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.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,333 lines we hold for Phillip Brett, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 8 of 27.
“In Mr Tennyson's three-minute contribution on the issue of parcel charges, he could not bring himself to criticise the proposals by the European Union. Instead, he tried to rehash and relive the debate that took place here in 2016. <BR /> <BR />I pay tribute to the Member from the official Opposition, who has a totally different view from me on the constitutional position and the position of the European Union here in Northern Ireland, because she was the only person who was able to articulate the difficulties that the proposals will have for consumers and businesses. She does not share my view that this is a constitutional outrage, but she spoke about the real and tangible impact that it will have on her constituents and businesses in Foyle.”
“I do not expect the parties opposite to share my objections to the Windsor framework, the constitutional outrage that laws here are made by the European Union, which is not accountable to the people of Northern Ireland, and the fact that this part of the United Kingdom is subject to laws that other parts of the UK are not. However, what I expect them to do is share my concern for consumers and business owners, many of whom are not unionists and do not vote DUP but who see us standing up for them on such important issues. <BR /> <BR />It will come as no surprise that the Alliance Party Member opened by saying that his remarks would be similar to those of the Sinn Féin Member who had just spoken. Well, surprise, surprise; shock, shock.”
“I will not, Eóin. You had five minutes to speak, but you only took three of them. You have had your opportunity to speak. <BR /> <BR />Today will be that test. Going by the remarks that have been made to date, it is clear on which side the party opposite stands. The Sinn Féin Members who made contributions had an opportunity to speak for 10 minutes in the House. Between them, however, their combined speeches lasted fewer than four minutes. In that time, they could not find it within themselves to criticise the proposals put forward by the European Union.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion, and I thank my colleagues for tabling it. This is a test of which side Members of the House stand. Over the weekend, I read and listened with interest to statements and interviews given by political parties from across the House, in which they said that, when this place returned, they wanted to ensure that politicians are on the side of businesses and consumers. Today, they have an opportunity to do that. Do they stand with consumers in Northern Ireland who, as a result of EU overreach, could have an additional charge of €3 imposed on every single thing that they order from GB that is under €150? Do they stand on the side of businesses that will have their supply chain reduced and their costs increased while the cost of doing business continues to rise?”
“Does the Member agree that our opposition to it is because a decision should be made by our sovereign Government, the United Kingdom Government, not a foreign Government — the EU — which they seem to have more interest in?”
“— jobs will be lost if changes are not made. What representations did you make to the UK Government so that we can ensure that car dealerships in Northern Ireland are not another victim of EU overreach?”
“I welcome the deputy First Minister's statement. I thank her for showcasing Studio Ulster in particular, not just because it is in the heart of my constituency but because the funding was secured under this party's confidence-and-supply agreement. The global premiere of 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms', a prequel to 'Game of Thrones', will take place on Sunday. That will put Northern Ireland on the world map once again. <BR /> <BR />In your statement, deputy First Minister, you referenced market uncertainty. One of the greatest market uncertainties is for car dealerships in Northern Ireland and is a result of the Windsor framework, which is supported by the parties opposite. The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has been clear that —”
“Minister, thank you for your statement. Notwithstanding our party's clear reservations about some of your proposals, it is important to recognise that there is a lot in the Budget that we welcome and that our Ministers have fought for. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you said that you would like suggestions about changes to your Budget: can I provide you with one? You have allocated £3 million over the next three years for a Climate Commissioner. It is clear that, when bread-and-butter public services are under pressure, money should not be wasted on unnecessary quangos. Will the Finance Minister agree that we should scrap the Climate Commissioner and invest in front-line services?”
“Minister, will you outline why the paper on that important issue submitted to the Executive by the Minister for Communities has not been approved by the First Minister for discussion?”
