David Honeyford
Lagan Valley · Alliance Party · Northern Ireland
“Ten years ago, the UK voted to leave the EU, and Northern Ireland was removed from the EU against its will. People will have voted for many reasons, but people were lied to.”
“Many families have spent the past decade worse off, and the loudest supporters of Brexit have punished them, while we have the likes of Farage appearing to be prospering personally. <BR /> <BR />Ten years on, the question is not whether Brexit was right or wrong, because the evidence is clear for everyone to see.”
“<BR /> <BR />The biggest cost of Brexit has been instability, which scares off investment. Since the Brexit referendum, the UK has had seven Prime Ministers, and we have had the Assembly collapse twice. Political uncertainty has become normal. However, when politics becomes unstable, ordinary people pay the price.”
“We need to see more happening, because east-west collaboration is already happening. We need more collaboration to grow our economy further, but talk is cheap. People say such lines on the news but then come to the Chamber and vote against collaboration.”
“Two and a half years into the term of this Executive, much of that remains missing. The same applies to waste water infrastructure and planning reform, with delays continuing to block growth and investment. We should do much more to collaborate North/South, as we do east-west, to improve people's lives.”
“The Executive are failing to provide certainty and follow-up on their commitments. My colleague Andrew Muir having had his green growth strategy blocked for over a year is just one example.”
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“We are approaching another Christmas when families across Northern Ireland are struggling with food prices, energy bills and the rising cost of living. Yes, the Assembly should talk about food security, because it goes to the heart of whether people can afford to heat their home and put food on the table. From the point of view of the Department for the Economy, it matters even more. <BR /> <BR />The food and drink sector is one of our largest employers. It is one of our most stable industries and one of the few sectors in which we genuinely punch above our weight. It supports tens of thousands of jobs, as has been said, and it is essential for rural communities and regional balance. It is a hugely important industry in which there is real money, real jobs and real security. It is also about families in our community.”
“The public deserve and absolutely demand confidence that, when we bring it to a close, lessons have been properly learned — it must be done properly; it has to be done openly — and that, never again, will what happened in the past be repeated in the Assembly.”
“The regulations are fine as far as they go; they make a sensible update and will help to move the scheme towards closure, but they will not and do not rebuild trust on their own. Trust will come only when we have full closure and when that package is fully transparent, fair and evidence-based and is clearly communicated. <BR /> <BR />We support it for moving forward. We are moving forward in the right direction, but we will not support going forward unconditionally, and we will keep demanding accountability, keep pushing for proper oversight and keep insisting that renewable heat policy aligns with our climate objectives.”
“I put that on the record, because my concern is that what is presented and what has been presented at the Committee in the upcoming legislation will do that. <BR /> <BR />Tariffs must support environmental transition. Closure must enable us to move forward at pace with renewable schemes but not recreate the mistakes of the past and compensate for failures of oversight. <BR /> <BR />Moving to supervision, even though the rule deals only with tariffs, we cannot ignore the wider issues. We continue to hear suggestions around reducing checks and scaling back inspections, but, given the history here, the Department still has a long way to go to build that trust and credibility.”
“Nothing with RHI is ever simply technical, so everything has to be viewed through the lens of trust, fairness and final closure. The fairness matters: we must be fair to the people who entered the scheme in good faith, invested properly and operated it as intended. It is also about fairness to the public at large, because we will not accept any system dragging us back to days when people were paid for heat that was never generated in the first place. I want to be absolutely clear that, as we move to closure, the Alliance Party will simply not rubber-stamp any repeat of that, and, when it comes to the next stage of closure, we will not give a blank cheque to payments that do not reflect real and genuine renewable heat.”
“Generating our own home-grown energy is fundamental to families and businesses across Northern Ireland in reducing the price of electricity and, for the wider public, in keeping more money in their pockets, rather than spending it and struggling. <BR /> <BR />Every time that RHI comes back to the Chamber, we are reminded of that scandal, which should never have happened in the first place, and the damage that it has left behind. I see it all the time in the Public Accounts Committee. The shadow of RHI seems to dominate decision-making in the Department and causes fear, caution and hesitation at exactly a time when we need ambition, creativity and momentum to see that energy transition. We look forward to ending that chapter. <BR /> <BR />Today's regulations amend the schedule, and, on paper, they are technical changes.”
