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.”
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“I will speak as a DUP member of the Committee for Justice, which I joined last September. This Justice Bill is certainly wide-ranging. My colleague Paul Frew reminded us that he had called it "half a Bill", because of the number of clauses and topics that were not ready to be included when the Justice Minister introduced it. Paul also pointed out that the pack with the text of the amendments is thicker than the original Bill, but he agreed that he was responsible for some of those amendments. <BR /> <BR />The many additions to the Bill made it challenging for the Committee to ensure that there was proper scrutiny and evidence-gathering during Committee Stage. We were notified of some topics without their proposed wording, some of which did not ultimately proceed.”
“I thank the Member. This is an important topic. There are a range of timescales in the Bill — two, three and five years at the bottom end, going up to 25, 50 and 75 years for convictions for the most serious recordable offences — so it is on a scale and is not uniform. For those who are arrested but not charged with a qualifying offence, or those who are charged but not convicted, it is the periods at the bottom end of the scale — two or three years. Does the Member acknowledge that, during an investigation, information can come to light that was not available to the police at the start? It is sensible to allow the DNA data of someone who has been arrested, who was a suspect or who has been charged but not convicted to be held for a period in case something else comes to light during the investigation.”
“I have learned nothing from the Minister's answer. There has been a failure to deliver not just for North Belfast but for all who sit in the long queues of cars at that key junction at the heart of Northern Ireland's road network. Minister, why was that outcome hidden away until I asked my question for written answer, and what are you doing now, in association with the Infrastructure Minister, to fund the long-awaited improvements to the York Street interchange?”
“<BR /> <BR />Daniel Holder needs to withdraw his crass allegation against the Girls' Model school and to publicly apologise for it. I publicly call on him and the CAJ to make that apology. I and other DUP representatives will not tolerate his disgraceful slur against the Girls' Model school. We will uphold and stand for the excellent work that it does for girls from North Belfast, greater Shankill and beyond.”
“The fact that Mr Holder was prepared to spout such nonsense, which was immediately contradicted by another panel witness at the Committee hearing, has exposed his own narrow-minded and prejudiced views and his unreliability as a witness or commentator, and it has damaged or reinforced views of his organisation, the CAJ. <BR /> <BR />Unlike Mr Holder, I have attended many events in the Belfast Model School for Girls over the years. It is an excellent school. It has had ethnic minority pupils for many years and is increasingly ethnically diverse, as are all schools across Northern Ireland. It seems that Mr Holder's allegation was entirely based on one unfortunate case involving girls who had been removed from at least three schools due to their conduct, including other schools before and after their time at the Girls' Model.”
“At a meeting of the Committee for the Executive Office held here in Parliament Buildings last Wednesday, a disgraceful allegation was made by Mr Daniel Holder, the director of a group called the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ). His allegation was an injustice that does not stand up to examination and needs to be withdrawn. <BR /> <BR />During an evidence session on race relations, Mr Holder made a sweeping claim that some schools in Northern Ireland are no-go areas for ethnic minorities. When challenged by Committee member Phillip Brett MLA to clarify his statement — I commend Phillip for doing so — Mr Holder came off with the allegation that the Belfast Model School for Girls in our North Belfast constituency was such a school.”
“<BR /> <BR />The decision before us today is whether we consent to the Bill's progressing to Committee Stage to undergo wider consultation and for the opportunity to clarify, improve and amend it. I am content to support the Bill's progress to that stage.”
“I welcome the legislation that exists. If more is needed to prevent that activity, I would support that. At election time, I have spoken to people who would justify that activity and have told them, "I do not agree with you and I do not seek your vote if that is what it hinges on". <BR /> <BR />Animal welfare matters. Gratuitous cruelty should be prevented. I accept the need to tighten legislation. I share the concerns about the potential consequences of the Bill for dog owners, farmers, country sports enthusiasts and those engaging in legitimate pest control and, from time to time, in the necessary culling of species such as deer, minks, foxes and badgers using dogs. I am also concerned about the scale of the prison sentences proposed in the Bill.”
