Phillip Brett
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“Paula has been a diligent Chair who has championed the interests of victims and survivors. I personally thank her for her work on the Bill. I pay tribute to Committee members, who also dedicated their time to the Bill, and to our Committee staff.”
“At the outset, I pay tribute to the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone for her heartfelt and valuable contribution. As you rightly said, Mr Deputy Speaker, her family will be very proud of the contribution that she has just made. <BR /> <BR />Today marks a truly significant moment.”
“<BR /> <BR />I am therefore delighted to report to the House that a U-turn has been secured. This year, the Twelfth has been promoted through Discover Northern Ireland's social media channels.”
“<BR /> <BR />The Bill will establish a statutory public inquiry alongside a redress scheme, both of which are important. Their establishment recognises that there is a responsibility not only to uncover truth but to acknowledge the profound harm that was caused.”
“I warmly welcome the progress that has been achieved in the promotion of the Twelfth of July and our wider Orange and Ulster-Scots traditions by Tourism Northern Ireland.”
“<BR /> <BR />Today's debate is not about rewriting history but about confronting history honestly. It is about recognising that vulnerable women and children were failed by institutions, by society and by the state.”
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“I welcome the fact that the next meeting of the BIC will take place in Northern Ireland and commend North Belfast as the perfect location to host it. <BR /> <BR />Deputy First Minister, your statement rightly referenced the importance of green growth. Some £150 million has been secured from the Treasury for an enhanced economic zone in Northern Ireland that will focus on green growth. The Department for the Economy has made limited progress in developing that fund and supporting businesses across Northern Ireland. Given the importance of that funding, will you, as the joint head of government, commit to continuing to drive to ensure that we spend the money as soon as possible and continue to grow the economy here?”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Standing Orders and conventions of the House are clear that if issues of government policy or budgetary matters are to be announced, they should be announced in the House. As Chairman of the Economy Committee, I, alongside my colleagues, have attempted for weeks to get details of the Economy Minister's proposed allocation of £45 million for local economic partnerships. Despite our not receiving that information, the Minister made that announcement directly to the media yesterday — once again, bypassing the Committee and the House. Will you, Mr Speaker, inform Members how we can stand up for our constituents and ensure that we can ask questions of the Ministers who are allocating that vital public funding?”
“<BR /> <BR />Like the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland, my thoughts this week are with the Omagh bombing families. As the public inquiry, which was delayed for far too long, finally gets under way, the message from these Benches and from all right-thinking people in society is this: there was always an alternative to violence and an alternative to mayhem and murder. My party will never shy away from standing shoulder to shoulder with those people.”
“An attempt was made to block the scheme in the courts by the now so-called First Minister for all, because she did not like the fact that perpetrators of violence were excluded from applying to it. Despite those best attempts, I am absolutely delighted to say that, to date, 10,000 innocent victims the length and breadth of the Province have applied to the scheme. Over 1,000 applications have been approved, with over £76 million having been awarded to people. The awarding of those payments will never replace a missing family member at the table, and it will never take away the trauma that they suffered because of terrorism, but it rightly recognises the fact that this place will always respect innocent victims.”
“The manner in which innocent victims across Northern Ireland continue to be treated is nothing short of an absolute disgrace. The perpetrators continue to try to justify their actions, while their supporters continue to attempt to rewrite the past. <BR /> <BR />I am very proud that my party has always stood shoulder to shoulder with innocent victims, and it will continue to do so. For many years, my party, alongside campaigners, made it a top priority to secure a victims' pension scheme for the innocent victims of terrorism. I was absolutely delighted that, in 2019, as a result of the work of my party and campaigners, the innocent victims' disablement payment scheme was introduced.”
“I thank the First Minister and deputy First Minister for their update. Power companies in other parts of the United Kingdom have been clear that they will make goodwill payments to their customers. NIE makes huge profits on the back of people across Northern Ireland. To date, it has failed to confirm whether it will provide support to households that have had to throw away food, make travel arrangements or, indeed, check into hotels. Will the First Minister or deputy First Minister update the House on why NIE has not given the same commitment to customers in Northern Ireland that customers in other parts of the United Kingdom have been given?”