“I echo the comments made by the Chair of the Committee about the departmental staff and the Minister. This time has been a lot different from the previous time. The Committee appreciates the amount of information and the briefings that it has had. <BR /> <BR />The Alliance Party will support the regulations. It is a necessary step in finally drawing a line under the RHI saga. As I have said before, the RHI scheme has been a stain on public confidence and on the credibility of the Assembly. To get it towards closure is of benefit to everybody. RHI has dragged us back for years and held up the kind of modern and ambitious energy strategy that we all need to deliver and that should have been delivered a long time ago. Energy security, as Pádraig has just said, is fundamental.”
“I thank the Minister for her response. We have seen great stuff in hospitality with such initiatives. The Public Accounts Committee heard evidence that employability was a key factor in reducing adult reoffending, and security of funding was critical to that. Does the Minister share my concern that the UK Government's failure to adequately replace the Shared Prosperity Fund could have a detrimental impact on the wider efforts linked to the Programme for Government commitment to reduce adult offending and reoffending?”
“Minister, you said that energy is a complex issue, and I appreciate that. We have had the Audit Office report as well. However, I have repeatedly asked for clarity on this: do you intend to produce a single, comprehensive master plan that will incorporate everything and sit above councils' local development plans, bringing our entire energy system together to allow strategies for biogas renewables and everything else to come together to give us a strategic direction?”
“<BR /> <BR />Working together gives us more opportunity, greater investment and greater prosperity North and South, alongside the ability to continue to work and trade east-west and into and with the EU. The census simply confirms what people, workers, businesses, companies and the self-employed already know: we are better when we work together, sharing this place.”
“None of those issues stop at the border, and joint evidence helps us to understand them better and design solutions that work for everyone. <BR /> <BR />The motion calls on the Executive and asks how we use the strengths of each part of the island to deliver better outcomes for people here. Sharing the island must weave through every Department, not as a constitutional debate and not as that zero-sum game from either side of the Chamber that cannot be allowed to hold back the change that is needed. Sharing the island is practical policy to improve lives, drive growth and ensure that we do not fall further behind. At a time of intense global competition, smaller regions such as Northern Ireland, with our economy, cannot afford to work in a silo.”
“That includes better student mobility, whether that is going to university in the South or movement from the South to the North; apprenticeships, where people living on either side are able to have apprenticeships that link together; and the scale required to attract investment for advanced manufacturing or for an all-island energy system to drive down the cost of energy for people and local families or for tourism, agri-food or across services. If we want our people to have higher wages, stronger productivity and real growth, collaboration North and South is not optional; it is practical economic sense. <BR /> <BR />The census also highlights shared challenges such as housing pressures, better health outcomes, the ageing population, poor care and regional imbalance.”
“Six minutes of fear. It is not something to fear. I appreciate that Emma and Sinn Féin have framed the motion in terms of constitutional change and that that is what their party exists for. However, for me and Alliance, this is about building better opportunities for people now: building a shared future and sharing the island in a practical, economic and inclusive way. Sharing the island is something that we should use to create better opportunities for everybody through increased trade, better job opportunities and stronger skills, and it should be outside of any constitutional debate. <BR /> <BR />An all-island labour market gives us access to skills that we do not have enough of and opportunities for our young people that we must keep improving.”
“<BR />Alliance believes that unlocking that potential requires constant attention, and that means breaking down obstacles, improving the infrastructure, aligning skills and qualifications and making it easier for people and businesses to operate across the island. It also means delivering on the full potential of dual market access and that bridge into European markets. For us in Northern Ireland, this is not something to fear. We have just heard five minutes of fear.”
