Diane Forsythe
South Down · Democratic Unionist Party · Northern Ireland
“The Schomberg Society and the staff and pupils of Kilkeel Primary School worked hard alongside the team from Blue Eagle Productions, especially director Rosie McClelland, to deliver a fantastic performance. We saw Northern Ireland's history, heritage and the pupils' great talent shining through.”
“<BR /> <BR />The production was an excellent way to mark that important historic event and for those P7 pupils to bring their time in primary school to a close. It was bittersweet for the year group, as one of their dear classmates was notably missing.”
“As we come to the end of another school term, I pay tribute to some excellent work at Kilkeel Primary School in my constituency, especially by the P7s. I declare an interest, as my son is one of them.”
“Mrs McCabe, the school principal, shared with the children the words of Proverbs chapter 17, verse 17 on how true friends love at all times — through the good times and the hardships of life. I thank Mrs McCabe for her leadership.”
“The Minister will not be surprised by my question on the delay of the accounts certification on SEUPB, as we are in June 2026, 18 months after the end of financial year 2024. Those accounts have still not been certified in both jurisdictions, and a full further financial year has since passed.”
“Minister, you say that you want to avoid unintended consequences for businesses and property owners, but those measures do nothing for existing long-term businesses that are struggling on, already occupy premises and cannot afford to invest in their properties, and there will be consequences for them.”
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“<BR /> <BR />We face the spending review against a backdrop of uncertainty, following the Labour Government's unpredictable and disappointing actions of recent months, such as taking the winter fuel payment from our pensioners; the attacks on family farms; and the hit to small businesses that has been caused by the move to increase employers' National Insurance contributions and the minimum wage, which came at once and at short notice. Such uncertainty is not good for financial planning. Our priority is to approve an operational Budget in Northern Ireland to keep our public services operating and delivering the best for us. As we move on the Budget, it is important that we ensure that we achieve the best value for money in our public spending. We need to see real transformation of our public services and public money being spent wisely.”
“He is very critical of the Communities Minister's allocations to housing, but we can be assured that, were more money available to the Communities Minister, he would deliver more housing. Budgets are constrained, however. Our Ministers are making the best of their allocations, and there remains ambition and commitment that any more money that becomes available will be used to deliver for us in Northern Ireland.”
“Across Departments, Ministers have bid significantly more than has been allocated to them in the Budget, leaving disappointment with allocations across the board. The Ministers, the Executive and the Assembly have a responsibility to ensure that Departments keep running and delivering essential public services to the best of their ability. To do that, they need the Budget (No. 2) Bill to be approved. This year, although we are in the position of the Budget's having been brought forward following the publication of an agreed Programme for Government, the available Budget is putting constraints on how much can be delivered. I am disappointed that the leader of the Opposition is not in the Chamber.”
“That will transform our ability to plan for the better use of public money, to improve delivery of public services, to realise efficiencies, to make strategies that are underpinned by longer-term financing and to make huge strides in securing the status and existence of our voluntary and community sector, which delivers critical public services in Northern Ireland. Our annual Budgets make the running of public services and our economy challenging, especially where we roll forward on Votes on Account and set the Budget Bill when we are already three months into the financial year and in the process of June monitoring rounds. <BR /> <BR />The Budget (No. 2) Bill that we are dealing with has been brought before us as at a time when we face extreme financial pressures and does the best that it can under the circumstances.”
“We are all well versed in the Budget circumstances here. We know that we face pressures in delivering public services and that Northern Ireland has long been underfunded. The DUP leader, Gavin Robinson MP, has led the campaign for an improved funding package for Northern Ireland for some time, and we remain committed to fighting for that. I welcome the Finance Minister's review of our funding and his progressing discussions with Treasury on our increased funding need. I hope to see that reflected in the comprehensive spending review this week. I look forward to the spending review announcement, which, as has been noted, is expected to set out resource spending for the next three years and capital spending for the next four years.”
“I thank the Minister for his answer. The recent announcement of the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund was very welcome. Will the Minister give an update on what that will mean for some of our costal towns and the fishing industry?”