“It is also important to respect the existence of traditional rural activities and country sports, including shooting, many of which, we are told, would not be prevented by the passing of the Bill. That needs to be tested. <BR /> <BR />When it comes to people who go into country areas and set terriers or other dogs into badger setts, foxholes or rabbit holes for some sort of enjoyment — I have spoken to people who take part in that activity and enjoy it — I consider that to be unacceptable cruelty both to the dogs and the wild animals.”
“It is an important issue. I welcome the fact that my party has permitted a free vote on the matter. I thank all the groups that have written to me both in support of and against the Bill and all the individual constituents who have written, no doubt, to most of us, many sending a standardised campaign email either for or against the Bill. <BR /> <BR />The matter hinges on what we consider to be nature, what is considered to be acceptable forms of hunting and pest control and what should be considered to be unacceptable cruelty. Of great importance to me, as I have already stated in an intervention to the sponsor of the Bill, is the need to respect the right of farmers to protect their livestock, such as poultry and lambs, which are vulnerable to predators, such as foxes, and the right to use a dog in that protection.”
“I thank the Member for giving way. He will be aware that many farmers own a dog for the protection of their livestock, and of the damage that can be done to livestock if a fox or other predator gets into a chicken coop or among lambs. How will the Member ensure that a farmer is allowed to protect his livestock, including with a dog, to prevent them falling prey?”
“I thank the First Minister for the update that the Department is actively looking towards a phase 2 of the Urban Villages initiative. It has made a great difference in areas of North Belfast, which Phillip Brett and I represent. We look forward to further information about phase 2. <BR /> <BR />Can the First Minister confirm whether the Department remains committed to ensuring that phase 1 projects that are outstanding — I am thinking, in particular, of the new Westland and Sunningdale community centres — will be delivered?”
“I welcome the allocation of the remainder of the £235 million provided by HM Treasury for transformation projects that improve efficiency. <BR /> <BR />Minister, you said that the public-sector transformation board recommended supporting another five projects that meet the criteria for funding and that you want to see those supported. Have you approached or will you approach Treasury to make the case that, if it can provide further transformation funding, that will be money well spent, as it will deliver ongoing savings on an invest-to-save basis?”
“I believe that the Member for North Belfast has information about who was responsible for their murder. They were taken, unarmed and off duty, and murdered by being shot at close range. He should bring forward information, if he has knowledge of which —”
“I regret that the Sinn Féin Member for North Belfast would not give way to me. I attended a service with members of the McCaig family on Sunday, and the family of the two McCaig brothers and the family of Dougald McCaughey are entitled to the truth.”
“Why did the Minister fail to meet her self-imposed deadline of introducing the Bill last year?”
“It is appalling that, within the ranks of Sinn Féin in north Belfast, there are people who know which IRA terrorists were involved in those murders, yet, because of a Mafia-like code of omertà, that information is withheld by people who demand that every action and record relating to the state be examined in order to find some fault or omission. That hypocrisy is a further insult to the victims of the IRA, and the contradiction relating to truth and justice is stark. <BR /> <BR />We hope, however, that it is of some comfort to the families of Fusiliers John McCaig, Joseph McCaig and Dougald McCaughey to know that their memory is cherished and held dear and that two memorials in their honour have been funded by public subscription. We will remember them.”
“According to the Ministry of Defence, over 1,400 serving members of the British armed forces died during Operation Banner, either from paramilitary attacks or from other causes. We remember them all, yet the murder of those three Scottish soldiers, who were aged just 17, 18 and 23, continues to stand out for the deceit and savagery involved. If the IRA considered itself to be at war, by that standard it murdered prisoners of war, which is an act of total depravity. <BR /> <BR />No one has ever been convicted of the soldiers' murder.”
“They were not on active service but off duty and unarmed. They were taken from a city centre pub and most likely told that they were going to a party. They were, however, ultimately shot at close range by the cowardly Provisional IRA on a small country road at White Brae in Ligoniel in north Belfast.”
