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 agree 100%. I want to put all my efforts and for our party to put all its efforts into meeting them. However, at some point, Ms Nicholl, we need to stop gaslighting the public. All that we are doing by getting up here and saying nice words about the targets being met is lying to the public. Professionals who operate on that network daily are saying that we will not meet the targets. Standing up in the Chamber and pretending otherwise is, frankly, nonsense. When we get to 2030 and have not met them, what will we say to people? <BR /> <BR />Every day that we are in the Chamber, people condemn the Executive and Assembly for saying one thing and doing the complete opposite. The facts are clear. Whether I like it or not and whether you like it or not, we will not meet the 2030 targets, so let us be honest about that with the public.”
“I will in one second. <BR /> <BR />Does that mean that the motion condemns Northern Ireland Electricity Networks? I will happily give way to the Member.”
“Does that mean that the condemnation in the Alliance Party motion of those who recognise that we will not meet the 2030 targets includes the Utility Regulator? Just last month, the chief executive of Northern Ireland Electricity made clear that, in his view, we will not meet the 2030 targets.”
“Currently, we are in a scenario where 30% of wind renewable energy produced here in Northern Ireland is unable to be used by the network or by consumers and is simply being released into the atmosphere. That is why we need to ensure that we have a proper policy in place to address those issues. The Minister might articulate some of the work that she has started with the dispatch down group in her Department that meets on a weekly basis to try to improve those issues. <BR /> <BR />I also want to focus on the fact that it is not just the DUP that is saying that the targets set for 2030 will not be met. There is a growing body of evidence from those outside the political chambers making that point. Just last week, the Utility Regulator, when questioned by me, made clear that the 2030 targets will not be met.”
“Just last week, the Utility Regulator, when giving evidence to our Committee, made clear that, from his perspective, if we are to move anywhere near to meeting our targets in 2050, and to ensure further security of supply, we will need that additional interconnector. That is why the amendment from me and my party colleagues makes that point. <BR /> <BR />There is also nothing in the motion that addresses the important issue of the dispatch down rate here in Northern Ireland. Just two weeks ago, officials from the energy division in the Department for the Economy made clear that dispatch down rates are nearly hitting 30%. For those who do not know the technical term "dispatch down", that is when renewable energy is produced but has to be released into the atmosphere because we are unable to fully utilise it.”
“I do not think that it will be lost on the people watching the debate that, on this important issue, Sinn Féin has a partitionist policy, and that it is actually the DUP that is pushing forward all-island collaboration. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to long-term storage, as Ms Nicholl articulated, we need to see a policy decision made by the Department so that planning permissions can be submitted and granted. Unfortunately, that is where my agreement with the proposer of the motion ends. She mentioned that she supports another east-west interconnector, but, tellingly, that did not make it into the motion that is before us today. It is not just me who has highlighted the importance of a further east-west interconnector.”
“First, the North/South interconnector is a vital infrastructure project that will be vital to the energy security not just of Northern Ireland but of this island, and it will be vital in ensuring that we continue to try to drive down prices. Therefore, I support its inclusion in the motion. I recognise, as Ms Nicholl outlined, the need for us to get on with our grid connectivity and grid connection policy.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. On the eve of recess, a discussion about energy policy may not interest everyone, but it is a really important issue. I thank Mr Honeyford and Ms Nicholl for the debate. <BR /> <BR />For me and my party, there are three key issues at the heart of the debate: the security of energy supply; the cost of energy not just for households but for businesses; and, unfortunately, the obsession with net zero among some parties in the Chamber, regardless of the cost, regardless of the impact and, more importantly, regardless of the facts. However, let us start with some positivity from me. I agree with quite a bit of what is in the Alliance Party motion.”
“First, I pay tribute to the Member for Upper Bann, the former Minister for the Economy, Mrs Dodds, who brought the first legislation to the House, and to Mr Lyons, who brought it through as Minister. I also pay tribute to the current Minister, Dr Archibald, for her work during her time as Committee Chair. The Minister and I often disagree on policy matters, but, on this, I thank the Minister for her personal commitment. Since taking office as Minister for the Economy, she has made it a top priority to ensure these regulations, and it would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the Minister for her work and dedication.”
