses. Their stories are horrific. Some describe being forced to pay for drugs in ways that no young person should ever experience. Others have witnessed or experienced violence, exploitation and blackmail. They are real young women and young people in our communities, and they are traumatised, abused and, too often, unheard. There have been overdoses and petrol bombs; windows have been shot at; and dogs trained to intimidate have attacked family pets. All of that happens near homes where elderly people and families live. It is devastating to see so much fear in a once-quiet area. I have heard it said many times that "The dogs in the street know where the drugs are coming from", the problem being that dogs cannot speak.”
“However, those services are under pressure. From conversations with multiple groups, I know that, until May this year, three known drug houses were operating beside a facility for vulnerable children and young people in East Antrim. That is not acceptable. Children attending the facility had, in some cases, been removed from the care of their parents only to see similar people coming and going from the drug houses next door. <BR /> <BR />Staff in the area have gone above and beyond. In July 2024, two staff members of one organisation had to walk up a motorway with a young person who was on drugs. That young person, completely unaware of the danger that they were in, was moments away from being struck by an oncoming lorry. Only a last-minute intervention saved their life.”
“Polydrug use — the use of more than one drug at the same time — is rising. Often that includes prescription drugs, which are sometimes bought online with no way of knowing what is in them or what the dose is. That brings huge risks, especially when combined with alcohol or other substances. I have had drug-related issues raised with me from every corner of the constituency, including rural villages. <BR /> <BR />There is fantastic work happening locally. My team and I work closely with Extern, which has seen a significant increase in the number of children and young people it supports who are either taking drugs or being impacted by parental use. It includes primary-age children in care, who have been referred through social services. Many of them attend childcare services not just for supervision but for stability during trauma.”
“<BR /> <BR />Since becoming a public representative, first in council and now in the Assembly, I have seen time and time again the consequences of problem drug use: addiction, mental health deterioration, overdose and death. Like other MLAs, I have spoken regularly to local groups, the PSNI and support services, and everyone agrees that the problem is getting worse. From 1 May 2024 to 11 May 2025, there were seven drug-related deaths in K district, which encompasses most of East Antrim: four males and three females aged between 23 and 47. Polydrug use was a factor in five of those cases. Those are not just statistics: they are someone's child, sibling, friend or parent. Lives have been lost and families broken. <BR /> <BR />Drugs are dangerous, and addiction can ruin lives and be fatal.”
“I preface the debate by saying that East Antrim is no better or worse than anywhere else in Northern Ireland or, indeed, the UK. The issue of drug-related harm affects every part of our region. However, East Antrim has recently witnessed several tragic drug-related deaths, alongside a BBC documentary that showed the daily realities of addiction devastating lives in our area. That is why I raise the issue today: not to sensationalise but to highlight what is happening and look seriously at what we can do to identify, prevent and reduce the impact of drugs on individuals, families and our communities. Drug deaths are preventable, and we should do everything we can to save lives.”
“It is incredibly concerning to hear this today, Minister. A wait for cardiac surgery is a very frightening time in a patient's life, and to hear that that has been going on in the service is very concerning. Can you tell us what the impact on the cardiac service will be?”
“I thank MLAs for their contributions today, and I hope that the Minister will take them on board.”
“I hope that it will be done as soon as possible. The Minister also said that moving towards a more preventable form of healthcare is his plan, but that is not where most people see the service as being at the moment. <BR /> <BR />Diane Dodds, in her winding-up speech on the amendment, noted the escalating number of people, particularly children in areas of deprivation, who are being removed from dental lists, which is very worrying. I think that we can all agree that it is shocking that only 49% of people in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area are registered with a dentist. <BR /> <BR />We were elected to lead. We need to start doing that for our constituents, for our health service and for the principle that, in our society, access to care, including timely dental care, should never be a privilege.”
“Mike Nesbitt, in his response to the debate, mentioned that he met the BDA in February, which is welcome: it is good to hear that there are ongoing negotiations on the matter. He mentioned the recent investment announced in the budget but stated that investment is not a panacea. Investment is not a panacea, Minister, but it is required to sustain the services. The Minister suggested that dentists are deciding to treat more private patients than health service patients. That conflicts with what we are hearing, which is that dentists have no choice but to do that in order to keep their practices financially sustainable. The Minister announced, I think, that the GDS cost-of-service review will be completed within this financial year, which means by April next year, and that that will provide an evidence base for the funding of the service.”
