Brian Kingston
North Belfast · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“As a DUP member of the Justice Committee, I welcome the Victims and Witnesses of Crime Bill moving to Second Stage. As other Members have mentioned, we are currently handling three substantial Bills at Justice Committee: the Justice Bill, the amendments on which we completed voting on earlier today after seven days of debate; the Criminal…”
“We recognise, however, that the commissioner is not to be an appeal mechanism for when, for example, the outcome of a trial is considered to be unsatisfactory, such as when an unduly lenient sentence is handed down.”
“The special measures include ensuring that an alleged perpetrator is not allowed to cross-examine the victim of the alleged offence, including in sexual crime cases. <BR /> <BR />We heard comments from the Sinn Féin Member for Mid Ulster in praise of her party's support for victims' human rights.”
“We are aware that the trial process often focuses more on the defendant who is charged with an offence than it does on the victims of the alleged crime. Victims must be at the heart of the justice system, not peripheral to it.”
“We welcome the fact that, through the legislation, the post will be formally established and regulated. <BR /> <BR />The principal aim of the commissioner is to promote the interests of victims and witnesses. The commissioner is intended to have a strategic role rather than to become involved in individual cases. Indeed, clause 8 states:”
“Although the Minister notified us a week ago that he would make his statement, it was disappointing that we received the text of it less than an hour before he was scheduled to give it in the Chamber, which did not help us with scrutiny.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,072 lines we hold for Brian Kingston, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 13 of 22.
“The same principles must apply to any strategy that is brought forward. We regret that the Sinn Féin motion is limited to the Irish language. We welcome the Ulster Unionist Party amendment, which is more balanced and inclusive as it recognises the Ulster-Scots aspect. <BR /> <BR />Burdens placed on public authorities must respect language services if they are to be fair and proportionate. The most recent census results demonstrate that the majority of people in Northern Ireland use English as their main language, as we all know. That is followed by Polish and then Lithuanian. In the Northern Ireland census of 2021, 12·4% of respondents — around 229,000 people — reported some level of ability in Irish, and 10·4% of respondents — around 191,000 people — reported some ability in Ulster Scots.”
“Cultural and language provision must be about facilitation rather than imposition. <BR /> <BR />The development of an Irish language strategy must be brought forward in parallel with a strategy for Ulster Scots. Both pieces of work are cross-cutting and will require Executive consideration and approval and widespread consultation. The Irish language strategy, alongside the Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture strategy, is being developed through a co-design process, on which the Department for Communities is taking the lead on behalf of the Executive. <BR /> <BR />In 2017, the DUP indicated that it could not support legislation for Irish on a basis that would elevate the Irish language above English or reduce career opportunities for those who did not speak Irish.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Let me be clear at the outset that the Democratic Unionist Party believes that everyone in Northern Ireland should feel comfortable expressing their national and cultural identity, including those who cherish the Irish language and those who cherish Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture as part of our indigenous cultural wealth. However, the way forward and our approach to that must be balanced and fair to each tradition, recognising and reflecting the delicate balance of community relations in Northern Ireland. Our United Kingdom has a rich and interwoven tapestry of language and heritage that is beloved by many, and there is no reason to be fearful of other people's identities and languages. Northern Ireland is big enough to accommodate everyone.”
“We acknowledge the people who suffered from those conditions and remember them and their families. We are told that various forms of pneumoconiosis, including asbestosis, can take up to 50 years to develop after initial exposure. The resultant lung scarring can have long-lasting effects and, for many, prove fatal. <BR /> <BR />It is only right that the uplift in compensation be approved, and we welcome it that that will now be the case.”
“As a DUP member of the Committee for Communities, I welcome the regulations. They were passed unanimously at the Committee and are now expected to pass in the Assembly. As the Minister said, the inflationary increase in the levels of compensation will maintain parity with the levels set in the rest of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />It is appalling that many workers were exposed to breathing in dust over long periods during their work duties due to proper protection not being in place. That included those working in Belfast docks and in construction in previous decades. It is tragic that, due to a lack of awareness at the time, not all who died from the resultant lung conditions received the compensation that they and their families should have received, and I have met some of those families.”