“Yesterday, I attended a memorial service in proud memory of three Scottish soldiers — Fusiliers John McCaig, Joseph McCaig and Dougald McCaughey — to recognise that this year is the 55th anniversary of their murders in 1971. <BR /> <BR />We are grateful to the Oldpark/Cavehill branch of the Royal British Legion, which organised yesterday's anniversary service and parade, held at Ballysillan Presbyterian Church. We were honoured to have members of the McCaig family in attendance, along with the Lord Lieutenant, the Lord Mayor, the High Sheriff of Belfast, representatives of the Royal British Legion, elected representatives and members of the public. <BR /> <BR />The brutality of the killings of those Royal Highland Fusiliers remains deeply shocking to this day.”
“I am interested in particular in hearing from the Finance Minister about efficiency savings across the Executive. I do not doubt that it is difficult to manage a four-party Executive Budget; it has not currently been agreed for even one year, let alone three or four years. What targets are being set to make efficiency savings, and what progress is being made and annually measured? The transformation fund and the delivery unit in TEO are positive initiatives, but the Finance Minister should be the champion for efficiency savings and should push all Ministers to make them. <BR /> <BR />I would welcome an update from the Minister on those matters.”
“There are also opportunities for the greater use of financial transactions capital, which is now provided on a net basis, meaning that there is no longer a requirement to make repayments to Treasury.”
“I would welcome an update from the Finance Minister, when he responds, on how that is progressing, or not, at the Executive table and in talks with the UK Government.”
“The defence review resulted in a £50 million defence growth deal for Northern Ireland, supporting defence tech start-ups and small businesses, creating highly skilled jobs; growing Northern Ireland's aerospace, defence and security sector, which employs thousands of our people; and strengthening UK national security as well as defending people in Ukraine and other places that are under hostile attack. <BR /> <BR />Among other initiatives, the Communities Minister has highlighted the potential, building on the principles of the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement, for a portion of savings from tackling benefit fraud and error to be retained for the funding of public services in Northern Ireland. That represents a real opportunity to increase funding for public services.”
“That is a timely intervention. I wanted to go on to say that the strategic defence review in 2025 highlighted that UK defence spending will increase to 2·5% of GDP by 2027, with the aim of reaching 3% in the next Parliament. Countries across Europe have recognised that need. The parties here that want to stick their heads in the sand and ignore the threat from Russia and elsewhere are failing in the fundamental responsibility of government, which is to protect its citizens from real and present dangers. The Republic of Ireland is Europe's biggest outlier in that regard.”
“Sinn Féin's Jemma Dolan said earlier that local fundraising through the rates cannot meet the funding gap, which is true, but that does not mean that we should not do all that we can to grow our economy, increase our rates base and, of course, increase household income and spending power. It was the DUP that championed the city and growth deal funding for Northern Ireland and got that included in the confidence-and-supply agreement with the then Government in 2017. That has provided £1·3 billion for four deals that now cover all of Northern Ireland.”
“As a result, we have before us a draft annual Budget and multi-year Budget that are not agreed by the Executive, nor indeed by any Minister in the Executive — perhaps with the exception of the Finance Minister, but he can confirm that. The financial reality, however, means that the Executive have responsibility for managing our current actual funding envelope. Some parties — we have heard from them today — have a one-point action plan of "Blame the Brits". However, the Executive must do all that they can, first, to bring in additional government funding through special initiatives and, secondly, to promote efficiency and the transformation of our public services.”
“I rise to speak as a DUP member of the Finance Committee. The DUP has led the fight for increased funding from the Treasury at Westminster for public services in Northern Ireland to reflect our true level of need. We continue to campaign to increase that, above the current level of 124% pro rata compared with England, to the 128% that was recommended in Professor Gerald Holtham's review last year. There is, of course, unanimous support across the Assembly for increased funding from HM Treasury. Our DUP MPs are leading that cause at Westminster, where Sinn Féin MPs do not even take their seats. <BR /> <BR />While that campaign continues, it is extremely challenging for our Executive to live within their existing Budget.”
“Minister, you are dismissive of the suggestion, but there is no progress on the ground and we have seen a series of delays. The target date has slipped from 2027 to 2030 and, now, possibly to 2033. It will be a very limited service if it cannot overcome restrictions in the area of Belfast Zoo on the Antrim Road. I still argue that the Shore Road route option should be looked at, as it is much more deliverable and practical.”