“There were a small number of queries, to which the Department kindly responded with clarifications. Those were around leave flexibility and the right of parents. <BR /> <BR />The Committee was unanimous in its support for the positive measures, which put Northern Ireland ahead of most other jurisdictions on these islands in recognising the needs of parents in the most difficult of situations. To that end, the Committee agreed just last week to endorse the making of supporting technical statutory rules and agreed to set aside our usual process for delegated legislation on this occasion, given the importance of the matter. I am therefore pleased to commend the rule on behalf of the Committee to the House. <BR /> <BR />As DUP economic spokesperson, I want to make a couple of comments.”
“I recommend support for the regulations. <BR /> <BR />As the Minister indicated, the Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 introduced a statutory entitlement to 10 days of parental bereavement leave, together with statutory payment, for eligible working parents who experienced a stillbirth from the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy or the death of a child up to their eighteenth birthday. Those entitlements do not presently extend to those who experience a miscarriage up to the end of the twenty-third week of pregnancy. <BR /> <BR />In 2022, the Department consulted on a day-1 right to miscarriage leave and pay to cover those circumstances. The rule was considered by the Committee in January 2026. We issued a call for views.”
“<BR /> <BR />Committee members welcomed departmental assurances that robust rules relating to virtual meetings would be developed, and a review undertaken into their effectiveness in respect of the inclusion of those who lack digital assets or may be inexperienced in using online tools. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee, I thank the Department for responding in such a timely manner to a number of Committee queries. I also thank the Minister for proposing an amendment to the regulation-making powers at the Committee's request. <BR /> <BR />On behalf of the Committee, I commend the Bill to the House and encourage Members to support its final passage today.”
“I support the passage of the Bill. As the House is aware, insolvency arrangements are a necessary and important part of business. Clear and understandable procedures are essential to give business owners, investors and creditors confidence. That provides a stable environment where the economy can grow, and a level of certainty for the sector. In that context, the Committee welcomes the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill, which is designed to bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the United Kingdom. The Committee noted that the provisions of the Bill include the greater use of virtual creditor meetings, and are designed to reduce costs and streamline processes already in place in England and Wales.”
“Minister, 250 years ago, Ulstermen and Ulsterwomen left these shores to write their history in the United States of America. On Thursday, our modern-day Ulstermen will have the opportunity to write their names in the history books as we take another step towards qualifying for the World Cup in the United States of America this summer. As Minister for sport, will you join me in wishing our national football team in Northern Ireland all the best on Thursday in Italy?”
“I am a relatively new Member of the House, and Billy has ensured that I have acted appropriately and entered the Chamber when I am able to do so. Today marks his final day in service to the House and its Members, having first come here in 1998. I wish Billy many years of happy retirement and, on behalf of the whole House, thank him for his service to us and to our democracy.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. You have stolen my thunder somewhat, but, with your indulgence, I will take a few moments to recognise a lifetime of service to this institution, to our democracy and to MLAs by our senior usher Mr Billy Mooney. Billy has been here since the inception of the institutions and has treated every Member who has graced these corridors with respect and dignity.”
“There must never be any moral equivalence between the people who carried out acts of terrorism and the people who suffered at their hands. That principle must be clear and unwavering, and reflected in every policy brought forward by Government. It is time to put victims first and to ensure that their voices are finally heard. The Democratic Unionist Party will always stand proudly on the side of innocent victims. We will never allow the past to be rewritten. As long as I am in office, I will use my voice to stand up for innocent victims of terrorism.”
“Those are not abstract issues; they relate to real people — families who carry loss every single day. Those families are from all backgrounds and from all political traditions and none. They deserve better than warm words; they deserve action. Labour came into office promising change — a new dawn — but the Labour Government are failing to deliver on many of those promises. They are failing innocent victims, failing those who stood against terrorism and failing those who have upheld democracy. They have now been forced to delay the next stage of their legacy Bill as a result of amendments tabled by this party. <BR /> <BR />We cannot continue down a path that rewrites history or diminishes the suffering of victims.”
“They now watch as proposals are advanced to hand a role in legacy matters to the Irish Government: the very Government who presided over a sanctuary for terrorists.”
“One of the greatest and most enduring scandals in Northern Ireland is the disgraceful treatment of innocent victims by successive British and Irish Governments. For decades, those who suffered most have often been pushed aside, ignored and, at times, treated as a political inconvenience. They watched as, under the Belfast Agreement, prison gates were opened and those responsible for the most brutal, cold-blooded and sectarian murders walked free. They watched as some even sought to glorify that violence, and they listen now as the First Minister of no alternative praises their evil deeds. They watched as successive Governments blurred the moral line, equating victims with the very perpetrators who caused the suffering.”