“Yes, over 18,000 people cross the border every day, but it has not been mentioned that, when you set that beside the fact that a population of 7·1 million people live on the island, it focuses on the work that is needed, because the potential for mobility and collaboration and shared economic opportunity is still massively underutilised. That figure of 18,000 is growing as the opportunities grow, but that growth is still far too slow. It is growing only because of businesses and workers and because families act in their own best interests. <BR /> <BR />Our job as policymakers — this is also for the Executive — is to remove the barriers and to stop leaving people to navigate the issues on their own.”
“I do not know how to follow that, to be honest, but I will set out our place in sharing this island without the belief that we live in Kent or somewhere else. <BR /> <BR />The joint census is about facts and giving us data to help us make better decisions for people's lives, our economy and our future. It is important data to help focus policy, and it shows that the island is more interconnected today than at any point in our recent history. However, it is still nowhere near as interconnected as it could be.”
“Will the First Minister outline how her office will ensure that the work on identity and culture will not just be symbolic but will genuinely support our young people, sports clubs and community groups across all traditions to build relationships and share understanding? How will progress be measured and reported to the Assembly?”
“We have so many brilliant sporting clubs in Lagan Valley, and St Pat's is a key part of the wider sporting family. I congratulate every person involved and wish the club every success in the future.”
“Alongside its senior men's and ladies' teams, it has strong membership across every age group, a brilliant youth development structure and even a really vocal mothers and others' team, which I saw the other night. All of that has been built with a real sense of pride and belonging. The club is also looking forward with confidence. Having played for many years at the Ministry of Defence pitches at Kirkwoods Road, it is now finalising the purchase of that land. That is transformational and an opportunity to secure the club's future for generations to come. <BR /> <BR />St Patrick's GAC is not only marking 60 years but celebrating the resilience of its founding members and the power of sport and our community to overcome even the toughest of times.”
“On Friday night, I had the absolute privilege of joining St Patrick's GAC in Lisburn as it celebrated its 60th anniversary. Listening to its story of the sectarian abuse that the club and its members have faced over the years was deeply moving. At the end of the 1990s, members were unable even to step on to their own pitch at a new facility that the club had built, so it made the difficult decision to walk away in order to protect its players. For some clubs, that could have been the end of the story but, thankfully, not for St Pat's. I pay tribute to Michael Lynch and others, who refused to give in. That quiet, determined spirit, rooted in the community, is what has carried St Pat's through six decades. <BR /> <BR />What a contrast we see today, with a thriving club.”
“Minister, you said that you will not reform the surrender principle. Maybe this is the question to ask: has your Department made any attempt to estimate the cost, or are outside bodies telling you the cost?”
“Thank you, Minister. The costs are high, and the Public Accounts Committee recently did a report on that. The neglect over the years has been phenomenal. The Minister will be well aware that Fort Hill was promised a new school building for more than a decade, and, at his direction, that Fresh Start funding was removed as soon as the Assembly returned. Minister, given the severe budgetary situation that you have just talked about, can your Department now confirm whether any of the current pupils at that school will see the new building during their time there?”
“I thank the Minister. It is good to see a progressive rating system being brought in. We have called for that for some time, particularly for small businesses; we want to see the regeneration of our town centres. Minister, you said that the changes are cost-neutral to the Department, but you also talked about an additional £9 million coming in. In addition, you talked about bringing businesses into the rating system. Will you outline what they are, what sectors you are thinking of, and what type of premises will see an increase in rates?”
“The question is whether you agree that the value of those projects should be increased in line with inflation. As Minister, will you argue on the Executive that those two figures are increased to the value of what they were in 2011?”
“A lot of sports clubs here will not be ready for this round of funding. In the next financial year, will it reopen, and, if so, is the budget likely to increase?”
“We will all succeed when we do not turn it into an identity battle and instead start acting like a modern economy. I will not support the motion.”