“The central good relations fund has not been confirmed because the Executive do not have an agreed Budget. I am conscious that the Executive are engaging with the UK Government on next steps. What is the deputy First Minister's message to the Prime Minister to ensure that we achieve agreement and get a Budget that delivers for the people of Northern Ireland?”
“We also maintain that the focus must remain on the UK Government funding the scheme properly, at the same level as before. <BR /> <BR />I commend our amendment to the House.”
“<BR /> <BR />Some Members lamented the democratic decision of the people of the United Kingdom in the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union and the need to live up to our national security and defence requirements, but they offered no solution, only a distraction in the debate. EU structural funds were always additional to our Northern Ireland block grant, so any replacement funding should be additional. We are all aware of the severe demands across all nine Departments. If responsibility for the local growth fund were to be devolved to our Executive rather than being part of a national approach to supporting local economic growth, there would be a greater risk of Westminster evading its responsibility and reducing the funding over time. Our amendment therefore calls on the Finance Minister to:”
“<BR /> <BR />The restriction on the local growth fund has greatly reduced the number of beneficiaries and has caused projects to withdraw totally from some of their centres of operation. It has been suggested that the 70:30 funding split is being imposed because it is the overall split required of the sponsoring Westminster Department, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. We in the DUP want to see the previous spending power under the EU structural funds replicated and enhanced. Under structural funding, the UK always paid more into the EU than it received back, so there can be no excuse for any shortfall in funding now. Previous Governments made promises that they ultimately did not honour.”
“Given the relatively low number of people who are officially unemployed and seeking work in Northern Ireland, it is vital that government seek to address the relatively high number of our people who are categorised as economically inactive and are not seeking work, be that down to early retirement, disability, health issues or caring responsibilities. <BR /> <BR />Voluntary sector groups across Northern Ireland, including the Belfast Works Connect consortium, have a strong track record of reaching and engaging with such people, assisting them into employment training programmes and into work. Between 2023 and 2025, such projects supported almost 24,000 people across Northern Ireland. That is money well spent for the benefit of the individuals and their families and of employers and the Northern Ireland economy as a whole.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. On behalf of the DUP, I will make a winding-up speech on our amendment to the SDLP motion. <BR /> <BR />There has been a great deal of agreement across the Chamber in opposition to the conditions imposed by Westminster on the local growth fund, particularly the 70:30 capital/revenue split, which has substantially reduced the revenue element provided through the Shared Prosperity Fund and, before that, the European social fund. We are all aware of the difficulties that that restriction has caused, particularly to groups in the community and voluntary sector that deliver employability support for people deemed to be economically inactive.”
“The murder of Katie Simpson and the attempted cover-up by Jonathan Creswell were deeply disturbing, and the review has rightly attempted to learn lessons and make lasting changes to statutory responses. <BR /> <BR />Minister, the review highlights the need for pathologists to consider coercive control and staged suicide as part of their analysis of all sudden or unexplained deaths and for all attendances at medical facilities or elsewhere that involve physical injury to prompt safeguarding considerations. Some may consider such routine questioning to be unwanted and even distressing, but, in the interest of victims, how will you and the wider Executive promote public messaging that such considerations must be taken into account and such questions asked in every difficult circumstance?”
“Minister, as you have set out, millions of pounds are earned each year from the Northern Ireland Investment Fund, with over £8 million in 2024. Can the Minister clarify how that interest is being managed and whether it is being reinvested to fund public services in Northern Ireland?”
“I thank the Minister for his statement on the education-themed meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council, which shows the advantages of practical cooperation for mutual benefit. In addition to meeting his Irish counterparts, has the Minister met UK Ministers in recent months?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I commend the Minister for his detailed and practical response to the report on the independent review of teacher workload. What does he say to those who are concerned that promises have been made about teacher workload before but not delivered on?”
“Does the Minister support climate change targets that mean that no major new roads can be built in Northern Ireland?”
“Can the Minister confirm the capital budget position for his Department for 2026-27?”
“It is clear that the protocol and the Windsor framework continue to provide considerable challenges to businesses across Northern Ireland. Does the First Minister agree that tinkering around the edges is not enough and that we need the Government to act decisively to protect trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland?”