“I thank the Member for his intervention. Yes, the monitoring rounds are incredibly important. The Finance Minister has indicated in advance some of the plans for the June monitoring round. Given the movements at the end of the previous financial year, which transferred extra money across to 2025-26, we will look to see where those allocations go. It is a critical time, and we must maximise all potential available funding across all Departments.”
“Differing from the leader of the Opposition, I welcome the Communities Minister's announcement as to how he will progress his budget under tight constraints, with realistic plans as to what he can do within the budget that he has been allocated and whilst moving forward under the agreed priorities. It will be a difficult year. It will be difficult for the Executive to manage, but we need to join together and remain committed to the Programme for Government and its key objectives.”
“In considering the Estimate provided by the NIPSO, the Committee noted that it broadly aligned with the budget of £5,150,000 agreed by the Committee in November 2024. The Estimate included only one minor variation of £37,000, which, again, related to ring-fenced DEL depreciation being retained at the 2024-25 level. <BR /> <BR />The Committee has noted that any changes to budget allocations for the NIAO or the NIPSO during the 2025-26 financial year will be handled through future supplementary processes, and the Committee will examine those with the diligence required at the appropriate time. <BR /> <BR />I will speak briefly as a DUP MLA. I welcome the presentation of the 2025-26 Estimates as they flow under the priorities of the Programme for Government.”
“The Estimate included only one minor variation of £55,000 relating to a recommendation from the Department of Finance that NIAO retain its ring-fenced DEL depreciation at the 2024-25 level. <BR /> <BR />I will move on to the NIPSO. Despite its having a relatively small budget, Committee members were struck by the wide remit of the NIPSO, as well as the growing numbers of complaints considered by the office since its inception in 2016. Members were particularly interested to hear about the recently introduced role of the office in relation to the Complaints Standards Authority. That, combined with investment in other preventative measures such as the own-initiative programme, could lead to savings further down the line by reducing the number of complaints finding their way to the NIPSO in the first place.”
“During scrutiny of the proposed draft Budget, Committee members questioned officials on how they justified additional funding over and above the previously agreed 2022-25 NIAO budget. Members were alarmed to hear of the threat to the NIAO's public audit function and its vital scrutiny work. The Committee considers that that scrutiny is integral to the public finances of Northern Ireland, and the Committee also noted the PAC's recent observation that the NIAO's average spend is well below that of other public audit agencies in the United Kingdom. The Committee continues to stand over its decision to fully support the work of the NIAO. In considering the Estimate provided by the Audit Office, the Committee noted that it broadly aligned with the budget of £11,153,000 agreed by the Committee in November 2024.”
“The contents of the Audit Committee's report reflect the factual position on its scrutiny and deliberations relating to the evidence provided by both the NIAO and the NIPSO on their Estimates for 2025-26. That consideration of the draft Estimates and associated correspondence formed the basis of the Committee report, which gave legal effect to the Audit Committee's statutory function of laying the Estimates for the NIAO and the NIPSO before the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Given the manifest connection between the figures in the Estimates and the draft Budget report, I will highlight some of the Committee's deliberations concerning the budgets for both bodies. I will begin with the NIAO.”
“The Committee does, however, have regard to the advice of the Department of Finance and the Public Accounts Committee in respect of the NIAO in carrying out that role. <BR /> <BR />The Audit Committee's report on the Estimates for both bodies for 2025-26 was laid in the Business Office on 14 May 2025. The report was laid subject to the views of the Department of Finance in relation to both organisations and subject to the views of the PAC on the NIAO Estimate. That was due to the extremely tight timescales set by the Department of Finance for the Estimates to be considered and reported on. The report was noted by the PAC at its meeting on 15 May, and it had no comment to make.”
“The main role of the Audit Committee is to scrutinise and agree the budgets and Estimates of the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) and the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) and to lay the Estimates before the Assembly. The Committee also undertakes a budget scrutiny role for the Assembly Commission, although my contribution today will relate solely to the Estimates for the NIAO and the NIPSO, given that the functions in respect of the Commission's Estimates are yet to be codified. The Committee plans to progress that matter during the mandate. The Audit Committee fulfils its Estimates role in place of the Department of Finance, in recognition of the independence of those non-ministerial bodies.”