“<BR /> <BR />Alliance will continue to promote this region as a place to do business, to grow your business and to attract inward investment, because here are the facts: Northern Ireland has been in deficit since the 1930s, almost 100 years. Regardless of your constitutional position and regardless of the constitutional future of this place, that is not sustainable. It must change now. That is our focus, and we need to drive that across the House in order to deliver growth: putting people front and centre, having jobs, skills and opportunities to live in a place that is affordable for everybody and collaborating across the island to deliver better for everyone. Alliance is focused on delivering the improvements that business asks for, not re-fighting Brexit.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Federation of Small Businesses and individual business leaders do not want the framework to be scrapped; they want stability, and they want the issues to be ironed out. Each of them is calling for the highlight to be the EU access advantages. Even in the FSB report, 71% of 700 businesses across the whole of the UK said that dual market access is an advantage, not a barrier, and that they wanted it to be sold. Businesses want certainty, not constitutional fear dressed up as economics, poking everybody else in the eye just for the video clips that MLAs can post on TikTok and Instagram. I will be gutted if I am not in today's.”
“In fact, the DUP, alongside the Ulster Unionist Party and the TUV, goes out of its way to talk that advantage down and to dismiss it, and we hear it again and again. However, the fact is that dual market access is already starting to drive investment, jobs, expansion and decisions to manufacture here. There are multiple examples in my area, such as PRM, with 1,000 lines of Marks and Spencer products from Europe, based in Lisburn and tripling its plant with major expansion. Leprino Foods, formerly Glanbia, moved its production to Magheralin and is expanding and growing due to dual market access. Last week, Coca-Cola announced another expansion, having extended before, with Monster drinks, to ship to the all-island economy and to GB.”
“The Member needs to be careful about moving stuff that is trying to make Northern Ireland work to another constitutional difference. I say that because that was the alternative that that same person said. Again, the Member left that part out. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, Alliance wants to be back as members of the EU, but what we have is the best that we are getting. We need to get on with delivering for the people, using the advantages to deliver growth. Northern Ireland's ability to sell into the UK internal market and the EU single market is a huge opportunity. It is a unique opportunity that differentiates us from others, and, unfortunately, the positives are what the DUP is pushing against.”
“No, I am not giving way to you. I have heard enough of you, Peter, to be honest. <BR /> <BR />It is the default entitlement that we see and hear about again and again. When we look at the motion, we need to be honest about the facts and not inflate the problems for clips that are simply for TikTok and Instagram reels: facts such as that Marks and Spencer describes itself as viewing its entire store network on the island of Ireland, North and South, as one and, therefore, does not use the green lane. Sadly, the DUP leaves that bit out, but facts matter. <BR /> <BR />The Member referenced one of the trade guys and mentioned the problems that they have, and they have a lot of problems. I asked them a simple question about why there were no problems coming into Dublin, and they said it was because there was one thing.”
“No, I will not give way to you. <BR /> <BR />The values behind the slogan, "Making Northern Ireland Work", have not changed since the 1960s. It simply means, "Make Northern Ireland work for us". That attitude can be seen with the Irish language, the GAA, Casement Park, hosting the Euros in west Belfast or simply letting our kids share a classroom, and it all reinforces the default entitlement —.”
“I am feeling really special today about the call-outs and the constructive debates that we are having, yet we spend all of the time focused on ourselves. I repeat what I said in Committee: I was not the one who brought this situation about. I did not want any barriers to trade. I will continue to look at how we can simplify this. Unfortunately, here we go again with the DUP. We have not heard from the TUV yet, but it will say exactly the same, as will the Ulster Unionists. They continue to talk Northern Ireland down and look to promote problems, rather than to deliver anything. They want everybody else to come up with solutions; they do not have any thinking or thought for them.”
“I genuinely thank the Minister for joining us and listening to all of us as we raise these issues. I would say that we need two hours' free on-street parking and, at the very least, the maximum stay should be extended to two hours. Those are things that we absolutely need in Lisburn. Secondly, it is that piece: we all understand that there needs to be enforcement. Paul referenced it, and I agree. We need people to move on and to keep that flow of people coming through the city, but we need to ensure that enforcement supports our town.”