“I will speak briefly in support of the request from the Committee Chairman. Indeed, this had unanimous support at Committee, and we are keen that we are all learning, through this process, to ensure that there is maximum engagement with members of the deaf community, and we wish to provide the opportunity, through BSL and ISL, for their full participation in and input to this process. Therefore, we welcome the extension. Indeed, if it is possible to shorten the timescale, we will do so, but we want to make sure that there is sufficient time for the phases and for that proper communication.”
“The Minister reported that the Council welcomed progress on the implementation of commitments in the New Decade, New Approach agreement. Did that include any update on the Yorkgate interchange in north Belfast, which is an NDNA commitment? If it was not raised, can the Minister confirm that she is committed to progressing that project?”
“The IRC recommends appointing an independent expert to assess the potential for transition — that is the extent of the proposal — in its seventh report. It is worth progressing that in the interest of ending paramilitarism in Northern Ireland.”
“— whether applicable to an individual or an organisation, can only occur where that individual or organisation is fully committed to leaving their past behind. That is a voluntary act that requires their cooperation. It is admittedly an uncomfortable reality, but the Justice Minister cannot close her eyes to it. <BR /> <BR />We have previously said that de-proscription must not be considered for organisations that are still involved in criminality and that continue to blight their communities. Otherwise, it is a blunt instrument. Any proposals for de-proscription or group transition will ultimately have to be underpinned by a monitoring mechanism, which is capable of giving an honest appraisal of the group's activities.”
“The Alliance Party has rightly been accused of hypocrisy in refusing to countenance any engagement now with the paramilitary-linked groups that it was very content to engage and align with at the time of the Belfast Agreement vote. We are clear that the concept of transition —”
“Therefore, we see merit in the Government's decision to act on the Independent Reporting Commission's recommendation that an independent and time-bound exercise should be taken forward to scope out the potential and explore what might be involved in a process of group transition. Let us give the independent expert who is appointed the time and space to conduct their work. Crucially, part of the scoping exercise will be to gauge levels of support for such a process, and we expect it to capture the appetite for engagement not just of paramilitary organisations but of those who are impacted on or victimised by their unacceptable activities. <BR /> <BR />We do not agree with the Alliance Party's response to dismiss out of hand the suggestion of exploring the potential for transition.”
“However, as we have heard, there is a diverse range of views on how the same can and should be achieved. The DUP is extremely mindful of how such proposals around group transition impact on victims who have suffered at the hands of terrorists in Northern Ireland. Indeed, we are mindful that tomorrow is the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism and also of the poignant event that was held in the Senate Chamber this morning. There are those in our ranks who live with the scars of past terrorism each and every day. <BR /> <BR />It is also the case, however, that there is a range of views among victims and survivors on the way forward. It is clear that simply wishing that the paramilitaries and the organised crime gangs that operate in that space did not exist has not worked.”
“I will come on to engagement with paramilitary-linked groups later. When we look back at the past conduct of the Alliance Party, you may say that it was done for the right reasons, but others will see hypocrisy in your position now. <BR /> <BR />Let me be clear: paramilitaries have no place in our society. The Democratic Unionist Party is clear that members of those groups who are engaged in criminality, intimidation, oppressing their communities and all the other examples that we have heard should not just stop but should leave the scene entirely. They provide a seedbed for criminality and are a negative role model for our young people who have many positive opportunities ahead of them in life. <BR /> <BR />There is consensus across the Chamber that paramilitaries must go away.”
“Well, I have only started, but I will give way briefly.”
“The Democratic Unionist Party recognises that political parties in the Assembly, Departments and, in particular, the criminal justice system all have a collective responsibility to challenge robustly the existence of paramilitary organisations. It remains our position that, where there is evidence that any individual is a member of a proscribed organisation or is otherwise involved in criminal activity, that individual should face the full rigour of the law.”