“While some parties in the Chamber are obsessed with one particular sector of our education system, I know that the Minister shares my obsession with ensuring that every child has the best possible education that they can receive. Does the Minister agree that the facts are clear: our controlled sector provides some of the most integrated education in the Province; that, just because a school does not have a title above its door saying "Integrated", that does not mean that it is not an integrated school; and that the demand shown in the life and times survey is met by our excellent controlled schools?”
“I thank the deputy First Minister for that update. Can the deputy First Minister confirm that the fresh look at the scheme will take into consideration the geographical changes that have happened in North Belfast since the scheme was first introduced? Will she also confirm that the groups that currently benefit from that funding are representative of the entire community and not just one section of the North Belfast community?”
“Of course, shortly after the attacks of 7 October, the parties opposite blocked the lighting up of City Hall in solidarity with the victims of the Hamas terrorist attacks. Their record is clear when it comes to the protection of the Jewish community in our city. <BR />Unionism in Belfast will not be walked over. We successfully legally blocked the previous decision, and we will continue to use every legal and political protection to ensure that the people of Belfast are not discriminated against by a pan-republican front that is more interested in fighting wars in the Middle East than delivering for the people of the city that we should all feel honoured to represent.”
“Instead, they were forced by the party opposite to stay in City Hall to erect the flag of Palestine. That was a blatant abuse of process and a disgraceful attempt by Sinn Féin and the SDLP to run ahead of the court, which will sit in 25 minutes' time. The very party that introduced minority protections in the Local Government (Northern Ireland) Act 2014 — the SDLP — has ridden roughshod over those protections. <BR /> <BR />Last night, a letter from the Jewish community, which I am honoured to represent, was read into the council record, outlining the community's objections to the decision. When it was read, members of the council laughed and sneered at its opposition. They laughed and sneered at the fact that that community, which is a minority in Belfast, felt intimidated by that decision.”
“The people of Belfast deserve better. They deserve better than the absolutely disgraceful scenes that we witnessed at Belfast City Council last night, when 32 members of that council showed exactly where their priorities lie, and it is not with the ratepayers of Belfast. <BR /> <BR />In a move that is now subject to legal action, councillors changed the rules to try to avoid court scrutiny. They forced a member of staff to work after midnight last night, but they were not asked to empty the overflowing bins that are in every part of our city or remove the 80 alley gates that sit derelict in Duncrue industrial estate and are meant to be used to protect pensioners but cannot be installed due to a lack of staff. Nor was the staff member instructed to fix Grove leisure centre, which has been closed for two years.”
“Thus, the Committee was assured that the proposed tariff increase will not lead to any increased liability against Northern Ireland's block grant. With that in mind, the Committee was content to support the regulations. <BR /> <BR />I now make a few comments as DUP MLA for North Belfast. First, I thank the Minister and her departmental staff for their commitment to providing the Committee with the information to make this decision. We are in a much better position this time around than we were when previous uplifts were proposed, so from a party perspective and on behalf of the Committee, I am happy to recommend that the Assembly vote for the regulations as outlined by the Minister.”
“The increase in costs associated with these new tariffs is understood to be around £10 million for the period December 2025 to March 2026. The Department has advised that Treasury has agreed to the increase in costs for the non-domestic RHI scheme. The proposed regulations appear to have been designed following engagement with the Ulster Farmers' Union, the Renewable Heat Association Northern Ireland and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and are in line with the cost models derived by Professor David Rooney at Queen's University Belfast. Officials advised that the new tariffs will generate an internal rate of return of over 12% and are compliant with state aid rules. Members noted that the cost of the new tariffs is well within the £33 million of annually managed expenditure (AME) that is ring-fenced for renewables.”
“As Chair, I rise to support the regulations moved by the Minister. As the Minister has advised, the proposed rule will amend the Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 to increase the tariff for support payments made under non-domestic RHI schemes to accredited small and medium biomass installations. The increases are for heat generated from December 2025 and are to be based upon readings recorded by Ofgem. The proposed rule is expected to fix the tariffs for those installations for heat generated up to the end of March 2026. <BR /> <BR />The Department has advised that the winter uplift tariffs are essentially the same as the closure payment tariffs that are currently out to consultation.”