“Evidence given to our Committee showed that, on average, each childcare setting will face an increase of around £18,500 as a result of the decision taken by the Labour Government. <BR /> <BR />The onus is on all Members. The funding is there: let us get it out the door and support our hard-working childcare providers to ensure that all people, in all parts of Northern Ireland, have access to the support that they so richly deserve.”
“Whilst they may not get a salary at the end of every month, the contribution that they make to our economy and to the growth of our young people needs to be recognised, so I thank her for making that important remark. <BR /> <BR />What is the debate about? It is simply about saying that our childcare providers need to be given support. In the comments made from the Benches opposite, I did not hear anyone disagree with that. However, I also did not hear an explanation of why that £2 million has not been drawn down and when the research will be available to the Committee and Members so that we can support those most in need. <BR /> <BR />The changes to National Insurance contributions, which will come into force on 1 April, will be a major issue of concern for childcare providers. We will see continued rising costs.”
“The public watching know that it is not the content of what is being delivered that Members find objectionable; it is the fact that this party is delivering for the people of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />Ms Armstrong, who has been a welcome addition to the Economy Committee, rightly set out the importance of the childcare sector, particularly in County Fermanagh, which, I know, she is proud to represent. She welcomed, in particular, the £50 million that has been allocated in the draft Budget. I hope that she and her party will vote for the draft Budget when it comes before the House in the coming weeks. <BR /> <BR />The Member for Strangford, Michelle Guy, hit on an important point. It is not recognised enough that parents who are not in full-time, formal employment play a vital role in the development of our young people.”
“Ms McLaughlin said that she had thought about not tabling an amendment, but that would have denied her and us the 10-minute lecture that she gave on how we have not delivered on the issue. I am proud of the record of Minister Givan and of what he has delivered to date. In four months, the scheme that was set up in September has delivered £4 million. Is there more to do? Of course there is. We say in the Chamber that we should not be party political and should not snipe, yet we then dedicate entire speeches to making attacks saying that the Minister for Education has delivered nothing. We rightly say that there needs to be a partnership approach, but it seems that, when a DUP Minister delivers on anything, it is still simply not good enough.”
“You have highlighted that the research will be in place by 31 March, but you have not articulated this, Minister: what did you bid for in this Budget round to support that sector? What targeted support has your Department looked at introducing? I know that the Member from South Down said that we had precious parliamentary time here and that, from her perspective, this was a waste of that time. However, in her five-minute contribution, she gave no outline of what Sinn Féin's commitment, through the Department for the Economy, is to deliver the support that families need. <BR /> <BR />I turn to some of the other contributions. We will support the SDLP amendment.”
“The 487 families who have signed up to and received hundreds of thousands of pounds in support through the childcare subsidy scheme describe that as "transformational". For many, that 15% discount on their bills each month is the difference between eating or heating their homes. For Ms Hunter's constituents, it may not be transformative, but, for the people whom I represent in North Belfast, it certainly has been. <BR /> <BR />The Minister for the Economy rightly set out and articulated his points. However, it was clear, when the £25 million was allocated by the Executive, that £2 million of that funding was allocated to support childcare providers. The representations that we have received to our Committee are clear, Minister: they want to see action on that.”
“As you know, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, that school is located in one of the most socio-economically challenged parts of our city. From 1 September, those children will, for the first time, have access to full-time preschool education. For many of those young people, that school is the only sanctuary that they have. Regrettably, that is the only time in the day that some of those young people will get a hot meal. Unfortunately, for some that is one of only few chances for stability in their life. For those young people, the action taken by the Education Minister has been transformative. <BR /> <BR />I represent North Belfast, which, as you know, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker, is one of the poorest constituencies in our Province.”