“— it has never been closer to realisation.”
“The court's ruling last week was that, while the anti-poverty strategy is an outstanding commitment of the Executive as a whole, no individual Minister was in breach of their duty in the matter. Can the Minister confirm that Gordon Lyons, the current Minister for Communities, has stated repeatedly that he and his officials have been engaging across the Executive and that he plans to bring the draft anti-poverty strategy to the Executive Committee before the end of this month? In all these years —”
“I thank the Minister for that comprehensive answer. As he may be aware, the all-party group on homelessness met nurses from the inclusion health service two weeks ago and heard about their important work with the homeless and vulnerable people who are not registered with a GP. The Minister has covered all the points that I wished to raise. Will the Minister push the matter again with his officials? I am mindful that those nurses are often in a vulnerable situation themselves.”
“I welcome the allocations for the important matter of public-sector transformation. I also welcome the fact that the transformation board secretariat will have a role in monitoring and reporting on progress. Is the Minister confident that these will not be just five-year projects but will result in genuine savings and efficiencies so that the transformations will be financially sustainable?”
“Many people — including myself, I might say — wish that they had contributed more at an early age, so anything that encourages people to contribute to their pension pot at an early age is valuable. <BR /> <BR />This is important enabling legislation, and I am sure that it will be supported by the House.”
“That means that we in Northern Ireland will be able to match GB, if and when those changes are made. That will be particularly beneficial where companies are employing people across the UK and will expect pension arrangements to be the same. <BR /> <BR />Secondly, I want to highlight the fact that, last week, we had a very positive debate on a motion that Claire Sugden proposed on strategic planning for an ageing population. This is relevant to that: the need to encourage young people to invest in their pension pot at a young age and to put the onus on employers to enrol people in a private pension at the earliest stage. Those early contributions are particularly valuable, as they will accumulate a greater value.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing the Bill to us at Final Stage. I agree with the Chair of the Committee that we had a good engagement with the Members of the Youth Assembly, who understood that, if an employee typically contributes 5% to their pension pot, their employer will add another 3%, so there will be additional income in the long run. They understood the importance of engaging on their pension pot at an early stage. <BR /> <BR />There are two particular things that I want to mention. First, this enabling legislation will match legislation elsewhere in the United Kingdom, where, I understand, changes have not yet been made but are expected to be made both to the minimum age at which people are automatically enrolled in a pension unless they opt out and to the level at which their contributions are calculated.”
“The Communities Minister also committed to bringing forward an intermediate rent operator, which will also increase access to affordable homes. <BR /> <BR />I strongly welcome the fact that the reform and transformation of our public services has been retained as a priority in the final Programme for Government. The DUP will continue to push for efficiency and effectiveness in our public services and to challenge where savings can be made, particularly where there has been a rationalisation of public bodies. Getting on with the job and delivering for the people of Northern Ireland should be our focus and the measure of our success.”
“As one of its priorities, the Programme for Government includes providing more social, affordable and sustainable housing. Over the course of this mandate, from 2022 to 2027, the Communities Minister commits DFC to start work on at least 5,850 new-build social homes. Over the coming year, the Communities Minister has committed to delivering 847 shared-ownership homes, with that number forecast to increase to 1,900 shared-ownership homes by the end of the mandate in March 2027. He is also to launch the loan-to-acquire move-on accommodation fund of £10 million, helping homeless charities purchase properties as a route into housing; and, this year, to publish an Executive-agreed fuel poverty strategy, to support those struggling with the cost of living.”
“Indeed, I would, perhaps cautiously, suggest that there is an increased element of cross-departmental working during this Assembly mandate in the interest of delivery, although there is always room for improvement. <BR /> <BR />As for the Executive Office, we welcomed the launch of the ending violence against women and girls strategy last year, along with an associated cross-departmental delivery plan. That includes a change fund and challenge fund to support initiatives at community level to challenge wrong attitudes and promote positive attitudes. <BR /> <BR />The Communities Minister has published the housing supply strategy, also branded as an overall Executive strategy, with actions for different Departments and Ministers.”