“<BR /> <BR />I take the opportunity to pick up on the call from Brid Carroll, who spoke about the importance of the evaluation and of the real need to ensure that bereavement support is in place in Northern Ireland, especially for young people. The programme was funded by a stream of the Department of Health charity fund, which has now stopped, but the service cannot stop. It needs to be funded to stay in place, because it is literally changing the direction of people's lives at their toughest moments. The model is in the Cancer Fund for Children to connect, nurture, understand and empower those who are managing their bereavement journey. We do not need to reinvent the wheel; we need to embed this as a core function in our health service and work in partnership with our schools. Just remember, for those who are gone: say their name.”
“<BR /> <BR />On Friday, we also heard from Christopher Smith, whose wife, Leancha, sadly died from cancer. Against the beautiful backdrop of pictures of the family together, he spoke about how his daughter, Meabh, attended the bereavement support and how that helped them to speak about their grief as a family and keep the happy memories alive. It was very emotional to hear the stories and to feel the impact of the programme in the room, with people from across Northern Ireland, including my constituency. Sometimes we see policies and procedures set out, but there is nothing more impactful than hearing real-life stories. It is a credit to the team at the Cancer Fund for Children to have delivered the programme through Joe and Gemma and to have really made a difference to many lives.”
“Leah said that the loss of her mother at such a young age was the biggest thing that has happened in her life. I am sure that her mum would be so proud of her. <BR /> <BR />Specialised programmes are needed to support people, especially young people, through those times. Sadly, that type of bereavement support does not exist across our healthcare system and has not been rolled out in our schools. The impact of accessing support on young people who are dealing with their grief has been described as "life-changing". We need to call for funding to ensure that the support remains in place in Northern Ireland. Through its informal therapeutic support model, the Cancer Fund for Children has delivered the programme to over 60 young people. The proof of its impact is shown in each of their powerful testimonies.”
“On Friday past, it was a privilege to sponsor the launch in Parliament Buildings of the 'Say Their Name' report by the amazing Cancer Fund for Children. It is an evaluation report on the support offered to children and young people attending residential bereavement group work programmes held at the Cancer Fund for Children's Narnia Garden cabin in the grounds of Daisy Lodge in Newcastle in my constituency of South Down. Friday's event, which was hosted by Thomas and Leah Haighton, was very powerful. Sadly, Thomas's wife, Lyndsey, passed away from cancer, and the Cancer Fund for Children supported his family throughout their journey. Lyndsey's beautiful picture sat proudly at the event, where her daughter, Leah, spoke about how the bereavement programme helped her and her brother, Lewis, to deal with their grief.”
“We want to see real action from the Finance Minister in response to the cost of doing business report, on the previous recommendations of the high street task force report and on rates reform — sooner rather than later. Businesses in Northern Ireland need to see action. We need to see delivery to support our local businesses, grow the Northern Ireland economy and deliver on the commitment to making Northern Ireland work.”
“In Wales, the rate relief is lower, at 40%, but it is still a crucial means of support for industries that have weathered the storm of the pandemic only to find themselves cast into a cost-of-living crisis where energy costs, other inputs and overheads are soaring. Work on non-domestic vacant rating is crucial. The current discount is helping to sustain the dereliction of our high streets and towns across Northern Ireland. We in the DUP have been champions of the manufacturing sector for many years and the delivery of the industrial derating policy ensures that manufacturers across Northern Ireland benefit from the rate relief that they deserve. <BR /> <BR />Our amendment seeks to enhance the original motion. It calls for action, not just the re-gathering of groups and formation of new ones.”
“The rates review, which the Minister of Finance and the Executive have agreed to undertake, is an important step in making sure that we continue to target and support businesses. However, that work must be expedited. The Minister must progress that work at pace. April has been and gone, and businesses face numerous challenges due to the changes in National Insurance and the living wage. Every Member in the Chamber has been lobbied by businesses that operate across retail, hospitality, childcare and healthcare that are lumbered with those additional burdens. Bespoke rates relief has been provided for retail, hospitality and leisure in England at a rate of 75% in recent years.”