“If I got up and said that, because the Alliance Party holds the portfolios of justice and agriculture, its Members dare not bring any issue to the Chamber through its Back-Benchers but that its party leader or its Ministers should raise it at the Executive, I would rightly be attacked and told that I was talking nonsense, yet it seems that it is OK for others to dictate what we bring to the House. Let me be clear: I will continue to bring to the House issues that are important to my constituents and the people who vote for me, and I assure you that my party colleagues will continue to do exactly the same. <BR /> <BR />This issue is vital. Ms Hunter has left the Chamber, but I will pick up on her saying that what has been achieved to date has not been transformational. Last week, I was at Currie Primary School with the Education Minister.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. At the outset, I want to set the record straight: my colleagues Diane Forsythe and Peter Martin and I are not members of the Executive. We are Back-Bench MLAs and are perfectly entitled to raise issues of importance to our constituents, the people who contact our offices daily and who put their trust in us at the ballot box. I will not take lectures from any Members on what I or my party's other Back-Benchers can or cannot use the time that we are allocated in the House to speak on.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, business organisations and employers have expressed huge concern at the manner in which the consultation on the Bill was carried out and the lack of proposals from the Department. Will the Minister give a commitment to the House that, once he has taken policy decisions, he will go out to further public consultation on the proposals that he intends to bring in?”
“On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Public trust in these institutions is something that all Members should strive to achieve. The Clerk of the Assembly has just provided all Members with a 40-page report on the employment practices of Sinn Féin and Mr Michael McMonagle. The report concludes that Mr McMonagle was employed for up to 80 hours per week at public cost, in clear breach of Assembly rules. Have you, Mr Deputy Speaker, been informed whether that report will come before the Assembly so that Members can have their say and ensure that public trust, truth and transparency are at the heart of the Assembly?”
“That Budget is currently out for consultation. I will leave it to Members to judge whether the Minister of Finance will deliver on what she is about to vote through.”
“I welcome that commitment. I will do so too. We will, obviously, vote for our amendment, but let the record show clearly that the Minister and her party are making commitments that they will bring forward:”
“I have no doubt that he will hold the Minister's feet to the fire, because, today, her party will vote for a motion that it will wilfully ignore. I will leave that in the hands of the leader of the Opposition and Chair of the Finance Committee. However, Members, when we vote on the motion and pat ourselves on the back for passing a great motion —.”
“Does anyone in the House seriously believe that the Minister of Finance will do that? There has been no commitment to do that in the remarks that have been made by the Minister or Members from her party. It is a disservice to simply sit here, vote through the motion and pat ourselves on the back and say, "Job well done. We agreed a non-binding motion on something on which the Minister made it clear that she has given no commitment". We have proposed an amendment because agreeing a motion that tries to get the Minister to do something that, her party has made clear, she is not going to do does the House a disservice. <BR /> <BR />The leader of the Opposition, who proposed the motion, is the Chair of the Finance Committee.”
“I thank the leader of the Opposition for tabling the motion. To quote his words, I will, hopefully, offer "constructive opposition" to his Opposition day debate. <BR /> <BR />I think that the entire House is united in wanting to end gender inequalities. I look at my constituency of North Belfast. Why is it that a woman born in the New Lodge, Rathcoole or Tiger's Bay has a life expectancy of eight years less than that of her counterpart who lives somewhere on the Antrim Road? Why is it that a young boy born in those communities is less likely to achieve any success at GCSE level and is condemned to a vicious circle of repeating those examinations? It is something that the House is united on. <BR /> <BR />The motion is clear. It calls on the Minister of Finance to bring forward:”
“<BR /> <BR />My message to the Department for Communities is clear: there is a housing crisis not just in Rathcoole but across North Belfast, and any attempt to remove those vital family homes will be strongly resisted.”