“Thank you. I agree with the Member: it should not be a restriction on ambition or on what can be delivered. In many cases, it does say "at least" and sets minimum standards. It is right that we have those standards, that we deliver them and that, where possible, we go beyond them, so he is right to make that point. <BR /> <BR />Whilst specific Departments and Ministers are tasked to take the lead on various new strategies, many of them are devised on a cross-departmental basis, with action points identified and agreed across all Departments. When launched, such strategies are branded, rightly, in the name of the Northern Ireland Executive as a whole.”
“That increases the accountability of the Executive as a whole and of individual Ministers, along with their officials and arm's-length bodies, to the Assembly and to the public. Our Assembly Statutory Committees play a key role in that accountability through scrutiny and challenge, through seeking detailed information and by engaging with relevant groups to garner their specialist knowledge and lived experience. The DUP believes strongly that the Assembly must be judged on delivery. We will continue to push all Ministers and all Departments for delivery against the commitments and targets in the Programme for Government.”
“The programme retains the nine priorities set out in the draft, along with the three missions on "People", "Planet" and "Prosperity" and the cross-cutting commitment to "Peace". Underpinning those, the Executive have previously adopted an outcomes-based accountability approach in order to evaluate government actions, which are assessed against nine defined outcomes and linked to 10 strategic domains of well-being. That involves asking simple questions: "How much did we do?", "How well did we do it?" and "Is anybody better off?" <BR /> <BR />Critically, the final Programme for Government, as I pointed out to the Member for Foyle, adds targets and annual objectives against which the public can judge progress made during this Assembly term.”
“I will speak as a DUP member of the Committee for the Executive Office and the Committee for Communities. I warmly welcome the publication of the Programme for Government. I acknowledge the work that has gone into it across the four-party Executive and add my thanks, in particular, to all those who submitted responses to the draft Programme for Government during the consultation period. <BR /> <BR />As others have said, the PFG is not an encyclopedia of every action and all new legislation and ongoing provision that will be undertaken by each Department in the remainder of the Assembly mandate. Rather, the PFG sets out key priorities that will be expedited in the years up to 2027.”
“Did the Member not notice that the final Programme for Government includes the targets and objectives that her party has been calling for? They are there.”
“The First Minister is aware, given her previous answer, of the series of events that take place in Washington DC in the week of St Patrick's Day, in addition to the shamrock ceremony in the White House. All of those events provide excellent opportunities to promote the interests of people in Northern Ireland. Does the First Minister not acknowledge that, if she truly wants to be a First Minister for all, she should set aside her personal and party preference for which party occupies the presidency and join the deputy First Minister in attending as many events in Washington DC as she can that week?”
“We seek to give older people the confidence and capacity to live enriched and independent lives by expanding access to transport. The DUP supported the expansion of the SmartPass for older people, and we will continue to encourage its greater uptake. Older people need effective transport services in order to stay healthy and participate in society. Such services are especially helpful when people are unable to drive their own vehicle. <BR /> <BR />As time is limited, my colleague on the Committee for the Executive Office, Harry Harvey, will, in due course, expand our comments into other areas in which strategic planning for an ageing population is required, including healthcare.”
“Older people, who are the last generation not to have grown up in the internet era, often need support to successfully access online services and all the more so if broadband access is limited in their area. Older people depend most on traditional forms of media, yet that is the group that the BBC has betrayed by scrapping the universal free TV licence for over-75s. Our party will continue to fight for the abolition of the licence fee, but, while it still exists, we will fight for the restoration of free TV licences for all those aged over 75. <BR /> <BR />A large number of bank branches have left our high streets. That loss impacts on older people, more vulnerable people and those who live in a rural community. Community transport, particularly in rural areas, is a lifeline for older people.”