“Many people described it as "really too heavy-handed", the kind of approach that makes you think twice about even getting out of the car. If the experience makes people feel stressed, they will simply choose to go elsewhere. As Paul was speaking, I was reminded of an elderly gentleman who came into my office in the past month. He had a blue badge and was parked just outside. He had left his grandkids in the car to go to the bank. When he came back, he saw that his grandkids had lifted the badge to look at his picture and had turned it upside down — the same way up, but upside down. He got a ticket because the badge was not sitting clearly for people to see. That is the kind of tone that we need to call out and change. <BR /> <BR />We ask the Department to review on-street parking for a couple of issues.”
“Would two hours of free on-street parking make you more likely to shop in Lisburn?", the answer came back, and 82% said yes; 82% of everybody who posted said, "That would make a difference". Most of those people said that they would be much more likely to use their town centre, so it is not a marginal preference. It is a clear ask from local people for something practical that would help. <BR /> <BR />Finally, I want to highlight another issue that has been raised. Actually, Paul raised it. It is not about being anti-regulation or anti-enforcement. I have just told you that I got a ticket for parking for an hour and six minutes. People understand that there have to be rules, but what came through really strongly is the tone of the enforcement.”
“<BR /> <BR />The second issue, which has also been raised, is the one-hour limit. That really hit a nerve when the question was asked: 90% of people who responded said that one hour was not long enough. It makes absolute sense, and I declare an interest as well. I have regularly got one of those yellow stickers on my car — once for a stay of one hour and six minutes, when I had nipped into the office and got on to a phone call. I paid, and that is fine, but an hour does not let you go to the shop. It does not allow you to meet friends, to go for a coffee, to grab lunch. One person in the survey said, "You go in looking at the time rather than enjoying what you are in the town for." That tells the entire story. When we asked the obvious follow-up questions: "Would two hours work better?”
“Robbie dealt really well with the issues. I just want to put some substance to that, because the message that came back was really clear, and I want to highlight a few of those points. First, it was around cost. At the moment, it costs £1 an hour to park on the street. We asked what people thought of that. Two thirds — 67% — of the people who responded said that it was not good value. A lot of the comments were not just about the price but about the principle, with people feeling that they were being charged simply to try to keep their local city centre alive. They pointed out that neighbouring towns — Robbie referenced this — are either cheaper or do not charge for parking. We are seeing footfall drop and flow to those towns instead, and we all know what happens: when the footfall goes, the businesses and everything else go too.”
“Four times as many people have responded to my survey than responded to the FSB survey. That is the level of engagement that we have had: responses from people who live, work and shop in Lisburn, who come from our city and who visit our city regularly. Those are the voices of people who actually use the place. They are not views or opinions but real experiences, and their voice is what I want to highlight tonight.”
“Over the past year, I have been asking people for their views on the city centre, and parking has always been part of the discussion. I continue to engage with people and listen to their opinions. I am currently carrying out a survey on the topic. Surveys are often carried out: for example, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) came to the Economy Committee with a survey about British businesses and the Windsor framework.”
“I am really delighted to speak on the issue today. I thank my colleague and friend Robbie from Lagan Valley for securing the Adjournment debate. I also thank the Minister for being with us to listen. <BR /> <BR />Parking might seem like a small issue on the surface, but, in Lisburn, it is tied to the life of our city centre, how people use it and whether businesses thrive or survive. I am deeply passionate about the regeneration of our city. I have talked about it regularly in the Chamber and in Committee. I continue to look at how we can repurpose and revitalise the Bow Street and Market Square area to bring it into 2025 and think about what it will look like in 2035 and 2045. <BR /> <BR />In my discussions, parking in the city centre is something that is raised time and again.”
“From now on and as we move forward, cross-departmental working should be done, alongside work in the Economy Committee. I appreciate the Minister's work with the AERA Minister and the Justice Minister to bring the matter to the House today. We are where we are, but it has to be noted that that failure cannot become a habit. <BR /> <BR />Alliance supports the LCM in order to provide green investment, jobs, skills and connectivity. We will always choose opportunity alongside climate responsibility.”