“On a point of order, Mr Speaker. I appreciate your accepting this question for urgent oral answer, but will you outline to the House what avenues are open to Members should a Member, whether speaking as First Minister or from the Back Benches, inadvertently or intentionally mislead the House? It is clear that the comments made by the First Minister on 22 October are in total defiance of the comments made by the Chief Whip in a statement to the Public Prosecution Service. Will you articulate to Members how we can ensure that we find out which Member of Sinn Féin misled the House?”
“You were then contradicted, First Minister, by your Chief Whip in her public statement to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), when she stated that the individual responsible made no admission to being at the event or knowing about the damage. <BR /> <BR />First Minister, either you misled the Assembly, or your Chief Whip misled the police. Both are very serious. Which one is it?”
“Thank you, First Minister, for that fulsome answer. Institutional understanding of this place and public confidence in this place are based on the fact that statements made by Ministers in the House are true and accurate, so I will remind you what you said to the House. You stated, as First Minister, on 22 October 2024:”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Minister, I listened with interest to your interview today on 'The Nolan Show', in which you highlighted some of the barriers to police officers joining the force and how we need to make sure that our police service is reflective of all sections of our community. With that in mind, will you consider supporting an amendment in my name to your forthcoming Bill that would introduce Harper's law in Northern Ireland to ensure that police officers here have the same legal protections as their counterparts in the rest of the United Kingdom?”
“I thank the Member for his question. I am sure that he will not mind me pointing out that his party kept the institutions down for two years and delayed us from taking forward any of the work needed to ensure that the Act is implemented. As I indicated in my response to Ms Egan, we are working at pace to deliver this as quickly as possible. The consultation has been completed since we took ownership of the Department, and I am committed to ensuring that this important legislation is operationalised as quickly as possible.”
“This month marks two years since Sinn Féin took on ownership of the Department for the Economy. In that two years, the Act has not progressed one iota. Trade unions were forced to protest outside this Building at the delay. Will you please articulate to the House why, in two years, your Department has not been able to introduce the regulations?”
“When will you, as Minister, get to grips with the energy department in the Department for the Economy and deliver on the so-called targets that you are committed to achieving?”
“Minister, the Northern Ireland Audit Office published a damning report on the Department's energy strategy. We have already seen one delay to the renewable electricity price guarantee (REPG) scheme.”
“Minister, in your statement, you discuss how officials have been sharing best practice on how to advance transport policy. Does that extend to Hill Street in north Belfast? Your Department committed that the pedestrianisation of that street would be completed by November. It is now 1 December, and the street has still not been pedestrianised. Can you give us a date today for when the pedestrianisation of that street will be completed?”
“As Minister of Finance, what are your preferred options for how we will generate additional income?”
“We know that Sinn Féin representatives have been unable to identify former employees that have been right in front of them before. They are now claiming that they were unable to identify one of their employees at an event at City Hall. <BR /> <BR />There is an attempt here by Sinn Féin to cover up the fact that the son of one of its sitting MLAs attacked the portrait of a former Lord Mayor of the city, costing ratepayers of the city £2,500. The truth will come out, and we will ensure that it does.”