“Those expected demographic changes will mean that the proportion of the population that is of working age will progressively decrease while the number of people who will require services such as supported housing, social care and state pensions will increase. <BR /> <BR />There are many ways in which older people are impacted on, positively and negatively, by changes in society brought about by policy changes and technological advances. In Northern Ireland, there is a strong correlation between ageing populations, rural areas and limited access to digital services. Proficiency on digital devices is a prerequisite for many aspects of modern life, such as booking a flight or tickets for an event, accessing banking services or welfare benefits and making an online purchase.”
“The previous Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland (COPNI) stated:”
“By the end of this Assembly mandate in mid-2027, the long-term trend of the declining birth rate and greater life expectancy means that the proportion of Northern Ireland's population aged over 65 is expected to outnumber that aged under 15 for the first time. <BR /> <BR />Our party recognises the need to build an age-friendly society. The Democratic Unionist Party is committed to promoting the health and well-being of older people by ensuring that they have secure and safe accommodation, equal access to services, vibrant social and economic opportunities and protection against crime, abuse and poverty. One of the three missions in the draft Programme for Government is "People", with a focus on supporting:”
“I thank the Member for East Londonderry Claire Sugden for tabling the motion, which recognises the changing demographics for age in Northern Ireland and the need to plan accordingly. The increase in average life expectancy across the United Kingdom is a great achievement. It was 46 years of age when my late granny was born, 59 when my late parents were born and 71 when I was born. It is now 82 years of age. <BR /> <BR />We are able to measure the increase in our older age groups in Northern Ireland. In the decade from 2013 to 2023, the population here aged 85 and over increased by 25%, which is a rate of increase that is more than five times higher than that for the population as a whole.”
“Can the Minister confirm whether Carlisle Circus is included in the announcement to enable the Clifton Gateway public realm scheme to proceed?”
“Regrettably, that was an underwhelming statement about BRT2 in north Belfast. Given that it does not even commit to extending into Glengormley, it calls into question the political decision to select the Antrim Road over the Shore Road corridor. At that time, others and I pointed out that the Shore Road has the necessary width and bus-using population right up to Rathcoole and beyond. The announcement of preparatory works does not mention Carlisle Circus. As the Minister may recall from the response to my question for oral answer last week, the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, said that the Clifton Gateway public realm scheme could not advance due to uncertainty about the future layout of Carlisle Circus.”
“<BR /> <BR />To relieve the pressure on affordability, we must increase the housing supply and ensure that the benefits system properly takes account of the cost of housing. There was a substantial increase in the local housing allowance rate in April 2024, but, regrettably, as the SDLP will know, its sister party in government at Westminster has frozen housing allowance for the forthcoming financial years. Perhaps, the SDLP could have a word with its Labour Party colleagues, who set the national rates of housing allowance, instead of diverting responsibility to the Stormont Executive. Any mitigation — this my last sentence, Mr Deputy Speaker — locally would need to be funded by the Finance Minister —”
“<BR /> <BR />Demand for private rental properties remains exceptionally high, with PropertyPal reporting an average of 73 enquiries being sent to estate agents for each rental property advertised. Any Member who talks to their local estate agent will be aware of that level of demand. Losing a lot of supply and discouraging the building of new homes for the rental market would make that situation worse. According to the Chartered Institute of Housing, rent controls generally have a negative impact on the housing market, often leading to a reduction in the number of available rental properties, lower-quality housing and difficulties for new tenants in finding accommodation, as landlords may be less incentivised to invest in new properties or maintain existing ones when faced with capped rent increases.”
“In Northern Ireland, we have rent control on properties that the local council has deemed to be in an unfit condition and for protected and statutory tenancies. We can all agree that we want all private rents to be affordable. However, we cannot ignore the potential negative consequences of universal rent controls and reductions. Research has highlighted that a large proportion of landlords may exit the private rental market, which would result in a greater shortage of available private rented properties in an already stretched market that needs stability. Estate agents have pointed out that, with high borrowing costs and unfavourable conditions, landlords are seeking high monthly rents in order to stay in the sector.”