“If we are to take the Minister at her word that it was she who personally secured the inclusion of Northern Ireland in the scheme, which will mean a total of £81 million of support, was she as surprised as I was that her Department's permanent secretary and director of finance knew nothing about it?”
“One school that has been at pre-tender stage for a considerable time is Seaview Primary School in my constituency of North Belfast. The Minister is aware of my insistent and ongoing requests for him to move that along. Will the Minister provide an update and state his commitment to ensuring that that school gets the investment that it deserves?”
“As the Minister has outlined, this is an important motion to be passed by the Assembly today. The Committee was content to support the rule, as it will keep us in line with the rest of the United Kingdom and permit the industry in Northern Ireland to continue to enjoy the benefits of the scheme. I am therefore pleased, on behalf of the Committee, to commend the rule to the House.”
“Those of us who were lucky enough to get tickets will be joined by those who, although not lucky enough to get tickets, will be able to watch the game in Italy thanks to the work of Gary McAllister, who has secured an outdoor screen for Northern Ireland fans. This is a history-setting moment for our team. It is an opportunity for people from all backgrounds to, once again, place the green shirt on their back and play for the team that we are all proud to call Northern Ireland. I hope that I speak on behalf of the whole House when I say, "Come on, our wee country" for Thursday.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. On Thursday, Northern Ireland — our national football team — once again stands on the brink of history, and of writing yet another chapter in our proud history. It faces a giant of the game — Italy — in our World Cup play-off semi-final. Anyone in the Chamber who knows anything about our national football team will know that we do not fear history; we write our own and rise to every challenge. Over the years, we have gone toe to toe with the world's greatest, over-performed and written our name into the history books. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs, which has ensured that over 1,200 of us will travel on Thursday to support our national team.”
“The Deputy Speaker is telling you to sit down.”
“I thank the Minister for his update, and I understand that he has a busy in tray at present. Is it his view, then, that he will have a final proposal for Reval2027 or whatever we are going to call it in 2027, because nothing will be published in the remainder of this calendar year?”
“From fintech and cybersecurity to advanced manufacturing and the creative industries that now attract major international productions, Northern Ireland is telling a new story: one of confidence, creativity and connection. <BR /> <BR />That is why US/Northern Ireland trade matters: not because of balance sheets or job numbers but because it reflects a partnership rooted in history and based on a belief in Northern Ireland and our people. We believe deeply in that special relationship, and I am confident that, together, we will see more investment here in Northern Ireland. While others fail to show up, turn up and speak up for Northern Ireland, Emma Little-Pengelly will be out there flying the flag for Northern Ireland and showing why she is the only person befitting of the title of "First Minister for all".”
“This year will be particularly significant for Northern Ireland, as a number of events are planned to mark the role that Ulster Scots played in the formation of modern America. Two hundred and fifty years on from the Declaration of Independence, those bonds remain strong. The United States remains Northern Ireland's largest source of high-value foreign direct investment. Over the past decade, American companies have created over 15,000 jobs here in Northern Ireland, with a contribution of over £1·5 billion, and that is because, like me, the American investors believe in Northern Ireland. Recent investments, such as the announcement of 1,000 jobs in the Bank of America, point to something bigger than individual projects. They reflect confidence in this place, in our people and in our economy.”
“This week, Emma Little-Pengelly will lead the Northern Ireland delegation to Washington DC to embark on a series of engagements with politicians, business leaders and diplomats. This part of the United Kingdom enjoys privileged access to the corridors of power each March. It is vital that we never waste that opportunity and that we play our part. For Northern Ireland, the idea of the special relationship with the United States is not just something that we talk about; it is something that we live and feel, and it is renewed with every generation. It is written into family histories, shared stories, classrooms, boardrooms and the way in which we see the world.”
“In North Belfast, our councils do vital work to support the long-term unemployed and those who are economically inactive into work. Does the Minister agree that one of the greatest ways to get people out of poverty is by supporting them into work?”
“I appreciate the Minister giving away. I will listen with interest when he talks later about why Northern Ireland should not get the same exemptions as Scotland. Minister, you talk about feasibility studies and planned interventions, and the Member for Lagan Valley beside you often talks about delays in feasibility studies here in Northern Ireland. The increase in taxes will be introduced in July, but the buy-off for that is that there will be a feasibility study. That will be years down the line, but customers will be paying the bills from July.”