“When a group is in receipt of public funding, there is a moral and legal requirement that it cooperates fully with police investigations. It is a very serious matter that that group did not provide a list of attendees to the police. Today, I have tabled a number of questions to the First Minister and deputy First Minister and the Minister for Communities, seeking clarity on the public funding that that organisation has received. <BR /> <BR />The statement went on to confirm:”
“Within the space of six months, the Sinn Féin Chief Whip had confirmed that either they were not telling the truth or that the First Minister had misled the House. <BR /> <BR />The PPS statement also says:”
“The PPS has confirmed that, in an email received from the Sinn Féin Chief Whip, the PSNI was advised of the resignation of that employee as a result of the incident. However, come February 2025, Sinn Féin's rewriting of the past began. I will quote directly from the PPS statement:”
“The comments yesterday from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) that it would not be bringing charges against a former Sinn Féin employee for an attack on a portrait at Belfast City Hall have all the hallmarks of yet another republican cover-up and raise serious questions about the accuracy of statements that were made in the House and by Sinn Féin to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />On 22 October 2024, the First Minister said:”
“First Minister, one of the greatest examples of initiatives to promote cultural understanding is the wide range of portraits of Lord Mayors in Belfast City Hall. A member and employee of your party was forced to resign after attacking one of those portraits. Given that you are required to uphold the rule of law under the ministerial code, will you take the opportunity to name that former employee and state to which member of your party and Member of the House that individual is related?”
“As the House is aware, the call for evidence to the Committee Stage of the RHI (Closure of Non-Domestic Scheme) Bill has coincided with the departmental consultation on the regulations that are expected to be brought forward following the passage of the Bill. Consequently, and in order to allow time for members to consider the feedback to that consultation, the Committee agreed that it would seek an extension to the Committee Stage until the end of February 2026. The Committee was advised that a later passage of the Bill would not adversely impact on boiler owners as the related regulations will apply retrospectively from 1 April 2026. In any event, the Committee will endeavour to conclude its deliberations in advance of the date in the motion. On behalf of the Committee, I therefore commend the extension to the House.”
“This party continues to hold the Government's feet to the fire to implement those requirements in full, because this party and no unionists will continue to allow an Irish Sea border to remain and go unchallenged.”
“The announcement today by the Government that that body will receive the funding that it needs and deserves as it continues to expose the impact of the Windsor framework in Northern Ireland is hugely welcome. It shows what can happen if we continue to stand up and speak up not just for unionists but for businesses. Week after week, businesses come to the Committee for the Economy, where they receive tea and sympathy from the parties opposite, yet, when those parties have an opportunity in the House to send a clear and united message, they renege on that. <BR /> <BR />The Government have shown the need to implement fully the requirements of the restoration of the Assembly.”
“Sixteen million pounds of funding will not remove the requirement for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks, and £16 million of funding will not remove the ridiculous scenario that all goods moving from GB into Northern Ireland are automatically treated as "at risk". <BR /> <BR />I welcome part of today's announcement by the Government, however: the part about funding for Intertrade UK. Intertrade UK was created outside the remit of both the protocol and the Windsor framework and was a result of the work and negotiations undertaken by this party. Some claimed that no such body could be created and that no such body would have any funding to deliver the requirement to strengthen and maintain the internal market of the United Kingdom.”
“Last week, the House, led by the rigorous implementers, rejected our call for work to continue to sort out the impact of the Windsor framework and the failure of the UK Government to live up to the commitments that they made to the people of Northern Ireland. Despite that, today's announcement by the Treasury that it will invest yet another £16 million into trying to sort out the impact of the Windsor framework is yet again justification for the stance taken by all unionists on these Benches that the Windsor framework continues to damage all the people of Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />No amount of funding from UK taxpayers will remove the continued imposition of EU law in Northern Ireland without the consent of the people or, indeed, the elected representatives of the people of Northern Ireland.”
“but they cannot shout us down. <BR /> <BR />The SDLP, whose Members shout from the Opposition Benches, wanted to sack nurses because they did not want to comply with their draconian legislation. They were happy to traipse to Dublin to try to dismantle businesses further. This party will always be a party of reason and of freedom of expression.”