“The Minister cannot shirk responsibility and must use the levers at his disposal. Our amendment seeks to enhance the original motion and include further powers that are at the Minister's disposal. High-street retailers have been complaining for years about the soaring cost of business rates, which is a property-based tax. They tend to pay far higher rates than online rivals that do not have stores to run. There is a long-standing need for the reform of business rates to reflect commercial realities and business trends. Additional pressures are placed on businesses as a result of the increase in their National Insurance contributions and the risk that online corporates can undercut retailers with a presence in our towns and high streets. <BR /> <BR />Reality is laid bare in the cost of doing business report.”
“When the deputy First Minister recently met the Prime Minister, she took the opportunity to raise directly the pressures on Northern Ireland businesses from the increase in National Insurance contributions and the increase in the minimum wage and the pressures placed upon family farms. It is disappointing, therefore, that the Finance Minister will not take the opportunity to highlight those issues, but I hope that he will do so going forward. <BR /> <BR />The cost of doing business research provides clear evidence of the challenges that are faced by businesses and how those vary across sectors. One would have thought that that evidence would provide the Minister with the ability to see what targeted support was required, yet it appears that the solution is to write to the Government.”
“<BR /> <BR />This morning, I heard the Finance Minister say on the radio that he was going to London today to meet the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and the two key points that he said he would make were on increasing the level of funding need for Northern Ireland and funding for Casement Park. The case for increasing the level of funding need for Northern Ireland has been well made, and the campaign has been led by the DUP and Gavin Robinson MP for some years, so we welcome the Finance Minister's taking that up. However, it was disappointing that his other priority was to make the case not for struggling businesses here in Northern Ireland but for Casement Park.”
“Its sentiment was welcome, as it recognised the need of the sector, but, on its completion, it outlined nothing new. All the same issues that we have been lobbied on at length and have worked through were laid down again in more detail. However, as the report was commissioned by our Northern Ireland Finance Minister, the hope was that, on its completion, the Finance Minister would use it as a basis to take firm action to support under-pressure local businesses in Northern Ireland. However, that does not appear to be the case. I agree with the point in the motion that the Minister needs to do more than just forward the report to the Treasury.”
“Thank you, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. We have been long aware of the pressures on our local businesses across many sectors, including childcare, which underpins all sectors. The Labour Government's announcement in October about the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions and the rate of the minimum wage at short notice and without warning was a huge blow to businesses, especially in Northern Ireland where our economy has a high number of small businesses. <BR /> <BR />The Finance Committee had a joint Committee event with the Economy Committee on all those issues. We then issued a report outlining the issues and brought that to the Chamber. The previous Finance Minister also commissioned a review of the cost of doing business from Ulster University.”
“Minister, thank you for stepping up and showing leadership to do things differently and to deliver the best use of public money and reduce fraud. I welcome, as is outlined in your statement, the approach to streamlining the Civil Service and driving forward with efficiencies when we need them most. Could the Minister please outline the impact that that will have on vacancies?”
“With over 120 arm's-length bodies and quangos across Northern Ireland public services, we see a lot of cost associated with back-office functions such as running boards. We see duplication of finances and requirements for individual accounts and audit services. Does the Minister have any idea of the cost of that to her Department?”
“I also wish you, Mr Speaker, a happy birthday. <BR /> <BR />I thank the First Minister for her answer. I look forward to hearing the responses from the different Departments following their reviews.”
“The Opposition oppose everything yet offer little, whereas the DUP has long led the campaign to secure a fairer funding model for us in Northern Ireland. Let us not forget that our United Kingdom Government provide over £18 billion in block grant funding to Northern Ireland.”
“However, the fixation on devolving further fiscal powers, with all the complexity that that entails, at a time when the fiscal deficit between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK has been widening, is something about which we continue to have deep reservations. Moreover, if that discussion is taken forward, its primary objective will be to transform our core public services in Northern Ireland, not to boost the coffers of North/South bodies or quangos. More fiscal devolution, just like the removal of the checks and balances on the funding of North/South bodies, would inevitably add a new dimension of volatility to the Executive's Budget and to relations between Ministers. That is not something that we are willing to countenance. <BR /> <BR />I repeat: the parties opposite are being disingenuous in their framing of the debate.”