“However, NISRA data shows that, for 2023-24, the proportion of private renters who had resided at their current address for five years or more was higher in Northern Ireland than in the UK as a whole, at 41% and 31% respectively. <BR /> <BR />Housing affordability is a growing problem and is recognised in objective 1 of the housing supply strategy, which is to:”
“They contain proposals that, we believe, would be counterproductive to the supply of housing and have the unintended consequence of reducing supply. <BR /> <BR />On the issue of affordable rent, during the first half of 2024, we saw average rent prices across Northern Ireland continue to rise by 8·5% compared with the same period in 2023. That equated to £886 a month, and rent accounted for an average of 39% of median income. The DUP has helped working families by launching the intermediate rent product, through which a long-term, low-interest loan is offered to an operator to develop a supply of affordable homes for rent at a 20% discount on the market value. <BR /> <BR />Instability of tenure is also a major cause for concern for many in the private rented sector.”
“I speak as a DUP member of the Committee for Communities. The availability and quality of all types of housing are major causes of concern and debate among the Committee members. We wish to see the regulated provision of quality housing in the private rented sector, including good protections for tenancies and a model that is sustainable and affordable for landlords and tenants and enables landlords to invest in their stock and sustain their business. <BR /> <BR />I turn to the motion. The DUP tabled an amendment that retained parts of the original motion's wording as well as amended and additional wording. Unfortunately, it was not selected. We have concerns about the original wording of the motion and the selected amendments.”
“Indeed, the Assembly is part of that; it is called peaceful and democratic politics and respect for the rule of law and other people's right to life. That is what the people of Northern Ireland expect Members of the House to be committed to, and not to the shameful glorification of the evil terrorism of the past.”
“Both men were members of Orange lodges in Ballymacarrett No 6 district in east Belfast. Two days ago, on Saturday morning, I joined hundreds of others in attending the annual service of remembrance for Cummings and Starrett, which was held in Royal Avenue and organised by the Ulster Defenders of the Realm LOL 710. I spoke to family members in attendance, who said that it means a great deal to them that their sacrifice is not forgotten and that their names are honoured. We will continue to remember them with honour. <BR /> <BR />Those who planned and carried out that and other acts of terrorism during the Troubles were the enemies of democracy. In fact, they achieved nothing other than to take thousands of lives and to devastate thousands of others who were injured or bereaved. There was always an alternative to terrorism.”
“<BR /> <BR />Private Cummings, from Rathcoole in Newtownabbey, had been a member of the regiment for two years. Private Starrett, from east Belfast, had joined the regiment just four months previously. They were both just 22 years old. The cowardly IRA members who planned and carried out that bombing had just one intention, which was to take the lives of members of the security forces who were trying to protect society from the evil of terrorism. Had passing members of the public also been killed or seriously injured, the terrorists would have taken no responsibility for that. <BR /> <BR />Cummings and Starrett would have known that, every day and every night, they would be prime targets for terrorists, yet they bravely stepped forward to join the UDR and serve in the British Army to protect society.”
“I rise to pay tribute to UDR privates James Cummings and Fred Starrett who, on this date 37 years ago, while performing their duty to protect life and property in Belfast city centre as soldiers in the Ulster Defence Regiment, were murdered by the IRA. In the late evening of that day, 24 February 1988, Cummings and Starrett attended to lock the security gate in Royal Avenue, to protect the city centre from the IRA bombing campaign, which aimed to destroy the economy of Belfast. The IRA had hidden a bomb behind a hoarding beside the security barrier covering Castle Court shopping centre, which was under construction at that time. When it detonated, Private James Cummings was killed instantly, and Private Fred Starrett was taken to hospital where he died several hours later.”
“Any well-functioning society will want to ensure that all citizens are included and not excluded. We strongly welcome the progress of the Bill at Second Stage and look forward to it coming to Committee for further scrutiny.”