“Whilst it attempts to make an 87-year-old grandmother homeless in Rathcoole, it expects us to remain silent. <BR /> <BR />The Housing Executive will underestimate the community of Rathcoole at its peril. It is known for its community campaigning and for sticking together in the most difficult of times. Last week, when the Housing Executive informed us of its decision, we launched a community petition campaign to show the clear opposition to the proposals. In just five days, hundreds and hundreds of residents from across Rathcoole and North Belfast signed up to our campaign because they will no longer accept North Belfast's being seen as a place of dereliction. They will no longer accept local homes being demolished, and they will not accept proposals from the Housing Executive to replace family homes with dereliction and grass seeds.”
“While local families are in housing crisis, the Housing Executive expects us to accept dereliction in Rathcoole.”
“The Rathcoole multistorey flats have not just been a dominant feature of our local landscape for generations but have been home to generations of families who proudly call Rathcoole their home. For many years, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has been on a crusade to demolish those homes and make the residents of Abbotscoole House homeless. Just last week, despite two residents' surveys being carried out by that body, with over 80% of residents rejecting the Housing Executive's proposals to demolish their homes, it submitted a business case to the Department for Communities seeking approval to demolish those vital local homes. <BR /> <BR />While the Housing Executive invests in tower blocks in other parts of North Belfast, it expects the community that I represent to accept second best.”
“That is simply unaffordable, but we now need the evidence to go to the Executive. I call on the Minister to try to get those figures and facts together as quickly as possible so that the House can speak with one voice. <BR /> <BR />I commend the leader of the Opposition for attempting to defend his sister party's actions, but the policy was more like something that Vicky Pollard would say — "Yes, but no, but yes, but no".”
“We need to see the Executive collectively coming together, but that means that other Ministers now need to step up to the mark. <BR /> <BR />In the brief time that I have left, I want to make clear the impact that the increase will have on our universities. Our two universities estimate that the impact on them will be £5 million of extra cost each year. Their income is already dropping, and this measure will see discretionary spend being lowered. That is on issues such as maintenance support for those who are on low incomes and widening participation bursaries. Again, the most vulnerable will lose out on the support that they need and deserve. <BR /> <BR />One of my other hobby horses, the Northern Ireland Hospice, has estimated that the cost to it will be £3 million.”
“To date, the Department of Finance has been unable to tell us how much those changes will impact on budgets right across Northern Ireland and the public sector. We are now weeks and weeks and months and months after the announcement, and not having those figures makes the case for change even more difficult. The Department for the Economy had its budget set just before Christmas. There is not a single proposal or mitigation package for the businesses right across Northern Ireland that will be impacted on by the changes. I understand that the Minister for the Economy's focus may be on seeking election to other places rather than on protecting the economy here in Northern Ireland, but my focus and that of my party is on protecting the economy.”
“The Labour Government's Budget is anti-growth and anti-competitive in trying to get Northern Ireland's economy back on the right footing. That is why this party has taken immediate action on issues that that Budget inflicted upon the people of Northern Ireland. Our Communities Minister has come forward to deliver £100 for those families that were impacted on by the cut to the winter fuel allowance. Our Education Minister today announced that the childcare subsidy scheme will continue next year. The childcare sector in Northern Ireland estimates that the extra cost of the National Insurance contribution changes for some of its providers next year will be £18,500. However, that subsidy scheme will ensure that millions of pounds are put back in that sector's pockets. <BR /> <BR />However, we need strong action from our other Departments.”
“What that will do and what we have already seen in the media and in conversations that I and, I am sure, other Members have had is that those businesses will slow down expansion opportunities, reduce the number of hours that they offer to workers and limit new job opportunities into the future.”
“Their record of delivery as a Government has made this place seem like a panacea and makes the record of Ministers here at Stormont get an A+. <BR /> <BR />I am extremely concerned at the effect that the changes will have on our economy. I make these remarks as DUP spokesperson on the economy and not as Chair of the Committee for the Economy. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Official records show that 90% of businesses in Northern Ireland are small businesses. Their turnover is less than £100,000 in 60% of cases, and, for every full-time employee, the additional cost to them will be £2,500. Frankly, for many businesses that is unsustainable.”