“Our position is unchanged: there is already provision through InterTradeIreland to promote mutually beneficial economic opportunities for businesses in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Why do we need another development strategy? Is that really about the SDLP wanting to hand Dublin more influence in how the devolved Government in Northern Ireland tackle the social and economic challenges that our society faces? Does it not recognise the immense benefits of being part of the United Kingdom, typified by the Londonderry and Strabane region city deal? <BR /> <BR />We fully support the amendment's call for a new funding model. The Holtham review commissioned by the Department of Finance provides a platform for renewing that debate in discussions with Treasury.”
“Opening the door for autonomous funding allocations by Departments North or South would represent a departure from that assumption and could, in theory, see either Government bringing undue influence to bear on activities outside their jurisdiction. Again, that engages concerns among unionists on what that would mean for Northern Ireland's constitutional position. <BR /> <BR />I move to the SDLP amendment. Notwithstanding our overriding objection to the motion, it is baffling that the SDLP amendment removes the line that criticises the cuts to winter fuel payments and the welfare changes: I wonder why that is. The Opposition's calls for more fiscal devolution and a cross-border development strategy have been well rehearsed in the Chamber over recent months.”
“They gloss over the fact that the Minister for Communities recently enabled the provision of additional funding of £547,000 to Foras na Gaeilge from the Irish Government and allocated a further £103,500 to the Ulster-Scots Agency as part of a one-off adjustment to the current funding provisions. There are no plans to reduce funding in 2025. <BR /> <BR />North/South cooperation under the auspices of the North/South Ministerial Council and its six implementation bodies is predicated on cross-community consent and the safeguards put in place by the Belfast Agreement to ensure that proper lines of accountability exist to the strand-one institution, namely the Assembly. The ratio of funding for each of the bodies was conceived on the basis of the assessed benefit of their activities to each jurisdiction.”
“At the outset, I acknowledge the good work of the North/South bodies in a number of fields. In my South Down constituency, I have seen at first hand the delivery of important projects and schemes by the SEUPB and InterTradeIreland. Sunday past was Ulster-Scots Day, so it would be remiss of me not to mention the Ulster-Scots Agency as we mark three years since the Ulster-Scots community was officially recognised as a national minority of the United Kingdom. <BR /> <BR />The parties opposite are being disingenuous when they try to frame the debate as being one of unionists blocking Irish language funding.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement. I will speak specifically about the Cancer Fund for Children. Last year, it was great to welcome the Minister to Newcastle in my constituency as we marked the 10th anniversary of the Daisy Lodge therapeutic centre there. In his statement, the Minister welcomed the progression of the Daisy Lodge centre in County Mayo. What plans does he have to support the Cancer Fund for Children with the two Daisy Lodge projects as they work together to provide and enhance their valuable services for children who are affected by cancer?”
“How long will it take for the three parties opposite in the Chamber to understand and respect what a woman is and to be meaningful in their contributions to debates on the safety of women and young girls?”
“The facilities in Parliament Buildings are used by Members, staff and members of the public, including during school visits by children. Many of those people have expressed concerns over this and about how it makes them feel uncomfortable. Women and young girls who use the Building should feel safe in female-only spaces. <BR /> <BR />This morning, I emailed the event sponsors on behalf of all of our female DUP MLAs asking them to reconsider their support for and facilitation of the event, because, as advised by the Clerk/Chief Executive of the Assembly, sponsors and organisers of an event are ultimately responsible for the conduct of their employees and guests during events. <BR /> <BR />This party will continue to stand up for women's rights and safe spaces, as always.”
“There have been debates and motions in this place on the safety of women in Northern Ireland. There is an event today in Parliament Buildings — 'Nothing About Us Without Us - Trans Voices in the Halls of Power' by the Rainbow Project — that raises huge concerns for me in this space. The event has an extremely rigid code of conduct that its organisers have imposed on anyone wishing to attend. It includes the removal from the event of anyone who dares to express dissent or any gender-critical views. The irony that such a code of conduct should be imposed on an event billed by organisers as "just a conversation" should be lost on no one. <BR /> <BR />In addition, attendees are encouraged to use women-only facilities in the Building today, including whichever toilets, they feel, best align with their gender.”