“Claire Sugden said that waiting for care is not just inconvenient but clinically dangerous and, again, highlighted the impacts on pregnant women of not having access to dental care. She also said that long delays in payment from BSO are impacting on dentists' cash flow, and, again, we have heard that previously. She stated that she has spoken to dentists, many of whom have low morale and are burned out. We are certainly hearing that as well.”
“He also called for a fixed funding model and for a rebuild of the workforce. As usual, he mentioned immigrants, who have very little bearing on this debate. <BR /> <BR />Gerry Carroll noted the spread of dental deserts and cited stats on the effects of inability to access timely dental care, including people carrying out their own dental work. That is a shocking thing for any of us to hear. He also called for NHS dentistry to be brought into public ownership.”
“<BR /> <BR />Colin McGrath said that dentists are losing money every time they deliver treatment, and he highlighted his own experience with tooth decay. I hope that that is resolved, Colin. <BR /> <BR />Órlaithí Flynn said that this has come up time and again and that the BDA has been warning of this collapse for years. She gave an example of a constituent who had to take a private dental plan to remain a patient. <BR /> <BR />Deborah Erskine highlighted the impact on constituents in rural areas and made a very strong point about people in those areas having to travel long distances to access treatment. She also highlighted the links to heart disease, diabetes and complications in pregnancy, which are very serious issues. <BR /> <BR />Timothy Gaston gave an example of a mother having to register her child miles away.”
“Alan very eloquently highlighted the difficulties that people have in accessing NHS dental care and said that a number of dentists have handed back their contracts. <BR /> <BR />Philip McGuigan, Chair of the Health Committee, highlighted the fact that dental care is not a luxury but a necessity. He said that having the right to free dental care has no meaning when you cannot access it, and I thought that that was a very pertinent statement. Private healthcare is becoming more and more common across Northern Ireland, and nowhere is that more stark than in dentistry. <BR /> <BR />Alan Chambers pointed out that he is very well aware that it has become more difficult for people to access NHS dentistry over the past few years.”
“They are tired — tired of excuses, tired of crises without resolution and tired of those in power who say, "We feel your pain" while causing more. <BR /> <BR />I will now go through some of the comments that Members made during the debate. My colleague Paula Bradshaw highlighted the fact that this is another example of the two-tier health system in Northern Ireland and that the inability to access health service dentistry is a glaring issue of inequality. Again, that is something that the Minister highlighted as a priority of his. <BR /> <BR />Alan Robinson, in proposing the amendment, said that there were additions to the call to address regional inequalities, and we will support that, Alan.”
“Every pound invested in dental care saves the system multiple pounds down the line in reduced pressure on the NHS, A&E departments and GPs and leads to fewer emergency admissions, fewer antibiotic prescriptions and fewer complications. This is not a moral obligation; it makes economic sense. <BR /> <BR />What do we need? We need a new oral health strategy that is modern, resourced and honest. We need a cost-of-service review that is published and acted upon. We also need the Minister to show that he can do more than just say the right things but can do them, because, right now — you will have to excuse me if I am not convinced by the words — I do not think that the people of Northern Ireland are convinced.”
“There will be years of negative effects as a result of this growing lack of access. <BR /> <BR />Dentists have been explaining to us for years why this is happening. The fees that they are paid no longer cover the costs of care, and they are subsidising the NHS out of their own pockets. More and more are having to transfer to private practice to make ends meet, and that is affecting patients. In fact, GDC data shows that Northern Ireland has seen the largest shift away from NHS dentistry of all the Celtic nations in the UK, and, of the 364 dental practices here, only 29, which is less than 10%, have signed up to the dental access scheme. That speaks volumes about confidence in that system. <BR /> <BR />Here is the worst part: we know that prevention works.”
“There are 192,780 fewer patients registered with a dentist as of January 2025. In 2024 alone, almost 41,000 NHS patients were removed from dental lists. Since the peak of quarter 1 in 2023-24, we have lost more than 177,000 people from the NHS dental rolls, which is a 13% drop in 18 months. For adult males, registrations were down by nearly 94,000. For women, it was nearly 99,000. Those are not just numbers; they are people and families. That causes pain and puts pressure on the health system, which is now absorbing that in other ways. <BR /> <BR />It would be an omission if I did not highlight the fact that that decline in access to service has been going on for years, including those years when this place was prevented from working by one political party or another, thus preventing a Minister from being able to address the problem.”