“It was hoped by some that, with the election of a Labour Government, things could only get better. We were told that that Government would deliver a Budget that would be about growth and investing in the long-term future of the United Kingdom. Despite their whopping majority, they have presided over cuts and chaos. <BR /> <BR />The first target was our pensioners across the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, whom they stripped of their entitlement to a universal winter fuel allowance. They next targeted our farmers by proposing the most fundamental reform to family farm inheritance anywhere in western Europe in a generation. Now they are targeting small businesses and hard-pressed family budgets across the United Kingdom, which is worrying for us in Northern Ireland.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. Thank you for your earlier rulings on business in the House. May I seek your ruling? The Principal Deputy Speaker devoted her Member's statement yesterday to me, and I am happy to be debated. However, I was not prewarned by the Principal Deputy Speaker that she would use her Member's statement to reflect on me. Will you rule on whether a Member should give advance notice when they are going to name another Member of this place?”
“May I agree with the Minister that the rating system may not be the ideal vehicle for the type of immediate help that is needed for our business community? Does the Minister agree that it was a dereliction of duty by the Economy Minister to fail to make a single bid for a business support package in the October monitoring round?”
“Minister, the advice given by your departmental official this morning on the radio — that people should consider working from home — has caused considerable anger in the business community in Belfast. Our hard-pressed businesses in Belfast need as much support and custom as possible, and telling people to work from home is not the answer to the traffic congestion that they face. Can the Minister confirm that that is not his official position as Minister, as it was not included in his response to the question for urgent oral answer?”
“I thank the Minister for announcing the funding increase. It is a vital service. One of the main providers of respite care in my constituency is the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice. I was delighted that the Minister recently visited it to hear of the funding difficulties that it has had. Will the Minister provide an update on his engagement and on what further funding he may be able to provide to that vital service?”
“I thank the junior Minister for her update. The £1·6 million for the rebuild of Westland Community Centre will be very welcome. I pay tribute to my colleagues who have been to the fore in that campaign. Can the junior Minister confirm that the Executive Office will work closely with the group to ensure that the scheme is delivered as soon as possible?”
“The situation put players and fans in major danger. The authorities were clear that travel should be undertaken at the weekend only in the most exceptional and necessary circumstances. Had an early decision been made on Saturday that all games were to be cancelled, we could have avoided the disruption and, indeed, avoided people putting themselves in harm's way. <BR /> <BR />The debacle at the weekend should never be repeated. I call on the Northern Ireland Football League to reflect on how it handled the situation.”
“At the weekend, in my constituency and across Northern Ireland, those hard-working families once again spent hundreds of pounds to purchase tickets and make travel arrangements only to arrive at stadiums and have the matches cancelled at the very last minute. <BR /> <BR />It did not take Mystic Meg or, indeed, Barra Best to look out the window and see the gale-force winds. It was clear that those football matches would never be able to be played. Between 10.45 am and 3.45 pm, however, one by one, each game was cancelled. No decision was taken by the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) to prewarn fans in any way that the games would not be taking place. Clubs made travel arrangements, because, if they had not done so, they would have been liable to have points deducted or, indeed, be fined.”
“"Amateur hour", "Mickey Mouse", "a disgrace" and "unacceptable" are just some examples of the more acceptable parliamentary language that was used to describe the handling of the cancellation of Irish Premiership fixtures at the weekend. This must be pantomime season, because, when fans enquired, as they began travelling to matches, whether the games were going ahead, they were told, "Oh, yes, they are", but, when they arrived at the stadiums, they were told, "Oh, no, they aren't". <BR /> <BR />Across Northern Ireland, our football clubs have a devoted base of loyal and dedicated followers who, every Saturday, spend their hard-earned money booking buses and making transport arrangements to follow their Irish Premiership club.”