“There will be no all-island economy. The creation of a task force in the Executive that dictates trade policy in the United Kingdom is not going to happen. Sinn Féin and the SDLP can have that battle all they like. However, the fact remains that Northern Ireland benefits massively from being part of the sixth largest economy in the world. The focus should be on growing our economy in Northern Ireland. That means, yes, having important trade links with our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland, but our focus should be on restoring fully Northern Ireland's place within the internal market of the United Kingdom, because that is our largest market.”
“I support the fact that our businesses in Northern Ireland are able to export to their neighbours in the Republic of Ireland. However, a lot of that is down to the fact that there has been a displacement of trade between Northern Ireland and GB, which has become all-island trade. That does not mean that there is an all-island economy. <BR /> <BR />I am not particularly interested in getting involved in an intra-nationalist spat between Sinn Féin and the SDLP about who has, or has not, delivered what. The fact remains that Northern Ireland is an integral part of the internal market of the United Kingdom: the sixth largest economy in the world; and an economy that is protected by a military that is now, thankfully, helping our neighbours in the Republic of Ireland by guarding their shores. <BR /> <BR />There is no all-island economy.”
“The motion is more about attacking Sinn Féin. It is designed to attack Sinn Féin on the fact that it told us, when it took up the positions of First Minister, Economy Minister, Infrastructure Minister and Finance Minister, that it would deliver the mythical all-island economy. Clearly, that has not been the case, and will not be the case. That is not the fault of, or due to the ineptitude of, Sinn Féin Ministers: the fact is that we will never have an all-island economy because we have two distinct and very different jurisdictions on the island. We operate under different regulations, tax regimes and employment law, and with different currencies. Some Members of the House have a real inability to distinguish between an all-island economy and all-island trade. I support the growth in all-island trade.”
“I will come on to that point later. The motion does not talk about the impact of the Irish Sea border on companies in all parts of Northern Ireland.”
“I welcome the junior Minister to her place. I wish the Minister for the Economy well in her endeavours in the United States as she continues to sell the importance of Northern Ireland's position within the internal market of the United Kingdom and the strengths of our services sector, which is, of course, not covered by the Windsor framework. <BR /> <BR />As a party, we happily support cooperation with our international partners in the Republic of Ireland and 100% recognise the close economic and political ties between our two jurisdictions. I do not believe, however, that the motion is intended to command the support of unionism, because there is no mention in it of trying to deliver the best possible economy here in Northern Ireland; instead, it is about an all-island economy, which does not and will not exist.”
“The First Minister of no alternative would rather be the First Minister of not turning up. Indeed, she would rather spend her weekend celebrating bloodthirsty murderers such as Brendan "Bik" McFarlane than doing her job as the First Minister of this country. <BR /> <BR />Ultimately, the people of Northern Ireland will have the opportunity in 14 months' time to have their say on the reform or political party that they want to vote for. The Democratic Unionist Party will clearly set out its message to the people of Northern Ireland. It will be for them to decide the changes that will take place in this place, not a meaningless motion from the leader of the Opposition.”
“Tell that to the electorate of Northern Ireland, which wanted to ensure that every Minister and Member of the House had to reject violence and that every political party here had to decommission its weapons. I strongly challenge the remarks made by the Ulster Unionist Party that the St Andrews Agreement did not deliver much-needed change. <BR /> <BR />The member for South Down Ms Ennis reminded the House about the Democratic Unionist Party's generosity of spirit. Perhaps I will take the opportunity to remind her and her party about Sinn Féin's generosity of spirit when it comes to supporting the murder of people in Northern Ireland and its generosity of spirit when it comes to protecting British and Irish passport holders caught up in the Middle East.”
“It is, and I was just coming on to that point. The Chair of TEO Committee said that she wanted to see an Executive who are more reflective of the electorate. If that were the case, we would have only one Alliance Minister in the Executive. Perhaps, as with the work of the AERC, the Chair of TEO Committee has not been following the debate very closely. <BR /> <BR />The unionist electorate of Northern Ireland will somewhat object to Mr Aiken’s remark that the St Andrews Agreement was no improvement on the Belfast Agreement. Tell that to the people of Northern Ireland, who wanted to ensure that all Ministers in the House supported the police.”