“right across Northern Ireland. They may not like the truth now”
“<BR /> <BR />We will also not forget the actions of the Alliance Party, the SDLP and Sinn Féin, who, at the height of the pandemic, put forward their view that they should traipse down to Dublin to call for the rigorous implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol rather than continue to have a united message on health here in Northern Ireland. <BR /> <BR />This party was a voice of reason during the COVID pandemic. When others tried to have draconian laws that, they believed, should not apply to them, this party proudly stood up and spoke up for citizens”
“<BR /> <BR />There was a clear demonstration in the report that Ministers tried to use the pandemic as an opportunity to push forward an all-island agenda rather than the factual medical situation that pertained here to Northern Ireland. Who will forget the fake, phantom PPE order by Minister Conor Murphy, who proclaimed from the steps of the House that he had secured a historic medical order for the people of Northern Ireland? Little did he know that that Chinese equipment did not exist, and, when asked by his counterparts in the Republic of Ireland whether it existed, they said no.”
“"Do as I say, not as I do" perfectly sums up the attitude of Sinn Féin during the COVID pandemic. At a time when people were dying alone, our older people were shielded in care homes, our front-line health workers risked their lives day and daily and businessmen and women watched what they had built over years disappear in front of their eyes, they saw laws made in this place that the now First Minister thought did not apply to her. <BR /> <BR />We had a situation in which a Provo show of strength was put ahead of the safety of every person here in Northern Ireland. That was a shame then, and it is a shame today. It is telling that, in the remarks made by those on the Benches opposite, we have had no apology officially on the record of the House for the breaches that they and their colleagues incurred.”
“It is hugely discourteous that the leader of the Opposition asked his question and then walked out of the Chamber. <BR /> <BR />Minister, there will be genuine relief among many owners of licensed premises that you have not given in on the surrender principle. Those people have spent hundreds of thousands of pounds and risked their houses, and they would have disappeared overnight had the change been introduced. Will the Minister agree that the amendment passed by the leader of the Opposition, which cost £500,000 according to the report, would have been better used to support the night-time economy across Northern Ireland?”
“<BR /> <BR />While others may talk Northern Ireland down, try to cost us jobs and not welcome investment, this party will proudly take every opportunity to speak up for the people of Northern Ireland and ensure that our economy continues to flourish.”
“That is a reserved matter for His Majesty's Government, and the DUP call-in justifies that decision. The value of the aerospace, defence and space sector in Northern Ireland is £2·2 billion a year, and it employs 10,000 people. The Minister for the Economy is entitled to her personal views on that industry, but she is not entitled to use her office to undermine those jobs and investments. In every corner of Northern Ireland, people from all backgrounds, traditions and none work in that sector. We will not allow their jobs to be put at risk by a Minister who fears more from attack from parties to my left than from delivering in her role as Minister for the Economy.”
“On 16 October, when the Minister for the Economy issued her politically charged ministerial statement attacking the state of Israel and undermining the aerospace, defence and space sector in Northern Ireland, this party made it clear that we would challenge that decision at every possible turn. That is why, jointly with the Ulster Unionist Party and Traditional Unionist Voice, this party tabled a call-in petition to the Business Office in relation to that decision. We warmly welcome the fact that a ruling has been made that that decision must now come before the Executive. As we made clear at the time, the attempted decision by the Minister for the Economy was controversial and significant. <BR /> <BR />For the avoidance of doubt, Sinn Féin does not and will not ever set UK trade policy.”
“I appreciate Mr Gaston giving way; he is always up for debate. I know that he will probably come on to the rest of our motion, including where it calls on the UK Government to honour the commitments that they made to the people of Northern Ireland, but I want Mr Gaston to put his view on the record. Is it his view that the Assembly should be collapsed and that we should hand power for this place over to Keir Starmer, the very man who continues to implement the Windsor framework?”
“Minister, you described genocide as "abhorrent". Last week, as Economy Minister, you met representatives of the Chinese Communist Party. Will you outline to the House what discussions you had with them in relation to genocide, or do you have a hypocritical approach when it comes to the issue of Israel?”
“The Minister has done an important job in ensuring that the Arts Council and the arts sector are now more reflective of working-class communities across Northern Ireland. Will he commit to continuing to ensure that all communities benefit from arts funding, not just one section of society?”