“There is a clear ambition from all parties that they want to see the people of the most westerly constituency in the United Kingdom having access to the same services as those in any other part. <BR /> <BR />The Minister, as always, was generous and flexible with his time, allowing Members to make further points of clarification. He articulated well the financial pressures that the Executive face in delivering public transport. In the past number of years, important progress has been made across Northern Ireland in delivering services. There is more to achieve, and, together, the Assembly can ensure that our transport services are fit for the 21st century.”
“I welcome the discussion that took place between the Member for Lagan Valley and the Member for Newry and Armagh; the debate was turning into a discussion between Mr Honeyford and Mr McNulty. Given that there is disunity on those Benches, perhaps one of those parties might want to join us next week and vote with the DUP on the continuation of the protocol arrangements. Given that there is clearly a fallout in that corner over there, you will be very welcome to join us in the Lobbies next week. <BR /> <BR />Ms Armstrong, the other Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone who spoke, articulated very well the shared concerns of all the Members who have the pleasure of representing Fermanagh and South Tyrone.”
“The leader of the Opposition made a number of remarks, but given that he was chastised by the Principal Deputy Speaker this morning for turning up 28 minutes late to Members' statements and then trying to speak, then for walking in front of the Chair and the Principal Deputy Speaker during a debate and then for leaving after he made his contribution, I do not think that he needs any further chastisement from me at this stage.”
“Throughout the world, indeed. I think that the angry comments from People Before Profit come more from that party's election result in the Irish Republic than from anger at the motion. <BR /> <BR />I will turn to Members' contributions. Mr Boylan for Sinn Féin clearly articulated the joint mission and aspiration of the Executive to continue to deliver state-of-the-art public transport to all parts of Northern Ireland. Mr McReynolds showed what an exciting weekend it must have been in the McReynolds household for him to have spent Saturday evening reading the motion and the amendment.”
“<BR /> <BR />I had worried that the debate would turn into a case of, "It has to be about the all-island rail review; it cannot be about the Union connectivity review", but there has been a degree of maturity in the discussion: all these issues matter, we as an island and a set of islands are interconnected, and our people who want to get to Dublin or London do not care about who funds it, about the manner in which we do it or about the auspices under which we travel. They just want a well-connected set of islands. It better serves all our constituents and all communities in Northern Ireland if we talk about a positive aspiration for what we want to be available to our people rather than retreating to simple tribal debates about who funds those issues.”
“<BR /> <BR />In my constituency, North Belfast, an issue that my colleague Brian Kingston and I have been engaged in is that our constituency has a train station at one end, at Yorkgate, and a station at the other end, at Whiteabbey. All the communities who live in between, along the Shore Road and the Antrim Road, have absolutely no access to those services. They are expected to bear the brunt of the trains running at the rear of their homes throughout the night while getting no benefit from those public services. I previously wrote to the Minister about halts at Loughside and the Abbey Centre. I know that, given his constrained budget, he has committed to looking at new halts when the implementation of the all-island review has been completed. I encourage him to continue to look at that.”
“It must be true. <BR /> <BR />The importance of public transport penetrates all forms of public life and all aspects on which the Executive want to work, be that delivering economic growth in all parts of Northern Ireland or, indeed, ensuring that we get the greener and cleaner society that will ensure that Northern Ireland continues to flourish. There have been important discussions about fares and pricing, but, before we get to that — the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone made this clear — it is all very well to talk about the cost of fares, but, if you do not have access to train provision, the issue of pricing is very much secondary.”
“That is the first time that I have been cheered by the Sinn Féin Benches for my remarks”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I hope not to catch your wrath during my contribution. It takes me back to the days when I used to get scorned by you in the chamber of Newtownabbey council. <BR /> <BR />I thank all contributors to the debate. It has been a useful and positive discussion. It is good for me to be able to return to my old stomping ground of infrastructure, a portfolio that I covered until I was replaced by the much more capable Chair of the Committee, the Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone.”