“I thank the Minister for his statement; it is welcome. My question is on the specifics of the waiting list reimbursement scheme. The Minister's announcement just over a month ago on the reinstatement of the cross-border scheme was so welcome, and I was inundated with queries, so, on the back of today's statement, I expect a lot of specific queries. Minister, you talked about it commencing in June. Is there potential for retrospective applications for reimbursement for treatment, and, if so, when could they be made? For people who have treatments booked and planned but are thinking of moving them to save themselves thousands of pounds and for those who are booking operations in the short term, have you any idea of when the scheme will be in place?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, how were you assured about the accuracy and validity of the figures on the business value achieved in 2024, given that the most recently audited and published accounts were for 2022, with those for 2023 to be laid? Will you include detail on the report of £115 million of business development value, which exceeded the target? What was the target? How much was it exceeded by? I ask that bearing in mind that the amount achieved in 2022 was £119 million.”
“What is the Minister's assessment of the way forward for Northern Ireland realising its tourism potential in the Mourne Mountains area, with £30 million of city deal money now at risk?”
“I thank the Minister for her statement. Minister, Tourism Ireland's remit is to:”
“When strategies come into place, the allocation of budget is absolutely critical, and the domestic abuse strategy is a clear example of that. Will the Minister provide a bit more detail on the £300,000 for 14 projects, which are most welcome? What is her estimate of the value of rolling forward the scheme? How long will it continue?”
“Whilst others celebrated, however, we were clear that last year's financial package fell well short of what is required to put our finances on a stable footing. We agree that the funding arrangements for public services in Northern Ireland are not fit for purpose, but we do not support additional fiscal powers being devolved to Northern Ireland at this time.”
“Ironically, in a separate motion that will be debated today, the Opposition call for an infrastructure commission to be established, given the weaknesses in and concerns over how major capital projects have progressed in Northern Ireland. Do they really expect that the situation with fiscal devolution would be any different? Are the right skills and structures really in place to countenance taking concrete steps on that front? Given that the latest figure for Northern Ireland Civil Service major capital projects overspend sits at £3 billion, we need to get our house in order; this is not the time to add to our problems. <BR /> <BR />The DUP is committed to delivering a fair funding model for Northern Ireland. Our party leader, Gavin Robinson MP, has long led on that issue in Westminster, and we are pleased to see progress.”
“<BR /> <BR />Of course, we should be ambitious in how we approach the funding of public services. However, those efforts have to be credible and responsible. We have to be realistic about what is achievable in a context in which the fiscal deficit between Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom has been widening. The Budget process is already incredibly fraught with contention between political parties. The devolution of tax-varying powers would inevitably add a new dimension of volatility to the Executive's Budget. As unionists, we are clear that any change or upheaval of that nature could be exploited by those whose overriding intentions are focused not on transforming public services but on unsettling the political and economic foundations of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland's place within it.”
“<BR /> <BR />The financial reality is that we have just received a challenging Budget for 2025-26. We are waiting on the announcements from the June monitoring round and the comprehensive spending review. The Executive have made it clear that there is a strong desire to move to delivering multi-year Budgets here in the coming years. We are governed by a Labour Government who have proven to be completely unpredictable and have targeted pensioners, family farms and small businesses in their first months in office, and we have no idea about what else could hit us. The Opposition need to get real about recognising the financial and economic environment in which we are living. In the next few months, they should focus on that rather than pushing for fiscal devolution options by September 2025.”
“That is absolutely the case, and the fact that the new needs-based factor has not been baselined or backdated, as if it had applied from the start of the previous spending review period in 2022, has left the Executive without the guts of half a billion pounds annually. Without agreement from the Treasury to rectify that situation as part of a new, fair, responsible and long-term fiscal framework, it will continue in perpetuity. That action could be taken relatively quickly and would have real benefits for our public services. In contrast, protracted negotiations would be required for the aims of fiscal devolution to simply get a fair hearing from the Treasury. I wonder why the Opposition are overlooking that. We look forward to seeing the report of the assessment that Professor Holtham has been commissioned to undertake on that.”
“The DUP does not support the devolution of additional fiscal powers to Northern Ireland at this time. We do not believe that the capacity exists in Departments or in the Northern Ireland Civil Service to manage further complex and fundamental elements of the tax system, such as income tax or VAT. We fully support the first sentence of today's motion:”