“No. I will not give way, Mr Aiken. <BR /> <BR />Of course, the people of Northern Ireland cannot be smart enough to read the text of the Belfast Agreement, so those parties have to come up with the "spirit" or the "true meaning". <BR /> <BR />I also challenge the remarks made by the Chair of the Executive Office Committee about sectarian vetoes. The Democratic Unionist Party was elected by the unionist people of Northern Ireland to ensure that we stood up and protected them. The veto given to unionism and the protection of unionism are not sectarian. We take the discharge of our duties to the electorate very seriously.”
“However, when the facts do not speak to the reality, they come up with the nonsense line that keeps getting brought out: "Oh, it is the true meaning of the Belfast Agreement", or, "It is the spirit of the Belfast Agreement" — not what is written down in law, not what was voted on by the people of Northern Ireland, not the law that passed through Parliament but the "true meaning" and the "true spirit".”
“Most mornings, when I arrive up here, I think that I am in a parallel universe, but, when I hear lectures from the SDLP and the Ulster Unionist Party about the institutions, I know I am in such a universe. Those two parties created the institutions that they have now come here to criticise and debate. They try to bring us back to the good old days of yore, when they were the two big players in the Assembly and tell us that, if only they were still the two largest parties, Northern Ireland would be a far better place. I need not remind the House that the institutions did not survive long under the leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP. Those parties then come here and criticise the creation of the titles of First Minister and deputy First Minister. Which parties created those titles? The Ulster Unionist Party and the SDLP.”
“I appreciate the Member's giving way. He says that we should go back to the factory settings of the Belfast Agreement. The Belfast Agreement was clear in providing for a First Minister and a deputy First Minister, so he is contradicting the very point that he is making.”
“I would welcome the Minister's commitment to the belief that students in Northern Ireland are the only people who should be able to benefit from the MaSN cap. <BR /> <BR />The DUP is happy to support the motion.”
“We have a very strange situation where students from the Republic of Ireland who apply to study in Northern Ireland can take a MaSN cap place from a student who is from Northern Ireland. That does not translate into students coming from GB to study in Northern Ireland. Our Executive are using their money to give places to students from the Republic of Ireland at the expense of students from Northern Ireland. The Minister needs to look into that. The Minister rightly articulated that it is an operational matter for universities, but universities have been clear to our Committee and have put it on the record that they fear the Department's response if they were to remove Republic of Ireland students from the MaSN cap.”
“I welcome the fact that the Economy Minister will respond to it. Only one Minister can respond, which is why the Education Minister is not here. It is not a slight on the Member who proposed the motion. <BR /> <BR />We talk about student mobility and university places in Northern Ireland. Mr Delargy rightly articulated the big issue of the so-called brain drain. No bigger issue precludes students from being able to study in Northern Ireland than the artificial maximum student number (MaSN) cap, which was introduced and presided over by consecutive Executives. It means that students in Northern Ireland have to compete with each other, with their counterparts in mainland GB and with their counterparts in the Irish Republic to get a place at university in Northern Ireland.”
“That leads to, as Mr Delargy outlined, people accepting an offer from a university in Northern Ireland or in other parts of the United Kingdom. The second problem is the recognition of A levels and the points tariff system. When I was at school, many years ago, I applied to study at a university in the Republic of Ireland. I studied four A levels to A2 and achieved four As, but Trinity College still rejected me, because it did not recognise the fourth A level. That scenario continues to be an issue for students in Northern Ireland who wish to study in the Republic of Ireland. <BR /> <BR />I want every student in Northern Ireland to have access to the best possible course and best possible provider, be that in Northern Ireland, in the Republic of Ireland or in mainland GB. I am very happy to support the motion.”
“I thank colleagues for tabling the motion for debate. It is not a particularly new issue: the challenges that the Member for Foyle articulated have been well known for some time. I will come to that later in remarks about my personal experience of the CAO process. <BR /> <BR />From my limited understanding of the issue, which I have been trying to engage in, the problems are twofold. One is the timing of results issued by examination boards, rather than a problem with UCAS. The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) and AQA, the two biggest examination providers in Northern Ireland, report their examination results far earlier than their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland do.”
“I welcome the junior Minister back to her place. We are delighted to have her back. In relation to contributions, the Committee was very keen that work be done by the Executive Office team to ensure that the named institutions contributed to the scheme. Can the junior Minister update us on the work that officials have undertaken on that important matter?”