“Where they are operating well, as I said, they reduce pressure on GPs and provide better outcomes, but progress must now match ambition. I therefore call on the Minister to lift the current freeze on MDT roll-out as a matter of urgency; to ensure that funding is released directly and promptly to GP practices; to invest in workforce planning, particularly for social workers and those in mental health roles; to provide a clear, time-bound and full roll-out across all North Belfast practices; and to ensure fairness and capacity, particularly in areas facing cross-boundary demand. <BR /> <BR />Our GP practices are under sustained pressure. They are doing everything that they can to support their communities, but they cannot do it alone. There must be no more delays. Our practices need that support now. North Belfast cannot wait.”
“Practices tell me that, even where roll-out is planned, funding does not always flow in a timely or practical way, and that makes it difficult to plan, recruit and deliver services effectively. I am also deeply concerned about what, I am told, is a current freeze on a full MDT roll-out, which, I understand, is to remain in place until January next year. The Minister can confirm what is happening in that regard. It must be urgently addressed, because, even when approval is given, recruitment takes time. In many cases, the roles are highly skilled. Staff must be recruited from other parts of the system, and notice periods are often three months or more, so any delay today becomes a delay in delivery many months down the line. <BR /> <BR />Despite those challenges, I want to be clear that having MDTs is the right approach.”
“That has placed an extra strain on the delivery of MDTs, distorting planning and overloading certain practices. <BR /> <BR />Where MDTs are working well, they reduce GP workload, provide faster access, especially to physiotherapy, and provide early intervention and better patient outcomes. It is the right model, and the progress is welcome. However, a key challenge is that delivery is conditional and not guaranteed. Many practices have not yet experienced a full roll-out of MDT services, and there is growing frustration, not with the model but with the pace and consistency of delivery. From what I hear, there are simply not enough social workers on the ground at present, but that cannot become a reason for continued delay. <BR /> <BR />I will highlight the issue of funding reaching GP practices.”
“Practices have reported a lack of social workers and mental health staff and delays to or lack of clarity on funding, and many GP buildings are not fit for MDT expansions. As a result, they cannot recruit, plan or deliver the intended benefits. They also highlight the impact of cross-boundary demand from West Belfast in particular, which, of course, has a high level of demand itself.”
“The Health Minister confirmed in a reply to me that the plan was to introduce MDTs in 18 of the 21 GP practices in North Belfast in the last financial year and the remainder in this financial year, subject to premises' readiness, with the aim of providing early intervention, reducing health inequalities and improving well-being through accessible, high-quality services. However, while the ambition is clear, the reality on the ground in North Belfast is more complex. <BR /> <BR />A number of GP practices in North Belfast that I engaged with agree that MDTs are the right reform but said that roll-out in North Belfast has been too slow, inconsistent and under-resourced. Roll-out depends on premises' readiness, workforce availability in those disciplines and funding.”
“I welcome the opportunity to speak on the issue of multidisciplinary teams in North Belfast, and I thank Carál for bringing the matter to the Floor of the Assembly. MDTs are widely recognised as being central to the future sustainability of primary healthcare. There is no doubt that MDTs represent an important reform of our health system. By embedding professionals such as physiotherapists, social workers and mental health practitioners directly into GP practices, we are moving towards a more preventative, accessible and patient-centred model of care. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the fact that £61 million was secured for MDTs from the transition fund for the next four years, and I particularly welcome the fact that North Belfast has been included in this phase of the roll-out.”
“I thank the Minister for her answer. Since I submitted my question, the £100 of support for home heating oil for lower-income households — up to 340,000 households — across Northern Ireland has been announced. That was led by the Minister for Communities and supported by the Executive, and it includes funding from Treasury. That support is very much to be welcomed. <BR /> <BR />Businesses are also suffering from the spike in energy costs. What specific schemes is the Minister, as the Minister for the Economy, considering to support businesses that are suffering?”
“There may be a lack of awareness among parents of the law surrounding e-scooters in particular: a lack of awareness about where they can be used, about who can use them and about how they should not be used in public spaces such as roads, footpaths and parks. Mandatory registration of the vehicles at the point of sale, as we propose, would also make it clear to owners and parents that they are not toys and, when misused, can have serious consequences. I commend our amendment to the House.”