“<BR /> <BR />The independent analysis of the UK Government shows that a mature SAF and low-carbon fuel sector could supply thousands of jobs and billions of pounds to UK GVA by 2050. We have to make sure that we have more than our fair share of that and do not watch it happen elsewhere while we miss out. It fits directly with our Climate Change Act, green growth strategy and Alliance's long-standing belief that climate, energy security and economic growth go hand in hand. <BR /> <BR />Finally, we have to be honest and highlight this point: we in Northern Ireland were forgotten about from the start. That is not acceptable — absolutely not acceptable — and needs to be put on the record. The UK Government's failure to properly follow protocol and notify the Executive on a devolved issue cannot be allowed to become a habit.”
“That is exactly the kind of industry and space that we want this place to lead in. We are well placed to take advantage of it, and we already have work on it going on, with a world-class agri-food sector, a heritage of innovation that is core to the people here and innovation and technology companies. Excellent research is already being done throughout our universities; our airports and ports are well located; and, uniquely, for us, there is dual market access to the UK internal market and the EU single market. With the right framework, this can bring us another opportunity to turn waste and landfill gas into high-value jet fuel instead of into more methane emissions and could create skilled jobs in engineering, logistics and operations that are based here in the emerging industry.”
“I thank the Minister for moving the LCM. On behalf of the Alliance Party, I am pleased to support it. It is about three things: decarbonising aviation; backing innovation and creating jobs and skills; and making sure that this region is not left on the sidelines while the rest of these islands move ahead. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill sets up a UK-wide system for sustainable aviation fuel. After the Bill is passed, our focus must be on how we make the most of it and grow our economy. We need to provide investors with confidence to base themselves in Northern Ireland, grow our economy and create jobs here for local people. <BR /> <BR />It may be a small area — a niche area, if you like — but Alliance still sees the opportunity for growth, innovation and clean industry.”
“Progress on Casement is now critical. Every week of delay risks losing a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We also have the potential to host the Women's World Cup in 2035 and the cricket T20 World Cup in 2030, and the football fund still has a £50 million shortfall. Sport urgently needs strategic direction and investment. Where is the cross-departmental leadership to attract and deliver the long-term funding that we need to finally deliver Casement Park, to fully fund the football fund and to make sure that Northern Ireland does not miss out on international events?”
“On the all-island rail review, the feasibility study on the Knockmore line was due to be published, but it has not been. Can the Minister confirm when that will happen and state why it has been delayed?”
“It should not simply be spoken of as some sort of dream for the future but as something right now in which we live together and are reconciled. <BR /> <BR />As President-elect Connolly begins her term, the Alliance Party offers her our full support and best wishes. May her presidency help us continue on that journey towards building reconciliation and having a truly shared island that we can all call "home".”
“I was struck by the warmth of his engagement with us in Northern Ireland. He reminded me of the strength of this island, which lies not in what divides us but in what we share. As we look ahead, the Alliance Party believes that there is a real opportunity and a responsibility to share this place across all communities, to deepen collaboration, to deliver better for everybody across our economy and our health service, to improve the lives that people live and to build a future that reflects the best of all of us. <BR /> <BR />We want to see an island that not just shares this space but replaces, with purpose and partnership, the politics of division, which we have heard this afternoon, and reconciles us to a lived space. There should be a shared now.”
“On behalf of the Alliance Party, I warmly congratulate Catherine Connolly on her election as president and wish her every success as she begins a new chapter in our shared history. President-elect Connolly has long been a voice for inclusion and compassion, which are qualities that will serve her well in her role of representing all the people on the island. <BR /> <BR />I will also mention Heather Humphreys. In defeat, her character was shown, even in her concession speech, which spoke to her integrity. She will always be welcome here. <BR /> <BR />I will take a minute to thank President Michael D Higgins, whose years of service have been defined by his generosity of spirit, leadership and unwavering belief in the power of empathy and understanding. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting him in Dublin earlier this year.”