“If the answer is, "There is not enough money", that is fine, but what is the plan? Do we keep pouring limited funds into a failing system and call it effort, or do we finally commit to meaningful, lasting reform that actually delivers for people who are depending on it? <BR /> <BR />This is not abstract policy talk; it is about people across Northern Ireland — we have heard a lot about them today — trying to get on with their lives while dealing with pain that could and should have been treated. It is about missed school, missed work and avoidable complications. It is not just a dental issue any more; it is a system-wide failure that is hitting people where it hurts and reminding them that help is not guaranteed when they need it. <BR /> <BR />The numbers are shocking.”
“It is the kind of response that we have seen rolled out time and time again, almost as if it is ready and waiting for every crisis to be brought to the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />If words alone could fill cavities, the people of Northern Ireland would have the healthiest teeth in Europe. The truth is that we have a Minister who can talk the talk, recite the stats, express sympathy and even promise reform, but sympathy does not get you a dental appointment. Strategy announcements do not pay the bills of dental practices that are going under. Good intentions do not bridge the funding gap that leaves NHS dental services financially unviable. <BR /> <BR />Believe me, I do not underestimate how difficult the Minister's job is, and I am not pretending that reform is simple, but someone has to step up and drive that change.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. I thank everybody for their contributions today. It was very striking that the contributions from across the Chamber were very similar, so there seems to be unanimity on the experiences across Northern Ireland. I thank the DUP Members in particular for their amendment, which we will be supporting. <BR /> <BR />Let us be honest: we are back here again with another day and another crisis. This time, it is dental care, but the pattern is painfully familiar. Services are collapsing, professionals are at breaking point, and the public are left wondering where it will end. Once again, we will hear the familiar lines of, "This is a priority", "You know my record" and "We are engaging".”
“Addressing climate change is the greatest challenge of our time, and cooperation on the issue is very welcome. Minister, when will the third Northern Ireland climate change adaptation programme (NICCAP3) be published?”
“Does the Minister recognise the risk that the delay in HPV testing capacity poses to the timely detection of cervical cancer, particularly for women in more deprived areas, where screening uptake is already low?”
“I also welcome the Minister's statement. There are clearly lots of opportunities for cross-border cooperation on health. I am particularly encouraged by the announcement of the €85 million that has been awarded to 10 projects under the PEACE PLUS programme to target health inequalities in communities in Northern Ireland and in the border counties. Can the Minister tell us more about the projects and how people in those areas will benefit from them?”
“<BR /> <BR />Now in its thirty-third year, the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships are more than a sporting event: they unite people, building friendships, breaking down barriers and creating a sense of pride and community across the island. It is also a great sport, with huge benefits to physical and mental health. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation, the Antrim Coast Rowing Association and the army of volunteers who make it possible. I will be backing our clubs all the way, and I encourage all Members to come along and experience this truly special sport and event for themselves. It will not disappoint.”
“Accommodation along the coast is already heavily booked, with the event set to generate millions for local tourism and small businesses. From what I saw and heard over the weekend, our local clubs are more than ready. <BR /> <BR />Last year, Castle Rowing Club in Ballygally brought home two all-Ireland titles and two silver and three bronze medals. They have a history of great success across multiple years. Whitehead Coastal Rowing Club secured three silvers and a bronze, a result of hard work and dedication, and a Glenarm rower claimed two national titles as part of a composite crew. Those are not just medals; they are the result of years of dedication, grit and passion for the sport.”
“I was delighted to speak to rowers and volunteers, some of whom shared how we can better support their clubs and this year's event. With clubs from the glens, Glenarm, Ballygally Castle, Cushendun, Whitehead and Carnlough, our coastal clubs will be racing most weekends from now until the championships in August, creating local buzz and drawing crowds right along the Antrim coast. <BR /> <BR />This August, the championships return north for the first time in over a decade and are set to be the biggest yet. Last year's event in Dingle, County Kerry, saw 550 crews, 71 races and 57 national titles. Glenarm is now preparing to welcome thousands of visitors across the weekend of 15, 16 and 17 August. The economic impact will be substantial.”
“At the weekend, I had the privilege of attending the launch of the 2025 All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships in Glenarm in my constituency of East Antrim. It was a fantastic event that brought together rowers, volunteers, community leaders and even a special guest, double Olympian Rebecca Edwards, to kick off what promises to be a landmark summer of sport on the Antrim coast. Standing on the slipway in Glenarm and even getting out on the water in boats alongside local clubs, MLAs, our local MP, the mayor, the Communities Minister and Olympian Rebecca Edwards, I saw first-hand the energy, pride and momentum that is already building ahead of the main event in August. <BR /> <BR />The launch marked the start of a summer of rowing.”